Page 18 of Someone to Tempt
“Of course not.” Gloria’s voice is gentle but firm as she takes my arm. “Iris is here to have fun.” She raises a delicate brow at the mayor. “From what your grandfather says, Jake, you’re the life of the party everywhere you go. You two will be great together.”
I’m unsure if that last sentence is a wish or a command, but she continues, “The past should be left in the past,” and I definitely see Iris flinch.
Something’s going on, and I want to know what it is. Iris might be part of my past, but she’s never truly left me. Hell, I based Ellie Spaulding, the amateur sleuth in my bestselling series, on her. She’s with me every day, not that I plan to admit it.
“Then let’s get started,” Char says, clapping her hands. “Everyone to your places.”
The other students disperse until only Iris and I are left. Her hands squeeze into tight fists at her sides, and she looks like she’s about to bolt. Relatable.
If Char notices how awkward this moment is, she ignores it like a professional.
“How tall are you, Iris?”
“Five-nine,” she mumbles.
“And you, Jake?”
“Six-two?”
“That’s a perfect height differential for a balanced aesthetic. Of course, executing moves and the connection between the partners matters most in ballroom dance. That won’t be a problem, right?”
“Not one bit,” Iris lies.
“Works for me.” I offer a wide smile and a thumbs up, earning an eye-roll from my new partner.
“Great.” Char takes our arms and positions us in the center of the first row of dancers. “Remember, we’re all about having fun.”
Iris swallows, and for a moment, I wonder if she’s about to hurl. “I’m all about having fun too.” She sounds like a schoolgirl repeating a lesson, but elbows me in the ribs when I chuckle in response.
“Hey, now.” I lift my hands. “Everyone knows fun and I go hand in hand. I’m Fred Astaire to fun’s Ginger Rogers.”
Iris doesn’t look convinced, but at this point, there’s nothing she can do about having me as her partner.
Char curls her long fingers around my wrist. “Jake, would you help me demonstrate the steps we’ll focus on today? I’m sure you and Iris will catch on quickly.”
I’m sure of no such thing, and Iris looks like she might be grinding her teeth to nubs behind that placid smile she’s wearing.
For as much time as I’ve spent over the years courting attention—mostly from ill-advised rebellion, pranks, and random hijinks—having everyone’s eyes on me, particularly Iris’s dark gaze, makes me weirdly self-conscious. No one who knows me would guess I have a self-conscious bone in my body, and I’m not about to give away that fact now.
Char positions me where she wants me, which feels like being manhandled in a not unpleasant way. The dance instructor is gorgeous, and when she fits her body inside the arc of my arms, I expect mine to react. I like women of all shapes and sizes, but I’m about as turned on by Charlotte as I would be by my ancient housekeeper.
She demonstrates a few easy turns, then moves us into something a little more complicated, giving me soft words of encouragement and praise as I follow along.
I never took formal dance lessons, but my grandmother insisted on teaching both Mike and me some basic moves. I’m coordinated, and my body seems to know the steps better than my brain. I’m also used to ignoring my brain, so letting myself go is not a stretch. I can tell Char is surprised at how easily I follow while making it look like I’m the one leading, which is her intent.
We continue for a few minutes, and when we stop, there’s an enthusiastic round of applause from the rest of the students.
“My grandson’s a natural,” Gilbert calls out.
Char offers a deep curtsy. “I concur,” she says. “Now, everyone get with your partners, and let’s work on those steps as a group.”
She resets the music, but Iris continues to stand a few feet away, not coming any closer. I walk to her instead.
“How did you do that?” she demands, her arms ramrod straight.
“I didn’t do anything other than follow Char’s lead. I told you I’ve got moves.” I wink. “My moves have moves.”
“I want a different partner,” she tells Char when the instructor comes to see why we’re not starting. Everyone else is practicing the steps.
