Page 71 of Just a Little White Lie

“Okay, I got it. Come over here.” He flicks his fingers at me.

I move without question, doing exactly as he tells me to.

I’m his little puppy, running to his every command, and the morning is spent learning and screwing up and relearning this dance.

Two hours into it, I’m slick with sweat and fighting exhaustion. My muscles are complaining that I’m working them too hard, but Jack still has the energy of a sugar-high toddler. I’m just waiting for that crash, but it never comes, and after another half hour, my body is buckling… along with my positive attitude.

“No.” Jack shakes his head. “No, your movement is too loose. It needs to be strong, decisive, sharp. Do it again.” He points at me, his finger thumping in time with the beat.

I shake my head, resting my hands on my hips and breathing hard. “I don’t want to do it again.”

“Come on, Beyoncé, let’s go. You need to get this right or you’ll teach it wrong to the crew, and that’ll just put them on the back foot.”

“I need a break.”

“We just had a break. Come on.”

“Like five minutes to drink some water!” I complain. “I’m done.”

“You can’t be done. You don’t have that luxury right now. We’ve still got to figure out the slow part in the middle. I’m wondering if any of the guys can pull off a lift. That’d look quite stunning if we—”

“Okay, I’m sitting down. I’m doing it,” I warn him, walking for the edge of the room.

“Whatever, Lazy Larry. Take your little break.”

“What?” I spin to face him. “Lazy? Are you kidding me? I’m working my ass off!” In more ways than one. If he had any idea how hard it is dancing with a hottie like him and not melting into a puddle of goo, I’m sure he’d be more understanding. But it’s not like I can tell him that. Frustration fires through me, and I scowl at him. “Why are you always so mean to me?”

My comment seems to suck the air out of the room, and the sudden silence that engulfs the space makes me feel like I’m standing in the middle of an isolated canyon.

Jack slowly turns to look at me, letting out a little scoff. “Mean to you?”

“Yes!” I cling to my indignation, using it like a shield as I wave my arm at him. “You’re constantly teasing me, calling me names. It drives me insane!”

His lips twitch, his shoulders shaking as he fights a laugh. He kind of covers his mouth, but it’s impossible not to hear his snicker.

“Jack!” I stamp my foot. The thump bounces off the mirrors, making the space echo with my annoyance.

“Okay.” He raises his hands, his gaze darting over mine before he looks to the floor. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it anymore.”

“Yeah, right!” I mutter, grabbing the water bottle and uncapping the lid. “You won’t be able to help yourself.” Taking deep gulps, I down half the bottle, then wipe my lips with the back of my hand.

Jack’s not laughing anymore, and I turn to scowl at him.

He’s just staring at me, and I bark, “What? Struggling for an insult? That’s unlike you, but here, let me throw you a bone. How about—”

“I have to tease you.” He speaks over me, his deep voice husky, like he doesn’t want to admit it.

My face bunches in confusion. “What? That’s crazy. Why?”

“Because you…” His grin and laughter have an abashed quality to them when he points at me and then looks away, shaking his head.

“Because I what?” I bark.

With a thick swallow, he turns back to face me, his gaze practically burning right through me when he finally rasps, “Because you’re beautiful.”

He tips his head, his expression accentuated with a“There! I said it!”kind of quality.

My heart stutters, and I nearly drop the water bottle I’m holding.

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