Free Just Perfect by Julie Ortolon Page B

annoying habit of mine. Or so I’ve been told. But I always figure, if you’re going to dance, then dance. Don’t just shuffle around the floor.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.” He flashed a grin, then spun her out to arm’s length and reeled her back to his side so they both faced front. “Except the steps are a little different here than they are back home. So pay attention.” He showed her one of the patterns. She watched his boots, picking it up quickly.
    “Very good,” he said: After the next set of steps, he twirled her about, passed her behind his back, then brought her back in against his chest. “You are a quick study.”
    “And you know how to lead.” She smiled up at him, her face glowing.
    “See, another reason you should go out with me.”
    “Shut up and dance.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    The night sped by, and as happened too often when she was with Alec, Christine forgot he was off-limits. They laughed their way through several songs, stopping back at the table now and then to catch their breaths and so Alec didn’t ignore his friends. Then they headed back to the dance floor.
    Toward midnight, the band slid into a slow waltz.
    “Finally,” Alec sighed as he pulled her close, fitting their bodies together. “I thought they’d never slow things down.”
    She stiffened for a heartbeat, remembering her vow to resist this man. Although, it was only a dance. What harm would come from just dancing? She relaxed against him and rested her head on his shoulder.
    Then their bodies lined up, hip to hip, as they swayed to the dreamy tune, and she remembered.
Oh yeah, that’s what harm comes from dancing
. A slight bulge pressed against her belly as he guided her across the dark dance floor. The lyrics told of deep longing and endless yearning. Their thighs brushed, and she knew exactly what the song writer meant. She should ease back, she told herself. Get a little space between them. And she would.
    In a second.
    “I’ve always liked this song.” His hand moved lower on her back, urging her even closer. Then that hand slipped beneath her sweater. The warmth of his palm had liquid heat pooling in her loins.
    Okay, she really needed to move away.
    In a second.
    His fingers traced tantalizing circles, setting off tremors and making her want to arch like a cat into the caress. “You’re right about the band. They’re, mmm, very good.”
    “Very.” The sleepy roughness of his voice sent a shiver of need through her. “Now, aren’t you glad you came?”
    “Actually, I am.”
    “Good.” He rocked back on a turn, bringing one of his thighs between hers. It pressed briefly against the seam of her jeans and the sensual contactset off sparks of pleasure, making her want to rub wantonly all over him.
    Okay, this was getting way out of hand. She absolutely had to ease away.
    In just one more second.
    His cheek rubbed against her hair as he whispered in her ear. “Come with me.”
    “Hmm?” With her mind hazed with arousal, her first thought was come as in orgasm. He wanted her to come with him? Right here? That made her lean back enough to see his face, even though her hips remained pressed to his, with the now not-so-subtle bulge prodding her belly. “
W-what
?”
    “On Sunday.” He frowned at her shocked expression. “The snowboard competition. Come with me.”
    “Oh.” She laughed. “I thought—Never mind.”
    “What?”
    “Nothing. And no. I can’t. I told you, my family will be here.”
    “Meet me there anyway, in front of the VIP stands. I’ll leave passes for all of you at the gate.”
    “Alec, really, I… I can’t.”
    “Why not? Wait a second.” His eyes shifted, then widened. “You’re not married, are you?”
    “No. I’m not married.”
    “Involved?”
    “No.”
    “Dying from a rare disease?”
    “No.”
    “Embarrassed to tell me you’re bi, you were once a man, you have an STD?”
    “No!” She laughed.
    “Then meet me Sunday.”
    “No.” Her humor turned to