Page 45 of To Steal a Heart

Sylvia’s eyes rounded. “Well, that’s interesting. Arden Chasing, why in the world would you, of all people, take a dance class? You were always the superstar of the dance floor.”

“The character in my novel is a dance instructor,” Arden explained. “I was doing research.” Not that she needed to explain herself to Sylvia. However, she wanted Crew to understand why she’d signed up for the class. She didn’t want him to think that she’d played him somehow. Sylvia was being a royal pain. Arden wanted to squeeze her skinny, pale neck until her head popped off. Any hope of them resuming their friendship was blown to smithereens.

Understanding registered on Crew’s handsome face as his features smoothed. “Ah, makes sense.”

Dodged that bullet.Relief splattered through Arden. However, it was short-lived.

A second later, Sylvia touched Wesley’s arm. “You and Arden should dance.”

Arden’s jaw gaped. Had Sylvia really just said that? She was tromping on Arden’s last nerve.

Wesley grinned from ear to ear. He graced Arden with a smile so worshipful that it turned her stomach. Land sakes, Wesley was laying it on thick, even for him.

“I’d love to,” he said with a musical lilt.

“I wouldn’t,” Arden snapped, shooting Sylvia a dark look.

“Aw, come on,” Sylvia urged with a gooey grin. “What can it hurt? Be a good sport. I’m sure Crew wouldn’t mind, would you? Wesley and Arden go way back.” She threw him an expression that reeked of false goodwill.

Crew’s eyes hardened, but his voice remained neutral. “Arden’s a big girl and can make her own decision.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “For goodness sakes, Arden. Just dance with him. Wesley’s more like a brother to you than anything else.”

“Fine.” Arden gritted her teeth. “But only one dance.”

Triumph glittered in Wesley’s eyes as he held out his arm.

Arden had just slipped her arm through his when Grandmother raised an eyebrow. “Are you really going to stand by and let some other man steal your woman?”

It took Arden a fraction of a second to realize that Grandmother was talking to Crew. He blinked in surprise, and then a low chuckle rolled from his throat. He squared his jaw in determination. “No, I’m not. Josette,” he said like the two of them were old friends. “It’s time for this sonny boy to show ‘em how it’s done.” He held out his hand to Arden. “May I have this dance?”

CHAPTER 11

The shocked look on Wesley’s face was priceless. Arden stifled a giggle as she quickly removed her arm from Wesley’s. “I would love to dance with you.” Placing her hand in Crew’s, she allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. All the while, she wondered how in the world Crew was going to pull this off. Keeping his hold on her hand, he slipped his other arm around her waist and pulled her to him.

“What now?” she whispered. “Do you remember any of the dance steps we learned?” The orchestra was playing an upbeat classical tune. “The music is completely different from our class, but I think we can make it work.” This was going to be a disaster. Poor, Crew. He’d gotten much more than he bargained for by coming here. The best they could hope for was to simply get through it. She could feel Sylvia and the rest watching them. “I’d like to punch Sylvia into next week for putting us in this predicament,” she seethed. “I’m sorry.” She looked up, searching Crew’s chiseled face. She expected to see frustration or even apprehension and was unprepared for the undiluted excitement that simmered in his sapphire eyes.

He grinned. “I’m not. Follow my lead.”

Before she could utter a single word, he took control and began leading her around the dance floor. Laughter gurgled in her throat. “Are you kidding me? You’re not just good. You’re fantastic!” Her mind raced to try to grasp the full meaning of what was happening. Then the music took centerstage. A current as alive and sizzling as electricity buzzed through her as she and Crew moved to the beat of the music, in perfect sync. Their steps were so smooth that they might have practiced a hundred times. A crowd gathered to watch, further enhancing the thrill of the experience. Time slowed and sped up all at once, rolling into a big ball of energy that ignited Arden’s blood. As she gazed into Crew’s eyes, she was hit with a startling truth that nearly stole her breath—she was falling in love.

When the song ended, the people around them clapped. Crew took hold of her hand and linked his fingers through hers. They smiled and nodded until, thankfully, the crowd dispersed.

“You are full of surprises,” Arden whispered.

“As are you.”

In no hurry to get back to the group, they took their time making their way across the dance floor. Arden threw Crew a sidelong glance. “You dance almost as good as you sail.” The startled look on his face caused her to giggle. Her fingers formed a gun as she aimed it at him. “Gotcha.” She clicked her tongue. “The secret’s out. You’re a big, fat phony.”

“Hey,” he countered with a wounded look. “You taught me how to sail.”

“Mmm hmm. Sure I did. No one learns to sail that fast.” It was cute how his cheeks reddened. She got up in his face and peered into his eyes. “I don’t see any contacts. You don’t actually wear glasses, do you?” His silence was his answer. “What other secrets are you hiding beneath that flawless exterior?” Her comment was meant as a joke, but something in his expression caused her heart to clutch. She stopped in her tracks and caught hold of his arm. “What is it that you’re not telling me?” Was Crew too good to be true? He was the man of her dreams and oh, so much more! She wanted this thing between them to work. She wanted it to the depth of her being. He was consuming her every waking thought. Arden never dreamt that she’d fall so hard for a guy. Her throat went drier than burnt toast as she swallowed. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.” She searched his face, taking note of the tightness around his eyes and mouth. Then, a breath later, his expression relaxed as he flashed her a disarming smile.

“I can’t tell you all of my secrets,” he drawled in a cavalier tone. “What would be the fun in that?”

Disappointment cloaked her. His flawless mask had slipped back into place. “I don’t want to know all of them. Just the critical ones.”

He gave her a meaningful look. “You know all the important stuff.”

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