Page 49 of Rebel Secrets
A second later, Rebel leaned closer, and my heart pounded a little faster.“I think Rowdy’s been practicing secretly,” Rebel voice slid into my ear like liquid.“No way he’s a natural at this.Bastard.”
I giggled.That’s the only way to describe the sound that came out of my mouth, which I quickly covered with my hand.
“You’re just jealous.”
“No, but I am competitive.We’re going to look fucking amazing, even if it kills me.”
Trying to hide my smile, I whispered back, “We arenotgoing to upstage your brother at his wedding.Besides, you don’t know if I can dance.”
“I’ve watched you walk.We’ll be fine.”
My brain chewed on that for a few seconds.He watched me walk?What did that mean?But I couldn’t ask him because Patricia walked over to us.
“All right, you two.Let’s see your hold.”
We turned to face each other again.I steeled myself against the heart-flutter of staring into his eyes and instead chose to stare at his shoulder, where my left hand came to rest.My lungs contracted when he took my right hand and put his right hand on my back.I had to move closer so we could get into the proper position, which left very little space between us.And very little air.
“All right now.We’re going to do a simple waltz.”
With my eyes on Rebel’s, we moved together in a square, following Patricia’s directions, though I didn’t really need any.Dance had been a required subject in prep.A lot of the other students had been children of royalty or diplomats or came from insanely rich families who attended actual balls.
I’d used my training several times in the past, mostly at school dances.And it must have shown.Rebel’s eyes narrowed as we executed several turns.
“I have a feeling you’ve had training,” he said.“You’re a secret weapon, aren’t you?”
I was secretly pleased and knew I shouldn’t be.“I am not going to help you look better than your brother at his wedding.”
“You already make me look better.”
My cheeks flamed, but I couldn’t look away.There was something about the way Rebel looked at me that locked my gaze on his.
“Dance was mandatory at my prep school.”
Crap.Why did I say that?But Rebel didn’t look surprised.
“Where’d you go?”
“Choate Rosemary.”
“Know a couple players who went there.”
The music stopped and so did we.Since I was facing a wall, I couldn’t see anyone but Rebel.And he was looking only at me.I waited for more questions, but he just stood there, until I finally had to ask.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
He shrugged.“Your parents paid for you to go to a fancy school.It happens.Mine built a hockey franchise so their kids would have somewhere to play.And now they’re paying for us to learn how to dance for my brother’s wedding.I hope we don’t have to go through this again when Rain gets married.”
The music started again, and we began to dance.I realized we’d never let go of each other.
My brain grasped for a topic of conversation.“You think Rain and Brian are going to be next?”
“Well, it’s not going to be me or Rocky.Unless he’s got a secret girlfriend.And if that girl tries any harder to pick him up, he’s going to run in the opposite direction.”
I looked over my shoulder and bit my lip against a grin.Tiffany was talking and definitely flirting.Rocky looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.
“Guess I lucked out.”Rebel’s voice barely rose over the music.
I wasn’t thinking when I asked, “How so?”
