Page 64 of Take the Lead
Natasha gulped down a bottle of electrolyte water. “What’s up, Donna?”
“How was rehearsal?” Donna directed the question at Stone.
He focused on rearranging the contents of his gym bag. “It was fine. I’m learning the steps.”
Natasha laughed. “He doesn’t want to say I’m a tyrant, but it’s okay. I know I am.”
Donna’s gaze went sharp. “Any chance I can convince the two of you to act like there’s something going on here for the rest of the week?”
Natasha blinked, then cast a look at Stone from the corner of her eye. She shrugged.
Stone frowned, pretending not to understand. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do.” Donna gave him a patronizing pat on the arm. “It’s called a showmance. You two got along great today. Just play it up a bit more, act like there’s some attraction here. The viewers like sexual chemistry—they speculate all over social media—and it gives the gossip sites something to report, all of which equals an increase in ratings. This episode marks the halfway point of the season, and we could use a bump.”
Stone shot a glance at Natasha, who waited with her hand on her hip. Her eyes were wide and intense, like she was trying to tell him something, but he didn’t know what.
“Uh, I’d rather not,” he said, trying not to look at either woman as his face heated.
Donna sighed. “I thought you’d say that. What if I offered you a bonus? You said you’re here to help pay for your mom’s hospital bills, right? This could get you there faster.”
The outright manipulation chilled him to the bone. It was exactly the kind of shit he hated. Before he could think of a reply, Donna kept going.
“You get more money for every episode you’re on, and a big bonus if you win, but let’s face it.” Donna tilted her head and her tone turned nasty. “You’re up against an Olympic figure skater who’s already gotten a perfect score. You’re not going to win.”
Rage burned in his gut, but Stone clenched his jaw against it. Thanks to his dad, he had lots of practice holding back his anger.
“I’ll take my chances,” Stone said, grinding out each word between gritted teeth. Then he grabbed his bag and got to his feet. “Gotta go. My car’s waiting. See you tomorrow, Tash.”
He left the room, cursingThe Dance Off,Hollywood, and the entire entertainment industry.
Even though there was no elimination during Shake It Up Week, the showrunners made all the dancers stand in their mixed-up pairs at the end of the broadcast. Gina stood with Jackson, who keptan arm around her shoulders in a friendly gesture. She smiled for the camera while tapping her foot impatiently.
“Anxious?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Excited.”
“Can’t wait to get back to Stone?”
She suppressed a smile. She’d managed all of two seconds alone with Stone backstage, but during that time, he’d leaned in and whispered, “I miss you,” in her ear.
Simple words, but from him, they were everything.
Jackson laughed. “Girl, I mind my own business. Besides, you got me a ninety for that salsa, and I don’t think Lori could have done it. You’re my favorite person right now.”
A trickle of guilt diminished her mood. She and Jackson had gotten along swimmingly, and they’d received a higher score than Stone and Natasha’s eighty-four.
Nothing about it had been the same, though. The easy camaraderie and good humor, Jackson’s willingness to learn and grow—and drive towin—were all traits Gina had hoped for in a partner at the beginning of the season. She should have been happy to work with Jackson.
Instead, all she wanted was to get back to Stone. When she danced with him, she felt more alive. She had to work harder, sure, since Stone didn’t have any dance training. And to say the man didn’t emote naturally was an understatement.
Except the challenge made every smile she pulled from him feel like a reward in and of itself. His quiet delight when he nailed a move warmed her jaded heart.
Jackson was polished and professional. When he looked at her, it was with attentiveness, the way an eager student turns to a teacher as if to ask, “What’s next?”
When Stone looked at her, it was with fire in his eyes, and barely leashed control of the conflagration. If she got too close, she’d be burned up and consumed.
After a week away from him, she was ready to be consumed. So fucking ready.
