Page 37 of Stolen for Keeps
He moved with ease, following the choreographer’s cues and adjusting effortlessly to the shifting gaps betweencouples. The dance wasn’t overly complicated—more about placement than precision—but the way he carried himself and the quiet confidence in how he navigated the space without intruding on anyone else? Yeah, he knew exactly what he was doing.
Me? Not so much.
I wasn’tbadat dancing, but I sure as hell wasn’t making it easy for him. My steps were hesitant, my rhythm just a little off. The hem of my dress brushed against his legs, throwing me out of sync again. It felt like we were wading through wet cement.
Or at least,Iwas.
“You’re the kind who just can’t follow a guy’s lead, huh?” Noah murmured, amusement curling at the edges of his voice.
“Perhaps,” I admitted. “So, how do we fix that?”
His grip on my waist firmed just enough to be felt. “Let go,” he said. Then, softer, he added, “Trust me.”
Before I could answer, he guided me into aReverse Corte, a move I wasn’t expecting. My balance tipped, instinct tightening my muscles, but Noah was already there, catching the motion before I could stumble.
And something shifted.
It wasn’t just the dance anymore.
It washim—the way his hand steadied the small of my back, the way his other palm cradled mine, and how he guided me forward so easily that it felt impossible not to follow, even when I didn’t trust myself to.
One beat later, we weren’t fumbling anymore.
We were moving.
Gliding.
My body finally understood what he’d meant bylet go. The tension unraveled, and suddenly, the steps weren’t something I had to think about. They justhappened.
Noah led, and I followed.
Not because I had to.
But because I wanted to.
I barely had time to process the change before I heard a gasp. Sheryn clutched Nick’s arm, and Claire covered her mouth, her eyes wide.
“Are you seeing this?” Elia muttered.
Nick let out a low whistle. “Damn, they’re good.”
Noah’s eyes locked on mine, his hold confident. “Not bad, thief.”
I scoffed. “Excuse me?”
His smirk was lazy. “I meant…you stole the show.”
I nearly tripped. “That was so bad.”
“You smiled.”
“Out of pity.”
He dipped me slightly, the motion effortless, controlled. Meanwhile, I was not in control of myself because I smirked, feeling just a little too pleased with myself. And something else.
Noah cleared his throat. “I swear, if you bring up the tent incident, I’ll walk out of here.”
My lips twitched. “I wasn’t going to.”
