Page 8 of Falling for the Werewolf
Dani laughed, her arm brushing against him as she walked past. He swore every nerve in his body lit up like fireworks on the Fourth of July.
“I wouldn’t worry about your manliness if I were you,” she said, her voice just a shade lower than before. Or maybe he had just imagined it, just as he was imagining the light touch of her fingertips on his forearm and the slight flush in her cheeks. “Classes usually go for about an hour or so. Are you sure you don’t mind waiting?”
“I’m sure.” Jace and Amos had done enough work on the senior center for him to know that most of the all-purpose rooms had huge windows, providing an open, airy space, perfect for viewing. He was looking forward to watching her in action.
“Okay, then. See you later.”
Jace’s eyes remained glued on her as she walked away, her movements so smooth her feet barely even seemed to touch the floor. As was becoming habit, his mind locked up until she disappeared from sight.
“Jace, my boy! How are you?” Charlie Buxton, an old friend of Amos’s and a council member in the Kenner’s Mills pack, clapped him on the back. “Did I see you walking in with Dani?”
“You did. I’m her ride today.”
“I always knew you were a smart boy,” Charlie said on a chuckle. “You brought the Shelby, I hope?”
Charlie shared Jace’s love for cars. He had been a professional stock driver at one time and loved to talk shop.
“You know it,” Jace said with a grin. “What are you doing here?”
“Brought Molly up for Dani’s class. She loves it.”
Jace looked around, amazed by the number of women converging toward the room Dani had disappeared into. “Looks like it’s pretty popular.”
“You haven’t seen her dance yet, have you?” Charlie asked with a twinkle in his eye.
“No,” Jace admitted.
“Then come with me, my boy. You are in for a treat.”
Jace followed along behind Charlie. This section of the senior center was a cube consisting of nine separate areas, three rows of three. Enclosed all-purpose rooms appeared at each of the four compass points. The middle area and each of the four corners were “open” with chairs, sofas, and tables for gathering. Jace noted that each of the three open areas surrounding Dani’s room held a fair number of onlookers, mostly men who had brought their wives and stayed to watch.
Dani greeted everyone as they came in, her smile genuine. Jace saw more than one woman point toward him and say something. Even his acute ears couldn’t pick up what was said, but he could guess by the furious blush on Dani’s face.
He grinned and waved when she looked at him, causing her cheeks to turn an even deeper shade of scarlet.
Once she started the class, though, she seemed to forget all about him. She led the women through a gentle warm-up and stretch, and then the real dancing began.
She moved fluidly, her isolation and muscular control mesmerizing. Today, apparently, the women had opted for belly dancing, and Jace watched in fascination as Dani demonstrated the moves. Then she led the ladies through a simple, yet elegant series of dances. The hour flew by, and before he knew it, Charlie was tapping him on the shoulder.
“Better wipe up that drool there, son,” he said on another chuckle. “Your female is heading this way.”
His female. Yeah, he liked the sound of that. His wolf growled in agreement.
“Thanks for waiting. I hope you weren’t too bored.”
“Not at all,” he answered honestly. “You were amazing.”
“Thanks,” she said, her cheeks pinking up again. Oh, how he loved that rosy glow radiating beneath the bronze. He wondered if other parts got all pink and rosy like that when she was excited.
Aware of the knowing smiles and attention cast their way, Jace placed his hand lightly on her lower back and guided her toward the exit.
“Where did you learn how to dance like that?”
“My dad made me take lessons when I was little.” She laughed. “I fought him tooth and nail at the time. All I wanted to do was work on cars with him, but he thought it was important to do something ‘girlie.’ My ballet teacher, Miss Tasha, had to tell him more than once to make sure the grease was off my face before a recital. But I’m glad for it. I put myself through college by teaching classes just like this.”
Jace laughed. He could picture it easily. “What about your mom?”
A cloud drifted over her sunny features. “My mom died when I was very young. I don’t remember her much. Wish I did, though.”
