Ouch.She had him there.
And he had her in his arms. Whatever strange movements they were making weren’t anything close to a rumba, but his pulse started ramping up anyway. He was sure it was unintentional, but she had somewhat eased her stiff stance, and he detected the familiar scent of clothes fresh off the line. But it was the angry fire in her eyes and the way her cute nostrils flared that had him going. Wow, had he missed her.
“Olivia,” Sunny said, appearing out of nowhere. “You need to let your partner lead.”
She nodded, sending Kingston another hot glare.
Sunny put her hand on Olivia’s shoulder. “Let me show you what I mean.”
He had no choice but to let Olivia go. Sunny slid easily into his arms. He was educated enough in this type of dancing to know the partners needed to be close, sometimes waist to waist, depending on the dance. That had been an excruciating lesson during cotillion classes. He and Sunny weren’t that close, but only inches separated them.
“You seem to know what you’re doing,” she said as she placed her hand in his. “Have you done the rumba before?”
“A long time ago,” he acknowledged.
“So you know how to lead.” She took a step forward.
Like he’d figured, the rhythms came back to him. And unlike Olivia, Sunny not only was relaxed but fully allowed him to guide the dance. On instinct he moved them away from the other couples, and the two of them danced until the song finished. When they stopped, he heard applause, his mother leading the way.
“Bravo, King!” she said, grinning. “Bravo!”
Sunny dropped out of her dance frame, nodding approvingly.
He glanced at everyone in the room. They were all smiling. Even Jasper held a half-pleased expression, although he wasn’t applauding. Thank goodness. This was embarrassing enough.
Then he glanced at Olivia. The scorching anger in her eyes was gone. Instead she stood stone-faced, her hands at her sides.
“That’s all for tonight,” Sunny said as she turned to the rest of the class. “Time certainly does fly when you’re having fun.”
“You call this fun?” Jasper mumbled.
Erma smirked. “You had fun, and you know it.”
He lifted his chin. “I would have if you hadn’t been yakking the whole time.”
“I was correcting your mistakes, you old codger.”
“More like bossing me around, Ms.High and Mighty.”
“Now, now.” Sunny rushed to the couple and continued speaking in a tone reserved for two-year-olds fighting over a toy. “I think we can all agree we have a lot to learn.”
“Kingston don’t.” Bubba’s round cheeks lifted as he smiled. “Bet he could teach the class.”
“No,” Kingston said, holding up his hands, his palms facing outward. “I took classes when I was younger. That’s all.”
“Don’t be so modest.” His mother moved to stand next to him. “You executed a perfect rumba.”
He grimaced. “Mother. Stop.”
The rest of the class started milling around as Sunny walked over to Kingston and his mother. “Both of you arevery good,” she said. “I’m sure you’re familiar with the other dances I’ll be teaching in this course.”
“Yes,” Mom said.
Kingston was less confident. “I could use a refresher.”
Sunny shook her head. “I think these lessons will be too basic for you two. I don’t want you to be bored.”
Kingston started to nod. He doubted he’d be bored, and he really did need to bone up on the dances. But he’d only agreed to come to this class, and now that his obligation was fulfilled, he didn’t intend to come back. Olivia wouldn’t have to worry about seeing him again. And he could save his feet from punishment.
