“Welcome to your own personal Latin night club,” he told her in Spanish, focusing on his accent. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mad.”
Her lower lip started to tremble before she bit it. “What did you do?”
“I brought Little Havana to you.” He walked over to the bar and turned on the spicy music as the smoke swirledaround. Still speaking in Spanish, he said, “This way we can dance any time. We don’t need to go out.”
Her shocked gaze took in the transformed space as Spike scampered up her chest. “You did all this?” she asked, still speaking in English.
“Well, Brooke and Axel helped.” He picked up the mezcal he’d poured for them and extended a glass to her, tapping his own against her drink once she took it.“Salud.You should know I am taking Latin dance lessons as well as Spanish lessons.”
Her face scrunched up. “Kyle?—”
“I may never reach your level of fluency,” he continued, “but I’m committed to speaking to you in the language of your heart.”
She blanched, looking as vulnerable as he’d ever seen her. “Oh, Kyle.This is…too much. I mean, it’s a club. In our house. And you learning Spanish? I thought you were only picking up a few lines here and there. That’s going to take?—”
“I’d already learned French.” He shot her a smile, hoping to turn her mood around. “Besides, I figure talking to you will help my proficiency.”
She started shaking her head. “How am I supposed to handle this kind of stuff? I’m just a simple girl?—”
“You’remygirl, and I’m your guy.” He gestured to her glass. “Now take a couple deep sips of your drink and shake this crap from tonight off as much as you can. If you’re up to it, I’d like one dance before we head upstairs. That is, if you’ll allow me to come with you. I know you wanted to be alone tonight, but this was our first Valentine’s Day together. I don’t want to let that asshole ruin it. I thought you might agree with me there, badass that you are.”
Her chin lifted after their eyes locked. He could see her summon her fight response. That was enough for the moment. She took a few sips of her drink, blew out a breath,firmed her shoulders, and then walked over to the bar to set the glass aside.
“Who bought the neon flamingo? You or Brooke?”
His belly started to settle. They were heading back to firm ground, thank God. “Axel, actually. And those glass palm trees you always laugh about when we walked by them are in the seating area. Did you notice?”
Turning her head, he watched her mouth curve into a hard-fought smile. “Those are the ugliest light fixtures I’ve ever seen. Straight out of Miami. Why they’re being sold in Saint-Germain I’ll never know.”
“Now how about a dance? Would a salsa from your favorite singer, Marc Anthony, work?”
“Can you dance with Spike?”
Her gaze continued to take everything in, from the turquoise banquettes across from the bar to the mirrored wall designed to make the room feel bigger. Later he would see if she wanted to add anything more.
“Might be better if I do.” He crossed and stood in front of her, extending his hand. “I can blame him if my timing gets off.”
She took his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you, Kyle. Sometimes I wonder…what I did to deserve having you in my life.”
His throat tightened up as his fingers curled around hers. “I’m here, and I’m not leaving.”
Her golden eyes turned bright with vulnerability again. “I’m not leaving either. I’m glad you came upstairs after me tonight.”
He traced the sharp angle of her cheekbone. “That’s what partners do. Now, shall we dance?”
She gave a heartbreaking smile and settled her body close to his, swaying to the beat. “I’d love that.”
Their steps weren’t perfect, especially with the puppy bounding between them, but they found their way.
