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“When am I going to be able to dance like that?” she yelled over the music, and pointed to the couple beside them—so wrapped up in each other they probably wouldn’t have noticed a bomb go off.
“Have another shot or two and you’ll feel like you’re dancing like that.”
She laughed. “You’re probably right.”
He gripped her hips and steadied her. “Can we add another move now? Do you think you’ve got this one down?”
She nodded. She could add another move. When she was with him, she could do anything.
…
Their hotel was on the other side of the strip, but Jack didn’t want the night to end. Instead, they strolled through the crowded streets. Even at 2:00 a.m. the party hadn’t stopped. Eclectic sounds of music filtered into the streets from the different clubs they passed. The rush of the ocean was a distant murmur in the background.
“So how do you feel about salsa dancing?” he asked.
Sterling hugged his arm. “I feel good. I didn’t think I had it in me.”
“I’ve seen the way your body moves. You’re a natural.”
She’d been surprisingly pliant. Yes, that was the alcohol at first, but after about twenty minutes something else took over. Determination shone in her eyes.
“I still don’t think it was necessary to come to Miami.”
He pulled her to a stop. “Did you try something new?”
She nodded.
“Was it exciting?”
She nodded again. This time with a smile.
“Then my work here is done.” He would have taken her to the ends of the earth if need be. All he wanted was to see that smile on her face.
“Look!” She pointed down the street. “There must be a celebrity over there. Look at all those cameras flashing.”
His happiness balled into a heavy knot in his stomach at the sight of paparazzi lurking outside the entrance to a club.
“Come on.” He tugged her across the street.
“Jack?” she squeaked. “Where’s the fire?”
He wasn’t in the mood for harassment. He was never in the mood for harassment, but especially not when he was with Sterling. It was one thing to print lies about him, but he would never be able to live with himself if Sterling were dragged through the mud. It had happened once before, the night his mother passed. That poor holistic practitioner was raked over the coals for weeks simply for setting up a meeting.
Pulling her behind a van, he settled them out of sight.
Just the mere sight of those idiots caused his blood to boil. Anger simmered beneath his skin at the thought of them screwing with his life…again. It had all been fun and games before. Photos of him partying and alleged sex tapes were par for the course, but when they dragged his innocent, sick mother into the equation, that was hitting below the belt. It was then that Jack vowed he’d never allow the media into his life again. At least not voluntarily.
When he finally looked over at Sterling, her expression had saddened. Shit! Did she think he didn’t want to be seen with her?
“This has nothing to do with you, sweetheart. I would love to tell the world how much fun we’re having but unfortunately, that’s not what will be printed. They’ll dig into your background and look through your garbage.”
She gasped. He didn’t blame her for being scared.
“I won’t let that happen, Sterling. I stay far away from those vultures whenever possible.”
She placed her hand on his chest in comfort and gave him a half smile.
“You know that saying, ‘no such thing as bad press’?”
