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Relief hit Cami’s face, and she smiled.
“Go get her tiger,” Cami said and disappeared.
Levi knocked once and then pushed open the door.
Madisen was sat in a huge wingback chair and seemed startled to see him. Levi’s breath caught in his throat at how gorgeous she looked. Every time he’d seen her, Madisen had been dressed in period clothing, but tonight she’d gone all out and made him speechless.
“Levi?” Madisen said, her own eyes wide as she took him in.
Levi shook himself and stepped inside.
“You’re beautiful, truly stunning,” the words slipped from Levi’s lips. He couldn’t have stopped them leaving his mouth even if he tried.
“Thank you. You look dapper yourself,” Madisen returned with a shy smile.
Levi stared for a few more moments before walking across and taking the chair opposite her. His gaze fell upon an empty whiskey glass and then Madisen holding her own.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” Madisen answered too quickly.
“That was a shotgun answer,” Levi teased. He studied her face carefully. Madisen did not seem too upset. More… stunned? “Cami said you had a visitor that upset you?” he pried.
“Not quite, just landed a huge surprise on my lap. Have you seen The Parlour yet?” Madisen rose to her feet.
Levi cocked an eyebrow at her rather obvious change of topic but didn’t say anything. He could see the challenge in her eyes to push her, but she’d shut him down quicker than he could blink.
“Nope, but looking forward to it. I don’t dress in this shit every day,” Levi teased as she rounded the desk. She passed by, and Levi reached out and snagged Madisen’s arm instinctively. “If you need a shoulder, I’m here. But let’s go show you my fancy footwork.”
Madisen threw him a cheeky grin over her shoulder.
“We’ll see about that!”
Levi couldn’t wait to show her how he secretly expressed himself. He practised alone in his cabin in the woods sometimes; it was his go-to escape. Painting and dancing. But he’d never admit that to his brothers. It was bad enough that they were about to watch him let that side of himself out for Madisen; he could only imagine the teasing he’d get tomorrow.
Madisen
I gasped with happiness as Levi twirled me one more time before hauling me against his body in time for a slow song to come on. I seriously needed that. For the last thirty minutes, Levi had spun me around the dance floor. His skills were beyond belief. Even his club looked on in amazement as he performed the steps to several dances perfectly.
“Where did you learn to dance so well?” I panted and laid my cheek against his chest. Levi’s strong arm clamped around me, pulling me closer.
“As a child. I danced until my late teens. It feels like only yesterday I performed these moves,” Levi admitted.
“I don’t think they knew?” I murmured, nodding towards his club.
“Nope. Not something I discussed with them,” Levi rumbled against my ear. I loved the feel of that.
“Why not?”
“Because how I came to dance so well is my story. And not one I am ready to share,” Levi answered abruptly.
Ouch, I felt the slap in his words. I refrained from commenting as the dance drew to a close, and I stepped away.
“Thank you for giving me a break from hosting. But I have to return to my duties. There are rounds I must make,” I said calmly. Regret shone on Levi’s face; he knew the way he’d spoken to me had caused damage. Nobody spoke to me like that anymore.
“Madisen—” Levi said ruefully.
“No, everything is fine. I enjoyed our dances, but honestly, Levi, I have to check on my customers,” I replied.
