“No. I declined the request of the last gentleman, claiming exhaustion.”
“Oh, in that case, you can’t dance it with me, either. It would be a breach of etiquette.”
“Exactly so. Glad to hear you memorized the etiquette lessons, as boring as I know you found them.”
He shrugged. “It’s a mission-specific knowledge that has no practical application in my everyday life.”
Just as she was. Kalli repressed the worthless thought. “Want some champagne?”
“Sure. I could use a respite and a drink, too,” he said, plucking two champagne glasses from a passing server’s tray and handing one to her.
“I bet. You have danced every dance. And seemed to be a favorite among the ladies,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. It was cool and delicious.
He grinned, unashamed. “You noticed?”
“Impossible not to. You sort of stand out; you know.”
He shrugged. “The ladies like me because I flatter them. And I make sure they look graceful and show to their advantage while dancing. Even when they are not superb dancers.”
“Hmm, you seem to know the way to a lady’s heart.”
“Goodness’ sake, no. I have no interest in finding my way into any lady’s heart. I just want to have a bit of fun dancing, that’s all.”
It was another unwelcome reminder that he was not interested in love. Fair enough. She could match his cool approach.
“You enjoy dancing. Tell me, is the waltz the only dance you know?”
“Not at all. It is one of my favorites, but I also dance salsa, tango, bolero, rumba, and even some ballet.”
Her eyes widened, and she almost choked on her drink. “You dance ballet?”
“Well, not anymore. I’m not as accomplished. I practiced it a bit during my youth, but it is a very demanding discipline.”
“I bet you looked delicious in a pair of ballet tights.” She laughed when he blushed. “Oh, sorry. Have I embarrassed you?”
“Of course not.” But his heightened color belied his statement.
Taking pity on his discomfort, she said, “So, why do you like dancing so much?”
His eyes took on a faraway expression. “It is the feel of the music. Of moving in harmony with the beat. Expressing yourself through movement.” He looked at her intently now. “I also like holding a woman in my arms. Other men who spurn dancing in favor of more so called ‘manly’ pursuits often forsake that pleasure.”
“Woman? You mean parbots?”
“Sometimes. But not all my dance partners are parbots. There are plenty of women who attend the dance clubs I frequent.”
“Have you ever... I mean. Have you and these women ever engaged in more than dancing?” Now why was she asking that? It was none of her business what he did. Or maybe it was? This was so complicated. Was she out of line in asking that question? But he didn’t seem put out. In fact, he answered easily.
“Not often, and not in a very long time. But yes, there’s been a few times.”
She gasped in surprise. He insisted on no human relationships.
She thought he never trifled with real women.
“I-I thought you were not interested in women,” she stammered.
He held her eyes for a charged moment before he lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “Now, what gave you that notion? I am most definitely interested in women. I thought I had proven that sufficiently. Or do you need a reminder?”
“But you said you didn’t do human relationships.”
