“In other words, you’re going to remain an enigma?”
Tonya looked up, staring into the large gray eyes with glints of green that seemed to go through her, and tried to ignore the palpable virility he exuded effortlessly.He’s just a man, the silent voice reminded. Gage may have been just a man, but he possessed something that stirred every emotion that appealed to her as a woman.
“I’m hardly an enigma, Gage.”
“If not an enigma, then you’re definitely a woman of mystery.”
She gritted her teeth in frustration. It was apparent he had no intention of letting it go. “I can’t believe you want me to tell you my life’s story when this is only the third time we’ve been together.” Tonya knew she had hit a nerve with Gage when he sat straight. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“No, you’re not. Weren’t you the one who said you don’t have a filter, and what comes to mind comes out?”
“That may be true, but I could’ve been a bit more tactful.” Much to her surprise, Gage smiled.
“I don’t want you to be tactful, Tonya. I want you to be outspoken—that is if we’re going to have anything that resembles an honest and open friendship.”
A powerful relief filled her once she realized Gage wanted friendship and not a relationship. At this time in her life Tonya did not believe she could balance starting up a new business with becoming involved with a man—no matter how attractive she found him.
She extended her hand across the table. “I guess this means what you see is what you’ll get.”
Gage took her hand, his thumb caressing her knuckles. “I happen to like what I see.” He dropped her hand and came around the table to pull back her chair. “Come dance with me.”
Tonya wasn’t given time to protest when Gage looped an arm around her waist and led her into the living room. She had turned off the chandelier, and the only illumination came from candles lining the fireplace mantelpiece. Her defenses fell away as he pulled her into a close embrace. She closed her eyes, smiling when he sang along with Brenda Russell’s “Piano in the Dark.”
“I love this song,” she whispered against the column of his neck.
“Me too,” Gage agreed, as he spun her around and around in an intricate dance step.
“It appears the men in your family are wonderful dancers.”
His deep chuckle caressed her ear. “If you’re talking about St. John, then there’s no comparison. I saw the video of the wedding with him dancing the tango with Hannah.”
She eased back, trying to make out Gage’s expression in the diffused light. “You’ve already seen the video?”
“Yes, and I have to say you were incredibly sexy in that orange gown.”
Tonya laughed softly. “I spent the entire time praying not to have a wardrobe malfunction and upstage the bride.”
It was Gage’s turn to laugh. “That would’ve been the talk of the town for a long time, and I’m certain the videographer would’ve replayed it over and over before editing it out of the final copy.”
She playfully pounded his shoulder. “You’re so bad.”
“Bad like good bad?”
Tonya paused for several seconds. “Yes. I know Hannah and St. John take lessons, but where did you learn to dance?”
“My mother made me take lessons for a couple of years because my father had two left feet. His idea of dancing was to move his feet from side to side. I hated going, because at seven I didn’t want to hold a girl’s hand. Mom would drop me off at the front of the studio, and as soon as she drove away I went out the back. When the dance teacher sent a note home that I’d missed a number of lessons, my mother grounded me for the entire summer. I told her I didn’t want to go back, but I was willing to take piano lessons. The first time I placed my fingers on the keys I knew I’d found my calling.”
Lacing their fingers together and tightening his hold on her waist, Gage dipped Tonya until she was only inches from the floor. “I’ll never forgive you if you drop me,” she gasped in fear.
Gage eased her upright. “That’s not going to happen. I can bench-press twice my weight, so there’s no way I won’t be able to hold on to you.”
“Bragging?” she teased.
“No. I swim laps and lift weights.”
“Where?” Tonya asked.
“At a downtown gym. Now that I’m teaching full-time, that’s going to change. Instead of working out during the day, I’ll have to switch to nights.”
