‘I promise I won’t,’ she said in all seriousness.
‘Forget it,’ he rapped, angry with himself for being so crass. ‘Take your applause. You’ve earned it.’
He left Sofia with her newly won admirers, most of whom were young dancers dressed in traditional costume, all wanting autographs and selfies with Sofia.
‘I’ll be with your brothers if you need me.’ He jerked his chin towards the crowded bar area, feeling vaguely discomfited as he accepted he could have handled this better.
‘I felt like a fraud,’ Sofia told him some time later when she had returned to his side.’
‘I don’t know why,’ he said as he drew her away from the boisterous crowd to find a quieter spot.
‘I haven’t done anything like this in years,’ she admitted. ‘Not since I was a little girl, in fact.’
‘Then perhaps you should do more,’ he suggested.
‘I’ll bring you up on stage next time,’ she threatened.
‘You may regret that.’
‘I’m prepared to chance it,’ she shot back.
‘Well, now...’
‘Now?’ she pressed.
‘I must get back to the rest of my guests. If you will excuse me?’
‘Of course,’ she said faintly. And was that regret?
Sofia barely had chance to speak to Cesar for the next part of the night. It was a great party, so many people to talk to. Her brothers were swept up in a good-natured crowd, relaxing and enjoying themselves, and it felt so good to Sofia to relax and unwind. Escape the web of intrigue into which she’d inadvertently become embroiled when she’d written that article. Doing nothing more complicated than talking and laughing and dancing, she couldn’t have enjoyed herself more—or so she thought until Cesar stepped forward to make a short speech.
‘We’ve had a wonderful night of entertainment, for which I’m immensely grateful,’ he declared. ‘And now it’s time for everyone to enjoy themselves, performers and guests alike. So I invite you to party, but not too hard because tomorrow the real work on match fitness begins.’
The usual chorus of groans greeted this statement, though it didn’t seem to stop anyone enjoying the party.
‘But before we start training again,’ Cesar added, ‘I’m claiming my right to dance with the star performer.’
Me? The thought of Cesar’s body enfolding hers, and without the need for pretence this time, made Sofia’s heart riot. She had to remind herself that this was just an innocent dance, and when it finished she’d return to her quarters, take a shower and go to bed.
Who was she kidding?
Difficult questions could wait until later.
Her body melted from the inside out when Cesar took her into his arms. Heat fizzed through her veins, bringing everything into sharp focus. Her awareness level soared. They fitted so well together, which didn’t make sense when Cesar was twice her size. But it was a fact, she realised as he led and she followed. ‘Don’t get used to shepherding me around the floor,’ she warned with amusement born of nerves.
‘I don’t notice too much resistance,’ he remarked. ‘You’re an excellent dancer, and I enjoy using my body.’
Her senses were in freefall now Cesar’s rampantly male body was aligned with hers. The urge to move and rub herself against him was constant—one she knew she had to resist.
‘Relax,’ he murmured, drawing her closer still. ‘Or stop dancing. It’s your choice. We’re not acting now so there’s no need to pretend, if you don’t want to.’
He was giving her an out she didn’t want. Up to now her hand had remained unmoving in his, while her body was as unresponsive as she could make it, but the thought of leaving Cesar and walking away forced her fingers to ease in his as she consciously relaxed her shoulders. Cesar responded by linking their fingers, which she found both intimate and exciting. His other hand was lodged in the small of her back, his fingers resting on the topmost swell of her buttocks.
Waves of want flooded her. They were so close they shared the same breath, the same air, but was this sensible or would it leave her with more unanswered questions? ‘We’ve got training tomorrow,’ she reminded them both. ‘I should be thinking about bed.’ The insistent rhythmic strum of guitars called her a liar. She wanted nothing more than to stay and dance with Cesar.
Releasing her as the music reached a crescendo and finally stopped, Cesar stepped back. ‘I’ll see you back to the house.’
‘You can’t leave your guests,’ she pointed out.
