Page 71

Seeming to read her, Devan nodded discreetly and jumped down from the stage with a flourish, landing in front of her as though it was part of their act. The crowd clapped and he beamed at her. Her feet might have refused to get back onto that stage, but she was not going to completely reject Devan and his hopeful eyes.

So she took a deep breath, plastered on her show face, and held out her hand for the dance.

The strum of guitars began, filling her ears with the familiar tune she’d been dancing to with Devan during their tango lessons. Sometimes Teijo had been there, snapping photos. And other times, they’d practised alone at Devan’s house, lights dimmed, curtains closed. She would have to stop thinking about those times, if she was going to get through this without melting.

Alyssa swallowed hard, knowing what was ahead. A dance that was sensual and beautiful. In that moment, she wished the app had chosen Morris dancing, or something entirely non-sexy. Devan took up his position, making her breath catch. The dance would intensify, their bodies would get closer. How on earth was she going to get through it, pretending her soul wasn’t on fire for this man?

His breath soft against her face, he spun her gently, encouraging her hips to sway and her body to find the beat. She tried to think of it as a series of steps, a routine to pace out. Though as his arm encircled her, his hand landing on the soft flesh of her stomach and radiating warmth through the silky material of her dress, it was becoming more difficult by the second.

He turned her away from him, his front snug against her back, his pelvis against her bum. She heard his almost inaudible groan as he rocked gently against her, certain parts of him almost definitely warming up. As the routine demanded, he lifted her, spinning around with her against him, before gently lowering her, her body sliding down his. She felt her eyes flicker closed with the joy of it. Being against him, feeling his heartbeat, the hitch in his breath.

A few gentle claps from the audience in response to the lift made her eyes pop open. She shook herself and exhaled sharply, trying to break free from her trance. She spun back towards him, and they paced the floor together, their feet knowing the way. She just about managed the leg flinging bit, and the part where she had to do a snake-like tease in front of him, running her hands up and down her body.

And before she knew it, he was pacing towards her, taking her in his arms for one final spin before dipping her low, so she was bent backwards in an arch. His nose pressed against the flesh just above her belly button, moving up towards her chest as he pulled her body in.

Oh God.

His face moved slowly against her front, his warm mouth skimming between her breasts, stopping for a tantalising moment before finding her neck and breathing against it. Every nerve ending in her body felt like it might explode. She gasped and pulled herself back to standing, their cheeks now against each other, his lips hot against her ear. Blood whooshed around her head, her thoughts racing, her body barely in control.

He cupped a hand around his mouth, so the watching public couldn’t catch his words.

‘Whoa, Alyssa. I’m so in love with you,’ he breathed against her, their bodies sticking together from the dampness of their flesh. ‘And I’m not saying that to sabotage you.’ He pulled away and looked at her. Those deep blue eyes, both loaded with truth.

She nodded, her eyes wide, her lips parting. ‘Same,’ was what tumbled out, in the least romantic way ever. Same? What was wrong with her? Why hadn’t she just said the L-word? But she couldn’t. Not here, not with everyone looking – even if she was coming to see that hell yes, she L-worded him too.

Her heart was melting. Was it time for this pretending to stop?

Social media post by ’Appy Together:

@appytogether – We’re excited to report that there is officially more love in Hartglove! The results of the poll taken at the town’s recent Tango Extravaganza – supported by funding from us – showed 73% of people were feeling more love. But is it the trial run of the new ’Appy Together love app, the presence of @alyssaheart_thelovecoach, or the surprise upsurge of self-love that is winning the day? We’ve got to say – who cares! Love is love, isn’t it, folks? Let’s keep it up!

Private message from @agent_rufusdiamond to @alyssaheart_thelovecoach:

@agent_rufusdiamond – Sorry I didn’t make it to your dance night thing. Was planning to, but I couldn’t get my roots done in time. My grey patch was fit to scare Cruella de Vil.