Two to Tango

by Kate Kisset

  She glimpsed up just to see if he was teasing. His dark, sexy eyes glinted with a dangerous expression.

  “Remember, let your body feel mine without our torsos touching.”

  Agony. “Right.” She held perfectly still while he counted a few beats, and then she felt the nudge of his hand directing her, and they were off.

  Safe in his hold, while occasionally glancing at the TV, she listened to Jake’s instructions. Scarlett stepped to the side, two, and back with left, three… She didn’t know how Jake managed to teach her…or maybe it wasn’t him. But once she stopped worrying about the next maneuver and trusted Jake to lead her, she glided gracefully in his arms. Her body instinctively knew how to sync with his. She’d never experienced anything like it.

  “Now cross left over right, five.” She heard the smile in his voice and floated across the room with his arms and hands fully supporting her. “Remember, slow, slow, quick-quick, slow…”

  Lost in Jake’s clean, fresh scent, the sound of his husky voice against her hair mixed with the melody. The notes seemed to long for his kiss as much as she did. The orchestra played to her desire for him, quick-quick. Inches away from his broad chest, the strings echoed in the dimming light, only to slow again to the rhythm. Up and down her heart raced, every time Jake’s breath touched her forehead. Her skin seared where his hands touched her back. Jake slowed and let go of her hand.

  “It’s torture,” he whispered against her neck, “to touch you and not be able to hold you.”

  Anticipation ripped through her, and Scarlett swallowed hard. She leaned her head against him, relinquished. She didn’t need to hold back anymore. He felt it too. Wrapping her arms around him, she listened to Jake’s heartbeat race against her ear.

  “Scarlett,” he said in a ragged voice, running his fingers through her hair and then under to the nape of her neck. His eyes burned. Cradling her face, his fingers tracing her jawline, he tilted her up to his mouth and leaned close. Her lips were waiting. Jake’s mouth pressed against hers, sending a lightning bolt down her spine with a kiss that tore through her body, the room, the dance, and the song.

  He tasted like champagne. Scarlett moaned against the quick breaths from his mouth, barely able to get her bearings. “Is this how the dance is supposed to end?”

  “That’s how some dances start, darling.” Cha-Cha’s voice came from behind them.

  Really? Pushing off Jake, Scarlett straightened her T-shirt and turned. ChiChi held a baking dish filled with something delicious-smelling. Brady scurried over to investigate.

  “Uh…hi.” Scarlett brushed the hair off her face.

  “Come, Brady.” The pooch obediently trotted to Jake’s side. “I didn’t think you’d mind if I brought him, considering how long you need me in St. Helena. Never mind the fact you bought me against my will. And we won’t mention anything about the media firestorm you created for me.”

  Scarlett wished she could fade into the woodwork.

  Cha-Cha harrumphed. “Watch your tone, Jake—”

  “The dog is fine,” ChiChi muttered. “He’s welcome to stay.”

  “Did you even knock?” Jake asked, seething.

  “Of course, we did.” Cha-Cha stole a look at her sister. “We’re not vulgarians. You left the door unlocked. I thought you’d be expecting us.” She meekly held up a bag. “I’m just dropping off your dancing shoes, darling. I told you this morning I took the liberty of having them resoled.”

  “And we had extra lasagna,” ChiChi explained, frowning at Brady. “And it’s not for him.” She waddled to the kitchen. “Thought you’d like to try this gravy. Your nonna outdid herself tonight.” She placed the dish on the counter and returned to them.

  “How long were you two watching us, Nonna?” Scarlett felt the tension in Jake’s body.

  “Long enough to see you dance beautifully together,” Cha-Cha replied brightly. “And to recognize you two have something impossible to fabricate… What’s the word I’m looking for, ChiChi?”

  “The word, dear sister, is chemistry.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Dressed in a black skirt and gray T-shirt with a jacket for her morning meeting, Scarlett tiptoed down the hall. She didn’t want to wake Prince Charming. After ChiChi and Cha-Cha left last night, she managed to keep her emotions in check and go to bed alone. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t awake half the night calculating the number of steps to Jake’s bedroom door.

  Turning the corner, she found Jake. With his back to her, he bent over the stove in a muscle-hugging T-shirt and snug-fitting jeans.

  Crossing her arms, Scarlett leaned against the wall. Now, this is a wake-up call. Jake shifted his weight, stirring something in the pan. The move put his left butt cheek in the spotlight. Then Jake leaned, making his right cheek bump out. Deciding it was only fair to give each scrumptious butt cheek equal time, she kept silent.

  Unfortunately, Brady spotted her and strolled over. “Hi, handsome,” she whispered, petting him while he rubbed his wet nose on her legs.

  Jake turned and sent her a supermodel smile. “You look gorgeous. Have a seat.” He gestured to the open French doors and a cute table outside. “But first”—he put the spoon down and raced over—“a proper greeting.”

  Before she knew it, she let her libido lead her halfway across the kitchen.

  Jake wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled a naughty smile. “There you are.” His deep, husky voice shot through her belly button, and a wave of heat progressed downward. He tightened his grip, ran a hand over her hair, and angled her head back. Then he lowered his perfect mouth onto hers for a deep, languid kiss that made her forget her name. Jake tasted like oranges and every great night of sex she'd never had but always wanted.

  “Um...” She had the words right on the tip of her tongue.

  “Good morning,” he whispered against her lips, stroking her chin with his thumb. Then he released his grip and gave her a tender kiss. "I hope you're hungry."

  She relived the sexy little sounds he made kissing her last night, and considered turning on some tango music, but chickened out.

  “You didn’t have to make breakfast again.” She’d planned on grabbing a Danish, and then coffee at Stan’s Soup & Service Station.

  “I wanted to.” Jake grinned over his shoulder. “I like to cook.” He grabbed a handful of herbs and sprinkled them over the pan. “Go ahead, relax outside. I’ll be right there.”

  “Sure you don’t need any help?” Scarlett asked while making her way to the patio.

  “I’m good,” he called from the stove.

  “What about you, Brady? Are you good?” Scarlett scratched behind his ears and settled onto the warm seat cushions. She sat back and detected a finch singing somewhere in the vineyards. So this is what it’s like to be spoiled.

  “Hope you like it.” Barefoot, Jake padded out the door and slid a flawlessly formed omelet onto her dish. The smell of warm basil wafted up from her plate.

  “Thank you.” Scarlett put her napkin on her lap and waited for him to serve himself and sit down.

  “I couldn’t go another day without you experiencing my famous Portobello pesto omelet. What do you think of it?” Jake took a bite and then brought his fingertips to his mouth. He kissed them and flung them into the air. “Superb, if I do say so myself.”

  Warm cheeses and sumptuous flavors melted in her mouth. Even his food was orgasmic. “This is exquisite, so good, Jake. Thank you.” She couldn’t stop beaming. “I always blow it on the flip.” She rotated the plate, trying to guess his technique. “That’s where the omelet falls apart for me, every time.”

  “Maybe I’ll show you my trick.” His eyes flashed. “If you’re nice.” Jake took a sip of orange juice. “I know you don’t want to jinx anything, but how’s it going with the Dr. H. takeover?”

  “Well, he sent a text this morning confirming tomorrow’s meeting, so it’s still a go,” Scarlett explained, loving that he asked. “Today, I have an interview in N
apa with another potential partner, so…”

  “You’re moving forward on the project.” He paused for a moment and studied her.

  “I can see your wheels turning.” She stuck her chin out. “Go ahead. You can ask.”

  “It doesn’t have anything to do with work.”

  Scarlett steeled herself and put her fork down. “Okay...”

  “Not to get too personal, but you did spend most of last night in my arms, not to mention that kiss two seconds ago.” Jake slowly spun his glass around with his thumb and index finger. “But I seem to remember you were engaged.”

  Oh, boy. She wasn’t expecting that. “Yep.” She nodded, stalling, trying to come up with something that didn’t make her sound like a total loser. How could she tell Jake her fiancé faked being in love with her? “I was engaged.”

  Jake’s expression became serious.

  “But it didn’t work out.”

  “When did it end?”

  “Fourth of July.” With her head down, Scarlett grimaced at her ex’s timing. “He told me he hadn’t been in love with me for a year and was only faking it because he didn’t know how to get out of the engagement.” She turned away and studied a piece of reflective tape flapping on a nearby vine. “He said there were no fireworks.”

  “Oh, Jesus.” Jake dropped his head all the way back. “I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry. Your ex is an idiot, by the way…in case you didn’t know.”

  Their gazes locked, and after a beat, he scooted his chair back and came over to her side of the table, completely throwing her off guard.

  “What are you doing?” she asked as he crouched next to her. “I’m okay. Really…”

  Jake tenderly took her hand in his. His thoughtful brown eyes melted her soul. “Remind me to tell you about the time I was left at the altar.”

  “No way.” Her mouth fell open, and a surge of protectiveness swept over her. What kind of nutjob would leave him at the altar?

  “Oh, yes.” He squeezed her hand and returned to his chair. “Looking back on it now, it probably would have been a mistake.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “I thought for sure Regan would’ve told you by now. Trust me. It was news.”

  “She just left? Without warning?”

  "There were signs,” he said thoughtfully. “We were only twenty. Her parents weren't happy about the wedding, and, to be honest, neither were mine.” Jake glanced over at Brady sunning himself near the lavender plants. “They wanted me to wait. But, yes, to answer your question, there were two hundred and fifty people at St. Dominic’s, five groomsmen, a bachelor party the night before, and no warning. And I waited.”

  His eyes trailed off to the rolling hill in front of them. “There’s another one. I don’t think those reflective tapes are working. There are a lot of fat, happy birds in the vines this morning.”

  “She never showed up?”

  He shrugged, bringing his attention back to her. “Never showed. Didn’t tell her parents or her friends. She just got in her car and took off for Stinson Beach.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Scarlett reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “It must’ve been awful.”

  “I didn't know what hit me. I was ready to settle down, wanted to start a family right away.” His voice wavered. “So I concentrated on school, found a small-market gig after graduation, and a decade later, here I am.” He held up his hands, and his eyes met hers with an expression she couldn’t decipher.

  “Hey,” he said, looking at his watch. “You’ve got a meeting, and I’ve got dance practice.”

  ***

  Scarlett checked her voicemail, hoping her latest candidate had called back. With no new messages or texts, she shut her phone off and sat on the bed, deflated. One of her potential partners, the only one she let herself count on as a sure thing, backed out of the deal a few days ago. Since then she’d been interviewing like mad, trying to find a replacement.

  “Knock, knock.” Jake stood at her doorway, holding wine. “I think we should definitely open another bottle.” He cocked his head and waggled his brows. How could she possibly say no?

  She shoved off the bed. “I’ll be right out.” Scarlet gave him a playful poke in the stomach and her index finger bounced right off his tight abs. She sauntered past him on the way to the bathroom, putting a little extra swish in her hips. Scarlett looked over her shoulder to check if he was enjoying the show.

  Jake let loose a slow, appreciative smile. “I’ll see you on the dance floor.”

  What would she do without him? Jake thought she was helping him by dancing each night, but he had it all wrong. No matter how lousy her day or how much her head ached from stress, being with Jake made everything better.

  The night hadn’t cooled yet, and being so close to Jake only made her hotter. Scarlett splashed water on her face and wrists. They’d fallen into a routine of having a glass of wine every night and then dancing for a few hours after dinner. She’d spent the past hour supposedly perfecting her pivot, but who was she kidding? She’d take any excuse to be in his arms. Scarlett dried her face with a towel and hurried to the living room.

  “We’ve got it down.” Jake kissed her on the forehead and handed her a glass of wine.

  Holding the goblet by the stem, she moved the plum-colored liquid to the light and sniffed. “If you swirl it, you’ll let a little more oxygen in the glass.” Jake demonstrated and sipped. “Can you guess the varietal?”

  She smelled the wine again. “Black cherry?”

  He inched closer and whispered, “What else?”

  Grinning under Jake’s stare, she took her time and inhaled the fragrance again. “It’s a tiny bit spicy… merlot?”

  “You’re a woman of so many talents… It’s the DeLuca merlot.” He brushed his mouth lightly over hers, their lips melded in a kiss, and she closed her eyes. His full lips tasted like sweet plum. And she felt it. The safe zone. That place she always wanted to find, but never could.

  “To be continued?” Jake cocked his head and put his glass on the table. She took another sip and placed hers next to his.

  “We’re dancing again, cutie,” Scarlett said to the snoring heap of fur in the middle of their practice space. “You should probably get up now.” Brady blinked. His sleepy eyes peered at her from his supreme lounging position in the middle of the floor, but he didn’t budge.

  Jake grabbed the remote.

  “Move it, big guy.” Jake nudged him, and Brady meandered to the sofa, jumped up, and resumed his position on the cushions.

  “We were on five.” Scarlett placed her feet together, remembering the move. “Weight on this side, cross over, and pivot.” She went through the motions again. “Right?”

  “Exactly.” Holding the remote, Jake moved into position. “Just once, though, I’d like to see you do that in your panties.” He tugged on her skirt. “Way too much fabric on you.” He smiled. “From the top?” He stared at her breasts.

  “I thought you said you needed to practice dancing,” she teased.

  Jake pointed the remote at the screen, hit the button, and lightly tossed it next to Brady. “The tango is a dance of love.” Mischievously, Jake grabbed her waist, and pressed his hand firmly into her back, forcing her body flush against his. He nibbled behind her ear, sending a shooting star to her panties.

  The DVD began, and music filled the space. Jake counted a few beats, and they were off. Scarlett knew the steps by heart now and didn’t need to count aloud herself. Listening to Jake’s cues, she smoothly followed his lead.

  He nudged her back. “Here comes the pivot.” Heat from his lips touched her forehead.

  Scarlett swiveled to the left and swayed to the right without moving her feet. “We did it!” She smiled so hard her cheeks ached, and they went into the next move.

  “Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow…” She giggled into his shoulder, feeling light and free.

  “Faster this time,” she said. “And dip me.”


  The pressure against her back increased. “Is that a dare?” He leaned against her, forcing her to bend. Fully trusting his arm would support her, back she went, opening her chest to him. The music wailed. Starting in the hollow of her throat, Jake made a trail of fiery kisses down to the V-neck of her T-shirt. He slid a hand over her breasts and down to her waist, triggering a wave of heat. She clamped her eyes shut and let her world rock.

  While she was pressed against him, the song began to fade, and Jake dug his fingers into her hair and kissed her hard. Bringing her up so she could stand on her wobbly legs, she felt his heart pounding against her chest, and her knees buckled. In a swoop, he picked her up and carried her to the couch.

  “Off, Brady.” Jake’s raspy voice hit her cheek. Supporting her head with his hand, he laid her on the sofa and crawled on top of her. “Scarlett…” He caressed her cheek with his fingers and whispered against her lips. “What are we going to do?”

  Was that a rhetorical question? She’d asked the question a thousand times since they first kissed. She didn’t know where they were headed in this crazy dance and only hoped they’d have enough time together to find out.

  The heavy bass thumped and the sax swelled in a slow groove. The DVD rolled into another song, filling the room with a soundtrack made for sex.

  She traced the outline of Jake’s delicious bottom lip with her finger. This must be a dream.

  His brown eyes glimmered teasingly while he ran his hand down the side of her leg and over, grasping her leg under her skirt.

  “Hmm…” she mumbled hazily, loving the touch of his fingers caressing the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. “I think I love the tango. Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow… Hmm… Don’t you love that there are more slows than quicks?” she teased.

  “Slow…” she said against his lips and kissed him s-l-o-w-l-y, hoping he’d sense she was falling for him.

  “Slow.” Jake brushed her hair off her forehead and tenderly cupped her face in his hands. He drew her closer, pressing his lips against hers for a leisurely kiss, so insanely intoxicating she let out a moan. Jake pulled back with rapid-fire breaths against her chin, he said, “quick,” and traced her bottom lip with his tongue.