And probably every woman out there would love to tango with you, too, buddy, she thought.
She had to smile suddenly. Are you sure you really want to take dance lessons? she asked him.
Yes. No. He shrugged. Doug really wanted me to get into it.
Shannon suddenly felt hesitant about him. She didnt know whyhe was so physically impressive that any teacher should be glad to have him, as a challenge, at the least.
A challenge. That was it exactly. Just as he appealed to her, he created a sense of wariness in her, as well. She didnt understand it.
She sat back, smiling, tapping her pencil idly against the table as she looked at him. She spoke casually. Your brother is a police officer. Are you in the same line of work, Mr. OCasey?
Quinn. Please, call me Quinn. And no, Im not a cop. Although I was a cop once.
He didnt offer any further details.
So, what do you do?
Im with a charter service down in the Keys.
Fishing? Diving?
He smiled slowly. Yes, both. Why? Are only certain men involved in certain lines of work supposed to take dance lessons?
She shook her head, annoyed to know that her cheeks were reddening. She stared down at the paper. No, of course not, and Im sorry. We just try to tailor a program toward what an individual really wants.
Well, I guess I just want to be able to dance socially. And Im not kidding when I say that I cant dance.
Those words were earnest. The dimple in his cheek flashed.
She smiled. Doug came in with the movement ability of a deeply rooted treeQuinn. His name rolled strangely on her tongue. Hes made incredible progress.
Well, he just kind of fell in love with it, huh?
Her smile deepened, and she nodded. You dont think youre going to fall in love with it, do you?
He shrugged, lifting his hands. Large hands, long fingered. Clean and neat, though. Of course. Fishing and diving. He was in the water constantly. Face deeply bronzed, making the blue of his eyes a sharp contrast. What about you?
Pardon? she said, startled that they had suddenly changed course.
When did you fall in love with it?
When I could walk, she admitted.
Ah, so youre one of those big competitors, he said.
She shook her head. No. Im an instructor.
He arched a brow, and she felt another moments slight unease as she realized he was assessing her appearance.
I bet you would make a great competitor.
She shrugged. I really like what I do.
I guess competition can be dangerous.
His words sounded casual enough. She felt herself stiffen. Dangerous? Dancing?
He shrugged again. Doug told me someone had a heart attack and died at the last big competition.
She shook her head. What happened was tragic. But it was an isolated incident. Ive certainly never seen anything like it before. Were all shattered, of coursebut, no, competition isnt usually dangerous. She was tempted to say more but pulled back, telling herself not to be an absolute idiot. She certainly wasnt going to spill out her own discomfort before a man shed just met, even if he was Dougs brother. Doug was a student, a promising one, but even he was far from a confident. I would assume, Mr. OCasey, that boating and diving are far more dangerous than dancing.
I wasnt worried, he said. Justwell, sorry about the loss, of course. And curious.
Obviously, people would be upset. And yes, curious. In the world of dance, Lara had reigned as a queen. Though most people might not have known her nameany more than Shannon might have known that of the leading Nascar racersuch a death still made the newspapers and even a number of news broadcasts. Several stations had been there filming when she had died.
Sure, people were going to be curious.
Gordon had given a speech to her; she had given one to the teachers, and shed also written up a little notice for the students. She didnt know why she felt annoyed at explaining the situation to this particular man.
We were all curious, she said evenly. Lara Trudeau was amazing. She wasnt into alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise. None of us knows what happened that day. She was brilliant, and she, and her talent, will be missed. But dancing is hardly dangerous. Obviously, its a physical activity. But weve had a number of heart patients here for therapy. Its dangerous to sit still and become a couch potato, too. She was suddenly angry, feeling as if she was personally under attack, and didnt understand why. She was about to get up and assure him that she would return Dougs money for the guest pass, but then he spoke.
Rhythm, he said.
Pardon?
I think I said the wrong thing. Id like to be able to go to a club like Suede, the one right below you, and not look like a total horses aidiot. Salsa, right?
They do a lot of salsa. Mambo, samba, merengueTuesday nights they have a swing party.
But they waltz at weddings, right? He gave the appearance of seriously considering his options.
Yes.
Do I have to pick certain dances?
No, but it would be nice to know where youd like to start.
Where do you generally start?
She rose. At the beginning. Come on. If youve no real preferences, well do it my way.
Youre going to be my instructor? He was surprised, but she didnt think he was pleased.
Yes. Is there a problem?
No, I justDoug said you didnt take new students.
I dont usually. But the way it works is, unless theres a problem, the teacher to sign on a new student becomes their regular instructor. She hadnt meant to actually take him as her student, but nowshe meant to keep him. There was just something about him that
A voice in her ear whispered that he was the most arresting man shed met in a long time. Best-looking, definitely most sensual, man.
Yes, yes, all acknowledged from the start.
But that wasnt the point. It wasnt his appearance, which was, admittedly, imposing.
There was something else.
It was ridiculous that she was feeling so paranoid.
But the man bore watching. That feeling of wariness would not go away.
Maybe.
That was her thought thirty minutes later.
Maybe she hadnt been teaching enough lately. Maybe she couldnt teach and keep an eye on him at the same time. Her patience just wasnt where it should be. There was no chance of anyone stepping in and actually leading himplacing a hand on his arm had assured her of that. It was like setting her fingers on a solid wall. It didnt help that he was stiff, no matter how much she tried to get him to relax.
He actually seemed to be confused between left and right.
They were doing a box step, for Gods sake. A simple box step.
No, Quinn, your left foot goes forward first. The same foot weve used the last twenty-five times. Was her voice showing strain? Once upon a time, shed been known for her patience.
He hadnt lied when he said he had two left feet.
Were just making a squarea box. Left foot forward, right sidea box.
Yeah, right. A box. So how many teachers are there here, actually?
Yeah, right. A box. So how many teachers are there here, actually?
Are you afraid that I cant teach you, Mr. OCasey?
No, no, I just wondered. Youre doing fine. I was just curious as to how many teachers you have.
Ben Trudeau is teaching full time now.
Trudeau? he said.
He used to be married to Lara. Theyve been divorced for several years. He was mainly doing competitions and coaching, but he decided a few months ago that he wanted to take up residence on the beach. Hes an excellent teacher.
He must be devastated.
Were all devastated, Mr. OCasey.
Sorry. I can imagine. She must have been something. So accomplished, and such a friend to everyone here, huh? Doug told me she taught here sometimes.
She coached, Shannon told him.
Must be hard for all of you to have the studio open and be teaching already.
Work goes on.
So all the teachers have come back?
Yes.
Who are the rest of them?
Justin Garcia and Sam Railey, and Jane Ulrich, who teaches your brother, and another woman, Rhianna Markham.
His foot landed hard on hers once again.
SorryI told you I had two left feet, he apologized.
Shannon drew a deep breath. We do want to get you to where you can converse while youre on the floor, but maybe if you didnt ask so many questions while we were working, it might be better.
Sorry. Just want to get to know the place, feel a little more comfortable here.
Thats what the practice sessions and parties are for, she murmured.
Parties?
And practice sessions, she said firmly. Beginners come on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights, sometimes even the other weeknights if we get busy, and learn more steps in groups. Then you hone those steps with your teacher.
Do students have to come?
Of course not. But individual sessions are expensive. The group sessions are open to all enrolled students. You learn a lot faster and make a lot better use of your money by attending the group classes.
And the parties? When are they? Are they for all the students?
Wednesday nights, eight to ten, and yes, beginners are welcome. You should come.
I will.
His foot crunched down on hers once again. Hard. She choked back a scream. How much longer? Fifteen more minutes. She wasnt sure she could take it.
She looked around. Jane still hadnt returned from her appointment. Rhianna was working with David Mercutio, husband of Katarina Mercutio, the designer who shared the second floor of the building with them. She was wonderfulspecializing in weddings, with one-of-a-kind dresses for both brides and wedding parties. She had also learned the special requirements for ballroom-competition gowns, and had made some truly spectacular dresses. Just as it was great for the studio to be right on top of the club, it was a boon to have Katarina right next to them.
David was a regular who came twice a week to work with Rhianna. He had also known and worked with Lara. He and Rhianna were deep in conversation as they twirled around, working on a tango. She knew they were probably discussing Lara. Sam Railey, however, didnt have a student at the moment. He was putting his CDs in order.
Quinn OCaseys really large left foot landed on her toe once again.
Sam! she called suddenly, breaking away from her partner.
Yeah? he looked up.
Can I borrow you for a minute?
Sure.
Shannon headed toward the stereo, waiting for the tango to play out, removed the CD and replaced it with an old classicPeggy Lee singing Fever. Sam walked over to partner her as she spoke to her new student. Right now, youre just trying to get the basic box. But if you think of the steps to the music, it might help you.
Sam led her in the basic steps while she looked at Quinn. She was not at all convinced he was trying very hard.
To her surprise, Sam spoke up. It looks like a boring dance, he said to Quinn. But it can be a lot of fun.
The next thing Shannon knew, Sam had taken the initiative. They moved into a grapevine, an underarm spin and a series of pivots. Steps far advanced from anything their new student could begin to accomplish.
Okay, Sam, she said softly. We dont want to scare him off.
Wellhe should see what he can learn, Sam replied.
She couldnt argue. They did lots of demonstrations to show their students what they could learn. She just wondered about this particular student.
But Quinn was nodding and looking as if he had suddenly figured something out. He stepped in to take his position with her again. The guy had a great dance hold; he also wore some kind of really great aftershave. He should be a pleasure to teach.
Except that he was always watching.
But werent students supposed to watch?
Not the way he did, with those piercing blue eyes.
She looked back up into them, reminding herself that she was a teacher, and a good one.
Listen, feel it, and move your feet. Remember that youre just making a square.
To her amazement, he had it. He finally had it. A box. A simple box. It felt like a miracle.
Head up, she said softly, almost afraid to push her luck. Dont look at your feet. It will only mess you up.
His eyes met hers, and he maintained the step and the rhythm. His dimple showed as he smiled, pleased. His hold was just right. There was distance between them, but she was still aware of hot little jolts sweeping through her, despite the lack of real body contact. Not good.
Dance teachers needed to be friendly. Accustomed to contact. The more advanced a student, the closer that contact. She was accustomed to that.
But it had never been like this.
She suddenly wanted the lesson to be over for reasons other than her sore feet.
When they were done, he seemed actually enthused.
When do I come again? he asked.
Whenever you schedule.
Tomorrow? he asked.
Youll have to see Ella, our receptionist.
They were standing near the little elevated office. Ella had already heard. He can have a two-oclock.
I thought I had an appointment with the hotel about blocking out rooms for the Gator Gala? Shannon said frowning. And I know I have Dr. Long coming in for his regular class.
The hotel pushed the meeting to Wednesday, Ella said cheerfully. And they want you to call them back. Dr. Long isnt in until five-fifteen.
Two oclock, then, Shannon said.
Thanks. Ill see you then.
Their new student departed, and Shannon stared after him.
Jane, returning from the dentist, passed him at the door. Who the hell was that? she demanded when she reached Shannon.
Dougs brother.
Dougs brotherwow. Look what a few more years are going to do for that guy. Of course, the eyesshit! Who taught him?
I did, Shannon said.
Oh. And youre keeping him? She tried to sound light.
Shannon hesitated. Yes.
Sam went dancing by, practicing a Viennese waltz on his own. Hey, he teased Jane. Youve already got the one brother.
Jane gave him a serious glare. Yeah, and I also have nasty old Mr. Clinton, ninety-eight, and decaying with each move we make. She looked at Shannon. I thought you werent going to take on any new students.