Page 26 of Forbidden Whispers
“I can teach you,” Noah said with confidence. “Just follow my lead.”
He swung her around to face him, placing her left hand on his shoulder and taking her right hand in his. He put his other hand at her waist, and she could feel the warmth of it through her dress.
Maggie had a moment to admire the expressive rhythm of the sultry music, and then they were moving. He taught her the basic steps, leading her forward as he stepped back and then back as he came forward. She caught on quickly, and with gentle pressure, he guided her, their hips swaying in sync with one another.
After a bit, with an impish grin, he began adding moves. She didn’t always know what was coming next, but he guided her with surprising expertise.
To the beat of the music, he would pull her tantalizingly close, then away, close, then away, in an almost teasing motion. He lifted both her arms up over her head. Then he released one as he spun her out in a turn that had her skirt flaring between them, his free hand slipping lightly along her waist as she twirled, sending chills dancing up and down her spine.
The proximity of his body to hers, the way he touched her, the way they moved together, made her insides flame. When the song ended, he gave her a final twirl and a playful dip, making her laugh.
“That was fun!” She felt dizzy and exhilarated. “You can really move, Noah. Where did you learn to dance like that?”
The band had switched to a slower number, and Noah showed no interest in leaving the dance floor. He pulled her close and was now leading her in a gentle sway to the music.
“My Pops and Nana were great dancers,” he said. “They taught my brothers and me some of the classic dances. But then for fun in college, I signed up for a Latin Dance class. I was one of the only guys in the class, so I got a lot of practice.”
“I bet!” She laughed. “You’re like every girl’s dream.” She felt her face grow red as she realized what she’d just said. She fumbled to recover. “I mean, a man who likes to dance. Where were you at all our high school dances?”
He led her into a slow spin before pulling her up tight against him again. His hard body pressed against hers, his hand firmer on her back now as the music enveloped them in its sensual embrace.
“At home,” he sighed as the song came to an end. Then his eyes locked with hers in a way that made her heart flutter erratically. “Dreaming of—”
“Noah, my man! You’re back again!” said a loud voice beside them.
They had been dancing at the edge of the dance floor and turned to face a smiling, mocha-skinned man with cropped corkscrew curls. He wore a cruise uniform and was now thumping Noah on the back. “How’s your head?”
Noah’s face registered confusion and surprise.
“Did I hear someone say Noah is back again?” The lead guitarist was squinting against the lights. Then a smile spread across his bearded face as his eyes landed on Noah. “Get up here, Riley, and do a number with us! Maybe something a bit less rowdy than last night, though!” The rest of the band guffawed with laughter, along with the man who was standing beside them.
Noah shot Maggie an apologetic look and made his way up to the front of the room. The band clearly knew him well, greeting him with man hugs and fist pumps. Maggie sat down at a nearby table, her mind whirling. Dreaming of... Dreaming of what? What had he been about to say? She focused on Noah now as he took the offered guitar and began strumming. The band soon had the crowd on the floor while Noah’s clear voice sang the lead for Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Happen Twice.”
She was instantly transported back to high school, listening to him make music like he used to, and she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. The song was about running into a first love that he never forgot. He seemed to be looking right at her while he sang. And for just a moment, she let herself imagine what it would be like if he was singing that song to her.
Then she shut the thought down. She couldn’t let herself go there. He was a friend and a client now. And that’s where it ended.
When the song was over, Noah refused the band’s insistence that he keep playing and he quickly returned to Maggie’s side.
“Sorry!” he said. “I’ve played with these guys before. They’re great.”
“You were great!” she gushed. “I’ve missed hearing you sing, Noah.”
He grinned at the compliment, looking almost bashful. Then he looked around. “Did you see where that guy went? The one that recognized me?”
“He’s over there,” Maggie said, pointing to the bar area. The man was talking with the bartender.
“C’mon!” He took her hand and pulled her up, leading her through the crowd to the bar.
“Excuse me,” Noah said, leaning on the bar next to the man.
The man and the bartender both glanced at Noah. Then they broke into wide, matching grins.
“Hey, bro! We’re so glad to see that you’re all right,” said the bartender.
“After last night, we were worried,” said the man who’d originally spoken to them, and he stepped up to embrace a shocked Noah. Maggie watched Noah awkwardly thump the man’s back.
“Yeah, so about last night,” Noah said once the man released him. “I know this is going to sound strange, but I don’t remember any of it. And I’m sorry to admit it, but I don’t remember you guys either.”