Winning Moves (Stepping Up 3)

He leaned against the wall. “If that’s what you want.”

She swallowed hard and leaned against the opposite wall, still so close that only a few steps separated them. “That was too easy.” She studied him. “Damn it, Jason. I know you. ‘If that’s what you want’ translates to you planning to change what I want but not until I’ve signed a contract.” He didn’t say anything. He just stared at her with those gorgeous, intense eyes, and she pushed, “No reply?”

“I think I was pretty clear. As long as that’s what you want, that’s how it will be. The fact that I’m leaning against this door, when I want to be over there with you, kissing you like there’s no tomorrow, should prove I mean it. This job has your name written all over it. And since we’re in Vegas, I’m going to say that you coming home right when we were casting and looking for a choreographer says it’s in the cards. You were meant to be here. We were meant to be here. I believe that so strongly that if I have to agree to keep this all business to get you to take the job, I will. But don’t think for one minute that I won’t be hoping you’ll give me the opportunity to change your mind.”

Her skin prickled with awareness and a part of her screamed—convince me now—while another wanted to dart for the door he was blocking.

“You think that’s the answer I’m looking for? You think that makes this an easy decision for me?”

“It’s the only answer I have. You know me. I’m straight up. Take the job, Kat. Do this one last thing for me, for us, and I swear I will never ask you to do anything for me ever again.”

For him. His plea shouldn’t matter, but it did. God, she still loved this man. And she knew he loved her. She did. Where they were concerned, love always hurt, and she didn’t know if she could live through it again. But then, she never seemed to move on from it, or from him, either.

“What do we tell the cast and crew?”

“That you took the job.”

“About us, Jason.”

“Why do we have to tell them anything?”

“Someone will find out.”

“Do you really care?” he asked. “Because I don’t, Kat.”

“I don’t want anyone thinking I slept my way into this job. I have six weeks to get a show audience-ready. I need respect.”

“One hour with you, and you’ll have their respect,” he assured her, “but I understand. You know I’ll respect your wishes. We’ve known each other since college. Old friends, both from Vegas.”

“The tour,” she said. “I’m not thrilled with being on the road again. I need a home, a solid foundation.”

“Three months and that’s it,” he said. “And if Stepping Up continues to a fourth season, we can negotiate the tour out of your contract.”

“And if the show is cancelled?”

“My hope is that the Vegas show outlasts the television show,” he said. “We have to make sure it’s good enough to become a Vegas fixture.”

She liked that idea. A steady job. A home. Stability. And how ironic that Jason, of all people, would deliver her the opportunity. “This is only work.”

“Whatever you want,” he said smoothly, knowing all too well, she wanted him. “I sent Michael a copy of the contract. He’s already reviewing them.”

“Because you knew if I showed up here today, I’d take the job.”

His far-too-sexy lips curved. “It was a good bet.” He pushed off the door to let her pass. “I know you’re eager to get back to the auditions.”

She knew darn well she was about to be too close to him for comfort, but she also knew she couldn’t run from him, or them, if she took this job. Kat walked toward him and as she suspected, he didn’t let her pass.

They stood there toe-to-toe, their gazes locked, until he let his hand settle on her arm, the touch warming her skin, her entire body. Her will to push him away evaporated. Slowly, he let his fingers trail downward until he laced them with hers and then brought her knuckles to his lips.

“You’re going to be great,” he said, the intimate tone of his voice familiar, seductive. “We’re going to be great. You watch and see.” And then, just like that, he released her hand and opened the door, leaving her aching with the need to touch him again, and swearing she wouldn’t. Knowing her willpower to keep her hands off of him was one bet she’d never take in Vegas, if she was a betting woman, and she wasn’t.

* * *

AUDITIONS FINALLY CLEARED out at six that night and Kat and Ellie immediately headed to a break area behind the stage. Making good use of the rectangular steel table sitting in the middle of the room, with the fridge and some cabinets behind them, they spread out head shots, comparing notes.