“And how did it go for you?” he asked gently.
“I dropped him off this morning. He waved goodbye and dove in to a game of blocks with another couple of kids. Didn’t even notice I’d left. I cried like a baby as soon as he was out of sight.”
“Aw.” Tucker cuddled her closer. “Baby boy is growing up.”
“I’m not ready for that.” She laid her head against his shoulder and it felt just exactly right. Having him to share this with felt even better. And that was skirting dangerous territory. Territory involving long-term feelings and expectations. She wasn’t ready for that either.
“It’s good he was comfortable enough for that. You gave him that foundation.”
“I wish I was steadier on mine.”
He tightened his hold. “I’m right here to lean on until you are.”
Corinne lifted her head to study him, taking in the unwavering focus and patience, the sheer goodness of this man. And she knew, ready or not, those feelings and expectations had already taken root. “I believe you actually mean that.”
“I do.”
“It’s my knee-jerk response to want to discount it. But right now, I don’t want to question it. I just want…”
He tucked a lock of her hair behind one ear. “What do you want?”
You. As simple and complicated as that. She wanted him. All of him.
But wanting was a dangerous thing, and Corinne had learned long ago it was safer to take what came without wanting more. What she had right now was so very good, and she didn’t want to do anything to mess it up. She sighed, letting go of that want—for now. But at the question in his eyes, she gave him a smile. “You know, right now, in this moment, I have everything I want.”
“Yeah?”
“My kid is happy, and I’m spending yet another evening with an attractive, interesting man, who knows how to dance.”
Tucker twirled her. “A woman of simple tastes.”
“I didn’t used to be, but I’ve learned to appreciate simple.”
“Simple is good. Simple is why Brody and Adele got cut in Round 2.”
“How’s that?”
“Because a tango is simple and he forgot that. He was more concerned with showboating his skills than honing in on the soul of the dance.”
Corinne laughed. “Nothing I saw in the video you emailed me looked simple.”
He put on a face of mock affront. “Have I led you astray yet?”
Feeling better than she’d expected when she got here, Corinne relaxed into the flirtation. “No. No you haven’t. Educate me, kind sir.”
“I’ve always thought of tango as a story.” He stepped back, nodding for her to mirror his position, until they stood an armspan away. “Man sees woman, is attracted.” Tucker looked her up and down, and the heat simmering in his gaze fired her blood. “Woman decides she’s attracted back.”
So much for letting go of that want. Corinne’s gaze scraped up and down, lingering on his chest, caressing him with her eyes.
He moved into her, wrapping an arm around her waist until they stood hip to opposite hip. “And the dance tells the whole tale of their courtship, from the first hot blush of interest, through all the ups and downs.” When he shifted, so did she, responding to his slightest touch as he led her through the slow, basic steps of the dance. With every touch, she imagined satin sheets, a night of sighs and single-minded purpose.
“All that give and take.” He traced the outline of her body, his hand skimming close enough she could feel his heat but not quite touching. Desire denied. When he spoke again, his voice was rough. “But in the end, it’s only about one thing.” He spun her out and back, until their mouths were but a heartbeat apart.
“What’s that?” Her whisper came out breathy, even to her own ears.
“Seduction.”
Oh, yes please. Because she wanted to melt into a puddle of lust at his feet, she made a bid for humor. “Hence the change in practice venue?”