“Yeah,” he said.
“Kat!” Ellie yelled into her mic. “Well, yeehaw!” Ellie stepped to the edge of the stage right as Kat stopped beside the judges’ table. She reached over him, the sweet scent of woman—his woman, or she would be again if he had anything to say about it—teased his nostrils. Damn, he wanted her.
“Can you have this group run the routine once more, please?” Kat asked.
Ellie grinned. “If it gets you one step closer to getting your backside up here, then sure thing.”
Darla and Lana waved at Kat. “We’re so glad you’re here.”
“Does this mean we get to keep you?” Darla asked.
“Yeah,” Jason said. “Does it mean we—” translate he “—get to keep you?”
Kat gave him an incredulous look. “You didn’t tell them?”
“No,” Darla said. “He didn’t tell us. Did you take the job?”
“No,” Kat said. “I appreciate your eagerness but I’m observing while I try to figure out a bit of a conflict before the Monday deadline for me to make a decision.” Her gaze touched Jason’s. She still had her backpack over her shoulder, as if she was ready to bolt. “This doesn’t mean I’m in.”
“You’re just a very hands-on observer,” he teased, glancing at her skintight leggings and tank top, and the long braid down her back that she wore when she worked. All of which said that she’d come to dance.
She grimaced and motioned between her and him. “You and I need to talk.”
He leaned into the microphone. “Give us ten, Ellie.” He stood up and faced her, lowering his voice for her ears only. “At your beck and call. I always am. You should know that by now.” He was all about talking, and he’d like to start with what had happened the last time they were together, but he knew better. Not only was there no time now, but she ran then, and if he pushed too hard she’d run now. He wasn’t going to let that happen.
“I didn’t mean this second,” she said. “Later.”
God, she was beautiful with her hair pulled back, her blue eyes luminous against her pale, perfect skin. “Fine, then,” he said softly. “We’ll talk later.”
She opened her mouth and shut it, then shoved her backpack at him. “Tell Ellie to go ahead,” she said, and turned away, but not before he saw the panic in her face.
She was afraid of getting hurt, and so was he. But they couldn’t go on like this either. They were together, and before he let her get away, they were either saying goodbye for good, or she was putting his ring back on her finger forever. And if he had to kiss every last inch of her a couple dozen times over to get her to let down her walls—well, it was a tough job, but he was the man to do it, and do it right.
3
JASON SAT BACK down and settled Kat’s bag in the empty seat next to him before he spoke into the microphone. “We’re a go, Ellie.”
“Do you want to sit down, Kat?” Darla asked, leaning forward. “I can get you a score sheet.”
“I’ll stand,” Kat said, “but thank you.” The music started and Kat’s full attention was riveted on the stage she’d soon be on, he was certain.
The dancers began their performance, but Jason watched Kat, her expression focused on the dancers. He could see her mentally pacing the routine, analyzing, thinking and rethinking. The music stopped and Ellie turned to see what Kat wanted her to do now.
Kat squatted down next to Jason, losing her balance and grabbing his leg, scorching it with her hand. The woman had far too much control over him, but he didn’t care. Not anymore. He’d done his own share of running, but it had been over for a long time.
Their eyes met and he saw her swallow hard. The touch, the connection, shook her, and it damn sure shook him. She moved her hand to the empty seat next to him.
“How did you rate number seven?” she asked.
He didn’t have to look at the scorecard. He hadn’t rated many in this group well. “Poorly.” He leaned back so that he could talk to Darla with Kat involved. “What did you do on number seven?”
“I marked her as a no,” Darla said, after glancing at her clipboard. “Cute little blonde thing that screams of sugar and spice, but she doesn’t know it yet. She’s just not ready for this.”
“Ditto,” Lana said, leaning forward to join the conversation. “I love how she looks angelic and still has tattoos. It’s that sugar and spice thing, but she doesn’t deliver the promise of her first impression.” She sighed. “And I’m agreeing with Darla way too much. I’ll have to fix that before the show starts.”
Jason studied Kat a moment. “I know you. You see something in her. Go do your thing. Save her.”