Jordan, Olivia - Carly's Two-Stepping Temptations [Studio Seductions 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (3 page)

“Okay, yeah, you’re probably right. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m flattered. I just—I can’t see my students. It’s a strict personal policy.”

“I understand. I’ll see you Saturday?”

“See you then.”

Heath hurried out of the studio without even saying good-bye to Taletha. He had an image to maintain, and he wasn’t about to risk anyone seeing it fade, even for a moment.

* * * *

Carly’s body and mind were both buzzing when she left the studio. She didn’t want to be attracted to Heath. He was technically her student, even if only for a short time, and she wasn’t entirely sure their personalities would click off the dance floor. His dancing was riddled with bad habits from inadequate training, and his stubbornness made him difficult to train. Yet she couldn’t deny that her pussy was still wet, and her skin was still tingling even after she’d taken a cold shower in the locker room.

Pulling into Jake’s driveway, Carly pushed all thoughts of Heath from her mind. These weekly visits never got easier, and she needed to be completely focused.

“Hey, Jake,” she called, letting herself in.

“I’m in the living room.”

Even after six months, Carly wanted to cry whenever she saw Jake. She still couldn’t believe that he wouldn’t dance again. But Jake was wearing shorts, and the scars that still crossed over his knee and around his calf proved yet again that he’d never compete, and he was lucky that he could walk at all.

“How was work today?” she asked, kissing his cheek.

“Oh, you know. It’s not—it’s definitely not the same.” Jake’s voice trembled as he spoke, and Carly tried to ignore the quiver, because she knew she’d start crying, too. “But it’s a good job. The people are great. I’m good at it, too. I never saw myself in politics, but who knows? Maybe I’ll take over my boss’s job someday.”

Carly forced a laugh. “I think you’d make a great mayor.”

“Thanks.”

An awkward silence fell between them. Carly felt guilty. They had less to talk about now that they didn’t share a common career. However, she couldn’t help but feel bored by politics, so it was hard for her to stay interested when Jake talked about his job at the mayor’s office. Nor could she really bring up life at the studio, because she couldn’t stand the pain in his eyes when she talked about the life he’d been forced to give up when his knee gave out.

Finally, though, Jake cleared his throat. “I see that Taletha brought a new instructor on board.”

Carly nodded. “To replace Emily.”

“I’m surprised she had the funds. I know things have been shaky ever since the vandalism a few months ago.”

“The
Dancing with the Stars
fundraiser we’re doing is going to keep us afloat.”

“So even Taletha decided to capitalize on the trend of having local pseudo-celebrities prance around and make fools of themselves in order to make a little money.” He rolled his eyes. “I never expected that of her.”

“Don’t be bitter. You know that if you—” she paused, unsure of what to say. Jake was not easy to talk to anymore. Carly found that she always had to be careful with her words. But even when she took her time speaking, it was still likely that whatever she had to say was going to make Jake upset.

Finally, though, she found words that she knew would work. “If you were still there, you’d be all-in for the chance to show off, and maybe get to dance with some hot local model or something.” She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t find a way to be upset by what she said.

Jake just shrugged. “You’re right. It’s just—it’s easier to pretend that I think the whole thing is stupid rather than admit how much I miss it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I shouldn’t have brought it up. So the new guy, he’s a country dancer?”

“I thought you regretted bringing it up.”

“Yeah, but it’s too late to undo that. Might as well talk about it a little more, get it all over with.”

“In that case, yeah, he’s a country dancer. I’m sure you’ve seen him before. His name is Jared Brooks. He and his ex-partner won the national championship a year before we did.”

“I remember, yes. I also remember kicking their asses every year after that. So what, they split up?”

Carly nodded. “Yeah. Apparently, mixing sex and competition didn’t work out so well for the two of them.”

“It rarely works out for anyone. I’m glad we never let that happen.”

“Me too. Not that this is any easier.”

Jake sighed. “No, it isn’t. So, have you danced with him?”

“Just once, while I was waiting for a student to arrive. He’s good, obviously. I mean, he did win a championship once.”
Not to mention the way my body heats up in his arms. My skin feels like it’s on fire when he touches me
.

Jake’s expression turned sour. “So you danced with him, and you liked it.”

“I like dancing with everyone who knows how to lead. Heck, I might even enjoy dancing with my new student, if he ever gets his attitude in check. It doesn’t mean anything that I danced with Jared.”
Though I wish it did.

“Is he better than I was?”

“This from the guy with five times as many national titles?”

Jake sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“No, it won’t. I wish there was something I could do to change that, believe me. I miss you around the studio.”

“You’re–you’re not going to start competing with him are you?”

“With who? Jared? Don’t be silly.” Carly rushed the words out, worried that Jake had somehow been able to read the wish that had been flickering across her consciousness for the past two days.

“Are you sure you’re not going to make him your new dance partner?”

“Jake, I danced with him once.
Once
. If dancing with somebody one time meant that I was about to make him my new dance partner, I’d never even be able to sleep, because my whole life would be wrapped up in rehearsal after rehearsal.”

“So you’re not going to compete with him.”

“I just said that I wasn’t.”

“Good. Remember your promise.”

“I do. Every single day.”

“Are you sure you remember?”

“Of course.”

“What did you promise me?”

“Jake, is this really necessary?”

“What did you promise me?”

Carly sighed. “I promised I’d never compete again. I promised you’d be my only dance partner, and that if you were sidelined forever, so was I.”

Jake nodded. “Good. Promise me you won’t dance with Jared.”

“I promise that I won’t compete with Jared, just like I haven’t competed with anybody else.”

“I didn’t ask you to promise not to compete with him. I asked you to promise not to dance with him. Not even social dancing.”

Carly tried to maintain her composure, but a tear slid down her cheek. “Jake, you’re being ridiculous. I can’t just blow him off. That’s rude.”
And I don’t think I could deal with never touching him ever again
.

“Promise, damn it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know you, Carly. I know that you can’t stay away from the competition spotlight forever. Jared still has a number of years ahead of him. If you dance with him, even just for fun, you won’t be able to stop. You’ll be competing before you know it. And then, I don’t know what I’d do. You know it would kill me to know you’d moved on without me, that you’d be living the life that was stolen from me.”

“Jake”

“Please, Carly. Promise you won’t dance with him. Promise you’ll never hurt me.”

All Carly wanted was to get out of Jake’s house. She didn’t care that she was saying something stupid, uttering words she didn’t really mean. “I promise.”

“Thank you.”

“Okay, I need to go. I have to do my laundry tonight.”

“I’m sorry I made you cry.”

“It’s okay. I’m just a little emotional, is all. It’s been a long day.”

“I’ll see you next week?”

“Same time, same place. Just like always.”

* * * *

Jared paced around the main studio, waiting for the mayor to walk in the door. He couldn’t believe how nervous he already was. Even though Carly and Taletha had both reassured him that Melissa Roth was a nice person, he couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed at the challenge he was about to take on.

The whole studio atmosphere changed when a short woman with dark, curly hair walked in the door. Lynne, the front desk attendant, suddenly sat with better posture. The instructors who were milling around between lessons started acting as though they had purpose. Even Taletha walked out of her office looking excessively formal.

Jared watched as she shook the mayor’s hand and led her toward the studio. He cracked his neck and bounced on his toes a few times to shake off the jitters, then took a deep breath and walked toward them.

“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Mayor,” he said. “I’m Jared Brooks, and I’ll be your instructor.”

“Nice to meet you, too. And thank you both for allowing me to join at the last second. I meant to sign up sooner, but things at the office just got so, well, complicated.” The smile she had been wearing fell to a frown.

“Not to worry,” Taletha said. “A politician’s life is always hectic, I’m sure. Now, I’ll leave the two of you to your dancing. Have a good afternoon.”

“So,” Jared said, trying to keep his voice steady, “have you had much dance experience?”

“Oh, well, I used to go out to the country bars all the time when I was younger. But then, my political career took off, and it just wouldn’t do to spend my weekends dancing and drinking. I mean, people want their elected officials to be relatable, but that was just a little too relatable, according to my advisors.”

“Even local politicians don’t get to have much fun, do they?”

“No, they don’t. Not that I’m complaining. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for this life.”

“So would you like to get back to your country roots or try something else?”

“I think I’d like to do a two-step, actually. If that’s okay, that is. I mean, if someone else is already dancing one—”

“Not a problem. There are definitely going to be some overlapping dances. Two-step it is.”

Jared put on some music and took Melissa in his arms. It was obvious from her lackadaisical footwork that she was both poorly trained and out of practice, but Jared could tell that she knew how to follow.

“So?” she asked as the song ended. Jared couldn’t believe it, but she looked a little nervous.

“I can tell you haven’t danced in a while. I can also tell that you didn’t have the greatest teachers in the world. But the good news is, since you’re so out of practice, it won’t be too difficult to break those bad habits and get you going with new ones. That is, if you want to work that hard.”

Melissa smiled. “I do. I need to throw myself into something, to get my mind off of this—well, let’s just say I need to get my mind off my job sometimes.”

“Then let’s distract you.”