The Swan and The Sergeant - Alana Albertson Page 0,34

and hurt to cloud my memories.

Dancing with Selena again, experiencing that passion between us, shocked me.

I didn’t know if it was because we were in Marin or I had been away from the Marines, but I felt different.

I didn’t have a clue what was going to happen with Selena, but I was open to the possibilities.

Selena

Xavier bounced across the floor, hitting every beat. He seemed to dance so much better when he danced to his own music. “Work it, Xavi!” I yelled.

Xavier finished his routine and collapsed on the sofa. He was such a wonderful man—sexy, creative, great husband and father. I glanced across the ballroom and watched as Bret and Robyn practiced their samba.

When they finished, Robyn fanned herself. “That’s enough. I need some inspiration. Bret, could you and Selena demonstrate how it’s done?”

“Of course.” I shimmied over to Bret. We hadn’t danced together since his audition. But during the past week, I could feel Bret opening up to me. Nothing major, but he seemed to be less judgmental. I even got him to go to a yoga class.

He hadn’t kissed me yet, but I could feel the heat of his stare on me.

But I still hadn’t told him the truth about what happened between Dima and me when Bret was at boot camp.

I needed to get it off my chest, but I knew Bret would freak. He would probably murder Dima.

I pushed Dima out of my head. I needed to focus on the gorgeous man in front of me.

Electricity pulsed through my body. Touching Bret on the floor, connecting through dance without the awkwardness we shared during his audition, excited me.

I giggled. By looking at him today, no one would ever suspect he could dance at all. His muscular, broad frame hid the smoothness and flexibility of his body. It was like watching an action star do the ballet.

He whispered into my ear, “Why are you laughing, babe?”

“Because you are just so sexy. You don’t look like a dancer. At all.”

“That’s a good thing. No matter what, I’m not waxing my chest. I should’ve put that in my contract.”

“I won’t let them.” The makeup artists most certainly would try to convince Bret to wax his chest. Sure, all the male dancers’ pecs were shiny and bare. What was so wrong with chest hair? Was I the only woman that was turned on by Bret’s manly chest? I highly doubted it.

Robyn turned on one of Xavier’s hits, a samba. I gyrated my hips, and Bret grabbed me from behind. Gripping my wrist, he spun me into rolls, and our bodies rotated around the floor.

After all these years, Bret was as sharp as ever.

For a second, I allowed myself to indulge in the fantasy of us competing together. Would he ever consider it if we started dating again? Just to make me happy? We could stage a huge comeback. We wouldn’t win Blackpool anytime soon, but we could probably win Nationals in a few years. Well, if Dima didn’t get a new partner and compete against us.

And even if Dima did, if Bret and I were in love, we could beat Dima. Dima would never love anyone but himself.

The music cut off. Robyn clapped. “You two are brilliant! You should compete.”

I was glad that I wasn’t the only one thinking we looked great together.

“No way, Robyn. I’m just doing one season, and when it’s over, I’m not going to set foot on a dance floor. Except maybe at my wedding someday.” He winked at me.

A flatter filled my belly. Was he teasing me? I prayed that he was starting to have feelings for me again.

Robyn’s lips curled. “Wedding? Am I missing something? Are you two a hot item?”

I gave Bret a flirty glance. “I wish, but he has friend zoned me. But I do think Bret should consider competing again.”

Bret’s relaxed face tensed up. “No thanks, Sel. Would be kind of hard, after training my men twelve hours a day. And after this leave, I’m sure we’ll deploy again soon. No time for dancing.”

My shoulders dropped. But I knew it was a long shot. A girl could dream. For now, I would focus on how I felt when he held me. Would he ever kiss me again?

“Well you two are incredible. Wait here.” Robyn ran to the bar and poured champagne in four flutes. She brought them over and handed everyone a glass.

“Okay, here we go,” Robyn said. “To our success and journey into the world of reality television. May