back to your dressing area and take a break. Get freshened up and clear your mind because you need to do that again.”
“Holy cow! I can’t believe I have to do that again.” I shook my hands out in front of me. How could anything compare to what I had just done? How could I look at another man the same way? I think that the first man had stolen my heart from my chest. He sure made it beat hard enough to break free.
But I did dance. I danced it just as well, if not a little better the second time. It was fun and sexy, and I felt comfortable with his arms wrapped around me—with his hands on me. Although they didn’t make my body tingle. He didn’t try to kiss my mouth, but he did brush his lips over my forehead as he started to turn away after only a second once we finished.
I rushed off the floor as soon as he turned from me, able to think better than the first dance, but confused about my feelings. I felt things with both of them, one comfortable and safe, the other exciting and stimulating. Which one was I going to choose?
“Do you know who you are going to pick?” Tarin asked.
I shook my head quickly. “I have no clue. They were both fantastic, and I felt things with both of them. I don’t know how I can choose between them.”
“It’s a good thing that you have a day to decide,” Tarin said. The cameras turned off, and they called it a wrap for the night. Cal and Victor rushed to my side, congratulating me on a fantastic job. I had to admit that I amazed myself.
I heard my name being called and turned to see Charlie. “You made it!” I said to her as she reached me and threw her arm around me.
“Holy shit, Ali! You were fantastic!”
“Did you see both dances?”
“Yes, I arrived about five minutes before the first one. They wouldn’t let me see you because you were about to go on.”
The two of us went back to my dressing area. “What did you think?”
“I think you have a difficult decision to make.”
“Which man do you think I danced better with?”
She pursed her lips and tapped them for a moment. “From an artist’s point of view, I would say the second one. You seemed more comfortable with him, and he complemented you very well. You were like complete opposites—light and dark. What color were his eyes?”
“Blue, and I think I felt more comfortable with him. It was almost easier to do the routine with him.” I paused. “So, you think I should choose him?”
“I didn’t say that.” She grinned like the cat that ate the canary. “I said you looked more comfortable with him.”
“But you also said I danced better with him.”
“Yes, because you looked comfortable. You looked like you could depend on him, trust him. Like you already know that he’s going to be a good guy and safe to date.”
“So? Isn’t that the point. You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
She shook her head. “It’s not a bad thing. It’s a safe thing.”
I removed the dress and pulled my t-shirt over my head. “What are you talking about?”
“The first guy you danced with, he was mysterious—almost—yeah, he was mysterious. He moved lithely, almost like he was stalking you.”
I laughed. “Stalking me? What are you talking about, Charlie?”
“He was a very sexual animal, Ali. In fact, he oozed danger and sex.”
I laughed as I shook my head and pulled on my leggings. “He did not ooze danger and sex, Char.”
“He did, and oh, my god! That kiss! I was waving a hand in front of my face. The two of you melted the film! You should have heard everyone in the viewing room.”
“We did not!” I felt my cheeks heating up. “And that was a surprise. I did not expect that.”
“Of course you didn’t expect that. He obviously didn’t either, but it was like he couldn’t resist. He had to taste you.”
I threw my head back and laughed loudly. “He did not have to taste me. Are you drunk?”
“Only a little.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “But that’s not the point. He looked like he had to have you. You didn’t see it, but after you turned and ran off-camera, he just stood there and stared after you. It was like you rocked his world. Like he didn’t know