Worth the Risk_ A Contemporary - Megan Hart Page 0,241

the basics, but in Vincent’s arms, she felt like one of those sport dance champions she sometimes watched on television. Without the feathers and stretchy body stocking, of course.

The song ended, and they grinned at each other.

“Nice,” Kendall told him. “You’re good.”

“You’re not bad yourself.”

“Wow, Zane.” Jean’s voice was admiring. She’d passed them on the way to the dessert table. “For a big guy, you sure know how to dance.”

Was that a blush? An actual blush on Zane Vincent’s tawny cheeks? Kendall bit back a laugh at his “oh, shucks” reaction.

“I took lessons,” was all he said.

Another surprise. Kendall arched her brow. “Dance lessons?”

He nodded. “For my sister’s wedding. My dad passed away before she got married, and I walked her down the aisle. It was important for her to have someone to dance the father/daughter dance with, so I learned.”

She was impressed. “I doubt you did the cha-cha.”

“Nah.”

Jean sighed. “We used to dance.” She cast a glance over at her husband, who was in animated conversation with a few other people. “But now…”

Kendall stepped out of Vincent’s arms. “Here, Jean. A new song’s coming on. Take him for a spin.”

Jean looked flustered. “Oh, no—”

But Vincent had also heard the note of longing in the woman’s voice, and he stepped neatly in front of her to take her hand. “I insist. If you think Kevin won’t beat the hell out of me for stealing you away for a few minutes.”

Jean laughed, her blue eyes twinkling. “You’re too charming for me, Zane. But I’ll dance with you.”

Kendall stepped off the dance floor and watched as Jean and Vincent spun around to the music. He was a good dancer, and the story about his sister had moved her. It seemed there was a big heart inside the big man.

“Did my wife steal your date?” Kevin asked.

Kendall began to sputter, then saw he was kidding. “He’s not my date, Kevin.”

“Of course not.” Kevin nodded toward the dancing couple. “I’m glad he got Jean to dance. I’ve always hated it. If there’s one good thing about having this bum leg, it’s that I have a good excuse not to dance!”

Kendall sat down next to him. “Have you been to see Dr. Marge yet?”

He nodded, a shadow passing over his expression. “She says the dreams of falling will stop when the guilt goes away. I asked her, what if it never does?”

“And what did she say?”

Kevin gave a rueful chuckle. “She said I’d better start teaching myself how to land.”

“She’s good.” Kendall tapped her fingers in time to the music. “She told me I shouldn’t beat myself up because I didn’t like my partner.”

“Dan Whitney, right? Went down on the Scorpions of Satan bust?”

Kendall watched Vincent finish the dance by gracefully dipping Jean. They both burst into laughter. “Yeah. Vincent was the guy who shot him. Friendly fire.”

Kevin made a noise of understanding. “Zane’s a good agent and a good guy. I’m glad you’re not blaming him.”

“I wanted to.” Kendall shrugged. “I did. But…the truth is the truth, and Vincent wasn’t at fault.”

“Sounds like you’re not going to have to see Marge too many more times. It’s back to duty for you,” Kevin teased.

Kendall gave him a look of mock horror. “Not until the week is up, and I take my second one at home! I need this vacation!”

“Prime beach time, right, Frasier?” Vincent said as he handed Jean back to her husband.

She met his eyes and his smile. “You bet.”

Kevin took Jean’s hand. “Well, folks, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed.”

Jean yawned in agreement. “Me, too. Thanks for the dance, Zane.”

The couple said their goodnights and left the dining room. Kendall looked around the room and noticed most of the others had done the same, whether to head back to their rooms or to participate in some of the evening’s planned activities. In another minute, they’d be alone in here.

Alone, with Vincent? It sent a thrill through her stomach. Kendall got to her feet. “Guess I’ll say goodnight, too.”

A flash of disappointment showed briefly in his eyes. For a minute, he didn’t move out of her way. They stood, her chin almost touching his chest, before he stepped to the side.

“I’ll walk with you.”

She wasn’t a teenager, Kendall scolded herself when a slow curl of excitement began to writhe inside her. But she didn’t reject his offer. Together, they left the dining room and walked to the pool, where one lone man was doing some serious laps. The tiki torches