Six Months Ago
NATALIE
I actually didn’t like to dance.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true.
I just wasn’t really good at it. Things like rhythm and melody and music escaped me. My brain didn’t operate that way, unfortunately. I enjoyed it all, but I couldn’t carry a tune or maintain a beat, and did I really want Cam to know that? No, thank you.
But for some reason, when he held out his hand for me to take, I took it.
Hot shivers shot up my arm, radiating from that point of contact.
His eyes darkened, like he felt it, too.
The mood that surrounded us was flirtatious, fun, but also magnetic and intense.
I didn’t really know how to describe it but knew it was a dangerous mix.
I’d gone down roads I shouldn’t have before and regretted it.
My past weighed on me heavily, day in and out, and I should really tread carefully.
But when Cam flashed his dimples at me, his smile bright and kind, the music upbeat and inviting, I felt lighter than I had in a really long time.
“I’ll dance with you,” I answered, and he immediately took note of how I hadn’t exactly answered his question.
“You don’t have to,” he laughed. “It was just an idea.”
What a novel concept, not having to do anything I didn’t want to—it wasn’t normally something I experienced with other men, my ex in particular. Having choices.
I knew I didn’t have to dance. And yet…
“No, I want to,” I insisted.
Cam grinned and whisked me out of my seat.
“Then come on, Mama,” he murmured, eyes twinkling.
My stomach somersaulted.
Mama.
Being a mom didn’t usually make me feel sexy, but when this man said it? It reminded me that that title was the most powerful part of me, and there was nothing wrong with it. In fact, there was everything right about it.
I didn’t bother hiding my smile as I followed him to the dance floor.