Chapter 1 #3
With his back against the cool bricks of the building, Jesse closed his eyes and tipped his chin up, still fighting to lose his grin so he could catch his breath.
He’d never seen the couple before, but he hoped they would become regulars like he was so he could dance with them again.
Sleek dark hair, expensive clothes, dashing smiles.
They could’ve stepped right out of a musical.
Jesse lifted his head and settled his attention on the bulletin board across the street.
It always had posters for various events happening in the city.
Most were discolored or ripped, forgotten layers that nobody had ever bothered to take down.
The largest one was for the circus that had come through in ‘24. But directly in the middle was a poster for Cal Campbell’s latest film, Bedroom Eyes.
Passing fancies and puppy love were the extent of Jesse’s romantic endeavors up to that point, save for the man on that poster.
There was something about his kind smile and gentle demeanor that had Jesse in a stranglehold from the very first time he’d watched him on the big screen several years earlier.
Jesse had gone to see the latest movie three times.
The loss of a few coins was no sacrifice at all when it came to Cal Campbell.
Jesse snorted a laugh at himself and returned inside.
Before he could make his way back to the dance floor or take a spot at the bar again, his path was blocked. Jesse’s eyes trailed up the striped silk tie to the new face that was also somehow more familiar than he’d realized, now that he could see it in better light.
“That was impressive,” the man said smoothly.
It took Jesse a moment to realize that he was most definitely staring.
“Thank you,” he replied, too flustered to come up with anything else right away.
“I should say the same. We don’t get many professional dancers stopping by.
” His attempt at guessing the stranger’s profession earned him a roguish tilt of the man’s lips.
“Can I assume it takes one to know one in this case?”
“Oh no, I—” work for the U.S. Postal Service was what he almost said, but narrowly managed to stop himself. “I just like to dance.”
The man turned his face to study their surroundings. “And break the law?”
Jesse felt himself flush. “No, sir. I never partake.” He realized suddenly that he didn’t have a good explanation for why he came here so often other than the one he’d already given without oversharing, so he repeated it. “I just like to dance.”
It took longer than it should have for Jesse to recognize that the man had put an arm around his shoulders and was walking him toward a sofa at the back of the room.
The other half of the dancing duo was seated there with one leg crossed over the other and a drink in her hand.
Next to her sat someone who looked like they would rather be anywhere else.
The suit they wore could be sold and cover Jesse’s rent for a year and, though he couldn’t see them, he knew their shoes would’ve been shiny enough to see his reflection in.
“This is the one, Ezra,” the man said decisively. “I’ve made my choice.”
The person in the fancy suit responded with a look that Jesse hadn’t seen since he and his siblings had pushed their mother to the absolute last of her patience. After a deep breath and heavy sigh, they opened their eyes and studied Jesse through thin-framed eyeglasses.
“The one,” Ezra repeated slowly, almost mocking. “Does a pleasure seeker such as yourself even know the meaning of the term?”
The woman beside them arched a brow. “You tell him, boss.” Her accent was surprisingly thick.
The arm around Jesse’s shoulders gave him a squeeze.
“I mean it this time,” the man attached replied, though there was a levity to his tone that had Jesse wondering exactly how many people he’d said those two words about before.
He was more serious when he spoke again.
“You saw him out there. He’s exactly what we need. ”
Ezra sat forward and set their empty glass on the table, small eyes narrowing. “You don’t know anything about him. Nothing aside from those fancy feet, anyhow. What’s his name?”
Jesse waited to hear the man say it. When only silence followed, he realized he’d never given it. He took a half step forward and stuck his hand out.
“My name is Jessup Morgan, but everybody calls me Jesse. I haven’t a clue what’s happening right now, but I’m real pleased to meet you.”
Ever so slowly, the look of annoyance on Ezra’s face faded to something more like mild amusement. They took Jesse’s hand and shook once, though their attention never left his captor’s handsome face.
“Do not make me regret this, Monty.”
Monty. Monty. Jesse looked at the profile of the man at his side and the way his brain had gone a little melty now made perfect sense. He’d just kicked up his heels with Montgomery Kincaid!
The song on the radio changed and Jesse was again being guided in the arms of a movie star.
“I know. You’ll get used to it,” Monty said with a wink, expertly reading the jumble of thoughts Jesse was having as though he’d said them all out loud. “Come and dance with me again.”