Judy Lynn Hubbard - Our First Dance

“He was just being polite.”

“I doubt that.” Rachel laughed. “There’s no law against you two dancing.”

“I know, but his date didn’t seem too happy about it.”

“Shelia?” Rachel shrugged dismissively. “She’s overly melodramatic. I think it stems from her acting career.”

“You don’t sound like you like her.”

“Oh, she’s all right.”

“Why didn’t you come with Damien tonight?”

Rachel smiled. “Damien and I are good friends. We don’t date each other.”

“Have you ever?” Natasha didn’t know why she was feeling so bold, but she couldn’t seem to stop the questions from exiting her mouth.

“No.” At Natasha’s obvious interest, Rachel decided to elaborate. “We met about eleven years ago when I was choreographing a ballet he was dancing in. We hit it off and have been friends ever since.”

“Oh.” Natasha smiled brightly. “That’s nice.”

“That information pleases you.”

“No, not at all.” Natasha quickly denied. “I just…”

“Are you interested in Damien?”

“Damien has a no-dating policy for his troupe,” Natasha sidestepped her question. “I had to assure him tonight Dennis and I are just friends.”

“Really?” Rachel raised an eyebrow.

“His concern was professional, of course,” Natasha quickly added.

“Of course.” Rachel didn’t look convinced. “But you still didn’t answer my question—are you interested in Damien romantically?”

Natasha chose her words carefully. “Rachel, I like Damien. He’s been kind to me. But I’ve worked too long and too hard for this opportunity to jeopardize it.”

“All that’s true, but…”

“There you are.” Dennis touched Natasha’s arm. “I was beginning to feel ditched.”

Natasha could have kissed him for interrupting Rachel’s inquisition. She was quickly running out of ways to deny that she did have inappropriate feelings for Damien.

“I’m sorry.” Natasha took his hand. “I promise to be a perfect, attentive date for the remainder of the evening.”

“I’m going to hold you to that one.” He pulled her toward the dance floor. “Excuse us, Rachel?”

“Of course. Have fun.”

Rachel watched the two leave with mixed emotions. Natasha appeared to be honest and focused on her career, but she also was interested in Damien. She couldn’t blame her, but she had no intention of standing idly by again the way she had ten years ago while Damien got hurt. She intended to keep an eye on Natasha, just in case she wasn’t what she appeared to be.

* * *

As Natasha danced with Dennis, she found herself wishing she was being held in Damien’s strong arms again. Of their own volition, her seeking eyes found Damien, who stood several feet away with Shelia close by his side. Natasha suppressed a shudder as Damien’s intense gaze held hers for several moments before Dennis innocently led her away. She steeled herself not to seek out Damien’s gaze again, but she felt his burning eyes on her several times through the remainder of the evening, though he never physically sought her out, much to her dismay.

It was the best night of her life; it was also the most revealing, because seeing Damien with another woman made her realize that despite her good intentions, despite the inappropriateness of it, despite the innumerable reasons why she shouldn’t, she was developing feelings for her boss—feelings that she silently vowed to keep in check, somehow.

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