There was something magical about dancing together with a partner. The connection, the passion, the coordinated moves that made the dance seem impeccable. And then the way the dancers look at each other—as if their hearts were beating in unison.

It was no wonder that I was a sucker for dance movies. I needed them like an alcoholic needed their next drink, feeding myself with fantasies of love found through dancing. I longed to experience the feeling of having a unique bond and a silent language with someone, especially during the last several months of my relationship with Glen. I had never felt lonelier in my life, so I eagerly embraced the illusions of happily-ever-after these movies provided.

The hot latino guy and the woman looked just like those pairs I grew to admire. They were completely in sync, enthralled by each other as their bodies followed the rhythm of the music.

I couldn’t stop watching him flawlessly leading her, spellbound as my eyes followed them around the room. He was lithe, tall, and muscular, moving with a graceful masculinity. He placed his hand on her stomach and brought her against his chest, swaying with her as the tempo of the song slowed down. They looked so perfect together, and my stomach churned with the need to have someone hold me like that. Preferably, that guy.

When they finished dancing, smiling at each other, I couldn’t help but clap, admiring their skills.

The dancer finally noticed me and approached, wearing a smile that melted all of me. He looked even more gorgeous up close, his smooth caramel skin, thick, black wavy hair and deep brown eyes leaving me breathless. I had a weakness for latino guys, but he was something else, alright.

I couldn’t look away from his body clad in black dancing tights and a black tank top. He was checking me out too, and my breath hitched in my throat. I was wearing plain dark pants and a white shirt that was unbuttoned at the top to reveal part of my bosom, but I felt like I was naked. His fiery eyes stripped me of all clothes, his smirk creating a short circuit in my brain, and for a few moments, I forgot we weren’t alone.

I glanced at his large, manly hands, and I imagined them on me, touching all of me.

“Hello,” he said in a deep, accented voice, and I snapped my gaze up to meet his.

It took me a few moments to form a response in my head, confused because I hadn’t been this attracted to anyone, not even Glen.

Glen was handsome and muscular too, but there was something so warm and sensual about this guy that made me feel appreciated for being female—in a good way.

“Hello,” I replied, finding my voice at last. It sounded high-pitched, but if he thought it was weird, he didn’t show it. Only now, I realized he was an instructor and not a student, and I thought how I would attend salsa classes for the rest of my life if I had an instructor as hot as him.

“How can I help you?” His voice was velvet, and it caressed my ears.

“I came to sign up for salsa lessons. By the way, you and your partner dance beautifully. If I was doubting even the slightest whether I should join this studio or not, you had me convinced.”

He broke into laughter, and it was captivating. I stared transfixed at him, listening to the rich sound that did something strange to the pit of my belly.

“You had doubts about joining salsa classes? No lo puedo creer.”

“Sorry?”

He flashed me a wide smile and offered his hand for a handshake. “It means I can’t believe it. By the way, I’m Carlos. It’s nice to meet you.”

I eyed his big hand before I accepted it, an instant buzz of excitement coursing through my veins.

“I’m Lindsey. It’s nice to meet you too.”

He didn’t let go of me immediately, his beautiful dark eyes reaching deep into me until I was dazed. When he retracted his hand, for some strange reason, I missed it, needy for his skin against mine.

It must have been this summer heat that was getting to me. There was no other way to explain why I was feeling like a hormonal teenager out of the blue.

He ran his hand through his thick, wavy hair that was slicked back. “So Lindsey, have you ever tried dancing salsa before?” The way my name rolled off his tongue sounded too good.

I glanced at the girl, who was now sitting on the bench and wiping off her sweaty face with her towel.

“No. This is the first time I’ve ever signed up for any dance classes. I was in a car accident six months ago and broke my hip. So my doctor advised that I try dancing as a part of my recovery.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your accident.” He assessed my hip, and I found an understanding in his gaze, as if he’d been through the same or a similar situation. “How are you feeling now?”

“I’m okay, and I can fully walk and move on my own, but I have to take it easy at first. So that’s why I came here. I saw that you offered beginner classes.”

He nodded. “You came to the right place. I hold beginner classes on Fridays and Sundays. How does that sound?”

“It sounds great. I just hope I can keep up with the rest of the group.”

His warm eyes never left mine, and I had difficulty swallowing. Seriously, this man was gorgeous. I was starting to wonder how a girl could focus on dancing with this fine male specimen in front of her. His face carried a sheen of sweat, but it only made him more attractive, and I imagined what it would be like to kiss those nice, plump lips that looked so inviting.

“You’re in luck, because I’m starting to work with a new group from this Friday, and we’ll begin with the basics and introduce new moves gradually.”

“That’s good. I know a little about salsa from watching YouTube videos, but it’s a whole other thing to actually do it.”

“Hey, Carlos! I’m off,” the brunette said, having picked up her gym bag and switched her high heel sandals for flats, heading for the door.

“See you later, Camilla. Good luck with the competition.”

“Thanks. Bye,” she said and winked at me before she passed me by and got out.

“Camilla has a regional salsa competition this weekend. If she wins, she’ll go through to the state competition.”

“I’m sure she will because she’s a great dancer.” Just like you, I thought, but I didn’t voice that.

He let out a raspy chuckle. “Yeah. She says dancing is in her blood and that she started dancing as soon as she learned how to walk. Anyway, I would love to have you in my classes.”

I was more than aware that Carlos and I were all alone in his studio, and it suddenly felt intimate. He barely took his eyes off of me, looking at me like I was the most gorgeous girl in the world, and for the first time after a long time, I felt special.

That voice of doubt returned to punish me. It reminded me that he had looked the same way at the brunette that just got out, and that he probably used that look on all girls. My enthusiasm doused, I willed myself to remember not to get overly excited about Carlos and this dancing thing.

“Oh, before I forget. What is the dress code? And do I have to wear heels? I don’t want to risk wearing heels so soon.”

“Dress casually and don’t worry about the heels because they aren’t mandatory. I tell all my students to wear something that they feel most comfortable in. And since you’ve suffered a serious injury, we’ll go at your pace, and if there’s something you can’t do, we won’t force it.”

I returned his smile. “Then where can I sign up?”

He led me to the counter in the corner of the room, and we went through the standard procedure. I gave him my full name and the contact info, and we agreed on the type of classes and duration. I would start with one month, and if I was satisfied, I would continue with the classes.

“Welcome to Los Sueños,” he said when the formalities were done, and I didn’t miss a quick once-over he gave me as I stood up from the chair, ready to leave.

“Thanks. I have to ask you though. What does the name mean?”

His smile was more than charming. It reached my core and left me longing for more. “It means ‘the dreams’. It’s about following your dreams and finding the right path in your life.”

“I see. Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you on Friday.”

He stood up and offered me his hand once more over the counter. I gladly accepted it, my heart racing madly. “See you Friday, Lindsey.”

He still didn’t release my hand, our eyes locked on each other, and everything stopped existing but the two of us for a couple of intense seconds. I held my breath, wishing this moment could last.

Too quickly the spell was broken when he pulled his hand away, and I realized I wasn’t acting like myself. He was my instructor, for God’s sake, and I didn’t need to complicate things.

But as I was on my way out of his studio, I figured out that it would be hard to stay reasonable and cool next to Carlos.