“I’m in trouble,” I said to Nat over the phone, on my way to my second salsa class.

“What? Why?”

“No, scratch that. I’m in huge trouble.”

She sighed. “Okay. I get it. Now cut to the chase. What’s going on?”

“I’m losing my mind here, Nat. And that’s not good at all.”

“Lindsey,” she warned me.

I chuckled. “Fine. Fine. It’s my salsa instructor, Carlos.”

“Oh. That smokin’ hot instructor you mentioned? What about him?”

“I had my first class the day before yesterday, and it was amazing. Like, he’s so tender and careful, but at the same time super super sexy…” I sighed. I actually sighed like a school girl. Carlos had gotten to me real good.

“Sounds like a winning combination.”

“It is. Seriously, he’s charming and attracts me like no one has before. Not even Glen affected me that much, which says something.”

“What’s the problem then?”

“The problem is that he’s my salsa instructor. And the breakup with Glen is still fresh.”

“Oh come on, Linnie. You can’t let Glen have such a strong influence on you even after your breakup. And so what if this guy is your salsa instructor? That’s hot! If I were you, I wouldn’t even hesitate to make a move.”

But that was the thing. She wasn’t me. I loved Natalie and all, but sometimes she just couldn’t understand how deep my scars went. She didn’t go through hell with Glen. She didn’t experience moments when it seemed like the suffering and misery would never end.

“It’s not that easy, Nat. I don’t know him, and I think he’s a player.”

“A player?”

“Yes. If you could only see how the girls look at him… He’s irresistible. Now, tell me. When you have a dozen beautiful women in your studio every day, how can you not switch from one to the other? Only a saint would be able to stay immune to that.”

“I think you’re reading too much into it. It’s quite possible to work with hot people every day and not get attracted to every single one of them. I think this is just your insecurities speaking. You should relax and give him a chance if you already feel this way about him.”

“But I still don’t know if I want anything to happen. What if he’s looking only for something casual? I’m not sure I want that.”

“I get how you feel, but maybe you should stop overthinking for once and go with the flow. If something happens, it happens.”

I scratched my jaw. “I doubt anything will happen because I’m not sure he’s into me at all. I mean, yes, our eyes met a lot more than is deemed usual and once, I caught him checking me out, but that doesn’t have to mean anything. Maybe he’s just enjoying the view.”

“And maybe you’re overthinking it again. Linnie, relax. Take a deep breath. If he can’t take his eyes off of you, that means something. I’d go for him if I were you, but if you’re not sure, wait a little and see how it unfolds.”

I reached the alley that led to his studio, and my heart rate accelerated almost immediately. There was no denying it—I couldn’t wait to see Carlos again.

“I have to go. I’m near the salsa studio.”

“Say hi from me to him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right. Do you want me, maybe, to sign you up for his classes too?”

She squealed excitedly. “Now, I would love that! I never cared about dancing, but boy, I’d be a pro if I had someone like Carlos. Maybe I can hook up with him if you don’t want him.”

I rolled my eyes again. “Bye, Nat.”

“Bye, sweets. Behave yourself, you hear?”

Laughing, I ended the call and climbed the stairs that led to Carlos’s studio. I could feel the music blasting through the walls, and a smile crept onto my face. I just loved the atmosphere of this place.

Carlos was dancing with a woman who wasn’t in our group, their moves much more complex than the basic ones we did on Friday night. She wore a red dress and high-heel sandals, and she looked dazzling. Everyone watched them in awe just like me, but that terrifying voice within told me his hand was positioned too low on her back and they were standing too close to each other.

I shook my head, willing that horrible voice away.

A round of applause filled the room when they ended their dance, and they made a bow to us. Carlos raised his head and immediately found my gaze, his lips curling into a smile when we made eye contact. Man, that smile did something to me.

“I want to thank Rebecca for joining us today. Rebecca won gold twice in a row on the state salsa championship, and I’m pleased to have her with us today.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Carlos. Thank you for having me.”

“Alright,” he said to us. “So that was our mini-demonstration, and if there’s anyone who wasn’t sure about learning salsa, I hope now your fears are dispelled,” he joked. “Now, let’s get started.”

Rebecca picked up her things and left the gym. Amanda let out a sigh. “If only I could dance like that.”

“You will. Just be patient,” I told her.

“Okay, girls,” Carlos said and clapped his hands together. “Today, there will be more partner dancing involved. We’re going to practice spins and turns.” He pointed at me. “Lindsey, you’re going to be my partner for this class.” My heart pumped faster. Did he pick me?

“The rest of you, choose your partners and follow Lindsey and me.”

I tried my best to hide my excitement as I got closer to him. Of all these beautiful women, he picked me. Maybe I was reading too much into this. Maybe.

We faced each other, his sparkling eyes studying me a few seconds longer, and I swore I could see lust in them. His smirk was barely visible, but it had a powerful impact on me nevertheless, and I bit on my lip.

“Nervous?” he said quietly so only I could hear him.

I was definitely nervous, but not because of salsa. No, not at all. “A little.”

“Relájate. Relax. You can do this.”

How? His body was now so close to mine, and all I could think about was how I wanted his hands on my waist and...

“Let’s start with crossed holds. Lindsey and I will demonstrate the moves, and then you’ll try them out,” he said to everyone but looking at me. “Extend your arms and cross them.” I did what I was told, and he took me by my hands. A shiver ran up my spine. His skin was so warm against mine, his hold firm and confident.

Time passed quickly as he demonstrated the moves, and I could fully relax next to him. He turned on the music and we danced, moving in rhythm together. It felt like the rest of the world didn’t exist, a connection unlike anything I felt before forming between us. It was like in movies but ten times better.

“You’re a natural,” he told me with a smile when he spun me around.

“You think?”

“Absolutely.” He pressed my back against his chest, and we swayed together. I got an urge to lean even further into him, warmth growing between my legs.

“Okay, ladies,” he said to the group. “A few more minutes, and we’re done for today. Let’s practice those spins some more.”

He twirled me around and led me so well, making everything easy for me, and it was getting harder for me to control my attraction to him. At this moment, if he tried to kiss me, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to say no.

He spun me, but I was too lost in my wayward thoughts, not thinking about my steps at all. I landed on my foot in a bad way, and I fell down.

“Lindsey!” Carlos dropped to his knees next to me, carrying a worried expression on his face. “Are you okay?”

I sat up and wiggled my toe to see if I injured it, expecting the pain any moment, but there was none. “Yes, I’m okay.”

“I’m so sorry. It’s my fault.”

“Of course, it’s not your fault. I didn’t pay enough attention. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“No, I want to help you inspect your injury. We can’t just dismiss your fall like it didn’t happen.” He looked at the group. “Ladies, we’re done for today. The class is over.” I gaped at him as he addressed them, bowled over because he cared. It had been so long since someone cared—so long that I couldn’t help but feel apprehensive and distrustful.

Glen hadn’t cared. Whenever I fell, bruised myself, or cut my finger, he didn’t even ask me if I was okay. I got so used to him giving me the cold shoulder, that Carlos’s worry now felt surreal.

He led me to the nearest chair when everyone left and squatted in front of me. The position felt too intimate, but he didn’t seem to notice that, focused on my leg.

“Obviously, I’m not a doctor, but I have some experience with injuries, so I know what to look for.”

He took me by my calf and raised my leg in the air. “What kind of injuries?” I asked, feeling his touch all through the flimsy material of my tights.

He didn’t meet my gaze. “Just some injuries. Does this hurt?” He pressed his fingers into my ankle.

“No.”

“And this?” He traced my calf and reached my knee, putting a slight pressure on it.

“Nothing at all.”

His eyes flickered up to meet mine. His hand was now on my upper thigh, and I turned rigid, wanting nothing more than to have that hand near my core. Hell, I wanted it on my core.

“And here?” he asked in a raspy voice. He was pressing into my hip, but all I could feel was the desire that rolled all over me.

“Nothing.” My voice was equally raspy, and the atmosphere between us suddenly shifted, my hands itching to pull him against me.

His fingers stopped in the middle of my thigh, and I had to fight to keep my breath even. I couldn’t believe this was happening. This was real. I wasn’t imagining anything. He wanted me as much as I wanted him, and for once, the voice of my doubt was silent.

Touch me. Kiss me. Do anything.

But he didn’t. He broke our eye contact and stood up, separating himself from me. Almost immediately, my doubt returned. He didn’t want me. Of course. Why would he want somebody like me? I wasn’t so special.

“Your leg and hip seem fine, but just to be sure, I’d check it out with your doctor.

I swallowed back my disappointment at our distance and threw a smile on my face, pretending like the last couple of seconds didn’t happen. “Thanks, but that won’t be necessary. I’m really fine, Carlos.”

“Either way, I’m so sorry. Look, I want you to come tomorrow at the same time for a private class.”

“Why?”

“It’s a part of my apology for not being more careful when we danced together.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s the least I can do. I told you I’d take care and go slow with you, but still, you fell. Por favor. Please.” He placed his hand on my shoulder, casting me a pleading look. I glanced at his hand on my shoulder, getting warmer again, and I didn’t know what to think of it. One moment hot, one moment cold.

“Come tomorrow.”

This is nothing, I reminded myself. He’s just doing this out of chivalry. Nothing else.

“If you’re sure… Then, okay.”

He smiled, revealing his perfect white teeth, and as always, this had a strong effect on me. “Perfecto. I can’t wait to see you again.”

Whoa.

And once more, just like that, he had me captivated. “I can’t wait too.”