Thinking my BFF protested too much, I flashed Duncan my most irresistible grin. “How about you, handsome?”
“Not for the present. No.” Immune to my charms, Duncan cast Kenna a sidelong glance while she raptly concentrated on appearing unaffected. His face was a mask of sincerity, but I sensed the mocking in what he left unsaid. “Perhaps I shall be more inclined later.”
“Sure.” I smirked at my best friend, enjoying the confusion that played across her face.
She rolled her eyes and then looked me up and down. “Go dance, Vee. Before you gyrate out of your stockings.”
Ever gallant, Duncan took my arm and propelled me to the edge of the dance floor. “Feel free to join in. We have many fine dancers in Doon. Even my brother is most accomplished in this area.”
“Really?” I paused to watch Jamie in the middle of an animated group of young women, including the lovely Sofia.
Suddenly the music was replaced by the pulse beating a tattoo in my ears, and my whole body stiffened. I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t go out there and lose myself in the music, like I longed to do. What if he didn’t want me there?
Then Jamie vanished in the revolving mass of bodies, and I forced myself to relax. Did I want to spend the rest of my time in Doon as a spectator? I’d spent too many years locked inside myself, catering to others. It was time to live. With a deep breath, I swallowed my insecurities and let the music flow back into my veins. Ken was right; this was my epic summer, and if I wanted to dance, I wouldn’t let anyone stop me. “If you will excuse me, Duncan, the music calls and I must obey.”
With a lithe skip, I wove my way into the crowd. The music swirled around me as I high-stepped into melee, my feet flying into the tempo with a life of their own. My sadness and doubts melted away as I lifted my arms in abandon, clapping to the beat, time disappearing. I spun and shimmied with the escalating rhythm, the faces around me blurring into a kaleidoscope.
When the music slowed, I swiveled and almost collided with a handsome red-haired boy with sparkling green eyes. He extended his hand toward me and bowed with a wide grin. Accepting the unspoken invitation, I placed my hand in his. But as I stepped toward him, another hand clasped the boy’s forearm. My gaze traveled from the sun-darkened fingers to a sapphire sleeve, across a black leather vest, and up to a familiar face.
Jamie.
He nodded once to the red-haired boy, who dropped my hand like it was covered in warts.
Jamie stepped in front of me. “May I have this dance?”
Not waiting for my response, he took my hand and pulled. I crashed against his hard chest, and blinked up at him. When he began to move, my body fell effortlessly into step with his. I’d imagined dancing in his arms multiple times—the reality was better than I’d imagined.
“I shall take that as a yes.” He raised a tawny eyebrow, his mouth quirking to the side as if to say, “Was there ever any doubt?”
Seriously? His cocky expression was the reality check I needed. He was not the boy I thought he was—or hoped he’d be. Stepping back out of his arms, I lifted my chin and looked him in the eyes. “I’m sorry, but I’m not inclined to accept your invitation.”
As I turned away, he grabbed my arm and spun me back into his arms. All traces of amusement were gone, and the intensity radiating from his face stole the air from my lungs as he growled, “No’ so fast, lass.”