Let's Dance (The Winters Family Series: Book Four 4)

by Terra Kelly

  Shawna immediately said his name loudly, hoping he would turn around, but he never did. Did she just hurt his feelings? There had been several times where she’d made snide remarks to him, and he never reacted. What could be different today? She let out a deep sigh and felt defeated. “Thank you for your time today.” She turned away and whispered, “I won’t take up any more of it. If I can find a dance partner, maybe I’ll be back.”

  As she made her way to the door, Anya said, “Honey, you already found your partner. Now don’t let him go.” Shawna felt shaken by that statement. How would Anya know that? She had just met them. Instead of responding to what she said, Shawna headed out.

  A year ago, she would’ve snapped back at a statement like that. Today, Anya’s words were moving around in her mind, making her question her mantra she set so long ago. What if it was time to let go of the past? Could she? It had been five years since she said goodbye to her parents and her love for competitive dancing. Leaving the studio, she turned toward her car and bumped right into the man in question. Sucking in a breath, she said, “Danny?”

  Chapter 4

  “Shawna?” He grabbed her arms to prevent her from falling down. She seemed to be in a hurry, but why? He thought leaving was what she wanted. He asked, “Why aren’t you in there dancing with Anya or Gabriel?” She had just made it clear that his presence there was not what she wanted. Not even a little.

  He watched her step back away from him, obviously trying to get some distance between them. She seemed to have a new habit he had never observed before; she was continuously biting her lip. Sounding nervous, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

  He stood there speechless. Did she really just apologize to him? How long had he tried to get her attention? Probably close to two years now. Yet, all his pining after her, going to Burlesque Me Tonight, it seemed to be becoming a waste of his time. Or was it? Drew kept encouraging him to not give up on her, but that was getting more difficult by the day. His heart could only stand so much rejection.

  He finally found his voice. “Sorry? What do you have to be sorry about?” He had an idea, but he wanted to hear her say it.

  She visibly winced at his words. “Danny,” she said, letting out a heavy sigh, “Shit.” She turned away from him for a moment and then turned back. “Okay, I fucked up. I get it. But I had my reasons, okay?”

  Danny narrowed his eyes. “Shawna, you’re not making any sense. Want to go have some coffee and talk about it?” He actually felt excited to possibly have the one-on-one time with her, even if it would be for just a few minutes.

  She nodded. “Yeah, that’d be great.”

  The coffee house was only a few blocks away. He smiled and held his arm out, gesturing for her to take the lead. “Come on, let’s enjoy the fresh air.” He slipped his hands into his pockets and tried to tell himself this was all normal. Of course, normal seemed to be the wrong word at the moment.

  They walked in silence for several minutes. He would glance her way, but then she would do the same, so he’d quickly look away. It seemed to be a game, one he could easily do without. He started to wish this could be something, anything. All he wanted was the chance to go on a date with her, get to know the real Shawna. Because right now, this beautiful redhead next to him was a mystery. Even Isabel had mentioned that Shawna never talked about her past. Instead, she made everyone believe she was this happy person…all the time. Let’s be real, no one was happy all the time.

  Shawna cleared her throat, and asked, “Are you sure you have time for this? Don’t you need to be fighting fires or something?”

  He could tell by her demeanor that being near him had to be difficult for her. He raised his eyebrows and offered a questioning gaze. “Are you trying to get out of having coffee with a hot firefighter?” He chuckled. “I’m seriously hurt.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Hot firefighter? Last I checked that was Drew’s MO.”

  He shook his head. “Wow, tough crowd.” He was enjoying the banter; it was better than fighting any day. Of course, he still had too many questions unanswered. Hopefully this coffee adventure would answer a few.

  As they arrived at the coffee house, he did the gentleman thing and opened the door for her. “Thanks,” she said quietly. Clearing her throat, she admitted, “I guess you’re hot, too.”

  He burst out laughing as they made their way to the counter to order. “Words I never thought I would hear in a million years coming from your beautiful lips.”

  They were next in line. The barista gave a big smile. “What can I get you both today?”

  Shawna paused for a beat and then said, “Americano, please.”

  Danny knew by Shawna’s order she loved her coffee just like Isabel. He pointed to the pots of coffee. “Whichever one is the strongest, I’ll take a large of that one.”

  Once they had picked up their order, Danny noticed a table in the back. “How about that one over there.” He pointed toward the table tucked away from everything. The coffee house had been a local hotspot for a few years now. Especially since the Starbucks moved to a bigger building about three miles down the road. You could usually guarantee it would be busy whenever you stopped in. The place was small. The seating was set up in a U-shape around the bar area. A few over-used sofas and giant bean bags were in one corner of the place. Several tables were available for people to study or just talk. The walls were painted more than one color to give the place a more eclectic look.

  Once they sat down, Shawna immediately pleaded. “I never meant to hurt you. Well, not today at least.”

  He chuckled softly. “Just today, huh? That makes me feel a whole lot better.” If she had been trying to apologize, that attempt had failed.

  She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I meant.” She let out a deep sigh. “Danny, why did you really come today?”

  There it was, the question she probably had on the tip of her tongue. Now, why did he go? He decided honesty was the best policy. “To have the chance to hold you…and maybe the chance to know what it could be like dancing with you in my arms.” There, he said it. There could be no going back from that answer.

  She slumped back in her chair. “Yeah, I figured you would say that.” Staring down at her hands, she whispered, “You changed my mind today.”

  He had no clue what she was talking about, but he had been determined to find out. “Changed your mind,” he said, turning his head to the side. “Care to elaborate?”

  She lifted her head and looked directly in his eyes. “Well, I’m not sure I have the energy to share everything. I just know Isabel’s little scheme worked. I don’t know,” she said, letting out a heavy sigh. “Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to go on a date.”

  He had a wide grin. “Um…Shawna, are you asking me out on a date?”

  Danny loved how her cheeks became a little rosy. She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you wanna?”

  He started laughing so hard. “Well, when you put it that way.” There had been something about this conversation that made him way too happy.

  Shawna let out a noise of frustration. “Ugh…Do you know how hard this is for me?”

  He nodded. “I’m starting to see that. So let’s make this easier on you. Shawna, what are you doing on Friday night?”

  She shook her head and whispered, “Hopefully going out with you?”

  Chapter 5

  What had she been telling herself? Something about protecting herself from getting hurt. Obviously the mantra worked on everyone else except Danny. From the first moment in his arms, she knew she was toast. He had this smile that cut through her defenses. Oh, and the way he said her name made her knees quiver. It had been too long since she had those feelings. A part of her missed them, but another part of her felt scared. When she started dancing at the nightclubs almost four years ago—a memory she tried to forget daily—the men treated her so poorly. Even the guys that could maybe…just maybe be the one. Somehow magically showed what douchebags they really were. Shawna got to a point wher
e she gave up on men. What was the point anyway? Then she met Izzy. Who introduced her to Danny…and the rest had been history.

  She headed out to her patio to get some fresh air. Just like most days in Wilmington, it was beautiful and sunny. Her house was not as close to the beach as Izzy and Drew’s place, but it was pretty damn close. There were several steps and then a boardwalk to cross before you reached the sand. Steps or no steps, the place rocked.

  Her doorbell rang, startling her. As she took each step toward the door, she silently hoped it would be Danny just dropping by. She stopped in her tracks and shook her head. What the hell? No, no, that’s not what she hoped.

  When she threw back the door, Isabel stood there with a coffee cup in each hand. Izzy smiled and held out one of the cups for Shawna to take. “Hello, sunshine!” she said with a smile.

  Shawna took the cup from her friend and snorted, “Hey, gorgeous. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?” She bent over in a bow and let her in, while giggling. “I’m enjoying some ocean time. Come join me?”

  Isabel had a wide grin plastered across her face. “So, tell me dammit.” Shawna took the lead and knew Izzy was fast on her heels. All of a sudden, Izzy had her arms wrapped tightly around Shawna. Her friend squealed, “I’m dying. Come on, tell me, tell me.”

  Shawna leaned her head back against Isabel and sighed. “Um…what did you do to me?”

  Izzy gasped and turned Shawna to face her and then swatted at her arm. “What?” Isabel stepped back away from Shawna and went to sit down in one of the patio chairs. “Shawna, baby, are you both finally getting together?” she said with a shaky voice, fanning herself with her hand. “Cause if you say no, I may never talk to you again.” Izzy then leaned forward in her chair anxiously waiting for her answer.

  Shawna burst out laughing, “Never talk to me again, huh? Nice. I think you would miss me too much.” She went and sat down next to her friend, reaching for her hand. “We go on a date this Friday.” Shawna lost all ability to hear for the next ten seconds as Isabel started jumping up and down from excitement.

  Izzy stopped jumping and tilted her head to the side. “Oh sweet Jesus, you need to spill on this story, babe. Wow! Do you realize there were wagers on this meeting you both had?”

  Shawna scowled. “Wagers? You were betting on if we would go out or not?” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You know that’s really shitty, right?” She felt upset that her friends were betting on her and Danny. Yet, it was kind of funny, too. She slapped her hand on Izzy’s knee. “I hope you bet on a date. You’ll get loads of cash for that wager?”

  Isabel shrugged her shoulders and admitted, “Would you expect anything less from me?”

  Shawna would not expect anything less from her friend. She knew Izzy had been hopeful the day would come eventually.

  She finally sat back in her chair and sighed. Maybe coming to Wilmington had been the right choice after all. Going back home had been off the table years ago, and living anywhere with snow made her shiver…so the beach won in the end. One night while feeling sorry for herself, she grabbed a thumb tack, spun in a circle twice, and then stuck the tack on the map of the United States. She had never been to North Carolina but had heard good things about the place. On one of the travel sites she loved, they had North Carolina in the top ten best states to live. The next day she packed her bags, gathered up her important belongings (which were few), and hopped in her car for a road trip. Since living in the state, she had the opportunity to work at a TV station, start performing at Burlesque Me Tonight, meet some amazing friends she could call family…and notice an ache in the center of her chest because she missed her parents. Yet, there was no way she would ever go to them—they needed to come to her. Which would never happen, but a part of her still hoped.

  Shawna suddenly heard her name repeated, pulling her from her reverie. Izzy had been squatted down in front of her, with her hands on Shawna’s knees. “Shawna, hey, Shawna?”

  She shook her head. “Yeah, sorry. Guess my mind wondered for a bit.” For a bit? More like years. Her life had its ups and downs, but what she had going for her in Wilmington topped the amazing chart…if such a chart actually existed.

  Izzy sounded concerned. “Babe, you were staring off into space for a few minutes. Care to talk about it? You know I would love to help in any way.”

  Shawna nodded, her smile wavering just a bit. “I’m good. I promise.” Isabel had been her friend for a few years now, more like her best friend. Why did she feel so nervous to share her past?

  Isabel rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You know I’m here whenever you need me?”

  “I know, love,” Shawna said softly. “That means the world to me, too.” Suddenly she leaped in the air and squealed, “I’m going on a date. What the hell do I wear?” She gasped and reached down to grab her friend’s hands. “Do I go casual, or dress to the nines? I don’t know where he’s even taking me.” She placed her hands on her chest and her voice shook. “I may vomit. It’s been a while since I have been out with someone of the opposite sex.”

  Izzy squeezed Shawna’s hands and said, “Breathe, honey. It’s a date, not a wedding. Plus, it’s Danny, he hates dressing up.”

  Shawna started heading toward her closet. Turning to look back at Isabel, she said, “He didn’t seem to hate it when we were at the dance studio the other day.” She noticed Isabel’s eyes go wide. She grabbed her hand and lightly laughed. “Come on, I’ll tell you everything while we pick out something for me to wear.”

  Friday night could not come fast enough. The girls at Burlesque Me Tonight were about to personally go get Danny from the firehouse and bring him to the club. They were so tired of Shawna talking about him. Well, more like worrying about if he could be a mass murderer or Mr. Right. She had been talking about him a wee bit too much, but the date was a huge deal.

  Shawna had been in her room sliding into the little, red dress Izzy picked out. She looked at herself in the floor-length mirror and smiled. The silky fabric was knee length, sleeveless with two inch straps. Every time she put on one of her dresses, she loved feeling like a princess.

  After putting the finishing touches on her make-up, she headed to the kitchen to pour a large glass of wine. She needed something to calm her growing nerves. She grabbed the glass and carefully headed to her patio to soak up the salty air. Wine and the ocean had to work…hopefully.

  About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. She startled, almost making her wine glass tip right onto her lap. She yelped and grabbed it quickly. As Shawna stood to head to the front door, someone cleared their throat. She whirled around to come face to face with Danny. “Oh, my God…Hi…Um…Wow.” She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Hi,” she said calmly. “I was just heading to open the door.”

  He flashed that knee-quivering smile and gave her a cheerful response. “I heard you say something, so figured I would save you the trouble.”

  So the man was handsome, had an amazing smile, and gracious, too. The odds of avoiding interaction of any kind with men were not in her favor…well, not with this man in particular. Shawna knew he would break her eventually, but how? She lifted her glass of wine and asked, “Would you like some wine?” She took a much-needed sip and not one of those tiny ones either.

  He walked up into her personal space and took the wine glass from her hand. In a husky voice, he said, “Sure.” Then took a big sip of the silky, red liquid. He placed the glass down on the table and then turned his head to face her again. “But I’d rather have you instead,” he whispered.

  Shawna gasped, stepping back away from Danny. She started biting her lip, and her breathing increased. “Um…what?” She struggled getting any thoughts out. What was happening? She put her hand up to keep him away and sat down in the patio chair. She spoke in a hushed tone. “Danny…um…yeah…I’m not sure how to say this, without just coming out and saying it.” She reached over to the lonely wine glass and took another much-needed gulp before
clearing her throat. “Well, it’s been over four years since I dated and being with a man sexually is about the same timeline. It’s not that I couldn’t find anyone. Instead, I found ways to avoid everyone.” She let out a deep sigh. “I really want to go out…but I’m not sure about anything beyond dinner with you tonight. Okay?”

  Danny stayed standing while she spoke. When she finished talking, he reached his hand out for her to take. “Shawna. Dance with me?”

  Chapter 6

  From the moment he stepped foot into Shawna’s house, he felt so much emotion. For months now, he had gone to Burlesque Me Tonight to watch her dance. Actually, he went just to see Shawna, everyone else in the room disappeared when she walked onto the stage.

  Now, as he stood in front of this amazing woman that had his heart for some time now, he knew he had to keep trying. She seemed to be lost for words at his question. He stepped closer and in a husky voice, he said, “Shawna, you know you want to, take my hand.” He stood there, waiting for her to make a move. Finally, her face fell, her smile faded, and he thought he lost his chance for good.

  Danny could tell by the way her chest moved up and down rapidly, she probably was struggling with what to do next. Then Shawna surprised him by suddenly grabbing his hands. Her voice shook when she spoke. “What are we doing, Danny?”

  He pulled her into his embrace and smiled. “From the looks of it, we are finally in a room together…alone.” He shook his head. “Shawna, I would never hurt you, if that’s what you’re afraid of?”

  Danny had dated several women, but not one of them ever grabbed his attention like the redhead standing right in front of him. When he first laid eyes on her five-foot-four frame, there could be no going back. Then her feisty Irish roots materialized from out of nowhere…and only three words could be spoken, “Sexy-as-hell.” She was a spit-fire but a delicious one.