She owns a successful company, has loyal friends and a decent relationship, and has convinced herself that this is enough.

He held up his hand with an apologetic look at Peter, took a sip from his water goblet, then sat it down on a nearby table. He stepped toward Cara, extending his right hand, and asked “Cara, will you dance with me?”

Cara’s heart exploded in her chest as she managed to nod in response. She met his eyes with a smile as she laid her hand in his and followed him to the dance floor, her knees trembling, her heart pounding.

When they reached the dance floor, Dylan turned to face her. As she stepped toward him, he slipped his right arm around her and took her hand in his. He navigated the crowded floor until he found a spot for them and met her eyes, flashing his deadly smile. He began to move in time with the music, leading her firmly with his hand on the small of her back, leaving a respectable distance between them.

Cara’s eyes were locked on his beautiful face as he looked down at her. She was surprised to find that he was, in fact, a good dancer, very much in control, leading strongly. She let herself move with him, the nervousness inside her calming a bit as she concentrated on their movements. She felt like Cinderella dancing with her prince!

She was aware that Dylan was making an effort to maintain the space between them. “Screw the respectable distance,” she thought. She wanted him to hold her close…so close she could feel his heart beat. She heard Melanie’s and Suzanne’s voices in her head saying, “Just do it! Make your move!”

Dizzying thoughts swirled through her brain as she dared herself to make the move. When the soulful, sensual saxophone solo began, Cara drew in a breath, squeezed Dylan’s hand slightly, and stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She held her breath for a second, waiting for his reaction, then let it out slowly when he took her right hand and laid it on his chest, covering it with his. At the same time, he tightened his arm around her back, pulling her closer to him. Her left hand made its way from his shoulder to the back of his neck, and she threw caution to the wind, settling her face into the crook of his neck and inhaling his delicious scent, making a conscious effort to commit this moment…this exact moment…to her memory forever.

Dylan had wanted to dance with her so they could have a few minutes to talk. But when she’d stepped forward, closing the distance between them, he found himself unable to speak. She felt so good in his arms. The light, exotic scent of her perfume, the warmth of her body against his, and the softness of her skin rendered him speechless. He pulled her closer, losing himself in the pleasure of the moment.

Cara closed her eyes, feeling absolutely drunk with the moment. She was being held tightly in his arms, moving slowly to the music, cheek to cheek. She felt the slight stubble of his beard, and had to will herself to breathe. Was this heaven? It had to be! She could hear the music, but once again, she and Dylan were the only two people in the room. Then before she knew it, the song was over.

She wanted to cry!

Reluctantly stepping back from him, Cara had a difficult time focusing her eyes when she looked up at his handsome face. The orchestra rolled into the next song, “It Had to Be You.” Dylan raised an eyebrow at her with the unspoken question, and she stepped back into his arms. His arms embraced her, and she settled into the spot where she now wanted to spend the rest of her life.

She leaned back slightly to look at him, face to face. She wanted to touch his beautiful face, wrap her arms around his neck…but instead, as he pulled her close, she let her cheek once again rest against his. As he leaned into her, Cara let out an involuntary sigh. Suddenly, she felt his warm lips touch her bare shoulder at the base of neck with a soft kiss, sending a lightning bolt all the way down her body to the floor. He moved his face close to hers, and she could feel his soft breath on her ear as they slowly moved to the music, bodies touching. She closed her eyes and lost herself in her fantasy coming true. She was dancing with the mad handsome Dylan Madigan! 

And then it was over.

As the orchestra began the next song, Dylan led Cara from the dance floor with a firm, warm grip on her hand. It took all of her concentration not to stumble into his back as they walked around the tables and finally reached their group at the back of the room.