Dance All Night: A DANCE OFF HOLIDAY NOVELLA Read online

  Lowering her voice, Jess leaned in toward her agent. “Lorena, you know I hate Christmas. And those movies are just dripping with overblown sentimentality.”

  “Those movies get millions of viewers and repeat airings,” Lorena pointed out. “And there’s a lot of overlap between their viewers and people who watch—and vote for—The Dance Off.”

  Jess pursed her lips like she wanted to argue, but couldn’t.

  Lorena gave her a motherly pat on the arm. “Just think about it, okay? And then say yes. Ciao!”

  She scurried off, leaving them in a cloud of gardenia-scented perfume.

  “Don’t laugh,” Jess grumbled.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Nik pressed his lips together hard to hold back a chuckle.

  A PA hurried over to collect them, and after the wreaths were made—and they’d washed pine sap off their hands—they took photos with the crew, filmed a couple segments for the show’s social media channels, and rushed off to the next interview.

  And then it was more of the same.

  “So, are you two dating?”

  “Show us some dance moves!”

  “What are your personal holiday traditions?”

  During those moments, when Nik talked about his family, it seemed like Jess was watching him intently, as if she were soaking in these details about his life.

  God, he hoped so. He was already falling for her, and she’d be a tough nut to crack. But, like the Nutcracker, he would… No, that was a bad analogy. He knew the story too well, having danced it multiple times in his career—it was a boring gig, but paid well. Regardless, he was determined to bring this woman some Christmas cheer, like the Sugar Plum Fairy and her band of merry makers in the Land of Sweets.

  Just like that, he knew what their second date would be.

  After their last interview, Jess wanted nothing more than to go home and put on her pajamas. The day had been a whirlwind of invasive questions, repetitive dance instruction, and a lot of waiting around in green rooms. And Lorena hadn’t been kidding—in addition to the Heartflix offer, three TV sitcoms and a soap opera had reached out to inquire about guest spots. Jess knew she should be thrilled, but everything was happening so fast, it made her head spin.

  Nik caught up to her as she was entering the elevator. She wouldn’t tell him so, but it had been nice having him with her. This was her first time doing the talk show circuit without the entire cast of The Dance Off along for the ride, and it would have been overwhelming without Nik’s steady, soothing presence at her side.

  When the doors swished behind them, he leaned against the side of the elevator car with his hands in his pockets and gazed down on her with a small smile on that sexy mouth of his. “Come over to Dimitri’s tomorrow,” he said, voice low. “I have our second date planned.”

  Since his smooth rumble and A+ leaning skills were making her all fluttery inside, she tried to keep her tone teasing. “You mean today wasn’t our second date?”

  He chuckled. “Today definitely doesn’t count. I had to spend the whole day trying to pretend I wasn’t into you. And we were dancing. Today was work.”

  Riding high on the media stops and believing her own hype about how there wasn’t anything serious between them, she flirted more. “Technically we danced yesterday, too. Was that work?”

  “If yesterday didn’t count, that means I have three more dates with you.”

  She poked a finger into his chest. “Nuh-uh, dude. You have two. No wishing for more wishes.”

  “Okay, fine. Two. But today didn’t count, and you’ll come to my place tomorrow. Deal?”

  “You live to make deals, don’t you? Fine. You got it. What should I wear?”

  “Something you don’t mind getting a little messy.”

  “Messy?” Her mind supplied all sorts of messy things they could do together. “What kinda kinky shit do you have planned?”

  He laughed, low and husky, and the sound tickled along her skin like the brush of a feather. The elevator doors opened, and they headed for the building exit together.

  “It’s actually so wholesome, you’re going to laugh when you find out.”

  “Hmm, I don’t know if wholesome is my jam.”

  “Trust me. Come over at noon. And bring a bathing suit.”

  “Excuse me? What were you just saying about wholesome?”

  “It’s gonna be hot, and we have a pool. Just in case.”

  She wasn’t buying his “wholesome” nonsense for a minute, but she’d pack a bathing suit anyway. Just in case. Dimitri’s pool was really nice. And he had a hot tub, too.

  Maybe things would get a little kinky after all.

  By the time Jess was back in her apartment, she had fifteen texts from Naomi. The last one read: Let me know when you get home. I’m coming over with margarita mix.

  She typed back, I’m home. Drinks needed. And can you braid my hair?

  When Naomi arrived, Jess opened the door clad in a shiny gold string bikini.

  Naomi’s brown eyes went wide. “Whoa, what kind of party is this? I think I’m overdressed.”

  Jess ushered her inside. “I’m going to Nik’s house tomorrow for our second date and he told me to bring a swimsuit. His brother has a pool and a hot tub.”

  Bustling into the kitchen with her grocery bags clinking, Naomi shot Jess an accusatory look over her shoulder. “Second date? You didn’t even tell me about the first one!”

  “I know, I know.” Jess fiddled with the straps on her top as Naomi unloaded bottles onto the kitchen counter. Two types of tequila, two types of margarita mix, and a bottle of seltzer. From a second bag she produced chips, cut veggies, salsa, guacamole, and margarita salt.

  Once the bags were empty, she turned to Jess and waved a hand expectantly. “And?”

  “We just went shopping at the mall. And then we danced—but you saw that part.”

  “So, it was a date. Ice?”

  Jess opened the freezer and pulled out an ice tray.

  While Naomi mixed the drinks, Jess put the snacks on serving dishes and told her about the three holiday-themed dates. She hadn’t mentioned them at Rhianne’s party because she wanted to see how the first date went.

  “So, that’s why you’re in a bikini.”

  Jess glanced at herself. She’d almost forgotten she was mostly naked, drinking margaritas in her kitchen. “Yeah, basically. I need you to help me pick one out, and then braid my hair in case I go in the pool.”

  “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  They took the margaritas into Jess’s bedroom, where she had upended the swimsuit bin from her closet onto the queen-sized bed.

  “Damn, girl, you got a lot of bikinis!”

  “We all have our vices.” Jess sifted through the scraps of spandex. “I want to find one that says ‘sexy’ without also saying ‘obvious,’ you know?”

  “If that’s the case, what you’re wearing now is pretty obvious.”

  Jess glanced down at herself again. “I guess you’re right.”

  Naomi plucked a shimmering green top with a mermaid scale pattern from the pile. “How about this?”

  “No, that’s one I took to Brazil for Carnaval. It doesn’t even cover my ass.”

  “Ah. So it goes in the obvious pile.”

  They continued to sort and debate the merits of Jess’s swimsuit collection. The decidedly unsexy one-pieces Jess wore for swimming laps at the gym were also out.

  “What about this?”

  Jess cocked her head, considering the white one-piece Naomi held up. It had bits of netting and artful cutouts that made it sexy and stylish. “I’ll try it on.”

  When she emerged from the master bathroom wearing the white suit, Naomi raised her margarita glass. “That’s the one, my dear.”

  “Excellent.” Jess did a little shimmy, then clinked her glass to Naomi’s.

  After changing into sweats, Jess shoved all the bathing suits into their bin while Naomi sat on the edge of the bed.

&nb
sp; “I feel like a proud mama,” Naomi said, pretending to wipe away tears. “Baby’s first hot tub date.”

  Jess rolled her eyes. “I know I work for a reality show, but there will be no cameras on this date.”

  “How do you know? There were cameras on the first one.”

  “That was spontaneous!”

  “Are you sure?” Naomi raised a brow.

  Jess paused, then shook her head. “Nik wouldn’t do that.”

  Sure, she still had doubts about his wanderlust sending him packing again, but he wouldn’t use her for a publicity stunt. Of that, at least, she was certain.

  “How do you know?”

  “I know.” Jess snapped the lid back on the bin. “He’s…a good person.”

  “I’m just looking out for you. You dated some real losers when you first moved here.”

  With a sigh, Jess shoved the bin back into her closet. “Yes, I remember. Come on, those chips aren’t going to eat themselves, and I need you to braid my hair.”

  That night, after Naomi left, Jess thought back, not to her friend’s suggestion that Nik was using her in some way—that just didn’t gel with what she’d seen of him at all—but to one of Naomi’s text messages from that morning.

  What does it mean?

  She puzzled over it as she packed her bag for the next day, tossing in the white bathing suit, a clarifying shampoo, and her new Holly Jolly Berry lipstick.

  Maybe she didn’t have to know what it all meant. Maybe she could just live in the moment and enjoy spending time with this man. Wasn’t that enough?

  It would have to be. Because as much as she was starting to trust him, she still didn’t believe he’d stick around.

  Chapter Five

  December 20th

  Jess entered Dimitri’s house and was greeted with the scents of gingerbread, chocolate, and cinnamon. Jazzy versions of Christmas carols played softly in the background.

  “Cookies?” She turned to Nik in accusation and surprise. “This is your messy activity?”

  “Yeah. Baking holiday cookies is tradition.”

  “Boy, you weren’t kidding about wholesome.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “Why, what were you expecting?”

  She hunched her shoulders, recalling the steamy images that had kept her up last night involving champagne, honey, and whipped cream. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Come say hi to everyone,” Nik said, guiding her toward the kitchen, where the mouthwatering aromas originated.

  Everyone? They weren’t going to be alone for this date, either? Maybe this was a double date with Dimitri and Natasha. That would make sense, since Dimitri was Nik’s brother and this was his house.

  Still, Jess felt a vague sense of disappointment. She’d meant what she said about not being Nik’s girl in this port, but it would’ve been nice to spend some time alone with him. As reluctant as she was to put all her trust in him, he was still a lot of fun to hang out with.

  Okay, and maybe she’d be all right with messing around a little. Nik was super hot.

  Nik stopped in the kitchen doorway and ushered her in. “I believe you know everyone here,” he said.

  When Jess entered the room, shock mixed with delight. It wasn’t just Dimitri and Natasha in the kitchen.

  “Gina!”

  “Hey, girl!” Gina, another one of Jess’s former coworkers on The Dance Off, set down a handful of frosting tubes on the counter.

  Gina hurried over to give Jess a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Good to see you. You remember Stone.” She gestured to her giant of a boyfriend, who’d been Gina’s celebrity partner on The Dance Off earlier that year.

  “Hi, Stone.” Jess sent him a wave. Apparently this was a triple date. “I didn’t know you guys were in town.”

  Jess hadn’t hung out a ton with Gina and Natasha—she was closer to Rhianne, Mila, and Joel—but she liked them just fine.

  “Just a short visit,” Gina said. “Tash and I always used to do the tree and cookie stuff together, and we didn’t want to skip it this year. I’m glad you can join us.”

  “Me, too,” Jess said, shooting a look over her shoulder at Nik, who loitered by the arched doorway with a smug grin. There was no way she could get away with being a Scrooge around the others.

  Nik joined her at the counter, and while he didn’t touch her, Jess was fully aware of his body all the same. It was like he emitted some kind of sexy force field only she could feel and that was impossible to ignore.

  “Did you guys get those in Alaska?” Nik asked, gesturing at Stone and Gina’s tops.

  It was then that Jess noticed they wore matching Christmas sweaters—Gina’s was red, Stone’s was green, and they both had moose silhouettes on them.

  Wait a minute.

  Upon closer inspection, Gina’s had not just one moose, but two moose. Mooses? No, the plural of moose was moose. Either way, these moose were getting it on, moose-style, right across Gina’s chest.

  Well, now she had to know what Stone’s moose was doing. Jess moved closer, squinting. The moose was…

  Pooping. The moose was pooping.

  Stone let out a long-suffering sigh, but Gina flashed a wide grin. “You wouldn’t believe all the bizarre moose merchandise they have in Alaska,” she said. “They’re on everything. You guys want moose undies? I can get you some next time we visit Stone’s family.”

  When she went to arrange the cookie cutters next to the rolling pin, Stone leaned down from his great height and muttered, “Trust me, you don’t want them.”

  Jess turned to Nik after Stone had gone back to setting out containers of cookie decorations. “Well, now I’m just curious,” she whispered.

  “I know,” Nik replied under his breath. “How bad could they be?”

  She sent him a sly smile. “I bet you’d look cute in moose undies.”

  “Excuse me.” He sounded offended, but his amber brown eyes turned molten and his voice dropped to a sensuous purr. “I look cute in anything.”

  Or nothing, Jess thought. Yeah, she’d bet he looked real good in nothing at all.

  With that delicious image in her head, she got to work helping the others set up.

  Nik was relieved when Jess fell into an easy conversation with Gina and Tash. She’d seemed apprehensive when he’d told her about the others, and he’d worried the whole idea for this date had been a mistake.

  But they’d agreed to three holiday-themed dates, and for him, a huge part of the holidays was spending time with friends and family. And these people fell into that category.

  Dimitri, of course, was his brother, and Natasha was near enough to being family at this point. And while Gina was Tash’s best friend, Nik had never expected Stone and Dimitri to get along so well. They were both so different: Stone the very definition of “outdoorsy,” and Dimitri the cosmopolitan restaurateur. But they got on famously somehow, bonding over stuff like home repair projects and beard maintenance.

  Nik liked Stone, too. Dude was fun, and he had some kickass stories about living in Alaska. Nik hadn’t been there yet, but he wanted to go. Gina had recommended he visit during summer instead of winter.

  Nik couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day than hanging out with these four, with Jess at his side.

  Well, maybe he could think of a few other things he and Jess could do, but he wouldn’t rush her.

  One date left.

  As much as the previous day’s media visits had worn on him, he’d enjoyed getting to spend extra time with Jess. In hindsight, three dates didn’t seem like enough.

  More and more, he was sure she was the missing piece he’d been searching for. Her quick wit and dry humor belied a sweetness and sensitivity that made him want to gather her in his arms and show her that her heart would be safe with him. When he was with her, the restless feeling that had propelled him through years of touring gigs finally quieted. For once, he felt like he could be still.

  A year ago, these impulses would’ve scared him. Now
, he just wanted to take his time getting to know her better and proving to her how good they could be.

  While the others worked on the cookies, Nik took Jess into the living room to start on the tree—and to get her alone. The scent of gingerbread followed them.

  “You don’t bake?” she asked.

  “I can follow a recipe, but it’s better if my brother and I don’t cook or bake at the same time. We both recall ‘what Mama said’ differently. Besides, I love decorating Christmas trees.”

  She eyed the bare tree standing in the living room. “Aren’t they a fire hazard?”

  He laughed. “Only if you don’t water them. And anyway, this tree is fake. Dimitri doesn’t like getting pine needles all over his house.”

  Jess put her hands on her hips. “If it’s a fake tree, does it even count?”

  “Oh, look who’s the authority on Christmas authenticity all of a sudden.”

  “I’m just saying, if you’re not getting that pine smell, what’s the point?”

  “We’ve got that covered.” He pointed to the wall, where a scented plug-in gave off a rich, piney odor.

  “Ah, so that’s where the smell was coming from.”

  Nik opened two big plastic tubs filled to the brim with lights, garland, baubles, stockings, and more. “Dimitri likes the tree to have a ‘theme,’ which he rotates year to year. This time it’s silver and dark blue.”

  “Your brother seems like a guy who likes what he likes.”

  Nik coughed out a laugh. “You have no idea. I’ve celebrated Christmas with him every year of my life. But it’s different at home. Our mom gets a real tree, and there’s no theme. When we were kids, we used to make our own ornaments, and she’s kept them all these years.”

  “That sounds nice.” Jess fingered a length of blue ribbon. “We didn’t even put up a tree every year.”

  Sadness tinged her voice, and despite his earlier resolve to let Jess open up on her own, Nik couldn’t stop from asking, “Why not?”

  Jess examined the beaded detail on a silver star ornament. “Let’s just say the holidays weren’t usually a happy time.”