As we hit the center of the dance floor closest to the DJ booth, I closed my eyes and let the music take over my limbs. Jasper mixed some unfamiliar drum and bass beats along with some mild electronica and infused them into dancehall, rock, and popular rap songs.

The only problem was three women dancing together tended to attract attention… unwanted attention.

It wasn’t long before guys started to join us, first dancing on the periphery then eventually sidling up close. Faith and Sophie welcomed the attention. I tried to focus on the music and ignore them. The first guy to slide up behind me had my body stiffening. Immediately, I stepped forward, spun around, and ended up on the other side of our little circle.

The next guy tried a frontal approach. Luckily, I could see him coming and waved him off. Maybe it was time to find Max and the other guys and sit down.

I waved at Jasper, and he frowned but nodded his acknowledgement. Sophie and Faith were too occupied to notice I’d slunk off the dance floor. On the edges where it was darkest, I paused and searched for where the guys had gone.

“I figured I’d try something different and ask you to dance.”

I whirled around and let out a small squeak of alarm. The muscles in my lower belly quivered, and my breath caught. My savior from earlier stood in front of me, looking like a cross between an angel of mercy and the devil incarnate. “We have to stop meeting like this,” I mumbled.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Well, there’s no rain at the moment, so we should be safe. I trust we were able to save your camera?”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Yes. Thank you. Honestly that could have been ugly today. I’m indebted.”

“How about a dance, and we’ll call it even?”

A dance? With him? Pressed up against… “I, uh…”

“Now, I’m not as good as you are, so you’ll need to take it easy on me.” He outstretched his hand and waited for me to take it. He didn’t press or push, just stood there… waiting.

Jasper didn’t help me when he switched the track to a dancehall reggae song with a grooving beat.

Butterflies fluttered low in my belly. When was the last time I’d had butterflies? Unfortunately, with those butterflies also came fear. The fact was I didn’t know this guy. But, if he’d wanted to hurt you, he could have already. It’s just a dance.

I glanced down at his hand and placed my palm in his. Determined not to be nervous, I smiled up at him. “Hardly seems fair. You saved my life, and all you get is this dance.”