That was good, but she needed him focused on the next dance. They’d take them one at a time and do their best with each. She couldn’t allow herself to get psyched out by Donna’s threat.The Dance Offwas a huge stepping stone to the growth of her career, and she didn’t want to lose it.
Gina poked a finger into the unyielding muscle of his chest. “Don’t think about Lauren or any of the others. It’s just you and me, dancing together.”
Stone nodded, then gestured to the paper she still held. “What’s that?”
“Our dance for Fiesta Night.” She passed the card to him, snickering when his eyebrows shot up.
“The Argentine tango?” He goggled at her, looking like his eyes were about to fall out of his head.
“You’ve heard of it?”
“I’ve seen it in movies. It looks… difficult.” He flipped the card over a few times, as if there might be another dance hiding on it somewhere. “And close.”
“It is.” No point beating around the bush. “It’s a sexy dance.”
The big jerk rolled his eyes and groaned.
She jabbed him again. “Hey, what’s that reaction about?”
His eyes cut away from hers. “This is going to be so awkward.”
“It will be if you don’t do it right. Come on, let’s start with the basics.”
As she had with the foxtrot, Gina moved around him, poking and prodding his body into position while explaining the dance.
“In the tango, our hold is the opposite of most ballroom dances. Instead of leaning our chests away, when we’re in close embrace our chests and faces will be touching.”
Stone sighed. “I knew it. Already awkward.”
Again with the sighing? “Shush.” She kicked at his heels. “You’re not going to be lifting your feet a whole lot in the basic steps. Keep them close to the floor.”
She moved his body, providing instruction and slight corrections as she took him through a few passes around the room.
“Tango relies on improvisation,” she said. “The person in the man’s role leads, directing their partner and making sure the two of them don’t bump into anyone else on the dance floor. For our performance, you have to appear forceful. This is a sharper dance than the foxtrot, and you have to nail the footwork and hold.”
“And we only have a week to learn this one.”
“Slightly less.” Gina chuckled at his muttered curse. “Argentine tango requires a connection between the partners and the music, which is almost like a third partner for us. We’re communicating the emotion of the music to each other through our bodies.”
Stone narrowed his eyes. “So, tango is all about sex?”
It could be argued that all dance was about sex, but Gina didn’t want to go there. “Not in the way you mean—it doesn’t have to be sexy. You could do a wistful tango between star-crossed lovers, a teasing tango with a jewel thief, one that evokes a sense of steady connection between a couple, or even one that’s fun and upbeat. Hell, we could do a dark tango as vampires. It all depends on the music.”
“We’re using sexy music, I take it.”
“That’s the plan. We’ll see if they can clear the rights for my first song choice. For us, this is a strategic move, and we’re going to go as sexy as we can on network TV. People are going to want to see this side of you, and we’re going to lay it all out there in week two.” It was a risk, with Donna waiting in the wings to twist their behind-the-scenes clips into something romantic. But they’d fallen into a friendly, playful pattern, which would hopefully show up in their rehearsal footage.
Stone went through the steps again on his own. “You don’t think it’s a little early for that?”
“I’m not pulling any punches this season. I’d rather hit them hard early in the game than get eliminated and wish I hadn’t saved the sexy card for later.” And then lose her job. Shit. She had no choice but to make this dance sexy.
He gave a low chuckle. “I think you’re mixing metaphors.”
“I know I am. But you get it. Go big or go home, Stone.” She pressed her hands to her mouth, eyes growing wide. “Ooh.Ooh.I’m getting it. An idea is taking shape.”
She paced in tight circles, muttering to herself and wringing her hands as her brain kicked into high gear. In her mind, she visualized their routine, running through options for the concept, the costumes, the vibe.
She wanted this dance to be panty-meltingly sexy. Their foxtrot had revealed Stone to be a competent dancer and established them as contenders. The next dance would secure their spot in the audience’s imagination. She wouldn’t fake a showmance, but she’d set Stone up as a fantasy for the viewers.
