Except Gina’s job was on the line. She needed him to be in it to win it. And as much as he was doing this for his family, he was now doing it for her, too.
And maybe also a little for himself.
Since he didn’t want to examine that thought too much, he turned to Jackson and said, “I’ll catch you later.” Then he ducked out to wander the rigging backstage. He wasn’t fit company for anyone right now.
Stone spent the rest of the show avoiding Gina—and his feelings about her—until they took their marks backstage. But when she stepped closer and twined her arms around his waist, all other thoughts flew from his head.
Skinny straps snaked over her shoulders, holding up a stingy swath of glittery black lace that stretched down over half of her taut torso and one leg. It covered the important bits, but her left side and back were bare, and the “dress” was secured at her hip with only a sparkly embellishment.
Stone tried to focus on her face, since it would be rude and obvious to stare at her body, but her eyes—already so captivating—were lined with dark makeup, making them stand out even more and leaving him spellbound. Her lips were painted red, and they sparkled, too. Her long hair had been parted on the side and pulled back into a complicated twist on the back of her head.
She was stunning, in every sense of the word, and Stone couldn’t seem to catch his balance around her.
Gina spoke in a low voice. “I’m worried about you.”
The scent of tropical flowers permeated his senses and made him hyperaware of their closeness. He fought his body’s reaction and growled, “Don’t be.”
Instead of comforting her, his words seemed to make her more agitated. Her brow creased, and she leaned in even closer. “Please tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m fine.”
Gina stared into his eyes for a long moment, then tapped a finger to his temple. “Don’t get stuck in here,” she said. “Stay with me. Remember what I told you? Channel whatever’s happening in your head into the dance. Into me. Let me help you carry it.”
Need welled up in him, and he couldn’t stop himself from clutching her shoulders, shifting her an inch closer. She moved with him, her hand resting on his chest.
“Stay with me,” she said again. “It’s just you and me, dancing together.”
He huffed out a laugh. “And millions of people watching on live TV.”
She shook her head and took his face in her hands. “You’re not dancing with those people. You’re only dancing with me.”
When he nodded, she brushed her thumbs softly over his cheekbones. “Will you eye-gaze with me, Stone?”
An unwise move, but he could refuse her nothing. He nodded.
It was easier this time. Neither of them giggled. Their behind-the-scenes footage played and Stone ignored it, keeping all his attention on Gina, as she’d directed.
Her eyes. Deep and dark enough that he could fall right into them. She’d consume him body and soul and he wouldn’t even mind.
A stage manager appeared beside them. “Ready? You guys are on, in three, two…”
With his mind and heart full of Gina, Stone led her onto the dance floor.
“That was an excellent Argentine tango last night,” Donna said the next day during Stone’s reaction interview.
Stone shifted in his seat. If any producer was going to pry into his innermost secrets, it was Donna. “We averaged seventy-seven percent, which feels pretty good.”
Donna leaned forward, a gleam in her eye. “It was quite a sexy dance.”
Stone’s cheeks warmed, and he felt like an idiot. He wasn’t even wearing makeup that could cover his blush, because it was a rehearsal day.
And what the hell was happening to his life that such a thought would even cross his mind?
“Um, yeah, that was kind of a strategic move. Gina’s smart. She puts a lot of thought into our dances, and what stories we’re telling, and what our wonderful, supportive viewers want.”
Gina had drilled into him how appreciative they had to be toward their voters, instructing him to thank them at every opportunity. It reminded him a bit of being fed lines forLiving Wild,but with less pressure, since he wasn’t lying. He really did appreciate the votes.
Donna nodded. “Was it difficult to get into the role for your tango? We saw in the package how Gina encouraged you to feel more… comfortable.”
