Dance With Me: The Everetts of Tyler, #1

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Excerpt from FIGHT FOR ME

About the Author

ONE 

KATERINA NEMECEK BUCKLED her heel before stepping in front of the studio's mirrored wall. Dance was her passion, her joy, and if she didn't get a break soon, she would have to give it up. She danced with abandon, channeling her worry, her pain, and her sorrow into the steps. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and although she wasn't sure what those measures were, she had to think of something. Perhaps she should sell.

She'd had an offer a year ago from Juliette Jamieson in Aylesford. Although Jamieson Studio specialized in ballet and lyrical dance, Juliette felt Kat's expertise in ballroom and musical theater could be an asset. Panting with exertion, Kat threw herself harder into the routine. She didn't want to sell, and she didn't want to leave, but what other choice did she have?

Mason Everett watched Kat as she performed a series of intricate moves. She was so beautiful, it hurt. He was there to serve her with papers stating she had one month to pay her back mortgage or she was headed to foreclosure, but he had to watch her. She was utterly mesmerizing when she danced, and he hadn't seen her in over a week.

The economy had come crashing down around them and although ballroom dancing was more popular than ever with that TV show, people just weren't taking lessons like they had a few years ago. He knew Kat was working her ass off, he knew she was doing everything in her power to stay afloat, but the bank–what was once his family's bank–didn't care. The day the national chain bought them out was the day Kat's mortgage troubles began. Now, he was here, having taken this assignment himself. He wasn't sure if he'd volunteered to torture himself or because he thought he could comfort her, but he was here nonetheless. He watched her dance a while longer before making himself known.

Kat, he called.

Her lithe movements stopped abruptly. Mason? What are you doing he– she broke off. After the last time she saw him, she knew he wasn't here for her, he was here on behalf of the bank. Oh.

I can't hold them off any longer, he apologized as he walked toward her. Quietly he added, I just wish you'd let me pay it.

She crossed her arms under her full breasts. Mason, she began in her most censuring tone, we've been through this before.

Their last conversation was one he wouldn't soon forget. He'd offered to pay off her mortgage at the most inopportune time–while naked in her bed–and had lost her because of it. He searched her face as he pinned her with his espresso gaze. Why can't you just accept my help?

She turned away from him. I just can't!

Why not? He threw his hands in the air as he made his way to her. It's not payment for services rendered. This is so much different than that.

Brows raised, she turned toward him. Different how?

He blew out a sigh. I... I can't bear to see you lose something you love so much.

She looked at him, the epitome of the town golden boy with his perfectly styled caramel hair, handmade grey suit, and his Italian leather shoes. She knew firsthand the mouthwatering body those impeccable clothes covered was honed by plenty of tennis, sailing, and daily workouts in his home gym. He was, in a word, perfect. She knew he had more than enough money to save the studio, and that was the problem. She didn't want him for that. Worse, she didn't want anyone to think she wanted him for that. She refused to sully him with her issues.

Mason watched her stare at him as if she were memorizing him, committing him to memory. No way. She wasn't going anywhere. Kat? Say something, he begged, hoping she would break her silence. It was no hardship staring at her, far from it, in fact. Today she was in a wrap style dress that accentuated her hourglass figure, the purple doing great things for her light blue eyes. Her black hair was pulled away from her face into a messy ponytail, and her mouth, oh, the things she could do with that mouth.

Yeah, he more than liked looking at her, but right now he needed her to say something. Kat? he said again, a crack in his voice.

She held up a hand. It's okay. I know why you're here. I know I'm losing this place. I know I have to move, she said, her tone even and quiet.

No! he barked. It's not okay. He crossed the floor to pull her into his arms.

Dammit, Kat, it's not okay. He crushed her to him then, taking her lips in a hard kiss. You're not leaving. I won't let you.

She tore from his arms, her cornflower blue eyes flashing like gas flames. You cannot tell me what to do, Mason Everett. You gave up that right when you hid me from your family. I may not be good enough for you, but I don't deserve to be treated like a dirty little secret.

He opened his mouth to speak, closing it just as quickly. That's what she thought? You thought I was hiding you? That I was ashamed of you? He let out a bitter laugh. I was trying to protect you.

She stalked away from him, heels clicking on the hardwood. Protect me? She stopped, turned to face him fully. From what?

He shook his head. Priscilla.

You dated Priscilla in high school, she said, her face a mask of confusion.

Something he regretted to this day. She's run off every woman I've dated since. He reached out to touch her, but stopped short. I couldn't let her get to you, I didn't want to lose you.

She made a disgusted sound. That's rich. You didn't trust me enough to stand by you when someone else staked a claim on you–

You don't understand, he cut her off. She's ruthless. Kat gave him a disbelieving look and he elaborated, She pulled the old Visine trick. Mel was sick for a couple days.

Her jaw dropped. "That's what happened to Melanie Andrews? She shook her head. She told me not to get involved with you when I choreographed her wedding dance."

That was almost two years ago.

She shrugged. She knew I had a thing for you.

I have a thing for you, too, he echoed with a smirk, taking a step toward her.

Wait. She held up a hand to stave off his advance. Why hasn't anyone done anything about Priscilla?

We couldn't prove it. He lifted a shoulder. What should I have done? Priscilla is one of my sister's best friends.

God, she'd missed him. She had tried to be strong, had avoided anywhere he might have been for almost two weeks for fear of seeing him. She'd thought he was ashamed of her, but he'd hidden their relationship to protect her from Priscilla? Priscilla McClaren would blow away in a stiff wind and seemed as sweet as honey. Well, sweet as honey until you crossed her. She was famous for her tantrums, spoiled princess that she was, and Kat could understand Mason's reticence to a point. She sucked in a long breath, letting it out slowly as he watched her. Oh how she still wanted him with every fiber of her being, but if this was going to work, he had to trust her. She closed the gap between them, laying a hand on his forearm. I can take it, Mason. If you want this to work, if you want me to let you help me. If you want... she trailed off.

I want, he promised.

Then no hiding.

No hiding, he agreed before pulling her into a kiss.

She felt so good in his arms, her curves flush against him. He could kiss her for days and not get enough. He'd known Priscilla was scaring off his girlfriends for years, and hadn't really cared. With Kat everything was different. He couldn't lose her, couldn't let her be driven away. So, he'd hidden their relationship. He kissed her again, sliding his hands into her hair, dislodging her ponytail and savoring the feel of it through his fingers. When he broke the kiss, he took a step back to look into her eyes. Never, never let anyone make you think I'm ashamed of you.

She shook her head slightly, the black silk of her hair brushing the tops of her breasts. You're the town golden boy, Mason. The oldest son of one of the richest families in town. She looked down. I'm a woman about to lose her livelihood, who's deep in debt.

So? he asked, his caramel brows furrowed.

So? She pulled from his arms, threw her own out in a helpless gesture. Mason, I am... God. I am completely and totally in love with you. She turned around then, her voice quiet as she said, I am not a gold-digger.

His arms were around her before she'd finished her statement. Of course you're not. I know you're not. He spun her around to face him. I love you, too. I was going to ask you to marry me after I offered to pay off this place, he paused at her shocked expression. That didn't quite work out how I'd planned it.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she found her voice. You were?

I was. He grinned at her then. What would you have said?

I would have thought you just wanted to save me. She sighed. You'd just promised to make all my financial troubles go away.

He shook his head. I only wanted to help.

She went up on her toes to kiss him, her eyes sparkling. Is the offer still open?

Until you say yes, the offer is there, he promised as he tightened his hold on her.

She gave him a mischievous smile before she said, Good to know.

He laughed. Good to know? Good to know? I lay my heart at your feet and you say, 'Good to know'?

She kissed him again. Also, yes.

Thank God.

STEPPING AWAY FROM her was one of the hardest things he'd done in a while. Willing his erection into submission, he dropped a soft kiss on her lips. I have to go back. I have a meeting.

Had she really just agreed to marry him? I have a class in less than an hour. If he didn't go now, she'd jump him.

Come home with me tonight. He softly kissed her again. Please.

I don't think I can wait that long, she murmured.

He gave her a slow, sexy, panty-melting smile. You will come home with me every night. He kissed her fully then, his hand finding its way back into her hair. Oh, you will come, he promised, after dinner at my parent's.

That jerked her out of her hormone-induced buzz. What?

It's Thursday. Cassidy, Camryn and Caleb will be there too.

She briefly wondered why all his siblings had names that began with C, but pushed the thought away. Tilting her head, she asked, Earlier today I thought you were ashamed of me, and now you want me to come to family dinner?

Yes, he answered with a sharp nod. I'll pick you up at six.

She flashed a nervous smile. I guess you will.

SHE CHANGED FROM HER purple wrap dance dress into a more sophisticated blue silk sheath paired with a pair of silver ankle-strap stilettos. She'd curled her long black hair and artfully applied her makeup. She knew she looked good on the outside even if her stomach was a butterfly sanctuary.

True to his word, he arrived at six, still dressed in his immaculate grey suit, pale blue shirt, and blue and grey striped tie. He looked gorgeous and