Ballroom Blitz Read Free Page A

into the world of competitive dance as my partner.”
    Again, Maggie felt Jon’s eyes on her. In fact, he’d kept his focus on her the entire time Seth had been speaking, but she hadn’t dared look his way—difficult as that’d been—because the man defined distraction of the best kind.
    “Any more questions?” Seth asked.
    No one spoke up.
    “Good. Then let’s get started,” Maggie said. “Tonight we’ll begin with the basic jitterbug. Seth and I will first demonstrate the dance at a normal speed. Then we’ll slow it down and break it down, step by step. So gather in a circle. This first part is easy because all you have to do is watch.”
    Seth turned on the music. He took Maggie’s hand and they automatically walked together as if they’d stepped onto the competition floor. Seth had chosen “In the Mood” and they stuck to basic steps, adding in a few turns, but no double hops, double cuts or double twists.
    When the song and dance ended, applause rang out.
    Seth spun her into a curtsey and he took a bow.
    “Now we’ll break it down. First thing you’ll notice is how we hold our hands.”
    After the demonstration, the female newlywed asked, “Does it matter who’s leading in how you hold hands?”
    “For the sake of simplicity,” Seth said, “let’s assume the men are in the lead. So guys, hold your hands like this.”
    Grumbling from the women.
    “Ladies,” Maggie interjected, “I’m an equal rights supporter, but in this case, Seth is in charge of showing the male steps, and I’m tasked with teaching the female partner steps because it’ll be easier. And remember, just because a man has the lead on the dance floor, doesn’t grant him the right to retain control off the dance floor.”
    Several women laughed and nudged their partners.
    Maggie’s gaze snagged Jon’s. Everything about him said man in charge, all the time . Normally men like that didn’t appeal to her, but seeing him so sweet and funny with his niece intrigued her—beyond the fact he was such a gorgeous male specimen.
    She and Seth went through the steps slowly, then had the students perform the steps with them and finally on their own. They wandered through the group. If a couple was struggling, Maggie would dance with the man while the woman watched, then Seth would dance with the woman while the man watched. Usually when the couple was put back together, their technique had improved.
    When they reached Raven and Jon, she heard them arguing in low tones. “You two do not look like you’re having fun. Anything we can help with?”
    Raven pointed at her uncle. “Yes. He keeps doing it wrong. He steps too close and then too far back.”
    “Someone wasn’t paying attention when the instructors said the men were supposed to lead,” Jon said tersely.
    Seth intervened. “Show us the problem.”
    Jon held out his hands and Raven snatched them. The first few movements were decent, but then Jon completely lost the rhythm.
    “Hold on a second. Watch us.” Seth took Maggie’s hands. “See what we’re doing with our arms and our feet?” She and Seth demonstrated. “Keep it smooth and tight.”
    Jon had crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t look belligerent, just frustrated. “Isn’t that what I was doing?”
    Maggie, Raven and Seth all said, “No.”
    When Seth danced with Raven, she followed his lead without issue.
    Jon sighed and lightly nudged his niece. “Looks like I’m the one with two left feet, eh? You sure you want me for your dance partner, Raven?”
    His amused resignation had Maggie stepping forward to reassure him. “Let’s see if I can help.” She took Jon’s hands and they were face to face. And what a face it was.
    Jon stared at her, as if he liked what he saw, and tightened his grip when she attempted to retreat. “Is this too close?” he murmured.
    “For dancing? Yes.”
    He flashed an unrepentant grin. “Guess I wasn’t thinking about dancing.”
    Me either . “So, Mr. White