Page 7 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

He pushed her away from him and led her into an overturned back break and then pulled her back into him. His hands dropped around her tiny waist, and their hips melted together. Her body moved with his, perfectly in sync. They had once danced as a boy and a girl. Now, they danced as a man and a woman. The back of his hand brushed her neck. A lock of hair fell on her cheek. His fingers traced down her body. “I missed you,” she whispered as she wrapped her leg around him.

Missed him? She had left him while he was away for three months and before he’d even had a chance to chase her, she had run off to dance with Dima. He’d missed her plenty—all those lonely nights of boot camp. Every time he got his ass handed to him by the drill instructors, thinking of her had given him a reason to push forward. At first she wrote him weekly, then the letters tapered off. She then sent him a final letter, ending their engagement and telling him she had returned her ring to his mother. When she didn’t show up at his graduation, he pushed her out of his mind. It worked for a while—until she started popping up on television and every newsstand in the country.

He pressed his lips to her ear, but no sound came out. He placed his hand on her lower back and dipped her to the floor.

Benny cut off the music.

“Ace! Bravo, mate. You haven’t lost your step. I told the suits as much. What do you think, lassie?”

Selena pulled away from Bret. “It’s as if he never quit.”

Benny conferred with Karen, acting like professionals, not ex-spouses. Karen laughed at something Benny was saying. Selena and Bret stood there, both keeping their gazes up front.

A chill crept up Bret’s back. Selena had been so warm against him just a minute ago. But she belonged in his past. Maybe he had held her too close. Could she see right through him still? He’d been wrong before. It wasn’t dancing that was awkward as hell. It was this, the aftermath.

Benny turned and smiled. “Welcome to Dancing under the Stars! I told them the other day—I said he’s the good oil. Surer than a bum in the bucket. The others thought you might have lost your touch. I said, ‘not unless the Sahara freezes over and the camels come home with skates on.’”

Karen kissed Bret and rubbed her nails through his hair. But he was so thrilled he squeezed her without a thought.

Bret had done it. Everything had fallen into place. He’d have enough money to help out Pierce’s family.

“Congrats, Bret.” Selena embraced him. “I can’t wait to work with you this season.”

His mouth stretched wide, and he was seized with the urge to hold her again. But he couldn’t let himself go there, ever. Bret could never trust Selena. He hoped that he didn’t have to ever dance with her again and could focus on raising money for his fallen friend.

He decided to thank her for making him look good on the floor. A dancer was only as good as his partner, and despite her shock of seeing him without warning, she’d held her own with him. But she was already looking away, so he aimed his grin at Benny and Karen instead, extending a hand. “Thank you, Benny, Karen. I won’t disappoint you.”

“I’m sure you won’t. We have some details to go over with the contract.” Benny addressed Selena. “Thanks, lassie. We won’t need you anymore.”

She twirled a lock of her hair. “You sure? I can stay and give him some pointers, if you like.”

Benny shooed her away. “I know you have to get ready for tomorrow. You can shoot through.”

“Okay. Bye, Bret.” She turned toward Bret and gave him a quick hug. “See you soon.” She removed her shoes, placed them in her bag, put her sunglasses back on, and walked out of the ballroom. The door slammed behind her.

“She’ll be apples. Now, tomorrow night, we have a crew ready to take some footage for your introduction on the show,” Benny said as he rifled through his briefcase.

“Tomorrow? At the competition?” Bret didn’t want to watch Selena compete. At least not with Dima. Bret wanted to focus on the show.

“Well, you must lob in. You’ll get to mingle with most of the cast. There’s also a surprise for you.”

A surprise? Dancing with Selena was enough of a surprise. What else was Benny plotting? “I’ll be there.”

Benny rattled on about schedules, media appearances, and payment plans as Karen gazed at Bret. Bret might've been able to pay attention, had it not been for Selena's lingering scent on his skin.