Dancing to the Beat

Chapter 6

*A/N: Sorry it has been a while since my last update. I've been very busy on vacation and getting ready for student teaching. Hopefully I will have time to write more chapters, but for now I've left you all with a nice long one.*

I was starting to feel a little bit better about hanging out with Alexsei after the photo shoot yesterday. Obviously, I can handle the playboy enough to put him in his place. The dancing part might be the trickiest thing. I tried to dress up a little for our first practice. I couldn’t wear my old tennis shoes and sweat pants in front of Alexsei, or the cameras. I had to at least present myself as a somewhat fashionable put together woman. I was wearing a tight pair of black gym pants and an oversized t-shirt with a tank top underneath. My hair was in a “messy” bun, the messy style that took me an hour to get into perfection. Then I added a quick bit of mascara and lip-gloss and I was set to sweat. I stopped in front of the door to our dance studio to close my eyes to take a deep breath.

“I can do this. “ With that I opened the door to see Alexsei and a camera crew standing in the room.

“Great we can get our first meeting shot!” Announced the director.

“Alexsei you start on one side and Addison you go back out, count to five, then walk back into the room, and get ready to meet.”

“But we already met…” By the looks on their faces I knew I had said something stupid. My face started to heat up when I felt Alexsei swoop in and grab my arms. I tried really hard to ignore the tingles from his grasp.

“Addy this is just for the show they want a clip of our first time meeting each other, our thoughts, and then practice. Just be yourself and you will be fine.” Wow! The first words of inspiration from him, and they didn’t come with a pick up line. I nodded as he led me to the door.

“Now count to five and come and get me!” He gave me a sly wink and shut the door behind me. I knew he couldn’t have a conversation without some joke. I counted to five and then opened the door again. I wasn’t quite sure what to do, but it looked like Alexsei was taking the lead as usual.

“Addison Fisher! America’s Skating Sweetheart, you are way prettier in person.”

“Alexsei Merkovich! Your reputation seems to precede you.” If I hadn’t known better I would have sworn I saw a glimmer of hurt flash in his eyes, but as soon as I saw it, it disappeared. He grabbed my hands as I walked toward him and we greeted each other with kisses on the cheek.

“I’m so excited to be working with such a talented skater, hopefully you’ll be just as great on the dance floor.”

“Well I’ll try my best for you… I mean for sure.” For you? I sound like some gushing teenager. I mentally slapped myself to stay focused while on camera, especially on camera.

“Speaking of dancing… what is our first dance?”

“Ooo straight to business… I like that… Addy.” He whispered my name close to my ear. I hoped that my cheeks weren’t blushing, but I felt a little warm all of a sudden. I hated how his breath seemed to tickle my ear in the best way.

“We’ll be doing the Cha-Cha. It’s a sensual upbeat dance So we’ll have to get very close.”

“Of course…can’t wait” I gave a big grin to the cameras and tried my best at batting my eyelashes.

“Okay so let’s get started. I want to see what you can do.” Alexsei dragged me out to the dance floor and I quickly toss my gym bag to the side.

“So let me see you spin across and take my other hand.” I did my best spin, my arms twirling in Alexsei’s hand. I set my eyes on his other arm and took it. Finishing my spin and gracefully stretching my free hand out like a butterfly’s wing.