Settling The Score

Part 15

When Mason smoothly pulled up to the dancing studio, my mood immediately deflated. Noting my sudden shift, he let out a chuckle. "It's not the end of the world, Carebear, it's just one dance lesson."

I shot him a look and quickly got out of the car before he could open the door for me. I would have none of that "gentlemanly" crap. I was here against my will, and I would make damn sure he knew it.

Slamming open the door of the studio, to further display my discontent, I was immediately greeted by a group of curious eyes. 

The place was packed! I felt my stomach drop when I saw what everyone's attire. There wasn't a woman in there not wearing heels.

 I stood out like a sore thumb.

I leaned over to Mason beside me, standing on my tippy-toes and whispered to him, "You didn't tell me I was supposed to dress up," I ground out. 

His amused expression scanned the people in the room before it landed on me. "Oops, must have slipped my mind," he winked as he trudged past me.

I followed reluctantly to where he went to greet what seemed to be the dancing instructor. 

"Mason, darling," A beautiful woman, in an elegant red dress, sang. She had a thick accent that I couldn't quite place, with curly brown hair, her whole persona screamed elegance and grace.

Smirking, Mason gestured to me. "Madam LeVeaux, I would like you to meet my lovely companion for the afternoon, Leslie Carter." 

Madam LeVeaux cocked an unimpressed eyebrow up at me, scanning me from head to toe.

"Yes, yes very lovely," she commented as she slowly encircled me. 

"Tell me, how do you expect to learn the fine techniques of dance if you do not wear the right attire?" she scolded.

"I-" 

"Back straight!" she reprimanded, hitting my back with a long stick, that was not there a minute ago.

"Where did that come from-" I yelped, my eyes wide as she gave me another wack. "Okay, okay I'm standing straight," I muttered, pushing my shoulders back as far as I could. 

"Good, good," Madam LeVeaux trailed.

My attention shifted to Mason, who was clearly relishing in my misery. I stuck my tongue out at him. Luckily, madam LeVeaux didn't notice.

"Come, Mason," she gestured him forward, "Put your left hand on her hip. Yes. Now right hand there. Ah, perfect. Wonderful technique, Mason. You may want to teach it to this one," she jabbed as she jerked her chin towards me.

"Excuse me-" I started angrily, but Mason quickly interjected, "Thank you, madam, I'll teach her everything I know," he said before winking at me. 

Like the graceful lady I was, I flipped him off while madam LeVeaux glided away.

"Attention everyone," she announced a moment later. "Welcome to your first Ballroom dance lesson for beginners." 

I directed my attention to Mason as she started instructing us on how to move our feet. I would never admit it to him, but he really knew his stuff. 

"Mommy make you take dancing lessons when you were younger?" I teased as I tried keeping my feet in pace with his. 

His eyes gleaming with nothing but amusement, he rose an eyebrow. "Actually, it was a mandatory class we had to take in boarding school," he informed, "When I wasn't starting fights with assholes, I took dancing lessons," he joked.