Tina glanced at the door and then turned her attention back at him. “How long have you been here? Were you watching me?”
“A few seconds,” he admitted as they glided across the floor just like old times. Dancing had been just part of the job until he’d met Tina. He’d wanted to be near her, share the music and move as one. He’d found every opportunity to dance with her at clubs, parties and the random moments in the courtyard.
Tina bent her head. “I can’t hit the moves like I used to,” she confessed.
“You’re putting too much pressure on yourself,” Dev declared as his hand flattened against her spine. As his fingers stroked the sweat-slick skin, he was acutely aware that she only wore a sports bra and yoga pants. “Give it some time and it will all come back.”
“I don’t have time.” She looked away. “I heard from my agent today. I’ve been invited to dance at a wedding next month. A very glamorous one for a millionaire.”
His wife should have better assignments. She should star in movies instead of dancing to old songs. “You’ll be ready.”
“I wasn’t their first choice,” Tina continued. “A famous actress was supposed to do it but she dropped out. My agent won’t tell me who the original dancer was but I have a feeling she’s a big name.”
“The guests won’t know,” Dev said in an encouraging tone as they continued to sway to the hypnotic beat of the drums. “And they won’t care once you start dancing.”
“Thanks, Dev,” she said shyly. “I know dancing at weddings is frowned upon with Bollywood royalty. It’s just another way to make money, but I enjoy it.”
“More than acting?”
“Dancing is my first love. I got into acting because acting paid more money.” She gave a small frown. “What about you? Do you enjoy acting?”
“No one has ever asked me that before.” It had always been assumed that he would go into the family business.
“You’re very good at it. A natural. But then, you’re a natural at most things.”
She said it as if it was a character flaw. “I’m more interested in the business behind the camera.”
“I know. I’ve seen how excited you get with the new technology and the new markets. But if you’re bored with acting, you should retire and focus on what you love.”
“Give up being the king of Bollywood?” he mocked.
“King?” She chuckled. “You are a prince at best. And not the only one.”
Dev’s smile widened. He could always trust Tina to give her real opinion. She was supportive but she always gave her real opinion. There weren’t that many people in his life who would do that.
She glanced at the clock. “I have to get ready for Nikhil’s party.”
“Need help with the sari?” he teased as Tina walked away.
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “I’m not wearing a sari.”
“What happened to the devoted and adoring wife I was promised?”
Her smile turned bittersweet. “She’s long gone.”
* * *
The dance club was exactly what she needed. It was dark and crowded with colorful lights flashing on the floor. She lifted her arms and shouted her approval at the DJ when she heard the first few notes of her favorite song.
Tina felt Dev behind her. She leaned against his solid chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She’d forgotten how much fun she used to have dancing with Dev.
Nikhil had a very exclusive guest list but the only person she really noticed was her husband. And he couldn’t keep his hands off her. She was secretly pleased at how his eyes had widened when he saw the silver dress she had decided to wear. Tina could tell he approved of her short strapless dress. His gaze would settle on her curves and she noticed he hadn’t said a word about changing into a sari.
Did Dev know that she had chosen the dress for him? Tina realized she had to stop thinking like that. She stepped away and twirled out from his embrace. She needed to stop thinking like a wife. A full-time, long-term wife. She needed to start distancing herself.
She stumbled to a halt when Dev grabbed her wrist and drew her close. She gave him a questioning look as he guided her off the crowded dance floor. He was frowning and his mouth was a straight line.
“What’s wrong?” she asked over the music.
“You were wobbling again,” he said with a grim expression as he escorted her to a small table in the very back of the club. “Sit down and I’ll get you something to drink.”
“I’m okay, Dev.” She reached for his hand and held him still. “I want to go back in and dance.”