It was a slight relief when they stopped talking about Santa and presents and unwrapping. She had only vague images of what that might entail, but it wasn't helping with her resolve to ignore the strange reactions he elicited. What was undoubtedly harmless flirting from his perspective was making her feel things she most certainly shouldn't be feeling around him.

She grinned a little at the praise and redoubled her efforts to hold the uncomfortable arch. The basic steps were already ingrained in her mind, but she had to focus to keep her body in the proper position. He took her hand and moved into the stance with her, and she resolutely ignored the way a shiver went down her spine at having him so closely pressed against her. “Use you for balance?” she repeated, not quite understanding. It caught her slightly off guard when he turned them in a fast circle, and she very nearly tripped over her own feet. Her grip on him tightened slightly in surprise, but his body pressed against hers was also supporting her. “Ah,” she said, the balance comment making more sense now. “Do that again?”