Tension coiled in her limbs, fed by confusion and hurt and need. The dramatic music seared something inside her, made the emotions feel sharper. Paradoxically it got easier to follow his movements in spite of the sinking feeling in her stomach. It wasn't unusual for her heart to beat faster when he was close to her, but her desire was muddled with confusion and hurt.

Only a fool falls in love with a woman like that. Her step faltered, and she tried desperately to reclaim it. "But she loves him," she protested, knowing the emotions in her voice made it very clear that she wasn't talking about the dance. "Even if they're both fools she loves him. She doesn't know how to not love him." She blinked back the prickling feeling in her eyes, resisting both the urge to pull away and the desire to press her lips urgently against his. "Jim, what's wrong?"