Her dancing, however, revealed everything about her.
How often had he watched her films late into the night? Dev leaned his head against the door frame. He had to admit, the story lines and dialogues were awful. The editing was usually sloppy and the special effects were antiquated. But when Tina arrived on the scene, he didn’t notice anything else. Her presence was electrifying and when she danced, the light inside her shone bright.
He knew how she moved and how she expressed herself through dance. It was sensual. Elemental. She could show restraint in the traditional dance styles and energy in the modern steps. Tina conveyed emotion from the tilt of her head to the point of her toe. Most men didn’t notice that. They were mesmerized by the shake of her hips and her mysterious smile.
And he could tell right now that something was off. She was upset. Uncertain. Her movements were sharper and a beat faster than the music.
She stepped out of the spin. Her balance wobbled before she planted both feet firmly on the wood floor. Tina stomped her bare foot and placed her hand on her forehead.
Dev lifted his head as he felt a kick of concern. The clumsy move wasn’t like her. She was innately graceful and had done that spin countless times.
The music continued to play. He recognized it from one of her movies. It was her signature song. The lyrics were audacious, saying she was going to steal the groom from the bride. The choreography was just as suggestive.
He moved forward without thinking about it. As he slid his arm on her waist, Tina jumped and turned around. Before she could step away, Dev grasped her hand with his and cradled her close.
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?”