“And Jared?” Sarah prompted. She already knew Grady and much of his history from Emily. But Jared was still a mystery to her.
“Jared’s changed. Something happened to him, but I don’t know what. He blows it off if I try to ask him about what changed him, but he never used to be this way. Is his business successful? Very. But he’s not the same person he used to be growing up.”
“What was he like when he was younger?”
“Creative. Smart. He was always drawing something. He was a talented artist, and he went after architecture because he loved creating things, or rebuilding them. I think he’s bored with commercial real estate, but that’s what’s made him even richer. I don’t know. He just seems . . . lost.” Dante paused before saying, “He’s acting like an asshole, but he was always the first one to notice when Grady or one of our other siblings needed us, even though he was younger. He used to be curious about the world, kind to everyone. Now he’s just a jackass.”
“He’s still nice to old ladies,” Sarah pointed out, remembering what Elsie and Beatrice had said about Jared.
“I guess that’s something,” Dante said dubiously.
“What about Hope?” Sarah asked, wondering what it must have been like to be the only female among the Sinclair siblings.
“She’s happy now. She’s married to a childhood friend of the family, Jason Sutherland. He actually handles portfolios for Grady and me. He’s an incredible investor, one of the sharpest in the world.”
“I’ve heard of him. He’s a genius with mathematics and numbers, too, besides being a brilliant investor,” Sarah commented with awe.
“I’m sure your mother would love him, but he’s already married to my sister,” Dante replied morosely.
He looked irritated and possibly . . . jealous? “If my mother would like him, then I probably wouldn’t,” she told him adamantly.
“Every woman pants over Jason,” Dante grumbled.
“Not me,” she denied matter-of-factly. “I’ve seen his picture and my tongue definitely did not leave my mouth.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to hurt him. He’s my brother-in-law now,” Dante grunted, obviously satisfied. “He and Hope are back in New York at the moment, but I know they don’t plan on living there full-time anymore.” Dante signed the receipt for their dinner, which had been dropped off by their efficient waiter, and stuffed his copy in his wallet. “Ready?”
“Yes,” Sarah sighed, feeling relaxed from the wine she’d consumed. “It will be getting dark soon. Cinderella needs to return from the ball.”
“There’s only one problem with that,” Dante observed.
“What?”
Dante took her hand in his and pulled her gracefully to her feet. “We haven’t had our dance.” He tilted his head toward the small dance floor in the bar. “Dance with me, Sarah.”
She looked at the dancing area, and only a few other couples were on the floor. The music was slow and romantic, and the couples were gliding around the floor elegantly. “Dante, you know I’ve never—”
“Just follow me. I happen to be an excellent dancer. You’re musical, sweetheart. You’ll have no problem. It will be another first for you.” He tugged her toward the small floor, weaving between tables until they reached the bar.
Sarah took a deep breath and blew it out again. She might make a fool of herself, but she’d do it in Dante’s arms. He held one of her hands and circled her waist with his other arm. Ordinarily, she’d be running away from making a spectacle of herself, but Dante’s confidence in her sometimes made her feel like she could fly.
I can do this.
“Follow me, mimic my movements. Trust me to guide you,” he instructed as he started moving smoothly around the small floor.
Sarah concentrated and stepped on Dante’s foot several times before she finally just let herself go on instinct, matching her body to his. “You are an incredible dancer.”
“I’m a Sinclair. I think dancing was mandatory almost from birth,” Dante whispered huskily in her ear. “I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t required to know how to dance.”
Sarah relaxed as her body learned Dante’s lead, losing herself in the music. Sometimes she forgot that Dante had been raised in a very wealthy, socially prominent family. Brought up as part of the very rich elite, of course he knew how to socialize, how to charm, how to dance. As the tempo slowed, so did Dante, and she leaned her head on his shoulder as he tightened his arm around her waist and brought her closer to him. “I don’t think you’re going to step on my toes anymore,” he teased gently. “You’re a natural.”
She lost track of time as they swayed around the floor. Inhaling against his neck, she got drunk on the smell of him, the way his body moved, and the novelty of her first experience actually dancing.
Finally, the musicians stopped for a break, and Dante kissed her on the forehead. “Are you ready to go home, Cinderella?”
They turned and walked toward the front entrance together. It was starting to get dark as they stepped outside.
Sarah wanted to tell him how much all of this meant to her, how much she’d enjoyed her first dance, but she couldn’t find the words. “Thank you” was what came out of her mouth. Very inadequate, but Dante seemed satisfied as he opened the passenger door of the truck and lifted her into the seat.
“You’re welcome,” he answered back, slipping his hand beneath her skirt to lift it slightly, using his body to block hers. “Holy shit, you weren’t just teasing.” He gaped as he got a brief glimpse of her sexy lingerie.