Get in the Groove
Is there anything sexier than a hot guy that can dance? Personally, it’s my kryptonite.
Dance has always been a part of my life. Growing up in New Orleans where families are large and very very close, weddings and parties were held several times a year, and the dance floor was always packed. Formal lessons happened from the age of four to eight, at which point I quit because I didn’t want someone “telling me how to dance” (I may’ve been a touch stubborn, ha!), but they picked back up in high school when I joined the dance team. Dancing is even how my husband and I got together—we were on a double date, originally with other people, but we ended up switching midway through when my husband joined me on the dance floor.
Most recently, dance entered my life via ballroom lessons I took with my husband for a year. We tried all the styles, but Latin was our definite favorite, in particular the rumba and salsa. They are just so dang sexy and fun! The connection between the partners, the emotion you put into each step, and the beat of the music is so incredibly addictive.
Rumba ended up being our number one dance, and originally, it was going to be the style explored in Eyes on Me, too. However, once I dove into the book and really got to know my characters, I knew it had to be salsa. For one thing, salsa is faster paced, which is not only more forgiving for my occasionally clumsy heroine, but it’s also more youthful. The patterns and steps I chose were more fun, and a few of the tricks led to natural challenges to conquer.
The real challenge for me came in balance. Giving readers who love dance enough to sink their teeth into, while not alienating readers who came simply for the hot football stud meets awkward Brainiac and could care less about the technical dance elements. Also walking the tightrope between describing the moves and keeping the story moving. For non-dancer readers, I wanted them to be able to understand without seeing the movement but not bore them, and for dancer readers, I wanted them to follow along and picture it easily in their minds. I hope I scored on both!
In the end, dancer or not, my true goal was in rocking the romance, which I believe is vital to any good routine. The trust required in a dance partner is also needed for a love interest. The insecurities and emotions spilled on the shiny wood floor cut at the heart of who we are as people…dance just helps speed up the exposure process. It was fun to explore the relationship between dance and love. Here’s a little snippet to show what I mean—Enjoy!
The music poured through the speakers—“Muevete” by D.L.G.—and after finding the beat, I began murmuring the count for her to follow. “Quick, quick. Slow. Quick, quick. Slow. One, two, three, four. Five, six, seven, eight.”
Dancing with music was harder. Even doing the same steps you’d mastered a second ago, the extra stimulus could jumble your feet. That’s where a strong partner came in handy. At least in theory.
“You’re ahead of the beat,” Ma said, modeling the steps alongside her. “Stop watching your feet and lift your head. Listen to the count. Trust that Agoston will guide you when it’s time to move.”
The muscles in Lily’s back twitched under my arm, and her jaw turned to granite. Sensing control was a bit of an issue for her, I tried teasing again. “Yeah, unlike you, I don’t walk into walls. It’s okay to follow me.”
Her head jerked up, her gaze leaving the ground long enough to stare at me with a mixed expression of self-deprecation and annoyance. I grinned.
“You really can let go,” I told her seriously. “I’ve got you. Believe it or not, this is supposed to be fun.”
Lily exhaled heavily and darted a glance to the side. “I don’t like attention,” she murmured quietly, her blush deepening with the admission. “The mirrors in this room…they make it feel like everyone’s watching us.”
I couldn’t promise they weren’t. But I could help her forget about them. “Then keep your eyes on me,” I told her. “No one else here matters anyway. It’s just you and me and the music, okay?”
Ever danced salsa? If not, ever wanted to learn? Whether you’re a natural like Stone, a newbie like Lily, or have zero interest in getting on the dance floor yourself, just remember—if you stumble in life, just make it part of the dance 😊
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing. An admitted bookaholic and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!
