Nadia Kent is a professional dancer who is focused on making a career comeback, but falling in love with a handsome architect could completely derail her plans. Nadia is a dance instructor at the Amelia Brandt Dance Academy in Melbourne, Australia. She is temporarily working there while she prepares for her audition with a dance company based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Sam is a young woman who hired Nadia to give dance lessons to the people who will be performing at her wedding reception. Sam's older brother, Ryder, has arranged private lessons with Nadia to accommodate his busy work schedule.
Ryder owns an architecture firm that designs commercial buildings throughout the city. He would rather be working than taking dance lessons, but he doesn't want to disappoint his sister.
Ryder is eleven years older than Sam and he's very protective of her. Since their father neglected them, Ryder was a big brother and father figure to his sister. Sam assures Ryder that her fiance, Ben, is her protector now. She encourages Ryder to get married and start a family of his own. Ryder isn't interested in having relationships and prefers to focus on his work.
When Ryder meets Nadia during his first dance session, he thinks she is stunning. He starts flirting with her, but she keeps it strictly professional. Nadia is strongly attracted to Ryder. She doesn't want to pursue a relationship with him because she plans on leaving the country in a few weeks if she gets a job with the dance company.
Nadia previously worked as a dancer in Las Vegas with her boyfriend. When she found out he was cheating on her, she abruptly quit her job and went to Melbourne. Nadia has taken a much needed break from dancing, but she is ready to reignite her career and won't let anything get in her way.
In spite of Nadia's attempts to resist her attraction to Ryder, they start having sex. Ryder has always been hesitant about being in serious relationships because his father was a serial cheater. He doesn't want to make any woman feel the kind of pain that his father inflicted on his mother. Ryder tries to be casual about his relationship with Nadia, but he develops strong feelings for her.
Ryder hides his disappointment when he finds out Nadia has an audition that could lead to her leaving Melbourne. Both of them are also relieved that the relationship has an expiration date. Ryder still has commitment issues and Nadia is concerned that being in a relationship could become a major distraction.
As Nadia and Ryder continue to spend time together, their lust turns to love. Ryder's thriving business doesn't fulfill him like it used to and he begins to dread the thought of losing Nadia.
Sam calls Ryder to tell him that she eloped with Ben. Sam and Ben were only having a wedding to appease their family members. Ryder is sad that he wasn't there when his sister got married, but he's also happy that she was strong enough to do what she wanted.
Nadia has a successful audition and is offered a position with the dance company. She is excited at the prospect of continuing her dance career, but she is also melancholy about leaving Ryder. Nadia decides that she should pursue her dream and flies to Las Vegas to start her new job.
Shortly after Nadia arrives in Las Vegas, she realizes that she loves Ryder and wants to be with him. She enjoys the life she has created in Melbourne. She likes being a dance instructor and wants to continue her relationship with Ryder. She heads to the airport and catches a flight back to Melbourne.
Ryder loves Nadia and goes to Las Vegas to tell her how he feels. When he isn't able to find her, he comes back home. Ryder goes to the dance studio hoping that he will see Nadia. He is elated when he sees Nadia in the studio giving dance lessons to a group of children.
Nadia and Ryder express their love for each other and the desire to spend their lives together. A few months later, Nadia gets a job as a choreographer for a professional dance troupe in the city. She is glad that she decided to be with Ryder and excited about embarking on a new career path.
Best part of story, including ending:
The story is very sensual and sexy. It's a great book for anyone who is a fan of movies or books that use dance as a springboard for romance and intimacy between two characters.
Best scene in story:
When Sam eloped with Ben, it showed that she was strong enough to live life on her own terms and not succumb to social pressure. Her actions also inspired Ryder to follow his heart.
Opinion about the main character:
Nadia possesses the strength and determination that would be expected of a professional dancer. She's also very passionate and brings out the fire that has laid dormant inside of Ryder for many years. Even though Nadia put barriers around her heart, she was still able to express her vulnerability and make decisions that were right for her.
