Just as I was getting comfortable with his style of dance the music changed. I took a step back and smiled as a rumba beat came over the speakers. With a smile and a questioning look, he took my waist and my hand and spun me quickly around a few times. “You didn’t think I could dance this style?” he said with one of his winning smiles.
“Somehow I had faith.” I replied as I quickened my step and stepped into the beat. Swinging my hips in time to the music, we danced as if we had been dancing together for years. I felt as if I had just stepped into the movie Dirty Dancing and I was Baby. The smile I had on my face felt good to my soul. This is what I had hoped for and I got it in spades.
“Your a superb dancer.” I said breathlessly after the next song that was also a latin dance. I felt giddy and needed a drink of water. He must have noticed and artfully worked us back to the bar and our drinks. Taking a sip from his beer, he looked at me and replied “Your not so bad yourself. I am guessing you have taken lessons?”
“Actually, no, but I love dancing and am self taught. I watch people and learn from what they do. I love dance and the self expression it can give you. There is nothing better than going out there after a hard day and just letting go.” Watching at his reaction as I spoke brought on a rare blush and I brought my hand up to my face. Capturing my hand in his before it got there caught me by surprise.
Softly he said “Don’t cover up your face. You are beautiful and it is rare to see a blush on a woman in these days and times.” Then he placed my hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on my fingers. I felt that kiss all the way to my inner core. Never in my life had such a simple gesture set me on fire as that did. I could feel the heat rising to my face again, but this time I kept my hand down in my lap. Smiling again, he said “Thats more like it. Thank you for giving me such a treat.”
Another slow song started to play and it was one of my favorites, A Whiter Shade of Pale as sung by Annie Lennox. I closed my eyes to listen to the words and he slowly pulled me back to the floor to dance. As we swayed to the music, he started to sing along in my ear quietly. I was entranced and lost in his words…
turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
but the crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
as the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
the waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly,
turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, ‘There is no reason
and the truth is plain to see.’
But I wandered through my playing cards
and would not let her be
one of sixteen vestal virgins
who were leaving for the coast
and although my eyes were open
they might have just as well’ve been closed
And so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly,
turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, ‘I’m home on shore leave,’
though in truth we were at sea
so I took her by the looking glass
and forced her to agree
saying, ‘You must be the mermaid
who took Neptune for a ride.’
But she smiled at me so sadly
that my anger straightway died
And so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly,
turned a whiter shade of pale
If music be the food of love
then laughter is its queen
and likewise if behind is in front
then dirt in truth is clean
My mouth by then like cardboard
seemed to slip straight through my head
So we crash-dived straightway quickly
and attacked the ocean bed
And so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly,
turned a whiter shade of pale
When the song ended we kept on swaying to the music that was still in our heads. Ever so slowly he pulled back to look deep into my eyes for just a moment. Then dipping his head he placed his lips on mine. They were soft and undemanding. It was one of those kisses that you didn’t want to end… just a lingering taste of what might be. He pulled back again and looked Back into my eyes, but this time it seemed as if he was looking into my soul. I know he saw what he wanted to see because he gave me the slightest of smiles before pulling me back into him closer. His hand rose to my hair and buried itself there as he pulled me in for another kiss.
More to come…
Well, now you have me wanting to take dance classes. I wonder…
Have I ever mentioned that I HATE CLIFFHANGERS?!?!?! Now please excuse me while I go take a VERY cold shower…
It got a little warm here—now for the next part.