Chapter 1 #2
Before I could ask her what she did for work, she spun me around and our bodies crashed together with her hand on my lower back, making me shiver.
“Jesus!” I gasped. I’d never had someone twirl me like that before. I guess I could add dancing to the list of attractive qualities about her.
Her smile was infectious and I couldn’t help but mirror it.
Even with half her face covered in the mask, I could tell by her eyes and her smile that she was stunning.
The suite that covered her muscles I could barely see coming through told me she wasn’t very femme.
I usually went for very soft, feminine women like myself.
I couldn’t lie that there was something about her.
It was like I wanted to delve deeper and learn more.
“Where’d you learn to dance like that?”
She shrugged as we kept swaying softly to the music. I tried not to think about where her hands were resting, and how it was heating up my entire body. My back was being held by one hand, and my waist was being cared for by the other.
“I’m latina. I’ve been to my fair share of quinceanera’s. You learn to pick up a move or two. Plus, I took lessons until I graduated high school. I enjoy dancing, especially when I have a beautiful woman as my partner.”
“Well, you’re really good at it.”
“Thank you, Princesa.”
There was that accent again. How was I supposed to focus on anything when she sounded like that? I had barely passed my Spanish classes in school, but I could pick up on what “princesa” meant. I wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be an insult or not, but I knew I liked the sound of it either way.
“What do you do, Vera?” The question came out a little more breathless than I would’ve liked. I guess I was out of shape if dancing had me losing oxygen so quickly. I went to the gym regularly, but I guess it wasn’t enough.
“I’m a construction worker. Not as high class as a book publisher, but it’s honest work.”
“I don’t think being a publisher is classy, but it’s work all the same.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
I nodded. “Yes. I really do. I’ve made some great friends along the way and I find it very rewarding most days.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
We talked and danced for a little longer.
We asked about hobbies, passions, and a few other basic topics.
I wanted to know more, but our time was limited.
I wasn’t sure what possessed me to want more time with her.
I’d never given someone like her a second glance, but there was something about her that was different.
Something about the way she presented herself that had me leaning closer with every word.
“So, Vera. Where—”
I was cut off by the sound of the bell, signaling our time was up.
Before the sound even stopped playing, she raised her hand.
She wanted more time with me? We had only talked about work, really.
Not a very attractive thing to talk about.
Not really something that would let you know if you wanted to get to know someone better, but apparently she did. Did I?
She wasn’t my type, but she was attractive, sure.
I thought about it for a little longer, finding myself wanting to raise my hand.
I was enjoying our conversation, and I did find that I wanted to know more about her.
After all the dates I’ve been on over the years, it felt nice to actually want to hold a conversation with someone.
After tonight, if I didn’t find anyone else to talk to, we’d go our separate ways, and I’d join a convent.
Okay, maybe that last part was just a tad dramatic.
I enjoyed sex too much to become a nun. Although, it had only been a threesome between me, myself, and I for the better part of a year, but that wasn’t relevant.
After a few more seconds of deliberation, I slowly raised my hand as well, loving the smile that grew on her face.
We looked around to see a few other couples doing the same and making their way to the dance floor.
I turned my attention back to Vera when I felt a warm hand on my wrist. “Care for another drink? It’s on me.” She winked.
I laughed. It was an open bar, but I let her have that one anyway. “That sounds perfect.”
I led the way with her hand barely touching the small of my back, almost guiding me to the bar.
Those types of “protecting” gestures were one of my favorite things about being in a relationship.
I was a very affectionate person and loved to always be touching my partners, or loved having them always be touching me, even in a non-sexual way.
When we got to the bar, Vera let me order first. I typically ordered wine or champagne, and I was already a little buzzed from our drinks earlier and from Vera, so I decided to change it up. “Can I get a lemon drop, please.”
Vera looked at me with a raised eyebrow and ordered the same. “Switching to something a little stronger, I see.”
I shrugged. “Why not? I’m not driving tonight. Are you?”
She smirked. “No, princesa.”
I ignored what that word was doing to me and thanked her as she handed me a shot. “Thank you.”
“De Nada. To a match made in masquerade.”
I chuckled and connected my glass with her. “To a memorable night.”
The shot went down too quickly but it tasted so good.
I hadn’t had a shot in so long, and the night felt perfect for it.
It was a night to relax and enjoy myself.
Not to overthink. It wasn’t like anything was going to happen between us.
There was no reason to get inside my head about what would happen next.
“Has anyone told you red is your color?”
“Not that I can recall.” I did always gravitate toward the color, but people usually complimented me in any color.
“Well, it is. You like incredible in red, but I’m sure you’d look incredible in any color.”
“I’ve been told I look incredible in nothing at all.” That had to have been the alcohol. I would have never said that out loud otherwise, no matter how true the statement was.
“Oh, I don’t doubt that for a second.” She winked and good fucking god almighty I was in trouble. I had to stop drinking or I’d do something I’d regret, like ask her to take me upstairs. That wasn’t happening.
I cleared my throat and tried to move to normal territory, but when she took a step closer and brushed a stray hair behind my ear, It was a lost cause.
My skin started to burn hotter, and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.
We had been dancing closely together for a while, and I was fine.
At least, that’s what I told myself. We were just casually having a chat. Casually getting closer and closer.
“Vera,” I whispered for no apparent reason. Seriously, where had my oxygen gone?
“Would you care to dance with me?” she asked.
I blinked, not expecting that was what she was going to say.
I thought she’d ask me upstairs and I’d have to politely decline.
Just by looking at her, she seemed like the type to strap someone, and while I’d done it a few times, it wasn’t my go-to.
I’d never been able to get off from it, and she seemed like the type to always strap.
Which is why I tended to steer clear of the Masculine types.
Maybe I was judging too harshly, but that’s just how it was.
“I’d love to dance,” I said with a smile. A dance couldn’t hurt and I needed to sweat the alcohol off somehow.
I accepted her outstretched hand and we made our way back to the dance floor. It was like second nature for me to lead us, but she quickly turned the tables and I almost lost my breath.
“Why don’t you let me lead, Princesa?”
There was that word again. I was starting to think it was an insult and I needed to correct her. “Princesa?” I repeated her words. “I don’t have to speak Spanish to guess what that word is. You think I’m a princess because I know what I like?”
I turned us around, taking the control back. She smirked, letting me lead for all of five seconds before she spun me and pulled me right back into position: with her leading.
“Jesus!” I was going to pass out if I didn’t get more oxygen soon.
“Not at all. But I’ll admit, you do give off high maintenance vibes. I mean, for starters, you looked like you didn’t even want to be here when you came in. Not to mention you passed on everyone else almost immediately.”
“How do you know that? Were you watching me the whole time? And fine, no, this wasn’t my first choice of plans for the night, but that doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying myself.”
“You’re hard not to watch, Cara. And I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, if only because you think you’re in charge.” She grinned.
I was starting to get a little offended.
What was she trying to say? It wasn’t a bad thing to know what I wanted.
I’d always been in charge of every aspect of my life.
Even growing up I had control. My parents weren’t around a lot, so it was up to me to get myself ready for school and make sure I was doing what I needed to do to succeed.
Sure, they were there to buy groceries and clothes and make sure I had a roof over my head.
But when I was old enough, I was left alone before and after school.
My mother worked third shifts in a nursing home, and my father was a truck driver.
I’d never wanted for anything growing up, but I had wished they were around more. As an adult I understood how difficult it could be to juggle work and raising a child, and we had a strong relationship now.
“I never said I was in charge, I—”
“Cara, relax. It’s an attractive quality. Knowing what you want is very sexy. Let me ask you a question. You like to be in control all the time, don’t you? And I don’t just mean when you’re dancing. With other aspects of your life.”
I shrugged. “Is that so wrong?”
“No, of course not. But when was the last time you let someone take control for you. When was the last time someone took care of you?”