“I kind of got that idea when she knew who I was with no introduction. I'm glad I could come by, if for no otherreason than to see you blush over admitting you've told your mom about me,” I tell him playfully. At that, he quickly crowds me into the little alcove in the hallway we're in front of, his hands bracketing my head. His face is not earnest and blushing anymore, it's hungry.
“If my poor Ma wasn't in a hospital room down the hall, I could think of some really great ways to make you much more than blush, Firecracker,” he whispers in my ear. My breath catches as his heat engulfs me, shooting straight to my core. Then just as quickly, he backs up enough to cup my face before he plants a kiss on my lips. It lingers, but not enough for any real heat to build. It's sweet and longing.
“In all seriousness, I'm really glad your mom is ok and that I could be here,” I tell him, my voice a little breathy after the kiss.
“I am, too. What kind of dance class are you taking?”
“Belly dance with my friend from work, Savannah.” He groans and drops his forehead to mine
“You are absolutely killing me. You do belly dancing, too? Tell me you'll give me a private show sometime.”
I lean up to whisper in his ear. “If you're extra good, I'll make it a naked private show.”
He slaps a hand to the wall behind me and lets out a small sound of pain as his forehead drops back to mine. Oh, this is heady stuff. I've never had this much of an effect on a partner before.
“You won't have to worry about it now, because I am going to fucking die. Either you're going to kill me right here, or I'll die of embarrassment having to go back to my Ma with a raging hard on.”
“Good. Then at least I’ve done my job distracting you from what a rough day you've had,” I tell him, cupping his cheekand giving him another lingering kiss. “I better get going or I'll be super late. Please keep me posted? Text me later?”
“Of course. Be safe driving, ok? It looks like it might rain.”
“I will. Bye, Taran.” We share another quick kiss.
“Talk to you later, Firecracker.”
I feel his eyes on me as I walk toward the elevator, all the way until I round the corner to get to it. Hauling ass to the dance studio, I run in just in time to quickly change and grab my finger zills.
I go stand next to Savannah right as the class starts to warm up with some ribcage and small hip movements. She’s looking at me curiously as if she knows something is up. We’ve chatted enough over the years that we know the basics about each other. She knows that my marriage fell apart, but not the gory details, or that I'm kind of seeing Taran. We've worked together long enough that she knows my tells, and I know hers. There's not much opportunity to chat except for small water breaks during class, but I know she is going to ask what's going on afterward. Still, I concentrate on the combinations we're doing. As we warm up I feel everything start to flow. My arms move fluidly in easy connection with my abs, hips, and feet. There are zero delusions that I'm Shakira or anything like that, but my Lebanese Nana started teaching me belly dance when I was young. I love it so much.
Heat starts to rise up my chest, neck, and face, and it's not all from the workout. My thoughts can't help but stray to the idea of doing this naked for Taran as I move my body to the sensual music. Who even am I anymore to say that to him? I'm no prude, but it's not like me. I have to say, I'm liking being a little more bold. He gives me that confidence that I’ve usually lacked. With all of my physical differences,health problems, and bullying growing up, I've never considered myself especially sexually appealing. Being so short meant that I was infantilized a lot too, even though I have forever been an old soul. The guys I have been with, Derek included, seemed to think of me more as cute, not exactly a seductress. Taran makes me feel like he wants me more than his next breath though, and it's amazing.
The changing rhythm of the doumbek in the next track brings me back to the present, as it lays down a new steady beat for our next combination. The haunting, beautiful melody layers over that beat, and it all courses through me like a strong current of water. Every one of my intrusive, anxious thoughts gets swept away in that current. Our instructor always sets the mood beautifully. There is incense burning, fluffy floor cushions set sporadically around the edge of the room, beaded curtains hung up in the doorway, and a cart filled with waters and tea off to the side. The rhythmic chime of everyone's zills fills the room as we all move, staying on perfect beat with the doumbek. By the time class is over, I am sore and sweaty in the best way. Savannah and I quickly shower in the onsite locker room, change, and make small talk with some of the other ladies while we have some water, before we head over to the sushi place in the same strip mall.
We have a great meal, although I just order one roll since I already had the pasta. There is a lot of book talk, gossip about work, whether we want to perform at the small belly dance showcase going on in North Jersey next month. I can tell she wants to ask why I was late, since she knows I am obsessive about being punctual. She doesn't though, and it's a relief. It's wonderful to have someone besides Gina and my sister, and now maybe Taran, understand that I need to open up at my own pace.I'm still trying to wrap my head around what I feel about Taran, and where we might end up. Everything we’ve shared in such a small amount of time is intense, and I can easily see myself getting serious with him. There is still always that fear in the back of my mind, though. I wouldn't even be able to explain it coherently to Savannah at this point. Down the road, hopefully I will. I'd like to get closer to her outside of work. I get home and take Brody out for a walk before I settle in for the night. I smile when I see a text come through.
TARAN
My ma's already asking when she'll get to see you again. She loved you
Spaghetti aglio olio has that effect on people. I really loved meeting her. How is she doing??
Everything still looks good, the nurses are happy with where she's at. Hopefully they'll discharge her tomorrow
That's so great. Please keep me updated
I will. It really meant more than I can say that you showed up today...
I'm not sure what to even say to that without sounding either awkward or full of myself. So I keep it simple.
I'm really glad it helped
It very much did. Know what will help now?
I'm afraid to ask...
A full play by play of your belly dance class tonight
Sorry, you're going to have to wait for the in person private show
