“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?”
I looked away, ashamed of the truth. I couldn’t remember the last time someone wanted to take care of me. I was always the one taking control and caring about everyone else.
She gripped my chin and turned my face towards her, our eyes meeting. “¿qué pasó? What’s wrong?”
I was having so many mixed emotions. I was feeling turned on the more she spoke Spanish and looked at me with those eyes, but at the same time I was feeling terrified.
Was I really about to be vulnerable with a complete stranger? I doubted we’d ever see each other again so I decided to just go for it. Plus, there was something soft about her, that made me feel safe revealing a small piece of myself. I remembered why I rarely drank anything stronger than wine.
“I can’t remember the last time someone took care of me, or even wanted to for that matter.” I shook my head. “Wow, I’m sorry. What a mood killer. Let’s change the subject please.”
She looked at me almost sympathetically. Great, once again, I opened my big mouth and ruined the mood. Not that there was anything to ruin, but still. We were having a great time, and I’d said too much.
Before I could apologize, it was gone and she nodded. “As you wish. What would you like to talk about? I’m open to suggestions.”
Honestly, I didn’t want to talk anymore. I wanted to dance and drink and not think about anything else.
“How about no more talking? I want to get caught up in the music and forget about everything for one night. Do you think you can help with that?”
The look in her eyes became devious. I wanted to correct her thinking, knowing she thought I meant helping me forget more than just by dancing, but for some reason, the words never came out.
“It would be my absolute pleasure.” There was that damn smile again. If she kept doing that, I was going to wake up with all sorts of regrets in the morning.
After that, there was no more talking. At least for our mouths. We let our bodies carry on the conversation, swaying and spinning in close proximity. I always found dancing to be extremely erotic, and tonight was no different.
Perhaps it was the alcohol that heightened everything. Perhaps it was the dance itself we were performing, or perhaps it was the partner I had. The song playing was a fast-paced latin song I’d never heard, but it seemed Vera had.
She was spinning me around and bringing me so close our lips almost touched as she mouthed the words to the song. I had no clue what they were saying, but I picked up little words like “heart” and “love.”
She never took her eyes off me and mine never left hers. Even though we were strangers, we followed each other seamlessly and danced as if we’d known each other for years.
