Dangerous Dancer

I watched him pull and flick his bottom lip between his teeth several times as if to ponder his words before he

spoke, “We came to Manhattan for a better life away from our father,” he said quietly.

“And your mother?” I automatically asked, then regretted it when I noticed his shoulders tense and his jaw go stiff.

“She passed away,” he grunted, before he let out a deep sigh.

My hand flew to my mouth to stifle the loud gasp that was forcing itself to break free. “I’m so sorry, Nikoli.”

He signaled and turned left, then parked the car. “Don’t be,” he smiled and gently pulled my hand away from my face. His hand lingered on top of mine for longer than necessary before he pulled it away.

“Are you ready for the experience of your life?” His smile was wide, his eyebrows wiggled up and down playfully, but I didn’t fail to miss the brooding look swirling like a storm in his eyes.

I tore my eyes away from him and opened the door. As I disembarked from the car, my eyes took in where we were, down an alley with cars parked on either side. Two double doors were in the brick work opposite with a large red canopy over it with the word Havana’s on it in white writing. Two burly men in black suits stood to either side of it and I narrowed my gaze towards Nikoli when he came to a standstill in front of me.

“A Latino club?” I quivered, as I became vividly aware of the anxiousness coiling its way through my very core.

“You said you wanted to try Latin. This is the best way to see if you really understand what that entails. No dance class can teach this type of Latin,” he announced, backing away from me towards the club.

My breath came in short, sharp pants and my nails dug into my palms. This was why he insisted I took a Valium before coming along.

I watched him getting closer to the club and further away from me and his words floated in my head, taunting me; Myshka, little mouse, scared of everything.

“Wait!” I suddenly screeched when he made it to the door. My legs broke from their rooted spot, and before I could blink, I was stood right next to him. He didn’t say a word, he just cast a skeptical eye in my direction and nodded, then entwined his fingers with mine and pulled me inside the club.

Inside was dusky and dank, the intermingled scents of smoke and sweat instantly assaulted my nostrils as I inhaled deeply. Nikoli glanced back towards me and winked as he pulled my body through the pulsating throng of people all gyrating up against each other.

My jaw slackened as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, these couples weren’t just gyrating, they were in a world of their own, completely lost in the music and each other, it was like something from dirty dancing. I could feel my face going red and my eyes moved to look at the tacky carpet under the dim light of the club. I felt Nikoli loosen my hand but I didn’t look up.

I felt a pair of hands on my waist behind me and I jumped. Turning quickly, my eyes locked with Nikoli’s, there were no words that I could use to describe the intense way he stared at me. His hands fell from my hips, and my skin bristled at the touch, he undid the belt on my jacket and pushed it back from my shoulders, his eyes flickered over my black satin dress that sat halfway down my thighs and he smiled. Perfect he mouthed to me, then carefully led me to the bar where I ordered a triple vodka and lime.

I knocked it back in one go to calm my nerves and boost my confidence, I knew deep down that being here wasn’t just for me to observe what was going on around me, Nikoli was going to get me to dance, and without the alcohol I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it. I signaled to the barman for another and smiled gratefully when he handed it over. Nikoli pulled me from the bar and stood me in front of the railing on the other side of the club.

“Slow down, Myshka. I can’t take you back home drunk,” he rasped in my ear.

“And I can’t do this, please don’t expect me to dance like this with you,” I shrieked turning to face him. My chest sat flush against his and I felt his breath tickle over my heated skin when he leant his mouth closer to my ear.

“Rumba is the most erotic and sensual of all the Latin dance styles due to its slow rhythms and hip movements,” he said huskily.

I felt myself squeeze my thighs together to hide the fact that his proximity, the atmosphere around us, the stench of the revelers sweat and arousal that permeated the air, was stirring things up, it shouldn’t in my lower region.

“Turn around and watch,” he ordered as he placed his drink down on the table next to us. Greedily, I knocked back my drink again and nodded.

Come on Raine, don’t be a prude.

Nikoli took my empty glass and I removed the hair tie from my wrist and shoved my hair haphazardly on top of my head. The slightly cooler air now hitting the back of my neck, provided a welcome relief. I turned around and grasped the railing then I peered down onto the dance floor and watched. I couldn’t tell where one person started and the other finished as I watched couple after couple passionately dance Rumba to the sensual, enticing music.

Nikoli’s hands gripped the railing next to mine and his chest was suddenly pressed into my back, effectively penning me in. I quickly straightened up when I heard him hiss then I felt his nose skim up the back of my neck, “Close your eyes,” he mumbled in my ear.

I shook my head. I tried to move but I had nowhere to go, then he was in my ear again with his hands lightly clasped around the tops of my arms. “Do you trust me, Myshka?”

I nodded. I didn’t know him very well, granted, but I felt safe with him, I felt free with him. With him I could be me, just Raine.

“I’m not going to try and kiss you, I promise. I just want you to feel the music, I want you to open yourself up and completely let go. Now close your eyes.”

I rolled my head, shook my arms then sighed as I closed my eyes and let the music consume me. I didn’t even flinch when I felt his hands glide down the curves of my sides and rest on my hips, I could feel the touch of his hands burn into my skin through the flimsy material of my dress. He pulled me back into him and I felt myself melt against his broad chest, my body fitted with his perfectly, like we were made for each other.

My hips began to sway gently and I felt myself begin to loosen up as Nikoli’s hips swayed with mine slowly and sensually then built up to a crescendo. He ground his groin into me and I matched him. My heart raced as his scent engulfed me taking control of all my senses, I felt dizzy from his touch when his hands moved from my hips to caress my bare thighs, his wrists brushing against the hem of my dress pushing it higher when his fingers kneaded into my hot skin. I felt naked, but I didn’t seem to care.