Rebound

by Rosemary Rey

  He slowed down to make sure that I was aware of the three steps down to the dance floor. He raised my arm, helping me balance. The dance floor was crowded with people. He walked ahead of us, parting the mass of people dancing at the edge of the floor. We walked to a spacious area, and he pulled me close. He moved our bodies to the beat of the song. The palm of his right hand rested at the base of my lower back while his left hand rested at my shoulder blade. I felt flutters in my belly. I couldn’t bring myself to look in his face. He is so sickeningly gorgeous. My forearms rested on his upper arms and my hands rested on his shoulders. I felt like a fifth grader dancing an awkward slow dance with the tall boy at her first dance. However, this boy was pulling me very close to his body, and I refused to feel if there was a hardness on his groin.

  I wanted to see his divine face because stealing looks at the gym was not enough to get my fill of his gorgeousness. His face was so close to mine that I shyly peered up. I was now aware of his breathe on my cheek. I drank in his intoxicating scent. His eyes were closed as he was grooving to the music. I moved in tune to his rhythmic movements. His ease in being so close to me made me relax.

  A faster paced song was mixed in, and I pulled away slightly from his body, his arms slackened a bit. I turned around, while still in his arms, and started swaying and shaking my behind to the heightened beat. His large, strong hands grabbed onto my hips and pulled me closer to his groin. We started moving in sync and I could distinctly feel an erection, which brought a grin to my face and jolted my ego. Taking full advantage of this newfound sensation, I moved myself back into his body, pushed my back to his front grinding my ass to his crotch. His large hands, my favorite part of him so far, held my hips close to him. His head lowered onto my shoulder and his prickly beard grazed my ear and chin.

  I could barely hear him say, “What are you doing to me?” With that question, I popped my hips back, arched my back and rested my head softly back to his chest. I felt his fingers tighten around my hips. His thumb pressed on the spot where I had the most tension in my hip. Despite the pressure, it felt amazing to have that spot kneaded to relaxation. I felt little waves of desire in my lower belly. The tingles coursed through me. I had an overwhelming need to mount him. I was so aroused, but so unsure why we were even dancing together.

  I felt my dress rising to an unacceptable height, I took both hands and tugged it down to my sides. He lowered his large hands from my hips down my outer, upper thighs, and lifted the dress back up. I turned my head and looked up at him, seeing a devilish grin.

  I turned around to face him, and asked loudly, “What are you doing to me?” Without responding, he leaned in and kissed me on the lips. Not wanting him to stop, I lifted up onto the balls of my feet and leaned into his kiss. His tongue stroked at the seam of my lips, parting them, demanding entry. He held me tight and I felt like I would be absorbed into his body.

  I tilted my head and parted my mouth, inviting his tongue in further. He breathed in and groaned slightly as tongues melded together. Electric shock waves went up and down my spine as he pulled me closer and kissed me more deeply. Our bodies swayed from side to side. His arms were completely wrapped around my body as we both stopped dancing, but continued rocking to the beat. As we kissed, I could feel him lifting me up with his strong arms. I was so thankful for the platform heels, which gave me height and assisted his lifting my curvy body. My arms wrapped around his neck and my fingers raked through his soft, wavy black hair.

  I didn’t want to stop kissing him. I hadn’t been kissed passionately in some time. I didn’t even think I’d been kissed like that ever. I certainly never felt these feelings and emotions with Ben. Then I remembered that he wasn’t here alone. I wondered if she could see us dancing, and now we’re kissing.

  I felt myself overheating with my desire for him, the emotions of kissing another woman’s man, the body heat emanating from our bodies and from all the bodies on the dance floor, multiplied by the drinks that I’d already tipped back, I pried my lips away. I took a deep breath. I fanned my face and mouthed, “I’m hot.”

  “Yes, you are.” He uttered. I grinned. He lowered me down the inches he’d lifted me up, took my hand in his, and walked me toward the bar, which was clear across from my girls.

  I turned to look at them. Although they were at a distance, they kept their eyes on us as we moved forward, through the dancers, to the bar. His hand gripped mine tightly. It hurt a bit, but I didn’t want him to let go. I slid my thumb up and down over his knuckles, hoping he would loosen his grip and reassuring him that I was with him. He stopped suddenly and looked down at me, and his hand relaxed. I grabbed at his bicep with my free hand, balancing myself toward him and away from the bodies surrounding us. He leaned over, grazing my nose with his, and giving me a deep peck on the lips. My insides melted with the intimate attention. A smile lifted at the corners of my mouth.

  I hugged his arm closer, pressing my breasts to him as we walked to the bar, savoring the feelings he drew out of me. The bar was swarmed with people ordering drinks. He caught the eye of a bartender and ordered two waters. Within seconds two uncapped waters were handed to him. Over the loud music, I heard the bartender say, “All set, Doc.” I was surprised and impressed that he was known here. He handed me the water. I gulped a couple of ounces. I was so hot and thirsty. Sweat gathered on my scalp and forehead.

  “Does that help?” He asked, leaning in my ear.

  “Yes. Thanks.” I responded in his other ear. He walked us to the corner of the club where the music wasn’t as loud.

  “That was quite a show you were giving your girlfriends.” He stated with his deep voice that could make any woman’s panties drop.

  “It’s my best friend’s bachelorette party. I promised her a good time.

  “I’d say she wasn’t the only one being shown a good time.” He responded with a grin. I laughed. Where did his personality come from?

  “Do you give lap dances often?” He asked and then took a swig of his water as his eyes beaded and looked directly into me.

  I leaned into his ear and replied, “I don’t go out much. When I do, I tend to be the life of the party.”

  “I don’t doubt you’re the life of the party. It’s a pleasant surprise to see you here tonight.” He declared, and took a long sip of water, never taking his eyes off of me. My temperature rose again.

  “It’s nice to see you here too. But isn’t your date going to be pissed that you were dancing with me?”

  “My date? I only came in with my friends, and their girlfriends.” His response noted surprise at my question.

  “Oh. So the tall blonde with leg for centuries isn’t your girlfriend?” I asked, surprised. Good to know.

  “Brigit? No, she’s my friend Brady’s current girlfriend. Jealous?” He smirked.

  “No.” I declared, hoping I didn’t show that I had actually been affected by seeing them together. I made an assumption, and was delightfully wrong. I took another sip of water. “I just don’t want to step onto another woman’s territory. I don’t need the drama.” He laughed.

  “Speaking of drama, wouldn’t you’re boyfriend mind you kissing another man? Because if you were my woman, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight. I’ve seen how many men have been ogling and approaching you tonight.” His face became serious. His jaw flexed and his eyes bored into me, assessing me. He took another swig of his water.

  “Boyfriend? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t act coy, Perla. The guy that told you he loved you. At the gym. I heard him when I walked out of the locker room.” He heard us, and he sounded jealous?

  “Carson? The man you saw me with, he’s not my boyfriend.”

  “I saw you two dancing in the studio. It looked pretty intimate.” Was he the shadowy figure? I found that interesting.

  “Carson’s my husband.” The shock on his face was ego boosting. It was a mix of sickness and jealousy wrapped into one beautiful package.

&nbs
p; “I thought you said you were divorced.” He ran his fingers through his hair in frustrated surprise. He brought the water bottle to his lips to take a drink and looked around as if he were hatching an escape plan.

  “I’m fucking with you.” He looked even more confused. “Carson was my dance partner when I was at the Conservatory. He’s my best friend. And when you saw us, he’d announced that he’d become engaged to his longtime . . . boyfriend, Turner. I’m gonna be his ‘best gal’, in other words, his best man.” He choked a bit on some water and coughed. I reached up to pat him on the back, and may have kept my hand on his rippled muscles for far longer than I should have.

  “I didn’t see that one coming. I was sure you two had a thing. I was envious of the way you two danced. It was sexy. When I saw you tonight, dancing on your friend, I couldn’t resist feeling you close to my body.” I was sure that my cheeks turned bright red.

  “What you saw was a professional dancer, hopefully a new instructor at the Conservatory, and his former partner who quit on him when she no longer could hack it as a ballerina. The only time our bodies show a sexual connection is when we dance. Nothing more.” I looked him deeply in the eyes.

  I almost swooned. “So what were you doing by the fitness studio? Usually, most men steer clear when there’s a fitness class, which is why the room was constructed so far away from the weight room.” I gave him an inquisitive look.

  He smiled a wide grin. I’d been waiting to see his toothy smile, and it was worth it. “I was looking for you.” He replied with a laugh.

  “You were? What for?” I was intrigued.

  “I’d finally gotten the nerve to ask you out, but was deflated when I saw you two wrapped in each other.”

  “Wow. That’s a shame. I’m sorry you didn’t ask me out. I would’ve considered it.”

  “Considered it?” He asked with feigned offense. I stumbled a bit trying to get comfortable in these damn high heels. He grabbed me at the waist before I tumbled backwards. “How much have you had to drink tonight?” He asked, lifting my chin up with his two fingers, looking deep into my eyes.

  I leaned in and responded, “Well, Doctor, enough to have fun. Not enough to lose control. Why? You want me capacitated when I let you take me home and fuck me?” Without thinking I stated, matter of fact.

  “I thought you’d never ask.” He pulled me to him and kissed me deeply. I gasped, and moaned when his tongue entered my mouth and played with my tongue. He pulled away and grinned. Without another word, he grabbed my arm at the elbow, pulling me toward the direction of the front door. He pushed aside the bystanders mulling around the dance floor. My brain finally overrode my clit, and I stopped walking.

  I pulled him to me. He stopped walking and I leaned up to his ear. “Wait, I can’t leave with you. I can’t leave them.” I said as I looked over to them. Chelsea looked at us quizzically.

  “Get your things. Tell them you’re leaving with me. I’m sure they’ll understand.” He authoritatively stated. But I could see a hint of pleading in his eyes. I was torn. The heat rising from my belly wanted to go with him, but my heart told me to stay for Chelz. She’s been there for me from rock bottom till now. I want to be there for her on her special night.

  I rose up to his lips and gave him a deep kiss. I pulled away and said, “I’m here for my friend’s bachelorette party. Any other time, I would. I’m maid of honor and I’m throwing this night out for her. I have to go back to my friends now. I’ll see you around?” I said with a hopeful smile and a squeeze of his large hand, wishing they were all over my naked body. I slowly released his hand until the tips of our fingers lightly touched.

  As I walked away, a twinge of fear coursed through my body that he would pick up another woman to take home. I’ve noticed how women looked at him as we walked to the dance floor and while we were dancing. I saw how my girls reacted when I pointed him out. He’s so devastatingly handsome and sexy that I’m afraid to lose him before I even have him. And he was interested in me. He wanted to take me out on a date. It wasn’t just about tonight’s display of dirty dancing, but about me as a person. However, I had a commitment to Chelsea and no one was going to take me away from her last night out as a single lady.

  I looked back at him a couple of times as I walked back to the gals in the lounge area. He stood there just watching me walk away. I bet he didn’t have a lot of women turn him down. When I reached our seating area, Chelsea poured me another shot. I knocked it back. I didn’t dare look back again for fear that I would see a woman make her move on him.

  After what felt like a million minutes, I glanced in the direction where I left him, I saw him walk toward his friends at their lounge area, shaking his head at his friend. I watched as Dashing sat down between his friends, raised his long leg and rested it on his other leg. He leaned back and put his arm on top of the sofa back, and glared at me. His foot fidgeting, jaw tense, and lips pursed in a tight line.

  I was startled by his dark eyes, and I looked away to talk to the girls. Each time I turned my gaze toward him, I found him still staring at me with intensity and the same seriousness as in his doctor’s office. He was analyzing me, trying to figure out how to overturn my rejection. I’m sure that I left him with quite the blue balls.

  It was so loud in the club, but I felt a deafening silence as he glared at me. Of all the nights that I encountered him, did it have to be on this night? Seeing my serious demeanor, the girls urged me to dance. Keta grabbed my hands and pulled me up off the sofa. She grabbed my shoulders and started dancing with me. I laughed, and started to relax with her.

  The server came back to our table with more mixed drinks. I hadn’t ordered, but the girls must’ve ordered me one because Darby handed me a drink. I took a sip and put it down on the glass coffee table.

  “He can’t take his eyes off of you.” Darby informed. I casually looked over and sure enough, he was still watching me.

  “He’s hot isn’t he?” I asked and she vigorously nodded her head in agreement. “He wanted to take me home, but I declined. Did I make a huge mistake?” I asked, immediately realizing that the mistake was asking Darby if I’d made a mistake because Darby is such a prude and would never have a one night stand. I’m not such a prude, but I’ve also never placed myself in the category of being highly fuckable.

  “I would’ve.” She said, and sipped her drink while looking at him lustfully.

  “Back off, bitch. He’s mine.” We laughed and hugged as we moved to the music. It was nice to know that I wasn’t the only woman who would bang this Adonis.

  The newest Reggaeton song came on, Keta and I looked at each other and grinned. It was in our dance queue for our classes. I walked over to the other end of the couch where she sat next to Marta. She stood up, and we started doing a combination Salsa and Hip Hop dance together. I couldn’t help but look over to Doctor Dashing. I think I saw a smile form at the corner of his mouth. I smiled back at him, feeling the regret of not spending more time with him.

  Keta grabbed me and lead me into a few Salsa moves. She twirled me and tried to dip me. I felt myself falling down. As I tumbled backward, my leg rose upward and my left shin hit on the bottom edge of the glass table, and I fell onto the low couch. I felt a sharp pain and gasped. I instantly put my hand on my shin. When I felt something wet on my palm, I lifted my hand toward my face and saw blood on my hand. Keta saw the blood too and grabbed some of the damp napkins on the table. She knelt on the floor and put pressure on my leg.

  The rest of the girls surrounded me, looking to see if I was okay. I saw them get pushed out of the way. The dashing doctor put a large forearm in between them. He dropped to my side, kneeling on one knee, he picked up my leg, placing it on his right leg, which was bent in a ninety degree angle. He peeled my hand holding the napkins which rested on my leg.

  Blood immediately pooled from the opening. He took my hand in his and placed it back on my shin, putting pressure on the leg once again. “Keep this on here. You’re going to need
stitches.” He looked at me reassuringly and gave me the curt smile I remembered from my office visit. I realized he was in doctor mode.

  “Do I have to go to the hospital?” I asked concerned. I couldn’t keep getting injured. It would cost me a fortune.

  Sensing my concern, he answered, “No. I’ll go get my kit. This one’s on me. I’ll be right back.” He squeezed my hand on my shin. “It will clot soon and stop bleeding, but I need you to keep the pressure on.” He turned to the girls and yelled out, “I’ll be right back.”

  The girls stood close and Chelsea sat next to me. Chelz held my free hand. “You’re fine, sweetie. It’s a small cut. Probably a couple of stitches. Dr. Dashing will be back.” She said with a smile.

  I started to cry, “I ruined your night. This is supposed to be your party, and here I am bleeding. I’m a walking calamity.” I pulled my free hand from hers and dabbed at the corners of my eyes trying to wipe the tears that were welling up. “I just wanted you to have a great time. And I wanted to enjoy this with you. He even asked me to go home with him, but I told him ‘no’ because you’re important to me. You’re my best friend.” The alcohol and the pain led me to blubber my words.

  “Perla, you mean to tell me that that hunk of deliciousness asked you to go home with him and you told him ‘no’ because of me?” She asked with angry undertones.

  “Yeah. I wasn’t going to walk out on your big day.” I responded.

  “My big day is my wedding. Your present big day is going home with him. You haven’t gotten him out of your mind. He’s asked you to spend the night with him. Now you know that he’s into you too. I wish you could’ve seen yourselves dancing, it was like an inferno out there. When he comes back, let him stitch you up and let him take you home and fuck you good, so that you aren’t the sex deprived whiney bitch that you’ve been for the last year. Here he comes.” She pulled me to her and patted my chin.