"And beau-ti-ful! Ohmigod! Okay, just look up, black and beautiful, in the dictionary, and you will see my man - he'll be right there, smiling that smile. He's such a freakin' god, I swear! So like, this is our first time here, because he works for the bank, making some sure'nuff serious ass money girl! He's like the ultimate femm - fine, educated, making money and mine! Em hm, all mine! Thing is, we don't really like, know anyone, know what I mean? And then, I like, spotted you guys - and I thought, no way - this is too perfect you know! We kind'ah watched to see if you guys would join up with anyone else and when you didn't, we kind'ah followed you to here! Oh and you guys are soooo much in love, that was sooo cool to see two people so into each other you know? It's like me and Corey you know, that's my boyfriend's name, Corey, we are like sooo in love that everyone that sees us, they go, - you guys are so totally - I mean like really deep into each other, like, you were meant to be! And I'm like, I know, I know right? It's so cool! And you two are like that! It is so - totally awesome!" She smiled so proud of herself.
"O-o-oka-a-ay - that's uh, really nice. So, I guess we should go and look for them huh?"
"Oh no problem, I know where they are, Corey's taking Ben to the table to sign you guys up."
"I see, okay Vanessa, I guess you should lead the way."
"Follow me! So like, where are you guys from? Not here I know, down South maybe?"
"Actually, North-East I guess you could say, we're from Wisconsin. I grew up in Chicago and uh, my boyfri - um, Ben, he grew up in Wisconsin. I went there to college and ended up living there permanently."
"Wow, Chicago? I don't know anyone from there, I've been right here, all my life!"
"I can tell." Crystal smiled agreeing.
They went on, walking through the ever growing numbers of people still arriving. Thankfully, because of Vanessa's endless chatter, Crystal was able to wipe all previous thoughts and fears from mind. Because Vanessa was never lost for a word to say and often, Crystal need only smile, nod or give a brief and fitting answer and she was off once more into a long monologue. The mansion was almost full of people, and the areas open to them required quite a bit of walking to get from one end to the other, or one location to the other. Halfway to the area where the dance contest registration table sat, the girls met up with their guys.
"There they are!" Vanessa's exuberant cheer for spotting them was as if they'd been apart for weeks instead of a few moments. She waved vigorously to get their attention, which was unnecessary; Crystal could see that they'd been spotted, as Vanessa's boyfriend's gleaming, very white smile lit up like beacon in the night. And yes, as she'd stated, he was indeed one good looking black man. Corey, reminded her of a very young Sydney Poitier. Very dark in complexion, extremely deep and captivating voice, dashing good looks, tall, his hair very well done, short dreads on the top sloping into a perfect fade; his suit, tailored to perfection. He could easily pass for an African prince, with eyes only for his girl. Who went to him and hugged him as if they'd been separated for far too long, "Honey I missed you, you miss me?"
Amused by her attention to him, he smiled down at her, "I was only gone a moment precious."
"That was too long!" She replied exaggerating.
Crystal thought she would gag any moment as she turned her eyes to Ben, who was busy rolling his and pretending to up chuck any second.
She had to look away quickly before she laughed out loud.
"Crystal right?" Corey greeted her, holding his hand out to her, as Vanessa clung to his body under his right arm.
She snapped back to them, blushing a bit to have been caught snickering low. Corey's mirth enhanced his good looks, accepting what he knew they simpered about.
"Yes, Crystal, nice to meet you Corey." She greeted, glancing at Ben, who watched her, waiting for eye contact to wink and smile at her. He was taken by surprise when she walked to him, stood right up close and intimate to say, "I hear that we're in a tango contest, is that so?" She gently grasped the lapels of his suit.
Ben felt his heart leap to his throat, looking down at her, moving his hands to grasp her arms, he nodded, "We most certainly are, you up for it?"
"Are you kidding me? Bring it on."
"I'd hoped you say that." As if it were the most common thing to do, Ben shifted her around and beneath his arm. Since Crystal started it, she had little choice but to go the rest of the way, emulating the other couple, taking a place by her man's side.
"I'm sorry to have to part company with you two, but you'll have to excuse us - we have 30 minutes before dinner to work on a routine for the contest, because you see, we have every intention of winning it." He assured them, and then looked down at Crystal, giving her a squeeze, "Right babe?"
"I refuse to have it any other way." She agreed.
"A routine? Why? It's like, the tango!? It's only an amateur contest you know - just for fun!" Vanessa exclaimed, looking as though she found the prospects of them going it alone again, alarming.
Ben didn't care, "That may be so, but we're gonna give it all we got, so, we'll have to meet back up with you guys for dinner." He informed them, already turning to walk away and find a spot.
"Wait! Where will we meet back up? This is like a really big place, you know what I mean?" Vanessa called to them.
"Honey, look at their name tag - we're in the same section, I'm sure we'll spot them easy enough." Corey pointed out in his deep voice, stroking her back reassuringly. Vanessa almost pooled at his feet, his voice and eyes shooting tingles down her spine.
"He's right! We'll see you at dinner!" Ben called out before he and Crystal disappeared from them into the crowd.
"Holy shit! Is it just me or are we gonna spend the whole evening running from crazy ass people!" Ben grumbled, holding onto Crystal as he headed for the back of the mansion towards the gardens.
Crystal died laughing at him, trying to keep in step with him as he wasted no time putting as much space between them as possible.
"They're not that bad, I'd rather them, than the, 'Wherrington's'!" Crystal reasoned.
"Ha! I'm telling you now, we're avoiding them at all cost! Corey's cool, but that Vanessa! I'd be crazy before the nights up around that chick!" He complained.
Crystal laughed, "Ben! Come on, she's not that bad! You sure she's not your type?" She teased as they found another section of rooms, one with an entire wall of French doors flanked by tall columns, they exited the ones open and found themselves on the broadest, patio either of them had ever seen, it seemed to go on forever, quite a few people milled about outdoors, enjoying the evening breeze and grand gardens; Ben led onward determined to find the perfect spot for them to work on the dance.
"My type?! Ha, you must be joking! Sorry, the few moments I sat watching and listening to her - I looked at him thinking, you've got to be kidding me! The guy must be crazy in love, because he couldn't wait to get back to her ... just goes to show, there really is someone for everyone!"
"Aaah, I think that's sweet."
"Yeah, the kind that makes you pay later with a gut ache or a tooth ache! And if I hear, one more, I know, I know right, like, like - I'm gonna blow!"
Crystal couldn't resist it, "Yeah I know right, it's like, ohmigod, like how much can you bear, you know?!"
The look he shot her over his shoulder, stopped her in her tracks with laughter, "You should have never let me see this side of you Mr. McPherson, now I know how to get you; right under your skin."
They'd reached the spot just then; Ben turned pulling her suddenly against him, holding her there with a strong hand to her back. "Trust me, you found that out, long before this night." He murmured breathless, holding her there trapped against him. Crystal suddenly sobered, staring up at him, breathing hard and fast. She pushed gently against him, trying to get him to let go. "Ah, I see, so what you did in there with them, was just - for my sake? Your sake? So as not to embarrass me?" He asked knowingly, accepting that he reluctantly released her. Crystal stepped back and unable to look at h
im a moment more, turned to the view lit up before them. They faced a magnificent garden where dominating that section of it was a very impressive hedge maze that looked to stand at least seven foot tall or more, in a pattern that was sure to be a challenge to figure out and escape. There were garden lights strategically placed throughout it, illuminating rest spots for those who dare give it a try.
"Oh my look at that Ben." Crystal gasped at the sight of it.
He was too busy looking down at her. She'd yet to come back at him with anything that he said. He sighed, putting one hand in a pocket, the other resting on the concrete balustrade, he turned, standing beside her to look out at the giant maze. They were in silence once more, both feeling a little awkward because they each knew what was happening between them and yet, knew as well that it wasn't the right time for it. They needed to guard themselves. Ben felt a rush of utter frustration and ironic madness. All of his young life, he could think of wanting nothing more, than to meet Shawn and know that he was his father. He'd wanted nothing more than that, for more years than he could remember. Life was a funny and cruel joke. Because now, he was in that place he'd always wanted to be, he'd met Shawn and yes, he was indeed his father! Now here lie the twist, only to have that great need, replaced by something greater. That was the joke. And because of that, he was still not satisfied, he had found no peace because he was right back in the midst of it all over again. Wanting something so badly and not being able to control the means to get it. He thought nothing would ever compare to wanting to meet Shawn and have him know that he was his son ... nothing ... until now. Yes, life was cruel - mocking - unjust. He'd met his father, got his father, and with his father, low and behold, who was he connected to? Something - someone - so it seemed, that he would never get the chance to have. He wanted to laugh at himself, at the madness of it all.
"I wonder how long it would take to get out of there?" Crystal wondered, feeling the awkwardness that existed between them. It only existed, because they were fighting with all their might, something that should be normal, natural, deep and real between them - yet, because of where Crystal stood in her life, could not be.
Ben looked away from the garden down to Crystal, observing her refusal to meet his gaze. "I jumped the gun on this, huh? Entering this contest? Maybe even, asking to escort you here, I'm not Victor after all, am I?" He couldn't have held back his jealous resentment if he tried.
"Please don't do this Ben." She finally turned to look up at him. "Please, don't let things change between us. I - I really - need a friend like you, in my life right now. You bring - something to me, to my boys, that - well, we really need. I-..." Her eyes were filling and her throat clogged.
In an instant he had her in his arms hugging her tight and close.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry - I promised didn't I? I promised - I would always be here for you - and I am, I am. That will never change, I swear, forgive me?"
She didn't understand how he could ask that when her arms were around him so tightly, squeezing and holding onto him as if he were her life line. She wanted to imprint herself upon him, deep within him so he would know, this what they had between them, what they were feeling - was different and nothing could or would change what they felt inside. She leaned her head back to look up at him, giving him a sad smile. "I want to have fun tonight Ben. When I'm with you, I just - I wanna laugh, and smile and feel good inside; deep inside my soul! I wanna feel it that deep - when I'm with you. I don't wanna feel sad, or guilty, or wrong..." Her tears spilled, making her look down into his chest.
"Don't cry - okay - okay - if that's what you want - that's what I'll deliver. We have a contest to win right?" He leaned down and lifted her face by the chin, his other hand lifted, with delicate fingers to smooth away the tracks of her tears. She nodded, sniffed, couldn't speak yet. Crystal didn't understand it, she wasn't a crier. Not really, so for the life of her she couldn't understand why being with Ben made her feel so, fragile, when she swore that she wasn't. So feminine, when she'd always been tough. So emotional, when she was determined to be in control. She needed to get a grip and couldn't look at him yet. He sighed, "What in the hell have I gotten myself into?" He asked himself out loud. "Look at you, do you know what you're doing to me?"
She looked up then, "I can't help it Ben - I can't help myself. I don't mean to make this - hard for either of us. Besides, you brought me here."
The force of his burst of laughter threw his head and shoulders back, exposing his incredible thick neck. He laughed like Shawn; making Crystal smile. He laughed because she sounded like a little girl who knew they were in trouble and so, needed someone to blame, and blamed him.
"It's true," She went on grinning now, "My papah-Shawn expects you to take care of me - which means, making sure I'm having a good time. So, come on big brother-..."
That sucked the laughter right back down his throat, "Ach! That is cruel! If I'm your big brother, be warned, I've got incest on my mind!"
It was Crystal's turn to laugh now as she backed out of his arms. Suddenly, it was as if a switch had been flipped. The tears were gone, so was the sadness to be replaced by a saucy, bold and spoiled enchantress. She swished her long skirt behind her, plunked her hands on her hips, stomped her foot, lifted her nose in the air with one hand snapping her fingers and demanded, "Benjamin! Teach me to tango! And you will teach me - so that - we win!"
Sobering him, was the fact that right then, Ben fell again.
Right there, on the spot, he fell once more deeper in love with her. She was moving in on him, shoving her way into his system in such a way that it made his gut ache as he felt it happening. Taking a long and deep breath, he realized that he may never be given anything more, than that night. Resolved to that fact, he would sure as hell make the most of it.
"Teach you to tango huh? Thought you were a dancer? Surely you know the tango?"
"I believe I know, but with what you'll add, I'll know better. When I was much younger, I played around with my mother and brother, having fun, we did the tango, so I know the basis of it."
"I see; I suppose that's a start. However, the tango that you and I will do tonight, will have a totally different uh - how can I say it? Feeling, intensity, fire. We will do it, the way that it was meant to be done - are you sure you don't want to back out now?"
"No - way." Her eyes said it all, she wanted him to make the most of it. "You tell me what to do, I will do it. I want to win!"
Ben smiled, she was so full of fire and he loved it. It glowed from her as if a fire within her burned all it's own.
"Very well, listen carefully. As you know, dance is about what you feel. And to tango as it is meant - you must feel at the same time that you must fight - what you feel." He immediately took on the persona, stretching his tall frame, squaring his shoulders, removing all expression from his features, narrowing his eyes, he took slow measured steps in his stride towards her.
Crystal felt a jump in her heart, he reminded her of a bull fighter, or of a great conquistador.
He went on to explain their strategy for the tango. "You, unlike some other's I've danced with, have all the ingredients, to do this, and do it well. You have, rhythm ... fire ... attitude." He began, now right upon her, he began circling her as he spoke. Crystal went to follow him with her eyes, "Ah! Keep still ... look only as though your eyes follow me, nothing else. Spread your legs and stiffen your spine with disdain, attitude ... you see ... you ... are too good for me. I am ... a lowly peasant ... how dare I! Move into the role Crystal, square your shoulders, I want you on the verge, of snarling at me ... but don't, stretch your neck, tilt your head - just so ... that's it ... now, hold that position, get into the role, I know you can. This should be easy for you. You are ... Spanish royalty ... and I ... I have dared to step into your world ... look down your nose at me... yeah, like that." Ben spoke in a low, raspy pitch and tone and then adding to it, he effected a very authentic Latin accent as he wrapped them within the spell of the dance.
"You, senora - you must trust me ... trust me to - handle you - and handle you, I will." He went on, slowly circling her. "You will let me handle you, yes - and then, when you realize this - you will resist me. Because you see, I am wanting you ... and you know this ... that I want you ... but sadly, you do not want me. Ah, yes ... but - you see, I thrill you ... I - heat your blood - to burn as it has never ... burned ... before. Yes... I ... this lowly servant, peasant ... does this for you." Ben stopped before her, gazing down at her.
Crystal felt on fire. As he instructed, she maintained her stand not daring to move, no matter how close he was; now if she could just get control of her breathing. But her heart wouldn't stop slamming hard and heavy in her chest, making her breasts expand and withdraw with every breath that she took.
With his height, standing as he did, Ben felt the effects as well, watching her deep breathing, her lovely breasts within the low cut of the gown she wore.
Unable to stand as she was much longer, she slowly brought her eyes up to his hazel blues. Something went through her then, something akin to deep awareness. She knew him, really knew him then. Her eyes took in all of his features, and aside from his hazel/blues, the rest of him looked the part of the role he played. Tall, strong ethnic features, full wide mouth, especially his lips; olive skin, darker than usual since being in California - he was actually tanning towards a brownish hue - yes, he could easily pass for Latino. Crystal knew, that something other than white flowed through his veins, and as she stood there, closely gazing over his features, she felt a kinship, a connection with him that she could not explain.
"Are you still with me?" He asked softly.
She gave the slightest sardonic smile, reflecting the attitude she needed to carry this role he'd given her, to show it, she lifted a brow, as if to say, 'You dare, question me?'.
Ben chuckled, speaking in a rich, sultry Spanish accent, "You are ... sooo sexy, fetching ... Senora Crystal Bella ... untouchable ... yes." Taking a deep breath, Ben stepped away from her, breaking the spell so it seemed; it was time to get down to business, he dropped the accent. "We don't have much time left, so know this, I - am in command. I will lead, you will follow. When I signal, you will reject me, burn me with your eyes ... and then, once more, I will reel you back in, understand?"
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