by Rose, Ashley
She nodded and focused on the music. Her body started to move and she let it happen. His hand rested on her back as she moved and his gaze was pinned on her. He didn’t seem to be judging, just assessing her dancing.
“Good,” he murmured as his hand urged her body into slight variations of the simple movement and she flowed with it.
“Okay, ready for your first move?”
She nodded.
“We’ll get the timing in later, but I want you to jump, holding onto the pole in one hand and kind of twirl around it once.” He took a step back to give her some room. “And see if you can still do it in pace with the music.”
Easy. She did the move smoothly, landing back in her original spot and with the same hand on the pole.
“Like that?” she asked.
He smiled reassuringly. “Perfect, except can you do it with the right foot more forward?”
She nodded and repeated the move, landing like he wanted.
“You’re strong,” Shep commented.
She faltered on the next step. Damn, she’d almost forgotten he was watching too.
“Way to go, Shep,” Nash snapped at him, his hand landing on her back again, urging her to fall back into the casual movements. “Ignore him.”
She nodded, swaying her hips to the music. Nash nodded with the beat and murmured under his breath. He demonstrated the footwork and used his hands to illustrate the moves he wanted her to do on the pole. He walked her through the routine slowly. She was new to the choreography but it wasn’t overly structured, so she was okay with it. Shep helped out, and she got more comfortable around the two of them.
“So periodically I am going to dance with you, but we’ll get to those parts later,” Nash told her.
“Okay.”
“Now I’d like to see you do some more acrobatic poses.”
He described the first pose, and she recognized it right away. “A Gemini, or similar at least. Yeah, I can do that.”
He looked excited. “Awesome, do you need a spotter?”
She shook her head and rubbed her hands together to warm them. “Not for this. It’s pretty standard.”
“Standard?” he asked dubiously. “I did a lot of research into these things and it seemed like one of the most difficult ones.”
She positioned her hands on the pole. “Where’d you do your research?”
“Internet.”
She shook her head. “Well, it’s not that hard.”
She hoisted herself up onto the pole and spun upside down with practiced ease. She wrapped one leg around the pole and used it to support her body as she hung upside down, bending her other leg behind her. She gazed at the ground below her, seeing Nash’s feet circle her.
Shep let out a long whistle.
“God,” Nash murmured. “You have such beautiful lines.”
She jumped when his fingertips trailed down her calf to her ankle.
“Have you had formal training?”
“Ballet in elementary school, but not since I was twelve.”
He looked at her some more and she raised her head. He was gazing at her entire body in wonder.
She got a little uncomfortable with the staring so she swung upright and put her feet back on the ground.
“You’re a lot stronger than you look, aren’t you?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“Show us another?” Shep said eagerly.
She looked at Nash. “Whatever you want for the piece.”
Nash and Shep exchanged a look and communicated silently with a series of nods, shrugs, and eyebrow movements. She waited patiently until they seemed to come to a conclusion.
“Well, there was this one thing,” Nash said, almost reluctantly.
“Okay?”
“But we cut it out as soon as we realized how unrealistic it was for Gabby.”
She nodded. “Yes?”
Shep came forward and described it to her carefully.
She nodded. “I think I’ve seen it, but I’ve never tried it. It’s similar to a Chopper. It takes a lot of arm strength.”
Nash’s face seemed to fall. “So you can’t do it?”
“I didn’t say that,” she snapped. She hated being told she couldn’t do something. “I’m saying I’ve never tried, and I might have to work on it. But if you want it, I’ll get it.”
Nash assessed her for a moment. “Well, all right then. I’ll spot you.”
She nodded and jumped, pulling upwards with her arms at the same time. Somehow she managed to get into position, upside down, one arm up, the other below her, the only things holding her in place while her legs were dead straight, toes pointed on either side of the pole. The position was done higher off the floor than most, so it was scary looking down at the hardwood.
Her muscles protested at the strain and after only a second of holding the position, they gave out. She dropped her legs and twisted around in an effort to land on her feet.
“Got ya.” Nash caught her around the waist and helped her into a more vertical position before setting her down. “You all right?”
“Yeah,” she said, suddenly a little anxious about his closeness. “I need to work on it. Maybe lift a little for my shoulders.” She rubbed the taxed muscles.
Nash narrowed his eyes, and his hands slid to her shoulders to massage them. “You didn’t hurt anything, did you?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“No.” She tried to step back and bumped into the pole.
He took his hands off of her slowly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay.” She slid around the pole to get some space.
“It’s obviously not. I’m sorry. My other dancers don’t mind. I touch them all the time, and it’s not a problem. I don’t mean to make you uneasy.”
“It’s fine.” She shook her head. “I’m not uncomfortable.”
He narrowed his green eyes at her. “Now you’re just lying.”
She glanced away.
“Look. Normally it wouldn’t be an issue,” he said, stepping closer. “But for this piece we have to dance together rather sexually, and I don’t know how you are going to do that if you can’t handle a casual touch.”
Lorna licked her lips and glanced at Shep, as if that would help.
Shep stepped forward though. “I think she just needs time, Nash. Like you said, she’s not like the rest of the dancers. She might not be okay with being half-naked and touched by a stranger.”
She winced at his choice of words, and the fact that he was right.
Nash looked confused.
“I’m sorry. I’ll…work on it.”
He still looked as if a girl being uncomfortable around him was completely impossible.
“Just a little time, Nasher.” Shep patted his shoulder.
Nash slapped his hand way. “Don’t call me that. Idiot.”
Shep smiled. “All right then! Let’s keep moving then, shall we?”
Lorna snapped out of her little trance and nodded. “Yeah.”
They continued until eleven o’clock. Nash said he was really excited to get her in with the group, but it could wait another day, until she had the routine down on the same level as the rest.
She checked her cell phone and got dressed while Shep turned the sound system off and ambled toward her.
“I was right, wasn’t I?”
She pulled on her sweats. “About what?”
“You’re uncomfortable around guys.”
She shrugged. “I don’t see why it matters.”
“Like Nash said, it’s important that you are confident and sexy for this to work. And it’s going to take you more than time to get over it.”
What did he mean by that? She waited for him to elaborate.
“Which is why I’m taking you out tonight.”
“What?” She blinked, surprised.
“Where do you live?”
“Student Village South. What are you talking about though?”
“I’m going to take you out dancing. We’ll hang out, get our dance on, you’ll get more comfortable and be able to dance with Nash.”
“No thanks.” She turned to go.
He grabbed her arm. “Lorna, I wasn’t really asking. This is Nash’s piece, but I choreographed all of it, so it’s my baby and I’m going to do whatever it takes for it to work.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Obviously.”
“If I’m not comfortable around Nash, what makes you think I’d be more comfortable with you?”
“Gay, remember? Besides, I’m just not as scary as Nash. He’s so muscular and sexy. I’m only slightly muscular and…okay well, I’m just as sexy. But trust me, it’ll work.”
“I don’t know.”
“Look. We can take it slow, go to the club, hang out, and we don’t have to dance right away if you really, really don’t want to. But you said you wanted to do this. You said you were committed. And I know there is some other reason you’re doing this, not just because you suddenly wanted to. I suggest you think about that other reason and be ready to go at ten.”
“Okay, I guess—”
“Great! Gotta get to class! Bye!”
He skirted around her and out of the dance studio before she had a chance to say anything else.
7
Jaz
Warm arms slipped around Jaz just as she flipped the pancake with the spatula. “Hey.”
“Morning.” Travis’ lips found the sensitive spot behind her ear and gave it some attention. “Breakfast?” The murmur behind her ear caused her to shiver. They’d fallen asleep together on the couch the night before, and she’d awoken to find herself pressed against his chest, naked, legs still tangled together beneath the light blanket.
“Yep. Pancakes and fruit.”
“Mmm.”
She shivered again and squirmed when he slid a hand over her underwear.
“Trav—”
He hoisted her up and onto the counter beside the stove. Before she could protest, his lips pressed hers into silence. Her hands on his bare chest, which she’d meant to use to push him away, stroked his skin instead. She was dazed when his lips finally pulled away.
“You’re making me breakfast.” His hand stroked up and down her back under the tank top while he dropped light kisses to her neck and shoulder.
“Yeah.”
His fingertips skimmed over her hips and bare legs. “Looks tasty.” He nudged her head back to get better access to her throat.
“I’m gonna burn the pancakes,” she said, trying half-heartedly to push him away.
He just chuckled and dazed her with his lips on her mouth once again. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he pressed close, reminding her very clearly that it was morning and he had needs. A sigh escaped her lips when their mouths parted.
He smiled at her. “You said something?”
“Screw the pancakes,” she muttered, trying to pull him close again.
He laughed and set her back on her feet, his hands turning her around and carefully wrapping her hand around the spatula she’d dropped.
“Cook me my breakfast, woman.” He gave her a light tap on the ass as he left. “I’m gonna take a quick shower.”
“Okay.” She flipped the pancake that was now a little too brown.
The pancakes seemed to take forever to cook. When she was finally done, she made sure to turn the burner off before leaving the stove and going to the bathroom door.
“Trav?”
“Yeah, babe?” he called. “You can come in, I’m almost done.”
The bathroom was filled with heavy steam, and she had to wave some of it out of her face to see.
“Shut the door,” he said from inside the stall. “You’re letting all the steam out.”
She rolled her eyes and shut the door. He always liked his showers ridiculously hot.
He opened the shower door. “What are you waiting for? You’re not getting in here with clothes on.”
She grinned and stripped to the skin before sliding into the narrow stall with him. The air in there was even worse, so thick with moisture that water beaded on her skin in seconds.
“Jesus Christ,” she muttered, stepping close to him to get under the spray. “Hot.”
“Nooo, it’s perfect.”
A jolt shot through her when she let the spray hit her back, but it took only a few seconds to get used to. She sighed and smiled up at him. He was clean already. He must’ve been staying in for the heat.
“You gonna just watch or help?” she asked.
He just smirked.
The shower was quick. She’d barely managed to wash her hair while he kissed her senseless. His hands slid all over her wet body, everything made more slippery with shampoo and soap suds. They eventually stumbled out of the shower stall, all slick limbs and swollen lips. The bathroom was stifling now, but it didn’t bother her. She breathed the heavy air in deeply between kisses when she had the chance.
“Fuck, Jaz,” he muttered, gripping her ass tightly. “Enough waiting.”
She laughed as he continued to kiss her neck, his hands grabbing anywhere and everywhere.
“Awww, I’m sorry.” She slid her hand down to his hips. He was slick in her palm. “Maybe you need some special attention?”
At first he looked a little startled, even worried because she’d had him in her hand like that the night before. But his gaze quickly turned to need when she pushed him back against the pedestal sink and sank to her knees. Ever since she’d begun visiting him, she’d only given him head once, though she wasn’t sure why she didn’t do it more. She liked doing it, especially if the guy was really good. But usually the guys went straight for sex, and everything else was forgotten.
Something else he was a sucker for was a bit of dirty talk, and she intended to make this last for him. She licked her lips but kept her mouth a few inches away.
“May I?” she teased.
“Yes, damn it!” His hands gripped the sink behind him tightly.
“Are you sure?” She stroked him lightly and barely brushed her lips against the tip.
“Jaz …” His voice was tight. She almost felt bad.
“Oh, you want me to put it…here?” She wrapped her lips around the tip and lathered it with her tongue. His hot skin had a hint of soap and she almost moaned at the slippery texture. He was going to go down easy today.
His hips jerked forward of their own volition and she backed off a bit. “I’m sorry. Was that not right?”
His hissed out a breath.
“I’m not sure I understand,” she said in her best meek voice, blinking up at him. “Where do you want me to put it?”
He mumbled something she couldn’t hear.
“What was that?”
He looked down and met her eyes. “Your. Mouth.”
She grinned and took her time. She really did like the feel of him in her mouth. She kept her palm firmly around the base and used just her mouth to make him quiver. Her tongue stroked the underside of him while she sucked hard, earning a strained sound from his throat.
“Like that?” she asked.
He nodded wordlessly, his eyes closed. “Deeper.”
She smiled and turned her head to lick his base. “Here?”
He nodded again.
“I might need a little help,” she lied.
His hand settled onto the back of her head, and she looked up and met his eyes as he guided her onto him. The pressure on her head didn’t stop until he was in her completely, causing them both to moan. She let his hand keep her there, doing what she could to stroke him with her trapped tongue and wide open jaw. Her lips tightened around him and at the first pull, his blue eyes widened and his head dropped backwards again. She stayed until her breath ran out, forcing her to pull back. His hand let her go, but stayed on her head.
“You taste so good,” she murmured, licking him from base to tip.
His hand tightened in her hair, and she
knew what he wanted.
“Can I—”
“Yes.” She cut off his sentence because she knew exactly what he wanted.
He looked down at her. “Are you sure?”
She dropped her hands from him. “Do it.” Her lips circled him briefly, and she sucked to emphasize her point. His hips twitched in excitement while he kept his other hand on the edge of the sink, holding onto it with a white-knuckled grip. He looked down at her one more time and she opened her mouth wide to accept him as he pushed inside of her again.
He filled her mouth and throat quickly before pulling back, his other hand coming around to hold her head also. She moaned and grabbed his thighs when he shoved inside her again, faster this time. She concentrated on keeping her throat relaxed as his hips worked back and forth, gathering speed.
She breathed between thrusts and reveled in the feel of the alternating full and empty feeling. He slid between her lips easily and his hips met her mouth firmly, though it wasn’t unpleasant. She started to ache for him between her legs. She couldn’t remember ever getting this hot for a guy while blowing him. She cried out around him, and her hands came up to almost claw at his thrusting hips.
Travis must have known it was from pleasure and didn’t stop his pace. His hand both cradled her head and held it captive, his movements urgent but controlled. He rocked his hips back and forth, faster and faster, until he thrust to fill her for the last time. She half whimpered, half screamed as he pinned his hips hard against her and came deep in her throat. Her need seemed to peak, and she was on the verge of begging him to take her on the floor. She was spent though and took a second just leaning against him while he collapsed against the sink.
Within a few seconds, she remembered she needed to breathe and pulled back. He slid from her lips, still lightly erect and she rested her face against his thigh instead. His eyes were closed, and he looked well sated. One of his hands cupped the back of her neck, the other stroking her hair absentmindedly.
“Holy shit,” she whispered against his skin.
“You’re telling me,” he breathed. “Fuck. Are you okay?”
She almost laughed but was too tired. “I—fuck that made me so hot.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “I swear I almost orgasmed.”