219
Lucy
He turned his head to the instructor, and I looked at her as well. It was like coming up for air after being underwater too long. The instructor had a pleased smile on her face as she watched us.
"Very impressive for a first attempt," she commented. "Your chemistry is undeniable."
I blushed as David lifted me back up. My whole body was tingling. I blinked, my cheeks flushed with both embarrassment and the lingering heat of our closeness.
"I'll expect you two to be practicing until our next lesson."
David said nothing for a moment, but he nodded.
"Of course."
His voice was rough. It made my stomach clench. As we stepped apart, I tried not to be disappointed. I felt shaky and overcharged.
"Thank you for coming," David said. "I'll walk you out."
I listened to their voices growing more distant. I sank onto the low bench as the fever seemed to remain. The lingering intensity of the dance still pulsed through me, leaving me breathless and uncertain.
If we had kissed, then what? Would he want to... sleep with me tonight? Did I want to? A pang of fear went through me again, but I couldn't tell if it was my own or the Moon Goddess trying to keep us apart.
When David returned to the ballroom, he found me still sitting on the bench. I looked up at him. His eyes were still glowing. He was slightly flushed, but he didn't rush towards me.
Slowly, he crossed the room to stand beside me. He looked down at me for a few moments before crouching down and helping me out of the shoes. He tugged my socks and shoes back on before another wave of magic washed around my ankles. Without a word, he extended his hand to me, a warm and inviting smile on his face. I took his hand and followed him.
We reached his private kitchen, and something in me relaxed. The room was softly lit, casting a warm and romantic glow over the table. The lights were half dimmed. He led me to the table and left me there. A delicious aroma filled the air, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.
"I-It smells good."
He flashed me a smile. "I'm glad. I just hope it tastes as good, too."
He made two plates and brought them back to the table. He filled our glasses and settled into the seat across from me.
"I'm not sure who's happier to have you here, me or our instructor."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
"She's been teaching me formal dancing since I was a kid. When I first started, I was incredibly clumsy. I couldn't get the steps right, and I often found myself tangled up with my dance partner. It was embarrassing, really. The Moon Tango is the latest dance she's taught me, and that was a nightmare in the beginning."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the image of a young and awkward David struggling with the dance. It was a far cry from the confident and graceful man sitting across from me now.
"I can't believe it! You were clumsy?" I asked, my laughter bubbling up.
"Horribly clumsy," he replied with a grin. "But I was determined to learn the Moon Tango, especially since I knew I would have to dance it at the Crescent Moon Festival one day. So, I practiced day and night. Blu has been the unfortunate dance partner more often than not."
He looked at his plate and shook his head. "My dad swore up and down that I would get it... That he was just as bad at it until he started dancing with my mom."
My heart leaped into my throat as David grinned at me. "I guess us Blood Moon wolves just need a little motivation to hit our stride."
"Was it really that bad?"
He smirked. "I broke my nose once."
I couldn't help but laugh. David laughed, too, and told me how he sprained an ankle at another time. With each story, the tension seemed to dissipate.
"You've come a long way since then..."
"Well, practice makes perfect, they say," he replied. "And dancing is like second nature to me now."
He wrinkled his nose. "Well, most dances. My Elvish Waltz could use some work."
"Elvish?"
He nodded. "I have to dance it at the Forest Communion. Luckily, I'm not center stage for it, but it's a lot harder than the Moon Waltz."
He wrinkled his nose. "Now that I think about it, they should just call it a tango. Waltz is misleading."
An image of David dancing that close to another woman flashed through my mind. My stomach twisted into knots. Then, our eyes met, and for a moment, it felt as if time stood still. Could he tell what I was thinking?
"Maybe... I should ask her to clear more of her schedule." He whispered, reaching across the table for my hand. "I think... you'd enjoy the Forest Communion."
My heart raced. I looked down at his hand and bit my lip.
"David..."
The connection between us was undeniable, and the memory of our intense dance still lingered in the air.
"What is it?"
"About earlier..." I began, my voice trailing off as I searched for the right words.
He nodded, his gaze softening. "I didn't want... Well, I didn't mean for it to be like that. I didn't want things to get too overwhelming for you."
I nodded. "That's why... you didn't want us closer?"
He nodded. "Are you okay?"
I nodded again. "I'm... just fine."
I reached out tentatively, brushing our fingers together on the table before sliding my hand into his. We ate dinner in a comfortable silence, never letting go of each other's hands.
After dinner, he walked me out to his car and drove me back to Stacy's building. The air was filled with tension, and my stomach was a mess of knots and butterflies. Tonight. He had to kiss me tonight. After the dance and everything, and even though the fear was still there a little, I didn't feel it as strongly as I had earlier.
I guess because I knew that David wouldn't ask to come up to my place. He wouldn't even expect it.
Would he even kiss me?
I bit my lip. The memory of our intense dance still lingered in my mind, and I longed for the taste of his lips against mine. I know he wanted to kiss me. As we neared our destination, I stole glances at him, trying to gauge if he was feeling the same magnetic pull between us. His eyes remained focused on the road, but there was a tension in him that gave me hope.
My heart raced with anticipation.
We reached Stacy's building, and just like before, he got out and opened my car door. I hesitated, getting out, meeting his gaze. The quiet of the night seemed to go silent. His eyes were glowing that soft purple.
"Lucy..."
I slid forward to the edge of the seat and got closer to him. But just as the moment seemed perfect for a kiss, the quiet was shattered.
"Lucy!" Someone yelled. "Is that you? Nice catch!"
She let out another whooping yell. David chuckled as I covered my face and hid my face in his chest. I heard heels clicking over to me as more of them seemed to come over, whooping. Their laughter and catcalls filled the air, making it clear that we were no longer alone.
I let out a disappointed sigh, feeling the chance slipping away once again. David cupped my face, stroking my cheek. His smile was sympathetic.
"It seems we have company," he said, his voice tinged with regret.
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment with a forced smile. "Yeah, it seems so."
"Next time," David whispered. "I'll be more careful."
I bit my lip and shook my head. "I trust you."
His nostrils flared. He surged forward, but another catcall stopped him.
He shook his head, chuckling. "I'd better get you inside before they get more ridiculous."
I almost pouted, but I let him help me out of the car to the sound of their whooping and catcalling.
Then, Tina came up.
"Guys, we talked about this! We promised not to cockblock!"
"It looked like we weren't!"
"Were we?"
"Oh, now, we did it again!"
David burst into laughter. I glanced back at him before scurrying into the building.
"We're sorry, Lucy!"
"Leave me alone!"
David's laughter followed me down the hallway. I hoped they were interrogating him, but if I stayed there, I was definitely going to burst into flames.
My phone chimed.
Have a good night, Lucy. I'll see you soon.
I leaned back against the elevator and replied. As the door opened on my floor, I took a deep breath and looked up at Tina, who was out of breath and had Stacy in tow. Both of them looked like they were up to no good.
"So, how'd your date go?"
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