"Tony, we have got to get out of here!"
Her voice was high-pitched with panic as she tugged on his arm.
"I think it's a little late for that," he replied quietly as the two instructors took their place at the front of the room and signaled the beginning of class.
Angela's breathing was quick and shallow as she clung tightly to Tony's arm.
"Angela," he exclaimed, placing his hand over hers, "you're hurting me!"
Reluctantly, she loosened her grip on him. Her eyes were still wide and frantic. She whispered an apology, not quite able to focus on the instructors' words as they welcomed the group to class.
"Breathe," he whispered to her, certain that she was close to fainting.
"Let's start with a dance that's simple and slow today," the female instructor called out as she started the music and began to count the beat.
A slow, steady song began playing from the speakers. The instructors led them in an introduction quite similar to a basic waltz.
"We can do this," Tony's voice echoed aloud what Angela was trying desperately to tell herself.
It wasn't until the male instructor (George was his name, Angela had deduced by this point) stepped behind the female instructor, Beth, and fanned his fingers over her stomach that Angela began to worry again that she and Tony were already in too deep.
Angela heard Tony clear his throat nervously behind her before he gently mimicked the instructor's movements. He felt the urge to apologize as he moved his hands cautiously but deliberately across her abdomen. Angela held her breath. Following the cue of the instructor, Tony moved his lips just a whisper away from the bend of Angela's neck. He shivered as her scent tantalized his senses. He cursed and tightened his jaw, knowing that if he couldn't keep it together now while the dance was still mild, there would be no hope left for him when the moves intensified, as he was sure they would.
"Did I step on you?" Angela asked timidly as Tony moved back in front of her.
"N-no," he stammered, not quite meeting her eyes.
The next step required Angela to slide her hands up his body and wrap her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her until their lips were almost touching. She could feel his ragged breath on her face as they paused. Her lips tingled, as if in anticipation of the kiss that would not be. He enveloped her body into his arms as she leaned back and trusted him to hold her safely as he moved her into a very low dip. Tony's heart hammered wildly in his chest as their lower bodies pressed closely together for support. He was thankful to see a content smile playing at the corners of Angela's lips as he lifted her easily back up to a standing position. Her cheeks were flushed a flattering shade of pink.
"Thanks for trusting me," he whispered into her ear with a chuckle.
At the end of the dance, the instructors thanked the group for their attendance and participation and encouraged them to return next week, which would be "a real treat," they assured them. As Tony and Angela gathered their belongings in silence, he could not help but admire the warm glow of Angela's cheeks and the way her soft golden strands of hair fell in waves at her shoulders. He longed to reach out and touch her again...
To be continued