Disclaimer: I don't own PotO. The girls are me and my friends, so I suppose I own them to a certain extent. And FYI, Alan is Josie's would-be boyfriend.
Josie
Ch. 16 – Lessons in Dancing: Part II
Erik pulled me to my feet and I blushed slightly.
"I… don't really know how to do this," I said quietly.
He said nothing, but placed my left hand on his shoulder and took the other in his own.
"There's no music," I pointed out as he was going about this.
"My bad," Kayla set the computer in her lap and clicked.
Erik looked at me. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were making up these excuses to get out of dancing…"
Kayla snapped her fingers to get his attention. "Any personal preferences?"
Sam looked over her shoulder. "Since when did your library get classical --?" Kayla clamped a hand over her mouth (thankfully Erik didn't notice).
She continued, "Beethoven, Gershwin…"
"Mozart," Erik decided, and I turned back to face him.
Sam reached over and clicked the mouse, and an orchestral intro filled the air.
One thing was certain to me: this was definitely not Mozart.
I saw Kendall's eyes widen in anticipation and my gaze snapped to Erik's face as a velvety baritone purred:
Nighttime sharpens
Heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs and
Wakes imagination
Silently the senses
Abandon their defenses…
Erik had frozen when he heard the first line, his eyes flashing from turquoise to intense amber. Nevertheless, we began to move across the floor.
I was a little stiff (nervous, you would be too!) and looked at him fearfully when I trod on his foot.
To all of our surprise, he chuckled quietly.
"I won't kill you if you step on my foot," he smiled, "Just relax. Flow with the music. You have to let it consume you."
His last statement opened me entirely. I listened to Gerard's voice, singing:
Close your eyes,
Let your spirit start to soar…
I closed my eyes and an electric shock raced through me. And I lived as I'd never lived before.
Erik noticed this relaxation and swept me around the room, his lips moving to Gerry's words.
I moved out away from him, then spun back into his arms. I leaned back against his chest, savoring the secure feeling.
My fantasies were spinning around my mind, and for a moment I forgot where I was. "Alan…" I murmured, my head resting on a strong shoulder.
I heard a voice whisper in my ear, "Oh, Christine…"
My eyes snapped open as Erik stroked my hair and caressed my cheek.
I turned back to face him and we saw in each others' eyes the disappointment that fantasy leaves behind.
Help me make the music of the night…
Erik kissed the back of my hand and gave an elegant bow as the song ended.