Sara cued up the CD and turned to face Michael who stood waiting for her in the middle of the room.
As the song began she made her way to his side.
Noticing the nervous look on his face she smiled at him trying to ease his discomfort.
He smiled back, but he still looked tense.
"Um…Why don't we loosen up a little"? Sara suggested. "I mean stretch"?
Like this, she demonstrated by rolling her neck and arching her back.
Michael stared at her for a moment, but then began to do the stretching exercises. When they had finished the stretching Sara began by showing him some of the popular dance moves. She felt a bit shy at first, but her confidence in her abilities as a dancer helped to loosen her up as had the stretching.
She watched Michael as he attempted to copy her movements. He really was bad. Sara tried not to laugh, but she couldn't stop the giggle that erupted from her lips when he almost fell down.
Seeing his embarrassment she moved on to another move. She knew that he was getting frustrated, but she could see a little improvement as one song bled into another.
Finally when she knew he had had enough she made her way to the stereo and with shaky hands inserted a CD of slow dance music.
Her eyes fell on the CD case. 'Songs to hold you close', was the title. She swallowed hard at the image the title brought to mind.
Taking a deep breath, Sara turned around to face him. Michael was still standing where she had left him. She slowly walked back to stand in front of him, and before she could lose her nerve she placed her hands on his broad shoulders.
Sara realized this was the first time she had ever touched him as her breath left her. She told herself to breathe…to not hyperventilate and make a complete fool of herself.
She took a breath and forced her voice to obey her, "Um…you need to put your hands on my waist", Sara instructed, her heart pounding so loudly in her ears it was practically drowning out the soft music.
Michael stood there looking at her for a second, and then lifted his arms letting his hands fall softly at her waist in the whisper of an embrace.
She stepped closer her body so very aware of his close proximity. And then letting her gaze fall over his left shoulder, she began to move to the slow music.
Michael began to move stepping closer bringing their beating hearts mere inches apart.
"Ouch", Sara said involuntarily as Michael stepped on her foot.
"Sorry", he mumbled his eyes coming to rest on her face.
Sara brought her eyes to meet his. "It's okay", was what she had been about to say, but the intensity of his gaze held her tongue.
Her heart pounded fast in her chest as she wondered if he would kiss her. Then Sara told herself she was being silly, of course he wouldn't kiss her! Still her heart pounded.
Breaking eye contact, he pulled her closer and rested his face against her auburn locks as the music continued.
Sara wondered if he could feel her heart pounding against his chest. She squeezed her eyes closed enjoying his closeness, telling herself it was ok they were only dancing.
When the song ended he continued to hold her for a moment, and then pulled away.
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he backed away from her. Sara stood frozen for a moment, but when a new song began to play, she turned on unsteady legs and made her way to the stereo to turn the music off. She turned back around to face Michael a blush in her cheeks. She suddenly felt quite embarrassed.
"Um"…she began, but the ringing phone cut her off.
"I better get that", she said relieved to have something ease the tension between them.
"Hello"? Sara said into the receiver.
"Hey, girl", she heard Kelly say, but her mind was still on her step brother behind her.
"Hey, Kel", Sara said chancing a look over her shoulder. Michael had walked over to the window and now stood looking out through the rain streaked glass.
She watched him as she spoke. "So what's up"? Sara asked cheerily.
"Some of us are going to the lake tomorrow do you think you can come"? Kelly asked, and Sara could hear her friend's gum pop as she chewed in her ear.
Normally this drove Sara crazy, but at the moment she was just thankful for Kelly's call.
"Sure, Kel, I'm there. You know I wouldn't miss the first bonfire of the summer", Sara replied, her eyes still on Michael.
"Hold on a second, Sara", Kelly said, and then Sara heard her shout to someone in the back ground.
"I gotta go, my mom needs my help unloading the groceries from the car", Kelly sighed.
"Oh, hey, ask your brother to come for me will you"? Kelly said snapping her gum.
"You mean my step brother", Sara said, feeling the need to correct her friend.
At his mention, Michael turned from the window.
Sara quickly pulled her eyes from his long frame before he could catch her staring.
"Whatever. Brother, step brother. He's still you're brother. Just ask him for me will you"? Kelly said exasperated.
Sara heard a shout in the back ground.
"I gotta go. Ask him", Kelly said once more and then Sara heard a click.
Michael stood looking at her questioningly a small smile on his face.
"Um…A bunch of us are going to the lake tomorrow, do you want to go? Kelly wanted me to ask you for her", she added quickly.
"There's usually a bonfire, it's pretty cool. But if you don't want to come"... Sara rambled shuffling her feet uncomfortably.
"Yeah sure, that sounds like fun, why not"? Michael said with a smile that went straight to Sara's heart.
"Great I'll tell Kelly you're coming", Sara said smiling back.
"Well I think we're done here. I mean you seem to be doing ok on the slow stuff. And with some practice you should be fine with the faster dances too", Sara said turning to go.
"Sara"? Michael said, stopping her in her tracks.
She turned to look at him.
"Thanks for helping me. I mean, I know I suck at dancing, but I really appreciate your help", he smiled.
"You're welcome Michael. And I'm sure you'll get better at it if you practice. See you later" she said quickly,glad to be leaving the room.
Once in her bedroom, Sara flopped down on her bed and took a deep breath. Was she really going to be swimming in the moonlight with Michael? Well not with him but still…
With a small smile, Sara hopped up and began searching for her favorite bikini; the one Michael hadn't seen yet.