Chapter IX: Tales of an Embrace Part I
Spice Meter: 3 flames
Dear gentle reader, I suggest you sit tight and pour yourself a beverage of your choice. Maybe an Arnold Palmer, if you want to go light? However, I'd suggest a glass of red wine. Preferably a finely aged Malbec as it goes along quite well with the tone of the action. The tricks that one Mrs. Shane O'Toole has up her sleeve might need the fortitude of spirited libations!
So dear reader…it is with deep pride and great pleasure that I welcome you to this installment of your favorite story. I invite you to relax and pull up a chair as this Author proudly presents what was supposed to be an ordinary weekend at the O'Toole household….
Shane and Oliver were more than ready for an evening to themselves. The week had been rather rough. Thankfully, Friday had been an easier workday at the DLO. Still, once 5 o'clock struck, they both dashed out of the post office, barely saying goodbye to their colleagues.
Oliver heaved a sigh of relief as he opened the front door. He took off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves as soon as he stepped inside the house. Shane had to admit she enjoyed this little routine of his. Oliver looked quite delectable in suspenders. His strong hands, as he rolled up his shirt and revealed his forearms… well, that…kind of did things to her! Her lips quirked slightly as her thoughts took a naughty turn. There would be ample time later to act on those thoughts, but now it was time to show Oliver what Chef Victoria had taught her. Nothing would thwart her plans to make dinner that evening! It was a simple, but delicious menu of broiled salmon and roasted vegetables. Shane couldn't wait to impress her husband.
While Oliver took Valentino out for his evening walkies, Shane got to work. She was ecstatic over the aromas wafting from the kitchen. Nothing was burning! She was putting the finishing touches on their meal when Oliver walked in. His eyes widened in appreciation. The kitchen was impeccable and everything smelled delicious. Oliver walked over to Shane, pulled her by the waist, and gave her a big, ecstatic kiss.
"This is wonderful, my love! I can see that you've excelled under Victoria's tutelage," Oliver beamed.
"Well, let's wait and see how it tastes…but judging by the yummy smells, I'm sure it's going to be good!" Shane replied happily.
"Let me set the table and make sure the hooligans get their treats."
Shane's brow furrowed. "Oliver, will you quit calling our fur babies hooligans?" she asked.
"You know I do it out of love."
"I'm not quite sure," she said, as she rolled her eyes.
"I love Flynn and Valentino almost as much as I love you. I promise not to call them hooligans anymore. Forgive me?" Oliver regaled Shane with an impish grin.
"I don't know if I should… Not sure you're quite that remorseful."
"You always forgive me, my love," he replied, kissing the tender spot between her neck and ear, which he knew drove her absolutely crazy. "And if you're doubtful… I have my ways to change your mind." His piercing blue eyes held her gaze, electrifying the air around them.
"Let's have dinner, why don't we?" Shane asked coyly, deciding to let the subject rest.
Oliver's reply was taking her hand and kissing her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers as he did so. It took all of Shane's strength to focus on dinner and not follow the pursuits taking shape in her traitorous mind.
What the heck, she thought, and threw caution to the wind. She slid her fingers through his suspenders and pulled a surprised Oliver into a frenzied kiss. Shane deepened the kiss immediately, and eagerly threaded her fingers into his hair after pulling him against her. Oliver reacted instantly and his hands gripped her waist, roaming down to squeeze her behind. Shane ended the kiss as swiftly as she'd started it, leaving Oliver completely frazzled, while she smiled in satisfaction. She had to admit it felt quite grand leaving him speechless.
"Nothing to say, Mr. O'Toole?" Shane asked demurely.
"That was… Well, that certainly… I don't know… mmmm…"
"Oliver O'Toole rendered speechless by little ol' me. Serves you right for being so provocative!"
"So what?"
"Provocative, Mr. O'Toole."
"But…how?" He was utterly flabbergasted.
Shane covered her mouth, then her face. She started to shake. Finally, she let loose in raucous laughter. Looking at Oliver and seeing his befuddled expression only added fuel to the fire. She was laughing so hard, tears were running down her flushed face.
"Oh Oliver," she hiccupped, "I'm so sorry, but this is just too funny." She sighed, finally composing herself and wiping her face with a damp cloth.
"Would you care to explain yourself, Mrs. O'Toole?" Oliver finally found his words.
"Darling, you do know you're the best, right?" Shane wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, her cheek against his chest.
He put his chin on top of her head and hugged her tightly. He adored their height difference when she wasn't wearing heels. "I only know I love you, but I can't wrap my head around this provocative notion…"
She looked up at him and grinned. "Oliver, there were way too many times in the DLO when I simply wanted to pounce on you. Heaven knows how I managed to control myself."
"I always behaved like a perfect gentleman! How in the world was I provocative?"
"Well, Oliver… smoldering looks, those big hands of yours… and when you roll up your shirtsleeves…your forearms are pure distraction!"
"Huh." Oliver was perplexed. Are forearms really that attractive?
"But that's not all."
"There's more?" he asked, his brows arching quizzically.
"Of course, there's more."
"Please, do share," Oliver managed to utter.
"Well, when you remove your suit jacket in the office, I can't help but admire your… physique. Some of your shirts consist of fairly thin fabric, which show the outline of your muscles…and well, let's not talk about how well tailored your pants are."
"Shane!"
Feigning innocence, Shane replied, "Oliver, I'm just being truthful. You did ask what was provocative about you. I'm just providing some answers. Don't worry, darling. You have always been the perfect gentleman. Good looks just can't be helped." She punctuated her words with a flutter of her eyelashes.
"This conversation has been nothing short of ridiculous, Shane McInerney O'Toole. For the record, I refuse to acknowledge this allegation of provocation within the premises of the DLO." Oliver scoffed.
"Alright, darling, if you say so! Let's have dinner before it gets cold." Shane smiled to herself. She had just the plan to show Oliver how provocative he could be!
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They both agreed that Chef Victoria achieved a miracle. Shane had managed to cook a simple meal that was not only tasty, but healthy as well. Of course, this didn't mean she was fully adept in the kitchen… but on this occasion she managed it beautifully, without creating a war zone! She was joyously looking forward to more cooking lessons, and Oliver was very pleased with Shane's desire to continue her culinary education.
Seeing that Oliver was in a good mood after dinner, Shane decided to broach a particular subject she'd had in mind recently.
"Oliver, you remember when we went dancing in New York?"
"Of course, my love."
"Remember how you agreed to take dance classes again?"
"Yes. Have you made any arrangements?"
"Ramon recommended a friend of his. Franco used to be in the pro-circuit with him when he competed in the professional Latin ballroom competitions."
"Latin ballroom?" Oliver looked at her quizzically.
"Well, yes, Oliver. Remember how you said we could take up the tango?"
Oliver gulped. He didn't have a good feeling about where this was going. "Yes…"
"Well, Franco is from Argentina. He can teach us that particular style. Oh Oliver, I have been watching YouTube videos, and it's absolutely gorgeous!"
"Wouldn't you like to learn a foxtrot? Or maybe a Viennese waltz?" Oliver prayed he could get her to change her mind.
"How about we learn both the Argentine tango and the foxtrot? That's a compromise, right? That's what married people do, don't they?"
Oliver looked down and hid his smile. He really couldn't deny her anything, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone. Taking a deep breath he said, "Alright, set it up. It'll be nice to take lessons again."
"It's already set, Oliver. We meet up with Franco tomorrow afternoon at our former dance studio." Shane smiled, got up from the table, and picked up Valentino. She petted his soft fur and gave him a kiss on the head. The pooch was in seventh heaven. "See you in the movie room, Oliver! You can do the dishes since I cooked. Don't take too long, Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds will be singing in the rain in approximately 10 minutes!"
Oliver sighed and laughed. His wife was something else. She had effortlessly handled him to her heart's content. But O'Toole, you absolutely love it, don't deny it! With a small bounce to his step, he cheerfully took care of the dishes, and promptly joined Shane and the fur balls for movie night.
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"Ovileer! Shane!" Ramon greeted them enthusiastically as they entered the dance studio premises. In what seemed like the ultimate déjà vu, Oliver's face fell as he saw Ramon. "Ovileer! I can see the trepidation on your face. You must not fret. I won't be teaching you this time around. I wanted to be here to introduce you to my good friend, Franco."
Shane's eyes widened as she saw the handsome young man approaching. Franco was 6 feet tall, slim but built, with the lithe body of a dancer. He had dark brown hair with reddish highlights, long enough to be pulled into a short ponytail. He sported a trimmed goatee, but it was his green cat-like eyes that gave him his ultimately dangerous look.
"Franco! These are my very best of friends, Ovileer and Shane O'Toole. They are magnificent, and I am confident that they will be quickly excelling at the Argentine tango."
Franco firmly shook Oliver's hand. He then greeted Shane by taking one of her hands in both of his, and saying hello in a voice that could've melted butter. The accent had Shane's mouth hanging open. Oliver's eyes started to twitch.
Ramon then shared how he'd met Franco. Of course, they'd danced in the pro-circuit during their ballroom competition days. Ramon also shared he'd followed Franco to his native Argentina just so he could dance the tango in its birthplace. In Buenos Aires, Ramon's day job had been at El Cuartito, a pizzeria where he did everything from waiting tables to working the prep for the pizza dough each day. It was at El Cuartito where Ramon met Gabriela, Franco's older sister, and fallen in love. In an unexpected twist of fate, Gabriela had gotten the sudden urge to flee to a kibbutz in Israel. Ramon followed her, but the relationship didn't end well. That was a story for another day, Ramon insisted. Maybe over a bottle or two of Malbec.
Finally, it was time for the class to start. Ramon gave his lavish goodbyes and left them in the capable hands of his dear friend. Franco proceeded to show Oliver and Shane the hold for the Argentine tango.
"Ovileery, come here," Franco instructed in his raspy, accented voice.
"It's Oliver," he was not amused with this new moniker.
"Right. Come here, Ovileery."
Oliver rolled his eyes.
"Watch." Franco proceeded to pull Shane towards him to demonstrate what was called the embrace. "This is how you hold your partner in the Argentine tango. Firm frame, firm grip of her hand. Keep your center in check, and most important of all, you lead with your chest!"
"Oh my," Shane almost gasped when Franco pulled her into the tango's hold, pressing his chest to hers. Oliver was gulping spasmodically. He tried to remember that ultimately, it'd be him holding his wife that way!
"Now, try it!" Franco ordered, as he abruptly released Shane.
Shane's eyes filled with mirth, as she pressed her lips together, forming that familiar line when she was trying to suppress her laughter. She knew Oliver was trying to keep it together, but he was not being very successful.
"Shane, you will pay for this later," he whispered in her ear, as he copied what Franco had just shown him. "I can't believe I'm praying for Ramon to take over."
"Ovileery! That's perfection! Perfect hold, perfect posture! I might just be able to make a dancer out of you yet. And Shane…you are simply sublime. Ramon didn't do you justice when he told me about you."
Oliver raised one of his eyebrows and gave Shane a devious half-smile. "Oh yes, you're going to pay for this, my dearest wife."
"As you say, Ovileery…" Shane replied, barely stifling her laughter.
The class continued with Franco teaching them the salida or what would be the basic steps of the Argentine tango. Shane had a bit of a hard time with the cruzada, the crossover step that comprised the mid portion of the salida. Once Oliver got the hang of how he should support her during that precise moment of movement, it all flowed beautifully. Franco was intensely pleased with their progress.
"Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! Ovileery, you are the perfect frame for Shane's exquisite picture. I can just see you now. You will be ready for the amateur competitions in no time!" He exclaimed with grandiose flair.
"Shane!" Oliver looked at his wife in a panic.
"Franco! Let's not get ahead of ourselves! We only just learned the salida. There are lifts and those intricate leg and foot hooks, not to mention doing everything gracefully and in step with the music." Shane said, trying to abate Franco's enthusiasm. She could sense Oliver was on the brink of a meltdown!
"Well, yes, but you are just so good. This is not easy for everyone. I apologize if I come on too strong. I simply see the potential between the two of you. It's not every day that happens to a dance teacher," Franco placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head in apology.
The rest of the class was spent synchronizing the new steps to music. Oliver had to admit he liked the classic Gardel tunes Franco selected. He would've hated dancing to modern pop, much like they did on those celebrity dance competitions Shane liked. All in all, it had been quite the first class. Oliver had to admit he enjoyed it once he got over the shock that was Franco, demonstrating the hold with Shane. He was thankful this was only going to be once a week. It would be downright torture dealing with Franco more than that!
Dearest gentle reader, yes, I am abruptly ending here today. As abruptly as Franco released Shane after showing Oliver the infamous embrace hold of the Argentine tango. But alas, don't fret! Because the course of events of this installment carry over to the next…