Chapter X: Tales of an Embrace Part II

Spice Meter: 5 flames

"Oliver, this afternoon was positively wonderful! Thank you so much for going along with the dance lessons!" Shane gushed as they drove home. Oliver had insisted on picking up some takeout for dinner. He couldn't wait for some peaceful time after that afternoon's whirlwind of events.

As soon as they arrived home, Oliver took off his jacket. He was famished, otherwise he would've stopped to take off his vest and tie, too. He decided to forego that part of his ritual to set the table and eat as soon as possible.

"Darling, I know we prefer our dinners tech-free, but I must show you this video. Can't you see us dancing just like this?"

Shane handed Oliver her smartphone. A video of a couple dancing the Argentine tango played on the screen. Oliver had to admit they looked amazing, gliding stealthily, their foreheads touching as they moved gracefully across the dance floor. It was such a sensual dance, he felt like he was intruding on an intimate moment.

"Huh. It's amazing how they dance so fluidly with their foreheads touching," Oliver was riveted by this style of dancing.

"Isn't it lovely! I like it too, it suits us! Hopefully Franco can teach us how to do that."

Oliver continued watching and saw the male dancer lift the lady, as she hooked her legs around his. "Well, this is intriguing."

"The ganchos?" Shane's eyes glittered.

"Is that what the step is called?" Oliver asked.

"Yes, it's Spanish for leg hooks." Shane was ecstatic Oliver was enthralled by the movements. She couldn't wait to learn enough so they could go to a milonga. She researched tango themed dance partiesand there were a couple of places in Denver that hosted them. The prospect was exciting, along with the thought that maybe they could travel to Argentina sometime in the future.

"Want to practice a bit after dinner, maybe try this out?" Oliver asked, referring to the ganchos.

"I think that's a marvelous idea," Shane said, as she took a bite of the pad thai she had chosen for dinner.

After finishing their meal and giving Flynn and Valentino theirs, Shane moved some furniture around in the living room. She felt like they would need a bit more space to move around, and they could take advantage of the accent mirror they had placed on one of the walls. Franco kept saying they needed to use the mirror to make sure their lines and body position were correct. Shane got both her tablet and smartphone and synced the latter to the sound system. She found a Carlos Gardel playlist on Spotify. The tablet was set on YouTube, so they could follow a tutorial on basic footwork and ganchos. Shane was so excited over all this she was practically giddy.

"Shall we dance, Mrs. O'Toole?"

"But of course, Mr. O'Toole!"

Oliver proceeded with the embrace, and swiftly fell into step with the salida. He had to admit it felt wonderful and he loved the music's nostalgic, yet romantic violin. Franco shared that Carlos Gardel was the best of all time, and everyone who knew anything about tango, knew Gardel. He was going to try to find a couple of vinyls. That certainly would be a treat and quite the addition to his record collection.

"This is so lovely, Oliver," Shane sighed as she looked up to him.

"I'd have to agree, sweetheart. Now, why don't we try those fancy moves?"

They had the funniest, loveliest, sexiest, and most thrilling time dancing in their living room. When Oliver leaned towards Shane in one of the steps shown in the video tutorial, the glimpse she caught of his butt in the mirror had her mouth go dry. In turn, Oliver started sweating profusely while Shane attempted to hook her legs around his as he lifted her from the floor. Their choppy breath, their bodies up against each other, the sliding, lifting and entwining leg moves were too much to bear while in the privacy of their home.

The music ended and they were both catching their breath when Shane acted on impulse. She pounced on Oliver, kissing him as if her life depended on it. He had to know just how much he affected her, just how provocative he could be just by being himself.

"I have been dying to do this all day," she said, in between breaths, her lips against his as she unbuttoned the vest of his 3-piece suit.

Caught by surprise once again in less than 24 hours, Oliver fell victim to his wife's touch. He felt his vest fall to the floor, as she started to loosen his tie.

"Do you know how unquestionably handsome you look in a tie? So proper, so elegant, so distinguished… turquoise suits you, by the way." She finally rid him of his tie and slid her hands up his neck, pressing kisses on his well-defined jawline. "Heavens above, Oliver, you smell amazing." The citrusy, yet spicy scent of his cologne filled her nostrils, devastating her already tattered senses. As she found his mouth once again, Shane softened her lips over his. Her tongue mingled with his, creating their own particularly seductive dance.

Loosening her hold on his shoulders, she slid her hands down his arms, feeling his strong bicep muscles, all the way down to his amazingly masculine forearms. "These drive me crazy, Oliver… for the longest time it was the most I could appreciate of your fabulous physique. Now, I can touch them all I want…"

"I'm all yours, Shane," Oliver managed to say, his voice hoarse, weakened by the passion he invariably felt for his wife.

She flicked open each button, one by one, relishing the slow reveal of his chest. Her blood buzzed in her veins as she trailed kisses down his chest as she delicately opened his shirt, pulled it from his trousers and slid it off over his shoulders.

"Goodness gracious, Oliver. You couldn't be more provocative if you tried." Shane grabbed his sides, and slid her hands up to his pectoral muscles, all the while kissing him senseless. The belt buckle was next, but she didn't take it off immediately, opting to just loosen it, along with his trousers. She pushed him towards the sofa, and he let himself be led this time around, trying to catch his breath while awaiting his wife's next move.

"I think I might be wearing too much clothing."

Oliver could only nod in agreement while Shane proceeded to divest herself of her skirt and flowy blouse, kicking off her heels along with her clothing. She wore a pearl-colored satin underwear ensemble that left little to the imagination. Oliver held out his hand and Shane took it, kneeling beside him on the sofa.

"You're too lovely for words," he managed to say, making Shane smile and his heart skip a beat.

Sitting on his lap, Shane kissed Oliver once again. Now, instead of letting her take over, they became equal partners in their seductive pursuits. Each touch was mirrored by the other, escalating their desire for one another.

"Want to continue this upstairs?" Shane asked, her voice thick with desire.

"I thought you'd never ask."

They ran upstairs, laughing like teenagers on a tryst. They tumbled onto the bed, a tangle of arms and legs as they continued with their enthusiastic, impassioned ministrations.

In between fervent kisses and gasp inducing touches, Shane asked, "Now, do you understand how provocative you are, dearest husband?"

"Maybe, but I do believe I may need more convincing on the matter."

Shane giggled, but as she took him within her, a quiet moan escaped her throat. It only increased their craving for each other, as they created a rhythm uniquely their own. A crescendo of pure need enveloped them in its blurry haze. As they exploded together, their last rational thought was the thrilling sensation that each time they came together this way was better than the last.

###

The sun broke through the bedroom window, hitting Oliver in the face. Any other morning, he would've groaned, but immediately his thoughts went to the previous evening and its exhilarating turn of events. He then noticed Shane was wrapped around him, her head on his shoulder, her arm over his chest, her legs entwined with his. If this was the result of one tango class, he would happily sign up for the rest of the year! Oliver chuckled softly, as he kissed Shane's forehead. She didn't stir as he disengaged from her embrace.

Valentino looked up at him expectantly. The dog was too intelligent for his own good. He knew Oliver would take him out and give him his morning treats. He let his mom sleep. However, if Oliver had been alone, Valentino would've barked incessantly to get his attention.

"Come on you hooligan, but you better not let your mom know I still call you that when we're alone, alright?"

Valentino's tongue hung out in agreement. Or maybe in mockery? Who knew?

Still, Oliver was in quite a good mood and decided to make breakfast. Maybe they could have it in bed and have a reprise of the previous night's events. After letting Valentino out and giving Flynn a most needed ear scratch, he took out the ingredients for blueberry pancakes. Coffee was already brewing, maybe he'd scramble some eggs to accompany the pancakes?

After everything was prepared, Oliver loaded up a tray and went upstairs to the master bedroom, with Flynn and Valentino following close behind. When he walked in, he saw Shane had turned on the tv. His stomach always flipped when he saw how beautiful she was in the morning. She had such a dreamy smile on her face, she looked radiant.

"Oh my gosh, Oliver! Breakfast in bed, what a treat! Awww, you made blueberry pancakes. Those are my favorite."

In another lifetime, Oliver wouldn't have been caught dead having breakfast in bed. The thought of crumbs and other stuff spilling on the bedding would have stressed him out. Here was yet another example of how Shane had changed his life for the better. He simply lived for these little moments with her.

Shane propped up some pillows and settled back comfortably, so she could finally dig into her stack of pancakes.

"What are we watching, my love?"

"Oh, it's a series that's streaming on Netflix. It's about an unfortunate looking girl who ends up working at a fashion magazine in New York."

"Really? That sounds like fluff."

"It's entertaining fluff, darling. The main actor? He's quite good looking if you ask me."

Oliver stared at the screen, trying to figure out what Shane found attractive in that Daniel Meade guy. "He's not attractive at all, Shane. First off, he's too pale. And what's up with the spiky hair and purple ties?"

"But look at those blue eyes! They remind me of yours."

"We have nothing in common, my love. On top of everything else, he's a womanizer."

Knowing she'd never convince Oliver the Daniel Meade guy was quite hot, she changed the subject. "I hope he ends up with this Betty girl. She's not ugly at all… she just needs a bit of help finding her own style."

"Well, she seems to be the only character with any sort of depth," Oliver replied.

Shane didn't have a chance to say anything else. The shrill sound of her phone ringing interrupted their conversation.

"That's odd. Who could be calling so early on a Sunday morning?" Shane didn't recognize the number but she answered anyway.

Oliver saw the blood drain from his wife's face and immediately he knew whoever was on the end of the line was delivering bad news.

In a shaky voice, Shane said, "Darling, we might have to forego church today. Joe is at Denver Mercy. We have to go."

What a rollercoaster ride, dear reader! This Author is totally overcome. I may just have to lie down, it's so much for this frail heart to bear.

Simply uncanny how all that… provocation… came to a climax! This Author admits getting all hot and bothered over Shane's passionate onslaught. Might we say it was overdue? She definitely had us all wondering what her 3-piece suit fantasy was all about!

But the dancing, dearest reader, the dancing! Isn't it just fascinating? I just hope Shane and Oliver can make it to one of those milongas. Maybe take Norman and Rita, and Joe and Vivianne for a night out? If Ramon and Franco tag along, it might provide for quite an interesting interlude!

I do hate leaving you without a proper resolution to Joe's predicament, though. Whatever could have happened that a visit to Denver Mercy was necessary? And who on earth delivered this information to Shane over the phone?

Yes, I know you're stressed, and most likely dear reader, you want me to continue quickly. But rest assured, do you really think I'd have Papa Joe reach for the pearly gates when all his prayers are being answered? I think not. Further information will have to wait until the next time, gentle reader. I must bid farewell for now. Adios!