December 1976 – NYC

Angela stepped past all the dancing bodies with one, leggy, practiced stride after another, studying the participants as she passed. She had logged many an hour ballroom dancing, but this sort was newer ground.

There was singing with your girlfriends to popular music in the privacy of your own dorm. There was bebopping in a high school gym. And then there was adult dancing in a nightclub. This was the big league.

As she watched them, she gathered the general idea. The vodka had cast its spell, and Angela was feeling far less distracted by herself. Letting the music thump through her, she found a half-beat and slowly matched it, swinging her hips from side to side. Her arms rose above her head, and swayed naturally from where the rest of her body took them. She shut her eyes, wanting so much to be lost.

"Hey, beautiful," Angela heard a deep voice say alarmingly close to her face. She opened her eyes, and looked up in the direction of the voice. She was welcomed to the present by smiling, brown eyes that seemed to know a secret. With shards of light strobing across the man's handsome face, he asked, "Wanna dance?"

Feeling fairly uninhibited, she said nothing as she let her gaze slowly move from his eyes, back toward his jaw, down his neck, across his shoulders, and down his chest. Even in the shadows, she could tell he was tall and fit. She really came to be alone, but there was something about his invitation that intrigued her. Making a little smile, Angela said, "Okay".

Michael stepped closer, and put both his hands around her waist. Angela slid her hands up his defined arms, and connected her hands behind his neck. He pulled her close to him, and began moving them to the beat of the music.

The shadows, the lights, the music, the bass, the smoke, the alcohol - it all melded together into a mystical atmosphere. She didn't know this place, and the inhabitants didn't know her. She'd stepped into a fantasy where there were no rules or consequences, because it existed only here. Song after song, there was something deeply comforting and natural about the warmth and pressure of the man's body against hers. She'd missed that. This guy wasn't Brian, to say the least. This guy was confident and commanding, and looked at her like he'd never been so interested in anything else in all his life. Brian looked at her like that, too. But this guy looked like he was willing to do something about it – and she certainly wouldn't have to beg.

She turned around, and slowly pushed her body deep into his with every beat. She felt his hands move up the sides of her torso, lightly tracing her arms above her head, then back down the front of her chest. His palms slid across her breasts as they moved down to cross around her trim waist, and he hugged her closely. Oh! I've missed that.

Angela tipped her head back far, and kept her eyes closed as she felt one of his hands leave her waist to gently move her hair. They kept dancing, pulsating smoothly together, while he softly kissed her neck and shoulders.

"Are you thirsty?" she heard, when his lips started kissing back up by her ear.

"Hell, no! Don't stop!" she mumbled out. Did I say that out loud? Angela panicked.

His bright laughter was her answer. "Please? Quick break?"

Blushing with every drop of blood in her, she shyly turned to look up at him. "I could use a little water." Her mouth definitely felt dry.

Smiling, he put his hand at the small of her back, and led her to the bar. He ordered a beer, and got her a water. He sidled up inches from her, both leaning against the bar, and looked in her eyes. "Alright, beautiful. What's your name?"

Angela smiled, and took a drink of water. She looked back at him and tilted her head, studying him as much as toying with him. I have no idea who this guy is. I'm not sure I want him to know me.

Meh, I guess I can go that far. She swallowed, and answered. "Angela."

He grinned down at her. "You're a trip, Angela. Where'd you learn to dance like that?"

"I'm a quick study."

"So, not a lifelong student?"

"Not of this."

"Of what, then?"

Angela smiled and countered, "What's your name?"

He laughed again. "Michael."

"Nice to meet you, Michael," she smiled coyly.

Michael looked down to her mouth, and got even closer. "It's been absolutely my pleasure," he said so close, she could almost feel his lips. Then he kissed her top lip softly. Angela sucked in her breath, but didn't change her posture. After a second, she smiled widely and slid her tongue up to blanket the roof of his mouth. Adjusting so they were more standing than leaning, she gently retracted her tongue. Slowly but solidly, Angela smooshed her chest up against his. He looked down, taking it all in with obvious approval, and she relished the power she saw he gave her. This is so hot.

Michael kissed her deeply, wrapping his arms around her. She responded by arching her back, and pulling the kiss back toward her. They heard the DJ cut the music, and speak too close to the mic. "Ten seconds 'till Seventy-Seven!" Angela brought her hands up behind his head. and slowly raked her fingers through his short, brown waves.

They heard everybody chanting the countdown. Ten! Nine! Eight!... Angela found herself kissing Michael with an intense longing she didn't quite understand.

"…Happy New Year!" The place erupted in cheers, but Angela was zeroed in on this giver of peace. Everything felt better. She was wanted. She wasn't sad. And when she looked up at those beautiful brown eyes, she felt like she was home.