Page 81 of Sexual Healing
“That’s good news, correct? It’s even better for me because no red flags, at least as far as your behavior is concerned. It would be interesting to know why the women dumped you, though. What does that say about you?”
“I’m boring. I like to do this and watch sports. I drink. I hate going to the beach. I work out so I can eat. I never take trips. All I want to do is stay home and fuck.”
Barking out a laugh, Rene shook her head in exasperation. “The band is warming up. I say forget eating and let’s dance.”
“Okay. We can get something to go.”
“Perfect! I’d rather eat barbeque in sweatpants anyway.”
He stood up and reached for her hand. “I’ve had women say once they dance with me, there’s no turning back.”
“I’m ready for it.”
“I ruin other men for them. Ask any of my exes.”
“Is that right? I think you might be a bit of an egomaniac.”
“Ha! No doubt,” Dan agreed. “I don’t like weaklings.”
“You outta love me, then. I’ve worked in the emergency room since I graduated from nursing school.”
“I don’t like blood and guts. But if listening to you talk about them is part of the deal to get to know you, I’m in.”
“That’s so nice. But I won’t ask that of you, promise.”
Moving effortlessly into his arms, the first song was a sultry ballad, and the singer’s voice was perfect, just enough beat to keep them moving, but the words and the beautiful music took over, and they simply held each other while Dan led her around the floor. Sometime during the song, she put her head on his shoulder, and he could smell her hair, something like lilacs. When he looked at how smooth it was, pulled into a ponytail, he saw shiny gold threaded with something silvery that reflected the dim light.
“How old are you?” he asked. “I mean, if I may ask.”
“I’ll be thirty-seven next month,” she said, sadness flooding her face. “Is that too old for you?”
“It’s perfect,” he said, holding her tightly. “Perfect.”
He started to sing to her, his mouth close to her ear so its vibrato sent chills down her spine.
“I hope you’ll be happy now,” he whispered, singing along. “Yeah, I hope you’ll be happy now.”
She had to watch it. This was just a fantasy, dancing with this beautiful man, the wonderful music, wanting to believe that it was special; it was probably fleeting.
“We’re in it forever,” he sang. “It’ll be hard, but we’ll do it step by step.”
The pace of the music picked up a little bit, and his hands slid down to her waist as he spun her around the dance floor. With her hands on his shoulders, she had to close her eyes. The thrill was so intense she wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
“Are you with me?” He tipped her face up.
“I’m in heaven.”
“Your eyes are closed,” he said, kissing her nose.
“I feel like I’m in a dream.”
Holding her body close to him again, the end of the song was close, and she didn’t want it to stop.
“I wish she’d sing it again.”
He led her over to the band and whispered to the singer, pulling bills out of his pocket.
“For a special lady?” she asked, and he nodded, smiling.