In The Garden Of Snakes (An Erotic Summer Tryst) by Virginia Wade Page A

should dance with him.” Her look was
peculiar. “You want to. Don’t you?”
     
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    A tall man in a gray suit made his way
through the crowd. His dark, gray-streaked hair was combed back,
and a simple black mask hid his eyes, which flashed with interest.
It seemed like I was the only person in the room he was looking at,
and, in that hypnotic and confusing moment, I felt my heart flip
over, thudding in my chest, forcing the swell of my breasts to
press against the velvet material of my dress.
    “Isn’t she lovely?” asked Constance.
    “Yes, she is.” His voice had taken on a
seductive timbre.
    “You should dance with her. I’ll see if Rose
is ready to come down. She said she wasn’t feeling well.”
    “Let me know if you need help.” He kissed her
cheek, whispering, “You look beautiful.”
    “Thank you.” She seemed stiff and detached,
as she brushed by him.
    He took my hand, his eyes skimming over me.
“That’s some dress.”
    “Thanks. You look nice too.” Ugh. What a
lame thing to say . I shook myself mentally for being so
nervous. He’d seen me naked this morning. Why the shyness?
    The band began to play a love song from the
80’s. I didn’t recognize the artist, but the melody was endearing.
The furniture in the living room had been removed, clearing the
space for an enormous dance floor equipped with a disco ball and
strobe lights. Dozens of couples danced, some waltzing, while
others swayed to the music. He took me in his arms, my body pressed
to his. I inhaled his cologne, which set off a burst of tingles.
His hand was on my back, the touch producing goose bumps up and
down my arms. I was so overwhelmed by the contact I hid my face on
his shoulder, afraid to look up.
    “You look so beautiful, Jessica.”
    “Um…huh…”
    He chuckled, the vibration rumbling in his
chest. “Not used to compliments, are we?”
    “I’ve never danced. I feel weird. I’ve never
worn anything like this before.”
    “What about this morning? You had nothing on
at all.”
    “That was weird too.”
    “You didn’t really think I’d send those
pictures to your mother, did you?”
    “I hope not.”
    “I was joking. I could tell it bothered
you.”
    “That’s not nice.”
    “No it isn’t,” he chuckled. “It worked,
though. I got you naked.”
    The tone of his voice was low and intimate. I
turned my face into his neck, feeling the heat coming off him. “My
mother would totally freak out if she knew.”
    We spun around in slow circles. “Then we
better not tell her.”
    A burst of tingles constricted my throat,
making talk impossible. I was so profoundly shocked to feel this
way, that I closed my eyes and let the moment overwhelm me. The
music, the clinking of glasses, the low murmurings of voices, and
the feel of being in strong arms was oddly soothing. I’d always
found him intimidating, but now…it was different. His hand on my
back massaged gently, each touch producing thrilling little tingles
that vibrated with sensual energy. We didn’t speak again as another
song began. My face was close to his skin, which radiated heat and
smelled lightly of lemon and cedar with musky undertones. I’d
melted into him, using him like one would a comfortable piece of
furniture. I felt entirely at ease in his arms. I never wanted to
leave. We turned around and around, swaying gently to the beat.
    “We should take a walk.”
    I’d go anywhere with him. “Sure.”
    He led me out the patio doors towards the
garden, passing several couples along the way. I saw Carmen in the
distance laughing with Stuart, who was dressed in a black cape. I
found myself near the roses, the smell nearly overpowering. We sat
on a bench in a dark corner, his arm around my shoulder.
    “I think I’m in trouble.”
    I glanced at him. “What do you mean?”
    He’d removed his mask. His look was fixated
on nothing in particular. “I wasn’t expecting you. I shouldn’t be
feeling like this. I’m trying