Page 17 of One Hotlanta Night
The heat building in his eyes intensifies even more as he takes my hand, encircling mine and pulling me to him as he says,
“I’m all yours.”
Michael
At the touch of her skin, the first thing that hits me is an electrical jolt blazing through my body as she drags her hand across my chest, leaving a fiery trail in its wake. As she grasps my hand, hot pulses travel from where our fingers connect, rushing all the way up to my racing heart. A taut wire binds us together, growing stronger and sending a pleasant humming through my veins.
The second thing I realize is that she’s holding on to me despite the suffocating crowd. Strong. Like she isn’t going to let go. Now that is a grip I can appreciate.
“I’m all yours,” I repeat as I draw her in close to me. People are crushing us on all sides, cheering and jumping as Wisin y Yandel blasts through the speakers, and I put my arm around her shoulders protectively. I don’t care if she thinks I’m being too forward; I don’t want anyone to crash into this woman. There’s just a moment’s hesitation from her before she sinks into mychest, our hands still clasped, and I can feel her heart thumping against mine.
This must be heaven.
We stand there, the music swirling around us, enveloping us in our own private cloud where nothing exists but the beat of the melody and our hearts in time.
I close my eyes for just a minute, memorizing this moment. Knowing this is where everything I’ve been waiting for falls into place. We’re right here where we belong.
Together.
Happy birthday to me indeed.
My mind quiets even as I open my eyes and take in every feature of her face. She has a tiny beauty mark above her kissable lips that’s just dying for my tongue. Her eyes look up at mine, wide and searching, and I wish I knew what’s going through her gorgeous head. But the one thing I do know is that she’s mine.
I don't even know her name yet, but my soul recognizes hers. This is how it happened for my parents, my grandparents, and now, finally, it’s my turn.
Peace washes over me as I press her close to my heart. It’s like every question I’ve ever had is answered now that she’s here in my arms.
When I’d rolled up to the club, I didn’t have any expectations for the night, other than trying to avoid that gnawing loneliness made worse by staring at four walls or another episode ofThe Sopranos. Figured I’d have a few beers with the guys and surround myself with people for a bit. It was better than another night at the townhouse alone thinking about how my birthday is in a few days and I haven’t made plans.
Twenty-five. A quarter of a century old. If I was with my family, they’d be throwing a huge party.
Walking into L’Aventura had been a pleasant surprise. The DJ knew his music, even bringing out some Buena Vista Social Clubin addition to Celia Cruz and Marc Anthony. The energy in the place was warm, smothering, and entirely too loud.
Felt just like home. I grinned.
It hadn’t taken long to locate Adam and some of the other guys from work. His girlfriend Janice had greeted me with a soft hug that reminded me of how much I missed my sister. I think the two of them would get along; they’re both natural caregivers. She’d told Adam in her sweet little bossy voice to get me a drink to celebrate, but I’d quickly reassured her I could grab one of my own.
The club prided itself on its variety of tequila, but I wasn’t up for that level of alcohol tonight. Instead I’d opted for a Red Stripe; not all bars carried it, so this place was already rising in my estimation.
As I settled back against the wall where the group was hanging out, I took a long swig of the spicy beer and cast my eyes over the crowd, allowing the ambience to wash over me.
There was no shortage of beautiful women, to be sure, and two girls standing close by started giving me the eye. Good looks were one thing, but neither appealed to me so I let my gaze roam past them to the dancers on the floor.
The vibe of this place was seeping into my skin, and I felt the bass in my veins, my pulse pounding to match the beats. My feet started tapping of their own accord. Latin music is hard to resist for anyone, and impossible when it’s in your blood. I hadn’t danced since I left Charlotte, but maybe I’d end up asking one of those girls after all.
My eyes continued to wander over the dance floor, admiring the skill levels from I’ve-been-doing-this-since-birth to newbie-hot-mess-express.
And then froze.
Onher.
The whole world stopped. The music, the dancers, everything around me stilled. Even my heart forgot how to beat.
All I could see was her.
Confidence radiated from her in shimmering waves, falling over her gorgeous body.
And a Voice inside my head spoke, clear as a bell,
