“Welcome back, sir. Is this the lady’s first visit?”
“Yes.”
“I hope you both enjoy.”
The doorman swung the door open and held it while Russell and Tessa passed through. “You know your way, sir.”
Russell took Tessa’s arm and escorted her from the foyer into a large open room.
“It’s a dance club!” Tessa said, looking at a dozen couples swaying to Bublé’s Sway.
“It’s a very special dance club,” Russell said. And as he spoke, Tessa’s eyes went wide. Some of the couples were doing a little more than swaying.
Russell laughed softly. “The etiquette is this: glancing and even subtle watching is fine. Staring is inappropriate. Commenting is rude. Interrupting will get us kicked out. Let’s take a booth.”
The room was large, with a polished wooden dance floor in the center. Speakers mounted from the walls and ceiling enveloped the entire room, and the music was loud enough to cover the sounds of conversation and mask other assorted sounds. Tall, thickly upholstered booths lined the walls. There was a small bar at the end of the room and a hallway just off the bar.
“If you need the ladies room, it’s down that hall,” Russell said, pointing toward the bar. “What would you like to drink? I have water, soft drinks, red and white wine and rum.”
“You have…?”
“This is a membership club. We don’t have a liquor license. Members stock what they like and staff serves it.”
“Let me start with a Diet Coke, if you’ve got it.”
Tessa headed for the ladies room. On the way, she carefully “glanced” at the other couples in the club. She was grateful that the room was softly lit; her blush would have been a little embarrassing. When she returned to their booth, there was a tall glass of ice and an unopened Diet Coke waiting for her. Russell was drinking water.
Tessa settled in next to Russell. Apparently she hadn’t sat close enough, as he slid against her until his hips were touching hers.
“Do you like this kind of music?” he asked.
“On occasion.”
“How about this occasion?”
Tessa watched the dancers, and then turned her gaze to Russell. “It suits this place well.”
Russell rested his hand on her neck, as he had in the cab. This time, he lightly massaged the back of Tessa’s ear. When she relaxed, he whispered, “That dress suits you well.” His free hand lightly brushed the top of Tessa’s cleavage. “It shows off some excellent assets.” Tessa squirmed but didn’t tell him to stop, and Russell let his fingers roam further, until they were underneath the bodice of Tessa’s gown.
He turned his head to face Tessa but his eyes were not on her face. He was staring quite openly at the view her bustier afforded. “Beautiful,” he murmured, though Tessa wasn’t sure whether he was referring to the bustier or her.
He slid his long finger through her cleavage and followed her flesh until he reached her belly button. Tessa shivered, and Russell smiled. He touched her breasts and nipples through the bustier’s delicate lace and he traced the path of its stays and piping with long, slow strokes. He kissed her softly and asked her if she wanted more by resting his tongue on her lips. She parted them, and Russell explored her mouth, softly and sweetly. She completely relaxed in his arms, so Russell put the car in drive.