Dance For Me Ch. 16

Chapter Sixteen: Nothing Else Matters

Sada rested against Quinn, listening to him breathe. I feel bad for him, she thought, sighing heavily. He's been so nice to me, even though he knows it won't change anything. She sat up and looked down at him. Maybe she did have some feelings for him, but she knew herself well enough by now. Quinn was mysterious and intriguing, but he wasn't Alastair. When she was with Quinn, she enjoyed herself. When she was with Alastair, Sada felt as though the rest of the world was no longer important.

"It's not polite to stare," Quinn muttered, without opening his eyes.

Sada laughed. "Good morning, grumpy. I'm going to take a shower, okay?"

"Shower?" Quinn's eyes opened. "Now you've got my attention."

Sada scowled. "Don't start acting like your brother."

Quinn soft laughter followed her as she stood up and headed towards the bathroom. Her ankle still ached some, but she was determined to dance tonight. Maybe I should stay here until it's time to go, Sada thought, frowning as she glanced down at her ankle. Alastair will have a fit if he sees me limping like this. Besides which, she still needed time to think. Quinn was right, that she couldn't have seen what she thought she saw, but she was afraid to find out what the truth really was.

"Sada?"

Surprised, she paused and glanced over her shoulder. Quinn was holding up a menu. "Tell me what you want," he said. "I'll have it here by the time you get out of the shower."

Smiling, Sada limped back over to Quinn. She studied the menu for a moment, considering carefully.

"The oatmeal," Sada said at last. "And the fruit cup."

"Oh…yummy…" Quinn muttered.

Sada laughed. "I know, but oatmeal sticks to your ribs. It will be good to have something that stays with me if I get too nervous to eat later."

"Okay," Quinn agreed, shrugging. "And I'll get you some ice."

Sada smiled gratefully at him, then headed into the bathroom. Maybe if she iced her ankle and took something, it would stop hurting by the time she had to dance. At the least, she thought, I'll be able to stop limping by then. Alastair will be furious if he knew I was going to dance on it while it's hurt. Sada still wasn't sure what she was going to do about Alastair. Maybe a nice hot shower would help her to clear her head.

*****

Alastair paced anxiously. I can't believe this, he thought, clenching his hands into fists. It's almost time for us to go into the wings and she isn't here! He shifted impatiently, straightening the simple long-sleeved black mesh shirt he was wearing with his leather pants. It didn't really vary much on their current theme, but he had his reasons he'd wanted to dress this way. Sada, however, had refused to let him see the outfit he'd chosen and if he wasn't so unsettled by the fact that she wasn't here yet, he'd be insatiably curious to see.

"Alastair!"

Startled, Alastair whirled around. Sada pushed through the crowd of waiting couples to get to him. His heart soared at the sight of her. Like him, she was dressed in black; a torn hem skirt that came down to about mid-thigh, and a mid-drift baring top with jagged hems at bottom and sleeves, attached to the skirt front and back with eyelet studded straps. Alastair noticed the ace bandage wrapped around Sada's ankle, as well.

"Sorry," Sada panted, sweeping past him towards the wings. "Let's go."

Frowning, he followed her. Maybe he was imagining it, but she seemed to be limping a bit. They took their place behind couple number twenty-four, who would be going on in a moment. Sada leaned against the bar, but she didn't stretch…and she didn't say anything to him either. What the hell is going on? Alastair wondered, moving closer to her. She won't even look at me.

"Sada," Alastair said softly.

Sada's response was so quiet he barely heard it. "Yes?"

"What you thought you saw…" Alastair answered. "It wasn't…it wasn't what you thought, I swear it wasn't."

"I know," Sada said.

Then why won't you look at me? Alastair thought, feeling frustrated. The couple in front of them moved out onto stage. In only a few minutes it would be their turn; how could they dance together if she wouldn't so much as look at him? He watched her, trying to figure out what he could say to her. The couple before them was moving through their dance so quickly Alastair thought time was playing tricks on him. He reached out, closing his fingers around Sada's arms, letting his aching heart speak for him.

"Sada, I love you," Alastair murmured. "You must know that I love you."

Her shoulders tensed. Before he could do anything else, he heard the roar of applause that signified the other couple had finished. Alastair sighed and followed Sada out onto the stage, passing the other couple as they went. He paused before he was halfway across the stage and set himself up to begin. Sada continued further along and took up her own starting position. He glanced over at her, but there was nothing he could do now.

"Couple number twenty-five, Alastair Wolfe and Sadira Scarlett."

The music began. He knew both the crowd and the judges must be confused, because he and Sada began dancing…apart. Although their movements were very similar, they didn't touch, and the music had been playing for nearly a minute before they started moving closer to one another, circling as they did.

‘So close no matter how far…Couldn't be much more from the heart…Forever trust in who we are…And nothing else matters…'

Sada's hand dropped lightly into his. Alastair closed his fingers around hers and drew her near, pulling her back up against his chest. He reached a hand around to cradle her face, and felt her breath warm against his palm as she leaned her cheek into his touch. The way she draped herself against him as she turned into him made his pulse pound. Sada's green eyes glowed faintly, and her expression was warm and soft as she gazed up at him. Alastair felt himself relax.

‘Trust I seek and I find in you…Every day for us something new…Open mind for a different view…And nothing else matters…'

Sada's hand caught his. He kept his hold on her firm as she dropped back, arching her back, her hair sweeping the floor as he swung her carefully around and back up. The song had an instrumental interlude that they danced through, moving together with an ease they never had before. Alastair found moments when he was close to her to kiss her neck or the curve of her ear. Occasionally he felt the brush of her lips against his own skin and when he caught a glimpse of her face, he knew he was not the only one caught up in the spell they were weaving.

‘I never opened myself this way…Life is ours, we live it our way…All these words I don't just say…And nothing else matters…'

Alastair caught her beneath one thigh, the other arm closing around her back as he lifted her up. He was careful when he tossed her up, and he caught her easily, swinging her around before setting her back on her feet. The music built to a crescendo and they broke a part to dance through it.

‘Never cared for what they say…Never cared for games they play…Never cared for what they do…Never cared for what they know…And I know…'

He and Sada came out of identical leaps, although he got much higher than she did. The music softened and slowed, and they came together, lifting their hands to meet at the fingertips. Although they had done it before, the mimic of a stately Renaissance dance fit the choreography so well. And they could use the position to grasp hands as the music went into its last breaths.

‘So close no matter how far…Couldn't be much more from the heart…Forever trust in who we are…No, nothing else matters…'

Together they dropped down to their knees. Alastair held onto Sada's hand as she laid back on the floor. She arched her back and he ran a hand along her body, between her breasts and over her stomach. Using his grip on her, he pulled her back to her knees and into a kiss. Alastair closed an arm around her waist and held onto her, still kissing her, as he laid back on the floor. When he was fully stretched out she broke the kiss, dropping her head into his chest. She settled, curled up against him, as they music faded away.

They lay still for a long moment, listening to the crowd. At least they enjoyed it, Alastair thought, smiling faintly. He stood and helped Sada to her feet. She was limping as they left the stage, he noticed. He put an arm around her waist and helped her backstage, past the wings and into the waiting area. Sada broke out of his hold and walked immediately to a bench, dropping down on it with a heavy sigh.

"I guess we should get ready to collect our prize," Melissa gloated loudly.

Alastair glanced at her. He was pleased to see that make-up had not hidden the bruise around her eye. Ignoring her, he went over to Sada and dropped to his knees, lifting her foot. He unwrapped her ankle to examine it; there was a bit of swelling, although not enough to signified a serious injury.

"Alastair," Sada murmured.

He looked up. She reached out, cradling his face in her hands. Her green eyes were bright and glittered faintly with unshed tears. She's in pain, Alastair thought, leaning into her touch. Poor baby… He felt her fingers dig into his hair and he sighed blissfully. Sada dropped her head on top of his for a moment, then pulled back and reached for the ace bandage. Alastair tugged it out of her reach, and wrapped her ankle himself.

"Ready to go?" Alastair asked, helping her to her feet.

"Yeah," Sada said, leaning against him. "They're about to announce the winners…I'd really rather not hear this."

Alastair nodded and began to lead her away. They could hear the announcer's voice come through the monitor in the waiting room.

"And the winners are couple number twenty-five…"

The rest of the words were drowned out by the screaming of the audience. Sada halted and Alastair paused, glancing down at her in confusion. She was staring up at the monitor. He followed her gaze and found the final scores flashing on the screen. No way, he thought, not certain he believed his eyes. That's not possible…but…we got a perfect score!

"We won," Sada said softly. She looked up at him, her green eyes sparkling brightly. "Alastair, we won!"

We really did win! he thought, turning to look down at her. Melissa's shrieked of outrage drowned out even the monitor. Laughing, Alastair scooped Sada up into his arms. She squeaked in surprise, throwing her arms around his neck, then her laughter joined hers. His mouth found hers, cutting her laughter short, and he kissed her until both of them were breathless.

Alastair carried her back out onto the stage. He set her down gently beside him as the head judge came over. Sada leaned against him and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I think this calls for a celebration," Alastair murmured.

Sada looked up at him, her eyes sparking with mischief and a sly smile curving the corners of her mouth. "I was thinking more along the lines of a private party…you and me, and not much else…"

*****

Sada leaned against Alastair as they swayed to the music. It had been a long day; after the contest had ended, Alastair's family had insisted on taking them out to dinner to celebrate. She felt so blissfully happy, she thought she might burst. They had won the contest. And Alastair had told her that he loved her. Sada looked up at him, catching only a glimpse of his pale blue eyes before he lowered his mouth enthusiastically to hers.

"Alastair!" Sada squeaked, giggling. "Can't you control yourself?"

"No," Alastair said honestly grinning. "I thought you wanted to celebrate."

Sada pouted. "My foot hurts. And I never know how you're going to…um…"

She trailed off, feeling her cheeks heat. The way Alastair watched her was unnerving. Strong hands slid beneath her backside and lifted her up off the floor. She threw her arms around his neck, clinging to him as he carried her over to the bed. Sada giggled as she dropped onto her back on the soft mattress. Alastair crouched before her, lifting the leg that was injured and propping it over his shoulder. She blushed darker as his hands slid beneath her skirt, pushing the short dress she was wearing up around her waist.

His fingers slid beneath her panties and she gasped softly as he touched her. Sada wriggled, squirming atop the sheets, and moaned as Alastair slid a finger inside her. She reached her hands up to him and her leaned forward, allowing her to grasp his shirt and tug it off.

"A quick celebration, then," Sada murmured. "I think my foot can handle that."

Alastair grinned. He leaned over her, to the bedside table, and opened the drawer. When he sat back, Sada saw he had a condom.

"Oh, not this again," Sada groaned.

"If we don't," Alastair said, laughing. "We'll have something else to be celebrating before too long."

Sada sat up and reached out, gingerly taking the condom from him. He continued to tease her with his fingertips, making her task all the more difficult. She struggled to get his jeans unfastened, then to get the condom wrapper opened. Alastairs fingers dipped inside her again, distracting her so that she almost dropped it. Laughing softly at her frustration, he stopped teasing her and helped her get the condom on him.

"I'll never get used to that," Sada muttered, scowling.

"Birth control," Alastair suggested.

He didn't give her a chance to reply. She squeaked as he tackled her, smothering her with short, quick kisses. Sada laughed breathlessly, shifting beneath him to bring her hips up. He sank inside her, and the soft, blissful sound he made as he did made her body clench. Alastair's mouth dropped to hers, and his hands strayed to her shoulders, tugging down the straps of her dress.

With her breasts bared, his hands sought her wrists, catching hold of them and drawing them above her head. He kept her pinned to the bed as he slid in and out of her over and over, building a hot friction between them. Alastair's mouth dropped to her breasts, moving restlessly and hungrily against them. Sada moaned softly, her fingers curling into fists and digging crescent shaped cuts into her palms. Each thrust of his hips brought him deep inside her and she raised her hips to meet his, trying to draw him even deeper.

Teeth scraped over her skin. Alastair's mouth traveled up to her neck, his teeth nipping here and there. Sada moaned softly, expelling his name beneath her breath. It drove her crazy; somehow he knew just how to move inside her. The steady rhythm of his body moving into hers, drawn out into long, blissful moments, felt like her own personal heaven. Soon Sada was pressing her face against Alastair's neck, stifling the cries that accompanied the shuddering of her climaxing body.

"I love you, little dancer," Alastair murmured against her ear, his voice ragged.

She felt him come inside her. He finally released her wrists, then, and she threw her arms around him, drawing him close, mindless of the sweat on his body and hers. They held tight to each other for long moments, catching their breath. When Alastair pulled back at last, he slid out of her carefully, then reached for her. His hands gently tugged her clothing back into place, then tucked her up cozily in the bed.

He went into the bathroom for a couple of minutes, and came back out with a damp towel. Sada sat up against the backboard of the bed as Alastair mopped sweat from her face, neck, and arms. When he was done she took the towel from him and returned the favor. They were both quiet, basking in the pleasantness of each other's company. Sada wished it could last forever, but…

"I think we need to talk, Alastair," she murmured.

"Look, Sada," Alastair said. "If this is about Melissa…honestly, she kissed me. I…I didn't know what to do, she said Andre hit her, and she did have a black eye…"

Sada blinked. "I hit her."

"You hit her?" Alastair stared at her incredulously for a moment, then burst out laughing. "That's my girl!"

"That isn't what I wanted to talk about," Sada said quietly.

Alastair's eyebrows raised. "Then what?"

Sada took a deep breath. She wasn't really sure she wanted to tell him about this, but she didn't want there to be secrets between them. Would he understand? I can only just do my best to explain it, she thought, drawing her knees up to her chest. Alastair will understand, I'm sure of it. But she wasn't as sure as she tried to tell herself she was, and her voice shook as she spoke.

"Last night I um…" Sada stammered. "Uh I…I kind of…kind of kissed your brother…"

Alastair stared at her. "You ‘kind of' kissed him?! How do you do that?"

"It was like…almost like a good-bye kiss," Sada explained, staring down at her toes. "I've known for awhile that he likes me…and he was very kind to me last night. But it was like he was giving up…you know, I think he's jealous of you."

"Jealous?" Alastair snorted. "He's the one who's always been in the limelight. Why are you telling me this, anyway?"

Sada turned to face him and rose up onto her knees. She caught his face in her hands and gazed down at him, into the pale blue eyes that she loved so much. Alastair lifted a hand and brushed a strand of hair gently away from her cheek. She knew, now, that he understood what she was saying. Sada had a feeling that Alastair sense the same despair in Quinn that she did.

"I don't want you to think I'd ever keep anything for you," Sada explained. "I'll admit, I like Quinn…but he's like the moon. Beautiful and mysterious, but cold. You remind me of the sun…you're so bright, you drown out everything else."

Alastair's hands rested over hers. He was smiling. "Every time you speak, you remind me why I love you so much."