BOMAW Vol. 10-12 (81 page)

"Yeah, they are, and buddy thinks he's Fred Astaire." Ben grinned.

Crystal couldn't help giggling at him because he was right, the man's moves were so exaggerated, he thought he was getting down. Even his wife, was getting all into it like they were the famous couple themselves, Fred & Ginger.

Corey looked at Ben, "I'm thinking, my man has had a few drinks too many."

Ben nodded his head agreeing, as Vanessa leaned into Corey, "Aaah, we're gonna be like that one day."

"No, no we're not ... sorry darlin' I don't see it." His deep timbre carried to Crystal making her look up at him commenting, "Your voice is absolutely incredible, you should do radio."

"I know right! I've told him that thousands of times Crystal!" Vanessa gushed and then to Corey, "Baby see! You should be doing radio."

Crystal went back to watching the couple end their routine when she received a nudge. She looked up to see Ben looking down at her, his brow's quirked. "You like my voice?"

Crystal had to slap both of her hands over her mouth not to lose it in front of everyone. Tears came to her eyes from fighting back the laughter she was dying to set free. When she finally gained control of herself again, she looked up at him. But he wouldn't look at her this time. She'd wounded him.

"Aaah hone-e-ey," She teased, reaching up gently, she tipped up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "I love your voice."

"Liar!" He said, deepening it to match Corey's and Crystal almost lost it again.

She had to make sure not to look at him or there would be no hope for her. He reached back and slapped her on the rump.

"Hey! Bully!" She gasped surprised.

He snarled at her playfully, pulled her into his side and gave his attention to the third couple.

Unable to stop herself, Crystal leaned into his chest, one arm around his back, the other with her hand inside of his jacket, absent of mind in what she was doing, she caressed his chest and stomach with slow, tender strokes.

Ben closed his eyes, savoring the moment, absorbing it, drawing it deep into his soul, because he wanted to hold onto it forever. He was afraid to move, afraid to alert her of what she was doing, praying to prolong it as long as possible.

The third couple, was just - good, nothing special. But all gave a round of applause to their efforts.

A return to dancing was announced until the next round of the contest.

Surprising all three of them, Corey stepped before Crystal, "May I have this dance?"

Crystal looked from a stunned Vanessa up to Corey smiling, and then back to Vanessa, "You mind?"

She had to close her mouth first, collect herself before she could answer.

"You don't mind if we switch up a bit do you hun'?" Corey asked her.

Snapping her mouth closed, first came a nod and then she turned to look up at Ben, "Is it okay with you?"

Ben stood staring down at Crystal, waiting for her to look and ask if it were okay. Finally, feeling his eyes on her, she glanced up at him, "Well?"

"Yeah - sure." He answered tightly.

Corey nodded a thanks to Ben and with his arm out, escorted Crystal onto the dance floor.

Vanessa sighed, looked up at Ben, "That was a surprise, huh? Should I be worried?"

"Nooo, well come on - let's not waste a perfectly good dance." He led her out on the floor, trying with much difficulty not to look for Crystal.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Corey asked.

"I think its been a grand evening." Crystal returned.

"Wow, grand huh? Good, nice to hear it. Vanessa tells me you're from Chicago, or is it Wisconsin?"

"Both really, I live in Wisconsin now, but I have family in Chicago. Where are you from, your accent isn't quite uh, how can I say this?"

"Like, valley?" He assisted simpering.

"Yes, that's it - I don't hear it in your accent."

"I'm from Florida actually, came here a few times and three years ago, I decided to stay."

"It seems to have been a wise decision. You have a good job, making good money and you have quite the girl."

"Em, I suppose."

"You suppose?" Crystal returned.

"It's nothing serious, just something to do to pass the time."

"What? But - Ben thought, well - he said when you two were together, you couldn't wait to get back to her."

"Actually, I couldn't wait to finally get a chance to talk to you. In this gown, looking as you do, I saw you across the room and the first thing that came to mind was, wow."

Crystal couldn't believe what she was hearing, and before she knew it, she dropped the polite chit chat, "I see, so you just a playa playing away!"

"Depends on who I'm in the game with, for instance, were you to come to the table, well - things might be different. As for her, I'm not really bothered, she's just a silly little white girl thinking I'm about to set her up. I'm too far from it to even worry about it, know what I'm saying."

"Unfortunately, I do. And as soon as this piece is over, so will this dance be, our conversation, as well this brief encountered association."

"My my, look at you. You can't really be serious about that white boy I know? Been that long since you had a black man, you done forgot girl how sweet the juice?"

"I don't like juice, never touch the stuff. And so that we can continue on enjoying this evening, we're going to pretend we never had this conversation, okay?"

"Girl you need to stop bein' all hard core and give up them digits, give a brother a try. You might like what you find, ya'll be talkin' all that shit, about can't find a brother, well here I am - you lose the white boy, I lose the white girl and you and me, we can skip on up out of here, see what the night holds for us. Last chance, you ain't gone get another." He tried, dropping his own eloquent dialect.

Music composition ended, "It's been nice Corey - but no thanks." Crystal smiled and turned away from him heading for the patio doors, feeling sure that there is where Ben would look for her. She was right, he was already there, searching the dispersing crowd for her. "Looking for me?" She snuck up behind him. He spun, blushing, smiling. "Nooo, just looking for the men's room."

"You liar ... admit it, you were thinking, now where is she?"

"You think you have me all figured out don't you?"

"No, not all figured out, I'm sure there's plenty left for me to find out."

"Em, so tell me, he hit on you?"

Crystal started grinning, "Now why in the world would you ask me that? He's all deep into Vanessa remember?"

"Given the choice of you, or her ... there is no comparison. She's pretty enough, but she needs to chill with the scatter brained chatter, I couldn't wait for the song to end. You on the other hand, you're not only beautiful, but you're mature, thoughtful, considerate, full of interesting and intelligent conversation, ambitious and - well ... you're just amazing."

Crystal sighed, "All that huh? You sure?"

"Positive."

"Well, for now, my only ambition is to head for the ladies room, I'll be back."

"Don't take long, the competition starts again I believe after this set."

"I know, don't remind me."

She headed off, looking for a drink on the way. She needed to get rid of her nerves and do what she knew had to be done. Almost to the ladies room, she spotted a waiter with drinks; after waving to him, he stopped to let her take her pick, she grabbed the long island ice tea. "Thank you." In the stall once more, she took care of her business, walked out, washed her hands and finished her drink before the mirror. Staring at herself she fixed her make up and paused there. There were other women around her, she glanced at one and then another, all the time wondering what she was doing. Wondering if they could really get through this night, magical as it was and come out on the other side as if nothing had ever happened. Checking her watch, she turned and made her way from the ladies room. The drink was kicking in, especially since she hadn't much for dinner. Heading back through the hall she walked pass a group of men standing in discussion, among them, Oscar T. Wherrington. He made sure to capture her attention, winking, smiling, nodding with a lift of his drink.

Crystal nodded in return, continuing on her way back to Ben.

The contest was starting up again and more were gathering for this round than the last, which was the last thing that Crystal needed.

Ben was looking for her, catching sight of her, he sighed in relief as the music started back up. "Get over here!" He called to her. She trotted over to him breathless, feeling a bit of a tingle as her drink started taking over. "You okay?" He asked because she had a silly grin on her face.

"Yep, I am."

"Okay, we're going to step out here, and do a practice run while they're dancing just to-..."

"Nope!" She interrupted him, gazed into his eyes with her own glazed over ones.

"Nope?"

"Nope ... cause I know what I have to do. You ... just do what you have to."

"Have you been drinking?"

"A bit, I'm ready... let's do this."

Ben grinned, "We first have to wait our turn."

"They better hurry, because I'm ready - and I hope you're ready for me."

"Oh, I'm ready all right, been ready - don't forget, I'll be handling you, quite a bit."

Crystal's heart tripped up in excitement at the prospect of that, him handling her, the anticipation of it sent a fire of adrenaline through her. Something about standing next to this man, knowing him now as she did, and what she was feeling for him, made her feel highly charged. And the music, she felt the music flowing through her so strong, already her body was anxiously desiring to move to it. She loved to hear
Por Una Cabeza
- the prefect tango arrangement and this orchestra played it well, she just wished they played it with a bit more punch, because she planned to give it just that.

Smiling, Ben could see it in her, already her body was showing signs of getting into it. He knew, that she was ready to burn. "I'll be right back." He promised her.

She nodded, taking a moment to get her mind set. She closed her eyes and listened to the music, getting the feel for it all the more with the fourth couple out on the floor. As they danced, she saw herself and knew that she had to pull out all the stops. Thankful that it was an amateur contest, she would dance the tango the way it felt to her. She glanced around the hall looking for Ben, wondering where he slipped away to. As her eyes scanned over the crowd, she caught sight of the Wherrington's - they were there, waiting, watching and she knew, to see them dance.

Ben found a napkin and pen and wrote a brief note and walked to the orchestra and passed it to the conductor. Tucking it into his pocket, he walked away hoping that he would read it. At the end of the fourth couple, all clapped. The conductor went into his pocket, pulled out the note and read it.

"Yes!" Ben exclaimed triumphantly.

"Why are you so happy, what did you do?" Crystal whispered.

"You'll see when it's our turn."

They were waiting for Vanessa and Corey to step up, but waited in vain, they were no where to be seen. Ben looked down at Crystal, "I wonder what happened to them?"

"I don't know, maybe they chickened out."

"Emmm, maybe. You know what this means don't you? It's our turn."

Crystal's eyes went round.

"You said you were ready." Ben reminded her.

"Yeah, I did didn't I, and I am."

The contest host realized that couple number five was a no show.

"Well it appears that our next contestants changed their minds, so, couple number six - I hope you're ready?" He announced looking at their registration card, "Benjamin and Crystal, prepare - it is your turn to, tango!"

Ben took hold of Crystal's hand and walked into the center of the ballroom floor cleared of dancers for them.

"Are you two ready?"

Ben turned to look at Crystal, "You ready?"

"Go take your place, while I get ready." She instructed.

Ben turned to the host and nodded, walking away from her to stand so many feet away. He turned, switched on with a change in his posture, peering down the way at her.

Crystal turned a saucy, naughty look at everyone that surrounded them, shifted back on her hip, threw out a shapely leg and bent gracefully forward rolling up her skirt, sending up a chorus of whoops and whistles from those in the audience. She rolled it up to mid-thigh, showing off slender, shapely legs that to all present, pretty much won them the contest without ever dancing. She wrapped the skirt around her hip once, rotating her hips with the act, and then, over her wrist and in hand. Adapting the air of indifference, she altered her posture, poised graceful, demure and waited - refusing to react to anything happening around her until the time came.

Ben had to remind himself that he's the one that told her to do that, but still, a streak of possessiveness stole over him. No matter what else, this night, she was all his. Glancing towards the orchestra, he gave them a nod.