Clay shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he sat at the light. Come on�change�change already! It's almost 9 o'clock. I shouldn't have worried about my hair. Making John come over and fix it just took too much time�and I didn't need him criticizing my outfit either, it's not like he did anything but make me more nervous. Oh, thank God�

The light turned green, and he pulled carefully into the intersection, reminding himself not to speed. He reached over and smoothed his hand across the suit jacket he'd draped across the passenger seat, hoping he'd been successful at getting all the dog hair off the upholstery.

Holly paced the floor of the studio, arms crossed, nervously tapping her thumbnail against her teeth to the rhythm of the smooth jazz softly drifting through the room. She glanced around, wondering if she didn't dim the lights too much. I hope it's not too obvious. I just want it to be�nice. God, this feels like a date or something�I can't remember ever being this nervous before a class�it feels more like the prom! She headed towards the mirror, checking her reflection as she walked. She smoothed her hair with both hands, resetting the delicate silver barrette that was securing some strands on the left side. She took a deep breath, and adjusted the neckline of her shoulder-baring top, sliding her fingers along her collarbones as she took one last critical look at herself.

Through the tiny slits in the blinds on the opposite wall, she saw the headlights of a car pulling into the parking lot. Her heart pounded in her chest and she steadied herself against the barre, turning to face the large wooden doors, wanting him to get a flattering view of her when he came in. She heard the front door open, and quiet voices in the foyer.

"Hi Clay�wow, you look great!"

"Thank you�don't worry, I'm not going to wear these boots in there."

Holly smiled to herself. He's so cute.

"I'm just going to go ahead and lock up�you don't need to get anything from your car?"

"No, I'm all set. Have a good night."

"You too, Clay. Tell Holly I took care of the register, okay?"

"Sure thing. See you later."

"Bye!"

Clay stood well back from the doors as he took off his boots and socks. He sat them against the bench, then walked slowly to the studio, smoothing his jacket and making sure his belt buckle was centered.

As he slid the door open, it was as if he was seeing her for the first time. She was softly bathed in light reflecting off the studio walls and mirrors, her pale, luminescent skin contrasting against the long black skirt and form-fitting top. She was gorgeous, and it excited him to realize that she'd dressed this way just for him.

"Clay. You look�oh my." She had told him to wear something that made him feel good, but she wasn't expecting him to look like this. His spiky hair, which she'd only seen in pictures on the internet, framed his features perfectly. He wore a classic black suit jacket over a light green shirt, which hung unbuttoned, revealing a white t-shirt that was tucked into belted, low-slung jeans. He paused in the doorway for a moment, with his thumbs hooked into his pockets, then strode towards her.

"Holly, you're absolutely beautiful." He slid his fingertips along her cheek and neck, and leaned in close, his lips parting seductively as his heavy eyelids fluttered downward. She bravely moved his hand and took a step backwards.

"Not now, sugar," she whispered. "I'm still your teacher�and we have dancing to do."

As she crossed to the stereo, smiling to herself, he walked towards the center of the room, tugging uncomfortably at his jeans. She punched a button and turned to face him.

"Tonight, as you know, is your final class. We've skipped a lot of the things I was planning on teaching you, but I think you can master tonight's lesson without a lot of that." Smokey Robinson's lilting voice surrounded them�but they were only focused on each other.

Baby let's cruise away from here
Don't be confused, the way is clear

Holly walked slowly towards him as she spoke, clasping her hands behind her back, which drew Clay's eyes to her soft, inviting shoulders. "Tonight, you will dance with me. Any way you choose. You will instruct me�show me the way you want me to move, using your hands, your body�you will lead me around this room in a dance you create yourself."

Any other night, at any other time, those instructions would have made his stomach churn with nerves. But tonight, looking at her, being with her as he'd imagined, knowing that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, nothing sounded more perfect.

And if you want it, you got it forever
This is not a one night stand, baby, so
Let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find

She stopped near him and turned to face the mirror. He walked around behind her, placing his hands on her bare shoulders. With light pressure, he rotated her shoulders, rolling them backwards one at a time�a movement she repeated as his hands slid down to her waist. He pressed himself against her and used his body to sway her from side to side, taking his hands lower, feeling the velvety softness of her full skirt.

His lips brushed against her ear as he put his face alongside hers. "You smell incredible. You're making me crazy, you know that, don't you?"

She turned her head, placing her lips teasingly close to his. "Shhhh�you have work to do."

She crossed her arms, lightly caressing her stomach, and he slid a hand around to take hers. He gently pulled her hand and spun her around to face him. He took each of her hands in his, and held her arms stretched out to their sides, letting each one rise and fall with the swaying of their bodies.

Baby tonight belongs to us
Everything's right, do what you must
And inch by inch we get closer and closer
To every little part of each other

He brought her arms up over her head, and slid his hands slowly down her arms and along her sides, wrapping his long fingers around her waist as he began to move them both around the room. She lowered her arms as she moved with him, stopping to slip her hands behind her neck and push up her hair to sit in soft waves on top of her head. They were taking small steps back and forth, turning slightly with each rocking motion, and he forgot to be nervous about stepping on her feet.

The slightly exaggerated movements of Holly's swiveling hips under the touch of his hands made him want to press himself hard against her, but he kept himself under control, even as she brought her hands to rest upon his broad shoulders. Their eyes met as Clay began to sing softly to her.

Baby let's cruise, let's flow, let's glide
Ooh let's open up and go inside
And if you want it you got it forever
I can just stay there inside you and love you baby

A flush came to her cheeks as she closed her eyes, imagining what he might be thinking, what might happen when the dancing was done. She ran her hands along the fine fabric of his jacket, her fingers gliding along the line of the lapels. She felt his hands leave her waist and opened her eyes as he took hers, touching her fingertips to his lips before letting go. He stepped back a little and slipped out of his jacket. He looked around him for a place where he could leave it, decided he didn't want to walk too far away from her, and simply flung it across the room, where it landed near the back wall.

"The floor's clean, isn't it?" She nodded as he returned to her and slipped his hand behind the small of her back, clasping her hand and bringing it to his chest. He looked up as the song changed, and smiled wickedly as he realized it was a bit more up-tempo than the last. "You really are testing me!" He pulled her close as he began to move, leading her with bolder steps as he became more confident.

Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak
But if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you

When the chorus started, his smile widened and he playfully wiggled his eyebrows at her. He gripped her tightly around the waist and spun them both around, giggling. He pulled her hand up and twirled her under his arm, watching her skirt flare out and up, brushing against his legs. As the music slowed again, he drew her to him, slightly out of breath, expressing the vaguely Latin tempo through subtle hip movements.

She slipped her hand under his open shirt, reaching around to his back. She was surprised at how much more toned his muscles felt compared to a month ago, when he'd first arrived in her studio. As they glided across the floor together, her fingers exploring the slightly damp back of his t-shirt, she rested her head on his shoulder.

He was so moved that she had voluntarily embraced him that he ignored the song's second chorus. He held her in his arms, stroking her hair, and taking in every sensation. He felt a little embarrassed that she was feeling the sweat on his shirt, but he soon realized that, if the night progressed the way he'd planned, there would be more than just a sweaty patch on his lower back.

When the song changed again, Holly smiled. Brownstone was a great funky vocal group, and songs like this, she thought, were just perfect for Clay to dance to. She lifted her head when she realized he was singing along with the song. "You know this one?"

"You bet I do. Let's dance, honey." He stepped back from her, leaving a few feet between them. When the song's backbeat kicked in, he took rhythmic steps backwards, and his come-hither gesture made her take slinky steps towards him, following his movements.

If you love me, say it
If you trust me, do it
If you want me, show it
If you need me, prove it

His steps got smaller, which brought her closer to him. She grabbed the sides of his open shirt, and as he stepped towards her, she moved back, pulling him along.

You will not hurt my pride
If right now you decide
That you are not ready to settle down

Clay took her hands and spun her around, so that they were both facing the mirror, crossing her arms in front of her and locking her to him, grinding against her hips.

But if you want my heart
Then it's time that you start
To act like you're mine in the light and the dark

As she watched their reflection, seeing them as two people on the verge of changing their relationship forever, she became nervous. It had been so long since she'd let anyone get this close to her, and even though she wanted him more now than ever, years of self-governing rules were holding her back.

Even though her body was responsive and rocking along with his, he could see the reservation on her face. He loosened his grip on her and whispered her own words into her ear. "The only thing that can keep your body from getting what it wants is your mind. Let go, Holly." She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and they continued to press against each other as he led her back towards the barre.

Oh I, Oh I, I wanna touch you baby
And spread my love all around you, honey
And if you care, you gotta show it, baby
True love to share...

The barre was pressing against her hips as he leaned in close, grabbing it on either side of her. She slid her hands down his chest, and she realized that his eyes perfectly matched the green of his shirt under the overhead lights. She was awed by his beauty, just as he was by hers.

Clay swallowed hard, struggling to control himself as he caught his breath. "Holly�can I kiss you now?"

Everything in the room went dark and swimmy�everything but him. He was there, they were alone, the moment had finally come�it was time. She smiled and made one last attempt at humor, glancing at her watchless wrist. "You know, this class is supposed to be an hour long, so technically, I'm still�"

He rubbed himself against her, moving his face past hers to whisper in her ear.

"You're fired."

He grabbed her around the waist and she surrendered to him, kissing him so passionately she almost lost her balance. She pulled on his shirt, trying to yank it off of his shoulders, and he dropped his arms to his sides to let her take it off of him. She dropped it to the floor and wrapped her arms around his neck, his hands roaming everywhere, trying to touch all of her at once.

We got the afternoon
You got this room for two
One thing I've left to do
Discover me discovering you

The new tempo enveloping them slowed their rush. Holly's kisses became less urgent, Clay's touch more tender.

One mile to every inch of
Your skin like porcelain
One pair of candy lips and
Your bubblegum tongue

She started tugging on his slim-fitting t-shirt, trying to untuck it, and he stopped her.

"Hold it for a minute. Just�wait." He turned her around and stood behind her. He took her hands and placed them on the barre. He pulled her hair to the side and kissed her neck and shoulder, and her head dropped back against him. His hands caressed her hips and stomach, then softly traveled up to her breasts, brushing against them lightly through her shirt.

Damn baby
You frustrate me
I know you're mine all mine all mine
But you look so good it hurts sometimes

His hands continued upwards, stroking her upper chest and throat. He moved his head to the other side of her neck, and as she reached up to move her hair out of the way, her barrette dropped to the floor. She shoved it with her foot, and it slid across the wooden floor, out of their way.

"That was really pretty, by the way," he said, muffled by her hair.

She smiled, thinking how incredible he was for even noticing something like that, and bothering to comment on it. "Thank you."

As the familiar chords of a Marvin Gaye song wafted through the room, Clay smiled wickedly. "How''d you do that?"

Holly turned her face to nuzzle his neck. "Didn't you know I'm psychic?"

I've been really tryin', baby
Tryin' to hold back these feelings for so long
And if you feel like I feel sugar
Come on, oh come on,
Let's get it on

Clay gathered up the back of her skirt a little at a time, until he only had to bend down a little to run his hands up the backs of her bare thighs. He smiled when he realized she'd been keeping a secret from him. "What's this?"

"Well, you went without the other night�I figured it was my turn."

The warmth of his hands on her bare skin was a sensation better than anything she'd remembered from past encounters. His touch was just right�tender, but commanding�and a shiver went through her as she felt the rough fabric of his jeans rubbing against her.

We're all sensitive people
With so much love to give, understand me sugar
Since we got to be
Lets say, I love you

It only took him a moment to figure out a way to keep the back of her skirt from falling. He tucked the gathered fabric into the waistband, freeing one hand to tease her nipples, while the other fumbled with his belt buckle.

She paid close attention to the sounds coming from behind her�the clank of the metal buckle coming undone, the zipper being slid open, the tiny grunts in her ear. As she stood there with her eyes half-closed, hands still on the barre as instructed, feeling an exquisite rush of anticipation, she noticed him against her inner thigh. He was smooth and warm, brushing lightly along the flesh of her thigh, bobbing slightly higher and higher. She pressed her hips back against him, bringing her legs a little closer together, just enough for him to feel her stroking him, just enough.

He placed his hands on top of hers to steady himself, concentrating on not letting his knees buckle as she slowly rocked her hips forward and back, sliding herself along his length. The more she teased him, the closer he came to her, and he quickly realized that she was more than ready for him.

"Wow�that didn't take long."

She opened her eyes, watching his expression in the mirror. "I've been ready since you walked in here. You do have that effect on me, you know."

He was enjoying the gentle pressure she was applying, but soon his eyes told her to stop. He reached into his back pocket and brought a small packet to his mouth, tearing it open with his teeth. He seemed determined to keep one hand busy fondling her, but he realized that he was never going to get the condom out and on with one hand. They exchanged smiles as he slipped his other hand around behind her and tossed the wrapper aside when he was done.

When he returned his hands to her waist, his lips brushed softly along her shoulder and neck, closing around her earlobe. He felt her start to turn her body towards him, and he gripped her firmly to stop her. "Uh-uh. You stay right here. Just like that." Their eyes met in the mirror, and he could feel her beginning to tremble. He slid his fingers down to her hips and gently pulled on them. "Give it to me, honey. Rock it back towards me." She arched her back, rising slightly up on her toes to position herself above him, then slowly, carefully, took him inside.

He held her close to him for a while in stillness, with his arms wrapped around her, as they both savored the sensation. Skin, denim, hair, velvet�and a deep, pulsing warmth. When he lowered his hands to her hips again, she instinctively leaned forward, bracing herself against the barre.

"Oh no�come back up here. It's not going to be like that. Not tonight."

There's nothin' wrong with me lovin' you
And givin' yourself to me can never be wrong
If the love is true

Clay gently caressed her hips underneath her raised skirt, then began to apply light pressure, just as he did earlier on the dance floor. He lifted her slightly, then lowered her again, following the slow rhythm of the music. She understood, and followed his lead, moving just as he wanted her to. Her eyes were shut, allowing her to concentrate on all her other senses�the warmth of his breath against the back of her neck, the whispers telling her how snug and slick she was, the feel of his jeans against her thighs, the light touch of his fingers brushing along the hem of her shirt.

Don't you know how sweet and wonderful life can be
I'm askin' you baby to get it on with me
I ain't gonna worry, I ain't gonna push
So come on, come on, come on, come on baby
Stop beatin' round the bush�
Let's get it on

"Holly�oh, Holly. You're beautiful. Oh my God�look at you. Open your eyes. I want you to see what I see. Look how gorgeous you are."

She slowly opened her eyes, seeing them both standing together, her hands still resting on the barre. From this angle, they appeared to be two fully-dressed people with a naughty secret, revealed only by her motion and the pleasure on their faces. She looked at his seemingly endless bare arms, glistening with sweat. She looked at his expressive eyes. And she looked at herself, in a way she hadn't in a long time. She saw herself blissfully happy and madly in love.

He slipped his hands under her shirt and pushed the tight black fabric up over her breasts. He slid her nipples between his fingers and drew them slowly across, making her moan softly. She watched his face, noticing how hungrily he was looking at the reflection of her breasts, and when he squeezed them harder, she realized just how much her body aroused him, and she felt herself beginning to lose control.

Clay felt the change in her movement�her hips were no longer rolling with the music, but finding a rhythm of their own. She tightened around him, and he felt a shiver run through her. "That�s it, honey. Let it go." He slipped his hand down her stomach and under the waistband of her skirt, pressing his fingers flat against her mound and holding them still. There was no need for him to do more�her grinding movements were more than enough for both of them. "Just like that�come for me."

She threw her head back against his shoulder and shut her eyes, tears of joy spilling along her temples. Her arms went rigid, supporting her as wave after wave engulfed her. "Clay�Clay, I'm�oh God�baby, hold me!"

His arms clenched around her, and he locked his knees, trying not to fall. He pressed his face against her neck and shut his eyes tight. He tried to speak, to tell her how much he loved her, but he could only cry out, muffled by her flesh. When he looked into Holly's eyes again, he realized he didn't need to tell her, because she already knew.

When Clay stepped out of the restroom, he saw her framed in the doorway of her office, leaning against the wall with her back to him. He stood and watched her silently for a moment, then walked up behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder. "What are you looking at?"

She sighed and reached up to run her fingers through his hair. "I was just looking at the pictures on my shelves. I think I have room for one more." She turned to face him, and he saw the camera in her hand. She slipped her hand behind his neck and kissed him softly, then started down the hall. "Come with me, sugar."

He followed her into the studio, and he held out his hand to take the camera. "Show me how it works, and I'll take it. Where do you want to stand?"

She took his hand and led him to the center of the room. "Oh, you're not taking it, baby. You're in it." She put her arm around him and pointed him towards the mirror. "You and me. Right here. This is where it all started."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver barrette he'd picked up off the floor when he was gathering his clothes. He combed his fingers through her hair and clipped it just above her ear, then kissed her on the cheek.

As she adjusted the camera to capture their reflection, he stepped around behind her, wrapping his long arms around her. "Are you ready?" He nodded. "Me too." She pressed the button, and began a new chapter in her life.