Chapter 1

Lisa Peters parked her black SUV in front of the building. She glanced at her watch. 5:30 pm. She still had half an hour before the class starts. She ran through the rain, not bothering to snatch an umbrella and into the building. She entered and her sister, Wilma smiled at her from behind the reception counter. Their cousin, Dorothy was busy typing. "You're early," Wilma said and Lisa shrugged. "Got to prepare early before our students arrive," she replied.

The sisters set up the Gracefully Yours Dancing School three years ago. Their students ranged from kids to adults. Lisa taught the beginners while Wilma took the advance classes. Dancing had been their passion since kids until now. They loved dancing and took every opportunity they have to learn new steps. Classes for adults start at 6 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday while classes for kids start at 2 pm every Friday while Saturday and Sunday start at 10 am. Last year, the sisters employed two men and a woman to help them teach the growing number of students. Life had been great and works rewarding.

Sega Mason sat across from his best friend since high school, Gilbert as they relaxed at the waterfront cafe. Sega's divorce was finalized just this afternoon and Gilbert brought him to the cafe to welcome him back to being single. A divorce celebration. How about that? He shook his head. He wouldn't understand his best friend. He sighed and shifted on the chair then stiffened. He narrowed his dark eyes. No. Was it even possible? He saw a face he hadn't seen for twelve agonizing years. Gilbert stopped talking when he realized Sega wasn't paying attention anymore. Curious, he turned around in his chair and froze. "Lisa?" he whispered. She was talking to two women, smiling and laughing. He brought his gaze back to his friend. "Don't do this to yourself!" he hissed. "She's history and you know that. She broke your heart and you're still looking at her like that." The other man frowned. "Like what?" he asked. "Like a lovesick puppy, that's what!"

"I'm not drooling if that's what you meant!" Sega snapped and drew a deep breath. God, why did he snap at his best friend? "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snap at you but seeing her again...hurts. Can I really get over her?" Gilbert sighed and shook his head. "I don't know but I do know I'd never seen a man so deeply in love before until I saw you. When she left, your world crashed. I hate to see you hurt like this I can't deny your love for her either." He got up to his feet. "Where are you going?" Sega asked. "To say hi to an old friend. Are you coming?" he replied and strode toward Lisa's table. Oh God, he wouldn't. With a heavy sigh, he followed his friend.

Chapter 2

Lisa arrived early as usual and prepared everything for the beginner's class before her students arrive. Last night's reunion with her former colleagues disturbed her greatly especially Sega. She admitted that she couldn't forget him. He was quiet and shy but she liked being around him. She felt safe. He was the cutest guy at the hotel where they worked and women threw themselves at his feet at daily. Disturbingly, he only had eyes for her. She was in a relationship with another colleague and although she couldn't deny the attraction she felt toward him, she'd never thought of having an affair with him in the first place. He was a faithful man, still very much in love with his ex-fiancee although the woman left him for another man more than a year before he started working at the hotel. They had a lot in common and always spent time together just talking about almost everything. Like most of the staff at the hotel, they stayed at the hostel that situated near the beach. One day when she went to his room to borrow a cello tape, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "I've wanted to do that for months," he whispered as he gazed into her eyes. "But you're still in love with your ex!" she blurted out. He smiled. "Not anymore. The first time I saw you, you really knocked me breathless. I know you're involved with Gary, but let me tell you this. I. Don't. Give. A. Damn. I'm willing to settle for an affair with you. That is, if you'll have me." She stared at his cute face, the sight of the dimples weakened her.

Only Gilbert and Sally, Lisa's roommate aware of the affair. They acted professionally at the workplace although Sega did glance her way every now and then. Every time she caught him staring, she would blush and he smiled then winked at her. Whenever Gary was around, he would act hostile toward Sega although he didn't know about the affair. Gilbert said he was jealous of Sega because a lot of women fall for him. Gary was a first class jerk. Lisa hated the way he talked to her. He often said nasty things to her and every time she looked at Sega, she saw his jaw clenched. They carried on the affair for nearly a year before she packed up and left him without saying goodbye.

Lisa could finally breathe when Gary dumped her for another woman. He called her two months after she left the hotel. She stuck out her tongue at the phone as he bragged about how he bedded Susan. "Thank God you dumped me," she said. "What's that supposed to mean?" he hissed at the other line. She clucked her tongue. "Well...I've been waiting for you to dump me for months. I'm sick of the way you treated me. And for your information, I slept with Sega!" she said and smirked. "What!" he shouted. She grinned in triumph and slammed down the phone.

But her triumph short lived when Gilbert called a few minutes later. "How could you do this to him!" he shouted. "You left Sega without saying a thing. Not even a goodbye. He deserved an explanation, Lisa." She gripped the phone tightly. "I know but I couldn't face him," she said softly. "Couldn't or wouldn't? Why didn't you tell us that no good Simon raped you?" She stiffened. "How did you know?" she whispered shakily. "The police came to investigate. Sega was mad as hell when he found out and I had to stop him from searching for Simon. You should have told him." She closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I can't. I'm sorry," she said.

 

Chapter 3

"Lisa? We have a new student coming this evening. Is it okay with you?" Dorothy's voice jerked Lisa to the present. "Of course it's okay with me, Dorothy," she answered with a smile. Her cousin grinned. "Okay. I'll let him know," she said cheerfully. Lisa shook her head. Him. A man. He'd better not be hot and sexy because Dorothy and Wilma would definitely drooled. She heards murmurs and footsteps coming toward the class. Looks like her students had arrive. She turned around with a smile and that smile faded when she realized who the new student was. You got to be kidding me.

Sega smiled at her from across the room. He looked handsome in blue button down shirt and black pants. His dark eyes crinkled behind the glasses. He winked and she gasped. She cleared her throat and pushed her own glasses up the bridge of her nose. She became nervous all of a sudden. "How the hell did he end up here?" she hissed through her teeth at Wilma. "I told him about our school and he's interested to learn a few dances. Is that a crime? Anyway, he's delicious." Lisa stared at her sister. Delicious?

"Miss Peters, why don't you teach Mr. Mason the basic steps?" one of her students, Roland suggested. This could not be happening to me. Sega cocked his head to one side and grinned. She weakened at the sight of the dimples. She cursed under her breath. Damn those dimples! She sighed and motioned for him to move forward. He moved toward her in long confident strides. Oh God. He made her breathless. He was too masculine...too sexy...too God damned drop dead gorgeous. She groaned inwardly. What the hell was wrong with her? Am I starting to become like Wilma and Dorothy? Yikes! Creepy. "So, what are we learning today?" he asked and a chill crept up her spine. She shivered. "Umm...waltz," she stammered. He looked at her with a mischievous smile. "Waltz? Hmmm...interesting. I would like to learn it. Show me," he murmured and winked. Lisa's face turned red. Damn this man!

At eight, Lisa dismissed the class. All of her students left the room except Sega. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. "Well...don't you want to go home?" she asked. He strode closer. "I'm thinking about dinner. With you. I missed talking to you, Lisa," he replied and stared into her flushed face. "I...I can't. I'm tired and I want to go home. Why...why don't you ask Wilma? She'll be happy to go out with you," she stammered. Damn! Sega frowned. "I'm not asking your sister. I'm asking you. Why do I have the feeling that you don't want to go out with me?" She swallowed and licked her suddenly dry lips. He groaned and stepped even closer. She gasped when he leaned forward and kissed her. It's been twelve years since she last kissed him. This man was indeed an amazing kisser. She opened her eyes when he let her go. "I hope you don't sleep a wink tonight," he whispered. She gasped as he winked at her and grinned widely. Then he walked out the room with a low chuckle. Lisa cursed under her breath. Why that stinking devil!

It was Saturday. Kids' classes. Lisa arrived early and was cranky as hell. "You look terrible," Dorothy remarked as she stared at Lisa's face. "I had trouble sleeping and cranky as hell. Don't try to upset me," she growled and stomped off. "I wouldn't dare," Dorothy assured her retreating back. For the next two hours, Lisa kept her cool for the kids' sakes. After the kids left, she strode toward the reception desk and stopped. Sega was there, sexy as hell wearing a blue T-shirt and black jeans. He was talking to Dorothy and there was no mistaken the look on her face. Her cousin was definitely drooling. Lisa rolled her eyes and groaned inwardly. He smiled when he saw her. "Sleep like a baby last night?" he asked. If he let her, she would love to slug his head with something hard. She snorted. "No thanks to you," she gritted in annoyance. "What are you doing here anyway? No adults classes today." He grinned and leaned his hips against the desk. "Actually, I came to take Wilma out to lunch," he replied. As if on cue, Wilma appeared. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go now?" she purred. Lisa noticed her little sister had really put some effort into making herself more beautiful. Her make-up was a little heavier than usual and she wore a red tight blouse and black short skirt. Lisa clenched her fists behind her back when she saw the look of appreciation on Sega's face. Men! He took Wilma's hand and held it as he winked at Lisa and led her sister out the front door. "Are you going out to lunch too?" Dorothy asked when she saw her cousin grabbed her black handbag. Lisa said nothing.

Lisa had been sitting on the sand for hours. She came here whenever she felt down or needed peace. But right now for the first time, the beach failed to give her the peace that she craved. Sega was a player? He wasn't like that twelve years ago. He was a one woman's man, faithful and very committed when it came to a relationship. So why did it bothered her so much that he'd changed? The sky darkened then unleashed the rain but she didn't budge from her spot. She couldn't help thinking about Sega and Wilma. Finally when dusk came, she got up and left the wet sand.

Lisa opened her eyes and groaned. It was morning and her head throbbed. She pulled the thick blanket up to her chin. Great, she had a fever. She shivered as she grabbed her cell phone to call Dorothy. She told her cousin that she cancelled today's class and asked Dorothy to inform all her students. "Are you okay, Lisa? You don't sound so good," her concerned cousin asked. Lisa sneezed. "Just a fever. I'll be okay once I rest fully," she replied. "You should see a doctor," Dorothy said. Lisa sneezed again and groaned. "I know," she answered. She disconnected the call and closed her eyes.

 

 

 

 

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Bildmaterialien: My own image.
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 15.05.2013

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