Love at first sight 003
Love at first sight 003
"I can tell that you did."
Milo quickly walked over and helped Talia stand straight.
"Maintain your posture. We should get your leg taped up. Keep it from swelling."
He had not said a word about her performance. It was fine because the condition of her leg took precedence.
"I could probably use a little ice and elevation."
"You will definitely need to soak tonight. You have done great work today, Talia. Is this one of the first times back dancing to this capacity?"
Their eyes met again. She held his gaze.
"It is."
He helped her shift her weight from standing on her leg to leaning on him.
"It shows. And that's okay. You've been sidelined a while. No need to worry. We can get you back in tip top shape. You've done enough for the day. Rest and relaxation is in order here. We should resume with practice in two days. Gives you a day to do a bit of rehab and a day of rest. Come back with your leg properly wrapped and ready to dance. Are we on the same page here?"
Talia could not hide her excitement.
"Thank you so much, Milo. I appreciate the opportunity."
"Saturday."
Milo led her over to where her bag was and waited for her to pick it up. He politely walked her outside and waited for her to get into her car once the ride arrived.
Talia could not get a read on him, could not understand what he was thinking or perhaps feeling. She just wanted to know that all of what she felt was not in her head. That she had not just imagined the chemistry between the two. She wanted to feel like he was feeling some of the same things that she was experiencing. Maybe he wasn't. Maybe because he was so much more experienced than she was.
It was possible that she had fabricated all of it, and simply got wrapped up in the euphoria of it all.
She had until Saturday to cool down her fires.
That was more than enough time to clear her head and get back focused on dance. She had to make the company. Milo's approval was the only way that she would. She told herself to focus and that Saturday would be a new day.
And she would be more than ready for Milo.
Two months.
It had taken Talia two months to rehab her leg working with Milo. He was intense, relentless, and did not let her back down or get discouraged.
Two months.
Working with one another closely day in and day out. She knew what it felt like to be in Milo's arms. She'd come to love what it felt like to be in Milo's arms. The feel of being supported by him and led by him. He was the picture of strength and Talia had grown to trust him. She had also grown to love the time that they spent with one another, but her audition was near and he promised her that with her current conditioning, she was more than ready.
Even when she did not feel like she would be, Milo assured her that she would be more than capable during the audition.
And when their practice sessions were over, she always hoped that Milo would ask her out for coffee or even a glass of wine. Something that would extend their time together. In that two months, he had not. In the two months they had been working closely, he never asked her about her personal life, where she'd come from, what she wanted to do with her life, where she wanted to go, or anything that was outside the scope of dance.
She's gotten to know the feeling of his body so close to hers and come to love the scent of his cologne. He was always wearing something a musky scent or something light and clean, but masculine.
Milo emanated masculinity from his pores. From his commanding stare down to the way he entered the room. Everything about Milo was assertive and forthcoming while he had the ability to exude a sensuality that Talia had never seen in a man. It made her want to further examine her own sensuality.
"You're a woman. Feel it," he kept saying. Reminding Talia with the sway of their hips in synch with one another that there was a sensual woman inside of her begging to be freed. She wanted so much to free that woman, really get to know her. It always felt like other women knew how to tap into that side of themselves. Talia was always so unsure in that space. That was until she met Milo.
Being around Milo made her fell like she was naturally feminine. Her movements changed, softened. She felt more calm and peaceful, like she could do anything. Milo motivated her to push past all of her challenges.
And yet they had not spent any additional time together outside of dance.
Until today.
"You've done well Talia. Are you available for a drink after practice? Of course to go over what you will do to finalize your audition."
The words he spoke were music to her ears. "I would love to. That sounds wonderful."
He held his hand out in front of them, beckoning for her to follow his lead.
"There is a place down the street that we can walk to conveniently."
"I think that would be perfect."
She grabbed her bag and followed him. Waiting for him to lock the door of the studio, Talia stole a peek at the man. His salt and pepper hair added to his allure, but she knew that he was no older than mid 40s. She'd followed his career and knew that Milo had started his career in his early 20s and had been an instructor for about twenty years. Pretty much her entire lifetime.
He stood to extend his arm to her, her escort.
"It's a beautiful night. I love it when there is a cool breeze like this."
"Yes. I often choose to walk on nights like this," Milo replied. "The lights, the hum of the city. The rhythm. It's all so intoxicating. Part of the reason that I love living in the city. Keeps you upbeat and alive. Makes you keep remembering your purpose. Why you are here. Motivates you. Well, at least it motivates me."
Milo turned to look at her.
"How long have you been here in the city, Talia?"
"Most of my life I lived about an hour from here. Nice quiet life. But my mother would bring me to the city for my dance classes and I decided that when I grew up, I would come live here."
"So here you are."
"Yes. So here I am."