Chapter 20: Ch 20 Date Night
"Dad!"
Derrick snickered as Dad fussed over me.
"It's a date, not the prom! You weren't this bad when I went to prom!"
"That's because your mother got to fuss then. Hold still."
I tolerated his tugs on my shirt and his hand through my hair, knowing he thought Mom would do such things. I finally met with his approval, except for the one question he just had to go and ask.
"Did you grab some of the..."
I rushed out the front door, then had to go back in to grab my keys out of his hand. Derrick was busting a gut laughing. I didn't bother risking any more of my dignity with a single word.
I was glad Derrick had loosened up with my dad. When I went to put my pipe away after the smoke with Mac, the guys had respectfully parted for me. Mac was poring the third bottle into the ground. I had urged them to go to Mac. Let them blame his crying on the previous two bottles of booze if they wanted to save some sort of face, I didn't care.
By the time I was rubbing some of Auntie's salve into dad's shoulder, Mac had come around front. The big man had grabbed me into a bear hug and all I could do was hug him back while hoping he didn't bust my ribs.
No words, none needed.
Derrick got home in time to watch my final preparations for my date, asking my dad if he'd ever played some of the games on the PlayStation.
I laughed to myself as I drove down the road. I had barely played any video games myself, and that was always at a friend's house. The retelling of game night was going to be interesting. I bet I would hear two different stories of how the night went.
I pulled into the coffee shop and sat on the bike for a minute looking for her. She ended up pulling in behind me. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she got out of her car.
"Somehow I don't think you want to head out on my bike wearing that. Is it ok if we go in your car together or do you want me to drive my bike?"
Her royal blue dress was tight around her thighs. There were two straps on one shoulder, one strap that came around her neck and joined them. The straps looked connected by some sort of crystal broach. Her other shoulder was bare.
"We can take my car, I guess. You'll need to drive, I don't know where we're heading."
I just grinned at her, then walked over to the passenger door to open it for her. The mere sight of her sparked desire in me. She was wearing the same perfume she had on the first time we met.
I drove for awhile, kept my hands on the wheel with effort.
"I had a friend tell me about this place, said some of his friends hang here. I make no promises. If it ends up not being your scene, just let me know and we'll leave, no problem, ok?"
I parked in the parking garage that Ed had recommended. There was a uniformed guard hanging out by the elevator.
"Ed says hi."
The guy looked me over, nodded, and moved out of the way.
I grinned reassuringly to Mahina.
"Private security," I whispered as I put my arm around her in the elevator, mostly to reassure her. Getting out, I followed the directions Ed had given me. It was an easy trail to follow considering the scents I was picking up. Before long we came to a line. Ed had told me to ignore the line and go straight to the bouncer. I recognized the guy from the gym, but wasn't sure he recognized me from the look he gave me.
"Reservation for Little Wolf."
"We don't do reserva..."
He got pulled back from behind, literally yanked back. Mac was standing there holding a handful of the guy's shirt.
"Get your ass in here," Mac said to me, then turned to the bouncer.
"Out of his way."
I was grinning, trying not to laugh. What was I going to do with these guys? I guided Mahina in.
There was a short corridor where you could here the muffled bass of music further in.
"Mahina, this is Mac. Mac, Mahina.
"Charmed," Mac growled, stalking down the corridor.
"Should I ask?"
Apparently not. Mac looked a little embarrassed as he opened the doors at the end of the corridor. We were assaulted by noise and lights.
Mac headed straight to a hall off to the side. The bouncer guarding the entrance moved quickly out of his way. The hall was lined on one side with curtained doors. Each curtain was a different color or had some symbol or another on it. Mac stopped at one that had a black curtain with a fist on it. He moved it aside.
We stepped into a small room. There was a curved couch on one end that had a narrow shelf behind it to hold drinks. There was a booth on the other end to hold real food.
This was part of a VIP area. The room opened on the other end directly onto the dance floor. The DJ was across from us on the far wall. The VIP rooms were partitioned off from the dance floor by a red velvet rope, with openings here and there so people could go in and out. A few bouncers were spaced along the velvet rope.
"Not a word," was all Mac growled at me, then turned toward Mahina.
"There are restrooms that are easier to get to off the VIP corridor. This guy gives you any problem, just let me know."
Mac was grinning as he left. I just shook my head.
"You plan on giving me any trouble?" Mahina asked me. She had a sly, teasing look on her face.
I gave Mahina one of those intense looks for a moment, leaning over to give her a kiss, stopping before our lips actually touched.
"Yes m'am, as much trouble as you want, and if you truly want absolutely none..."
I let my voice trail off. I stayed where I was, close to her, my mouth was only inches from hers. I let her see my desire for her in my eyes. I let her make the first move, knowing all I was doing was waiting for permission.
She reached up to pull my head to her. She was still an inch or so shorter than me in her heels. It was hard not taking her in my arms right then, but I settled for a kiss for now. I made it a slow, full, gentle kiss, full of future promises as I pulled away.
I had a bit of laughter in my eyes, lightening the mood. The tinder had been lit, but I didn't want a blazing flame yet. I took her hand and we checked out the small area.
"Something to eat first? Or something to drink? Or just dance?"
I wasn't about to suggest anything else to start with. Mahina gave me a smile and tugged my hand to the dance floor. I was happy to oblige.
It was a good beat. I didn't recognize the song, but that didn't matter to me as she led me onto the crowded dance floor. I let the rhythm fill me, moving my feet.
She lifted her arms as she swayed. It felt good to dance, even if it wasn't quiet the same as dancing at home. I enjoyed being with her. I tried to keep my eyes on her face. The looks she gave me had me glad I could expel some of my excitement onto the dance floor.
When we headed back to the alcove, there was a plate of appetizers, a chilled bottle of wine, and a bucket with a few beers and a couple of bottles of water. We sat and nibbled from the plate. She opted for the wine. I poured two glasses. I was trying to figure out how to use any of dad's little drinking tips in this situation.
When we stood to do some more dancing, I pulled her into me, took that longer, deeper kiss I wanted that left her breathless. I let her go, except for her hand, which I kissed the back of before leading her back to the dance floor.
The beat was a bit wilder this time, and my feet stomped as if I was home. I liked experimenting, combining different dance styles. I got a few looks, but I ignored them, letting laughter conquer the moment. She laughed with me. I spun her around, did some spinning myself. The wolf played, enjoying the dance. She really did smell divine. I knew I could find her now, even in this crowd.
Two times two. I kept my focus. There were occasions to touch. My hands ran along her sides, only for a moment, touching her shoulders, sliding down her arm lightly, holding one hand long enough to give it a squeeze.
We were taking another break when I noticed Mac over by the DJ. I nudged Mahina.
"He's up to something. Wish I knew what. Knowing the guys they'll probably try to embarrass me or something."
"How do you know him?"
"We became friends at the gym I work out at. Private place, mostly ex-military; guys who want to work out practicing skills few others use."
"And what skills do you practice there?"
"Mostly wrestling. You don't grow up where I did without learning how to wrestle. I was on the team in college, and before that in high school. I've had some pretty intense bouts. Nothing compared to a lacrosse game though. Around the groups I played with and against, if you couldn't tussle a bit you were useless for a lacrosse match."
Whatever I was going to say next was lost as the DJ said something about letting the wild side out, and let's hear the guys howl. I shot daggers at Mac, who just grinned.
Good that he could play with it I guess. Better than him puking every time he turned around.
"Wanna hear me howl? "
Mahina laughed.
"Sure, give it a go. "
I moved us to the edge of the VIP area. Lots of guys were howling it up. I waited until they were mostly done before I let loose a long, loud, commanding true howl, showing them how it was done.
There was complete silence on the floor by the time I finished my howl. I drew Mahina with me to the center of the dance floor. I left her in the empty middle for a second while I went over to the DJ. A row cleared before me. I asked him if he could play one from a website, and gave him the information.
I glided back to Mahina, glanced at the DJ, who nodded. I grinned at Mac before turning back to Mahina. I put my finger to my lips in a shhh.
The first note was a long lone flute note, it undulated down into a fast melody. Drums pounded a beat. I danced, a proud peacock showing off his feathers. My arms were out, my feet moving quickly in a staccato rhythm, my spins worked with the melody. I hated that I had no fringe to move with the dance.
The howls when they came were part of the music. Up and down, the howls intertwined with the flute. The singer's voice mine, then and now as I howled again.
I remembered the night my cousins put the music together. Ancient sounds mixing with modern ones, quick staccato beats mixed with heavier bass poundings. I had laughed then, enjoying their creativity.
I laughed now, drawing Mahina into the dance, howling again, nodding to the guys standing around. By the time the song ended, the dance floor was full of spinning girls and stomping guys.
We had to do a few sets of dance after that. I had a few girls try to get close. I finally stopped, picked one up, firmly set her down on the other side of me, gave all my attention back to Mahina. The guys who tried to get close to her found themselves pushed back by my dance movements and looking at my backside as I kept myself between them and Mahina as much as I could.
I could shoot Mac for tonight's notoriety, or kiss him for it, I really couldn't decide which. True, the choice to howl was mine. I doubt anyone here had ever seen a smoke dance before. The smoke dance was usually done by the six nation people and not my own, but I loved the movement of it. My fellow dancers seemed to appreciate my footwork. I definitely stood out now.
Mahina's actions were a bit more possessive with the sudden attention I was getting. I decided I could get used to this kind of possessive from her.
We headed back to our table, sat on the curved couch to enjoy more wine. We watched the dancers, commenting on those who could truly dance. I told her about the bonfire dances back home, the ceremonial dances, the costumes.
She had turned to me to hear better over the noise, leaning in, running her hand along my chest. I had my arm across her back, my fingers playing lightly along her open shoulder. Suddenly I couldn't resist moving in, kissing along her neck, her jawline, my tongue sliding against her flesh. My other hand slid around her waist to the small of her back.
She was arched, her one hand behind my head, fingers entwined in my hair, her other hand stroking my arm up and down . Her eyes were fluttering, head back some to give me room, encouragement for more intense kisses. I tasted and sucked along her jawline, nuzzled into the side of her neck. I couldn't help debating if I dared leave a hicky.
I stopped the kisses finally, but didn't move from our embrace; my very breath proof of my desire. I kept the one hand behind her, the other had the back of my finger slide down against her cheek. Slower music was playing now. I led her once more to the dance floor, keeping her close.
We were close enough, I knew she could feel me. My wants were conflicting in me. I wanted to spend the rest of the night becoming more familiar with her body. I wanted to make sure I didn't push. I wanted her to have her way with me, and my imagination went wild thinking of what she might choose to do.
I wanted to wait, because if this relationship went anywhere serious, I wanted things to be perfect.
I wanted her now.
I groaned softly, nibbling the edge of her ear while we were on the dance floor.
Patience, Little Wolf, I told myself. The wolf knows how to wait for what it wants. And more than anything, I wanted my time with her to be special.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone