A Taste of Spring
Chapter 13

LA FEW DAYS LATER Date two

The bride, newly Mrs. Kenya Barrett, wore a backless form fitting sleek gown decorated with pearls. She glowed with such happiness that Spring felt it. Happiness was definitely contagious.

"Would you like to dance?"

Spring pulled her gaze from the happy couple and regarded Raheem Murphy. "I'd like that," she smiled as she extended her hand. Of course, she had to say yes. He paid to experience the perfect date. She was dying to get on the dance floor ever since the bride and groom's first dance was done.

Raheem, very attractive and seemingly well off by the look of him, hired Brittney Goings-her sister's business persona-for this wedding. From his email conversation with Summer, Spring surmised that he was single, very particular, and intelligent. Spring and Raheem walked through the crowded dance floor hand and hand. She felt a slight tug so she turned to face Raheem. He offered her a million-dollar smile as he pulled her close and placed his arm around her waist. Spring rested one of her arms over his shoulder and let him lead.

He smelled amazing. There was something about a man who smelled nice, looked polished, and had manners.

"So, Brittney," Raheem said.

(His tone matches his appearance, she thought, dark, smooth, and desirable.)

"Do you like being an escort?"

Spring raised her brow then glanced around the hall before turning her attention back on Raheem's umber eyes. "Um," she said as he spun her, "I like it just fine." Spring moved her gaze to the couple closest to them, wondering if they heard him. "What?" he asked. "You don't like people knowing what you do for a living?"

No...she wouldn't want people to know, but she wasn't herself tonight. So, she thought of what Summer would say. Holding her head up high, she looked Raheem in the eyes and said, "On the contrary, I have no aversion to my profession. But my clients are usually more discreet with the terms of the agreement."

"Our agreement," Raheem said, correcting her.

"Yes," Spring agreed. "Our agreement."

Raheem glanced around them. He smiled at a woman dancing close by. "I am not hindered by what others think of me, Brittney. From our online conversation," he said, looking back at her. "I assumed that you didn't either." "I...don't," Spring said.

"Of course, you don't," Raheem said with a grin, as he dropped his arm from around her waist.

Throughout the evening, Raheem seemed nice enough but also on guard. He turned to walk back toward the table, still holding her hand when the Cupid Shuffle streamed out of the speakers. Spring gave Raheem's hand a little tug.

When Raheem looked over his shoulder at her, she raised her brows and shoulders as she offered him an exciting hopeful smile. The hall erupted in cheers as people moved into positions around them.

"Ahh, alright." Raheem let go of her hand and backed up until he was lined up beside her. "Let's see what you're working with," he teased.

Feeling more adventurous, Spring moved with the music while adding her rhythmic flavor. Dancing was something she and Summer took very seriously. Having taken modern dance, ballet, and hip-hop, and being dragged to every party Summer could replace, Spring was ready to prove to Raheem that she was in her element.

"I see you!"

Spring grinned at Raheem as she walked it out with her added flourishes. Spinning, she sidestepped to the right then to the left with the crowd. Spring dipped low then snaked and swayed up into a slow seductive stance before shifting into the next move. "Woo," Raheem said as the Cupid Shuffle song died out and another song started. "I stand corrected."

"Come on," Spring said with a chuckle. She took Raheem by the hand and walked him to their table. Both sat and picked up their drinks.

"You looked good out there," Raheem said. "Real good."

Spring watched as Raheem's eyes slowly moved over her with appreciation. "I'm glad you've recognized my skills," she said, shimmying her shoulders.

To Spring, the conversation with Raheem flowed much better after their dance. They talked about all kinds of things. Raheem was actually the bride's cousin. He was a physician, lived alone in a nice neighborhood, and was quite popular with the ladies from the looks he was getting today. "Why are you single?" Spring asked. She turned her back to Raheem so he could hang her shawl over her shoulders.

"I choose to spend my free time with my younger brother," Raheem told her as they started walking together. "So, dating can be a challenge. I just don't have the time to invest in navigating the dating scene." He reached for the door handle and pushed it open. "I have someone who I'm intimate with, but we keep feelings out of it."00000000