Chapter Ten: Dance with Me
The presence of fish and oysters added to the beauty of the ocean scene. Anne often turned and noticed the many sea creatures with a smile of wonder. Luke continued to hold the wheel, while satisfied by her marveled expression.
''The ocean is a world all of its own,'' Luke began.
''Indeed, where are we going?'' Anne asked.
''Somewhere very special.''
Suddenly, their vehicle drove onto a steel platform before being lifted into a dark cave. The water flooded beneath the car as a great fan inside began to dry the vehicle. A dozen bats rushed by their presence, frightening Anne, as she fell back unintentionally in Luke's arms. The agent looked at her with a gaze that made her uncomfortable as she nervously laughed and attempted to open her door.
''Let's see what's outside,'' she insisted.
Luke turned as an older man came toward them.
''Welcome, nephew,'' the man said, greeting the spy.
''Hello, Uncle Stewart,'' Luke returned. ''This is my girl---my friend named Anne Miller. Anne, this is my extraordinarily intelligent and wealthy uncle.''
''Hello, madame,'' Stewart added. ''Welcome to Jamestown Park. It is so named after my father before me, who was known to create many gadgets. Now, my nephew uses such devices when necessary, and I am glad to help him whenever I am available.''
Anne turned to Luke, puzzled. ''A rich uncle with a cave hidden by the ocean?'' she asked, perplexed. ''What is the purpose of all of this?''
''For me, it has all just been a hobby,'' Stewart answered. ''I have several scientists who live with me and who I pay out of my own pockets for devices such as this. I have always been enamored by these types of vehicles. They are my toys.''
''Some toys,'' Anne replied, while facing the vehicle, amazed.
''I think so,'' Stewart added.
''Why don't you sell your gadgets and gain money for them?'' Anne added. ''I'm sure the United States government would love to have its hands on such prizes.''
''Because they are my toys and I don't want people to mishandle them and not use them as I wish. Besides, my nephew is the one person I entrust to use them beside myslef.''
Anne turned to Luke. ''What's your connection?'' she asked.
''I'm his nephew,'' Luke returned.
''No, I mean what's your reason for using these things?''
Luke grinned without directly answering. ''To save damsels in distress such as yourself,'' he replied.
Anne's cheeks blushed, though she remained curious about the identity of the man who stepped in between her and her boyfriend.
''Shall I assist you with anything else?'' Stewart asked his nephew.
''No, not for now, though I thank you,'' said Luke. ''May I show Anne around?''
''Of course.''
Luke turned to the cheerleader and grabbed her hand, forcefully pulling her with him as she somewhat resisted his lead.
''I escaped one man who wanted to push me around, how are you any better?'' Anne asked.
The two reached an elevator. Luke grinned as the lights inside dimmed and the doors closed. He then faced the woman while licking his mouth in a teasing manner as if to kiss her. ''Because, babe, I'm the only man for you.''
Anne nervously smiled again while Luke gazed at her figure up and down. The two-headed entered a large, round room with high glass windows.
''What else is around here?'' Anne asked, as Luke directed them into this open room where social events were often held inside his uncle's grand home.
''Something quite noticeable,'' the agent smiled, already planning an action toward Miss Miller.
Luke led Anne down one of the hallways as they bypassed a nude statue of Helen by the water fountains inside the building. Suddenly, the cheerleader noticed the man's eyes upon her, as he gazed at her figure up and down, anxious to behold her. He drew her toward him and attempted a kiss, though she deflected from him and turned away before he was able to lock her lips on his own.
''I think it's time that the two of us go out together,'' he suggested.
Anne smiled flirtatiously. ''In what way?'' she added.
''On a date for a walk in Philly.''
''Really?''
''Yes, I think so.''
''So you steal me from another guy to take me out the same day that you captured me.''
''Why not? I captured you before, though every moment I'm with you, I have started to become your captive.''
Anne looked startled as Luke reached one hand for her side, attempting to draw her closer. ''Do you deny my offer to...woo, you?'' he asked.
The girl looked at him, as if she had no intention to answer. Luke felt dark and suspicious; she had never been attracted to such a type of man before, though he felt different. She wished only to think well of him, even as his starry eyes crept over the soul of her person.
''Please don't stare that way,'' Anne urged. ''You look sinister...as if some spy.''
The words came out before the cheerleader knew what she was saying. Luke didn't deny her imagination, though it seemed to be confirmed by his sinister laugh.
''You have the charm of a lamb, and your presence ignites the werewolf in me,'' Luke added.
The elevator stopped. Anne was glad the doors opened, just as she had to rush from the agent's arms. They reached a hallway with two open rooms on both sides. To their right was a pool table where Stewart and his friends often played. To their left was a TV persistently playing episodes of Dark Shadows.
''Your uncle has fine interest,'' Anne said, noticing the gold floors beneath their walking feet.
''He does, as do I,'' Luke returned.
Anne blushed again.
''How old are you?'' Luke asked from behind.
Anne turned to the agent, who somehow suddenly appeared before her. ''Wait, how did you do that?'' she asked.
''What?''
''Oh, never mind. I'm twenty-seven. And you?''
''Thirty-Five.''
Anne watched him look through his bag. Luke drew a box of a cheerleader doll for the Philadelphia Eagles. ''After the game, I purchased that at a venue outside, thinking she looked an awful lot like you,'' he said.
Anne's eyes seemed to grow wide at the sight of her gift. She laughed joyfully and said, ''She is a lovely doll. This is a thoughtful gift. Thank you.'' (have her add a note that she's not supposed to receive gifts)(.
''She resembles you greatly,'' Luke added. ''I've never seen a doll more lovely nor a woman of your degree. You have to be the prettiest person and the most gorgeous girl that I've ever seen.''
Anne's cheeks couldn't have looked redder. She was blushing not only from the praise but from the man who said it. His delicate treatment of her doll made her feel like a little girl again, just as he honored her grown, womanly beauty. She looked again at her gift, noticing just how much the toy did resemble her.
Luke drew his wallet before the cheerleader's sight. He then drew a small card from it and gave it to her. ''Here is my number if you wish us to stay in contact,'' he offered.
Anne received the card and quickly turned to the digits of his contact. ''Thank you,'' she answered.
Luke nodded, hoping that he wouldn't forget him. ''It has been a good evening from my perspective,'' he said.
Anne grinned before facing the youth. ''Yes,'' she agreed. ''Are you going to take me home now?''
''May I suggest one more stop?''
''Where?''
* * *
The couple walked down by various stores and restaurants on the eastern end of Philadelphia. Their pace slowed the longer that they were together, just as their dialogue increasingly was both serious and playful...with their eyes never far apart.
''What a day that it has been,'' Luke said, facing the young woman whom he could only dream of being his girlfriend should she wish that.
''Yes,'' Anne grinned.
''You know, this evening has started well, though I think it could be even better.''
''Really how?''
Luke faced a small room below the sidewalk, where club laser lights were noticeable at the entrance doorway. He turned to Anne and said, ''Would you like to dance with me?'' he asked.
She smiled at first nervously, before realizing that he was serious. Then, her expression lit up as joyfully as if she were dancing on the Lincoln Stadium field. Anne was a cheerleader not only by profession, but by nature itself.
''Well,'' Luke waited.
''Of course,'' Anne replied.
Luke reached out his right hand. It was the first offer of physical contact. It waited long in the night air, without any comeback on Anne's part. Eventually, he began to withdraw, sensing that his feelings weren't matched by her own, but Anne finally gripped his hand.
''Let's begin our party,'' Anne suggested.
Everyone was clearly enjoying themselves. Bruno Mars' ''Just the Way You Are'' played loudly enough inside for all the lovers to only consider each other. In this small room under the streets of Philadelphia, there were only laser lights, dancers, music to glean from, and time to dream about romance without any interference from the outside world. About thirty people in a small, tight room had no problem fantasizing about their time together and enjoying the long escape from the harsher world of everyday life.
Luke began to hold Anne tight so that her upper womanly figure began to rest well on his strong chest. She closed her eyes, dreaming of him forever holding her and of a potential wedding between them. He, too, began to close his eyes, though more of the wedding night than of the ceremony itself.
At about halfway through the song, the couple opened their eyelids before giving their gaze to each other. They stared long into each other's eyes, satisfied with this long night together, and satisfied by their romance just the way it was.
Slowly, their eyelids closed fully again. Then, Luke and Anne's heads tilted toward each other, before their lips nearly locked---only for Anne to turn away, while blushing at Luke's excitement. The music breathed excitement inside them, just as this quiet and dark atmosphere delighted their company. The kiss had never come, though each was still thinking of it, and then inhaling as if fed by the food of love for their souls---to be nourished and satisfied through feasting. Their hands were still holding each other's, and they danced to every lyric that Bruno had to offer them.
When the occasion ended, Luke returned Anne to his vehicle and drove her to her apartment.
''Thanks,'' Anne said.
Luke lifted his sunglasses to cover his eyes, even amid the night air. ''Sure,'' he said, before driving off.
Anne ascended the steps to her apartment while considering the man who had spied on her all evening. She couldn't fathom why he cared to spy, except for his attraction to her. Still, Luke Lancaster carried a suspicious presence and seemed to be too intelligent to simply be a stalker.
Once inside her room, Anne looked at Luke's number on his private business card. She then turned it upside down before reading the words,
''Would you like to date me tomorrow at the Gawain Harbor?''
Anne smiled and instantly began to think about what she wished to wear for that occasion.
(for that scene, she will wear a suit).
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