Free Scottish Romance: Scottish Highland Romance: Highland Songstress by J.C. Hughes

Jenny." He breathed. I soundlessly choked back tears. He took my hand again, and we worked our way through the darkness, naked, together.

***
    Showcase was only a week away, and the studio was buzzing with excitement. I was in the middle of practice with Luis.  I didn’t notice anything in the room but his eyes as we fluidly waltzed around the room. After a few minutes, he smiled at me.
     
    “You’ve improved a lot, Jenny. I can tell it’s from all that practicing. Are you excited for showcase?” He led me through a turn as he spoke. Spinning around and facing him again, I smiled and nodded.
     
    I heard Nancy clear her throat from behind us. We came to a graceful stop, and I turned my attention to her.
     
    “Jenny, I wanted to congratulate you on your improvement. I have decided that I want Luis and yourself to perform a dance together for the event.” I stopped smiling and stared at her.
     
    “Seriously? But Luis is a much better dancer than I am, wouldn’t I just hold him back?”
     
    Nancy frowned. “Jenny. Confidence is the key to dance, and please don't question my judgment. I’ve been watching you two all week, and I’ve never seen you dance so seamlessly with any other dancer. If I’m going to introduce my newest teacher in the best light, I am going to do it by pairing her with the best match.” There was a slight sparkle in her eye as she said this, and I realized that she knew what had happened between Luis and myself.
     
    She was a tough-as-nails, power-driven hard-ass, but she had a very keen knack for perception. Without words she was giving me her blessing, that much I knew.
     
     
     
    Chapter 12
     
                  “NO!” he yelled out of frustration. I flopped down on the ground in exhaustion. We had been at it for five hours now and I still couldn’t get it right. My feet kept crossing, and each time they did I could see him getting more and more upset. He placed himself in position and looked at me. “Get up Jenny, let’s go again.”
     
                  “Maybe we should call it a day.” I suggested taking of my shoes and massaging my now throbbing feet. He stopped and stared at me. Apparently calling it a day was not an option.
     
                  “If you’re not up to putting the work in that’s necessary to master this dance, then we should just stop now. There’s no point in me teaching you this dance if you are not willing to put the necessary work in to master it.”
     
                  I stared at him in bewilderment. Out of all of the days we spent practicing for showcase, I had never seen Luis act this way. He was always calm and patient with me. He seemed to understand that it would take a while before I would be as good of a dancer as he was, but today he was different. All day he had yelled at me and criticized my movements.
     
                  “We’ve been here for five hours,” I reminded him. “Maybe the reason I keep messing up is because I’m tired and my body hurts. If you allow me to get some rest and go over the dance moves, then I’ll be better tomorrow.”
     
                  He chuckled. “You think I became the dancer I am today by resting? Hell no! I spent day in and day out learning and mastering new dances, perfecting every move until they were flawless. I wouldn’t rest until I knew for sure I could do the dance backwards.”
     
                  “Well you and I are different, and I need some rest.” I said grabbing my bag and packing my things. “We can continue this lesson bright and early tomorrow morning, but right now I have a hot bath and a nice comfortable bed calling my name. Goodbye Luis.”
     
                  I got up off of the ground, grabbed my bag, and began walking towards the door. Every step I took reminded me of how sore I was from practicing all day long. I was tired of being fussed at and criticized. I could feel his