That Forbidden Love

The wine seemed to have loosened the apprehensive knots in her body and she felt freer and more relaxed, just like her old self. More relaxed that she leaned slightly back to appreciate the handsome specimen of a man sitting before her.

The orange atmospheric light above highlighted the honeyed tip of his blond hair, making them appear like they were literally on fire.

Jazmyn didn’t know exactly when the shift had happened. But it was somewhere between the moment she’d decided to stop holding back and ride the wave of her unexplained feelings for him, and right as he met her gaze head-on and she could see the desire in its purest form shimmering in those azure blue depth.

She didn’t pay heed to any constraints anymore as they began to converse, almost seamlessly. He asked about her job and making music and Jazmyn shared just how much of a spiritual experience it could be.

He listened with part fascination, part awe as she related how it felt being on stage playing to the audience, as well as the challenges and fears involved.

It was so refreshing to have him ask important, not fanatical questions like the contingencies involved with canceling shows, travelling and touring and where she saw herself in the next couple of years.

As they talked better, Jazmyn couldn’t help but admire Zack’s intellectual capacity. She figured it was exactly what made him a powerful businessman and couldn’t stop herself from asking about his journey.

At first, he was hesitant about talking about work at first but with a little coaxing, there was no stopping him. She listened with wonderment and a smile as he talked about growing the family business from just a failing mall into a nationwide enterprise with ongoing plans of branching out to other countries.

It was both funny and heartwarming as he shared the details of his latest project with the enthusiasm of a kid with a new toy set, and she could see just how much his business wasn’t just work, but a passion; similar to the way she felt about making and sharing music.

As they conversed more, Jazmyn couldn’t help noting just how much they had in common, which was a pleasant surprise. They both enjoyed rap and R&B and weren’t overly fond of jazz which was quite strange as Louisianan natives.

He preferred basketball to baseball as she did, and ran almost every morning on the same trail she used. It was surprising how their paths had never crossed before and she chalked it up to her haphazard schedule and time management problem.

Among everything she learned about him, the sweetest and fascinating was learning he volunteered in soup kitchens and homeless shelters but usually in disguise. He thoroughly disliked the press and just how much they often devalued and blew things out of proportion for the sake of the story.

Jazmyn understood quite alright. She’d had some unpleasant stint with the media, especially during the debut years of the band. It was something she hated revisiting and only strived to be the better version of herself after those experiences.

It was without hesitation that she shared her contribution and volunteerism at the foster care homes with Brianna.

She talked about the children and how fulfilling it felt to bring them some joy and stability in little ways. The fascination and admiration on Zack’s face as she spoke was everything. She’d never thought anyone’s approval mattered the way that his did at that moment.

She was beyond ecstatic.

Somewhere along with their conversation, he’d loosened up a few buttons at the collar of his shirt and looked pleasantly relaxed. Jazmyn wanted to keep seeing him like this; happy and relaxed, not the tension-ridden, unsmiling man she’d met for the first time.

She loved this part of him and found the wheels rolling in her head on ways to make it even better. More fun.

“How good are you at Karaoke and dancing?” She asked suddenly, watching a suspicious smile take over his face.

“Uh, I sound like a frog on steroids when I sing, at least that’s what Justin tells me. And as for dancing, let’s say I’m a bit fair, although it’s been a long while I partook in one.”

“Let’s go dancing. I know a great place just off Bourbon Street.” Jazmyn was up on her feet, reaching for the table for support as a euphorically unsteady feeling swept through her. She knew it was probably the wine, but gave credit to the wonderful time she was having and the amazing man right in front of her.

“Dancing?” Zack looked surprised. “Right now?”

“Yes! Right now. I promise you’d love this place.” Jazmyn beckoned to him with a hand and he took it, right after settling the bills.

They were out of the restaurant and on the road in seconds. Jazmyn found the perfect music as he drove and very soon, they were singing to their heart’s content and laughing like teenagers on a joyride till they arrived at Decadence; a private dance club where she played often and had a special pass.

“This place is great,” Zack commented as they walked in. “I probably would never have an idea that somewhere like this exists, except through Justin of course.”

Jazmyn was pretty sure about that with the way he looked around the dimly lit, well-decorated club teeming with people on the dancefloor. She couldn’t help the warm squeeze around her heart at his wild-eyed expression and fantasized about different ways to turn his quietly sedate life into one filled with endless adventures.

“May I have the pleasure of this dance with you?” He asked with a dramatic stretch of his hand as the music changed into a slow, sultry one about finding happiness again.

Jazmyn felt her cheeks burning with the force of her smile at the seductive twinkle in his eyes.

“It would be an honor,” she replied and took his hands readily, feeling a thrilling zap travel through her body at their joint connection.

Zack led her to an almost empty corner of the dancefloor, his hands encircling her waist and drawing her close. The familiar jolt of electricity began from his hands and straight into her entire body as they began to move slowly with the beat.

Jazmyn inhaled the woodsy smell of his aftershave mixed with his manly musk and felt her senses heighten like an opium addict. Every nerve ending in her body tingled from their closeness and she shamelessly savored the feeling of being held in his arms.

Everything was going so well. The music was sensual and moving, and where she was couldn’t be more perfect until she made the ultimate mistake of easing her hand up to encircle his neck, causing her to look up and meet his gaze.

Those penetratingly hypnotic eyes fastened and bore into hers like they could see through her body and straight into her soul. Jazmyn felt trapped and vulnerable. Bonded to him by an invisible cord which she made a valiant effort to sever by looking away but those eyes commanded hers to stay in place.

Everything else seemed to fade from view. The people on the dancefloor, the music, the place. She felt like they were alone right there, moving in sync to different music than what played through the speakers.

It was a moot point denying the chemistry between them. It was nothing like she’d ever experienced before and felt as scary as it was exciting. Something inside her had been fighting to be free from the first moment they’d met.