16. Monroe

"Come on in!" A tall woman with sienna colored skin greeted me as I approached the entrance of a small, dingy building. I was hesitant to enter, but the rain pouring down behind me forced me inside. After a long day at Aunt Vanessa's restaurant, I'd come home to another note from London. He instructed me to put on a beautiful dress and a car would bring me to this address. I didn't know what to think at first, but the flashbacks of how beautiful last night's self-care date was flooded my brain.

I'd fallen asleep reading in the library room that London had gifted me. It was the most peaceful time I"d had in a long time. I was curious to see what another date had in store for me. So as instructed, I'd gotten ready in the turquoise swing dress London had placed on my bed, called a car, and came to this address.

"Do you have a reservation, Senorita?" the woman questioned as I stepped through the front door. I took in the scenery. Loud, muffled music could be heard coming from somewhere inside.

"Monroe Iri—"

"Oh, Senorita London." She cut me off. "I'm glad you made it. A second later and you would have been soaked." She spoke English, but it was coated in her thick Cuban accent. One thing I loved about Cuba was the diversity of the residents here. There were so many shades of black—it was beautiful. I watched the woman as she scribbled something down on a notepad. I wasn't sure what type of place this was. The only signage outside was in Spanish, and I hadn't had any time to Google it.

"Follow me. I'll show you to your section." She took off down a long hallway and then started descending a flight of stairs. I followed her, scared of what I had gotten myself into but not enough to turn back. The music I'd heard before got louder with each step as the destination came into view. There was a huge open floorplan with a bar wrapped around it and a DJ in the corner. An underground club? A thousand thoughts clouded my mind. Why had he sent me on a self-care date to a club?

We walked past a few people dancing and into a secluded area.The club wasn't crowded. There were only a few women and men present, and the sound of Daddy Yankee filled the air.

"This is your section, Mrs. London."

I looked around the area. There were a few bottles of champagne on the table. Was I expected to drink all of those? I'd never been to a club alone before. It was weird. My hands fidgeted down my body nervously.

"Don't worry; Fridays are for beginners."

"Beginners?" I questioned. What had London gotten me into?

"Yes, salsa lessons. They start shortly. The champagne is yours; enjoy. If you want anything stronger, the server will be out shortly."

I nodded as I took a seat on the small sofa allowing the music to soothe me. My foot tapped along with the rhythm of the music. I had never taken salsa or any dance lessons for that matter, so this was new to me. I was confused about how this qualified as a self-care date but intrigued at the same time.

London had gone through all this trouble to set up another nice evening for me, and that was all that mattered. The music dimmed and a short petite lady I assumed to be the salsa instructor took the stage. She was talking, but I could only make out small portions of what she was saying because I wasn't fluent in Spanish. I heard her introduce herself as Francesca before the music started and she began swinging her hips and body across the stage. She moved effortlessly as if nobody else was in the room. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she danced. It was beautiful and fun. The crowd cheered as she performed, and I found myself dancing in my seat. When it was over, she turned to the crowd, and everyone moved close to the stage forming rows. I thought briefly about joining them, but my nerves got the best of me.

"Are you here for the salsa lessons?" a woman approached my section and asked. I contemplated how to answer that before settling on a simple head nod.

"First day?"

I nodded again.

"Mine too. My name is Selena. I was wondering if you wanted to tackle this thing together."

I stared at the stranger for a minute before I threw caution out the window and stood to my feet.

"Let's do it," I agreed. We walked over to the crowd and found a space in the back row. I watched as the instructor broke down the dance moves. It was a bit awkward dancing with strangers at first, but as time moved on, I found myself getting lost in the music.

"This is fun!" I called out to Selina. She had also relaxed and seemed to be enjoying the experience.

"It is. You're a natural. Can I get you something to drink?" she shouted over the music. She brought her body to a halt, and I smiled as the realization of what she had just said hit me. She wasn't a newbie. She was the server. Wow!

"You played me?" I was yelling over the music, but the whole thing had me amused.

"It got you up out of your seat, didn't it?" I couldn't do nothing but smile. She had gotten me up and moving, and I was grateful. Had she not come over, I would of probably never joined in.

"It did; thank you," I told her.

"Don't thank me; thank Mr. London. It was his idea." She started walking off toward the bar. The mention of his name had me smiling from ear to ear. This man thought of everything. He knew I would be too afraid to try it on my own.

"Still… thank you."

"No problem. About that drink, what can I bring you?" she questioned, but I wasn't in the mood to drink. Selena returned to the bar and placed a black apron around her waist.

"No, thank you," I replied, returning my attention to the instructor, this time making my way to the middle of the crowd. I allowed the music to control my body as my hips swung back and forth, and my feet carried me across the floor—one dance and another. I was wrapped up in the moment, enjoying my time with the other participants of the class. It felt like I was a part of a small community. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging of one another. By the end of the lesson, I was beaming with joy and sweat. I had never felt so alive and confident in my entire life, and I had London to thank for it all.

As the crowd began to dissipate, I stayed on the floor dancing, even after the class was over. I was truly at peace. As I swayed my hips, I could feel every ounce of me letting go in a way I never had before. I'd spent my entire life preparing for the future. It felt good to live in the moment.

"Your car is outside," Selena informed me, causing me to stop moving. I was exhausted, but I didn't want to stop.

"Thank you." My feet moved to the exit, but not before getting the information on the weekly dance classes they offered. As I slid into the back seat of the taxi, I smiled. London had given me the best gift today. The gift of trying something new and stepping out of my comfort zone. The urge to hear his voice took over, and I dialed his number.

"Yes, Chocolate?" his deep voice sailed into my ears and straight to my vagina.

"Thank you," was the first thing I said.

"You enjoyed your night out dancing?"

"It was everything."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Dancing is a great form of self-care."

"I can see why. I never felt so free."

"Freer than when you cumming on my dick?"

"Yes." I lied. "Don't talk about your dick. I've been drinking, and I get horny." There was so much lust and need in my words.

"Touch her for me." His voice was low and dark.

"The driver," I protested.

"Roll up the partition." I didn't think twice before touching the button and allowing the glass to seclude me in the back of the car.

"Touch her. I want to know what you are learning about yourself," he commanded, and I found myself spreading my legs and pushing my panties to the side. I ran my finger across my pearl, and a moan escaped my mouth.

"That's right."

Everything about this was crazy and out of character, but London made me feel so free. London knew how to follow my lead and take charge when needed. Nothing ever felt forced with him, and it turned me on. Holding the phone in one hand, I used the other one to massage my clit. My head instantly fell back from the pleasure.

"Ooh." A soft moan escaped my lips. I had masturbated before, but never in the back seat of a car as a stranger drove me down the highway.

"You sound so fucking beautiful playing with your pussy." He growled into the phone. His voice provided the perfect soundtrack to my movements as I worked my middle, sticking two fingers inside my hole. My hips rolled as I strummed my clit.

"Let me hear you, Chocolate. I want to hear you." London coached me. "How many fingers are you using?"

"Two," I moaned.

"Naw, use three." I did as he instructed and inserted another finger into my middle.

"Oh fuck!" I cried out. I didn't care that the driver could hear me. I panted into the phone as I closed my eyes and envisioned London in between my legs.

"That's it! Let me hear those pretty sex sounds." His words echoed in my head. In my head, it was him between my thighs, bringing me to my peak. "Open your legs wider and dig deep into that pussy. You need this."

He was right. I did need this. I turned my body to the side and let one of my legs fall onto the seat cushion.

"Oh my God," I moaned. I was on the verge of releasing.

"Just like that, Chocolate. Now tell me what you"re learning about yourself." He coached me. I could barely form any words from the pleasure that shot through my body.

"Oh, ah," was all I could manage to say.

"Tell me." He insisted.

"I'm learning… oh… um…" I stumbled over my words.

"Tell me!" This time, his voice was deeper.

"I'm stronger than I think."

"You are. Tell me more, Chocolate."

"I'm beautiful!" I shouted as I thrust my fingers deeper inside me.

"What else? What did you learn tonight?"

I thought about what I'd learned tonight. It was so much.

"Tell me!" his voice thundered in my ear.

"I can have fun by myself. I can seek out new experiences. I can create my own happiness. I'm cumming!" I moaned at the top of my lungs as my juices sprayed onto my hand.

"Damn, Chocolate." He growled into the phone. "You satisfied, beautiful?"

"Yes, I still miss you, though."

"Same here. Check it, I'm about to walk into a meeting. I'll call you later tonight."

"Thank you." I blew a kiss into the phone, and I pulled my dress back over my thighs. There was no way I could stop myself from falling for this man. I believed I had already fallen.

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