Tatiana’s Chance by Elaine Wood

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About the author:

Hello all! I am Elaine Wood, a wife, mother, and teacher. I was born and raised in Long Island, New York but I’ve called Jacksonville, Florida home for the last 23 years. My husband and I enjoy spending time with our three daughters and volunteering in our community. I have always enjoyed reading but only recently discovered a passion for writing. I especially enjoy writing short stories, poetry and my favorite, romance/erotica. I am currently working on the third book in the Tatiana series. I am anxiously looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book!

Here is a short sample from the book:

Chapter 2
It’s Saturday and Marie is up and dressed before me in the morning. I wake refreshed but sore. It doesn’t take long for me to get ready. We go downstairs talking excitedly about our evening plans for going dancing tonight. It is great to spend time with her alone and get caught up on what’s been going on in her life. Even though we talk to each other all the time, being together is so much better. Breakfast flies by and before I know it Rashonn is back in the lobby to pick me up for our day at the gym. My cousin’s plans include more shopping, visiting friends and a movie date with an ex-boyfriend. We firm up our return time to get ready for tonight’s fun before Shonn whisks me off to Muscle Planet for another grueling session.
After spending two punishing hours in the gym and 30 minutes in the sauna, we don’t have time to do our usual lunch and gripe session afterwards. Shonn drops me back off at the hotel at 2PM and heads on his way to tackle the rest of his day before getting ready for the evening’s festivities. He’s taking Marie and me out for dinner, drinks and whatever other trouble we can find. Marie is still out when I get back to the hotel room. I strip and jump in the shower, thoroughly enjoying the hot, steamy water. I crank up the volume on my playlist as loud as possible. My muscles are like noodles; I completed my workout in beast mode today. I finish up my shower and go through my after-shower ritual. I smooth perfumed lotion over my skin and run a quick comb through my hair. As an afterthought I tie my hair up to keep it fresh for tonight.
I throw on a pretty black satin thong and matching, low back bustier then I grab my salad with grilled chicken strips from the fridge and a bottle of water. I waste no time; I quickly eat the salad and swallow four ibuprofen tablets with water before crawling between the sheets of my luxurious Egyptian-sheeted sleep number bed for a quick afternoon nap. Just like after last night’s workouts, sleep comes swiftly.
I hear Marie come in the room around 5:30 with one of her friends. Laughing and lugging several shopping bags from their afternoon activities. They are excited and animated as they tell me of the celebrities and the fine men they saw. I’m excited for them! I slide out of the bed and go to the fridge for a bottle of wine. Marie’s friend takes a second to admire my lingerie and the contents as I bend down towards the fridge. I give my cousin a knowing look and let whatshername know that’s strictly out of the question before pouring three generous glasses of wine.
After giggling and drinking two bottles of wine it’s time to start getting ready so we say goodbye to whatshername and begin the beautification ritual. Make-up, hair, and perfume are all I have left on my agenda while Marie hits the shower. Shonn will pick us up at 8PM in his amazing ride, a brand new, 2013, black on black, Challenger. Oh that car is beautiful! And if I want to be noticed in it, I’m going to have to bring my A-game! I’ve worked my ass off for the last two days with Shonn and I intend on flaunting it, dammit! My dress is mid-thigh (cause I’m just not a hoe), but it’s a body hugger; dark blue, nearly black, satin, long sleeves, boat neck in front and backless to a decadently low scoop in the back. My heels are to die for and I’m wearing my hair up so my back is exposed. I’m wearing small, simple drop earrings and no other jewelry in an attempt to go for the understated look. Marie is equally stunning in a white sweater dress, white ankle-high booties that I must borrow one of these days and gold chunky jewelry. Yep, we look hot!
It is 7:59 and I hear a knock at the door. I know it’s Shonn; always the punctual one. Well, we’re ready. I open the door and he’s leaning against the door frame in a James Bond pose, looking drop dead fine as hell in his Armani black on black! I lick my lips and say, “Get your crazy ass in here, 007!” Marie is staring with her mouth open. Ha! I check him out, head to toe while he does a slow spin, showing off his swag. “Looking fly Shonn, but then you always do,” I say as I walk over to the bed to pick up my purse and wrap.
“Thank you. Damn boo! Stunning!” Shonn says to me as he’s looking me over. He takes me by the hand and twirls me around leisurely checking out the total package.
“Thank you darlin’.” I reply.
“I wasn’t talking about you, I meant my handiwork!” He laughs but gives me a quick hug.
“See, you’re just stupid, that’s all.” I throw back at him. I walk past Marie and pinch her arm to bring her back to her senses. “Let’s go,” I say shaking my head and laughing at him for his craziness and at her because she has yet to speak.
We head out to Shonn’s sexy-ass car where he holds the door open and helps us carefully into the car with our high heels and tight dresses. Damn, this car is beautiful and the three of us look great tonight. Shonn’s head is going be too big to get in the car though, escorting two fine ass women around in this ride! “Where are we going tonight?” I ask him.
He names the restaurant and club. Since I am not local, I have no idea what he’s talking about but Marie sharply inhales and finally finding her voice says, “Wow, this is going to be great! I’ve never been, but I’ve heard amazing things. Thanks Shonn!”
Doesn’t matter to me where we go as long as it’s fun! On the way to dinner Marie gets a call from her friends asking where we’re heading. She gives them the name of the club hoping we can all meet up there. While she’s chatting with her people I turn to Shonn and ask, “Are you going to dance with me tonight suga?” I’ve been trying to get him to dance with me every year without any success.
He smiles and pats my hand, “As good as you look in that dress, boo; I may have to take a number!” Smart-ass, evasive answer. Yeah, yeah, that’s okay, as long as we have fun, and as long as he dances with someone, I think to myself.
The restaurant is amazing. I order seafood and veggies, my favorites, and both Marie and Shonn get the chicken. More wine, naturally. As we talk and laugh throughout the meal we make a striking trio as several eyes turn our way while we enjoy dining, drinking and talking. We waste no time after our meal is through because we’re excited about getting to the club.
The place is beautiful with beautiful people based on the view from the front entrance. When we drive up, the valet runs right out. Marie and I busy ourselves with getting out of the car as gracefully as possible while Shonn gives the little valet dude the evil eye. His evil eye is quite intimidating and lets you know what you’re in for if you don’t do right. Shonn draws himself up to his full 6’1”, 230 pounds of solid steel. In his 007 swag and with a deeply menacing voice he says, “Dude, don’t let me come back out here and see a fuckin’ thing wrong with this car or I will hurt you.” Not waiting for a response he walks over to our side of the car where we are waiting patiently for him to finish throwing his weight around with the hired help. Then holding out both elbows and smiling sweetly at us, Shonn escorts us into the club.
“Babe, why’d you have make the little dude nearly wet himself?” I ask and the three of us double over laughing the rest of the way inside the club.
Once inside, both Marie and I are like kids in a candy shop. The place is spectacularly elegant. And we look good too! Mmm. This chica is going to dance her ass off tonight!! Shonn has fully comped us for the night! How does he do these things? I think to myself. Then, as an afterthought, Wow, this place looks so exciting! The crowd is in the 40 age range, the music is old school, the drinks are top shelf and everyone is dressed to impress. Marie runs into her friends and says she’ll catch up with me later.
Shonn and I make our way over to the bar where he instantly places a drink in my hand. I don’t even ask what’s in it or how he came by it so quickly. He’s got his usual bottle of water. I sit on the bar stool and he leans his back against the bar checking out the crowd and constantly checking his left and right. I see he looks a bit on edge. He checks his watch a couple of times. I lean over and ask, “Who is she and what time will she be here?”
He smiles and says, “Is it that obvious?”
“Uh, yeah, you’re all but sweating” I tease him. Even though he’s married, I know it’s still a strained situation and that he has his women on the side. I’m not judging him nor am I going to lecture him. He’s entitled to at least a little pleasure.
“Someone new and any minute,” he finally answers as I sip my drink. Mmmm Jack Daniels, neat. I smile. He remembered. So like him.
I look at him and shake my head, “Well don’t be standing around here with me! Go find her! I’ll be fine. Go.” I get a smile and a quick kiss on the cheek. He reminds me to keep checking in with him through texts then he heads into the crowd in search of his girl. He’s just too funny. Threatening and menacing one minute and a nervous lump of putty the next. Ha, men!
I am thoroughly enjoying this place and the music is on point. I see Marie and her friends dancing on the floor and they wave at me. I nod and smile back. The bar I’m sitting at is rectangular in shape and huge. There are four bartenders working this particular bar. The dance floor is set on a lower level and is rather spacious. Shonn had mentioned they have several bars and dance floors as well as several private and semi-private rooms throughout the club. I decide to go exploring.
The other two bars are similar in set up with a separate dance floor but different types of music at each location. One is playing Latin and Caribbean mix and the other is a more techno, club remix flavor. Along the perimeter of the dance floors are the rooms Shonn mentioned. A few rooms have medium-sized groups; a couple of rooms are set aside for swing activities. A few rooms are large enough to hold parties. There are also rooms for gambling, lap dances, and one room where a movie is being filmed. It’s all somewhat interesting. This place is a small city, I think to myself. I keep moving.
I wander into one of the larger rooms where a party is in full swing. There are several people dancing, laughing and just having a good time. I note the name of the room and I shoot Shonn a quick text with the room name to let him know where I am. I gradually make my way to the bar and gaze at the beautiful people in here. I finally find an open spot and catch the bartender’s attention. I order a drink, showing my comp key that Shonn had given me, I take a seat in one of the leather bar stools and I scope out the action in the room. This bar is smaller than the first one in the main room. There is dancing and R&B music here and a large number of military uniformed and civilian men and women scattered throughout the room dancing, laughing, drinking and having a good time. I’m enjoying watching these people interact with each other.
“Excuse me, ma’am, would you like to dance?” a uniformed man, hold-up; let me correct that, a hella-fine, chocolate, Air Force captain, asks me.
I look at this man from his shoes to the top of his head and almost pass out from forgetting to breathe on my trip up the length of his lanky, uniformed body. Whew. “Yes! I’d love to!” I almost scream from excitement. Dayum! I knew I loved Atlanta, these men are incredibly hot!!!
The captain leads me to the dance floor where a sultry, old school, R&B ballad is playing. Other dancers are swaying and grinding to the rhythm with no regard to anyone else around them. Once in the middle of the dance floor he turns to face me, still holding my hand and steps right up to the full length of my body. He places his hand in the small of my bare back; I feel the warmth of his hand against my skin. It causes shivers to run up and down my spine. He expertly leads me in a very sensually, erotic, almost grinding, dance. He presses his pelvis into mine and pulls me closer when he wants me to follow toward him. His movements are languid and very, very suggestive. It feels good to be in this man’s arms and to feel his arousal in his movements. I can feel his muscles move beneath the layers of uniform he’s wearing. Yum. This man has me getting warm and tingly! Mmm, yes, it’s a very pleasant feeling. I find my thoughts wandering, thinking about what it would be like to undo all these buttons! Ha! Very interesting thoughts, for sure.
I feel the pressure of his hand on my back release and he presses forward on my right hand pushing me away from him. Then he slowly spins me around, looking at my body as I turn. I can almost feel the heat of his eyes on me like a heat lamp. When I come back around to face him, he pulls me towards him, places his left leg behind my right leg. Oh my! He’s not going to…. yes, he is! Wrapping his right arm around my waist he slowly dips me. Holding me in this position for what seems like a full ten seconds he stares into my eyes, then slowly pulls me up to my feet again. Whew! This officer is a smooth playa!!!
The song ends and he leads me to a bistro table along one of the walls in the room and holds the chair for me to sit. It’s a very comfortable, high backed bar stool; I lean back and cross my legs which automatically hikes up my dress slightly. Oops, my bad. Heh, heh, heh. My captain swallows hard and asks, “What are you drinking, ma’am?”
“Jack Daniels,” I answer. While he heads to the bar to order the drinks, I quickly check my makeup and decide I’m good. Then I check my cell and respond to Shonn’s text that I’m good, still in the same room and I ask about his girl. My captain is on his way back with the drinks and is smiling. I fluff my hair and smile brightly. ‘Thank you, captain,” I say demurely.
“You’re welcome. Well, it looks like a lot of people have left early, the crowd is thinning out.” He replies nervously.
“Yes, I noticed. By the way, you are a great dancer!” I say, leaning towards him slightly.
“Thank you. Vance. My name is Vance,” he introduces himself extending his hand.
I laugh nervously and explain, “I must know about four men with the same name. It just strikes me as funny that I would meet someone else with the same name.”
He replies, “Yes, and it’s not a very common name,” he fills in with his own small talk.
Continuing to laugh I tell him, “the last Vance I met was online, he’s also in the Air Force, and coincidentally he lives here in Georgia,” my voice trails off as I add, “and he’s also a captain.” I stare at Vance for several seconds. I notice that he has not responded to my last statement. I blink several times as I take in his full appearance in the darkened room. The captain is looking at me very intently and I notice a twinkle in his eye that I hadn’t noticed before and the corners of his mouth are twitching as if he is trying to keep from smiling or to keep from speaking, I can’t tell which.
Bells are ringing somewhere in the distance and they seem to be getting louder. The bells are in my own head. Suddenly, full recognition dawns on me and I instantly know who this man is. Remembering my manners, since I haven’t spoken in several seconds, I say what only my virtual lovers would know as my signature statement, “Calling me ma’am only gets you one result, suga; you get to lose an article of clothing. By-the-way, pleased to meet you in person, Vance, I’m Tatiana, your Tati.”