Janet’s slender fingers slid along the back of Mark’s neck, her delicate touch sending shivers of pleasure down his spine. His own hand responded, fingertips barely touching the hollow of her back, lingering there, the nerves so alert that it seemed each contact produced tiny sparks from her skin to his. He felt her ear touch his, the scent of her bare throat filling his nostrils.
Her body moved against his in perfect rhythm, the feel of her full breasts against his chest robbing him of whatever self-control he still retained. Janet’s skin shone with sweat in the dim light and her breath came in small pants of exertion, barely audible above Mark’s thundering heart. Her bare right leg encircled him and her body swayed. As Mark’s body writhed within her entangling limbs, Janet’s back arched until only his right arm kept her from falling. Then, in a thunderous, climactic crescendo, it ended.
Hearing shouts of approval echo across the room, Mark raised his head to see Jennifer and Heather applauding vigorously.
Even Jack nodded his appreciation. “Now that’s how the tango is supposed to be danced.”
“Wonderfully done,” Janet said as Mark pulled her back to her feet. Turning to Jennifer and Heather, she continued. “You’ve practiced these dances many times. Now I want you to play that dance back in those perfect little memories of yours. Then, one at a time, I will call you up. I want each of you to dance with Mark, exactly as I did.”
“With Mark?” Jennifer sputtered.
“Exactly as I did,” Janet continued. “Everything we do here has a purpose. We’ve been teaching you all the Latin and classical ballroom dances because if you can dance them with abandon, you can dance anything. In the world of which you are now a part, dancing will open a surprising number of doors for you. But first, you must look like you’re having fun and you must be convincing. People should see you dance and wish they were your partner.”
Janet cast a wicked smile at Mark that made him look away. “Just now, I believe you were having fun. I want you to repeat that with Jennifer, then Heather. And I better not notice any difference, or it’s going to be a very, very long night.”
Jennifer sat on the grass, flanked by Mark and Heather, watching the glorious sunset paint the western sky in steadily darkening shades of magenta and purple. Less than a hundred yards up the hill behind them, Janet played with Robby as Jack leaned over the smoking barbeque grill.
“I’m worried about Mom and Dad.” Jennifer surprised herself by saying what she’d been thinking.
Beside her, Heather tensed. “I know. It’s driving me crazy. I’ve been so homesick. But for them...not to know we’re even alive. It gives me nightmares.”
Mark glanced over his shoulder, a quick look to see if Jack and Janet remained out of earshot. “We always talk about it, but we never do anything.”
“Jack told us not to,” Heather replied.
“We never should have asked him,” Jennifer said. “We knew what he’d say.”
“He’s right, you know.”
“I don’t. Not anymore.”
“Me either,” said Mark. “It’s been too long.”
Jennifer felt a lump rise in her throat, leaving her voice husky. “I’m just so scared. If we do it, hack our way onto their laptops, leave them a message. It might get them killed. It might give away our location.”
“And if we don’t?”
“That scares me too.” Jennifer wiped a tear from her cheek. “How long can they go on, not knowing we’re OK?”
Lately, images of her mom sobbing inconsolably had begun crawling through her mind.
A shrill whistle from the direction of the house cut off the conversation.
“Guess dinner’s ready,” Mark said, rising to his feet. “Don’t let Jack see you crying.”
“Wasn’t planning to.”
As they walked up the hill toward the waiting dinner, Jennifer pulled forth the required memories, letting her mask settle in place. As hard as it was, the decision could be put off for a while longer.
In the meantime, they’d gut it out and be the people Jack and Janet expected them to be.