The same girl in the leopard outfit who’d escorted her to her seat, stood at the end of the aisle. “Come this way, please.”
When the four people to her right stood and everyone began clapping, Elise had little choice but to go. Thank goodness the light was dim or else they’d see her red face. When this was over, she was going to kill Regina and Samantha for losing her in the crowd.
The leopard lady ushered her up to the stage where a chair materialized out of thin air. Thankfully, it faced the magician and not the crowd. To help gain some control, Elise sat down then rubbed her sweaty palms on her skirt. Given the man’s immense talent, he could probably tell that her heart was about to burst out of her chest. If she’d been put in a space capsule and sent to the moon, she wouldn’t have been further out of her comfort zone than now.
“What is your first name, dear?”
“Elise.”
“Well, Elise, you have nothing to be afraid of. I just need you to relax.”
He might as well have asked her to do the Tango, because that might have been easier. She inhaled deeply. “I’ll try.”
“In order to make sure you aren’t distracted, we’re going to blindfold you. Is that okay? You aren’t claustrophobic, are you?”
Fortunately, she didn’t have issues with that. Nothing was going to happen while she was on a stage in a room with hundreds of people. “No. I’m good.”
The leopard tied a scarf around her eyes and to her surprise, her pulse slowed.
“I want you to picture your safe spot. On a count of three, you will only hear my voice and then the fantasy will begin. Nod if you understand.” Elise nodded, though she doubted she could be put under. “Wonderful. I’d like you to look down and tell me what kind of shoes you are wearing.”
That was an odd request, especially since she was blindfolded, but she would answer anyway. “Sandals.”
Wait a minute. She’d walked in wearing her black pumps, yet somehow she pictured herself wearing something more casual.
“Excellent. And where are you?”
Elise let her imagination take over. He wanted to know her fantasy and she’d give it to him. “I’m at the beach, reclining on a lounge chair with the sun beating down on my face.” She loved the warm weather and her toes in the sand.
“Very good.”
The man’s voice was low and soothing and soon Elise became so relaxed, it was as if the floor had opened up below her, and she was floating on a wave. Her breathing slowed and her arms and legs didn’t seem to be part of her body anymore. Air kissed her face, and except for the lack of squawking seagulls and the waves lapping on the shore, she could almost be convinced she truly was on some sandy beach.
Strong arms lifted her from her mythical lounge chair. “Come with me.” The silky smooth voice was deep and sensual, and she could almost picture dark hair kissing his shoulders. He’d be bare except for a loincloth.
Her head lolled against his hard chest and she let out a sigh. If she’d been able to command her hand to move, she would have touched him. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t real; this was her fantasy and she wanted to enjoy the next few minutes to the fullest. His feet pounded on a hard surface instead of the soft sand, and a second later, she was placed on something very comfortable.
“Keep the blindfold on for another minute, okay?” he asked though it sounded more like a command.
Despite her curiosity, Elise wanted to obey him. “Okay.”
A door closed and she pushed up on her elbows, trying to focus on her surroundings, listening for Nikolai’s voice or some whispers from the audience, but her mind zeroed in on some unidentifiable tune that surrounded her. Okay, she definitely wasn’t on her fantasy island anymore. Perhaps Nikolai had put on background music while he readied them for her dance. Given she had to wait, she might as well relish these moments of pure bliss.
“You can take the blindfold off now.” Her mystery man’s voice came out muffled as if he was behind a closed door.
Excited, she did as he asked. Whoa. She wasn’t on the stage any longer or on a sandy beach but rather in an incredibly lavish suite. A large mural of lions and tigers filled one wall while vines, waterfalls, and monkeys were painted on another. Had Nikolai surrounded her with portable walls to get her in the mood to dance? His choice of décor hardly matched her idea of Argentina.
Elise pinched herself to see if she was still dreaming, and a sharp ache tripped up her arm, hitching her heart. Sure, Nikolai said her fantasy would seem real, but this was almost creepy in its level of reality.
The door on the other side of the room opened and her heart nearly stopped. An orange and black striped tiger entered, and Elise scooted back on the bed and clutched the blanket. Holy crap! Yes, she loved cats and always fantasized about snuggling up with a tiger or a lion, but the intensity in this tiger’s eyes jacked up her heartbeat to near bursting.