Page 76 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

Flora couldn’t stop staring at them. It was mesmerising, breathtaking in its sheer joy and she had a sudden urge to join in. To let go of all of her inhibitions and sway along to the rhythm. To be free to enjoy herself. To dance.

But that would mean dancing close to a man. And not just any man.

She slowly lifted her eyes up to Nico and felt a jolt as she found him staring at her with an intensity in his dark brown eyes.

His voice interrupted her rampant thoughts. ‘Don’t you ever want to break free of whatever it is that’s holding you back all the time?’

He drew his hands around her and pulled her gently in so that they were close now. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from his, suddenly robbed of breath.

He was right. She was so sick of being bound up by her own invisible ties. She was sick of not being herself. She wanted so badly to be a part of life, to be living like everyone else seemed to do. So she reached out to slip her hands around to his back and draw him up against her so that there was no part of their bodies that weren’t touching.

She found Nico staring open-mouthed at her in amazement. She was pleased to have finally caught him off guard. She would prove him wrong for the rest of the dance. She could be free. Right here, on this dance floor, she would be herself for one glorious moment in time.

Unable to fight the rhythm of the music any longer, Flora finally let it in and began to sway in time.

Suddenly, the main lights were switched off so the room was only lit by the faintest of lights around the outside.

Rather than a shocked gasp, there was a flutter of applause and approval around the room.

‘Dancing in the dark time!’ came an announcement over the microphone. ‘Hold on tight to your partner now!’

And as the music carried on, the only person Flora could see and feel was Nico.

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Nico was aware of no one else but Flora as she moved her hips under his hold. Then he too began to sway in time to the all-encompassing samba beat.

The music was wonderful and it felt so good to dance after so many years. How many had it been since he had last danced with any woman? Perhaps not since his grandmother?

But his thrill at moving to the music was nothing compared to the sight of Flora in front of him right now. He could just about see her in the dim light. She seemed to have suddenly come alive, he thought as he watched her sway. Despite her T-shirt and shorts, she was incredibly sexy and his senses were overwhelmed as he tried to rein in his thoughts.

The music was incessant. It was a constant sultry beat that pounded his ears and heart. Nico found he was having trouble breathing, but even that sense was overwhelmed by the soft floral perfume Flora always wore.

As he watched her, he could see those incredible green eyes were closed briefly as Flora swayed to the rhythm. He wondered if she looked that content when she slept.

He glanced across to the makeshift bar in the corner but knew it wasn’t alcohol he was craving. The magnetic appeal of Flora was too much for him to resist. He caressed her back with his hand and watched as she opened her eyes at his touch and stared up at him.

She was breathless from dancing, her mouth slightly open and panting. Her hair hung in huge waves around her face, her cheeks flushed. Those stunning eyes sparkled with excitement. He could feel the heat emanating from her whole body.

He had never seen a more beautiful woman.

Despite the music carrying on, they both slowed down until they had stopped dancing. They stood in the middle of the dance floor, staring at each other, unable to break eye contact, their faces almost touching.

Then the lights suddenly came on, making Nico blink at the sudden harsh light.

‘There we are,’ said a voice. ‘All finished.’

‘All finished,’ Nico repeated, still feeling dazed.

‘That was amazing,’ said Grams, coming to stand next to them. ‘I had no idea you could dance like that.’

‘Nor did I,’ said Flora, looking up at Nico before letting her grandmother lead her away to get them all a drink.

Nico watched Flora walk away, his arms feeling emptier than they had ever felt.

* * *

Later on, back at the farm, Flora stood in her bedroom and recalled the feel of his hands on her. She wondered why Nico had such an effect on her.