"Where you want to go?" asked the driver in his heavily accented English.
Anthony opened his mouth to answer but before he could speak, "We want a club, something fun, something exotic," said Gracie as she gave Anthony a sideways glance and a smile. "Too slow, loverboy...now it's my choice," she added with an adorable smirk.
"Something exotic...I know a place, but it is expensive," added the driver.
Anthony rolled his eyes, "Oh, here we go..."
"Hush," shushed Gracie, nudging Anthony with her elbow. Turning to the driver, "Tell us about this place."
"La Etapa...The Stage...it is a dance club, but on Thursday nights they put on a show...something exotic," he added with a laugh.
Anthony glanced at Gracie who was looking at the driver with slightly squinted eyes —a look he knew meant she was trying to decide if she could trust him. After a moment her expression softened and her playful smile reappeared. "Okay, take us there and we'll decide when we see it." She settled back against Anthony, her hand slipping up his leg to rest on his thigh, getting comfortable for the ride.
Anthony looked out the window as the cabbie navigated through the twisting streets of Mazatlan. The streets were filled with people, even this late on a Thursday night. Through the tinted windows of the cab, Anthony could see couples and groups walking from late dinners to the many clubs and bars that populated this part of town. It's always amazing to see how population centers grow and are used by their populations of various genera----Hello!
Anthony was pulled from his reverie by the feeling of Gracie sliding her hand up his linen pants, her fingers quickly traversing the short distance from mid-thigh to more interesting territory between his legs. Anthony glanced down at Gracie who was looking out the passenger-side window feigning ignorance at what was happening below in the darkness of the car. Gracie slipped her hand between Anthony's thighs, flexing her fingers apart to encourage him to open up. Anthony slid down slightly in the seat, legs widening, as Gracie's hand cupped her intended prize. She paused there, his fullness filling the cup of her hand, even in its current quiescent state. Trying not to draw the driver's attention, Anthony looked out his side window and exhaled with a barely perceptible groan as Gracie gently tightened her grip, squeezing slowly and softly, first once, then repeatedly, kneading as she felt him grow from tumescence to something harder, more expectant.
"She knows exactly how to get me," thought Anthony as he involuntarily pushed up into Gracie's hand, bringing her more fully into contact with his hardness. Gracie slid her fingers up Anthony's now rigid shaft, tracing the shape until she found the sensitive spots near the top, her fingers beginning a tantalizing massage through the thin linen fabric. She could feel Anthony begin to grind his hips gently, almost automatically, in time with her movements, trying to get the most out of each touch. Then, all of a sudden, Gracie moved away settling her hand in her lap.
Stifling a giggle, Gracie leaned in close to Anthony and kissed his neck before moving her lips to his ear. "That will teach you not to stare off into space and ignore me," she quipped as she took the lobe of Anthony's ear momentarily in her teeth for playful tug.
Before Anthony could react, the driver, thankfully oblivious to the whole exchange in the back seat, spoke up. "We're here—La Etapa. I think you'll find this a place that is nicely exotic." As they pulled to a stop in front of the club, Anthony and Gracie gave the place the once-over, then paid the driver and stepped outside.
La Etapa
The club was posh, to say the least—far beyond anything Gracie and Anthony had seen thus far in Mazatlan. The building was obviously an old Mission-style theater, yet the expected and ubiquitous warm stucco and red Spanish tile roof had been traded for deep chocolate brown walls and cobalt blue tiles.
Inside the club, Gracie and Anthony waited just inside the velvet curtains, letting their eyes adjust in the carefully controlled lighting. Anthony moved his hand to the small of Gracie's back, letting her feel his presence as they surveyed the club.
All of the tables were filled with couples, leaving only a lounge-like area in the far corner open for seating. Three low, wide, almost bed-like sofas surrounded a leather topped wood table in a "U" shape, leaving the side towards the stage unobstructed. Thick burgundy velvet drapes surrounded the space, muffling the sound and furthering the sense of enclosure. Up lights in the corners splashed cones of low light on the wood-beamed ceiling above. The only other illumination was provided by three-dozen thick candles dotting the space in candelabra behind the sofas and on large platters on the table.
Gracie and Anthony settled on the sofa at the side of the "U" with the best view of the stage. Almost at once, the house lights dimmed and a slow, sensual, and very Spanish music with an almost club-like bass-line filled the club. The curtain parted, revealing a man in a tuxedo—obviously the MC for the evening. In a rapid staccato, the man launched into his monologue, gesturing grandly at the theater, and the audience, the stage, punctuated by rather enthusiastic applause by the audience. The message, however, was lost on Gracie and Anthony as it was delivered in Spanish. Even so, with their limited understanding, they gathered that tonight was a talent show of sorts and members of the audience were to perform on stage. It appeared to be voluntary, so there could sit back and observe.
"Can I get you two some drinks?" The waitress asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
"Oh, you speak English!" exclaimed Anthony, noting the obvious. With a slight roll of her eyes, the waitress made it clear that fact wasn't lost on her either.
"Let's make it simple, two long island iced teas, and, could you translate what he just said?" Anthony replied.
"You've never been here before?" the waitress said with surprise, glancing quickly at the sofas. "Ah, well, you're in for a treat. Tonight is an all-volunteer talent show—we have the best audiences, you know—although pretty much everyone will participate. I think you'll be surprised at how much you'll enjoy this."
With that, the waitress turned and went to the bar.
"Are you going to get me drunk tonight?" Gracie asked archly. "I never should have told you about the Long Islands. That knowledge is too dangerous in the wrong hands," she teased.
"You mean these hands?" asked Anthony innocently, before sliding his hands quickly to the sides of Gracie's face and pulling her in for a quick but breathtaking kiss. "I have no idea what you mean," he added with a devilish grin.