Not The Partner She Came In With

This is a bit of a slower burn with little actual girl girl sex at the start. It's all about establishing the dynamic and the buildup for a part two once the dam breaks and our star crossed lovers can finally admit their strong feelings. This is the anticipation and the buildup. I hope you'll enjoy...

Soon-to-be-married fiancés Joanna Pemberton and Jake Nicholas pushed through the big glass doors of the Superstars! Dance Studio on the north side of the strip mall. Their wedding was in about six weeks, and they had decided to treat themselves to personalized dance lessons for a custom-choreographed dance to wow their 100+ guests when they tied the knot. A warm, golden light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the studio as they entered, casting long shadows across the polished maple floor.

This had been Joanna's idea and Jake had been more than willing to tag along and learn the dance if it would make her happy. "Happy wife, happy life" was his father's advice when the engagement had been announced. Joanna, for her part, was damned giddy, bouncing with excitement and anticipation. While Jake had been an athlete in high school, Joanna was the theater nerd and had been a performer of many different sorts in college. She couldn't wait to once again show off her skill and showmanship as the ultimate display of their love in front of family and friends.

Jake's enthusiasm, while genuine, was overshadowed by Joanna's radiant joy as they worked their way into the middle of the big open space of the dance studio with mirrors lining the studio walls. She caught their reflection in the mirrors and skipped out ahead, to spin and take herself in from all angles. Jake stood off to the side as she did so, letting his wife-to-be have her moment.

Joanna gave a few excited twirls and then skated closer to the nearest wall, enjoying the visual of herself moving in the big space. She locked eyes on her reflection as she moved closer, seeing herself and taking it in. Despite her theater nerd-dom and love to perform, Joanna was a shy and confidence-challenged young woman who still had trouble believing when Jake or anyone told her how beautiful she clearly was. If she was honest, most of the time she rarely liked what she saw in the mirror deep down, but today, in this space, these mirrors were doing her justice.

Joanna paused before the mirror before her, her breath catching slightly as she took in the vision of herself. Her outfit, designed to be both aesthetic and functional, was a soft periwinkle hue that complemented her chestnut hair and made her green eyes pop. Her top, a sleeveless number with delicate straps, showcased her toned arms and the slight roundness of her shoulders. It dipped into a modest V just enough to hint at the soft valley between her breasts without revealing too much.

Her gaze dropped to the leggings that wrapped snugly around her hips, flowing down to meet a pair of black dance flats that seemed to elongate her legs despite her diminutive stature. The fabric accented the fullness of her backside lovingly, a feature she'd often bemoaned when trying on jeans but now seemed somehow perfect for the art of dance in these leggings. Her slightly rounded belly, usually a source of self-consciousness, appeared cute in this context, a gentle reminder that she was undeniably feminine and even kinda sexy when she let herself think that highly of her body.

Joanna's face was radiant with excitement, flushing from the twirls and the warmth of the room bathed in sunlight. Strands of long hair had escaped their constraints as she'd moved with the abandon that had made Jake's heart soar as he'd watched her. They'd certainly not always seen eye to eye as their relationship unfolded, but he loved seeing her this happy and unfettered while in her element.

Jake's steps were less graceful, more measured as he approached Joanna. He lacked her natural inclination towards dance, but he moved with a certain stoic charm that was all his own. His sandy brown hair, always seemingly ruffled by an unseen wind, caught the shimmering specks of dust that floated lazily in the air, highlighted by the sun's rays piercing through the large windows of the studio. He adjusted the collar of his simple white button-down shirt, a stark contrast to Joanna's colorful dance attire but chosen for its ease of movement. His dark jeans were comfortably fitted, neither too tight nor too baggy, allowing him the freedom to follow any step patterns their teacher would throw their way. Jake wasn't one for the spotlight -- only making sure his appearance was acceptable but never needing it to be flashy or noticeable. He was more concerned with ensuring Joanna's happiness than any approval from anyone else.

Taking a deep breath, Jake moved towards Joanna with a gentle but sure stride. He reached out his hand to take Joanna's arm, but before he could get to her, the loud booms of oncoming booted footsteps echoed in the room, freezing the soon-to-be-dancers in place.

Joanna and Jake turned to the source of the footsteps and took in the statuesque visage of their instructor, Vivienne Delacroix for the very first time. She strode toward them with a fluid grace that seemed to defy the weight of her steps. The heels of her dance shoes clicked against the hardwood floors, each step a sharp punctuation in the otherwise soft melody of the afternoon. Vivienne's frame was tall and commanding, her dark hair reflecting the sunlight like a raven's wing in flight.

As she drew near, Joanna felt an unexpected flutter in her chest. She couldn't help but notice Vivienne's dance clothes hugging every curve of her body, the fabric shimmering subtly with each movement. Clad in black, form-fitting leggings that sat high on her waist and a matching body suit that clung to her curves like a second skin, Vivienne was breathtaking. The leggings tapered down to meet a pair of sleek dance heels. With each step, the muscles in Vivienne's legs flexed, showcasing the power and control that only years of disciplined training could forge.

The swooping neckline of her dark blue body suit framed her collarbones and the top of her chest just right. The V-neck plunged just enough to draw the eye but remained elegant and professional. Under the studio's warm glow, the deep tone of her skin took on a rich luster that was undeniably alluring to anyone who looked.

As Vivienne neared, Joanna's throat went dry. Between her impressive stature and her dance heels, she towered a full head taller than Joanna and a few good inches above Jake. Unseen by Jake, Joanna felt herself squirm slightly the closer their new teacher got to them. Her body responded as if to some silent cue, her posture straightening, her hands smoothing down the fabric of her periwinkle outfit unconsciously.

Vivienne stopped before the couple and greeted them with a megawatt smile before she spoke. "Hey guys, I'm Viv. So excited to get to work with you on your wedding dance!" the warm, friendly tone seemed to belie the elegant, almost domineering entrance she'd just given, but it did make both Joanna and Jake feel much more at ease.

"Hey, nice to meet you, I'm Jake." Jake spoke first, stepping past Joanna and shaking Vivienne's hand.

"Joanna" his still affected fiancée finally managed to croak out, holding out her hand for Vivienne to take.

Vivienne's hand enveloped Joanna's in a gesture that was tender yet firm, the contact sending an unanticipated surge of warmth through her. It was as though an electric current had passed between them, the sensation so startling that Joanna flinched and nearly withdrew her hand. Joanna could not understand why the touch and piercing stare of this woman had suddenly affected her so deeply. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest like an insistent drum, and she fought to catch her breath. With a gentle release, Vivienne let go of Joanna's hand, but the impression lingered, like the afterglow of a bright light seared into one's vision.

"Welcome, Joanna," Vivienne said, the sound of her voice smooth and melodic, pronouncing her name with a new intimacy that felt both unfamiliar and exhilarating. "or is it Joey?" she added almost inadvertently, the variation on Joanna's name slipping out with ease and sounding natural on Vivienne's lips. The room suddenly felt warmer to Joanna, or perhaps it was just a flush that colored her cheeks. Every fiber of her being seemed hyper-aware of Vivienne's proximity.

"Oh, she doesn't like being called Joey" Jake gently corrected on behalf of his fiancée.

"It's fine!" Joanna suddenly cut him off. Vivienne could call her anything she wanted.

"Oh, er, you sure? I can call you Joanna if you like." Vivienne said.

"Joey works." Joanna insisted, unsure herself of why she so enthusiastically insisted Vivienne call her whatever she preferred. She usually got quite hung up on being called anything but her full proper name, a relic of her older brothers' coming up with all sorts of teasing variations the way only pre-teen boys can provide to a younger sister. That was long ago though, and in Vivienne's presence, she found herself with no issue being called "Joey."

-2-

"Great! So, I understand we've got a wedding in six weeks and y'all want to really wow your guests with a show-stopping first dance, right?" Vivienne said, getting right down to business. She was a professional after all.

Joanna broke out in another big excited grin, glancing from Jake to Vivienne before her. "That's right! I want the pageantry!"

Vivienne laughed at Joanna's enthusiasm and the younger woman's heart felt suddenly very full. Viv's laugh was like music, warm, slightly brassy, and full.

"I smell a former theater nerd," Vivienne said, stepping slightly closer to Joanna.

"How did you know!" Joanna asked, giggling openly now.

Viv smiled, glancing from Joey to Jake, who was nodding with approval. "You're not exactly subtle, plus the way you move tells me you've performed in front of a crowd before. That bodes well for the work we three are going to do. Speaking of, shall we get started?"

Vivienne led them to the center of the dance floor. "We'll start with a basic waltz to get you two accustomed to moving together as one, and then we'll build the choreography from that base," she said. Her voice was clear and strong, commanding yet warm, echoing through the studio with an authoritative ease. "Now as I'm sure our experienced theater dancer Joey knows, dance is a language of movement spoken between two bodies. It takes sensitivity and mutual understanding and active reaction. Since you all are getting married soon, we can assume you two have got all that mutual understanding in spades. Hmm?"

Vivienne winked as she said that and Joanna blushed. The younger woman gulped as a wave of uncertainty washed over her. Her fiancé smiled back at her and nodded, giving her side a squeeze. Of course, they had that kind of mutual understanding, they were getting married! Jake sure seemed sure, why was Joanna not convinced all of a sudden?

Vivienne positioned Jake before Joanna, showing him where to place one hand on her waist and hold the other up for her to take. She guided Joanna's hand to Jake's shoulder and the other to his outstretched hand. Their bodies were close but not intertwined. Vivienne started the music and they began to dance, with Vivienne starting to walk them through the basic steps of the waltz.

"Keep your frames steady," Vivienne instructed as she moved around them like a hawk circling its prey. "Your arms are a picture frame--hold them strong and firm but remember to be responsive to your partner's movements."

As they started moving under Vivienne's watchful gaze, Joanna couldn't help but feel a bit of their emotional disconnect despite their physical proximity. They were moving through the steps correctly -- one, two, three --one, two, three- but Joanna couldn't help but think and look past her fiancé. Her focus was drawn intently to their teacher. She did the steps and moved with Jake, but she felt deep down she was doing it to garner Vivienne's approval as opposed to more firmly establishing the connection with the man she was to marry.

The song ended and Vivienne approached. She had a thoughtful look on her face and her hand held to her lips. "Hmmm, that was great for your first time working it through, guys. I'm sensing a little stiffness though. Do you mind if I run through it with each of you so we can kind of see where to loosen you each up individually?"

They both nodded and stepped apart. Vivienne stepped up to Jake first, assuming the follower position to let Jake lead. Joanna stepped back and watched, her hands clasped together. As her fiancé and her new teacher began to move about the room, Joanna felt a strange, unfamiliar pang of jealousy. She blinked and brought her hands to her mouth as she watched, perplexed. What puzzled her was that she couldn't tell if she was jealous of another woman dancing with her fiancé, or of Jake getting to dance and move closely with the dazzling Vivienne.

Vivienne's laughing voice echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls and the polished wooden floors as she corrected Jake's posture. Joanna watched as Vivienne gently nudged Jake's hand higher on her own back and guided his steps with a grace and ease and all she could think was "why isn't it me she's touching and guiding?!"

"Better, Jake!" Vivienne praised, her voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. Jake blushed under the compliment, his grip on Vivienne tightening in response. They moved more synchronously, their bodies flowing together with a rhythm that was both impressive and slightly unsettling to watch. Joanna watched them and felt a confusing heat rising with in her.

After three rounds around the studio floor, Jake and Viv broke apart. Vivienne gave Jake a small nod of approval before turning her attention to Joanna. "Joey," she said softly, offering her hand again with an intensity that rivaled their first contact. "Your turn."

Swallowing hard, Joanna stepped forward and took Vivienne's offered hand. Their fingers interlaced naturally, like they'd done that a million times. Vivienne pulled her closer into a dance hold and Joey had to suppress a full-body shudder. It felt right in ways she couldn't explain. The flutter of excitement that had been contained until now threatened to spill over.

"Okay," Vivienne said, her voice low and calming as if trying to soothe Joanna's nerves or perhaps her own. "Remember what I told you about the frame? Keep it firm and square, but be actively ready to react and adjust as the leader tells you where you're going. Can you do that for me, Joey?"

Joanna nodded, her heartbeat audible in her ears. The rest of the world hung in suspense as Vivienne began to lead. Vivienne's hand on her waist was warm and firm as she guided Joanna into position. They were standing so close that Vivienne's impressive chest lightly rubbed up against the younger woman's more modest breasts, eliciting another shockwave on Joey's skin through the tight materials they each wore. Joanna was acutely aware of the strength and warmth emanating from Vivienne's body, the way their legs seemed to brush against each other in the confines of their dance steps, their movements becoming more fluid as they glided across the floor.

"Relax your shoulders," Vivienne murmured, her breath tickling Joanna's ear. "Let the music guide you, feel it in your core. Move with my steps. React to me." Joanna closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to internalize Vivienne's instructions. "React to me." seemed to sear itself into the younger woman's subconscious right then and there.

She couldn't help but focus on the contact between their bodies, the steady pressure of Vivienne's hand against her back. Joanna found herself leaning into the touch, instinctively trusting this woman who seemed to understand her body better than she did herself. The music rose and fell around them, a tender melody that seemed to cradle their newfound harmony.

Their feet moved in unison, and with each step, Joanna felt something blossoming within her--something hot, pleasurable, new, like nothing she'd ever felt being this close with anyone, Jake or otherwise. It was more than just the dance; it was the silent conversation occurring between their intertwined fingers, their shared breaths, their bodies moving as one. She was so overwhelmed she hadn't even realized her eyes were now lingering on a detail she hadn't noticed on Vivienne's top before: a small but sparkly rainbow flag indicating at least allyship if not membership in the LGBTQ+ community on the right strap of Vivienne's top.

Her dance teacher, the one whose body she was currently pressed and moving against might be queer. Vivienne, another woman, might be attracted to women. Dared she imagine, even in a hypothetical there might be some attraction from this dancing goddess pointed in her direction? Not that Joanna was or had ever been interested in women prior. She was happily engaged to Jake, a great guy, after all. All of her previous encounters, hell even all of her thoughts and fantasies had been about men. Still, something about the knowledge that this powerful woman she was millimeters from, whose every touch sent tingles throughout her body might have even the most minuscule chance of being interested in her sexually sent the butterflies in her stomach into a frenzy.

Joanna was glad the sudden conflict of emotions she was feeling was able to be covered by her nerves as she worked to follow Vivienne's lead as they danced. The music, a languid, sultry jazz number, seemed to stretch the boundaries of time as they continued to move as one entity. Joanna's body responded to Vivienne's gentle but insistent guidance with an easiness that surprised her.

The song finally ended and Vivienne stepped back from Joanna, whose face was visibly flushed. "Oh, sorry hun, did I push you too hard? I know the pace went a little fast for a first class. You look like you're starting to sweat!" Vivienne said with a sweet smile. "It seemed like we were in a good groove so I just let us go til the song ended."

Joanna, now acutely self-conscious, attempted to regain her composure. "No, no, it's fine. I actually... I was into it," she stammered, quickly brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She was trying to steady her breathing, not just from the exertion of dancing but also from the turmoil swirling within her.

Vivienne's smile softened, and she reached out to gently squeeze Joanna's shoulder. "You're a natural, Joey. With a little more practice, you'll be dazzling those wedding guests in no time." Her touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary, creating a charge between them. "Isn't she a natural, Jake?"

Jake, who had been watching the two women from the sidelines after a few failed attempts to keep up with the choreography, clapped his hands in a mixture of admiration and support. "Absolutely, she's amazing," he agreed sincerely, unaware of the tempest that had brewed within his fiancée as she'd danced so close to their statuesque instructor.

Joanna caught the look of genuine pride in Jake's eyes and felt an unfamiliar pang of guilt at the complicated emotions she was suddenly harboring. She flashed him a grateful smile, a silent apology for whatever she might have been thinking or feeling during that dance with Viv.

"Alright superstars, we got about 5 minutes left in this session, why don't you both show me your best rendition of everything we learned today. You guys have come so far already!" Vivienne said. 
 Joanna was suddenly trotting with glee towards her fiancé. She was eager to show Viv she'd internalized all that she'd shown her, determined to get her approval, for Viv to see her as talented, with potential even just after this introductory lesson.