Driven by love

Chapter One

Clara paused at the door of the chic hotel lounge and inhaled deeply. Despite not being a frequent visitor to nightclubs, the music, the clink of ice cubes in glasses, the soft lighting, and the chatter and laughter all undermined her confidence. They entered the darkened room, and she had to force herself not to grab Jonny's arm.

The venue was packed, reeking of beer, perfume, and a lot of noise, as was typical for a Saturday night in los Angeles While the servers rushed back and forth to their workstations, two bartenders remained busy pouring drinks for the patrons of the bar. On the dance floor, dancers moved to the mellow, dreamy music provided by a four-piece band.

Clara had a moment of self-consciousness as she moved across the room, feeling eyes on her. She was not accustomed to cocktail lounges or barrooms. She was more comfortable at church socials.

We are being stared at," Clara said in a whisper to Johnny .

jonny laughed. "Silly, they will naturally gaze at someone as attractive as you. When men are interested, they act in this way.

Clara recalled a quote about barrooms: A sex-pool for the lonely hearts seeking love on Saturday nights. "But what are you interested in?" Clara asked in a righteous manner.

"Hurry up, Clara This is harmless entertainment. We are here to dance and enjoy ourselves."

With a friendly promise, she said, "I will try."

Jonny strolled through the bar as though he were at home, looking around at everyone and taking pleasure in the men's approving looks. He was not at all bothered by the attention. He went to their table after spotting their friends, who were all teachers at the same elementary school.

"I am happy you were able to attend, Clara. I had faith that Jonny, your gay best friend, could get you out if anyone could. In an attempt to make fun of Jonny, Laura laughed.

Clara protested, "Do not do that, he has more positive qualities than any of you could imagine."

"All that being said, Clara, you appear to have just stepped out of a magazine. You are very beautiful. stated Laura Clara's grade-level teacher. She observed that Clara no longer resembled the conservative suits, dresses, slacks, and blouses she wore to school. Her blond hair looked gorgeous against the black cocktail dress that sculpted her figure.

"Wow, you look amazing," said red-haired Mabel, who also looked fantastic in a form-fitting, slinky green dress.

Clara mumbled, "Thanks," her face feeling warm.

The band began a spirited song that was too loud to allow for conversation. Clara and Jonny sat down and ordered from the waitress.

Three men swept Laura, Mabel, and Sandra off to the dance floor. Clara was soon approached by another man who asked her to dance. "No thank you," she said, shaking her head. The man left. After giving Clara a stern look for not dancing, Jonny waltzed toward the dance floor when someone asked him to.

Clara saw Jonny's face light up with laughter as he and his partner spun around the floor, enjoying themselves. A sudden twinge of loneliness struck Clara as she saw Jonny's carefree joy. Unlike her pals, she lacked the time and independence to enjoy life. Her wish was to have stayed at home.

Clara received an invitation to dance from another man who approached the table. When she declined, they stopped inquiring. Glancing at her friends on the dance floor and the bustling activity of the waitresses and bartenders, she raised her tall glass and sipped some champagne .

At that moment, she noticed him observing her.

With one leg draped over the other and his hands gripping his knee, he sat on a bar stool facing her. He had a good-looking, well-bred appearance. His sophisticated look caught Clara's eye and made her heart skip a beat. All of her thoughts, anxieties, and worries from a hectic day abruptly disappeared. Perhaps it was the blonde hair, which matched her own color. It might have been his height and muscularity, or his dark tan. She had no idea. It made no difference. She simply knew that he was the most attractive man she had ever laid eyes on.

Her heart pounded with excitement. An elusive connection was formed between him and her by a moment in space and time. What kind of cunning fate caused her to react so strongly to just his glance? It was unclear to her.

She saw him leave the bar stool and stroll amiably in her direction. Her heart was pounding, and she was afraid she would say something stupid and unintelligible.

"Greetings my lady, I am Nelson Williams. Will you join me in dancing? Like a man unused to rejection, he extended his hand to her.

A shy smile spread across Clara's face like warm bath water as she looked up at him.

She grinned and took his hand, saying, "My name is Clara Dalton." She felt feminine just by the touch of his hand when he put an arm around her waist as they made their way to the dance floor.

His muscular, corded arms wrapped her in pillow warmth as he pulled her against him. All of her senses were overwhelmed by the sensation of unity with Nelson Williams and the pressure of that hard body against her. She had heard of instant attraction, but she had never heard of instant love. Nevertheless, the feelings she experienced had all the sensual and delightful aspects of love.

Nelson took a moment to distance himself from her and stared at her face, which was illuminated by the bandstand lights. She had a smooth, milky, honey complexion. She had large, doe-like eyes that were a brilliant blue, almost the same color as his. Her warm curves molded and fit against him as if they were designed specifically for that purpose. She was more attractive than any woman he had ever seen, he concluded. For a brief moment, he likened her to tracy, who was stunning but fell short of this woman's exquisite beauty.