Hilary Fields - Bliss

“ Who’s tryin’ what kinda therapy?” Janice drawled, trotting up to them and throwing her arms across their shoulders companionably. “Dang, y’all, I thought I’d never make it through that crowd! Do not, I repeat, do not ever drink a forty-eight-ounce travel mug fulla Big Mama kombucha unless y’all wanna wait forty-five minutes for the chance t’ experience the world’s stanky-ass-est port-o-potty. Pee-uuuu!” She shook her head as if to rid her nostrils of the memory of the stench. “So, what-all are we talking about?”

Sera dragged her gaze away from Asher, but the picture of him, so at home here in the heart of Santa Fe’s artistic community, stayed with her as she turned her attention back to her new friends. Before she could deflect the conversation onto more comfortable topics, however, Aruni jumped in.

“We’re working out some of Sera’s kinks.”

“Yeah?” Janice looked impressed. “How’re we doin’ that?”

“We’re not sure yet. We just decided to try. Right, Sera?” Aruni gazed expectantly at Sera, who gulped.

“Actually, um, I don’t think we did decide that—”

“Count me in!” Janice cried. “Ooh, I got a great idea!”

“Awesomesauce! What is it?” Aruni’s already wide eyes went manga cartoon-round. “Janice is the best at this kind of thing,” she informed Sera.

“I am, ain’t I?” Janice smirked. “So listen up. I got it. What our Miss not-so-Wilde needs tonight is a good old-fashioned Back Room Babes dare!”

“Who’s throwing down a dare!?” came an outraged voice. The three turned to see Syna, Bobbie, Crystal, and Lou-Ellen had joined them. River Wind was close behind, carrying a picnic blanket. She sent Sera a quiet, commiserating smile and spread the blanket for the women on a patch of grass being vacated by a family with small children who looked tuckered out from the festivities. “No one’s doing a dare without us to witness,” continued Syna, flopping down gratefully on the blanket. She waved the smoked turkey leg in her fist regally. “We witness or it didn’t happen!”

The others heartily agreed, plunking themselves down and pulling Sera with them.

Sera groaned as she sat cross-legged on the rough woolen blanket, but she was already cheering up. The faces of the women around her were lit up with goodwill and relaxed joie de vivre, inviting her to be part of the grand celebration taking place all around her. They didn’t seem the slightest bit inclined to treat her like a pariah—in fact, just the opposite. It was like having a dozen sisters all of a sudden, and if it was a little weird, going from relative orphan to Brady Bunch so abruptly, it wasn’t half bad. “Guys,” she tried halfheartedly. “I’m fine. It’s really not that big of a deal. Please don’t make a big stink…”

But oh, yes, they intended to make a big stink. “Dare! Dare! Dare!” they chanted.

Sera covered her eyes, envisioning being stripped naked and chained to a giant Maypole-sized dildo in the center of the town square. “Have mercy,” she squeaked. “Or… or I swear I’m never baking for a single one of you again.”

That gave them pause.

“Okay, guys,” Aruni said in the silence that followed Sera’s threat, “let’s just make it a little one, for tonight. How about… hm. I don’t know. What about flashing your boobs?”

“Too many kids around,” warned Syna. “Including mine. John’s just over there with my son Jimmy”—she pointed across the plaza to where a sandy-haired man was herding a towheaded ten-year-old over toward a carnival booth, “and nice as your rack is, hon, I don’t want him catching an eyeful before he graduates college.”

“Thank God,” breathed Sera. There was no way in hell she was letting any nip slip tonight, dare or no dare.

“Anyhow, no offense, ’Runi, but how’n heck’s that supposed to help her with her little hiccup?” Janice wanted to know.

Yeah, how? Sera thought. I’m already about as mortified as a woman can get.

But she was wrong.

“I’ve got it!” Syna beamed. “Something wholesome and helpful.”

“Dish it, Syna!” All eyes were on the curvy redheaded mom, eager for her answer. She did not disappoint.

“This one’s perfect. It’ll help her boost her confidence, and also practice letting loose, but it’s not, like, dirty or anything.”

“Spill it, sister. We’re dying here,” snickered Crystal, cracking her tattoo-covered knuckles.

Syna rose to her feet, her cheeks rosy with merriment. She swooped down and grabbed Sera’s hands, tugging her to stand by her side.

“Serafina Wilde,” said Syna September, “I dare you… to go ask a guy to dance!”

“Nice!” crowed Crystal.

“Sweet, but could be sexy,” mused River Wind.

“I still say it’s not as good as a flash,” Aruni grumbled, “but whatevs. You’ll have fun.”

“Who do you think you’ll pick?” Bobbie wanted to know.

“It has to be someone hot,” Syna qualified. “No asking some Grandpa Magoo if he wants to cut a rug.”

“Yeah,” Janice agreed. “Definitely got t’ grab yourself a stud, hon. But don’t worry. From what I can see, there’s dozens of guys finer’n frog’s hair to choose from tonight. Maybe hundreds!”

There were, indeed, scores of eligible fellows out on the plaza that night. But there was only one man for Serafina.

“Would you like to dance?”

Fuck, fuck, I can’t believe they got me to do this. What if he says no? What if… God help me, what if he says yes?

Asher appeared to consider it.

Sera fought the urge to scuff her toe in the dirt. She was already blushing like a nun at a burlesque show, simply standing here in the shadow of the wolf’s wide, dreamy shoulders. She’d caught up with him just as he was leaving his mariachi friends, starting to thread his way through the crowd toward she knew not where—or whom. Perhaps a lady friend? Well, I’ve put a kink in his romantic plans in that case, Sera thought. Or maybe just thrown him a curveball? Sera was acutely aware of the Back Room Babes’ stares from the square behind her, but it was Asher’s green gaze that skewered her now. He seemed to be taking her request with rather intimidating deliberation. Wondering whether I’ll start stalking him if he throws me a bone? Or just worrying for the safety of his toes? C’mon, hot stuff, don’t leave me hanging, she silently urged.

“Yes, Bliss. I believe I would like that,” he said at length. “Very much.”

“Have you been drinking?”

Sera’s hand flew to her mouth. “I can’t believe I just said that,” she gasped.

Asher’s eyes crinkled at the corners, half-amused, half-puzzled. “Not yet,” he said easily enough. “The lines for the beer stands are prohibitively long. Why, am I going to need something to fortify me? You’re not wearing combat boots,” he said, scanning his way down her figure until his gaze rested on her soft, slouchy boots, “so I think I am safe to accept your kind offer.”

“Oh! Well, you know, the girls made me do it. Ask you, that is. I mean, I wouldn’t have presumed… not that I wouldn’t want to dance with you, but…”

Sera stumbled to a halt. “Damn it, let me start again.” She risked a glance up at his face. Asher was trying to maintain a politely inquisitive expression, and failing. A grin etched its way across his mobile features, his eyes alight with curiosity, their green reflecting the fiesta luminarias in ways that set her heart—and her libido—hammering. “What I mean is, the Back Room Babes challenged me to ask a cute guy to dance, and, well, you were the cutest one I saw.” Can’t believe I said that. Can’t believe I said that! But hell, it’s true, isn’t it? And he’s gotta know he’s the hottest thing since Zozobra went kablooey.