The Dance

*13*

After the elevator doors closed, she sat back to ponder. Last night had changed the course of her life, in a way. Emma now knew that she could be part of a couple again, part of a whole instead of continually alone. 

'Is this the man I am supposed to spend the next season of my life with? What kind of life would it be? Hotel rooms around the world, moving to his home up north, giving up my home and the ties that hold me there? What about my daughters?' Emma listened to the questions swirling in her head.

Obviously Prince couldn't leave his home; he had created his own world there. It seemed like a very small world, one Emma might or might not be comfortable with. But she was certainly comfortable with him-if this is who he really was. It was easy to believe this could turn into a deep, abiding relationship.

They had music, faith, and humor in common; the passion between them was palpable, Emma thought. Passion fades, but she knew from past experience that with time and commitment, it could turn into something even stronger. She didn't know if he had experienced that in his marriages. It would take some vulnerability on his part, and Emma didn't know if he would be comfortable with that. He would also have to trust her not to abandon or betray him. That might be his biggest challenge.

Prince sat back in the limo on the way to his soundcheck, and did some pondering of his own. Physically he felt great, but he always did after great sex, and the long night and even longer afternoon had been satisfying and healing both physically and emotionally. That had definitely been worth the years-long wait.

He hoped that soon she would be ready to fully experience lovemaking with him. What began the previous night, and took up most of the day, had been a taste, but as always, he wanted more. He knew there was a deep spiritual experience waiting around the corner, when she was ready. He'd bide his time, unless it got to the point of no return for him. He knew his powers of persuasion, and he'd use them if he had to, though he thought Emma was almost there.

It had been years since he felt like someone really got who Prince Rogers Nelson the man was, not just the persona on stage or in the studio. That came with risk, though. Remembering her seeing him in so much pain still made him uneasy.

He needed to decide if he wanted to make the compromises necessary to be in a long term relationship again. What he felt in his bones was that he didn't want to live without Emma in his life ever again. To feel this committed this quickly was a frightening realization for him. He had been fiercely independent since he was a young teen, and had famously said he felt like he needed to be able to get along on his own even if he was abandoned by everyone. Giving up some of his independence and control, letting someone else be involved in any decision making, was not how he did things. He could see, however, that a partnership with Emma would include making some decisions together.

Emma had a true understanding regarding his career and the focus and sacrifices that came with this level of success. She had a singing voice that soothed his soul in a way he hadn't felt in years. There was so much he knew about her now, and so much he still wanted to know. It was a heady feeling. That 'girl thang' was back, but in a different, deeper dimension. 

Emma finished dressing and looked in the mirror. She didn't really recognize herself. The teal silk mini-dress was far shorter than she was used to, but with sheer black stockings and kitten heels, it looked good. It had been a long time since she had worn stockings and a garter belt. She'd enjoyed it in the past; just feeling her uncovered upper thighs brush each other when she walked was a quite a turn on.

The gold beading on the v neckline and around the bottom of the long, flared sleeves of the dress really brought out the gold in her eyes. The neckline was deeper than she was used to, and wider, revealing more cleavage than she typically put on display. In order to wear it, she had on a bra that was much lower cut than usual. Combined with the garter belt and stockings she felt like she was wearing a pair of little sexy secrets. Based on people watching the previous two nights, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, and far less revealing than most of what she'd observed. For this place, and these people, it was conservative. For Emma, it felt very daring.