“This duet explores the darker edges of temptation. It’s a bold, vulnerable work, and I can’t imagine a better person to interpret it live tonight than the man who breathed it into being. Please enjoy this special performance by Ivy Turin and Isaac Senders.”
Ivy and Isaac entered the stage as various funders continued to whisper.
Watching Isaac take the stage beside Ivy, I felt a twist of anxiety and nerves I hadn’t felt in years. He brought this piece to life for us—but performing it? That was a whole new kind of vulnerability for him.
***
Ivy
I squeezed Isaac’s hand backstage as Dem announced us for the final duet. So far, everything had gone smoothly, but this would be the real test to see if we could still pull off a scent-matched performance with Isaac as my partner.
We held hands as we walked out to the stage. It felt strange stepping onstage with someone besides Preston. I knew Isaac intimately, yet had never danced anything with him full out. I trusted him completely, but the energy, the adrenaline, even the rhythm of everything already felt slightly different.
I took my place next to him, letting out a brief exhale as I prepared.
The first three notes of the music rang out, and when the fourth note hit, Isaac reached out to grab my neck, sending a strong shiver down my spine as I let out a small, audible gasp. Instantly, I could tell the difference.
I knew this wouldn’t be Preston’s version of the piece. Isaac didn’t ask for chemistry—he devoured it. So I let myself shift, molding to his fire instead of floating in Preston’s storm.
Whereas Preston’s interpretation felt like a powerful prince, Isaac moved like a wicked devil—enticing, commanding, and utterly seductive. He didn’t hold back either, something that took Preston and me a week to be comfortable with. Isaac’s desires were evident in this piece, and the way he played with dominance both excited and aroused me.
As we danced through the movement, his mouth kept brushing up against my shoulder, my chin, my ear, almost toying with me every chance he could get. Just like Preston, he found ways to connect with my skin, except he wasn’t asking for permission; he was demanding my attention.
I felt equally amazed at how smoothly he executed the lifts. The transitions from one step to the next eloquently flowed like a musician who had complete mastery over his song. He didn’t hesitate in his movements; he committed fully to being with me and not holding back. And the strength of his dominance…I felt I must submit completely.
So I let myself indulge in his dominance completely.
***
Isaac
We struck the final pose, me hovering over Ivy as she collapsed to the ground, her arms wrapped around my leg.
Never had I given a more intimate, indulgent performance than what just happened here, with my scent-matched mate. The sensation of dancing with her was so wild and intoxicating, and she immediately pivoted to my way as soon as the music started.
Dancing with her was everything I’d wanted since I’d first laid eyes on Ivy, and everything I’d told myself I’d neverhave. My heart felt both so full right now and also breaking that I couldn’t do this again.
She was standing next to me and holding my hand, gently tugging to snap me out of my daze. I led us forward to a small bow, suddenly realizing the wild cheers ringing out from the small group of funders. I looked over to Dem, who was chuckling softly with an approving smile as he joined the applause.
We walked over to the side, joining Preston and Lukas as Dem closed out the viewing and invited funders to ask questions.
Ivy grabbed both mine and Preston’s hands, and a warm shiver rushed through me—her touch grounded me, even after we set the stage on fire.
Evan walked up to the five of us, looking straight at me. “I was here on Tuesday, and this duet had the same choreography, yet a completely different vibe because of the partner. That was a wild ride you took me on. Isaac, why aren’t you dancing anymore?”
“Anterior ankle impingement,” I replied, tapping my left foot. “It became too painful to flex and bend the foot, and my previous company refused to pay for the surgery.”
“Your injury can be fixed by surgery?” Evan asked, pointing to my foot.
“The doctor I saw at the time thought so,” I replied, a bit more guarded than I probably should’ve been. “It just made more sense to stop dancing back then.”
“Evan, I’m a surgical consultant,” another potential funder said, stepping forward. “Isaac, let’s set up an appointment and take over your treatment.”
I blinked, unsure whether I’d heard them correctly. After years of silence and managing pain alone, someone was finally offering to help me fix this.
I slowly nodded, completely baffled that so many wanted to help me now, all thanks to Ivy.
“Let’s get you healed up.” Evan patted my shoulder as he turned to Lukas and Dem. “Are you two getting back into dance, too? Ivy shines with every scent-matched partner who’s worked with her. This is extraordinary.”
