We are all so distracted by her coming down that people are just now noticing the hoopers from earlier are rising up amongst the stands, their legs strapped into a contraption mounted on long poles. They whip out over the audience, narrowly missing the circling swing. Every time I am amazed by this show and think it has reached its zenith, they kick it up another notch.
The women are now in black leather strappy bralettes with capped sleeves and tight leather leggings that lace up the sides. They are like fierce warrior princesses with their hair in braids like Luke’s.
The cheering is non-stop as people reach out, the ladies whipping around on what must be some type of carbon fiber poles, coming so close it seems like you can reach out and touch them.
Everyone reaches their arms up toward the performers. Finally, the fiery redhead circles more narrowly and lands on stage, Luke lending a gallant hand for her dismount. She is in a similar leather strappy bralette and pants, but hers are a brilliant red.
Hands raised, the handsome pair stalks across the stage to stand in front of me. He twirls her in and out like a dancer, and she sinks to her knees, facing me. He stands behind her and gathers her glorious hair and winds it around his hand.
I imagine him winding mine with his fist like that behind me, reminiscent of when he wrapped my braids around his hands. I frown and wonder if they are actually lovers, jealousy rearing its ugly head. He quickly secures her beautiful tresses, and I’m left wondering why.
He raises her back up, and they face each other, touching their foreheads. In profile now, I question if they are twins as they look so alike. They grin at one another and then fiercely spin away, moving into a lyrical dance, spinning and twisting dramatically.
Every eye is riveted on them. The pounding primal beat of music starts and instantly the lights drop. As we all cheer yet again, my voice hoarse from yelling so much, the lights come back up to show every performer is now on the stage. The strongmen are back, also encased in leather, making the ensemble appear like a badass dance troupe. Or a band of lethal assassins. One of the two. Or both.
They leap off the platform and four of them turn and offer a hand to help the ladies down. They walk halfway up the aisles and then spin to face the stage. The two remaining strongmen head straight for me, and my mouth goes dry.
They stop right in front of me, each extending out a hand. I realize with a sinking feeling what is happening. I haven’t been on a stage since my sixth-grade choir concert where I almost barfed.
Both petrified and ridiculously excited to see what is in store for me, I wish I would have had a third bourbon as I take their hands and allow them to lead me. They lift me up like I weigh nothing and deposit me on the edge of the stage.
From up here, I thankfully can’t see the crowd past the lights, but I can hear them cheering me on. I let their excitement fill me and it makes me feel brave.
Luke stands in the center and holds out a hand, beckoning me closer. I cross the stage with steady feet, but a pounding heart, and place my hand in his scorching grip once again.
My fingers are trembling and I’m thankful that his hand closes around them tightly. I sense his partner come behind me, where she pushes me to my knees with her hands on my shoulders. Luke drops my hand as I kneel and brings it to my chin instead, tilting my face up to look into his eyes.
They are alive with mischief, glittering green. He isn't even breathing heavily, despite the physicality of his performance. My hair is gently tugged, making me realize she is behind me, securing my hair. I can’t help but wonder what is coming next.
Why leather outfits? It feels like she has braided my hair and wound it around itself, turning my high pony into a topknot.
Luke raises me up by my chin and his eyes smolder at me. As I stand there, staring back at him, I sense his female counterpart dancing over to hand him something.
I catch a flash out of the corner of my eye and turn my head to see each pair of performers in the aisles. The men are all breathing fire in sync, shooting impressive plumes up into the air. The fire is so hot and so big I can feel the air warming around me.
Each couple stationed in the aisles performs with a different prop, from wings to swords to sticks to ropes. I did not know so many things could wield fire. I’ve heard of fire performers, but I’ve never seen them live until Luke’s display. It’s incredible. I turn my head to look back at Luke.
“Do you trust me?”
“I have no idea,” I answer, voice breathy.
He smiles his sinful, wicked smile and says, “We’re about to find out. I wouldn’t move if I were you.”
My eyes widen as I see his partner dance by, stopping to light the fire poi that are hanging from his hands from the scythe she is carrying. I hear the flames spinning by as she dances around the stage in a whirling glory of flames. I lock my eyes onto Luke’s and don’t dare move a muscle.
He spins his fire poi around me, each with three balls of flame, the heat and light flashing by. This is the single most exhilarating experience of my life. The fear and excitement bleed together into a heady mixture of lust.
I am desperate for this fiery man. His face is alternately cast into light and shadow, the flickering image searing into my retinas. His face appears both devastatingly handsome, followed by pure evil in turns as the flashing firelight comes and goes. It’s a shocking yet thrilling sight.
I should probably be scared shitless, but the only thing I feel right now is extreme, unadulterated lust. My core throbs and my chest is heaving with my deep breaths as I fight to remain motionless. Intense heat passes by me with every spin of the poi, leaving me sweating and then alternately cold.
All I want to do is take the half step forward that is needed to close the gap between us and crash my lips into his. The crowd pulses with excitement. I can smell the fire, the burning fuel smoky in the back of my throat. And underneath it all, the spice of cinnamon.
I’m desperate to taste him, to see if Luke will burn my tongue like those little red candies he reminds me of. Everything is red. His face, the air, my blood thrumming through my body. Red. The thought resounds in my mind and pulses in my veins.
Red.
Red.
