The Ranch

The Little Cottage

Dance class was not like back at home. It was filled with elderly women who needed fitness, non-dancers, and me. I loved being around amateur dancers because it reminded me to have fun. I missed those days when ballet practice made me feel like I could do anything in this world. My stomach fluttered at my love for dance and the rowdy sound of Nyle's pickup truck outside the studio. Every woman turned the head as he slowly got out of the car. He waved at his admirers and dipped his head in my direction. He was a true gentleman. He came back for me.
I quickly untied my slippers and slid them into my dance bag. The instructor shortly ended the class as I nervously grabbed my pink sweater from the coat rack. Nyle's eyes never left mine. He greeted me with a smile and opened the side of the car door. The older women that were once in the group were all smiles at me through the glass door. Okay, so Nyle was the eligible Batchelor of Nebraska. And honey, he had the look. His ruffled beard made me feel protected. His unbuttoned plaid shirt revealed a little chest hair. It had sent me through the roof.
"Are you okay," He finally asked?
"Lost in thought." I openly admitted.
"Would you like to share with the class?"
"I am nervous about Cali."
"The first black ballerina of her company is nervous about an audition?"
I laughed, "You did your research?"
"Of course. I have the honor to drive around a living legend."
"If I make it in California then I will be."
"Toni, you are a beautiful dancer. The way you gracefully move as if no one is watching you. Makes everyone want to watch you." Nyle complimented.
"Thank you. I needed to hear those words."
"No need to thank me. You did the work and now it's paying off. I am just glad I got to know The Toni Daniels before the fame."
"Fame? That is one thing I am not prepared for."
"Do you have anything planned tonight?"
"No, I don't have friends in town."
"Would you like to come to have dinner on the ranch?"
Nyle finally asked.
"I would love to."
Kyle grinned at my accepted offer and dropped me off in front of the dance studio. Now, I was nervous about the date tonight. It had been six months since the last time I went out on a date and longer since I had been intimate with a man. I had gotten so busy with dancing that I forgot to line a life. Plus, all the men in my town wanted one thing for me. They wanted me barefoot and pregnant without ever dancing. I hated that life for me. My mother did the same for my father and sometimes I felt her regret. I never wanted to be that way. I was not going to let any man stand in the way of my dreams. Including the handsome Nyle of Nebraska.
I rushed up the Lobby stairs to the second floor. I slid the room key into the door and fell backward onto my bed. What in the hell was I doing? I had no reason to start a relationship out in the middle of nowhere. I was not ready for a commitment or responsibility. I just wanted to dance. I buried my tired face underneath the freshly cleaned pillowcases.
What in the hell was I going to wear?
I reached into my luggage and grabbed the little black dress I packed for a dinner night out in California. I did not want to pack it but my mother insisted I have some fun.
I slipped into a warm shower and let the water cover my sore body. I rinsed off the old blood from my toes and massage each cuticle. I began to wash my hair with a new coconut oil shampoo and then applied my favorite leave-in conditioner. My coarse natural hair started to spiral at each drop of water. I wrapped my towel around my body and wiped off the cloudy mirror. I looked over my newfound curls and decided a co-wash would be the perfect hairstyle for tonight. I gently spread an expensive lavender lotion over my body and slid into my little black dress. I added ruby rose lipstick to my lips and spritz perfume on each wrist. I strapped on my black stilettos and grabbed my clutch purse as I headed towards the lobby.
Nyle patiently waited for my arrival as he leaned against the hood of his red truck. He checked his cellphone and flipped through his social media accounts. I wondered what was on the social media account of a cowboy. His eyes flickered in my direction and they never left my body. He looked very dress as I slowly walked towards him.
Nyle removed his cowboy hat and placed it on the roof of his truck.
"Wow. You look beautiful." he finally spoke.
"Thank you, I hope I am dressed okay. I wasn't sure if this was a date or not." I admitted.
"Sorry, I thought I made myself clear. This is a date."
"Nyle, I am only in town for a few days and then I am headed to California."
"Honestly, I want to show you a great time while you're here. It's my duty being it my home. If you don't like me I won't ask you out again, maybe."
I flirtatiously giggled at his joke as he gently slammed the truck door behind me. He placed his cowboy hat back onto his head. He winked at me through the windshield as he hurried to his side of the car. Nyle reached for the dials on the radio and switched it to a jazz station. A cowboy who loved jazz music. He was a bit of an anomaly.

The ride to the ranch only seemed like seconds away. The pathway to the farm was dark as the day I arrived in this town. I scooted out of the truck as Nyle waited for me to find the right steps. He grabbed my hand and entwined each of his fingers with mine. The dirt road ahead started to light up as our feet motioned the sensors. The reveal of a red-painted ranch was as charming as its owner.
Nyle fumbled through his denim pockets and found the keys to the ranch. My eyes have never seen something so beautiful in my life.
"Is this for me?" I whispered to Nyle.
"Of course." He answered.

The inside of the ranch had been decorated with lights streamed across the wooden ceiling. Each horse stood quietly in their stables as I nervously walked the neatly dirt covered path. Each candle flickered in unison on the ground to a table covered in a silk tablecloth, two wine glasses, and a bouquet of red roses. If I did not know him I would have thought Nyle was about to propose.
"Nyle, this is way too much."
"You don't like it?"
"I love it. No one has ever done anything like this for me before."
"Come on. You must have men lining up to meet you." He responded with a frown.
"I don't have time."
"There is always time for someone to treat you special," Nyle informed.
" I guess no one ever felt I deserved to be treated this way."
"Well, I think you proved them wrong tonight."
Nyle slowly walked toward me as he firmly gripped my waist. He gently tugged my loose curls and tilted my head back. He finally kissed placed a kiss on my red-covered lips.
Our bodies started to move faster across the room as we blindly felt for the table. He gently sat me on top of the table and kissed each side of my collarbone. I moaned as his hands found the right positioned on my body. He slowly places his hand between my thighs as he playfully pulled them apart. His index finger and thumb fought over the top of my red lace thong. Nyle finally glided each finger between the middle of my legs as I tightened around his soft touch. I opened my eyes to his emerald eyes staring back at me.
"Let's finish this over there," Nyle instructed as pointed to the nicely made canopy bed.
"What about dinner?" I teased.
He strongly grabbed my legs and pulled them apart with a playful force. Before I could whisper a word he had already read my mind. He kissed each knee and then buried his cowboy hat between them. I could not hold out any longer before my legs and body began to shake uncontrollably. He finally came up for air with a smile plastered across his face.
"What?" I finally asked as I caught my breath.
"I can't cook."
I never laughed so hard in my life.