| Subject: Chapter 12a |
Author:
Juli
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Date Posted: Friday, February 18, 04:49:47pm
In reply to:
Juli
's message, "Angelita - new chapters (finally)" on Friday, February 18, 01:02:53pm
Chapter 12
Saturday dawned cool and crisp -- perfect fall weather. Nikita was up early, too excited about meeting her uncle to sleep late.
She threw on a robe and wandered down the hall to Michael’s room and knocked softly. When she did not hear anything, she cracked open the door and peeked around the frame.
“Michael?” she asked, quietly, not wanting to disturb him if he were sleeping.
Seeing the bed already made and no one in it, she pushed the door open further and stepped into the room. The bathroom was dark, and Nikita looked around in confusion. A gust of air ruffled the curtains at the French door that led out to the balcony. She crossed to the open door and looked out.
Michael was in the process of doing slow, graceful training moves that Nikita recognized from their time in Peru. He wore only a pair of black drawstring training pants, and Nikita’s eyes wandered over his physique as he moved, his muscles rippling slowly. Although the men in her village had almost always been shirtless, the sight had never transfixed her quite like this did. Her stomach did little flip flops as she watch him finish the series of moves. Then he stood facing the city skyline and inhaled, meditating for a moment.
Without turning, he said, “How long are you going to watch, Nikita?”
Nikita gasped and then giggled at being caught. She stepped out onto the balcony to join him in the early morning light.
“I’m sorry to intrude. I didn’t want to disturb you,” she apologized.
“You were not disturbing me,” he replied, turning to look directly at her. He stared into her blue eyes for a moment and then asked, “Did you need something?”
The reason for Nikita’s visit to his room flew out of her mind. All she could think of was this man standing before her.
“I… uh…” she paused, and then looked away, trying to clear her mind. Finally, the answer popped back into her brain. “I was wondering if we could meet my uncle at the airport?” she said at last.
Michael considered for a moment. “He’s coming in on a commercial flight, so there will be other people and passengers around. Wouldn’t you rather wait and meet him here where everyone won’t be staring at you?”
Nikita cocked her head to the side and pondered. “I suppose. It’s just that I’m so excited to see him, I don’t want to wait another minute,” she replied.
Michael smiled at her. “Go get dressed first,” he ordered, taking in her long satin nightgown barely covered by a thin robe. “Your uncle’s flight doesn’t arrive until this afternoon. We’ll kill time by finding you the dress you need for the Gala next week.”
Nikita looked confused. “Kill time?” she asked, scrunching up her nose. “What does that mean?”
Michael laughed. He realized that even though she had adjusted nicely to the city “life” there were still many things that she didn’t understand. “It means that we will find things to occupy our time until your uncle arrives, then it won’t seem so long,” he explained.
Nikita nodded in understanding. “We can go after breakfast then?”
“Whenever you are ready,” he told her, holding the curtains out of her way as she stepped back into the room.
As another question popped into her head, Nikita abruptly turned back around. The action brought her face to face with Michael.
“I…” she began, but stopped when she realized how close they stood. She moved to step back, but missed her footing and began to fall. Michael caught her easily behind the back and pulled her to him, steadying her against his chest.
“Careful,” he whispered, his face only inches away.
Nikita could only nod.
Michael knew that he was torturing himself by holding her, but he indulged in the moment, noting with some satisfaction that she did not immediately pull away.
Nikita feared that Michael must certainly feel her heart beating out of her chest. She could hardly describe the feelings lighting up inside of her as she stood being held close by Michael. She had never been kissed before, other than a few pecks on the cheek stolen by boys in the village. She found herself wondering what it would be like to be kissed by Michael now.
Her eyes dropped to his mouth. She felt him tense against her and her eyes flew back to meet his. She opened her mouth to draw a breath at the intensity in his gaze and could feel his muscles tighten around her even more.
All of his own warnings and “rules” flew out of Michael’s head as he stood in the doorway holding her. She was no longer only his charge, at least not to him. He could feel her breathing quicken and see the passion glazing her sky blue eyes.
His desire was warring with his practical, logical side, and it was winning. He wanted nothing more in that instant than to close the scant inches between them and taste her lips. His logical side was saved from utter defeat when the phone rang, jarring them both from the moment.
Cursing to himself, Michael released her and strode to the phone. He listened for a moment, and then said, “After breakfast, Miss Wirth will be going to Chanel,” then he hung up the phone.
Nikita had not moved from the spot where he had left her. Distance strengthening his resolve, Michael did not return to her.
“I’m going to take a shower now,” he said, crossing to the door to open it for her. “I’ll see you at breakfast?”
Nikita nodded and stepped outside the door. Michael closed it quickly behind her before he could change his mind.
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