Holiday Chapter 13 -- Leigh's Stories

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Date Posted: 09:44:38 09/14/01 Fri
Author: Leigh
Subject: Holiday Chapter 13
In reply to: Leigh 's message, "Holiday" on 22:56:37 09/12/01 Wed

The four stood and stared at each other. There were several long seconds of silence and an uncomfortable silence. Nikita cleared her throat, and then smiled at Carla and Michael. "It's really cold out there," she said, as she removed Chris's coat and handed it back to him, thanking him in the process.

Carla slanted her brows. "What in the world were you two doing out there?" she asked.

Chris made a strangled sound and suddenly began coughing. Both Nikita and Carla looked at him. Carla stepped to his side and gave him a pat on his back. "Whoa." She lowered her voice is a pseudo whisper. "I was just kidding, Chris. No need to get all choked up."

"Carla." Nikita gave her friend a stern look. She was accustomed to Carla's teasing but poor Chris wasn't.

Carla merely smiled and fluttered her lashes. Recognizing an opportunity to give Nikita and Michael a chance to be alone, she looped her arm through Chris's. "Come on," she said, "let's go get a drink." As she led him away, Nikita heard her ask Chris, "Do you like to dance?"

Nikita stared after Carla, her eyes slightly narrowed. What was she up to? She then turned her focus to Michael. The very person she'd been trying to avoid was watching her with a curious expression in his green eyes. "Well." She took a deep breath and smiled at him.

Michael smiled back at her and clasped his hands before him. "Looks like it's me and you."

She nodded slowly. "It does, doesn't it?" She stepped forward, feeling more than a little awkward. Hooking her fingers together behind her, she began to walk slowly beside Michael. By silent mutual consent, they exited the foyer and entered the large hallway. It was quieter out there and there were fewer people.

Nikita wasn't as talkative as Carla but she wasn't shy either. However, walking beside Michael, she was at a loss for words and felt as nervous as a teenager at a high school dance, so she resorted to a topic of conversation that she was comfortable with. "I haven't had the chance to thank you."

"Thank me?" Michael turned his head to look at her. "What for?"

Nikita smiled, relaxing more. "For trusting us, Section, with the handling of your gallery's campaign."

"It wasn't a difficult decision. Section One is the very best." Michael's expression was serious. "To be truthful, I'm a little surprised at the interest Section has given my company."

"Why is that?"

Michael stopped walking and he turned to face Nikita. "Samuelle Galleries isn't exactly the level of business Section is accustomed to. Our company is tiny compared to your other clients, and yet I've been given an extraordinarily warm welcome."
"And you're wondering why that is?" Nikita asked.

Michael's gaze shifted and he looked off to the side. "It's crossed my mind," he admitted.

"It's no big secret," Nikita replied, smiling. "Yes we do deal with several corporations and multi-million dollar accounts, but my father has never forgotten his entrepreneurial roots. He firmly believes that small companies are the backbone of our economy. And I agree with him."

They resumed walking, their path eventually leading them back to the main ballroom. As they walked, they kept their conversation on a professional level; Nikita inquired of Michael's plans for the New York gallery and he questioned her about promotional strategies.

After nearly ten minutes, they once again found themselves standing at the entrance into the ballroom. Nikita was in the middle of a sentence when she realized that there was a change in the music. Instead of the lighter music they were playing earlier, the band was belting out a very snazzy version of a popular Christmas carol and people were clapping to the beat of it.

Michael and Nikita exchanged curious looks, and then re-entered the room to find out what was going on. The people had formed a large circle around the dance floor, and there, spinning and dancing in the middle of the floor was Carla and Chris.

Nikita broke out into a wide grin. "Look at that," she said, her eyes sparkling with laughter as she turned to look over her shoulder at Michael. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw how close Michael was to her. Because of the crowd, he had moved to stand directly behind her, his body nearly touching hers. They were about the same height and her eyes were level with his as he gazed back at her.

Suddenly the music, the clapping and laughter of the people around them seemed to fade away till all that Nikita was aware of was Michael and the look in his eyes as he watched her. Her heart was pounding so loudly, she was certain he and the others around her could hear it. Her gaze wandered from his eyes down to his mouth and she felt an overwhelming desire to lean over and taste him. They were just a few inches apart.

Nikita swallowed, fighting to regain control of her emotions as she shifted her gaze upward. Michael was still watching her, his eyes dark with a desire that equaled the longing she felt within. Whether he leaned in or she leaned back, Nikita wasn't quite sure. All she knew was that they were touching. His left hand rested lightly upon her hip, drawing her subtly back against him. She could feel the heat of him, the solid strength of his body against hers and she marveled at how good it felt.

Holding his gaze, Nikita reached back with her right hand till she found his and touched his hand lightly. Michael smiled at her. His fingers gently entwined with hers.

Nikita felt her own lips curve into a brilliant smile. A small part of her conscience reminded her that Michael Samuelle was a client and therefore off limits, but the emotions she was experiencing pushed her beyond the ability to hear or listen. She felt Michael squeeze her hand and in response, she gave into her desire and leaned back against him.

Michael felt her sigh and it echoed it within his own heart. What was happening to him? He didn't know. He wasn't certain he wanted to know. Maybe it was just the festivities of this night or the holiday season that was making him feel vulnerable. Maybe he would wake up tomorrow and feel differently. But for now, all he knew was that it seemed a very long time since he'd felt this way and he couldn't, even if he'd wanted to, move away from Nikita.

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Replies:

Re: Holiday Chapter 13 -- LJ, 21:40:53 10/22/01 Mon
- Leigh to LJ -- Leigh, 23:30:52 10/22/01 Mon