Holiday Chpater 14 -- Leigh's Stories

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Date Posted: 00:37:14 09/16/01 Sun
Author: Leigh
Subject: Holiday Chpater 14
In reply to: Leigh 's message, "Holiday" on 22:56:37 09/12/01 Wed

Chapter 14.

Carla gave a shout as the song ended and Chris gave her one final spin. People applauded and many came up to congratulate the two, especially Chris. They had no idea he could dance so well.

Carla, too, was pleasantly surprised. "Whew!" Wiping at her brow, she grinned at him. "Where in the world did you learn to dance like that?" she asked.

"Dance school," he replied quietly, straightening his jacket.

"Dance school?" Carla cocked her brows. "Get outta here," she said. "You. Dance school? Yeah, right."

"It's true," Chris replied evenly. "I was eleven years old. My mother thought it would be good for me, bring me out of my shell."

Carla pressed her lips together in a poor attempt to hold back her laughter. Her eyes sparkled as she managed to say, "Oh you poor soul. No wonder you always look so serious. Only eleven years old and forced to take dance lessons. I bet it was pure torture, hmm?"

"Actually, it was rather nice," Chris deadpanned. "I was the only boy in class."

Carla jabbed a finger playfully at Chris's massive chest. "You know what?" she said, tilting her head to one side and grinned at him.

He looked at her silently; brows slightly raised.

"You're a pretty okay guy, Chris."

His features relaxed somewhat and he even managed to smile a little.

"Now how about getting me a drink?" Carla asked. "It's the least you can do after getting me all sweaty and hot."

She didn't see the small smile that tugged at Chris's lips as he followed her.

*

On the other side of the room, Nikita had released Michael's hand to applaud her two friends. When the music started up again, the crowd around them dispersed and Nikita felt a moment's awkwardness as she turned back to Michael.

They stared at each other, both fully aware of the budding attraction between them, but also uncertain as to what to do about it. Michael stepped forward till he was just an inch or two away from her. Gazing into her eyes, he silently took her hand in his. He waited; brushed his thumb over the back of her knuckles and waited to see if she would pull away. She didn't.

Strains of 'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas' filled the room as the band began to play again. Nikita smiled as Michael pulled her gently against him and they began to sway to the music.

"You know," she said, after several seconds had passed and they had been dancing without speaking, "I really shouldn't be doing this."

"Why not?" he asked quietly.

"Because� it's unprofessional?"

She heard him laugh, a small puff of air. His arm tightened around her. "If you want," he said, "you can consider this as pleasing the customer."

Nikita leaned her head back and looked into his eyes. "Michael, I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

"And what is the wrong idea?"

She stopped dancing and frowned. "Michael."

"Shh," he said, sighing. "I know what you're saying," he whispered. "I do." At the skeptical look in her eyes, he added, "I don't usually do this either, Nikita. I'm trying to understand it myself."

Her frown slowly gave way to a smile. "This is kind of sudden, isn't it?"

"Think it'll last?" he asked, as they began to move to the music again.

Nikita chuckled. "I don't know. I have to warn you, I'm not easy to get along with."

"Or to get a hold of," he added. "Do you know the real reason I accepted your mother's invitation tonight? It was so that I could see you."

Nikita gave him another skeptical look, this one accompanied by a wry smile. "You expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth. I used all my charm on your secretary and I still couldn't get an appointment to see you earlier than next Tuesday."

Nikita looked into his eyes. "Well, Mr. Samuelle," she said, "I'd better warn you, if you think my liking you is going to improve your chances of seeing me without an appointment, you're wrong. Rose is a stickler for appointments."

The tiniest of smiles formed in Michael's eyes. "So you like me?" he asked.

Nikita cocked her head to one side. "Did I say that?"

Michael's smile deepened. "Yes. You did."

"Hmm." She nodded and looked away, her chin lifting an inch. "I must have had a little too much to drink."

Still smiling, he pulled her subtly closer, and then said softly into her ear. "I like you too, Nikita."

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Replies:

Holiday Chapter 15 -- Leigh, 23:32:04 09/16/01 Sun