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Date Posted: 13:14:13 12/26/01 Wed
Author: Leigh
Subject: Re: Holiday Ch. 39
In reply to: Leigh 's message, "Holiday" on 13:13:09 12/26/01 Wed

Michael held the cab door open and stepped aside so that Nikita could slide in first. He settled in beside her, closing the door. After giving the driver their destination, Nikita leaned in to him, her hand slipping inside his coat to rub his stomach. In the dim light he could see a smile in her eyes as she tilted her face up.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” she asked.

“The dinner, or your father’s questions?” he returned, unable to resist teasing her a little. She giggled beside him, burrowing closer. She sighed then and closed her eyes. Beneath her ear she could hear the strong thump of his heart beating.

“Sorry about that. He’s always been rather protective. Even now when I’m a grown woman.”

“To him,” Michael said, softly, “you’ll always be his little girl. I can understand that.”

They rode the rest of the way in comfortable silence. Michael stared out the window, watching the people on the streets and studying the shop windows they passed. A small frown marred his brow. Nikita yawned and shifted to lay her head against his shoulder. He found her hand and covered her fingers with his.

Later, at the apartment, he said to her, “Nikita, will you come to Paris?”

Surprised, Nikita stopped undressing and her gaze skittered across the room to meet his. She studied the guarded look in his eyes. “Now?” she asked, incredulous.

“Soon,” he said, and took a step in her direction. “You’ve been there before on business, I’d like for you to come and stay with me a few days. Let me show you around.”

Nikita, blinking uncertainly, lowered her hands to her side. “I… I’d have to double-check my schedule, but it may not be until the ending of March. I leave for Seattle on the twenty-fifth of January for two weeks, and February you’ll be back here for the opening of the gallery.”

“I’ll clear my schedule whenever you can make it,” he offered, reaching for her hands. He pulled her so that she stood flush with him. “You can meet Monique and her family. She’d love you.”

Nikita smiled, warming to the idea. “I’ll see what I can do,” she promised.

*

“Paris?” Carla whispered. “Wow.” Nikita nodded as she refilled their glasses. Michael was helping Chris in the kitchen.

“I don’t know if I’ll actually be able to do it. But I’d like to.”

“Well why wouldn’t you? You’re the boss.”

“I am not,” Nikita said, frowning at her. Carla rolled her eyes, still whispering.

“You’re the boss’s daughter, what other permission do you need?”

“You know I don’t like to use that kind of leverage at work.”

“Then use vacation time. Surely you have that.”

“Now, that, I have,” Nikita said, her eyes smiling. “Of course you do realize that it’ll mean your boyfriend over there will probably have the majority of my workload dumped on him. Still want me to go?”

“Hmm,” Carla’s brows rose thoughtfully. “I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe you’d better not go. Forget Paris.” Nikita grinned and Carla smiled back at her. “I’m just kidding,” she said, and pinched Nikita’s arm. “Go!”

They rejoined the men in the kitchen. Michael held out his hand, and Nikita went to him. They were off to one side. Michael turned her so that she stood in front of him, her back to his chest. His arms encircled her as she leaned back against him. “Dinner’s almost ready,” he informed her.

“That’s good. I’m starved.” She turned her head to give him a reproachful look and said in a lowered tone so that the others wouldn’t hear. “Must have been that last round of activity you insisted upon.”

The corners of Michael’s mouth quirked, his eyes laughing. “I don’t recall you complaining…”



Carla nudged Chris, pointed with her chin in Michael and Nikita’s direction. Chris didn’t look. Instead he put his hand on her hip and brought her closer to him. “Stir,” he said, directing her attention to the pot on the stove.

“Oh.” Carla smiled as she felt his hand smooth across her stomach. “I like it when you take charge.”

“I’ll have to remember that,” Chris replied, and from the other side of the kitchen, Carla heard Nikita laugh.

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