The Winter Gala was packed with people. Marla and Leila were both dressed up, and Marla was wearing a green blue gown, billowing with petticoats. Leila wore an awful gold lame dress that Marla tried to get her to change. The two women were busy talking with each other and sampling the champagne, along with denying or accepting dance requests. A man about their age approached them and politely asked for a dance. Leila huffed, set her drink down and pushed Marla toward his direction.
"He wants to dance with you."
"What but I was still talking with Enron.."
"Which I will finish, goodbye."
Leila walked over to Enron, dressed in his silver uniform. They talked for a few minutes, before going on the dance and twirling around. Marla was stuck with a cadet who was making some awful mistakes that made Leila lightly giggle over. Marla gave her a sour look as they waltzed by.
There, across the way stood a very handsome man, also in his formal wear. He had his hat under his arm and caught her glance and held it. Enron was talking but the man strolled over, took her left hand and asked for a dance. She wasn't sure what to say. Strong handsome men didn't normally go after her unless they wanted something from her.
"May I have this dance?"
She smiled and said yes. The champagne was set on the retreating tray.
He was handsome. Leila only came to stay with Marla, and didn't plan on dancing much. Waltz was not her specialty, but this man matched her error and covered it quickly. He was becoming, quite frankly, a mystery man. She'd never seen him before and he was wearing some impressive specks.
"I take it waltzing is not your speed."
She nodded and entangled her feet into a trip, but he caught her so naturally.
"Do you recognize the music they are playing?"
"4 Winter Score. They play it every year."
Her short answer was not impressive. Leila realized he probably had a bit of a temper. Marla waved as she danced with someone else. At the end of the dance, Commander John Harrison escorted her back to the snack table. He was about to say something about her dress when Marla came up and introduced herself. They quickly went to dance several times on the floor.
"He's so handsome Leila. And he's polite- way better than half the cadets attending this year."
Leila snorted and walked through the dance floor to go get some air. It was cooler in the hallways and she relished in it. She hated dancing and only came to keep Marla company. There was always something that happened at events like these, someone ended up making Marla feel uncomfortable. Of course, Marla hated her outfit. She was sad Commander Harrison never finished his sentence over it.
The small shuffle of feet played in the hallway, and Leila jumped, crossing her chest and putting herself against a wall.
The one that came through the shadows was the Commander.
"Commander Harrison. What brings you out?"
Her response was warm, until she saw how stoic he was.
"I was wondering where a young lady would go without an escort. Not enjoying the festivities?"
He drew close to her, shadows over his eyes, sparkling.
"Is it like you to refuse a dance three times in a row?"
Had she?
"Possibly. I do not care for slow dancing. You're lucky I danced with you."
She laughed, tugging at the edges of her gold lame dress.
His eyes, were on fire, slowly taking her in.
"Dance with me, again. Marla is an excellent dancer, but I'd like to try once more with you."
She felt cold. Leila rubbed her arms and went to pass Commander Harrison.
"I told you I don't like dancing. The answer is unequivocally no. I'm sorry Commander. I'm planning on going home."
His hand snapped on her left arm, causing her to look up.
"I guarantee I am the best dancer here."
Leila fought to keep his hand off of her.
"I'm sure you are! Please let go."
Then she was pinned against the wall and a hard board of a man.
"Is that what you really want?"
"YES. SO LET ME GO."
The pressure was taking away from her breathing.
"I think you don't know what you want yeoman. But I can give it to you."
Oh great. Another bad loser. With the way this was going, she looked at him sadly, before going to knee him in the groin. However, as she moved so did he, grabbing her leg to go around his waist and a searing kiss she couldn't escape from. She moaned in agony, wanting to be free, when he bit her lower lip and lifted her body to clutch onto his with her legs. The hardness through the material shocked her. She usually pulled a good punch but for some reason, she wanted more.
"This doesn't feel right."
All the alarms were going off in her head.
"Please.. Let me go."
"As you wish."
Leila smoothed her hands on her dress, and fingers touched her swollen lip.
"Will you return to the dance floor with me?"
Leila grew angry.
"Not with you, or any of your kind. I don't care how good you kiss, how good you dance, I'm ready for no man at the drop of a dime. I don't even care for men that much. So for now, goodbye Commander Harrison."
She quickly moved away, entering the dance hall and going for a Cinnaburn cocktail. Marla was in the midst of a beautiful arch, when she excused herself.
"Hey, where were you?"
"Dealing with another creep."
"I'm guess you kneed him in the crotch like last year?"
Leila looked down at the sparkly shoes she was borrowing from Marla's closet.
"I tried that- it didn't work."
"Leila, what happened. You're shaking."
"I'm fine. I'm going to enjoy a good drink, and watch you enjoy yourself."
"Enron was looking for you. He wants a dance and he's not a full creep."
"I might do that Marla. Thanks."
They hugged, before Commander Harrison entered the large banquet room. He immediately headed their way, and asked to dance with Marla several times. Leila was suspicious but danced with Enron a few times. Commander Harrison's eyes were on Marla, and she felt a bit jealous. She hardly got attention from the handsome ones- and Enron was so so.
Getting tipsy from the drinks, she went to take a seat against the wall. Admiral Marcus was there, and even went to talk with Commander Harrison once or twice. She quietly watched, amused by their body language. The two did not like each other.
Leila put her curls into a ponytail, and strolled over to the Commander. Marla was there, so she felt her usual bravado..
"Do you normally push women against the wall with certain suggestion Commander?"
His eyes were sharp, connecting with her. Oooh, she hit a soft point.
"You get along so well with Admiral Marcus too. Isn't that quaint? I've never met you before today. What did you do, get into trouble."
He smirked and replaced his hat.
"Nothing a girl would understand."
Oh that did it.
"Girl?"
"Indeed. A woman wouldn't need to exert her dominance the way you pretend to. I think you need something but you won't take it from me. And I'm the only one that can give it to you."
His hand took her hip and pulled her close, breathing shallowly upon her rapid breathing.
He was so dominant, a crowd she usually stayed away from. Commander Harrison exuded an aura of sex and mystery.
Before she realized what they were doing, he'd taken her mouth and kissed it lightly, stroking the side of her face.
"I won't bother you further unless you need me, yeoman. Marla is open for another dance, and I won't miss that chance. Excuse me.."
Admiral Marcus approached Leila June, having a glass of alcohol himself.
"Everything okay over here yoeman?"
She nodded, touching a fat lip. He was so gentle this time.. The man didn't play the game like so many others.
"Yessir."
"Is that Commander forcing himself on you?"
He was seriously inquiring.
Leila held her breath, knowing she could get him into trouble.
"It was welcome. I'm just not used to the way the Commander dances."
Admiral Marcus swished the red wine in his goblet, before taking a dreg of it.
"If he bothers you again like that, I won't stand for it. My suggestion is to stay away from the man. He's.. still getting used to formal outings."
He smiled lightly and then walked away, a hand behind his back and the other drinking from his glass.
Marla was having a great time. She danced over 5 times with the Commander and the two of them even laughed. Leila was jealous. No more alcohol. She strolled over to where they were laughing, and took Marla's hand.
"I'd like a dance."
Marla shook off her invitation.
"We dance all the time, maybe later Leila."
Commander Harrison smirked. Leila looked up through her lashes, slowly taking him in.
"When you are ready Marla. I'm done dancing otherwise. After awhile it gets too hard."
She smirked, and Commander Harrison stiffened. Point one for her!
Leila sashayed away, ignoring the inflamed gaze of a man who couldn't get a word in.
Aw, that's too bad.
The alcohol was hitting her, so she sat down, spending some time with other friends, and even a good conversation with her eternal suitor, Enron.
Her hazel eyes watched Commander Harrison dance and dance with Marla, and watched the genuine fun the two of them were having. Leila carefully brushed her bangs from getting into her eyes, and sat there sulking for at least a half an hour. Eventually Marla walked over.
"Are you sensing anything?"
"The man is bad news Marla. I don't need ESP for that."
"ESP?"
Oh! Leila jumped, not realizing he had followed them over.
"..Sometimes she's incredibly accurate."
"No, no. Its just a game we've played since I was younger. Please don't dwell on it."
The Commander was enjoying her uncomfortable behavior.
Leila June felt vulnerable, putting her face into her hands.
"Leila are you ok? Did you drink too much?"
"No I'm just done with the whole entire night. Sorry to disturb the two of you."
"You didn't disturb anything. I suggest drinking some water, it may clear your head."
Leila nodded, and slowly walked over to the water table. There were snacks nearby she munched on as well.
How could this man have so much control over her? He was like a battle of wits, and she could feel herself react to him. She wanted him. Wanted his attention.
And it felt out of place. Marla was her anchor, she felt fired up whenever she was around. Now, she felt cold and out of place. She didn't like it!
The glass of water spilled, and Leila walked out of the Winter Gala. The hallways went by smoothly, and quickly. She was going home.
A hand went around her mouth, and her front was pressed into the wall.
"Where are you going Leila June?"
She could feel his hardness rut against her.
Leila gasped at how strong he was.
His mouth was on her throat, nipping at her every few seconds.
"Tell me you don't want this, and I'll leave you be."
She ground her hips back against his, and Commander Harrison responded.
"Did you get jealous?"
She moaned against the hand on her mouth. Fingertips played with the edge of her dress, till it flat palmed her amber panties.
"Oh but if I could give it to you here- I would. But you would need to beg me for it."
Leila pushed away, turning red, disbelieving what she was doing. Her neck ached, and the man loomed over her like a predator ready to strike.
"I'm not begging for anything! Don't touch me again."
The dark, deep baritone laughter surrounded her like black velvet.
"Not as confident without Marla nearby are you?"
Leila went to smack him, but he pulled her arm towards him and kissed her deeply.
It felt so good to give in to him.
Within seconds she was kissing him back, hands reaching for the edge of his formal pants.
Every time he chuckled it fueled her further.
Her hands were sliding down against his hard want and she didn't care.
The tapping of feet came down the hallway.
"Commander Harrison?"
They broke away from each other, and Commander Harrison put on his cap carefully. He took a few measured steps back and leaned against the window railing, leaving Leila June to straighten herself out.
Admiral Marcus walked into the light, lifting an eyebrow.
"This is a formal event. There's a time and a place Commander, and you know it. Now, June this is the last time I'm telling you to stay away from Harrison. Do we have an understanding?"
She nodded, and quickly went past the two men face red in shame. Marcus even used her last name! Oh..She was going home. Fuck it if Marla didn't go with her this time.

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