She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to focus on the competing noises that surrounded her, of laughter, conversation, the music the DJ played and not on the intimate, warm touch of his hand in her hand, his lips against her ear, the way her breasts were currently pressed against his chest. When she opened her eyes again, he was staring intently down at her, his darkened eyes twinkling at her blush. He used the sway of their bodies, in time with the current track to pull her a little closer. She didn't think they could get any closer. She was instantly aware of his arousal. The blush deepened. He smirked down at her, knowing her desire.
She stole a glance around, at the other V3 employees attending this month's MV3. Could they tell? She wondered. Could they see that she was desperate to be alone with him. That it was only his control that was keeping her here, dancing instead of dragging him from the party. She really wanted to kiss the smirk from his face. But they were not alone. They were in the middle of V3, amongst people she was convinced were watching them. People she had to work with and she had a professional image to maintain. As did he.
"Nico," she whispered in his ear.
"Hmm?" He moved his body against hers under the pretense of dancing. She felt glorious in his arms, against his body. He kept his eyes trained over her shoulder, scanning the scene for any hints that his less than noble intentions had been discovered. All seemed to be invested in their own conversations and cocktails.
She shook her head slightly, trying to concentrate. "Nico, what are you doing?"
This time, he paused to look down at her. "I thought I was dancing," he said, "but it's been a while, so if I'm not doing it right…"
He looked so innocent, so naïve, she was tempted to take another slap at him. Her expression must have given her away.
"Are you contemplating slapping me again?" He questioned lightly, one eyebrow raised.
"You are an evil man," she said, and did tap his shoulder in substitution of the slap.
"Quite the contrary," he returned, "It is you who are evil. Seducing me like this in front of witnesses."
"Me" She gasped, "Seducing you?" Accusation replacing the incredulity first present in her voice.
"Yes you." He admonished before smiling down at her. His voice took on a husky quality, almost worshipping her with his tone and words as he spoke. "Dressing like that." He let his gaze sweep with appreciation across the blue satin dress, admiring the ample cleavage, the smooth thighs carefully, tastefully on display. Wearing your hair the way you know I like. Looking as beautiful as you do. I cannot be held accountable for my reactions." His eyes softened now he had devilishly made his point.
She just smiled, realizing pointing out just how incredibly handsome he looked in his suit would be futile, and he already knew the affect he was having on her. She let him lead her once more around the floor. As the last few strains of the song played out he turned her quickly in his arms so that her back was to him. Then, walking closely behind her, he guided her toward the lift. They slipped into it, unnoticed, or at least unfollowed. She relaxed against him as the door slid closed.
"Smooth, Romeo," she laughed.
When the doors opened again on the 4th floor, he steered her left and down the hallway towards his office. He was fortunate enough to have one of the more privately located corner offices, one with only half a glass wall instead of full panels right the way round. V3 didn't believe in privacy for its employees, but the modification had been one of the concessions Connor had given him when he agreed to take the job. Security needed discretion, distance and privacy to be truly effective was his reasoning. In truth while he did the watching, he didn't like being watched, and he didn't relish the thought of being caught performing duties other than his V3 tasks. He unlocked his door and ushered her inside.
Her suspicions aroused, as he pushed her gently into the two walls forming the right corner of his office, her back flat against the forward wall, her shoulder inches from the adjoining side wall. "What are your intentions, sir?" He leered at her and she laughed. "You know, Connor is here. He might come looking for us. I don't think he'd approve of what you have in mind. "
His eyebrow rose slightly, only confirming her earlier accusation of evil. He winked at her then. "I put Paloma in charge of keeping him occupied," he said.
She looked shocked. Her eyes widened as she regarded him. "Nico!"
"What?" For a moment he looked truly puzzled before he realized her assumption and laughed. "No, Dani. She's just running intercept. I think Xeno might be shadowing him too."
"Just how many employees are informed of this plan of yours?" She raised an eyebrow, her expression amused.
"It's on a need to know basis. I did not want to risk Connor stealing you from me like the last time" He laughed as she gave him her famous Santino squint, so she really did smack him this time, hard on the shoulder.
"Ow. What was that for?" His eyes taking on a playful hurt.
"I don't know, but I'm sure you deserved it. If not now, then you will at some future date."
He grinned. "Probably true. Now, Doctor Santino," he began and her eyebrow rose. He stalked towards her, closing the gap between them. "Where was I?"
She felt her pulse begin to race as his body pressed close. She wondered when she was not going to react to him, to his physical presence, to the power he seemed to hold over her. He braced his arms either side of her shoulders, keeping her where he wanted, and moved closer again. His lips touched hers lightly, softly. After a moment he withdrew. As he pulled back, she caught his gaze and was mesmerized. She drew a sharp breath at the depth of love she saw there.
Having no desire to resist him now, she slid her arms around his neck and pulled him hard against her. Crushing her lips to his, demanding he ease the tension he caused in her. He took one arm from beside her. Wrapping it around her he fingered the zipper between her shoulder blades. "What are you doing?" she asked unnecessarily.
He nuzzled her neck. "What do you mean?"
She fought to keep her concentration as his lips moved to her ear. "People might come looking for us." He nipped at the lobe gently. "Nico" she half-hearted protest once more, pushing gently against his chest. She lost all conviction when his lips touched her throat.
"Shh." He opened her gown enough to allow the bodice to gape. His fingers first caressed the curve of her breast gently, before they dipped lower. He allowed himself a moment to admire the view.
"Nico…" she moaned again, but not in protest. She slid her hands from his chest effectively pushing his jacket from his shoulders. She ran her fingers down his shirtfront, quickly releasing the buttons, sliding her hands under the fabric to caress across his chest. She smiled as she felt him respond to her, his sharp intake of breath a dead give away.
"Oh, Dani," he groaned, before he pulled away. She saw his jaw muscles working, his eyes darkened with desire lock on hers. While he was attempting to give her a way out, he looked as if he'd rather do anything but stop. "Dani, you'd better stop this before we've gone too far to turn back." His voice was hoarse and his expression belied the words.
She realized that this was the point of no return. "I think it's too late for me," she breathed.
"You're sure" He looked at her, his expression predatory. "Maybe we should just go back into the party…"
She knew with her next words he would pounce on her, possibly even devour her. "Shut up and kiss me, Nico."
As his mouth met hers, she felt her body begin to react again. His tongue forced entry as his fingers slipped lower, tracing her sides until her reached the hem of her dress. He lifted the gown to her waist and stepped further into her embrace, to between her legs. He drew one of her legs up and moved his hips into hers. She bit her lip as she felt his hardness brush against her core. He had too many clothes on she decided. Grabbing at the waistband of his pants, she tugged at the zipper, freeing him. He jumped slightly, shifting his hips away as her fingers touched his tip. She growled at him and using both hands tugged at his hips, attempting to pull him back to her. He held strong, poised just at her entrance. She wanted to grab him and thrust him deep inside. He seemed to have other plans, so she took the offensive, her fingers running up his ribs, her lips caressing his nipples, sucking at his neck. She drew back to admire the affect she was having on him. Hoping he was struggling as much as she. His teasing smile had disappeared. She watched as the passion swept across his strong features and felt his hands grasp her hips. In one firm motion, he buried himself inside her. She gasped, hanging onto him as a searing heat ran up her spine, pooling in her core. She felt the goosebumps rise on her arms, her neck. She felt her legs tremble as though she was unable to support her weight alone. He grasped her other leg, urging it up about his waist drawing him even deeper. She locked her ankles behind him. Her inside muscles tighten and she whimpered as he withdrew, her noises serving to push him closer to the edge as he pushed back in again, this time adding a rotation with his hips that made her groan.
"Ahhh," he breathed, then withdrew and said, not missing a beat, "You're flexible."
"Well I was a cheer leader," she gasped as he thrust into her again, his hand reaching up to find her nipple again, rolling it between his deft fingers eliciting yet another moan from her. His hips were flexing hard now. She felt the muscles tense and relax under her thighs and calves. His mouth, hot on her breast replaced his fingers.
She opened her eyes and watched him. She wanted to see him in this most intimate of moments as he thrust in and out, wanted to see the look of concentration on his face, his normal slicked hair wild, one errant curl falling over his forehead. His shirt hung open, sweat trickled from his brow, his breathing unsteady. She had done this to him. She had created this response, this urgent need. She had made him this hard, this desperate, so that he forgot about the party and very real possibility that they would be discovered. His eyes shone with passion and love and lust as they met hers. All the emotions she could ever want to see directed at her from him. The heady combination of his gaze, his insistent lips and fingers, and the incredible friction that was building inside her, pushed her toward the edge. Every pulse, every grind and every thrust pushed her closer still. She felt sensory overload. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Nico, I'm…" He leant forward and kissed her as she felt the waves begin. He was deep inside her as she convulsed around him, and he could tell that he would not last long now, her constricting muscles ensuring his release. He groaned her name, and she shuddered again as she felt him climax unevenly over and over until with a sharp gasp he fell against her. For a long moment, neither of them could move, neither wanted to.
"Dani," he murmured as he released his hold on her legs and she let them slide down his body. He lowered his head, his lips touching hers tenderly as he smoothed her dress down over her thighs. She felt the after-shudders as his hands rested gently on her upper thighs, his fingers toughing the flesh just below her hemline. She smiled at him. He grinned back before he released her and reached to fasten his pants, and she thought how rakishly handsome he looked with the hair falling over his forehead. She liked him better that way: not so perfect.
Reaching out an arm he drew her to him again, placing another tender kiss on her lips, this one almost chaste in comparison to the ones they had shared only moments before. She leaned against him and reached up to brush his hair back.
"There you are!" They were both shocked from their tender moment by the very distinct sound of Connor McLaine's voice, sounding surprising closer than it should be.
Both of them turned, startled to see Connor coming through the door, Paloma following closely on his heels. Dani knew she and Nico looked as if they had just…well, done exactly what they had, and felt the heat rush over her as she saw shocked comprehension register on her PA's face. Dani checked quickly to see that her bodice covered her.
"Oh my God," Paloma whispered, quickly lowering her eyes, making a strange sound in her throat. "I took my eyes off him for a second" she mumbled. Nico chuckled quietly behind her as his hand crept up her back and eased the zipper in place.
Connor seemed oblivious, though, and moved toward them, it was likely he had had one too many cocktails, as was his custom. "I came to see if the great Doctor Santino, our MVP would dance with me." He held his hand out expectantly, glancing from Dani to Nico.
She looked anxiously at Nico, but he was cool and collected. It really irritated her sometimes that he could remain totally calm in such a situation. "Go on," he assured her, nodding in Connor's direction. "I'll be along in a minute." He whispered as she turned from him, knowing only she would hear and that she would understand his intent to save her.
She took Connor's arm, but before they were out the door, she heard the now fully recovered Paloma cough unsubtly before stating, an enormous amount of amusement in her voice, "Ahh, you missed a button, Mister Careles." Dani knew she was never going to hear the end of this. At least, now she thought, Paloma may stop trying to pimp her out to every eligible bachelor in upstate New York.
Glancing back, Dani caught the flush of color on Nico's face as he looked down at his shirt and saw that only the single bottom button was still fastened, leaving him, from chest to stomach, completely bare. At least his pants were zipped she thought, smiling, enjoying the moment that the great unflappable Nico Careles did indeed look slightly flapped.
Paloma darted from the office as Nico gave her his customary stare. She passed by them as she hurried towards the stairs muttering "…sorry, I am so sorry…so sorry…" as she passed, not sounding the least bit sorry at all in Dani's ears.
Dani laughed, imagining the gossip this little bit of information would provide for the assistants, and not caring a bit. Nico's scary man of mystery reputation would recover with just one stoic look in the direction of anyone who dared to glance the wrong way in his direction. Hers, well if she was honest, wouldn't suffer at all, she would just now really be one of the girls who had romantic liaisons to share on one of the girl's nights out…not that she intended to share. Actually though, when she really thought about it, she was certain her and Nico's moment, their secret was safe with Paloma. It was Paloma after all who had commented that Nico was transparent when he looked at her. She swallowed a giggle as she thought transparent and half naked.
When they re-entered the party, Connor lead her directly to the dancefloor. Distance and no comments from him had her more relaxed now. She grinned as her mind replayed the passion she and Nico had just shared. Almost getting caught, well that hadn't been high on her to do list, although it did make her feel slightly wanton. Nico drove her to want to abandon nearly all dis-regard for decency and risk getting almost caught in a compromising position.
Holding her a polite distance, a distance Dani initiated Connor smiled at her, "So MPV, are you having a good time tonight? Do I throw damn good parties or what Santino? Yes or Yes?"
She tried not to blush. "Yes. It's been a very enjoyable MV3 Connor."
"Yes, I'll say it has indeed" She saw the amusement on his face. "It's good for moral having you here Santino. For everyone. You do seem to give each and every individual exactly what he needs." She didn't know whether to be flattered or mortified. For a brief second she wondered exactly how much he had seen. Connor laughed, and she was unsure whether it was enjoyment of the evening or amusement at her discomfort. She hoped Nico would hurry up and rescue her. Too much longer and the blush she felt threatening would engulf her and then the game would be up.
She tried not to be too obvious looking for Nico through the doors, but after a few neck twists in the middle of the dance floor, she could tell her Connor noticed.
"He'll be in in a minute," he assured her. There was something she couldn't place in his voice, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "After what happened earlier, I can assume he won't leave you out here long." She closed her eyes, trying to not pass out from embarrassment. As she opened them he leant in and whispered, for her ears only, "Tell Nico next time he can borrow the keys to my private suite. It's more discreet than his security office." She shook her head, unable to meet Connor's amused gaze.
At the end of the song, she felt him move away and saw a familiar hand extend toward her. Relief washed through her body as she took Nico's arm. Pleased he had kept his word and rescued her, although for once timing left a lot to be desired. She saw a knowing look pass between the two men. Ownership had been established, and for a moment she wasn't entirely sure how she felt about that. Of course if it meant Connor would now stop trying to invite her on unnecessary overnight trips, it might just be something she could live with. Connor nodded and walked away, in the direction of the bar and a number of young, pretty blonde assistants. Nico pulled her to him as the music began. She smiled at the feel of his arms around her, his body close. He twirled her around and brought her back to face him.
"What" Nico caught her gaze, assessing her emotions. "What's going on in that beautiful head of yours. Having remorse?"
She shook her head. "Of course not. It's just Paloma, Connor…" her voice trailed off slightly.
"Connor?" He raised an eyebrow. She nodded, and then with trepidation, she told him about her Connor's offer. Nico threw his head back and laughed. "I might have to take him up on that some day" He smirked, gaining another smack, this time a gentle one, from her.
As they danced, she watched the V3 staff mingle, drink and dance, enjoying each other's company in a semi-social setting. As Nico pushed her away and brought her body back to hold her back against his chest, his cheek resting against the top of her head, chin at her temple, she caught Paloma's glance. She fought back a blush as the younger woman lifted a champagne glass, nodding in salute, but instead of mocking she saw understanding and admiration in her personal assistant's eyes. She nodded back, before she was spun deftly in Nico's arms, bringer her back to face him. Pulling Nico closer, she buried her head in his neck as she felt the hot flush on her face. She smiled into his shoulder, relishing the thought of being back in Nico's arms. It had definitely been a night to remember. She hoped the night wouldn't be over too soon. After all, tomorrow was Saturday and she had the house all to herself.
TBC…
