Change of Heart
Chapter 7: In Which Lindsay Decides to Make a Statement
Lindsay woke up at 10 am the morning of the ball. She laid there for a few minutes, allowing the excitement to overtake her for a moment. She refused to admit it to anyone but herself, but she was secretly thrilled at the prospect of spending the evening with Flack.
She threw her feet over the bed and grabbed her robe before heading to the closet.
She threw open her closet and pulled out her emerald green dress, the one she'd worn to the opera.
She grabbed her black shoes and laid them out on the bed.
But no sooner had she lain it out that she realized Flack had seen her in that dress, the night she'd worked the subway surfer case with Danny. And if memory served, he'd even made a comment.
Flashback
Lindsay was making her way back to her office when she nearly ran right into Flack, mostly because her nose was buried in the file.
"Whoa… Helps to keep your eyes forward when you're walkin'." Flack had told her as he'd grabbed her arms to steady her.
She smiled
sheepishly. "Sorry, just trying to get all this done." She
responded as she moved around him.
"Hey Monroe? Nice dress. Green is good on you."
End Flashback
"Well, I definitely can't wear it now." She decided aloud. She quickly stuffed the dress back in the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and a sweater.
5 minutes later, she headed out into the bustle of a New York Saturday morning, intent on finding a dress that would make a statement. What that statement was, well, she wasn't entirely sure.
Three hours and four stores later, Lindsay stood on the sidewalk outside Nordstrom's, frantically trying to hail a cab and hold all her bags at the same time. She glanced at her watch. If I don't catch a cab right now, I am going to be so late!
5 minutes later, her prayers were answered and she stuffed herself and her new dress into a cab, firing off her address as she slammed the door.
An hour later she was home and fresh out of the shower. Her nerves were starting to kick into high gear now, the butterflies in her stomach felt like they were about to burst out of her abdomen. You can't be nervous about this. It's Flack… It's not even a date. It's a favor for a friend.
Her little inner pep talk did nothing to quell her nerves, try as she might. When it was all said and done, it might've just been a favor in Flack's eyes… But in hers…. I don't even want to think about it.
She quickly toweled off and set about blow drying and styling her hair. She pinned it back into a messy bun with pieces falling around her face, not a look she wore often.
As soon as that was finished and she was satisfied, she started on her makeup. Normally, her everyday look took about 10 minutes tops. But the theme for the night was different. So she went with it and about 20 minutes later, she'd gotten exactly what she'd wanted. Different, a bit more dramatic, but not over the top. She smiled at her reflection.
She turned off the light in the bathroom and headed to her bedroom.
She came face to face with the intimidating garment bag hanging on her door.
The dress scared her, plain and simple. It had taken the saleslady almost 30 minutes to convince her to even try it on and another hour to convince her she should buy it.
She tentatively stepped over to the dress bag and slowly unzipped it, revealing the dress.
You can do this. It's just a dress. Put it on. It won't bite.
She unzipped the dress and stepped into it, refusing to look in the mirror until she was fully clothed.
As soon as the dress was in place, she strode to her jewelry box, pulling out her diamonds. Her mother had given them to her on her 21st birthday. Small diamond droplet earrings, a single small diamond on a silver chain and a diamond studded bracelet.
They'd belonged to her mother and Lindsay rarely wore them, partially because she rarely dressed up and partially because she was terrified of losing them. She fastened everything and slipped her feet into her new shoes. She'd been bold and had bought a pair of 4" red pointed toe stiletto heels. She turned and slowly approached her full length mirror.
Her mouth fell open at the sight in front of her. She practically fell to her knees to thank the saleslady.
The dress was black and corset style, cinched in at the waist. Thin straps and a slim fitting skirt ended right above her knees.
The woman staring back at her was very definitely not the Lindsay she'd been expecting. She was one hundred times better.
She couldn't take her eyes off the mirror, she was transfixed by her own appearance. In fact, she was so transfixed, that the buzzing of the door caused her to nearly jump out of her skin. A moment after that, she panicked.
She spun on her heel, quickly grabbing her favorite bottle of perfume, spritzing it on as she grabbed for her new shimmery black bag and light weight black cardigan.
She approached the door, reminding herself not to run as her heart practically pounded out of her chest. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
She repeated that over and over in her head until her hand turned the knob.
Flack had been a bundle of nervous energy all afternoon, for many reasons. He'd found out that morning that Danny was going to be at the event, he'd been invited by Jenn. Yeah, that's not gonna be awkward at all…
And then, about an hour before he was supposed to pick Lindsay up, he realized he should probably bring her something, like maybe flowers, or chocolate.
He quickly dismissed the ideas of chocolate, mostly because he only gave chocolates to his mother, on Valentine's Day.
So he'd stood in the florist for an hour before walking out empty handed, because all the flowers seemed too "date-like" and this wasn't a date. At least, not the kind of date that required big bouquets of red or white roses.
Maybe I just won't bring anything. It feels kind of weird bringing a gift anyways…
But, not too long after he'd left his house to pick her up, he'd begun to feel bad. She was doing him a favor by going with him, he should do something for her. What do I get for a girl I'm not dating?
He found a parking spot about a block from her apartment and started the walk to her building. With each step he took, he felt worse for showing up empty handed.
But as he turned the corner, he was greeted by a street vendor selling sunflowers and a light bulb went off in his head. Maybe flowers weren't such a bad idea… Sure, roses were too romantic, but not sunflowers…. Perfect. Very Lindsay.
He quickly bought 3 and had the man trim them down and tie them with a blue ribbon.
He headed into her apartment building feeling much better about his choice of a 'thank you' gift.
He knocked on her door and waited. He heard her moving around inside, and after another moment, her footsteps approached the door. What was surprising was the attack of nerves he was having. It's Linds, this is not a person I should be nervous about.
She threw open the door and he very nearly dropped the bouquet. This woman… This was not Lindsay…. This was a woman that looked a lot like Lindsay, but she was… She was…
He cleared his throat, fighting the urge to run a finger under his collar as his blue eyes traveled from her legs to her head and back down again, before landing on her smiling face. After a moment, he stepped forward, thrusting the flowers at her.
"These are for you… You know, as a thank you, for doing this for me." He explained, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks.
She rewarded his act of kindness with a bright smile. "Don! You didn't have to get me anything. No thanks is necessary! We're friends, remember?" She reminded him as she took the flowers and headed off to the kitchen.
No. No I don't remember. I can't remember anything at all when you're dressed like that.
But he wouldn't dare allow himself to even begin to say something like that.
She grabbed a vase out of the cabinet in the kitchen and filled it with water, pushing down the feeling of disappointment at his lack of noticing her outfit. Oh well, I mean, it isn't a date, he doesn't have to think or tell me I look pretty.
"Yeah, but tonight, you're not 'Lindsay the friend.' You're 'Lindsay the date.' And I don't like to show up to a girl's home empty handed… Even if said girl is wearing an outfit that's going to show me up." He teased, feeling a little more at ease as she laughed.
"Oh, now don't be sad. You look pretty too." She told him as she went to pull her cardigan on.
But he took it from her hands, holding it open for her. "I can do this. It's my job." He told her, his fingers just brushing the nape of her neck as she pushed her arms through. She did her best to ignore the tingles that shot down her spine at the feeling of his fingers just brushing against the sensitive hairs on her neck.
"Thanks." She told him once she'd turned back around.
He offered her a smile. She started to walk by him, but he reached out, resting his hand on her arm.
She waited for him to say whatever it was that had caused him to stop her from moving forward, doing her best to ignore the tingling on her arm where his large hand was clasping it. Stop it, you're not 12. A man should be able to touch your arm without making you all tingly.
"I should've said this before but I guess I was a little blindsided… You look… I can't… I mean… You're just stunning… I didn't know you could look like this. I mean, you're a pretty girl… And I mean… Christ, this isn't coming out right." He muttered, obviously embarrassed.
A second later, her small hand clamped over his mouth. "Stop. I get it. I'm pretty. Thank you. Anymore talking and your compliment will turn into an insult." She kidded, smiling teasingly at him. She didn't dare let on that she was practically jumping up and down on the inside. He did notice… He noticed and he thinks I look pretty.
"Good point." Came his muffled response, as her hand was still over his mouth.
"If I take my hand away, promise not to try to compliment me anymore?" She questioned, her tone slightly mocking.
"Yes." Came his response.
"I dunno… That wasn't very convincing… Maybe you should try it again- OW!!" She screeched, cutting herself off as she yanked her hand away from his mouth.
He laughed as she inspected her finger. "I can't believe you bit me!" She exclaimed, causing him to chuckle even more.
"Well, someone was getting too big for her britches… " Or should I say, her incredibly hot dress….
"Let's go." She ordered, smacking him with her purse as they made their exit.
The ride over to the banquet hall was quiet but not uncomfortably so. She tried hard not to stare at her date for the evening. He'd always looked good in a suit, no question. But a tux? Wow… Maybe he should wear that every day… Maybe not… I'd probably end up following him around like a lost puppy…
"Hey… Angel, you with me?" His words broke through her decidedly inappropriate train of thought. She turned to him and realized they'd arrived.
"Sorry! Yes. I was just off in my own little world." She replied, feeling a little silly.
"Next time, how 'bout an invite so I'm not so lost?" He suggested playfully as two valets approached the car. One held the door for her while the other one took the keys from Flack.
"Fancy party. I feel a little underdressed." She confessed as they entered the main room, her eyes scanning the crowd anxiously.
As far as I'm concerned… She's overdressed… Though…Anymore skin showing and I might have to kill myself…
"Don't say that. Everyone else is overdressed. You're perfect." He teased. She rolled her eyes and pushed away the slight jump of elation in her stomach.
"Let's find our table." She suggested and he followed her, but not without noticing the appreciative glances she was getting. He quickly quickened his pace, closing the distance between the two of them, even going as far as to rest a hand on the small of her back, making sure everyone who was looking knew she was with him.
She tried her best to ignore the warmth radiating from the feeling of his fingertips on her back. He was just guiding her to the table, nothing unusual about that. I have got to stop reading into this kind of thing!
They found their table, quickly discovering they were the first ones to arrive. "I'll grab drinks. You want your usual?" He asked, not thinking twice about the fact that he knew what she drank.
She nodded her agreement and he set off for the bar. No sooner had he gotten there, several of his buddies were on him.
"So…. Who's the brunette?" Ericson questioned, sidling up, beer in hand.
"Detective Monroe…. From the crime lab." Flack answered as he ordered, keeping his answer short and to the point.
"No way! That's the country girl?!" Anders asked, obviously shocked by her appearance.
"Wait, isn't she with Messer??" Dave Grimble interjected.
Flack rolled his eyes at the gossip fest. "No, not anymore. They broke up." He reluctantly revealed, knowing that sometimes it was just easier to play their game.
"Oh yeah? Tell him that. He's looking mighty comfortable over there." Ericson retorted, pointing in the direction of Flack and Lindsay's table.
Sure enough, there was Danny, and he was sitting right next to Lindsay, his face inches from hers. She was leaning away, her eyes desperately scanning the crowd. She's looking for me.
He took off for the table, abandoning his drinks. Half way there, Angell met up with him. "Where've you been?" He asked as they made their way to the table.
"Bathroom. Why? And why are we walking so fast?" She questioned, holding her dress up to keep stride with him.
He didn't say anything, just pointed at the table they were fast approaching.
Angell quickly put two and two together. "So that's why he agreed to come with me. I should've known… It was a little strange that he said he'd come AFTER I told him you were bringing Lindsay." She finished moments before they hit the table.
Lindsay had relief written all over her face when he came striding up to the table. Flack offered her a wink and a smile. The music struck up a moment later.
"Danny. C'mon. Let's dance." Jenn said, practically dragging him onto the floor.
"What did he say?" Flack asked as he sat down next to her, signaling a waiter, intent on ordering the drinks he'd abandoned at the bar.
"He told me I shouldn't be here with you, that I'm busting up a friendship. Am I doing that? Did I really ruin your friendship?" She asked, the concern evident in her voice.
He took in her expression. She was serious. He scooted his chair a little closer. "Listen, you didn't do anything wrong. We are all adults and nowhere is it written that I can't be friends with you and with him. He chose to behave this way, that's not your fault and he shouldn't have made you feel like that." Flack told her, his tone uncharacteristically sincere, she hadn't expected him to be so… thoughtful about it.
She nodded her response and sipped on her newly delivered drink. She honestly didn't know what to say, she hadn't exactly expected that sort of response. She turned back to the main floor, hoping the slightly awkward moment would pass. He said 'friend'… He called me his 'friend'… All of this and I'm his 'friend'?
She moved her attention to the crowded dance floor and watched the couples, some of them lost in the music, some of them lost in each other… Dancing was such an intimate thing… Bodies pressed up against each other, each learning the curves of the other… It was almost like foreplay… Dangerous territory Linds… Back away slowly…
Lindsay turned to Flack, intent on ignoring the dancing going on behind her. But he was standing, offering a hand. "Let's go. I don't dance often but I can tell you want to… So let's do this." He insisted, offering her a small smile, nodding his head towards the dance floor.
"Flack, really… It's not necessary…" She explained, positive she was red in the face by this point.
"You've been watching everyone else dance for the last 15 minutes. I've been watching you watch them. It's kind of sad. Stand up." He instructed her, not giving her an option.
He was rewarded with a huge smile and her small hand slipping into his larger one.
He led her onto the floor and swiftly pulled her to him.
The sensation of his body up against hers caused her to gasp a little. His left hand was wrapped around her right, and he was holding it up against his chest. His other arm was at her waist, his fingers curled around her hip, sending tingles down her spine.
She breathed in his cologne and nearly lost her footing. Male cologne… GOOD male cologne, was one of her weaknesses. The combination of his lean body and fantastic smell was invading her senses and breaking down her will power. I can't have feelings for him… He's Flack… He's my friend… My very hot friend… My very hot friend who's holding me really closely…
Flack felt his body humming with excitement as he wrapped an arm around her waist. She fit into his arms nicely. Like two puzzle pieces, in fact. Her head came just below his chin. He allowed himself to breathe in her scent, a coconut shampoo and a soft perfume. Her body was soft under his hands. It took every ounce of will power not to run his hand from the dip in her waist to the slight swell of her hips. He was a sucker for curves and Lindsay definitely had them.
He could feel his fingers itching to touch her… Granted, they were touching now… But he wanted to feel her bare skin under his fingers.
Good God…What the hell am I thinking!? This is Lindsay! This girl is doing me a favor by being here… And I'm practically chomping at the bit to tear her dress off and maul her!
"You never mentioned you were good at this." She whispered in his ear, breaking through his thoughts, her breath tickling his ear.
His hand involuntarily tightened around her waist, his fingers lightly splayed across the curve of her waist.
"You never asked." He retorted, his voice low and deep, sending chills down her spine.
Her left hand, which had been resting on his shoulder, traveled a little farther up, her fingertips barely brushing against his neck.
His nerves were sparking with anticipation. He bit back a hiss of frustration and settled for gripping her hand a little tighter. This was fast getting out of hand and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to put a stop to it….
A moment later, the song ended and Lindsay broke from his embrace. His body went cold almost immediately. A beat after that, another song started up. The opening to 'The Way I Are' by Timbaland filled the room.
She'd barely made it two steps before a strong hand came down her arm. "I don't think so. You wanted to dance. We're dancing." Flack told her as he pulled her back to him.
"We just danced." She protested over the music.
He shook his head. "That was not dancing, that was swaying to music that really, wasn't music. This, this is music." He told her, his hands on her arms as he pulled her back to the crowd. He watched as her eyes briefly locked with Danny's from across the room.
Danny broke the eye contact first and shifted his gaze to Flack, almost as if he was challenging the taller man. Flack just rolled his eyes and pulled Lindsay to him.
"This is the perfect opportunity to forget him." He whispered in her ear as he pulled her back toward him.
He's right. I do need to forget. And I can't think of a better way to do that then to dance with a very nice looking detective…
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to get lost in the music.
Flack was surprised at her ability to move. He wasn't a bad dancer but she moved well. His fingers were dying to touch her but he was afraid. Her back was to him and she barely brushed against him and his whole body was standing at attention.
Screw this. I'm an adult and so is she. If it really bothers her that much, she'll tell me to stop.
With that last thought, he reached out with his left arm and pulled her against him, his fingers resting right between her hip bone and her flat abdomen.
Her blood boiled in anticipation at the feeling of his body up against her. His right hand grabbed hold of hers and they moved together, fueling each other's need to feel more.
He wasn't sure if it was the music, the alcohol or just her, but he was incredibly turned on by the woman rubbing up against him. He leaned down and brushed the tiniest of kisses to the spot right between her neck and her shoulder.
She didn't respond, she didn't do anything, she just kept dancing. He'd expected a reaction of some sort. After several more moments, the song ended.
She stepped away from him, her back still to him. He took a quick step forward, his hand on her arm. "I'm sorry Linds. That wasn't OK." He told her, obviously feeling bad.
She turned, her eyes dark and devilish. "That was much more than OK." She teased and turned around, heading towards the bar, leaving him standing there, a little surprised at her response.
What does that even mean? What do I say? Am I supposed to do something else? Does that mean she wants me?
He didn't stand there long, the way she looked, she'd have men all over her in an instant.
He quickly followed her to the bar, only to discover his instincts had been right. She was already flanked by a few men as she ordered a beer for him and a whiskey for herself.
He swiftly pushed his way through the crowd and stepped between the men circling her.
"Excuse me gentlemen, are you harassing my date?" He asked, taking his rightful spot beside her.
"Only if she wants me to." One of them teased, not even bothering to make eye contact with Flack, instead staring right at Lindsay.
He leaned down, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "If he says one more asinine thing like that, I'm going to hit him and ruin this fancy party." Flack whispered in her ear.
She smiled at his comment and turned back to the man who'd previously addressed her.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'm not much for harassment, and I don't think you're much for pain, so you should probably walk away." She told him and swiftly turned back to the bar, leaning up against it.
"Happy?" She asked laughingly as Flack grinned at her.
He wrapped an arm around her waist as he took his beer. "Deleriously." He shot back, squeezing her side as they made their way back to the table.
"Do you think you should be touching me…? I mean, Danny's at the table and…. Well…" She trailed off as Danny came into her line of sight.
"Is that just your way of telling me you don't like when I touch you?" He asked teasingly into her ear. Oh my god… Did I just say that? I wasn't supposed to say that. Maybe she didn't hear me…
"I hardly think that's the issue, though if I had to guess, I'd say you enjoyed it just as much as I did, if not more." She teased right back, meeting his bright blue eyes with her excitement filled brown ones.
He very nearly dropped his drink as her statement. A moment later, she felt herself being yanked into a nearby hallway.
"What exactly is going on here?? You're my friend. Or at least I thought you were. But I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to want to yank my friend's dress off and… And do… Do things to her that I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed to do with a friend." He exclaimed as he paced the hall in front of her.
"Well, that makes two of us." She muttered back in response as she leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes.
"So this isn't just me?? You feel it too." He summarized as he slowed his pacing.
"Oh yeah… I'm sure this isn't good… How did this even happen…?" She groaned out.
"I'm not sure how, but I know the why, or at least part of it." He muttered to himself, obviously not expecting her to hear.
"Go ahead, elaborate." She said, breaking him out of his daze.
He turned a bit red at her statement. "Well… Linds, you're an amazing woman, no one would argue that. But that dress… That sort of sealed the deal for me. Not only are you intelligent and kind, but you can pull off an outfit like that… Well, you can't blame me is all I'm saying, and no man in there would even begin to disagree with me." He admitted, rubbing his head self consciously.
She pushed herself off the wall and intentionally stepped into his personal space.
"Well, when a man like you puts on a tux like that and rubs himself up against me… You can't blame me and I dare you to find a woman to disagree." She retorted.
He visibly swallowed as she moved close enough to feel the heat radiating between them.
"Linds, you've got, like, 2 seconds to back up or I'm gonna do what I've wanted to do all night." He warned her, his blue eyes darkening with want.
"I'm not going anywhere." She whispered, her own eyes glinting in the dimly lit hall.
In two steps he had her pinned against the wall, one hand around her waist, the other on the base of her neck.
His lips were on hers in an instant. This wasn't a soft sweet kiss. It was passionate and hot as his tongue entered her mouth without any protest on her part as she ran her hands up his chest and grabbed the lapels of his jacket, pushing her body against his.
His hand, which had previously been around her waist, traveled down to her ass, cupping it and pulling her impossibly closer to him.
"We gotta stop before I turn into a horny teenager." He muttered in between kisses.
"Stop? Are you insane??" She demanded, now kissing his neck.
He panted a bit at the feeling of her teeth on his neck. "I didn't mean stop…. I meant take it somewhere else." He corrected himself, gritting his teeth a bit at her tongue now flicking his ear.
"Yeah, like his apartment." A voice came from behind them. They both knew who it was.
Damnit Danny.
They both froze. A moment later, they heard his footsteps head back to the party.
Don dropped his head onto her shoulder.
"This is so bad." He muttered into her neck.
"You're tellin' me." She replied, heaving a sigh of frustration.
And that's it for this chapter…
