RESCUING HER HEART Ch.7
Mara left the conference room breathing an enormous sigh of relief. She was not completely surprised to see Luke Skywalker standing outside the room leaning nonchalantly against a wall. As soon as he saw her his face lit up with a smile.
'Hi Mara,'
Mara nodded, 'Skywalker,' she replied noncommittally.
Luke fell into step easily beside her as they headed toward the exit of the building. They both stopped when a voice called Mara's name. They turned in unison to see Talon Karrde approaching.
'Mara, don't forget we agreed to attend the Ukion ball tonight,' he glanced at Luke, 'hello Skywalker.'
'Good to see you Talon,' Luke replied.
Karrde barely nodded in reply before continuing on his way. Luke turned back to Mara;
'So you're going to the ball with Karrde tonight is that right?'
Mara frowned, 'What if I am?'
Luke shrugged casually, 'I'm just curious, is it a date?'
Mara stared at him for several moments as if trying to determine the meaning behind his question.
'It's not a date Skywalker, it's business,' she hesitated for a moment seeming to decide something, 'I am sure the Ukion council would be thrilled if the Jedi Master Luke Skywalker attended their ball.'
Luke smiled and could not resist teasing her, 'Mara are you asking me out?'
She bristled visibly and he hastily raised his hands in surrender, 'I would love to go,' then added, 'if you will save the first dance for me.'
Mara instinctively was about to snap something about being given ultimatums then changed her mind. Finally she smiled, 'Sure why not, see you at 7'
With this comment she turned on her heel and left the consulate building her heels beating a staccato rhythm that oddly resembled a heart beat.
Luke could not resist doing a little fist pump, it seemed arranging a first date had been easier than he thought it would.
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At 7 that evening Luke entered the main ballroom at the Ukion consulate building. After wheedling a ball invitation from Mara he had a small moment of panic as he watched her walk away. He had nothing formal to wear with him. So he spent the next two hours scouring Ukio's small selection of stores for something suitable. He had acquired a dark blue suit featuring smart trousers that fell to his highly polished boots with a thin satin stripe down each leg, they were matched with a bolero style jacket over a pale blue silk shirt. As he entered the ballroom he could not help but notice that several women's eyes followed him into the room. He wondered if Mara was already here. He glanced around the ballroom and could not see her anywhere. Of all the smiling beautifully gowned women watching him he could not see the one he most wanted to. Feeling uncomfortable with being watched he wandered over to the banquet table and poured himself a glass of punch.
A band was set up on the raised platform at the far end of the room. Quietly they began to play a soft classical tune. Luke suddenly felt a familiar presence through the force. He turned toward the entrance and felt his jaw drop. Mara and Talon Karrde had just entered the ballroom her hand laced loosely through his bent arm. For a moment the smuggler turned information broker became invisible and Luke could only see Mara. She was breathtaking. A long shimmery gown that clung to every curve with a lover's hand, the neckline plunged to below her breastbone revealing a tantalizing amount of creamy white flesh. The fabric was a deep green but when it caught the light it shimmered with blues and greens, traces of fine silver threads could be seen woven into the fabric.
Turning her head she noticed Luke and smiled warmly. Luke could feel his heartbeat accelerate and a feeling of warmth spread over his face. Mara turned and spoke briefly to Karrde before approaching Luke. He glanced up and noticed Karrde seemed to glare at him for a moment but when he looked again he only saw the familiar devil may care smile. He turned to the lovely Mara, her spectacular hair was up in a soft coil with tendrils curling around her face and neck. She was gazing up at him with her head on one side,
'You clean up well farmboy, you should dress up or at least wear another colour more often.'
Luke laughed, this had been a familiar thread in their conversations, Mara trying to get Luke to be more adventurous with his wardrobe. At that moment the band began to play the first dance of the night, a waltz and Luke held his hand out to Mara. She smiled and accepted it, the two moving to the centre of the dancefloor. Slowly they began moving in perfect unison, their bodies following an innate rhythm. Luke's took advantage of their closeness and allowed his eyes to drink in every inch of her face. From her large green eyes, framed by thick lashes a couple of shades darker than her hair to her small nose sitting prettily above her lush pink lips. Luke could not help but wonder what it would be like to kiss that beautiful full mouth.
Mara could feel her pulse trip-hammering in her throat. She was held in place by Luke's strong arm across her back, she could feel a slight change in his muscles as he tightened his grip. She had always loved his amazing eyes. Up close they were remarkable, a deep fathomless blue with small flecks of gold. Her eyes travelled over the small scars that marked his boyish features, to the thin scar that rested over his top lip. She felt a sudden irresistible urge to touch that scar with her fingertips and then her lips. It was her turn to colour.
Suddenly a sound broke into their silent communication. Mara turned as she heard a throat being cleared. Talon Karrde was standing behind Luke, looking very smart in his formal black suit. Luke glanced around in surprise clearly so lost in the moment with Mara he forgot they were not alone,
'May I cut in?' Karrde finally asked.
Luke seemed to hesitate then stepped back his arm falling away from Mara's back and his hand sliding out of her grasp reluctantly. Mara felt a cold chill on her back where his arm had been and more than anything she wanted to tell her boss that she was happy dancing with Luke but before either could say anything Luke had stepped away and it was Karrde's arm around her waist. Mara began dancing again automatically and tried to see over Karrde's shoulder to find where Luke had gone.
'You look very beautiful tonight Mara,' Karrde's voice broke into her musing.
She glanced up at him colouring slightly, 'Thank you Talon.'
'So when should I expect a happy announcement and yours and Skywalker's wedding?' he asked with a small smile that did not reach his eyes.
Mara's mouth dropped open in shock, 'What the hell are you talking about Karrde?' she hissed in outrage.
Karrde shushed her quickly then continued, 'Come now Mara you do not hesitate to go running to his rescue when required. Regardless of where you are or what you are doing or what dangers are involved.'
Mara shrugged, 'We're friends that's all.'
Karrde nodded, 'Well you should be aware that people are beginning to talk about your 'relationship' with the Jedi Master.'
Mara coloured in alarm, 'You can't be serious?'
He gazed down at her calmly, 'Mara you should know what gossips are like.'
Mara's forehead wrinkled as she tried to remember if her behaviour when she was with Skywalker had ever given credence to these rumours. It seemed incredible that after everything she had done to rebuild her life she was still subject to gossip. Karrde gave her hand a squeeze to get her attention back to the steps of the dance;
'It is okay Mara, I think the people who really know you do not believe the rumours,' he hesitated, 'who knows perhaps Skywalker is somehow adding fuel to the fire,'
Mara glared, 'What does that mean?'
'Let's just see that things are not always as they appear.'
At that moment the music ended and Karrde stepped back giving her a small bow then turned to walk away smiling slightly to himself. A seed had been planted now he just had to wait for it to germinate. Mara stayed where she was alone on the dance floor, her beauty and stillness resembling a classical statue. Her face was pale, her brow furrowed clearly deep in thought.
To be continued…