Feelings
Chapter 9
The winter flurries descended on New York City, making the roads and pavement slippery, causing shoppers to move a little slower. But inside the DA's building, the flurries had to do more with feelings, which was just heating up.
Connie had worked beside Mike for a few years now. They certainly had been comfortable with one another, but now, as she stared intently at him, she felt a warm shock travel throughout her body. Any thoughts of anyone else has slipped from her mind. As he leaned in, she could almost hear Mike's pulse was racing as fast as hers. She knew what was going to happen and she welcomed it.
His lips covered hers. The kiss was gentle at first and her lips became softened by his tender kiss. The warmth of his mouth spread throughout her body, creating a hunger for more of him.
As the kiss lengthened it seemed as if he possessed her mouth with his deep, delicious kiss. Her arms instinctively went up around his neck and hung on as a wave of desire hit her. The feel of his lips burned across her mouth with a fire of need deep within her. She could feel his every breath, his heart pounding. When he finally broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. She gave a heavenly sigh, captivated by the blueness of his eyes.
"Mike...I never knew it could be like this..." she whispered while trying to breathe at the same time.
His hand once more lightly caressed her cheek as he savored its softness, "I've always known it would be like this, Connie," he responded back.
His words startled her. Realization set in. Her boss. Could it get anymore clichéd than that? And Greg, a man she had been seeing, was waiting for her. She reluctantly stepped out of the warmth of his arms.
"I-I have to go," she announced.
She had known all along Mike's feelings. Even now, she could see the passion and need in his eyes. Yet, it that her mind and her body that was the most affected when it became lost in a sensual fog.
With the slight puffiness of her lips, she had the look of a woman who had been thoroughly kissed and she never looked more attractive. Even now Mike wished she were in his arms again, but her stunned look told him she was not thinking along the same lines. And she was right. Logically and professionally, it MUST not happen again. But at least he knew what it was like to kiss her. And it was everything he imagined it would be. But the situation was not all about him.
"Before you go, Connie, there's something I need to say regarding what just occurred between us," he suggested.
Although it would be awkward, she was actually a little relieved that he had brought it up.
"Alright," Connie said hesitantly. She looked down, unable even to face him.
"I know you're seeing someone else, Connie, " Mike began "And so ... I don't want you to feel guilty about what we did. It just...happened.We didn't planned it and at least for my part, I don't regret it..." he looked resolute, "so it happened and now it's over...we will just make sure that it will never happen again."
Connie's cheeks burned with embarrassment. She had just kissed her boss. And it wasn't a short, impersonal kiss... it was the kind of kiss that she knew she would think about for a lifetime. Yet, it was one that must only stay a memory.
Connie held her head high and looked directly at him, "You're right..." she tried to sound nonchalant, "it was simply...a moment of weakness exacerbated by the excitement of the holiday. That's all it was."
Mike knew it wasn't like that for him. Even now, he found his eyes traveling down to her lips again, yearning, wanting. He kept telling himself the last person he should get involved with was Connie for so many reasons. He took in a deep cleansing breath.
"So, we're okay? " He watched her intently.
She found it difficult to find the right words. Strangely, her body was still trying to recover.
"Yes," Connie told him in her business voice, " we work together and things should not become awkward between us."
He nodded, "we will just move on."
"Move on, yes,' she concurred, "and we'll never talk about this ever again."
She could already feel her heart sinking. And later tonight, alone in her room she will replay every touch, every caress from Mike over and over again in her mind.
His face slightly faltered, though he knew it was for the best, "Never again," he said evenly, "it's the way it has to be. I'll walk you to your car now."
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As always, The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center was a huge success, enchanting audiences of all ages. The mischievous mice, the looming Christmas tree and the battalion of toy soldiers were all there, alongside dancing snowflakes, on a journey to the exotic Land of Sweets.
The glittering classic ballet warmed Connie's heart as she sat in the audience with Greg. Throughout the performance her mind had drifted to Mike, but she forcibly pushed those thoughts aside. She was one of the first up for a standing ovation. And then the curtains came down for the last time and it was over.
.
Greg was walking Connie to her apartment now. She held lightly onto his arm, hoping the night with him would end well. The night was chilly, but luckily it had not snowed, so her walkway was fairly cleared.
"I had a lovely time tonight," Connie said as they stood at her door.
Then she started fumbling in her purse for her keys, grateful that she had something to do with her hands.
Greg smiled confidently over at her, "You say that like it's the end of the night for us. I believe the night is still young."
At last she found her keys. She looked directly at Greg. Might as well get it over with.
"Listen, Greg," she began her well-rehearsed lines, "would you mind terribly if I call it a night? It's been a really trying day, what with The Strangler case looming over me..." and then she added diplomatically, "but going out with you to the ballet really kept me from thinking about the case."
Greg looked surprised at the turn-down, "That's a shame," he stated as he tried to enticingly run his hand up and down her arm in an effort to elicit a response from her. She looked down at his hand...and felt absolutely nothing.
"I'm sorry," she responded, trying to look regretful,l "but I just want to curl up to a good book and relax. It's been one of those nights."
His hand dropped. For a second, his eyes flashed, but then he forced a smile.
"Oh, sure, I understand," he told her, "although you may regret it later tonight."
Connie bit her lower lip. She had been debating whether or not to tell Greg what had occurred between Mike and her. Though she and Greg were not in a committed relationship, he deserved to know.
"Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you...about what happened earlier tonight," Connie's mind was racing, wondering how she would word it and at the same time make it sound like something that would never happen again.
"More about the case, Connie?" Greg actually gave a frustrated heave, "Please...you need to get that out of your mind. And besides, you're actually ruining a surprise I have for you..."
Connie was slightly annoyed that Greg did not want to hear what she wanted to tell him. And regarding his surprise for her, she really was not in the mood for any more surprises.
"Maybe this isn't the right time," Connie told him, "perhaps you can tell me tomorrow."
Greg tilted his head, a little confused with Connie's behavior tonight.
"I'm going to chalk up your strange demeanor tonight to being mentally exhausted over that case," he decided, then he gave her his most charming smile, "so to help you bring in the Christmas spirit...how would you...like to be in Hawaii on Christmas Day?" he waited for her entire face to light up.
Connie looked incredulous, "Hawaii?"
"Yes, why not?." Greg said, now looking very pleased with himself, "I have a condo in Hawaii that I use in the wintertime. Now, I usually don't leave here so early to flly over to the big island, but seeing as you're feeling down, I thought maybe you and I could make a vacation of it...what do you say?"
Christmas...in Hawaii?
"Greg, truthfully, I don't know WHAT to say...it's so unexpected..." she slowly shook her head, trying to take it all in.
"Isn't that what surprises are all about?" he looked so proud.
Connie didn't know what to think. So much had happened today, what with the Strangler case, Mike and now this!
Connie smiled into Greg's eyes, "I'm really touched by your consideration," she said, "May I give you my answer by tomorrow? I need a good night sleep to think about this."
"What is there to think about?" Greg was still smiling, but it didn't seem to reach his eyes, "who doesn't want to vacation in Hawaii?"
"It's just..." Connie grasped for straws, "I've always thought of Christmas as...the enjoyment of hot cocoa, decorating a tree, strolling in the snow, looking at Christmas window displays, listening to carolers... "
The minute she had spoken the words, she realized she had listed all moments having to do with Mike.
"So start new traditions!" suggested Greg, "Mojitos, grass skirts, and warm tropical breezes."
Connie almost made a face. To her, what he had described was the exact opposite of how she viewed Christmas. Any other time, it sounded like a vacation dream package, but not during her favorite holiday.
"I'm going in my apartment now, Greg," she told him, putting her keys into the lock. Once she did that, she turned it and put her hand on the knob, "I'll talk to you about it later. Thank you again, for tonight," she said, hoping she sounded sincere.
He leaned in, "Wait, Connie...don't I at least get a good night kiss?"
She had already stepped into her apartment and was already starting to shut the door, "Good night, Greg, and thank you...for everything," she pretended she didn't hear him.
Greg looked slightly perturbed as the door closed. He couldn't figure out what was wrong with Connie, but it better be a one-night thing. Hopefully it was a one-night thing. It better be. Turning around, he nonchalantly left her residence.
Safely ensconced in her apartment, Connie gave a relieved sigh as she leaned her back against door. She shut her eyes momentarily, glad to be alone at last. When she opened her eyes, she slowly brought her hand to feel her lips. It was only in the solitude of her apartment that she was willing to admit that the reason why she didn't want Greg to kiss her was she didn't want to erase the feel of Mike's lips over hers.
She tried to slow her pulse as she imagine being with Mike earlier. His kiss had been strong and insistent, yet she had also felt a tenderness in his caress. She didn't understand what she was feeling for Mike, but one thought kept pounding in her mind as strong as the beat of her heart.
Mike Cutter had kissed her as if the world was ending, as if he had to taste life one last time before it was gone. And the strange thing is, that is exactly how she kissed him back.
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(Don't worry -more of the case next chapter!)
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