Hello Everyone! Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Sorry I haven't updated sooner. I've been busy during the holiday and I spent some time with my family. Anyways, thank you for the reviews you gave on the previous chapter. I'm excited, and a little bit sad, to tell you that we're almost done with the story. I have two chapters after this and we're done! I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but I'm looking forward to it. I hope I'd be able to finish before I go on Christmas break, so you wouldn't have to worry about it.

Okay, I'm not going to keep you long. I know you're all waiting for this. Enjoy!

Chapter FOURTEEN

I care about you, Mimi. You're special to me.

Every time the memory of Matt's words drifted through Mimi's mind the next day as she packed for their business trip, her pulse would quicken with happiness.

He'd looked so endearing last night, with his hair sticking up on one side, flattened on the other where the ice had wet it. He'd been so grouchy because that puck had knocked him out. She'd wanted to laugh at him. She'd wanted to take care of him. She'd wanted to put her arms around him and…just love him.

He'd been so tender when he kissed her. His eyes so serious when he pulled her down onto his lap. His lips had been hungry…his body hard with desire. Yet, he stopped her when she wanted to continue their lovemaking. He'd told her that she needed time to think.

That wasn't something a man did who was just fooling around, just playing a game. No, she was sure about that. It was something a man did when he was in love.

The thought made her pulse flutter. She called Sora, to tell her what had happened, and her friend had sounded skeptical about Matt's feelings. But Mimi just laughed, for once confident in herself as a woman.

Sora liked everything spelled out. She was worried that Matt still wasn't interested in marriage. But Sora didn't realize that when a person was in love, their feelings changed about everything. Hadn't Mimi's feelings changed when she'd thought he'd been seriously hurt by that puck? She realized then that despite her new plan, she still loved him. Love and Matt were what mattered…not a ceremony.

He'd been so sweet, so tender, so caring about her. So determined that she "think things over." And he wanted their first time together to be perfect. Yes, he loved her all right.

She chose her favorite suit to wear in the morning, deciding it would be comfortable for the plane ride, yet would look neat and professional for their first meeting in New York. She selected another suit…a prim burgundy…to wear to dinner, but included her "little black dress" as a possible alternative. "All women, no matter their age, shape or economic level, need a little black dress." Sora had told her firmly when they'd gone shopping. "You can dress it up, you can dress it down."

She added it to the case. Then, after hesitating a moment, she went back into her closet, and took down the white box set on top of the one containing her mother's wedding dress.

She opened it and drew out the nightgown inside, letting the silk ripple across her hands in a smooth sensuous flow. She had the lingerie forever. Frightfully expensive, wickedly beautiful, the slim silk sheath was pure, snowy white.

She'd never worn it. She'd put it up in her closet, to save to wear for that special someone she'd dreamed of finding someday. She'd look good in it when she tried it on in the lingerie store, way before her makeover. She was sure it would look even better on her now. So she wrapped it in a sheet of tissue paper and put it in her case.

It was rather a large case for a two-night trip, but Matt didn't mention that when he came to pick her up at dawn the next morning. In fact, he didn't seem to notice. His gaze met hers with an intent, almost searching look as he took it from her hand.

She thought for a moment he might kiss her, and her breath caught. But then he stepped back.

Mimi felt oddly flustered. She glanced at his face, then quickly looked away again. "How's your head?" she asked hurriedly.

Something in her expression must have pleased him because his eyes softened and he smiled. "My bump is gone, but I'm getting dizzy just by looking at you."

His gaze skimmed down to her black high heels, then roamed slowly up her legs again to her wool suit, buttoned up smugly to reveal just the white lace collar of her blouse. "You look beautiful," he said huskily.

The compliment thrilled her, but it made her self-conscious, too. She was more accustomed to his teasing. "I've worn this before, just weeks ago," she said lightly as they walked to his car.

He put her case in his trunk, then turned back to her. He smiled into her eyes. "And I should have told you then how fantastic you look in it."

Again she felt a thrill. Not quite sure how to respond to this new, charming, "politically correct" version of Matt she climbed into the car. She tried not to think about the nights ahead. What would happen after she gave him her answer? She trembled with anticipation.

As if he sensed her tension, Matt kept the conversation flowing and fixed on business. "This isn't going to be an easy merger," he warned her as they drove to the airport. "Those people seem to be taking it pretty hard."

After a long flight, Matt and Mimi went straight to the meeting. The managers greeting them were very tense, their expressions strained, as they gathered in the conference room to find out exactly how the takeover would affect them. Their responsibilities, their families, were obviously their main concern. Especially since, in this uncertain economy, new jobs weren't always easy to come by, and mortgages and college tuitions were constantly on the rise.

Mimi knew Matt wasn't unaware of their plight, but to him, business was business. Management, as usual, would take the heaviest hit. Since they'd been in control of the disaster, they'd be the first to be eliminated. But still, there were enough worried expressions in the group to make Mimi's heart feel heavy. This was the part of her job she liked the least. It was harder looking into people's faces knowing that jobs were at stake.

She did what she could to soften the blow, offering coffee and silent sympathy wherever possible. But when the day's meeting concluded she felt drained. Matt, however, appeared elated and full of energy. Taking her arm, he strode briskly to the car to head for the hotel. "Can you believe it? We covered more today than I ever thought possible. A brief follow-up session tomorrow and this project should be in the bag."

He continued to talk about the day's work as they drove into the hotel's entrance. A doorman wearing white gloves ushered them into the lobby. The hotel manager gleamed, with his sleek black hair and toothpaste smile, as Matt strode toward the reception desk.

"Mr. Ishida, how nice to see you again." The man flickered a glance at a waiting bellhop who immediately stepped forward to take their cases. "Mr. Ishida and his guest will stay in the west wing," the manager told him.

A small, unpleasant shock ran through Mimi. "This hotel isn't on the company's approved list," she whispered to Matt as they followed the bellhop.

He gave her a sideways glance, his eyebrows rising. "I'm paying for this, not the company."

It was probably unsophisticated of her to worry about it. These days no once cared if two adults decided to share a room. She was relieved, however, to find that Matt had booked them separate rooms.

After glancing around, undoubtedly to make sure everything was okay, Matt left to follow the bellhop to another room across the hall. Mimi didn't even get the chance to open her case before she heard a knock at her door.

She jumped. Pressing a hand against her chest, she went to answer it.

She opened her door. "Hey, you," Matt said softly, looking down at her.

"Hey, yourself," she responded, melting a little at the smile in his eyes. When he glanced toward her bed, her pulse skipped a beat.

He looked back down at her. "Do you want to go somewhere else for dinner or…" He paused. "Have dinner sent to my room?"

His room? She struggled to breathe. They had a long day and she honestly didn't want to drive anywhere or go out for dinner. "Your room," she decided in a daring rush.

His eyes flared and his lips curved in a satisfied smile. "Good choice. Come on over then at…" He checked his watch. "how about eight?"

She nodded, and he sauntered back across the hall. Mimi shut the door then leaned against it a moment to catch her breath. It's just the anticipation, she told herself. The realization that this was it…the Big night.

( Later that evening… )

"Flowers for you, Miss Tachikawa," the bellhop said, cradling a huge vase in his arms.

Mimi's eyes widened. Red roses. At least two dozen, beautiful, long-stemmed, wonderfully fragrant roses.

No one had ever sent her roses before.

"Mr. Ishida is waiting for you in his room, Miss. Have a nice evening." With a nod, he went out the door.

She searched for a card and found one tucked among the green leaves. "For a Beautiful Woman. Matt." It was a nice compliment…obviously the only compliment Matt could think of today. She was glad he thought she was beautiful, but she wished he'd singed the card "Love, Matt."

She looked at herself in the mirror. The front of the dress was fairly modest. The hem swirled just above her knees. It was the back that made the dress so daring. She twisted to look at it in the mirror. Talk about inviting a draft! The back was cut low…dipping well past her waist. The white skin of her shoulders and back looked shockingly bare against the black material.

But that was okay. She drew a deep breath and picked up her purse. At precisely eight o'clock, she knocked on Matt's door.

He immediately opened it. "You look beautiful, Mimi. Really."

There's that word again. But it was okay, she supposed, when there was such warmth in his voice when he said it.

His room was nice, decorated in shades of blue and gold. The bed seemed awfully big, though, to Mimi's wide gaze. It dominated almost half the room. Soft music played in the background.

Matt squeezed her fingers. "Would you like some wine?"

Mimi hated wine. "Sure." It might help her relax.

While he poured the wine, she said, "Thank you for the flowers, Matt. They're lovely."

"Glad you like them." He handed her a glass. "Are you hungry? Would you like to eat now? Maybe grab a little dessert?"

Oh, oh, he's moving on to the next course, Mimi thought with a sudden flutter of panic, which just happens to be me.

She watched him as he began to turn off all the lights until only the candles, the fireplace, and one lamp remained to light the room.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice squeaking a little as he reached for the last switch.

He paused. "I want to show you something."

She was sure that he did. She just wasn't sure she was ready to see it.

He walked over to the window and held out his hand. "Come here."

Slowly, walked toward him, placing her hand in his. His warm fingers closed around hers. He drew her closer, then put his arm across her shoulders, turning with her to face the window. "Look." He reached out and pulled the cord to open the curtain.

It revealed a scene from a Christmas card. Light from the hotel spilled out across the snowy grounds, revealing pines and bushes frosted with the gently falling snow.

"It's beautiful, Matt."

"I knew you'd enjoy the view," he said huskily. His hands stroked slowly up her bare back, then down again, slipping beneath the material. Mimi trembled and burrowed closer to his body. He rubbed his cheek against her hair. "It's fantastic in the summer, too. And in fall."

Capturing her mouth, he kissed her. But Mimi found herself unable to give in to the passion that had swept her away before. Her mind felt oddly detached from her body, his last comment lingering in her thoughts.

She broke away from his kiss, turning her face into his shoulder. His lips brushed her temple. He toyed with the strap of her dress. "You look so beautiful tonight."

That word again, she thought. She swallowed, and whispered. "I don't need compliments, Matt. I just need to know how you feel."

He slid the strap down and bent to kiss her cool skin. "I want you, Mimi. I want to make love to you." He pulled her tightly against his hard body. "Come to bed with me."

A small pain bloomed in her chest, as if she'd taken a sudden blow to the heart. She could feel his cheek move as he kissed her shoulder. The pain in her chest lingered, spreading…until she had to move out of his arms. She stepped away from him, to stare out the window at the cold white snow falling on the trees.

He hesitated behind her, then moved nearer again. "What's the matter, Mimi? Don't you want this?" His strong arms came around her as he spoke, crossing beneath her breasts. "Don't you want me?"

For a long moment, she savored his heat, his closeness. The feeling of safety and completeness she felt while held so firmly against him. Yes, she wanted this…she wanted him…but all of him. Not just his body, not just this night, but his love. Because without love, there'd be no safety, no fulfillment in his arms.

"Yes, I want you," she admitted softly, and instantly his arms tightened, holding her even closer. He nuzzled her cheek.

She turned her head away, but lifted her hands to cover his. Holding onto him, she added, "But although I've changed these last few weeks…my hair, my clothes…I'm still the same inside, Matt. I believe in love and I also believe that without it, sex is simply a temporary physical release. Not the emotional bonding it's meant to be. I want my first time…my every time…to be with a man who loves me. I need love in order for all this to be …right."

Matt stiffened. Mimi waited, but he remained quiet, his arms still locked around her. The silence drew out, speaking more clearly than any words he could say.

And after a while, she shut her eyes. Tears burned behind her lids. She'd been fooling herself. There was nothing for him to say.

She opened her eyes again, and drew a harsh shuddering breath. She moved out of his arms, letting the cold shiver through her. The pain inside her spread, consuming her heart.

"Meems?"

She couldn't look at him for fear that she might cry. A few weeks ago, she might have given in, been desperate enough to take what little he offered. But she'd learned a lot about herself lately. She was willing to forego a white wedding. She was even willing to temporarily set aside thoughts of marriage. But she wasn't willing to give up on love.

She hurt…every inch of her hurt…from the effort it took not to step back into his arms. Because of the lump in her throat her voice sounded strained as she said, "No, Yamato, I don't want this, after all. It's not enough for me."

He didn't love her.

So, still without looking at him, she walked out the door.

AN: Aww…poor Mimi. He couldn't give her what she wanted, and now it's all over. Or is it? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Oh, and did I mention there's a couple chapters left and we're done? Don't miss it!

Tell me your thoughts about this chapter. Thanks.