A/N: I apologize for the long wait. The muses got away from me. Good news I found them. Bad news they refuse to tell me where they've been this whole time. So while I torture them here's more story for you to enjoy! =)
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Ian stared longingly at the dance floor. "Thought you said this wasn't your type of dancing?"
Ian flashed her that small grin, "Believe me Sara it is not."
"Then what's with the long face?" A touch of concern lacing Sara's voice.
Ian shook his head, "It's nothing, really. Childish actually."
"No, tell me Ian, please." Sara attempted her version of the 'lost puppy' look. Ian groaned, now he understood what she meant when he would do it to her. He was hesitant at first, a bit embarrassed, but how could he deny her with that look. Honestly, he couldn't deny her anything, regardless how she looked at him.
He sighed and finally admitted; "I was just thinking that because of McCarty's macho chauvinistic, pompous, display of…"
Sara held up her hand, "I get it. You don't like Jake."
Ian nodded, "As I was saying, because of his…interruption we never got the chance to finish our slow dance. I've been waiting for an opportunity to ask again but as you know they have yet to play another slow song." Ian lowered his eyes; worried that Sara was going to laugh at him for acting silly.
Sara smiled, wrapping her arm around his shoulder as she leaned closer. "Ian," she whispered into his ear. He rolled his eyes shut, reveling in the sensation of her lips brushing lightly against his ear each time she spoke. Her sultry voice rolling off her tongue in a slow drawl, "We have all night…" she paused long enough to flick her tongue over the outer shell of his ear, and then added, "To dance."
He turned his head to look at her. His dark, smoldering eyes staring back into teasing green ones. It was pretty obvious how much she was affecting him. She stole a glance down south of the border and grinned. Oh yeah, she was affecting him all right. A sense of pride rushed through her knowing that she had this much …influence over a man like Ian Nottingham. The thought just made Sara smile even more.
He licked his lips and swallowed the lump in his throat. "You're right, Sara." He leaned in closer, his lips just hovering over hers. "We do have all night." Sara watched him through half lidded eyes. She ran her tongue over her lips, waiting in anticipation for his kiss.
Ian took his time wanting to tease her just she had done to him. He inched closer, lips barely touching, yet as he spoke they would brush against each other in a light, teasing strokes. Ian continued in that sensual undertone, "Especially with the type of dancing I have in mind, Sa-ra."
Sara's brow arched into that patented look. "Oh really?"
Ian grinned and simply said, "Yup."
"Hm, care to elaborate Mr. Nottingham?" Not that she needed him to give her the details. Sara's own wicked thoughts probably blew his ideas out of the bed…er…water.
"I believe that the best way to explain is by showing you what I have in mind, Ms. Pezzini."
Ian did not move any closer as Sara would have expected. Instead, like Sara, he flicked his tongue out. Slowly running the tip up, starting from her bottom lip to the top. "Mmm," Sara pursed her lips together, "I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that. You'll have to go into more detail." She said, fingers already woven into his hair, hand pulling him closer.
"If you wish," he replied with a smug grin.
"Mmhmm," was her only response. Her lips already parted, waiting. And just as they were about to kiss, a voice broke through the teasing moment. "Hey Pez, ready to go?"
Sara's eyes snapped open and she pulled away from Ian as if she had been burned. "Danny?!" Frantically, she looked between her partner and Ian. She could tell that Danny didn't approve and Ian was obviously upset for the intrusion. Danny eyed him up, slightly acknowledging the man with a curt nod, "Nottingham."
Ian doing the same, "Detective Woo."
Sara could feel the tension rising between the two men.
"So, Pez you ready to go?" Danny asked again. Not bothering to take his eyes off from Ian.
Sara didn't know what to say. "Uhh, Danny, um…" This was not like telling Jake to buzz off. This was Danny, her best friend and partner. How could she delicately tell him to 'fuck off' without hurting his feelings? Before she could answer, Ian decided to add his two cents.
"Perhaps, with Sara's permission, I may escort her home when she is ready." He turned to her, "Is that all right with you, Sara?" Again, before, she could say anything Danny took it upon himself to answer for her.
"I don't thinks so, Nottingham. Sara is ready now and she coming with us. Nothing personal or anything. You understand don't you, Nottingham?" Danny stated, arms crossed.
'Now, hold up!' Sara wanted to yell. Forget about being delicate and sparing her partner's feelings. She knew that Danny was just playing the overprotective partner but this was getting out of hand. But damn it she was a big girl. Sara was about to open her mouth and give Danny a piece of her mind when once again the opportunity was taken from her.
"Daniel Woo!" Danny inwardly winced and cringed when her heard his wife. Everyone that was in earshot heard Lee. The people around stopped what they were doing and watched with interest. All three pairs of eyes turned to see Lee with her hands on her hips and an angry look on her face. If looks could kill, then poor Danny would have been six feet under by now.
"Yes, sweetheart?" Danny politely answered. However, judging by the look that his wife was giving him it was going to take a lot to get him out of the doghouse.
"What do you think you are doing?" Lee demanded.
"Well, um, I was just asking Sara if she was ready to leave." He smiled sweetly as an added affect. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
"Nooo… wrong answer, sweet-heart." Lee prowled closer, "You were supposed to find Vicky and ask her if she was ready to go. And you were supposed to leave Sara and Ian alone, remember?" Even Ian was feeling sorry for Danny.
Lee reached up, grabbing her husband by the collar and yanked him closer, "Now, Go.Find.Vicky!" She ordered, leaving no room for arguments. Danny mumbled, "Yes dear," and started towards the dance floor.
Ian and Sara both watched with amused amazement as Danny moped away. "Lee, remind me never to get on your bad side. Especially now that you're pregnant." Sara joked.
"Argh, I swear that man is so hard-headed at times. I'm sorry guys for the way he acted."
Sara and Ian waved off the incident. Ian adding, "Its quite all right. Your husband was just concerned over Sara. And I'd also like to add that I too would not like to be on the receiving end of your ire, Lee."
Both women started laughing, "You won't have to worry about that Ian. Just take care of Sara here and you and I will have no problems." She winked at Ian.
"I will certainly go beyond my means to ensure Sara's happiness and that she is well taken care of." Ian said while looking at Sara. Sara blushed at his comment.
Lee just smiled at how cute they looked. She tore her eyes from the couple to search the dance floor for Vicky. Lee spotted her dancing with some guy, "By the way, who is that guy Vicky is dancing with?"
Ian and Sara exchanged a knowing smile and they both said, "Jake's friend."
"Oh," she said. "What a minute, where is Jake?"
"He, um, just took off somewhere." Sara added, a wicked grin crossing her face.
"Whew, that Eugene sure can dance. I got his number!" Vicky quickly informed when she arrived at the table, smiling from ear to ear.
"But he's gay, Vic."
Vicky caught Lee and Danny's curious stares, "I'll explain later. Anyway, I know he's gay, Sara. But he's got a lot of straight, lonely, friends." She winked at Sara. "Plus, the man has some incredible styling and fashion sense. We are going shopping next weekend. It's going to be so much fun."
While Vicky down the remains of her drink, Lee and Danny started to say their good-byes. "It was nice meeting you, Ian. Thank you again for the drinks."
"You are very welcome, Lee." He took her hand and kissed it. "In return I must thank you was well." Spying a glance towards Danny who was currently glaring daggers at him.
Sara pulled Danny into a hug and kissed him on the cheek, "Good-night, partner."
"Now, you sure you don't want to come with us? Ouch!" Danny rubbed the sore spot on his arm where Lee had just pinched him. "I mean, um, night and I'll see you Monday."
"Night, Sara." Lee pulled Sara into a tight hug and whispered into her ear, "Call me later."
Sara nodded her head, "I will, Lee. Good-night."
Both men were still eyeing each other. It was Danny who spoke first, jabbing a finger near Ian's face, "If you fuc…" was all Danny got out before Lee whisked him away, yanking him by the arm.
It was Vicky's turn to bid them a goodnight.
"Ian, it was definitely a pleasure meeting you. And remember what I said earlier." Ian smiled, recalling how Vicky was more then willing to help him make Sara jealous. Using her as a volunteer of course. He grabbed her hand, and said, "It is always a pleasure meeting such a vivacious woman such as yourself, Vicky. And not to worry you will be the first person I seek if ever I am in need of some… assistance." He winked, kissed her hand, and bid her a goodnight.
Vicky sighed as he let her go. She turned to Sara and gave her a hug, whispering to her, "Call me later and I want details, you wench!" Sara laughed and hugged her friend back, "Good-night, Vic."
Sara waved good-bye to her friends and watched them leave. With them gone there was no one left to bother Sara and Ian. "Now, wasn't there something you were going to show me, Ian?"
Feigning confusion, Ian stared at Sara with a blank look. "What are you talking about, Sara?"
Sara's brows shot up, "Oh, so it's like that now. Hm, no clue what I'm talking about, huh?" Ian just shook his head no. "Well, I guess I'll just have to help you remember."
Sara walked up to Ian and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled him down and flicked her tongue over his lips. "Do you remember now?"
"Mmm…I'm afraid not. You'll just have to work harder to help me remember." He replied, his hands slipping around her waist. His bare fingers grazing over her exposed back.
Sara grinned and leaned in to kiss him. However, they were interrupted yet again. The waitress, who was totally oblivious to what was going on between Sara and Ian, arrived at their table. "Last call for drinks. Can I get you anything from the bar?" Ian sighed in frustration and Sara glared at the waitress, who was still waiting for answer. Finally, Sara hissed, "No," and waitress was gone.
Disappointed, Sara unwound her arms from Ian's neck and stepped back. "What's wrong, Sara?" worried that the interruption had destroyed the mood.
Sara sighed, "Ian, I think we should stop."
Ian's heart sank at her words. He lowered his head, averting his eyes so she could not see the hurt he felt. 'It's over,' he thought. Those short blissful moments were all he would gain from Sara. Nothing more. Wonderful memories he would relive over again in his mind. "As you wish, Sara." Ian didn't bother to hide the painful disappointment in his voice.
"Ian?" Sara softly said, lifting his chin so she could look into his eyes. "I wanted to stop now so we can continue this back at my place, in private."
Sara nearly laughed out loud when Ian's eyes stared to glow as the realization sank in. "You mean…" he started to say.
"I mean," placing her hands on his chest, "That I'd like to take you up on that dance offer." This time she let out a sultry laugh when his mouth dropped open.
"Are you sure, Sara? I thought you had wanted to take things slow?"
"Ian, out off all the times I've told you to go to hell and leave me alone. You choose now to start listening to me?"
Ian grinned, "I just want to make sure. I don't want you to wake up in the morning and suddenly decide that it was all a mistake. If that is the case then I would rather just be your friend."
Sara just stared at him. Most guys would take the opportunity and not worry about a relationship, but not Ian. Just when thought she had him somewhat figured out he surprises her. "I tell you what, we'll head back to my place and let nature takes it course. If things happen, then great. If not, then we'll just have to wait."
Ian let out the breath he had been holding, "You are an amazing woman, Sara Pezzini." He said while caressing her cheek.
"But you do realize I am not a very patient person, Nottingham?" This time it was his turn to laugh. "That I do know, Sara. I'll go grab our things then we can go."
"Oh no," Sara just realizing something, "I had left my coat in Lee's car."
"You can wear mine, Sara. I'll be right back." He started to leave until Sara stopped him. He turned to look at her inquiringly. She tiptoed and gave him a lingering kiss.
"That's just to reassure you that I want to be more then just friends, Ian."
The elated look on his face nearly brought tears to Sara's eyes. She watched him walk away and that was when she realized how much she truly cared about him. She didn't know how it happened or when. But she was certain, no positive, she was actually falling in love with Ian Nottingham.
"I'm falling in love with him," she whispered to herself. When she did, no doubts were raised. No excuses were made to convince her otherwise. It actually felt good to hear herself admit her feelings for Ian. Damn good, actually. The blade grew warm on her wrist. Obviously, It too was happy with Sara's admission. Sara now found herself anxiously waiting for Ian's return.
Ian strode lightly over to the bar. He felt as if he was on cloud nine. All because she had told him she wanted to be more then friends. It was the next best thing compared to her admitting that she was in love with him. But Ian knew better than to get his hopes up that high. He was certain she wasn't in love with him. It was going to take time and he was more then willing to give it to her.
Lara and Jeni waited for Ian over by the bar. Huge smiles etched into their faces. "What has gotten into you, Ian?" Jeni asked even though she already knew the answer.
"Ah, L'amour. Isn't it wonderful, Ian?" Lara sighed, happy to see that things were going so well with him and Sara.
"Yes, it is Lady Lara. And I would like to thank you both for helping me." He gave them each a kiss on the cheek, and a hug. "I don't know how else to thank you."
"Don't worry about it. Seeing you happy is reward enough." Jeni said.
He smiled, grabbed his coat from Lara and hurried back to Sara.
Jeni and Lara watched him leave. "You think we should given him back his gloves?" Jeni asked Lara. She shook her head, "Nah, since we cannot have him the next logical thing is to have something that belonged to him." Each holding a black glove, a little memento of Ian Nottingham.
"You ladies are so weird," Eugene said, flinging an end of Ian's tie over his shoulder. Lara and Jeni just rolled their eyes at him. They happily watched as the couple they helped unite prepares to leave the club. "Did you ladies tell him about the little gifts you left for him in his pockets?"
Their happy smiles turned into wicked grins as they remember what they left for Ian. "No," they both said, "It's a surprise."
"Ready Sara?" He slipped the coat around her shoulders. Sara inhaled the heady musk scent from his jacket. "Oh yeah, let's get the hell out of here."
A gust of wind blew pass them as they exited the club. Sara shivered in Ian's jacket. She slipped her arms through the sleeves and buttoned it up. Then burying her hands into the coat pockets. She frowned when she felt her fingers brush against something inside. She grabbed it and pulled it out. Her eyes widen in surprise.
She studied the condom packet, and then looked over at Ian, who was busy opening the car door. What was he doing carrying around a condom? Correction, condoms. With her free hand, she patted down the coat and felt a few more inside the pockets. "Okay," Ian said turning to help Sara get into the car. She quickly shoved the foil packet back into the pocket, hiding it from Ian.
Once inside the car Sara started feeling in all the pockets the coat had. When she reached into the inside pocket she pulled out a small note written by Lara and Jeni.
Let your inhibitions go, Ian. Have fun!! *wink* - Jeni & Lara
"What's that?" Ian asked once he got into the car. Sara handed him the note but did not bother to explain what the note represented. Ian smiled as he read it. "Remind me later that those two deserve a big tip." Ian said, placing the note down on the dashboard. "Oh yeah, will definitely have to thank those two the next time I see them." Sara said, grinning as she patted down the pockets of the jacket once again.