Three hours later, Serena slipped away from the immense crowd and hurried toward the small kitchen used by the catering staff, praying that she wouldn't be spotted by another critic or well-wisher. It seemed as though there were three more for everyone that she dealt with. The show was proving an incredible success. Jadeite was practically crowing with glee, and Serena couldn't blame him. In fact, having seen the number of discrete "sold" tags below her pieces, she was ready to join him.
Things were winding down, and people were beginning to leave, some proudly carrying with them the precious artwork that they had bought. Many pieces that had been sold were left to be displayed at the gallery for a time. Serena felt as though she was floating on air.
By this time, however, she also desperately needed to sit down amid some peace and quiet.
Fortunately, the kitchen was empty; the food had been prepared elsewhere, and staff was needed only to carry empty trays back and exchange them for full ones. After a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure that her escape had been unobserved (especially by Darien), Serena ducked into the small room and plopped down onto a stool with a sigh of relief. "Stupid crowds. Oh, god. I love the sound of silence."
A quiet chuckle startled her off the stool and onto her seat. A tall man stood in the corner, even now almost hidden by the row of cabinets that had formerly impeded her view.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see you!" Serena blushed furiously at being caught out like this.
The man smiled gently and shook his head. A full mane of wavy hair the color of mahogany fell over his high forehead, and he raised a slim hand to push it out of the way. "No, I'm the one to apologize. Here you are, desperate for some peace, and I scare you silly."
"Oh, no. It wasn't that. It's just-"
"You're Serena." His eyes, the color or winter grass, cleared. "I'm sorry for not recognizing you immediately. It sometimes takes me a minute." The man stepped out from behind the shelves, and Serena was able to get a better look at him. He wore a tweed jacket over a baggy sweater-vest. She found herself staring again into his eyes, which hid behind thick glasses, which, she noted with some amusement, were smudged and sitting crookedly on his face. His eyes glistened with an intelligence that would have been frightening if not for their kindness and a sense of vague puzzlement that Serena felt instinctively was rather normal for him.
The man chuckled again. "Do I pass muster?"
Serena gasped when she realized she'd been caught staring. "God, I'm sorry. I'm being really rude, aren't I?"
"Don't worry. I'm sure you must be exhausted. You have quite a show here, Serena." He held out his right hand. "I'm Nephrite, Lita's husband."
"Oh, it's nice to meet you." And despite her exhaustion, Serena really meant it. She'd wanted to meet Nephrite for weeks, but had yet to manage it. Lita had informed her proudly that this absent-minded looking man apparently held three PhD's. He taught at NYU, and often visited other prestigious universities to present guest lectures.
"Indeed. Please sit down." Nephrite led her back to the stool and sat on its neighbor. "I, too, needed a bit of quiet. That many people attempting to criticize and analyze what they really don't understand gives me a headache."
Serena laughed in agreement. "I hope you haven't been bored."
"Not at all. It is a rare occasion that one has the opportunity to be present for the birth of a genius into the world where she belongs." He patted her hand in a manner intended both to complement and soothe, and Serena instantly found herself charmed by the kind man.
"Serena! There you are." Lita stood in the doorway. "I see you've found my wayward husband." The tall brunette crossed the room and laid a hand on Serena's shoulders. "I'm glad you've both finally met." She leaned over to kiss her husband's cheek, and then smiled and removed his glasses. She gently wiped them off on a hankie she pulled from his vest pocket, then placed them back correctly on his face. The gesture held such a sweet, simple intimacy that it made Serena feel more like an intruder then if they'd exchanged a big wet sloppy kiss.
"I suppose Darien's looking for me. I should go back out there." She slipped off her stool and held out a hand, which Nephrite took. "It was really nice to meet you. I hope we'll have some time to talk later."
Lita left her husband with another peck on the cheek. "As a matter of fact, he was. Something about right impressions and stuff. I'll come with you." They smiled at each other; as a PR consultant, Lita knew better then anyone how important every moment of Serena's role in the showing was.
"Serena! Where were you?" As soon as she reappeared in the room, Darien pounced. "The mayor just left. You should have been here."
"Sorry." Serena knew that she didn't sound the least bit repentant, and she didn't care. She looked around. "Where is Mina?"
"Malachite took her back to her hotel." Darien eyed her. "Are you aware of the fact that Malachite has not been this interested in a woman since his wife died five years ago? I hope you realize that the importance of my business to him has just been preempted by the importance of your sister." Despite the severity of his words, there was a twinkle in his eye that made Serena smile.
"Mina can beat that. I don't think she's even been on a date since . . ." She trailed off as she remembered just exactly when and why Mina had stopped dating. "Well, I don't remember, but it's been a long time. As a matter of fact-" She was cut off as an enormous yawn forced its way out. "Wow, but I'm tired."
Darien shook his head. "I think that enough people have left. Come on. I'll take you home." He waved over at Jadeite, who was organizing the clean up, and nodded his head toward Serena. "Let's go."
***
The ride home was quiet. Serena leaned her head against the cool window glass and lost herself to her daydreams, and Darien was content with his own musings.
Serena yawned widely again as she slipped out of the elevator and fumbled in her clutch for her keys. "I know they're in here somewhere." Darien's hand entered her vision as he reached over and smoothly unlocked the door before returning the key to his pocket.
She frowned up at him. "Did I know you have keys to my apartment?"
"No." Darien left her staring as he swung the door open and walked inside. "I hope you enjoyed tonight."
"Definitely." Serena toed off her shoes and flopped onto the couch. "It was wonderful! I was so nervous when I first got there. There were so many people, and Jad had moved everything again, and I didn't know what to do with myself, but people all seemed to like everything, and-" She realized that she was babbling and smiled apologetically at Darien. "Sorry. I guess I'm just a bit wound up."
"It's quite alright." There was a 'pop,' and Serena wound her head around to watch as the tall dark man behind her finished opening a bottle of champagne.
"Where did that come from? And didn't you have enough at the show? I don't think I've ever seen so much bubbly alcohol."
Darien pulled two flutes from a cabinet and crossed to her side, where he handed her a brimming glass. "First, I had it left here specifically for this night. Second, I never drink during business."
Serena took a sip, then tilted her head and stared at him. "Is that all it was to you? Just business?" Something in her chest contracted painfully at the thought.
"Of course not. This show mattered to me. It mattered more then most. You matter to me more then most, Serena."
She found herself drowning once more in the blue depths of his eyes. "Darien . . ."
He took her champagne flute from her and set it carefully on the coffee table. "I know you're tired. Just a kiss, Serena. Then I'll go." He leaned toward her and gently wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, negating the possibility of her escaping. "Just one," he murmured again before settling his lips over hers.
She tasted like honey. The thought ran aimlessly through his head as he shifted to change the angle of the kiss. She tasted like honey, and the flavor was more intoxicating then champagne.
Serena couldn't think. An attempt of a thought occurred vaguely to her that she should push him away, stop this before things went any further. But she reached up and grabbed the lapels of his suit and pulled him even closer.
With a groan, he pulled her into his lap and slid his tongue between her lips, wrapping his arms around her as though he'd never let her go. God, he was in heaven. When she raised her trembling hands to grab handfuls of his hair, he growled softly through the kiss. He couldn't stop. He wouldn't.
With a heroic effort, Darien pulled back and stared into the dazed blue of her eyes. She reached for him again, and he held her arms at her sides. Serena looked up at him in confusion, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly. "One more thing, Serena. I lied to you." She blinked.
"I'm not leaving tonight."
***
By the way, I've received a lot of inspiration from Nora Roberts. Her stuff belongs to her and not to me, so don't sue!