Dance Beneath the Moon
By Michelle Harris aka
Lady M. Harris
A Sailor Moon Romance Story
Part Three
Darien sighed tiredly as he threw his jacket onto his couch. He walked blithely to his balcony, not bothering to turn on his lights, knowing instinctively every nook and cranny of the large and spacious flat like the back of his hand. He slid his glass door shut, closing the curtains at the same time. Darien kept the flat in near downtown Tokyo, it being only a short drive to the hospital. The drive to his estate on the outskirts of Tokyo was horrendous and was something he chose to avoid doing by purchasing the flat near the hospital. So he acquired the flat as a way a halfway point from the estate and the job he loved doing most.
The scenery before him was beautiful, even in the early morning night sky, but Darien didn't notice it, as his thoughts were elsewhere. He gazed into the unseen distance of Tokyo, but his mind nearly a thousand miles away.
A shadowy figure detached itself from the deep grove between his hallway and moved quietly towards him as he stood within his living room. Darien wondered when she would make her presence known to him.
Melissa. She was a golden, blonde beauty with an appetite for sex.
He had known immediately that he wasn't alone in his flat, by the scent of her perfume when he had walked in a few minutes ago. He made a mental with himself to have a 'talk' with the new security guard downstairs.
"Darien." Melissa breathed silkily into his ear as she came up behind him. He felt her body slide sensuously up against the back of him, purposely allowing him to feel her shapely body. "Where have you been, darling?" She asked, pouting and sulking at the same time. Her hands wounded around him, like a slithering snake, as if she craved the feel of his hard, muscular body against hers. "Oh-baby, is that for me?" She purred loudly, when her hand encountered his thick erection.
He pulled away from her and reached over in the darkness to finish closing his curtains all the way from the bright moonlight. "Don't flatter yourself, sweetheart." Darien replied, sardonically. "How long have you been here?" He asked as he walked over to his bar to pour himself a nightcap.
She glared at him. He was always so cold, she thought angrily, even in bed. She already didn't like the way the conversation was going. Especially, since he returned home from another woman's arms unsatisfied and smelling of roses. "Long enough to know, that you're returning late to your flat." She huffed, indignant. She wanted desperately to find out who he was seeing, but she kept her mouth shut.
Darien took a deep swallow of his cognac, savoring the smooth, burning liquor flavor as it flowed down his throat, before returning his attention back to Melissa. He reached over to his to table lamp beside him, and picked up her purse. "I suggest you call next time. And make sure you've been invited to come here." He said, handing her, her purse. "I answer to no one, least of all to you, Melissa." He finished as he pushed her towards his door.
Melissa turned around, her amber eyes blazing, even in the darkness of his hallway. "Are-are you telling me that--this is it?" She blurted out, her voice a pitch higher than normal.
He opened his entrance door, at first, not bothering to answer her and sighed as he leaned against it. He suddenly felt very tired and he certainly didn't need this. "Yeah, I guess you can call it that. There was certainly nothing to begin with, if you ask me."
"I knew it! It's Beryl, isn't it?" She shrieked as she stormed out into carpeted, outside hallway.
"Hardly. Do you mind-you're beginning to sound like a fisherman's wife, someone's going to call security on you, sweetie." Darien grinned, dryly, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He didn't have much faith with the security, either.
"No one dumps me, Darien. I dumped them!" She threatened; her voice was now low and taut as she stared back at him with her eyes blazing. She knew that what she had said sounded childish, even to her ears.
"Whatever," he stated coldly, and slammed the door in her face.
"Serena, there's someone at the door, do you want me to get it?" Irene called out towards her daughter's bedroom. Serena's mom was visiting her that weekend. It was Saturday, and both mother and daughter wanted to get in some last minute Christmas shopping done. Christmas was only a weekend away.
"Would you please? I'm still working on my hair," Serena called back from her bedroom. She was in the midst of tying the last of her braids. She made a face at herself in her mirror, noting the faint, dark circles under her eyes.
All she could think about for the last couple of days was Darien and the last time she had seen him. After leaving him in the car, she would periodically touch her swollen lips, still sure that it had been nothing more than a dream. During the night she did nothing but toss and turn, her young body yearning for his touch. She had awoken the following day, blurry eyed and tired, determined that it had indeed been a foolish fantasy of hers.
For the next couple of days, she had merely moped about, when she wasn't at school. She was disgusted with herself, ironically joining the ranks of the women at the hospital who also pinned after Darien. She came home to her empty apartment, with only Luna, her cat to greet her. Even Luna's loud and happy meowing didn't do much to cheer her up. She would sometimes stop from grading the school papers, to stare pensively at her phone, wondering if Darien was going to call her. Of course, I don't want him to call, she had thought to herself, angrily. She would then, turn her face away from the phone, trying not to acknowledge how her heart would do summersaults just thinking about his kiss. She got angry with herself, knowing that he was just using her to get to his fortune. And yet, she knew that that didn't seem fair either, since he had sounded genuinely content with his grandfather controlling the fortune. Oh, what do I really know about him, she chided herself, this time determined to shut him out of her mind.
She had even been doing her best to avoid Amy's calls to her apartment. Amy had demanded to know if the rumors were true about her and Dr. Shields being engaged. Serena had told her, that she would explain everything after she had a chance to figure it out herself. What was that supposed to mean, Amy had asked anxiously. She knew that Amy was just worried about her. Don't worry, Amy, she had said to her on the phone, I've got things to sort out first, she added hastily. Then before Amy had a chance to say anything else to that comment, she quietly placed the receiver back into its cradle.
The day dawned bright and white with snow, covering most of Tokyo. It was also the day of Crossroads Central Hospital Christmas party.
"Serena, you got a package!" Her mother announced to her from the living room.
"I'm almost done," Serena answered, wondering what she got. "Would you mind opening it for me, please?" She asked as she closed the clasp under her braid. Serena could hear an audible tear from her living room as her mother began opening the package for her. The tearing was followed by the sound of her mother gasping loudly. "What is it?" She asked, getting no response from her mother. Anxious now, Serena quickly ran a brush through the rest of her loose hair and rushed into the living room to where her mother still stood staring at the open package with a glazed look on her face.
"I think, maybe you should have been the one to open the package, dear," Irene sighed with a dreamy look on her face before glancing into her daughter's surprised face with a smile.
Serena gasped in shock as she recognized the contents in the box. "The dress!" She exclaimed out loud with astonishment. "Ohhh..." She picked it up, her fingers trembling, as she held the exquisite material in her hands. She could hardly believe that someone had sent her the lovely, blue dress that she had wanted so badly in the department store.
"Serena! Look underneath the dress! There's another dress, "Irene pointed.
"Oh my!" Serena gasped out, setting aside the blue dress to pick up an even lovelier, sophisticated, creation of pale-silver silk. Her eyes grew huge, when her gaze fell on the dress' price tag still attached to the dress. The dress was four times worth the blue one; she even recognized the highly coveted designer name on the dress label. "Darien!" She whispered, knowing instantly that the gifts had come from him.
"Who are they from?" Irene asked, wonderingly. It must be from a man--a Darien from the sound of her daughter's voice, Irene grinned inwardly. And a man, who was obviously well off, she summarized. Irene wanted to jump up and down with joy at the thought. And if the way her daughter had sounded when she had said the man's name, been any indication as to how deep her feelings went... She wondered where Serena had met him.
Serena slowly picked up the note lying on top of silver dress, her hand still quivering with excitement. Her mother was momentarily forgotten as her eyes skimmed the elegantly written note, instantly recognizing Darien's handwriting. Her eyes went wide as she noticed how he familiarly addressed her, remembering how he had said her name, before he had kissed her. How husky and deep his voice sounded close to her fevered ears before their lips touched...
'Serena,'
'I didn't forget about the Christmas party. I'll be at your place at 7. The dresses are for you to keep. The silver dress is for a dinner party given at my estate for my grandfather. I hope you don't have anything planned Sunday.'
'Darien'
He's definitely a man of little words, and no explanation of why she hadn't heard from him earlier too, she thought sighing. Serena didn't know whether to sigh like a princess caught up in a wondrous dream or feel anxious about the up coming dinner at Darien's estate and meeting his grandfather.
"Serena, what is this about?" Irene asked, trying not to intrude but not able suppress the curiosity she was feeling about her daughter's new boyfriend. She watched as Serena put the dresses reverently back into the box. "Have you meet someone new?" She asked, giving up pretense--she was trying to meddle out some information out of her daughter, perturbed to know all about the new man in her life.
"I...I don't know," Serena sighed. "Everything...it's still too new for me to digest...I really don't know." Serena said, at a loss for words to explain to her mother the situation between her and Darien. She didn't want to tell her about how Darien had coerced her into becoming his fiancée. Or the magical way he made her feel, much less the way he had kissed her. How could she explain to her mother that she was felt captivated by this man-Dr. Darien Shields-the same self-made doctor that she worked near, for nearly six months, but a man that she was only beginning to find out what lay beneath his hard veneer. She hardly understood the entire situation and it still didn't make a whole lot of sense to her.
"Oh, Serena, I'm sorry. As usual, your mother only has your best interest at heart and sometimes I can get carried away," Irene said smiling softly to her daughter, in understanding. When she was ready, Irene knew that Serena would tell her everything, that was the type of relationship they had. "Come on, the stores are waiting for us and if we don't hurry up everything will be gone!" She stated, articulately changing the subject.
"And we can't have that," Serena replied, smiling back, grateful for her mother's tactful change of subjects. They grabbed their jackets and headed outside into the cool, morning.
The doorbell rang promptly seven o'clock and for once in her life, Serena was ready and waiting for her date. She ran a quick hand threw her large tousled curls, which hung loose from the elegant, pyramid braid on top of her head. More, perfectly curled curls hung loose like golden-white streamers down the side of her face.
After shopping for most of the morning, Serena and Irene had spent the rest of the afternoon at a beauty parlor to have her hair done by a hairstylist. Even though Serena didn't tell her mother much about whom the dresses were from, she did say that she was going to the Crossroads Central Hospital Christmas party with a date.
Serena had also splurged on a new, velvet swing coat the color of navy. It was as elegant as her pocket book could afford, and her mother bought her a pair of beautiful, satin white heels and opera length, white, satin gloves to match.
My daughter has to look like a princess for the party, Irene had smiled softly proud of her daughter's accomplishments and beauty, when she picked out the gloves and shoes. Fortunately, she could wear the same pumps for the silver dress. Small, diamond studs with hanging teardrop pearls bobbed elegantly at Serena's ears. She left her delicate sweep of her neckline was bare bringing attention to her creamy and full breasts. She checked her lipstick in the mirror, once more going over her face. She had taken extra care and time with her makeup, wanting the effect to be natural, yet subtle enough underneath the party lights.
The doorbell rang again, more incessant now. Serena quickly opened her door and nearly fainted into a heap of fluff when her wide gaze settled on Darien. He stood there in casual repose, the epitome of raw, male perfection. He was dressed in an impeccable black and white tuxedo. She knew immediately that it had been custom made for his tall, hard frame. His midnight-black hair was sleeked back and combed neatly, complimenting his deep, sapphire-blue eyes. She could even make out his faint and tantalizing cologne, reminding her vividly of wood glens in a deep forest with tracings of cinnamon. He also wore an elegant, long black coat; soft black leather gloves topped off with high, polished black dress shoes.
A slow, knowing smile curved across his lips, his dark eyes gleaming with pleasure as he watched Serena's slow appraisal sweeping over his appearance.
Serena ached to run her hands down his broad chest, just to test if his chest seemed as broad as it looked underneath his dazzling outfit. She instinctively knew that she had met his approval as his gazed smoldered like blue smoke, unconsciously caressing her shapely figure.
"Serena...you look beautiful," He said quietly, his voice harsh and husky at the same.
There, he said it again to her, her mind screamed at her. The way a lover would say her name. She wanted to sigh and stomped her foot all at once. She didn't understand why she was behaving like an idiot. Why, just a couple of weeks ago, Darien acted like she barely existed--or did he? Her mind gasped with shock, no way! Now she was thoroughly confused.
Darien had that phrase before to his past amours, but never as sincere as he felt at that moment. Serena was simply a stunning vision of loveliness.
"I could say the same for you," She answered back, blushing at her choice of words. She couldn't think of anything witty to say as they stood there in her hallway staring at one another.
"Thank you, it's not everyday I'm complimented on my beauty." Darien chuckled softly, still smoldering.
She laughed softly, a becoming pink hue staining her delicate features.
"Are you ready?" He asked, a sardonic grin curving his mouth.
"Oh-oh yes, let me grab my coat," she backed into her apartment to retrieve her new coat.
"Here, let me do that for you," Darien said taking the coat from her hands and placing it around her shoulders, as he brushed away her golden curls, exposing her swan-like neck to his view. He sucked in his breath and was unable to stop himself from grazing the back of her neck with the caress of lingering kiss.
"Serena..." He breathed. He had been unable to think coherently the last couple of days that he stayed away from her. All he could think about was the last time they were in his car and the kiss they had shared. Knowing he had to stay away from her, otherwise, he would have lost all control. Her beguiling face had haunted his days and her sweet body had tormented his nights.
He pulled back from her neck, inhaling her distinct, soft fragrance mingling with a scent he wasn't familiar with from a department store. It was very nice, tantalizing him with heady images of her. He again wondered at his thoughts every time he was near her. "We should get going," he said, coming around to face her.
"Oh, yes," she answered, her voice wavering, her body tingling with sensation where his lips had touched her neck briefly. She wanted to curl up and hug herself, still enraptured with the way he made her feel every time he was near her, with her, and touching her.
They drove silently to the party; both of them submerged in deep thoughts about each other. The party was being held at the Johnson-Kane center. As they drove by the skyscraper, the party was already in full swing, crowds and sounds of laughter, tinkling glasses could be heard above the noise. Spirits were high with holiday merriment as was the liquor that flowed generously from the champagne glasses.
Important people from all over Tokyo were attending the party, Serena noted as her eyes followed many couples entering the gala. Darien parked in the full garage and turned to her after shutting off his car engine.
"There's one more thing, that I haven't given you yet," he said, reaching into this pocket. "What's a fiancée without a ring?" He grinned at her silent-questioning look, pulling open mysterious small, black box.
Of course, she couldn't know the time he had spent searching for the right ring to grace her finger. The lady at the prestigious jewelry shop had made him feel uncomfortable by all her prying questions. He had a weird feeling during the whole shopping escapade, somehow knowing that he would never ask for the ring back after he gave it to Serena. He didn't particularly care for the discomfited feeling that was hovering over his unconscious mind like a blaring horn.
Serena really did play a role in this whole charade he rationalized with himself. She was also satisfying this infatuation she seemed to hold over him, the dark side of him reasoned again. Yet, when his gaze dipped to her enchanted face, all his other thoughts flew out the window.
"A ring?" She echoed faintly, paralyzed with suspense. And then she gasped when he opened the small black, velvet box to reveal an elegant, marquise-cut, diamond solitaire ring, set in platinum gold. "Oh my!" She breathed out softly as Darien took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. The large, diamond sparkled brilliantly even dim darkness of his car. It almost feels real, this whole entire charade, she thought as stared at the ring.
"Don't think about it, Serena." Darien said, quietly as he read her thoughts. He quickly got out of the car and opened her side of the door. He held his large hand out to her and she stared down at it, her finger sparkling like a gem come to life, wondering again for the hundredth time if she was still dreaming. The feel of his warm hand when she placed hers within his grasp reminded how real the whole situation really was.
You're not dreaming anymore Serena, she said to herself as her gaze held Darien's penetrating gaze underneath the garage parking lights. And maybe, just maybe...maybe you're falling for him. Is he the one, her heart whispered to her? Is he the one...the one you've been waiting for?
"Serena-Dr. Shields!" Amy exclaimed loudly as her gaze grew wide with amazement. Was it really true, she thought? She watched with continued astonishment as Serena's eyes strayed to Dr. Shields' and how his gaze seemed to linger for long moments on her close friend, caressing her with his eyes.
"Amy. Greg. I'm glad we're sitting together!" Serena exclaimed happily as her eyes settled on her friend and her husband's as they reached their table. Neat, little name cards were set up around the large and elegant, dining table. In the middle of the table gleamed a holiday arrangement of holly, burgundy and gold ribbons and three tall candles. Serena turned towards Darien and flushed becomingly when he pulled out a chair for her to settle in. Serena wondered about Darien's gaze that seemed be challenging Amy's. Then before he settled himself into a chair, he bent over and pushed back some of Serena's loose curls softly, and purposely placed a caressing and lingering kiss on her forehead.
Saying something like, "Serena...are you comfortable?" He asked with the deep rumble of his voice, effectively sending shivers of delight down her spine. Serena watched Amy's eyes widen even more as she became convinced over their so-called relationship. Serena didn't know whether to be pleased over Darien's apparent show of possessiveness or to stomp her feet in vexation, knowing that it was all a charade for their benefit.
"Thank you, Darien," she breathed out, playing along, but unable to keep her voice from sounding husky. Darien's flashed her with a disarming smile mixed with some unknown message of fire, effectively causing her to flood with heat.
Serena promptly turned her face back towards Amy's still shocked face, determined not to let Darien seduce her underneath the eyes of her friends. And that was exactly what he was doing, she thought to herself with growing alarm. She let her eyes wander over past Greg and it was on the tip of her tongue to introduce Greg to Darien, when her gaze halted into shock at the figure sitting next to Greg with his back turned towards the crowd of party goers. She knew that familiar shock of black hair! Just as her mind registered who it was, he glanced over his shoulder at her with a devilish grin spreading across his lips.
"Terrence!" Serena exclaimed with surprise, and jumping up from her seat to launch herself into his laughing arms.
"Serena..." Terrence replied, his voice rough as his arms came around to hug her to him.
From across the table, Darien's and Terrence's eyes clashed like two opponents fighting over a highly covet prize. Darien's gaze narrowed into piercing, hard marble slabs as he met Terrence's dark and penetrating gaze above Serena's head. Instinctively, like male animals fighting for the favor of an arresting female, they knew that the prize was Serena's heart.
Stay tuned for the next part, coming very soon!
Lady M. Harris
By Michelle Harris aka
Lady M. Harris
A Sailor Moon Romance Story
Part Three
Darien sighed tiredly as he threw his jacket onto his couch. He walked blithely to his balcony, not bothering to turn on his lights, knowing instinctively every nook and cranny of the large and spacious flat like the back of his hand. He slid his glass door shut, closing the curtains at the same time. Darien kept the flat in near downtown Tokyo, it being only a short drive to the hospital. The drive to his estate on the outskirts of Tokyo was horrendous and was something he chose to avoid doing by purchasing the flat near the hospital. So he acquired the flat as a way a halfway point from the estate and the job he loved doing most.
The scenery before him was beautiful, even in the early morning night sky, but Darien didn't notice it, as his thoughts were elsewhere. He gazed into the unseen distance of Tokyo, but his mind nearly a thousand miles away.
A shadowy figure detached itself from the deep grove between his hallway and moved quietly towards him as he stood within his living room. Darien wondered when she would make her presence known to him.
Melissa. She was a golden, blonde beauty with an appetite for sex.
He had known immediately that he wasn't alone in his flat, by the scent of her perfume when he had walked in a few minutes ago. He made a mental with himself to have a 'talk' with the new security guard downstairs.
"Darien." Melissa breathed silkily into his ear as she came up behind him. He felt her body slide sensuously up against the back of him, purposely allowing him to feel her shapely body. "Where have you been, darling?" She asked, pouting and sulking at the same time. Her hands wounded around him, like a slithering snake, as if she craved the feel of his hard, muscular body against hers. "Oh-baby, is that for me?" She purred loudly, when her hand encountered his thick erection.
He pulled away from her and reached over in the darkness to finish closing his curtains all the way from the bright moonlight. "Don't flatter yourself, sweetheart." Darien replied, sardonically. "How long have you been here?" He asked as he walked over to his bar to pour himself a nightcap.
She glared at him. He was always so cold, she thought angrily, even in bed. She already didn't like the way the conversation was going. Especially, since he returned home from another woman's arms unsatisfied and smelling of roses. "Long enough to know, that you're returning late to your flat." She huffed, indignant. She wanted desperately to find out who he was seeing, but she kept her mouth shut.
Darien took a deep swallow of his cognac, savoring the smooth, burning liquor flavor as it flowed down his throat, before returning his attention back to Melissa. He reached over to his to table lamp beside him, and picked up her purse. "I suggest you call next time. And make sure you've been invited to come here." He said, handing her, her purse. "I answer to no one, least of all to you, Melissa." He finished as he pushed her towards his door.
Melissa turned around, her amber eyes blazing, even in the darkness of his hallway. "Are-are you telling me that--this is it?" She blurted out, her voice a pitch higher than normal.
He opened his entrance door, at first, not bothering to answer her and sighed as he leaned against it. He suddenly felt very tired and he certainly didn't need this. "Yeah, I guess you can call it that. There was certainly nothing to begin with, if you ask me."
"I knew it! It's Beryl, isn't it?" She shrieked as she stormed out into carpeted, outside hallway.
"Hardly. Do you mind-you're beginning to sound like a fisherman's wife, someone's going to call security on you, sweetie." Darien grinned, dryly, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He didn't have much faith with the security, either.
"No one dumps me, Darien. I dumped them!" She threatened; her voice was now low and taut as she stared back at him with her eyes blazing. She knew that what she had said sounded childish, even to her ears.
"Whatever," he stated coldly, and slammed the door in her face.
"Serena, there's someone at the door, do you want me to get it?" Irene called out towards her daughter's bedroom. Serena's mom was visiting her that weekend. It was Saturday, and both mother and daughter wanted to get in some last minute Christmas shopping done. Christmas was only a weekend away.
"Would you please? I'm still working on my hair," Serena called back from her bedroom. She was in the midst of tying the last of her braids. She made a face at herself in her mirror, noting the faint, dark circles under her eyes.
All she could think about for the last couple of days was Darien and the last time she had seen him. After leaving him in the car, she would periodically touch her swollen lips, still sure that it had been nothing more than a dream. During the night she did nothing but toss and turn, her young body yearning for his touch. She had awoken the following day, blurry eyed and tired, determined that it had indeed been a foolish fantasy of hers.
For the next couple of days, she had merely moped about, when she wasn't at school. She was disgusted with herself, ironically joining the ranks of the women at the hospital who also pinned after Darien. She came home to her empty apartment, with only Luna, her cat to greet her. Even Luna's loud and happy meowing didn't do much to cheer her up. She would sometimes stop from grading the school papers, to stare pensively at her phone, wondering if Darien was going to call her. Of course, I don't want him to call, she had thought to herself, angrily. She would then, turn her face away from the phone, trying not to acknowledge how her heart would do summersaults just thinking about his kiss. She got angry with herself, knowing that he was just using her to get to his fortune. And yet, she knew that that didn't seem fair either, since he had sounded genuinely content with his grandfather controlling the fortune. Oh, what do I really know about him, she chided herself, this time determined to shut him out of her mind.
She had even been doing her best to avoid Amy's calls to her apartment. Amy had demanded to know if the rumors were true about her and Dr. Shields being engaged. Serena had told her, that she would explain everything after she had a chance to figure it out herself. What was that supposed to mean, Amy had asked anxiously. She knew that Amy was just worried about her. Don't worry, Amy, she had said to her on the phone, I've got things to sort out first, she added hastily. Then before Amy had a chance to say anything else to that comment, she quietly placed the receiver back into its cradle.
The day dawned bright and white with snow, covering most of Tokyo. It was also the day of Crossroads Central Hospital Christmas party.
"Serena, you got a package!" Her mother announced to her from the living room.
"I'm almost done," Serena answered, wondering what she got. "Would you mind opening it for me, please?" She asked as she closed the clasp under her braid. Serena could hear an audible tear from her living room as her mother began opening the package for her. The tearing was followed by the sound of her mother gasping loudly. "What is it?" She asked, getting no response from her mother. Anxious now, Serena quickly ran a brush through the rest of her loose hair and rushed into the living room to where her mother still stood staring at the open package with a glazed look on her face.
"I think, maybe you should have been the one to open the package, dear," Irene sighed with a dreamy look on her face before glancing into her daughter's surprised face with a smile.
Serena gasped in shock as she recognized the contents in the box. "The dress!" She exclaimed out loud with astonishment. "Ohhh..." She picked it up, her fingers trembling, as she held the exquisite material in her hands. She could hardly believe that someone had sent her the lovely, blue dress that she had wanted so badly in the department store.
"Serena! Look underneath the dress! There's another dress, "Irene pointed.
"Oh my!" Serena gasped out, setting aside the blue dress to pick up an even lovelier, sophisticated, creation of pale-silver silk. Her eyes grew huge, when her gaze fell on the dress' price tag still attached to the dress. The dress was four times worth the blue one; she even recognized the highly coveted designer name on the dress label. "Darien!" She whispered, knowing instantly that the gifts had come from him.
"Who are they from?" Irene asked, wonderingly. It must be from a man--a Darien from the sound of her daughter's voice, Irene grinned inwardly. And a man, who was obviously well off, she summarized. Irene wanted to jump up and down with joy at the thought. And if the way her daughter had sounded when she had said the man's name, been any indication as to how deep her feelings went... She wondered where Serena had met him.
Serena slowly picked up the note lying on top of silver dress, her hand still quivering with excitement. Her mother was momentarily forgotten as her eyes skimmed the elegantly written note, instantly recognizing Darien's handwriting. Her eyes went wide as she noticed how he familiarly addressed her, remembering how he had said her name, before he had kissed her. How husky and deep his voice sounded close to her fevered ears before their lips touched...
'Serena,'
'I didn't forget about the Christmas party. I'll be at your place at 7. The dresses are for you to keep. The silver dress is for a dinner party given at my estate for my grandfather. I hope you don't have anything planned Sunday.'
'Darien'
He's definitely a man of little words, and no explanation of why she hadn't heard from him earlier too, she thought sighing. Serena didn't know whether to sigh like a princess caught up in a wondrous dream or feel anxious about the up coming dinner at Darien's estate and meeting his grandfather.
"Serena, what is this about?" Irene asked, trying not to intrude but not able suppress the curiosity she was feeling about her daughter's new boyfriend. She watched as Serena put the dresses reverently back into the box. "Have you meet someone new?" She asked, giving up pretense--she was trying to meddle out some information out of her daughter, perturbed to know all about the new man in her life.
"I...I don't know," Serena sighed. "Everything...it's still too new for me to digest...I really don't know." Serena said, at a loss for words to explain to her mother the situation between her and Darien. She didn't want to tell her about how Darien had coerced her into becoming his fiancée. Or the magical way he made her feel, much less the way he had kissed her. How could she explain to her mother that she was felt captivated by this man-Dr. Darien Shields-the same self-made doctor that she worked near, for nearly six months, but a man that she was only beginning to find out what lay beneath his hard veneer. She hardly understood the entire situation and it still didn't make a whole lot of sense to her.
"Oh, Serena, I'm sorry. As usual, your mother only has your best interest at heart and sometimes I can get carried away," Irene said smiling softly to her daughter, in understanding. When she was ready, Irene knew that Serena would tell her everything, that was the type of relationship they had. "Come on, the stores are waiting for us and if we don't hurry up everything will be gone!" She stated, articulately changing the subject.
"And we can't have that," Serena replied, smiling back, grateful for her mother's tactful change of subjects. They grabbed their jackets and headed outside into the cool, morning.
The doorbell rang promptly seven o'clock and for once in her life, Serena was ready and waiting for her date. She ran a quick hand threw her large tousled curls, which hung loose from the elegant, pyramid braid on top of her head. More, perfectly curled curls hung loose like golden-white streamers down the side of her face.
After shopping for most of the morning, Serena and Irene had spent the rest of the afternoon at a beauty parlor to have her hair done by a hairstylist. Even though Serena didn't tell her mother much about whom the dresses were from, she did say that she was going to the Crossroads Central Hospital Christmas party with a date.
Serena had also splurged on a new, velvet swing coat the color of navy. It was as elegant as her pocket book could afford, and her mother bought her a pair of beautiful, satin white heels and opera length, white, satin gloves to match.
My daughter has to look like a princess for the party, Irene had smiled softly proud of her daughter's accomplishments and beauty, when she picked out the gloves and shoes. Fortunately, she could wear the same pumps for the silver dress. Small, diamond studs with hanging teardrop pearls bobbed elegantly at Serena's ears. She left her delicate sweep of her neckline was bare bringing attention to her creamy and full breasts. She checked her lipstick in the mirror, once more going over her face. She had taken extra care and time with her makeup, wanting the effect to be natural, yet subtle enough underneath the party lights.
The doorbell rang again, more incessant now. Serena quickly opened her door and nearly fainted into a heap of fluff when her wide gaze settled on Darien. He stood there in casual repose, the epitome of raw, male perfection. He was dressed in an impeccable black and white tuxedo. She knew immediately that it had been custom made for his tall, hard frame. His midnight-black hair was sleeked back and combed neatly, complimenting his deep, sapphire-blue eyes. She could even make out his faint and tantalizing cologne, reminding her vividly of wood glens in a deep forest with tracings of cinnamon. He also wore an elegant, long black coat; soft black leather gloves topped off with high, polished black dress shoes.
A slow, knowing smile curved across his lips, his dark eyes gleaming with pleasure as he watched Serena's slow appraisal sweeping over his appearance.
Serena ached to run her hands down his broad chest, just to test if his chest seemed as broad as it looked underneath his dazzling outfit. She instinctively knew that she had met his approval as his gazed smoldered like blue smoke, unconsciously caressing her shapely figure.
"Serena...you look beautiful," He said quietly, his voice harsh and husky at the same.
There, he said it again to her, her mind screamed at her. The way a lover would say her name. She wanted to sigh and stomped her foot all at once. She didn't understand why she was behaving like an idiot. Why, just a couple of weeks ago, Darien acted like she barely existed--or did he? Her mind gasped with shock, no way! Now she was thoroughly confused.
Darien had that phrase before to his past amours, but never as sincere as he felt at that moment. Serena was simply a stunning vision of loveliness.
"I could say the same for you," She answered back, blushing at her choice of words. She couldn't think of anything witty to say as they stood there in her hallway staring at one another.
"Thank you, it's not everyday I'm complimented on my beauty." Darien chuckled softly, still smoldering.
She laughed softly, a becoming pink hue staining her delicate features.
"Are you ready?" He asked, a sardonic grin curving his mouth.
"Oh-oh yes, let me grab my coat," she backed into her apartment to retrieve her new coat.
"Here, let me do that for you," Darien said taking the coat from her hands and placing it around her shoulders, as he brushed away her golden curls, exposing her swan-like neck to his view. He sucked in his breath and was unable to stop himself from grazing the back of her neck with the caress of lingering kiss.
"Serena..." He breathed. He had been unable to think coherently the last couple of days that he stayed away from her. All he could think about was the last time they were in his car and the kiss they had shared. Knowing he had to stay away from her, otherwise, he would have lost all control. Her beguiling face had haunted his days and her sweet body had tormented his nights.
He pulled back from her neck, inhaling her distinct, soft fragrance mingling with a scent he wasn't familiar with from a department store. It was very nice, tantalizing him with heady images of her. He again wondered at his thoughts every time he was near her. "We should get going," he said, coming around to face her.
"Oh, yes," she answered, her voice wavering, her body tingling with sensation where his lips had touched her neck briefly. She wanted to curl up and hug herself, still enraptured with the way he made her feel every time he was near her, with her, and touching her.
They drove silently to the party; both of them submerged in deep thoughts about each other. The party was being held at the Johnson-Kane center. As they drove by the skyscraper, the party was already in full swing, crowds and sounds of laughter, tinkling glasses could be heard above the noise. Spirits were high with holiday merriment as was the liquor that flowed generously from the champagne glasses.
Important people from all over Tokyo were attending the party, Serena noted as her eyes followed many couples entering the gala. Darien parked in the full garage and turned to her after shutting off his car engine.
"There's one more thing, that I haven't given you yet," he said, reaching into this pocket. "What's a fiancée without a ring?" He grinned at her silent-questioning look, pulling open mysterious small, black box.
Of course, she couldn't know the time he had spent searching for the right ring to grace her finger. The lady at the prestigious jewelry shop had made him feel uncomfortable by all her prying questions. He had a weird feeling during the whole shopping escapade, somehow knowing that he would never ask for the ring back after he gave it to Serena. He didn't particularly care for the discomfited feeling that was hovering over his unconscious mind like a blaring horn.
Serena really did play a role in this whole charade he rationalized with himself. She was also satisfying this infatuation she seemed to hold over him, the dark side of him reasoned again. Yet, when his gaze dipped to her enchanted face, all his other thoughts flew out the window.
"A ring?" She echoed faintly, paralyzed with suspense. And then she gasped when he opened the small black, velvet box to reveal an elegant, marquise-cut, diamond solitaire ring, set in platinum gold. "Oh my!" She breathed out softly as Darien took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. The large, diamond sparkled brilliantly even dim darkness of his car. It almost feels real, this whole entire charade, she thought as stared at the ring.
"Don't think about it, Serena." Darien said, quietly as he read her thoughts. He quickly got out of the car and opened her side of the door. He held his large hand out to her and she stared down at it, her finger sparkling like a gem come to life, wondering again for the hundredth time if she was still dreaming. The feel of his warm hand when she placed hers within his grasp reminded how real the whole situation really was.
You're not dreaming anymore Serena, she said to herself as her gaze held Darien's penetrating gaze underneath the garage parking lights. And maybe, just maybe...maybe you're falling for him. Is he the one, her heart whispered to her? Is he the one...the one you've been waiting for?
"Serena-Dr. Shields!" Amy exclaimed loudly as her gaze grew wide with amazement. Was it really true, she thought? She watched with continued astonishment as Serena's eyes strayed to Dr. Shields' and how his gaze seemed to linger for long moments on her close friend, caressing her with his eyes.
"Amy. Greg. I'm glad we're sitting together!" Serena exclaimed happily as her eyes settled on her friend and her husband's as they reached their table. Neat, little name cards were set up around the large and elegant, dining table. In the middle of the table gleamed a holiday arrangement of holly, burgundy and gold ribbons and three tall candles. Serena turned towards Darien and flushed becomingly when he pulled out a chair for her to settle in. Serena wondered about Darien's gaze that seemed be challenging Amy's. Then before he settled himself into a chair, he bent over and pushed back some of Serena's loose curls softly, and purposely placed a caressing and lingering kiss on her forehead.
Saying something like, "Serena...are you comfortable?" He asked with the deep rumble of his voice, effectively sending shivers of delight down her spine. Serena watched Amy's eyes widen even more as she became convinced over their so-called relationship. Serena didn't know whether to be pleased over Darien's apparent show of possessiveness or to stomp her feet in vexation, knowing that it was all a charade for their benefit.
"Thank you, Darien," she breathed out, playing along, but unable to keep her voice from sounding husky. Darien's flashed her with a disarming smile mixed with some unknown message of fire, effectively causing her to flood with heat.
Serena promptly turned her face back towards Amy's still shocked face, determined not to let Darien seduce her underneath the eyes of her friends. And that was exactly what he was doing, she thought to herself with growing alarm. She let her eyes wander over past Greg and it was on the tip of her tongue to introduce Greg to Darien, when her gaze halted into shock at the figure sitting next to Greg with his back turned towards the crowd of party goers. She knew that familiar shock of black hair! Just as her mind registered who it was, he glanced over his shoulder at her with a devilish grin spreading across his lips.
"Terrence!" Serena exclaimed with surprise, and jumping up from her seat to launch herself into his laughing arms.
"Serena..." Terrence replied, his voice rough as his arms came around to hug her to him.
From across the table, Darien's and Terrence's eyes clashed like two opponents fighting over a highly covet prize. Darien's gaze narrowed into piercing, hard marble slabs as he met Terrence's dark and penetrating gaze above Serena's head. Instinctively, like male animals fighting for the favor of an arresting female, they knew that the prize was Serena's heart.
Stay tuned for the next part, coming very soon!
Lady M. Harris