Dance Beneath the Moon
By Michelle Harris aka
Lady M. Harris
Part Four
"When did you get into Tokyo? I didn't expect to see you here," Serena gushed out excitedly as she gazed into Terrence's familiar, smiling face. Her gaze grew wide as a new thought crossed her mind. "Where's Mina? Where's this wonderful fiancée that I've nothing but good about her?" She asked looking over and behind Terrence's shoulders curiously. She had wanted to meet this woman, who was probably the best thing to come into his life.
"I'm right here," Mina replied smiling softly, rising out of the chair right next to Terrence. She had watched the scene between her fiancé and his old girlfriend with thoughtful eyes. She didn't want to, but she already liked this girl who used to be Terrence's girlfriend.
"Oh! You're so beautiful!" Serena blurted out without thinking. Mina was, indeed, very lovely with her long, shimmering golden mane and pretty, blue eyes. Instantly, Mina smiled back, wanting to laugh as a pink hue graced her cheeks.
"Thank you, and so are you, Serena!" Mina chuckled.
"You'll have to excuse Serena, she's always this frank," Amy grinned.
"That's an understatement, Amy," Terrence chuckled along. "But I'm being remiss of my manners. Serena, this is my fiancée, Mina," Terrence said as he placed a possessive hand on Mina's shoulder.
"I'm so very pleased to meet you, Mina," Serena smiled brightly as she inclined her head politely toward the lovely lady. "And I-I have someone for you to meet, Terrence," Serena replied nervously as she backed toward Darien, who had been silently watching the entire exchange.
"I'm Darien, or rather Dr. Shields to some of the people here at the party," Darien began, introducing himself to her friends. His hand reached out to clasp Terrence's in a firm grip as they measured each other carefully.
"Terrence, pleased to meet you," Terrence replied tersely.
"And close friend?" Darien asked Greg, who nodded his head in return.
"Yes, we all went to high school together, there's a couple of other brothers around here-somewhere in the crowd, belonging to the same clan," Greg replied, smiling.
"I'm also Serena's fiancé," Darien finished, callously enjoying Terrence's sudden surprise.
"Is this true, Serena?" Terrence asked staring at Serena, shock and hurt crossing his features before he was able to mask them effectively. How come she never mentioned this Darien when he had called almost three weeks ago, he wondered.
"Y-yes, it is," she tried not to stammer, her eyes pleading with his to understand. "It was very sudden," she tried to explain. Darien placed his large hand on top of her clenched hands. With the strength of his warm hand seeping through her gloves, she found herself relaxing. She looked up into his face, her eyes showing their gratitude.
However, to Terrence it was the caressing gaze of an affectionate lover. Had she never looked at him that way? Even when they were together, she had held herself back from him. He turned abruptly away, unable to watch the two of them, feeling the old pain of her rejection all over again. He understood that it wasn't Serena's fault that she could never love him, the way she did this Darien. But the old hurt was still there, buried deep within him. His eyes locked onto Mina's understanding gaze. God, he didn't want her to see what was in his own eyes, not now, not here.
"Oh Greg, I love this song," Amy announced softly above the noise of the party, tactfully breaking the straining silence. Placing her hand on top of his, her eyes signaling to leave the table. Greg sighed almost regretfully.
"Are you trying to hint at something, sweetheart?" Greg chuckled at Amy's outraged face as he got up from his chair. Boy, this is better than a soap opera, he thought to himself
"You know, that isn't such a bad idea," Darien replied looking down into Serena's face, as Greg and Amy moved toward the couples on the dance floor. The dance would ease the tension in his muscles and allow him to concentrate on the beauty sitting next to him.
"Serena," a voice said behind Serena and Darien. Serena whirled around to see an angry John and smug looking Nurse Young standing behind them.
"John. I see that you-" Serena began, smiling brightly.
"I can't believe that you're with him!" John said between clenched teeth. "I mean, I didn't want to believe the rumors, but I guess I was wrong."
"The rumors . . . that's the reason why you didn't-didn't want go to the party with me? You believed . . ." Serena whispered as tears began to well up in her eyes. She blinked them back rapidly, not wanting to John or Nurse Young to see how hurt she felt. I can't believe that I'm letting all those stupid rumors to bother me so much Serena berated herself. Why would he even believe those unless-did John really like her . . . did he think of them more than just friends, she asked herself?
Darien's eyes narrowed into furious slits of cutting glass and his mouth tightened inconspicuously as he gazed into John's red face. He placed a possessive hand on Serena's back, feeling her stiffen from the light touch, while his hard gaze penetrated the younger man.
"I do not take kindly to any negative comments made about my future wife. Serena is my fiancée, do I make myself clear?" he stated, staring coldly into John's tight face. "Nurse Young," he inclined his dark head imperiously toward the nosey busybody, his voice low and steely, even above the noise of the party taking place around them. Nurse Young nearly jumped out of her dress, the smug expression replaced by just fear as she stared back into Dr. Shields' incisive gaze.
"Did I just see Serena with an incredible looking man taking her to the dance floor?" Raye gasped out incredulously to her husband Chad, as they stood within a group of important bankers deep in conversation. That had better not be Serena, Raye thought. Previously, Serena told her she wouldn't be attending the party, especially since she had said that John had canceled at the last minute. And who was that gorgeous man she was with, Raye asked herself? She was still staring at the retreating backs of the couple in question, when her husband broke into her incessant musings.
"Incredible looking, you say?" Chad grumbled like the jealous husband, and causing Raye to chuckle in annoyance. "Well, the only incredible thing I saw was Dr. Darien Shields escorting a drop-dead gorgeous blonde on his arm to the dance floor," Chad grinned with a laugh. He winked like the devil at his lovely wife when Raye poked him on the arm with her purse.
"Serena? Serena! She didn't tell me that she was going to be here," Kenji grimaced through clenched teeth within the same group of bankers. He was at the party covering the story for the newspaper. His eyeballs had almost popped out his skull, when he saw his baby doll, his little girl, walk out onto the dance floor with none other than Dr. Darien Shields of the Shields Financial Corporation. He almost didn't recognize her. She walked with the ease and sophistication only due to a lady born of leisure within the class of the wealthy. Not only that but every seemly male eye had gazed with apparent appreciation on her subtle but sensuous saunter to the floor, a pace that proclaimed her proud female sexuality mixed with a hint of innocence.
Since when did she start seeing Darien Shields, Kenji asked himself, still amazed. He watched with continued stupefaction as Darien pulled Serena closer to him. Everyone at the party noted their apparent intimacy and involvement with each other and Kenji was boiling like an overheated radiator. He was trying valiantly not to lose control as he steadily fought down the nearly overwhelming wave of protectiveness that arose as he watched Darien tighten his hold on his daughter.
"Well, it looks as if you have some competition for my grandson's affections, Beryl," Wesly chuckled deeply, his smile quite cold, his beautiful blue eyes frigid as they gazed steadily at Beryl from the self-same circle of elite bankers. Despite the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, proclaiming his older age, Wesly was still a very handsome gentleman. His frame was still erect, his build muscular and hard, even though he was in his late fifties. Anyone, who knew the two-grandfather and grandson-knew immediately how well Darien would age.
"You've heard of the rumors?" Beryl gasped with frustrated anger. Her fingers clenched within her hands as her eyes narrowed into daggers at the blonde held within Darien's arms. Oh, she had of the rumors all right. Beryl couldn't believe that she had been deceived so easily by that conniving, little bitch. She was the very same, little blonde who had asked Beryl so politely if she could take a message to Darien at the hospital. Why, the bitch had probably laughed her little airy head off, after she had left her by the reception desk that day. Oh if you think that you could just sail into Tokyo and snatch Darien from me, you've got another thing coming to you, Serena Ashton, Beryl sneered bitterly to herself.
"Yes, I have and I see that her father has yet to hear of the wonderful news," Wesly laughed, directing his gaze at Kenji. "That is, if the rumors are true. I have yet to actually hear it from my grandson's own lips, though," he added as an afterthought. He walked over to Kenji, who was still astonished that Wesly Shields had spoken to him and that his daughter was waltzing about the dance floor in his grandson's arms. "Perhaps . . ." Wesly prodded Kenji to introduce himself.
"Kenji Ashton," Kenji mumbled, quite dazed and staring as he continued to stare at Serena as Wesly laid a large hand on the other man's shoulder, leading them away from their current group.
"Serena Ashton, is that her name?" Wesly grinned at Kenji's nod of surprise. "What a lovely daughter you have. . . ."
"What is he to you, Serena?" Darien quietly asked as he guided them to the already crowded dance floor. A new song was beginning to play.
('N Sync - This I Promise To You)
Ooh, ooh
When the visions around you
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surrounds you
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call
When standing here all alone
And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Until the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you
I've loved you forever
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow
Forever has now begun
Just close your eyes each loving day
And know this feeling won't go away
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you...
"J-John? He-he's just . . ." Serena began glancing up into Darien's hard face. Her nerves were shot and she wanted nothing more than to forget about the ugly scene with John. Her legs felt like jelly from the straining confrontations and yet all she could think about was this enigma of a man, who held her in the protective circle of his arms. She was still trying to recover from amazement that he had stuck for her before John and Nurse Young.
"No, I didn't mean him, but Terrence," Darien corrected her, his cheek twitching slightly with impatience. John was no one as far as he was concerned, but Terrence was totally a different matter altogether. Instantly upon meeting each other, he had felt antagonized by the man. It was apparent that Terrence and Mina were about to be married, but one had to wonder if Terrence still felt something deeper for Serena. It certainly had not been to Darien's liking. A fact that he chose to ignore, not wanting to examine those feelings and they could possibly mean.
"He's an old boyfriend. There's nothing between us now," Serena stated calmly as she looked away from him.
"You were very involved with him?" He prompted, even though he knew he overstepping his boundaries, he prodded further, needing to know and at the same time pulling her softly, curving body closer against his. He wondered at his apparent possessiveness over Serena. He had to admit to himself that he didn't particularly care for the way Terrence's eyes had softened with something more friendship when he had gazed at Serena. Darien wondered just how involved they had been, but refrained from asking. He didn't want to examine these feelings that crowded the surface of his brain. For the time being, he was simply satisfied with the fact that Serena was more concerned about their charade than her past relationship with an old flame. Darien smiled grimily, knowing he had won this round against the famous, singer-artist.
"Yes," she merely said, staring at Darien's chest.
Darien sighed slowly above her head.
Serena looked up into his face, smiling sadly, "It was over a long time ago. My feelings for him, are only those between a good friend." They continued to gaze at one another for long moments, their bodies moving naturally together with the music before Darien broke the silence.
"Well now, that's enough on the past. This a party; so why don't we enjoy it, shall we?" Darien grinned ruefully, as he swirled them gracefully through the other couples on the dance floor. Serena caught on, her melodious laugh ringing sweetly in Darien's ears like silver bells, her spirits instantly brightening as she was finally caught up in the merriment of the holiday. They danced toward an open balcony where other couples were standing about, submerged in each other's company.
Serena's breath shuddered to a quickening stop as she suddenly found herself and Darien standing underneath a massive bouquet of lovely Christmas flowers and mistletoe. Her heart began a thunderous rumble, sounding like a runaway freight train, as Darien stared down into her lovely face with a devilish grin spreading across his lips.
He pulled her up against his chest abruptly, her hands clenching his lapels in hesitant apprehension and excitement. Other men, who stood near the balcony doorway watching the couple, cried out in gleeful chorus and whistled their encouragement to Darien, while the ladies sighed in dreamily at Serena's handsome date.
"Hmmm, a mistletoe . . ." Darien breathed out wickedly into Serena's ear, inhaling her tantalizing scent. What was it about her, he wondered? He felt as if he could bury himself into her, into her essence and lose himself in the enchantment of the moment. He wondered briefly, how he had ever lived completely before Serena had slowly taken hold of him with her bewitching ways.
Over and over I thought
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all
And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Until the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you...
"Darien . . ." she whispered softly, lifting up her face toward his. She wanted to kiss him with every fiber of her being, to feel those hungry lips of his on hers. Unconsciously, her bright sky-blue eyes deepened into blue fire. Delicious sensations coursed wildly throughout her veins with every beat of her heart. Her body felt as if it were on fire, alive with emotion that only he seemed to be in tuned to. Her eyes lovingly traced the curve of his lips, savoring the moment they would touch. This is what you have really wanted all night, what you've been waiting for, her thoughts whispered to her softly. And then their lips collided in what was meant to be. It was all she had ever expected it to be, wanted it to be, knew it would be-magical.
Just close your eyes each loving day
And know this feeling won't go away
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Ooh I promise you...
For long, heart stopping moments, their lips entwined in mutual passion. Their tongues tasted, dipped and explored one another's mouths with wondrous excitement in a mutual display of consent and desire. Serena could hear someone moaning and realized with dazed amazement that the sound was coming from her. Her mind dimly registered the sounds of the men and women clapping and whistling their approvals in the background. But her body was caught up in the rich, delicious feeling of being devoured by Darien, helpless to move, only wanting to stay within his embrace forever.
Darien pulled away slowly, his eyes heavy lidded, the desire coursing wildly within him. "We'll finish this later," he said roughly, his voice husky. His eyes conveyed everything that his words did not. Christ, he wanted her . . . badly. And he knew, without a doubt, that before this whole charade was over, he will have tasted splendor with her.
Terrence turned away from the scene of Darien and Serena kissing passionately, underneath the balcony archway with the fragrant mistletoe hanging above them. He was angry with himself and for allowing himself to care about Serena. Why can't I just put it past me, he thought? He was still seething with pent up anger at himself and at Darien when he caught the Mina's gaze on him. It was apparent that she too had seen them kissing.
"I hope that what I see in your eyes is only concern and nothing else," Mina said, standing before Terrence in slight confusion. She knew deep down that Terrence was experiencing what could only be hesitant feelings for Serena. But Mina also knew that the times that Terrence and her had spent together as partners and lovers went far beyond anything Terrence and Serena had ever shared in the past. But Serena had been Terrence's first love and she understood that Serena would always hold a special place in his heart. Yet, it was times like this that Terrence was putting their love to the test. She only hoped that he realized how foolish he was behaving; especially since it obvious to her that Serena was already over him.
Stay tuned for part five!
Coming very soon! Lady M. Harris
By Michelle Harris aka
Lady M. Harris
Part Four
"When did you get into Tokyo? I didn't expect to see you here," Serena gushed out excitedly as she gazed into Terrence's familiar, smiling face. Her gaze grew wide as a new thought crossed her mind. "Where's Mina? Where's this wonderful fiancée that I've nothing but good about her?" She asked looking over and behind Terrence's shoulders curiously. She had wanted to meet this woman, who was probably the best thing to come into his life.
"I'm right here," Mina replied smiling softly, rising out of the chair right next to Terrence. She had watched the scene between her fiancé and his old girlfriend with thoughtful eyes. She didn't want to, but she already liked this girl who used to be Terrence's girlfriend.
"Oh! You're so beautiful!" Serena blurted out without thinking. Mina was, indeed, very lovely with her long, shimmering golden mane and pretty, blue eyes. Instantly, Mina smiled back, wanting to laugh as a pink hue graced her cheeks.
"Thank you, and so are you, Serena!" Mina chuckled.
"You'll have to excuse Serena, she's always this frank," Amy grinned.
"That's an understatement, Amy," Terrence chuckled along. "But I'm being remiss of my manners. Serena, this is my fiancée, Mina," Terrence said as he placed a possessive hand on Mina's shoulder.
"I'm so very pleased to meet you, Mina," Serena smiled brightly as she inclined her head politely toward the lovely lady. "And I-I have someone for you to meet, Terrence," Serena replied nervously as she backed toward Darien, who had been silently watching the entire exchange.
"I'm Darien, or rather Dr. Shields to some of the people here at the party," Darien began, introducing himself to her friends. His hand reached out to clasp Terrence's in a firm grip as they measured each other carefully.
"Terrence, pleased to meet you," Terrence replied tersely.
"And close friend?" Darien asked Greg, who nodded his head in return.
"Yes, we all went to high school together, there's a couple of other brothers around here-somewhere in the crowd, belonging to the same clan," Greg replied, smiling.
"I'm also Serena's fiancé," Darien finished, callously enjoying Terrence's sudden surprise.
"Is this true, Serena?" Terrence asked staring at Serena, shock and hurt crossing his features before he was able to mask them effectively. How come she never mentioned this Darien when he had called almost three weeks ago, he wondered.
"Y-yes, it is," she tried not to stammer, her eyes pleading with his to understand. "It was very sudden," she tried to explain. Darien placed his large hand on top of her clenched hands. With the strength of his warm hand seeping through her gloves, she found herself relaxing. She looked up into his face, her eyes showing their gratitude.
However, to Terrence it was the caressing gaze of an affectionate lover. Had she never looked at him that way? Even when they were together, she had held herself back from him. He turned abruptly away, unable to watch the two of them, feeling the old pain of her rejection all over again. He understood that it wasn't Serena's fault that she could never love him, the way she did this Darien. But the old hurt was still there, buried deep within him. His eyes locked onto Mina's understanding gaze. God, he didn't want her to see what was in his own eyes, not now, not here.
"Oh Greg, I love this song," Amy announced softly above the noise of the party, tactfully breaking the straining silence. Placing her hand on top of his, her eyes signaling to leave the table. Greg sighed almost regretfully.
"Are you trying to hint at something, sweetheart?" Greg chuckled at Amy's outraged face as he got up from his chair. Boy, this is better than a soap opera, he thought to himself
"You know, that isn't such a bad idea," Darien replied looking down into Serena's face, as Greg and Amy moved toward the couples on the dance floor. The dance would ease the tension in his muscles and allow him to concentrate on the beauty sitting next to him.
"Serena," a voice said behind Serena and Darien. Serena whirled around to see an angry John and smug looking Nurse Young standing behind them.
"John. I see that you-" Serena began, smiling brightly.
"I can't believe that you're with him!" John said between clenched teeth. "I mean, I didn't want to believe the rumors, but I guess I was wrong."
"The rumors . . . that's the reason why you didn't-didn't want go to the party with me? You believed . . ." Serena whispered as tears began to well up in her eyes. She blinked them back rapidly, not wanting to John or Nurse Young to see how hurt she felt. I can't believe that I'm letting all those stupid rumors to bother me so much Serena berated herself. Why would he even believe those unless-did John really like her . . . did he think of them more than just friends, she asked herself?
Darien's eyes narrowed into furious slits of cutting glass and his mouth tightened inconspicuously as he gazed into John's red face. He placed a possessive hand on Serena's back, feeling her stiffen from the light touch, while his hard gaze penetrated the younger man.
"I do not take kindly to any negative comments made about my future wife. Serena is my fiancée, do I make myself clear?" he stated, staring coldly into John's tight face. "Nurse Young," he inclined his dark head imperiously toward the nosey busybody, his voice low and steely, even above the noise of the party taking place around them. Nurse Young nearly jumped out of her dress, the smug expression replaced by just fear as she stared back into Dr. Shields' incisive gaze.
"Did I just see Serena with an incredible looking man taking her to the dance floor?" Raye gasped out incredulously to her husband Chad, as they stood within a group of important bankers deep in conversation. That had better not be Serena, Raye thought. Previously, Serena told her she wouldn't be attending the party, especially since she had said that John had canceled at the last minute. And who was that gorgeous man she was with, Raye asked herself? She was still staring at the retreating backs of the couple in question, when her husband broke into her incessant musings.
"Incredible looking, you say?" Chad grumbled like the jealous husband, and causing Raye to chuckle in annoyance. "Well, the only incredible thing I saw was Dr. Darien Shields escorting a drop-dead gorgeous blonde on his arm to the dance floor," Chad grinned with a laugh. He winked like the devil at his lovely wife when Raye poked him on the arm with her purse.
"Serena? Serena! She didn't tell me that she was going to be here," Kenji grimaced through clenched teeth within the same group of bankers. He was at the party covering the story for the newspaper. His eyeballs had almost popped out his skull, when he saw his baby doll, his little girl, walk out onto the dance floor with none other than Dr. Darien Shields of the Shields Financial Corporation. He almost didn't recognize her. She walked with the ease and sophistication only due to a lady born of leisure within the class of the wealthy. Not only that but every seemly male eye had gazed with apparent appreciation on her subtle but sensuous saunter to the floor, a pace that proclaimed her proud female sexuality mixed with a hint of innocence.
Since when did she start seeing Darien Shields, Kenji asked himself, still amazed. He watched with continued stupefaction as Darien pulled Serena closer to him. Everyone at the party noted their apparent intimacy and involvement with each other and Kenji was boiling like an overheated radiator. He was trying valiantly not to lose control as he steadily fought down the nearly overwhelming wave of protectiveness that arose as he watched Darien tighten his hold on his daughter.
"Well, it looks as if you have some competition for my grandson's affections, Beryl," Wesly chuckled deeply, his smile quite cold, his beautiful blue eyes frigid as they gazed steadily at Beryl from the self-same circle of elite bankers. Despite the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, proclaiming his older age, Wesly was still a very handsome gentleman. His frame was still erect, his build muscular and hard, even though he was in his late fifties. Anyone, who knew the two-grandfather and grandson-knew immediately how well Darien would age.
"You've heard of the rumors?" Beryl gasped with frustrated anger. Her fingers clenched within her hands as her eyes narrowed into daggers at the blonde held within Darien's arms. Oh, she had of the rumors all right. Beryl couldn't believe that she had been deceived so easily by that conniving, little bitch. She was the very same, little blonde who had asked Beryl so politely if she could take a message to Darien at the hospital. Why, the bitch had probably laughed her little airy head off, after she had left her by the reception desk that day. Oh if you think that you could just sail into Tokyo and snatch Darien from me, you've got another thing coming to you, Serena Ashton, Beryl sneered bitterly to herself.
"Yes, I have and I see that her father has yet to hear of the wonderful news," Wesly laughed, directing his gaze at Kenji. "That is, if the rumors are true. I have yet to actually hear it from my grandson's own lips, though," he added as an afterthought. He walked over to Kenji, who was still astonished that Wesly Shields had spoken to him and that his daughter was waltzing about the dance floor in his grandson's arms. "Perhaps . . ." Wesly prodded Kenji to introduce himself.
"Kenji Ashton," Kenji mumbled, quite dazed and staring as he continued to stare at Serena as Wesly laid a large hand on the other man's shoulder, leading them away from their current group.
"Serena Ashton, is that her name?" Wesly grinned at Kenji's nod of surprise. "What a lovely daughter you have. . . ."
"What is he to you, Serena?" Darien quietly asked as he guided them to the already crowded dance floor. A new song was beginning to play.
('N Sync - This I Promise To You)
Ooh, ooh
When the visions around you
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surrounds you
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call
When standing here all alone
And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Until the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you
I've loved you forever
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow
Forever has now begun
Just close your eyes each loving day
And know this feeling won't go away
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you...
"J-John? He-he's just . . ." Serena began glancing up into Darien's hard face. Her nerves were shot and she wanted nothing more than to forget about the ugly scene with John. Her legs felt like jelly from the straining confrontations and yet all she could think about was this enigma of a man, who held her in the protective circle of his arms. She was still trying to recover from amazement that he had stuck for her before John and Nurse Young.
"No, I didn't mean him, but Terrence," Darien corrected her, his cheek twitching slightly with impatience. John was no one as far as he was concerned, but Terrence was totally a different matter altogether. Instantly upon meeting each other, he had felt antagonized by the man. It was apparent that Terrence and Mina were about to be married, but one had to wonder if Terrence still felt something deeper for Serena. It certainly had not been to Darien's liking. A fact that he chose to ignore, not wanting to examine those feelings and they could possibly mean.
"He's an old boyfriend. There's nothing between us now," Serena stated calmly as she looked away from him.
"You were very involved with him?" He prompted, even though he knew he overstepping his boundaries, he prodded further, needing to know and at the same time pulling her softly, curving body closer against his. He wondered at his apparent possessiveness over Serena. He had to admit to himself that he didn't particularly care for the way Terrence's eyes had softened with something more friendship when he had gazed at Serena. Darien wondered just how involved they had been, but refrained from asking. He didn't want to examine these feelings that crowded the surface of his brain. For the time being, he was simply satisfied with the fact that Serena was more concerned about their charade than her past relationship with an old flame. Darien smiled grimily, knowing he had won this round against the famous, singer-artist.
"Yes," she merely said, staring at Darien's chest.
Darien sighed slowly above her head.
Serena looked up into his face, smiling sadly, "It was over a long time ago. My feelings for him, are only those between a good friend." They continued to gaze at one another for long moments, their bodies moving naturally together with the music before Darien broke the silence.
"Well now, that's enough on the past. This a party; so why don't we enjoy it, shall we?" Darien grinned ruefully, as he swirled them gracefully through the other couples on the dance floor. Serena caught on, her melodious laugh ringing sweetly in Darien's ears like silver bells, her spirits instantly brightening as she was finally caught up in the merriment of the holiday. They danced toward an open balcony where other couples were standing about, submerged in each other's company.
Serena's breath shuddered to a quickening stop as she suddenly found herself and Darien standing underneath a massive bouquet of lovely Christmas flowers and mistletoe. Her heart began a thunderous rumble, sounding like a runaway freight train, as Darien stared down into her lovely face with a devilish grin spreading across his lips.
He pulled her up against his chest abruptly, her hands clenching his lapels in hesitant apprehension and excitement. Other men, who stood near the balcony doorway watching the couple, cried out in gleeful chorus and whistled their encouragement to Darien, while the ladies sighed in dreamily at Serena's handsome date.
"Hmmm, a mistletoe . . ." Darien breathed out wickedly into Serena's ear, inhaling her tantalizing scent. What was it about her, he wondered? He felt as if he could bury himself into her, into her essence and lose himself in the enchantment of the moment. He wondered briefly, how he had ever lived completely before Serena had slowly taken hold of him with her bewitching ways.
Over and over I thought
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all
And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Until the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you...
"Darien . . ." she whispered softly, lifting up her face toward his. She wanted to kiss him with every fiber of her being, to feel those hungry lips of his on hers. Unconsciously, her bright sky-blue eyes deepened into blue fire. Delicious sensations coursed wildly throughout her veins with every beat of her heart. Her body felt as if it were on fire, alive with emotion that only he seemed to be in tuned to. Her eyes lovingly traced the curve of his lips, savoring the moment they would touch. This is what you have really wanted all night, what you've been waiting for, her thoughts whispered to her softly. And then their lips collided in what was meant to be. It was all she had ever expected it to be, wanted it to be, knew it would be-magical.
Just close your eyes each loving day
And know this feeling won't go away
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Ooh I promise you...
For long, heart stopping moments, their lips entwined in mutual passion. Their tongues tasted, dipped and explored one another's mouths with wondrous excitement in a mutual display of consent and desire. Serena could hear someone moaning and realized with dazed amazement that the sound was coming from her. Her mind dimly registered the sounds of the men and women clapping and whistling their approvals in the background. But her body was caught up in the rich, delicious feeling of being devoured by Darien, helpless to move, only wanting to stay within his embrace forever.
Darien pulled away slowly, his eyes heavy lidded, the desire coursing wildly within him. "We'll finish this later," he said roughly, his voice husky. His eyes conveyed everything that his words did not. Christ, he wanted her . . . badly. And he knew, without a doubt, that before this whole charade was over, he will have tasted splendor with her.
Terrence turned away from the scene of Darien and Serena kissing passionately, underneath the balcony archway with the fragrant mistletoe hanging above them. He was angry with himself and for allowing himself to care about Serena. Why can't I just put it past me, he thought? He was still seething with pent up anger at himself and at Darien when he caught the Mina's gaze on him. It was apparent that she too had seen them kissing.
"I hope that what I see in your eyes is only concern and nothing else," Mina said, standing before Terrence in slight confusion. She knew deep down that Terrence was experiencing what could only be hesitant feelings for Serena. But Mina also knew that the times that Terrence and her had spent together as partners and lovers went far beyond anything Terrence and Serena had ever shared in the past. But Serena had been Terrence's first love and she understood that Serena would always hold a special place in his heart. Yet, it was times like this that Terrence was putting their love to the test. She only hoped that he realized how foolish he was behaving; especially since it obvious to her that Serena was already over him.
Stay tuned for part five!
Coming very soon! Lady M. Harris