Dance Beneath the Moon
By Michelle Harris aka
Lady M. Harris
A Sailor Moon Love Story
Part Five
After their kiss, Serena could feel an obvious distance form between her and Darien. Her blood was singing madly in her ears and her body felt like it would erupt into a pool of liquid desire if Darien touched her again.
Of course, she could not know that she had the same effect on Darien as he battled with his own feelings for her. Throughout the rest of the evening, they stayed close to one another, but not quite as intimate as they were at the start of the evening. Serena couldn't help staring at Darien throughout evening as if she were memorizing his features while he conversed quietly among their group of party-goers. Often, their gazes would collide and Serena couldn't help flushing, knowing that she had been caught staring at him. Likewise, she would find him watching her silently, his penetrating gaze causing her body to tingle and goose bumps appearing on her skin from his heated gaze.
She was puzzled by the expression she found on Terrence's face whenever her gaze encountered his. There was an almost certain, but hurt look in his eyes and she wondered if he still cared for her like he did in the past. Apparently, Mina took notice of Terrence's frowning. Mina appeared disquieted by the scowl on Terrence's face as if she questioned his anxiety.
Serena shook her head trying to dispel the disturbing thoughts of Terrence still harboring unresolved feelings for her. Of course he doesn't, stupid, she thought to herself. He's going to marry Mina in two weeks. And Mina seemed to be the best thing to come along for him. Maybe he's just worried about Darien and me, she reflected. Convinced that that was the reason, she dismissed the other, more disturbing thoughts of him still being in love with her.
Serena heard from Amy that she had spotted Darien's grandfather and her father at the party. Serena had to grimace at the mention of that last guest, more than half expecting her father to jump out from amidst the crowd and demand an explanation about Darien and her. Serena did her best to avoid her father altogether, although she found it weird that he didn't approach her, especially knowing her father. But for her own sake, she was relieved at the delay at having to give an explanation to her overprotective, but well-meaning father about her 'engagement' to Darien.
Likewise, she had yet to meet the famous Wesly Shields. But since Darien didn't look over concerned about that oversight, she would leave the introductions up to him. Besides, this was his charade, she reminded herself. She wasn't in the least interested in meeting his grandfather she lied to herself.
She caught Raye's questioning gaze from a group of distinguish looking men at the party and knew from the fierce expression on her close friend's face that she was deep trouble. Serena sighed with exasperation and knew that her friend would be paying her a visit real soon. Oh boy, Serena sighed to herself, still wondering how she was going to explain this one to her.
They rode home silently in Darien's hunter green CLK Cabriolet Benz after the party. The silence was heavy as they both-once again-were submerged in their thoughts about the other. Serena couldn't help staring at Darien's gloved hand as he shifted gears in the darkness of his car. As if fascinated by what he was doing, her eyes traced the contours of his hand and fingers as they gripped the gears tightly. Unbidden, thoughts of contemplation crowded her mind of how his hands would feel on her own flesh, caressing her and-and. . . . Her cheeks flamed brightly and she was suddenly glad that his car's interior was dark. Oh you bad, bad girl Serena, she thought, silently abolishing herself.
After the short drive, they pulled up at Serena's dark apartment building. Darien got out swiftly and opened the passenger side door for her. She got out of the car without a word, feeling a bit awkward about the silence, but not brave enough to say anything to break the quiet. She did however manage to mumble a goodnight and thanked him under her breath not quite meeting his eyes in the frigid, early morning air.
"Serena . . ." Darien called out sharply, gripping her arm as she turned to leave. He leaned his body against the car, abruptly pulling her into his arms. She let out a startled gasp, her blue eyes wide in their bewilderment.
At the same time, she felt his arms slip beneath her coat, the feel of his cool, leather-gloved hands against her exposed back was like registering an electric shock to her heightened senses, sending delicious shivers down her spine. Her trembling legs gave way, but he caught her easily, letting her body slowly rest almost on top of him as his head swooped down to capture her lips in a deep, greedy kiss. She moaned against his mouth, her arms encircling his broad shoulders, her fingers already tangling fiercely within his inky, black hair, enjoying the feel of the thick strands that flowed through her hands like raw silk.
"My God . . . Serena . . ." Darien whispered roughly against her neck as he broke their kiss. They stared into each other's eyes, unable to read what was there because of the darkness of the morning, their lips inches apart.
Okay, admit it he thought diversely to himself, you want her--bad. And you want her in your bed--now. Maybe you can't get her in your bed tonight, but for damn sure real soon. He never hesitated before when he wanted a woman who proved to be tantalizing and a challenge to him, and he wondered why he did now. Because damnit, this was Serena! His mind whispered to himself.
Serena wanted him to continue. She didn't want him to stop kissing her. She could feel his hands exploring and learning her curves slowly underneath her coat as she tried to quell the rising heat within her, those raging fires. The warmth of his long, hard body against hers did nothing to pacify the quivering in her lower belly either.
"You didn't think I'd let you go without another kiss, now do you?" he murmured huskily, his mouth now against her own, deliciously touching but not quite kissing her. Their hot breaths mingled with the cool air, making tiny clouds that trailed away in the dark. "Especially, since I know that you want me to kiss you again. . ." His hands settled on her shapely buttocks as he began a hypnotizing rhythm of caressing and rubbing the twin cheeks.
She shuddered again, her full breasts swelled and ached of their own accord, her nipples puckering into hard, aroused pebbles against his clothed chest. Even with all of their evening clothes on, Serena was aware of the thick, hardness throbbing against her soft stomach and reminding her vividly of his desire for her.
"Do you feel me, Serena? That's what you do to me-every time I'm near you!" his breathing was ragged, hands still kneading the firm roundness of her buttocks, pushing her up against his full arousal as if to ease the pain of being so aroused.
When he would have said more, she silenced him, her mouth opening slightly to gently suckle his lower lip in a halting quest to finish what he had started.
It was all the prodding he needed.
With a fierce growl, his mouth smothered hers; kissing her greedily, until she thought she had no breathe left. His arms tightened like hard vises around her slim waist, as if unwilling to let go of his quarry.
It was the sound of her feverish sobbing a while later, against his mouth, that brought reality crashing back to the surface of his lustful wanderings.
"Serena . . . get in-now," he uttered hoarsely, as he pulled away from her. She looked up at him wordlessly, and he felt his self-control sway precariously beneath her burning gaze, feeling her body trembling and needy.
He pushed her away again, this time more insistent. He knew that if he didn't, he'd end up making love to her right then and there, on her doorstep.
Had he any sanity left he would have done the usual and swept her up into his arms and demanded that she take him to her apartment. Damn, damn, damn and double damn, if he didn't have to leave tomorrow... But Serena was different somehow and he didn't want to rush her--but Christ, where was all his logic going? Rush into what? She was his bait damnit! He took a precarious step back from her alluring presence and tried to gather all his incoherent thoughts back together.
Serena nearly stumbled over her own heels as she glanced back over her shoulder, where Darien still stood against his car, watching her with that penetrating, animal-like gaze of his as she entered her apartment building. What is he doing to me, she cried out to herself? I'm becoming nothing more than a shameless, little sex kitten for him, she thought as she tried to slow her accelerated breathing and racing heart.
Tiny snowflakes drifted slowly down over a slumbering Tokyo. Darkness was slowly giving way to dawn's awaking bloom as snow continued to quietly blanket the subdued city. Darien continued to gaze out into the early morning, his eyes remaining unfocused as he stared in the direction of a certain lady's apartment. This woman was fascinating and captivating, all packaged in a sensuously shaped body that begged for a man's caressing touch, complete with golden hair and eyes the color of the sky on a clear winter day.
Heedless of the bitter, cold air around him, he welcomed the snowflakes' icy touch as they landed on his heated skin, the tiny ice crystals melting instantly upon contact. He stood on his balcony, shirtless. His dress pants were open and partly unzipped as he welcomed the freezing morning. He needed a reprieve, something to take his mind off of Serena, as he stood agonizing with himself and his own body.
By God, but he was still aroused, he thought, amazed at himself as he touched his own hardness and shuddering powerfully. He was almost tempted to relieve himself with his own hands. That she could do this to him shocked him to the core. Had she been any other woman, he wouldn't have hesitated in taking her.
But Serena . . . Serena was different. Darien felt as if he was handling a timid mare. And if he took to the reins too hard, he'd find himself watching her flee from him. He leaned over his balcony, his hands supporting his weight, ignoring the coldness that seeped through to his bones as he continued to gaze out toward the city. He pushed his thoughts away from Serena again, not wanting to pursue the thoughts that danced about the surface of his head as to why he wanted to treat Serena so differently than the others in the past.
Of course, his body ignored his mind and demanded relief from the only one source it craved.
Serena.
Serena stood underneath the pounding, cold shower. She shivered as the cool water blasted her mercilessly. It did nothing to cool her overheated body. If she closed her eyes again, she could still feel Darien's hot mouth on her lips, the touch of his gloved hands roving slowly over her body, and feel his thick hardness as it pressed defiantly against her soft stomach.
She moaned softly, accidentally touching her turgid nipples against the shower stall and shuddered once again. What have you done to me, Darien? How am I going to survive until next Sunday, she thought again, leaning her head against the shower door. . . .
The following morning . . .
"Serena?" She sighed in sleep.
"Serena . . . wake up!" the voice blared this time, a bit louder and harsher as Serena continued to snore blissfully, trying to ignore the voice that seemed to be calling out to her again and again. Then was if horns were bellowing loudly in her ears, she heard her name being shouted loudly in stereo by two voices followed by loud knocking, and then, "Serena, wake your lazy butt up and let us in!" Raye's voice screeched from the other side of the door and into Serena's apartment.
"Huh? Oh God, is that you, Raye?" Serena yawned as she sat up in bed, wavering between sleep and reality. She slowly slid out from under the warm blankets as Molly and Raye continued to bang loudly on her door.
"I hear her Raye! Open the door, Serena!" Molly joined in with Raye, relief evident in her voice.
Oh no, Serena groaned, coming instantly awake. They're going to double team me, she muttered to herself as she padded to her entrance door.
Resigned, Serena opened the door as Raye and Molly rushed through the door with a million and one questions.
"Serena who was that man with you?" Raye began.
"I can't believe that you were with Dr. Shields at the Christmas party!"
"Dr. Darien Shields of the Shields Financial Corporation?"
"You told me that you weren't going to be at the party!"
"I want to know all the details!"
"Are you really engaged to him?"
"ENGAGED!?"
"Did you really do it in his---?"
"Molly!" Raye cried out in shock, then burst out laughing as she looked at Serena's flaming face. "Are you really engaged to this guy?" Raye asked, still reeling from the shocked of the news.
"Oh my God," Serena wanted to wail, rubbing her eyes as she padded into her kitchen to fix a pot of coffee. Luna meowed loudly, demanding her breakfast.
It's way too early for this, she thought, disgruntled as she opened her cabinet to pull out a canister of coffee grains and cat food.
"Well, Molly and I are waiting for an answer, Serena!" Raye demanded.
"Yeah, it's true," Serena nodded her head confirming the news as both Raye and Molly's mouths dropped in disbelief. Serena tried to grin innocently, but it was still too early in the morning and she hadn't been able to get any sleep. All night she had done nothing but toss and turn, tantalizing images of her and Darien together doing things that....and then she finally dozed off sometime in the early morning hours.
"You told me that you didn't like Dr. Shields that way!" Molly accused, still overwhelmed by the news.
"Well, apparently not! What's Molly talking about? What happened in his office?" Raye demanded, her arms folded over her chest, staring at her best friend with The Eye. Serena's face went red again and Raye had a sudden suspicious feeling that the rumors were true.
"It's freezing in here," Serena began lamely, hugging herself as Molly drummed her nails on the kitchen counter and Raye tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for an explanation. "I'm going to get a robe," Serena squeaked out and she rushed into her rooms as her friends loudly protested.
Serena had just grabbed her robe from the closet, when the telephone on her nightstand rang shrilly behind her, making her jump in surprise.
"Hello?" She said into the phone, praying that it wasn't her mom or dad.
That's all I need right now, she thought sarcastically, holding her breath. She knew that she still had a lot of explaining to do.
"Serena?" Darien's deep voice rumbled into her earpiece.
The sound of his sexy voice promptly sent shivers down her back as she sat back on her bed as if she had just run a mile. She cradled the earpiece closer to her ear, while looking over her shoulder to make sure Raye and Molly were not within earshot. "Darien?" she hushed out, unable to believe that he was calling her and that he had the most incredible voice over the phone. Thoughts of Raye and Molly waiting for her in the kitchen vanished from her mind.
"What are you doing? I thought you might still be asleep," Darien began.
"I couldn't sleep," she stated honestly. Because of you, she wanted to say.
"I couldn't either. Did you think of me?" He chuckled wickedly, knowing she did.
"What do you think?" She smiled lazily into the earpiece, leaning back against her pillows.
"I have to be at a convention in Sydney all this week. So, I'll pick you up on Sunday around six?" He added, running his hand through his hair, still wet from his recent shower.
"Okay," she answered. "Are you leaving today?" She asked, she wanted to see him once more. Although, she had to admit even to herself, that they had to do something about their attraction to one another. And that meant the inevitable. She shivered with anticipation at the thought.
There was the sound of a quiet click over the phone and Serena stared briefly at the receiver before she decided to dismiss the sound as static.
"Yeah. If I didn't have to check into the hotel this evening, I'd be over there to finish what we started last night," he replied as he sat on his bed, completely nude, except for the damp towel lying across his thigh.
"Oh," Serena croaked out through her suddenly parched throat.
"Can you picture us together, Serena?" He asked, his voice now very low and husky. Not waiting for her to answer, he continued, "I can see you already, . . . moaning and crying out my name. Your hair spread out on my pillow beneath the silvery moonlight-and I'm moving in you-oh so deeply. Can you picture me in you-Serena? I can," he told her, hoarsely.
"Darien . . . I-I." Serena barely whispered out as she closed her eyes. The picture of them together blazed across her mind. There they were together on his bed, their bodies locked together in a passionate embrace. Lips and hands exploring each other and then, Darien was above her, whispering and coaxing her, enticing her to move along with him, as he moved his body in and out of her smoothly like a big, powerful cat.
"Ahhh Serena . . . !" he groaned quietly to her over the phone.
"Darien!" she breathed raggedly; reaching up to clutch her robe together, as she eyes squeezed shut.
"Meooow!" Luna meowed loudly into the other end of the line from the kitchen.
Instantly, Serena shot up from the bed, her blue eyes wide. The clicking sound over the phone line from earlier immediately made sense to her.
Darien chuckled on the other side of the phone. "Sounds like we've got eavesdroppers," again, there was another distinctive click.
"Raye! Molly!" Serena hollered toward the kitchen, still holding the phone. Her face flamed a bright red. I can't believe those two would stoop so low, as if we were back in high school!
"Ah well, it's just as well that I stop, Serena," Darien sighed, a slight smile on his sensual lips. He wasn't sure how he was going to feel the next time he saw nurse Molly though. "I'll see you on Sunday."
"Okay," Serena replied through clenched teeth, still boiling.
"Dream of me," he said, still chuckling and then, there was only the dial tone.
"I'm going to kill you twoooo!" Serena threatened as she came into the kitchen, ready to do battle. Both Raye and Molly were sitting at her kitchen table, sipping their steaming cups of coffee, eyes blinking innocently at her. There was a noticeable telltale blush across both of their faces though, giving away them away. Suddenly, a muffled, indignant yowl came from under what had once been a neatly folded pile of clean clothes in the laundry basket beside the counter. Apparently, Luna had hastily been stuffed there when she had voiced her complaint about not getting fed.
The following Sunday . . .
During the week, Serena was a complete wreck. The only thing that kept her sanity together were the children in her classes. Her nights were sleepless, which was very hard on her considering that she couldn't function very well without it. Her days at school were spent daydreaming about Darien. Her girl students would giggle mischievously at her preoccupied thoughts, speculating that their teacher was in love. Then like a forbidden dream their intimate conversion on the phone would pop back into her mind and her daydreaming would begin again and she wondered about their next meeting.
After talking on the phone with Darien the week earlier, she sat with Raye and Molly and explained the situation between her and Darien. Of course, she didn't tell them everything. She only told them about the agreement between Darien and her, and pretended that the entire situation between the two was real. The physical aspect between her and Darien certainly was. She had a feeling that Raye and Molly knew something wasn't quite snapping together, but thankfully, they didn't push for a better answer than what she was willing to give to them; and that was fine with her.
Although, sometimes Serena wonder at herself and her own feelings toward Darien while she was talking to Raye and Molly. Am I falling in love with Darien, she asked herself several dozen times throughout the week? Why does he make me feel so lost without him?
"You know, if I wasn't so happy for you, I'd bash you in the head for not telling me any sooner, Serena!" Raye had replied as she hugged her best friend. They were getting ready to leave Serena's apartment.
"Yeah, you dolt! Do your parents know?" Molly asked, coming in for her hug as well.
No, they don't, she remembered saying to Raye and Molly as they walked to her door.
Of course, she had to call her parents and explain why she couldn't make it for Christmas Eve at their house, and that, instead, she would be attending a party given in the honor of Wesly Shields. Her father hadn't been at home the time she had called, but her mother was. The funny thing was that Irene didn't mind so much as long as she made it home on Christmas day. Serena sighed in relief as her mother said she'd explain it all to her father and that she should have a good time wherever she planned to be. What Serena didn't know was that Irene already had guessed where her daughter would be at on Christmas eve, and that would be spending her time with this man her daughter had called, Darien.
Instead, Irene asked her about the Crossroads party and mentioned that her father had seen her at the party with her date. Serena could only remember stuttering out a reply as her mother giggled like a schoolgirl over the phone and mentioned that her father hadn't been too upset with her. Serena then wondered if her father had heard the rumors of Darien and her being engaged. Apparently he hadn't, since her mother made no mention of it.
Serena couldn't know that Kenji had told Irene whom Serena was currently dating and that she was thrilled for her daughter. But Kenji made it a point not tell Irene that Serena was already engaged to Darien Shields, a fact that nearly floored him when he found out. Wesly stated to him that he knew his grandson was behind the unannounced engagement. Then, Wesly had taken Kenji into confidence about his own plans for his grandson and their future granddaughter-in-law.
"Serena?" Darien asked, when she picked up the phone.
"Darien!" she breathed out, closing her eyes at the sound of his deep voice. She hadn't heard from him all week and had missed the sound of his voice, along with everything else.
"I can't pick up you tonight, but I'm sending Thomas to pick you up," he said into the car phone as he glanced at his watch, immensely irritated with the traffic. "As a matter of fact, he should be there in a couple of minutes. I'm stuck in traffic; looks like there was a fender-bender not too far from the airport."
Serena's doorbell rang. "Umm . . . I think he's here already," She said into the phone, looking toward her door.
"Good. I'll see you in about forty-five minutes with the traffic-from where I'm at," Darien said as he shifted the gears. "See you then."
"Okay . . . bye," Serena smiled as she hung up the phone. She took a deep breath and grabbed her swing coat. See, that wasn't so bad, she told herself. Although, she certainly felt as if her spirits had picked up and her blood began to sing as she anticipated the night to come.
Stay tuned for the next part!! Finally things are going climax between our favorite characters! Lady M. Harris.
By Michelle Harris aka
Lady M. Harris
A Sailor Moon Love Story
Part Five
After their kiss, Serena could feel an obvious distance form between her and Darien. Her blood was singing madly in her ears and her body felt like it would erupt into a pool of liquid desire if Darien touched her again.
Of course, she could not know that she had the same effect on Darien as he battled with his own feelings for her. Throughout the rest of the evening, they stayed close to one another, but not quite as intimate as they were at the start of the evening. Serena couldn't help staring at Darien throughout evening as if she were memorizing his features while he conversed quietly among their group of party-goers. Often, their gazes would collide and Serena couldn't help flushing, knowing that she had been caught staring at him. Likewise, she would find him watching her silently, his penetrating gaze causing her body to tingle and goose bumps appearing on her skin from his heated gaze.
She was puzzled by the expression she found on Terrence's face whenever her gaze encountered his. There was an almost certain, but hurt look in his eyes and she wondered if he still cared for her like he did in the past. Apparently, Mina took notice of Terrence's frowning. Mina appeared disquieted by the scowl on Terrence's face as if she questioned his anxiety.
Serena shook her head trying to dispel the disturbing thoughts of Terrence still harboring unresolved feelings for her. Of course he doesn't, stupid, she thought to herself. He's going to marry Mina in two weeks. And Mina seemed to be the best thing to come along for him. Maybe he's just worried about Darien and me, she reflected. Convinced that that was the reason, she dismissed the other, more disturbing thoughts of him still being in love with her.
Serena heard from Amy that she had spotted Darien's grandfather and her father at the party. Serena had to grimace at the mention of that last guest, more than half expecting her father to jump out from amidst the crowd and demand an explanation about Darien and her. Serena did her best to avoid her father altogether, although she found it weird that he didn't approach her, especially knowing her father. But for her own sake, she was relieved at the delay at having to give an explanation to her overprotective, but well-meaning father about her 'engagement' to Darien.
Likewise, she had yet to meet the famous Wesly Shields. But since Darien didn't look over concerned about that oversight, she would leave the introductions up to him. Besides, this was his charade, she reminded herself. She wasn't in the least interested in meeting his grandfather she lied to herself.
She caught Raye's questioning gaze from a group of distinguish looking men at the party and knew from the fierce expression on her close friend's face that she was deep trouble. Serena sighed with exasperation and knew that her friend would be paying her a visit real soon. Oh boy, Serena sighed to herself, still wondering how she was going to explain this one to her.
They rode home silently in Darien's hunter green CLK Cabriolet Benz after the party. The silence was heavy as they both-once again-were submerged in their thoughts about the other. Serena couldn't help staring at Darien's gloved hand as he shifted gears in the darkness of his car. As if fascinated by what he was doing, her eyes traced the contours of his hand and fingers as they gripped the gears tightly. Unbidden, thoughts of contemplation crowded her mind of how his hands would feel on her own flesh, caressing her and-and. . . . Her cheeks flamed brightly and she was suddenly glad that his car's interior was dark. Oh you bad, bad girl Serena, she thought, silently abolishing herself.
After the short drive, they pulled up at Serena's dark apartment building. Darien got out swiftly and opened the passenger side door for her. She got out of the car without a word, feeling a bit awkward about the silence, but not brave enough to say anything to break the quiet. She did however manage to mumble a goodnight and thanked him under her breath not quite meeting his eyes in the frigid, early morning air.
"Serena . . ." Darien called out sharply, gripping her arm as she turned to leave. He leaned his body against the car, abruptly pulling her into his arms. She let out a startled gasp, her blue eyes wide in their bewilderment.
At the same time, she felt his arms slip beneath her coat, the feel of his cool, leather-gloved hands against her exposed back was like registering an electric shock to her heightened senses, sending delicious shivers down her spine. Her trembling legs gave way, but he caught her easily, letting her body slowly rest almost on top of him as his head swooped down to capture her lips in a deep, greedy kiss. She moaned against his mouth, her arms encircling his broad shoulders, her fingers already tangling fiercely within his inky, black hair, enjoying the feel of the thick strands that flowed through her hands like raw silk.
"My God . . . Serena . . ." Darien whispered roughly against her neck as he broke their kiss. They stared into each other's eyes, unable to read what was there because of the darkness of the morning, their lips inches apart.
Okay, admit it he thought diversely to himself, you want her--bad. And you want her in your bed--now. Maybe you can't get her in your bed tonight, but for damn sure real soon. He never hesitated before when he wanted a woman who proved to be tantalizing and a challenge to him, and he wondered why he did now. Because damnit, this was Serena! His mind whispered to himself.
Serena wanted him to continue. She didn't want him to stop kissing her. She could feel his hands exploring and learning her curves slowly underneath her coat as she tried to quell the rising heat within her, those raging fires. The warmth of his long, hard body against hers did nothing to pacify the quivering in her lower belly either.
"You didn't think I'd let you go without another kiss, now do you?" he murmured huskily, his mouth now against her own, deliciously touching but not quite kissing her. Their hot breaths mingled with the cool air, making tiny clouds that trailed away in the dark. "Especially, since I know that you want me to kiss you again. . ." His hands settled on her shapely buttocks as he began a hypnotizing rhythm of caressing and rubbing the twin cheeks.
She shuddered again, her full breasts swelled and ached of their own accord, her nipples puckering into hard, aroused pebbles against his clothed chest. Even with all of their evening clothes on, Serena was aware of the thick, hardness throbbing against her soft stomach and reminding her vividly of his desire for her.
"Do you feel me, Serena? That's what you do to me-every time I'm near you!" his breathing was ragged, hands still kneading the firm roundness of her buttocks, pushing her up against his full arousal as if to ease the pain of being so aroused.
When he would have said more, she silenced him, her mouth opening slightly to gently suckle his lower lip in a halting quest to finish what he had started.
It was all the prodding he needed.
With a fierce growl, his mouth smothered hers; kissing her greedily, until she thought she had no breathe left. His arms tightened like hard vises around her slim waist, as if unwilling to let go of his quarry.
It was the sound of her feverish sobbing a while later, against his mouth, that brought reality crashing back to the surface of his lustful wanderings.
"Serena . . . get in-now," he uttered hoarsely, as he pulled away from her. She looked up at him wordlessly, and he felt his self-control sway precariously beneath her burning gaze, feeling her body trembling and needy.
He pushed her away again, this time more insistent. He knew that if he didn't, he'd end up making love to her right then and there, on her doorstep.
Had he any sanity left he would have done the usual and swept her up into his arms and demanded that she take him to her apartment. Damn, damn, damn and double damn, if he didn't have to leave tomorrow... But Serena was different somehow and he didn't want to rush her--but Christ, where was all his logic going? Rush into what? She was his bait damnit! He took a precarious step back from her alluring presence and tried to gather all his incoherent thoughts back together.
Serena nearly stumbled over her own heels as she glanced back over her shoulder, where Darien still stood against his car, watching her with that penetrating, animal-like gaze of his as she entered her apartment building. What is he doing to me, she cried out to herself? I'm becoming nothing more than a shameless, little sex kitten for him, she thought as she tried to slow her accelerated breathing and racing heart.
Tiny snowflakes drifted slowly down over a slumbering Tokyo. Darkness was slowly giving way to dawn's awaking bloom as snow continued to quietly blanket the subdued city. Darien continued to gaze out into the early morning, his eyes remaining unfocused as he stared in the direction of a certain lady's apartment. This woman was fascinating and captivating, all packaged in a sensuously shaped body that begged for a man's caressing touch, complete with golden hair and eyes the color of the sky on a clear winter day.
Heedless of the bitter, cold air around him, he welcomed the snowflakes' icy touch as they landed on his heated skin, the tiny ice crystals melting instantly upon contact. He stood on his balcony, shirtless. His dress pants were open and partly unzipped as he welcomed the freezing morning. He needed a reprieve, something to take his mind off of Serena, as he stood agonizing with himself and his own body.
By God, but he was still aroused, he thought, amazed at himself as he touched his own hardness and shuddering powerfully. He was almost tempted to relieve himself with his own hands. That she could do this to him shocked him to the core. Had she been any other woman, he wouldn't have hesitated in taking her.
But Serena . . . Serena was different. Darien felt as if he was handling a timid mare. And if he took to the reins too hard, he'd find himself watching her flee from him. He leaned over his balcony, his hands supporting his weight, ignoring the coldness that seeped through to his bones as he continued to gaze out toward the city. He pushed his thoughts away from Serena again, not wanting to pursue the thoughts that danced about the surface of his head as to why he wanted to treat Serena so differently than the others in the past.
Of course, his body ignored his mind and demanded relief from the only one source it craved.
Serena.
Serena stood underneath the pounding, cold shower. She shivered as the cool water blasted her mercilessly. It did nothing to cool her overheated body. If she closed her eyes again, she could still feel Darien's hot mouth on her lips, the touch of his gloved hands roving slowly over her body, and feel his thick hardness as it pressed defiantly against her soft stomach.
She moaned softly, accidentally touching her turgid nipples against the shower stall and shuddered once again. What have you done to me, Darien? How am I going to survive until next Sunday, she thought again, leaning her head against the shower door. . . .
The following morning . . .
"Serena?" She sighed in sleep.
"Serena . . . wake up!" the voice blared this time, a bit louder and harsher as Serena continued to snore blissfully, trying to ignore the voice that seemed to be calling out to her again and again. Then was if horns were bellowing loudly in her ears, she heard her name being shouted loudly in stereo by two voices followed by loud knocking, and then, "Serena, wake your lazy butt up and let us in!" Raye's voice screeched from the other side of the door and into Serena's apartment.
"Huh? Oh God, is that you, Raye?" Serena yawned as she sat up in bed, wavering between sleep and reality. She slowly slid out from under the warm blankets as Molly and Raye continued to bang loudly on her door.
"I hear her Raye! Open the door, Serena!" Molly joined in with Raye, relief evident in her voice.
Oh no, Serena groaned, coming instantly awake. They're going to double team me, she muttered to herself as she padded to her entrance door.
Resigned, Serena opened the door as Raye and Molly rushed through the door with a million and one questions.
"Serena who was that man with you?" Raye began.
"I can't believe that you were with Dr. Shields at the Christmas party!"
"Dr. Darien Shields of the Shields Financial Corporation?"
"You told me that you weren't going to be at the party!"
"I want to know all the details!"
"Are you really engaged to him?"
"ENGAGED!?"
"Did you really do it in his---?"
"Molly!" Raye cried out in shock, then burst out laughing as she looked at Serena's flaming face. "Are you really engaged to this guy?" Raye asked, still reeling from the shocked of the news.
"Oh my God," Serena wanted to wail, rubbing her eyes as she padded into her kitchen to fix a pot of coffee. Luna meowed loudly, demanding her breakfast.
It's way too early for this, she thought, disgruntled as she opened her cabinet to pull out a canister of coffee grains and cat food.
"Well, Molly and I are waiting for an answer, Serena!" Raye demanded.
"Yeah, it's true," Serena nodded her head confirming the news as both Raye and Molly's mouths dropped in disbelief. Serena tried to grin innocently, but it was still too early in the morning and she hadn't been able to get any sleep. All night she had done nothing but toss and turn, tantalizing images of her and Darien together doing things that....and then she finally dozed off sometime in the early morning hours.
"You told me that you didn't like Dr. Shields that way!" Molly accused, still overwhelmed by the news.
"Well, apparently not! What's Molly talking about? What happened in his office?" Raye demanded, her arms folded over her chest, staring at her best friend with The Eye. Serena's face went red again and Raye had a sudden suspicious feeling that the rumors were true.
"It's freezing in here," Serena began lamely, hugging herself as Molly drummed her nails on the kitchen counter and Raye tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for an explanation. "I'm going to get a robe," Serena squeaked out and she rushed into her rooms as her friends loudly protested.
Serena had just grabbed her robe from the closet, when the telephone on her nightstand rang shrilly behind her, making her jump in surprise.
"Hello?" She said into the phone, praying that it wasn't her mom or dad.
That's all I need right now, she thought sarcastically, holding her breath. She knew that she still had a lot of explaining to do.
"Serena?" Darien's deep voice rumbled into her earpiece.
The sound of his sexy voice promptly sent shivers down her back as she sat back on her bed as if she had just run a mile. She cradled the earpiece closer to her ear, while looking over her shoulder to make sure Raye and Molly were not within earshot. "Darien?" she hushed out, unable to believe that he was calling her and that he had the most incredible voice over the phone. Thoughts of Raye and Molly waiting for her in the kitchen vanished from her mind.
"What are you doing? I thought you might still be asleep," Darien began.
"I couldn't sleep," she stated honestly. Because of you, she wanted to say.
"I couldn't either. Did you think of me?" He chuckled wickedly, knowing she did.
"What do you think?" She smiled lazily into the earpiece, leaning back against her pillows.
"I have to be at a convention in Sydney all this week. So, I'll pick you up on Sunday around six?" He added, running his hand through his hair, still wet from his recent shower.
"Okay," she answered. "Are you leaving today?" She asked, she wanted to see him once more. Although, she had to admit even to herself, that they had to do something about their attraction to one another. And that meant the inevitable. She shivered with anticipation at the thought.
There was the sound of a quiet click over the phone and Serena stared briefly at the receiver before she decided to dismiss the sound as static.
"Yeah. If I didn't have to check into the hotel this evening, I'd be over there to finish what we started last night," he replied as he sat on his bed, completely nude, except for the damp towel lying across his thigh.
"Oh," Serena croaked out through her suddenly parched throat.
"Can you picture us together, Serena?" He asked, his voice now very low and husky. Not waiting for her to answer, he continued, "I can see you already, . . . moaning and crying out my name. Your hair spread out on my pillow beneath the silvery moonlight-and I'm moving in you-oh so deeply. Can you picture me in you-Serena? I can," he told her, hoarsely.
"Darien . . . I-I." Serena barely whispered out as she closed her eyes. The picture of them together blazed across her mind. There they were together on his bed, their bodies locked together in a passionate embrace. Lips and hands exploring each other and then, Darien was above her, whispering and coaxing her, enticing her to move along with him, as he moved his body in and out of her smoothly like a big, powerful cat.
"Ahhh Serena . . . !" he groaned quietly to her over the phone.
"Darien!" she breathed raggedly; reaching up to clutch her robe together, as she eyes squeezed shut.
"Meooow!" Luna meowed loudly into the other end of the line from the kitchen.
Instantly, Serena shot up from the bed, her blue eyes wide. The clicking sound over the phone line from earlier immediately made sense to her.
Darien chuckled on the other side of the phone. "Sounds like we've got eavesdroppers," again, there was another distinctive click.
"Raye! Molly!" Serena hollered toward the kitchen, still holding the phone. Her face flamed a bright red. I can't believe those two would stoop so low, as if we were back in high school!
"Ah well, it's just as well that I stop, Serena," Darien sighed, a slight smile on his sensual lips. He wasn't sure how he was going to feel the next time he saw nurse Molly though. "I'll see you on Sunday."
"Okay," Serena replied through clenched teeth, still boiling.
"Dream of me," he said, still chuckling and then, there was only the dial tone.
"I'm going to kill you twoooo!" Serena threatened as she came into the kitchen, ready to do battle. Both Raye and Molly were sitting at her kitchen table, sipping their steaming cups of coffee, eyes blinking innocently at her. There was a noticeable telltale blush across both of their faces though, giving away them away. Suddenly, a muffled, indignant yowl came from under what had once been a neatly folded pile of clean clothes in the laundry basket beside the counter. Apparently, Luna had hastily been stuffed there when she had voiced her complaint about not getting fed.
The following Sunday . . .
During the week, Serena was a complete wreck. The only thing that kept her sanity together were the children in her classes. Her nights were sleepless, which was very hard on her considering that she couldn't function very well without it. Her days at school were spent daydreaming about Darien. Her girl students would giggle mischievously at her preoccupied thoughts, speculating that their teacher was in love. Then like a forbidden dream their intimate conversion on the phone would pop back into her mind and her daydreaming would begin again and she wondered about their next meeting.
After talking on the phone with Darien the week earlier, she sat with Raye and Molly and explained the situation between her and Darien. Of course, she didn't tell them everything. She only told them about the agreement between Darien and her, and pretended that the entire situation between the two was real. The physical aspect between her and Darien certainly was. She had a feeling that Raye and Molly knew something wasn't quite snapping together, but thankfully, they didn't push for a better answer than what she was willing to give to them; and that was fine with her.
Although, sometimes Serena wonder at herself and her own feelings toward Darien while she was talking to Raye and Molly. Am I falling in love with Darien, she asked herself several dozen times throughout the week? Why does he make me feel so lost without him?
"You know, if I wasn't so happy for you, I'd bash you in the head for not telling me any sooner, Serena!" Raye had replied as she hugged her best friend. They were getting ready to leave Serena's apartment.
"Yeah, you dolt! Do your parents know?" Molly asked, coming in for her hug as well.
No, they don't, she remembered saying to Raye and Molly as they walked to her door.
Of course, she had to call her parents and explain why she couldn't make it for Christmas Eve at their house, and that, instead, she would be attending a party given in the honor of Wesly Shields. Her father hadn't been at home the time she had called, but her mother was. The funny thing was that Irene didn't mind so much as long as she made it home on Christmas day. Serena sighed in relief as her mother said she'd explain it all to her father and that she should have a good time wherever she planned to be. What Serena didn't know was that Irene already had guessed where her daughter would be at on Christmas eve, and that would be spending her time with this man her daughter had called, Darien.
Instead, Irene asked her about the Crossroads party and mentioned that her father had seen her at the party with her date. Serena could only remember stuttering out a reply as her mother giggled like a schoolgirl over the phone and mentioned that her father hadn't been too upset with her. Serena then wondered if her father had heard the rumors of Darien and her being engaged. Apparently he hadn't, since her mother made no mention of it.
Serena couldn't know that Kenji had told Irene whom Serena was currently dating and that she was thrilled for her daughter. But Kenji made it a point not tell Irene that Serena was already engaged to Darien Shields, a fact that nearly floored him when he found out. Wesly stated to him that he knew his grandson was behind the unannounced engagement. Then, Wesly had taken Kenji into confidence about his own plans for his grandson and their future granddaughter-in-law.
"Serena?" Darien asked, when she picked up the phone.
"Darien!" she breathed out, closing her eyes at the sound of his deep voice. She hadn't heard from him all week and had missed the sound of his voice, along with everything else.
"I can't pick up you tonight, but I'm sending Thomas to pick you up," he said into the car phone as he glanced at his watch, immensely irritated with the traffic. "As a matter of fact, he should be there in a couple of minutes. I'm stuck in traffic; looks like there was a fender-bender not too far from the airport."
Serena's doorbell rang. "Umm . . . I think he's here already," She said into the phone, looking toward her door.
"Good. I'll see you in about forty-five minutes with the traffic-from where I'm at," Darien said as he shifted the gears. "See you then."
"Okay . . . bye," Serena smiled as she hung up the phone. She took a deep breath and grabbed her swing coat. See, that wasn't so bad, she told herself. Although, she certainly felt as if her spirits had picked up and her blood began to sing as she anticipated the night to come.
Stay tuned for the next part!! Finally things are going climax between our favorite characters! Lady M. Harris.