This is the second part. Enjoy!!!!
A huge thanks to all the people who reviewed the story. It was greatly appreciated. So, this is for you!
One of these nights (part 2)
Emma watched herself in her full-length mirror for the tenth time. Maybe she had overdone it. The burgundy silk wrapover dress reached her ankles and had a deep v neckline; the cut of the dress was perfectly emphasizing her figure. Its color was enhancing her fair complexion, making her appear almost ethereal like a faerie. She sighed, gently smoothing an imaginary crease. She had been ready to go out nearly half an hour ago. But each time she got her hand on the door handle, she would turn around and come back to the mirror checking her appearance again. She would eventually have to go out of her room. Hiding there forever was not an option. Gathering all her courage, the young woman smiled at herself one last time and got out. As soon as she reached the hall, slow music and appetizing odors lead her to the fountain in the lounge. 'My favorite place in sanctuary; how nice to have thought of that.'
A table was nicely dressed on the platform. Emma thanked god silently. There were no candles on the table; it would have made the situation even more awkward than it already was. She closed the distance to the table and found on one plate one of Adam's orchid. If their leader ever noticed that one of the precious flowering stem had been cut, someone would be in trouble. She smiled softly grateful he had taken such a risk for her. If he had taken such care to prepare a pseudo-date, what would he have done if it had been real?
Feeling someone coming in the room, Emma slightly turned her head to find her teammate a bottle of white wine in his hands. He was taking his time, walking almost cat like, a weak smile playing on his lips. Time slowed down as she watched him coming her way. Heat flooded through her, bringing a blush on her cheeks and a shiver of expectation down her spine.
He was intently watching her, taking in her appearance, her soft smile, her silk dress; a dress that could be quiet easily opened. He realized he shouldn't be thinking of her that way; but she was too gorgeous, too perfect.
For one split second she panicked under his gaze and considered retreating to her bedroom and go out only when the others would be back. But she was rooted on the spot, mesmerized by the man now standing in front of her, his presence at the same time soothing and disconcerting.
Both were unable to move, trapped in a world that was only theirs; their eyes trying to read the soul of the other. Emma couldn't stand the silence and the feelings drifting from him any longer. She had to do something, anything. Without waiting for her friend she hastily sat down, carefully unfolded her napkin and put it on her lap. 'What is wrong with you Emma, why are you suddenly so shy? He is your best friend; you eat with him 3 times a day. Yeah right, but you're never really alone with him, he never wears a black shirt and cooks dinner for you.'
If her friend had detected something of her inner struggle, he wasn't showing it. He had uncorked the bottle and was pouring her a glass of white wine a smile still plastered on his face. Without a word he went in search for the food.
Emma felt grateful for the interruption; his presence was melting her willpower away like ice under the sun. The redhead smelled the white orchid, taking in the heady scent. Letting her thoughts drift freely, she lightly brushed the petals mesmerized by its softness and velvety touch. She had awaited teasing and easy banter maybe about her clothes, her bare feet or their friends gone on a mission, even the fact that they were trapped together.
Instead, he was acting calmly, with serious as if it was really important for him. The young woman had prepared herself mentally for everything except that. He was quickly getting over each and every fence she had tried to put between them when they had first met. The young woman had tried to remain untouched by his kindness toward her. Completely lost in her thoughts, partly trying to understand what he was up to, she did not hear him coming back with the food.
Seeing the thoughtful expression of his friend, he could not contain his worry. Maybe he had overdone it. After all, it was not supposed to be a real date. Maybe she was sad to be trapped here with him instead of going out with her friend. That thought made his heart turn cold.
"A penny for your thoughts"
Startled, the young woman looked up at him. She needed to get out off this situation; otherwise, things could go out of hand really quickly. He gently put the plate in front of her and sat down with her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you jump."
"I was... lost in my thoughts."
The temptation to answer her with a witty comment was too great and he couldn't repress it.
"Were you reflecting on the fact that I look great in black and that you are happy to be trapped with me?"
'Yeah, You bet I do.' She mentally slapped herself. Those were unhealthy thoughts leading her in dangerous waters. He was just trying to make it up to her for having ruined her date. Her friend was not having ulterior motives 'Despite the fact you want him to have ulterior motives'.
"Nope, I was just thinking that you might have trouble with Adam in a near future. He might even want to kill you."
Their eyes locked and stayed silent for a few minutes, both their attempts to lighten the mood quickly forgotten. The young man shrugged, quietly dismissing her vision of his future with seriousness. He could deal with Adam later. Somehow, he had the urge to let her know tonight was special; she was special to him.
"Then I'll explain to him I had a very special date and I wanted to give her a special and unique present."
She should have been able to find a playful retort but the words got caught in her throat. Emma leaned on the back of the chair while playing with her fork. She avoided looking at him knowing what she would find written on his face. He was deadly serious about his comment and about this date. Was he really implying she was special to him? The feeling created by his answer warmed her heart to a point she had never thought would be possible. She was in deep trouble. His soft voice interrupted her train of thoughts.
"Now, let's eat before it gets cold. I did not spend my afternoon in the kitchen for nothing."
Emma sat on one end of the couch lazily spreading her legs in front of her. She felt good and happy. The first minutes of the dinner had been tensed but after two glasses of wine she had been able to relax and enjoy the food and the company. Somehow, she felt that their week alone might change everything for them. She smiled expectancy making her stomach do flip-flops.
She looked again at the DVD case. The movie he had chosen was perfect, not too much romance, some action and a lot of fun. The young woman turned the DVD player on and hit the pause button just before the opening credits.
He joined her a few minutes later a popcorn bowl and a new bottle of wine in his hands. She took the bowl and put it on her lap fishing a few to eat. Her friend sat down. After a few seconds, he took her feet and put them on his lap. In the meantime, he had poured her a new glass of wine and handed it to her. She grinned taking a sip. One of his hands rested on her ankles absent-mindedly caressing her smooth skin.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?"
"Well, now that you're mentioning it..."
He looked at her and mischievously smiled. Her cheeks had taken a rosy shade, her lips were moist from the wine, lightly parted and oh so inviting. Knowing he was attracted to her was not something new but he had never allowed himself to yield to the temptation. And tonight she was temptation and desire impersonated. A kiss, a single kiss it would do no harm. Slowly he leaned forward but was stopped by the glint in her eyes. Instead, he took some popcorn and turned back to the screen pretending to be watching the movie.
Emma stared at him her breath suspended. The young psionic could have sworn he was ready to kiss her. But at the last second he had been to chicken to do it. She looked back at the TV screen trying to catch up the plot of the movie.
They were strolling down the halls in their bedroom's directions, an awkward and tense silence following them. He was walking two steps behind her, his thumbs tucked in the back pockets of his black jeans. The young man was nervously chewing at his lips, wondering why he had insisted on walking her back to her room. It was not as if she risked something inside sanctuary.
By the time they had reached her door, Emma had made her mind. She couldn't live with doubts anymore. She stopped at her door, her back to it and her hands resting behind her on the handle. Their eyes met and she couldn't help but smile.
"So... I guess I should thank you for the dinner, the movie and..."
The young man was now facing her, his body language giving his nervousness away. Emma stopped talking; a slight smile spread on her lips. Without thinking she ran her tongue on her lower lip. His throat went dry and his breath got caught. Her pose, that gesture, everything about her looked innocent; a friend thanking another for a nice evening. Then why was he reacting so strongly to her near invitation? Was it still a part of their teasing game, was she expecting something more?
Gently he got closer, putting his hands on each side of her shoulders effectively trapping her. Their bodies were mere inches apart still not touching but close enough to feel the heat of the other. Emma felt butterflies in her stomach and her knees weakened. His eyes were roaming over her face, finally settling on her lips. As he looked up, their gaze locked and time slowed down. His gaze held a restrained desire and lust that made her shiver.
Too soon for both of them, he blinked cutting the contact between them. His hands fell, lightly caressing her arms in the process. Emma sighed deeply closing her eyes. That was it; neither would make a move past their friendship. He took two steps back without turning.
"Good night Emma. Sweet dreams."
Without another word he retreated to his bedroom. Emma rested her head on the door and closed her eyes. The next days ahead of them would be really long.
Tell me what do you think?!?