Dinner and More
Chapter 19
When Mike said he knew where they could be alone, there was only one place where Jefferson North's influence could not be reached.
Their office at work.
They were back at the DA's office, back in the own little personal working space. Somehow it felt like the only home the two of them knew in LA.
"So this is your ideal place for privacy?" Connie asked, as she looked around the familiar office.
"Think of it this way," jested Mike, "If we run out of things to say, it'll be the perfect place to talk shop! A win-win situation all around!"
Connie laughed, "I'm sold!"
Mike felt relieved. His idea made Connie happy. And the longer they stood and thought about it, the better the idea sounded.
Earlier, they had dropped by a couple of places to order some food to go. They placed their pizza box and a smaller box down at their desks. Next to them Mike placed a shopping bag containing drinks and other amenities for a dinner-in-a-box night.
"Well," said Connie, as she placed her hands on her waist and looked at their humble spread, "I know there are some plates and cups somewhere in the stock room closet…I'll just go get them, so I'll be right back..."
She turned and left.
With Connie gone, Mike loosened his tie, unbuttoned his top button and rolled up his sleeves. It was time to get to work.
The first thing he did was closed all the office drapes, just to play it safe. The effect was that through the thin, drawn curtains, the illuminated cityscape lights brought an unintended intimate feel to the room.
From the drugstore paper bag, he produced two candles and a book of matches. He lit the candles and then quickly walked over and dimmed the lights of the room.
The room was bathe in a soft, enchanting night allure.
Everything was set as Mike looked at his watch. Connie was not back yet.
He decided to see what was keeping her, to make sure everything was alright. Walking down the hallway, he heard items being shuffled about in one of the offshoot rooms. He found her, scrounging around the tiny stockroom, two plastic champagne glasses already in her hand, her back to him.
Mike just stood for a moment, watching her. She was so quiet and economical in her movements as she tried to reach up to the topmost shelf in the supply closet.
He was close enough now that her scent filtered through the air. It was a tantalizing distraction that he could not dismiss. Breathing deeply he tried to identify the fragrance. He detected some soft floral scent mixed with vanilla.
Absorbed in her task, she didn't hear Mike coming up behind her.
"Need help?" Mike announced his presence at last.
"Oh! Mike!" a surprised Connie twirled around, "I was just trying to reach up to that upper shelf to get the plastic plates."
"Here, I'll get it for you, " volunteered Mike as he walked behind her in the tight space. All Mike had to do was turn his head and he could have pressed his lips against her throat. He imagined finding the sensitive place on the side of her neck and kissing it until she would whimper with pleasure.
Connie caught her breath. He was just inches from her. She wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers across the light stubble, to press her palms against the hard surface of his upper body.
Mike had placed one hand lightly on her back so that he could reach up without bumping into her. He was so close to her now and it made her pulse jump.
She did not even have enough room to step back as his arm reached past her and he grasped the plates and then the small box of plastic utensils. Then she felt his body warmth leaving her side.
The champagne flutes she held trembled in her hand. Connie yearned for the feel of his touch again, but Mike already had stepped back.
"I have the plates and utensils," he choked out with difficultly.
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Back at the office the plates, paper towels, and utensils were positioned on the desk as Connie produced plastic cups and ice for the soda.
As Connie sat at her regular seat at her desk, she tried not to read too much into the night. I'm not some dreamy- headed schoolgirl, she thought, as she took in the intimate surroundings. Yet she couldn't help feeling a pleasurable quake at the way Mike was looking at her, as he sat next to her in the visitor's chair.
"I've heard of dining simplicity, but this takes it to a whole new level," Connie tried to sound casual as she viewed their spread.
They had chilled glasses, candles softly flickering and a cozy dinner for two. Both of them pretended it was just a private dinner to get away from all the stress from the past days, but it was obvious they were both enthralled with one another.
Mike cleared his throat, "Maybe we should start with the pizza..."
He rubbed his hands enthusiastically as he reached out for the pizza box. He threw the lid open, and upon seeing its contents, he looked at Connie with a surprised expression on his face.
"Why, what do we have here?" he questioned.
"Pizza, California style," Connie explained, "It's called 'Thai chicken pizza'."
"In your description of my pizza, I do not believe I heard the words 'New York' or 'Chicago' style," noted Mike.
She smiled as she reached out and put alternate slices on the plate.
"That's right," she said, "This particular pizza contains peanut sesame sauce, chicken, mozzarella cheese, scallions, bean sprouts, carrots and cilantro. Thai food is quite popular here."
"So the pepperonis are hidden underneath?" he inquired, pretending to take a peek below the pizza topping.
"Mike!" Connie pretended to sound exasperated.
He took his first bite. Connie laughed at his reaction, as a smile slowly unfolded on his face.
"Connie!" he exclaimed, "My taste buds just exploded!"
His voice was filled with satisfaction and warmth, as his taste buds savored the new sensation.
Connie looked pleased.
"Just make sure you eat it all," threatened Connie lightly, "I warn you, not one morsel of chocolate cheesecake will be set on your plate until you do!"
Mike's eyes gleamed with sudden enjoyment, "Who knew you were such a cruel woman, to use my sweet tooth against me?"
He took another leisurely sampling of the pizza, as Connie enjoyed her slice.
"Truly an exceptional dinner," Mike took a sip of his soda from his champagne glass and then glanced at Connie's face, "and as a reward for putting together this delightful spread, Connie, I have a surprise for you."
"What? A surprise? What is it, Mike?" Connie inquired with a smile, "could it be that you'll be on clean- up duty tonight?"
"Even better than that!" Mike responded enthusiastically. He then got serious, "Connie, I'd like you to be the one to finish up with Cantrell's testimony tomorrow."
Connie hadn't expected that.
"Y-you want me to be first chair?"
"Why not?" asked Mike, "From everything I hear, you'll be doing that in the near future anyway."
"Oh, really," stated Connie lightheartedly, "So you heard this? I was not even aware of it! From whom did you hear all these wonderful plans of my future from?"
Oh, damn, Mike hadn't meant to let slip that he had a talk with Hardin about her career.
"I've heard it," he said, "from... my brilliant sixth sense!"
That made Connie burst in a big smile before she, too, became solemn again.
"Mike, this is your case, and now, thanks to what we found out from TJ, we can wrap up the entire caboodle tomorrow. I think you should be the one who brings it home."
"But it was your case to begin with, Connie, " Mike reasoned, "and we worked on it together. Plus the actual win will be for your office, anyway. I know you'll do a bang up job with it!"
"Thanks for your confidence in me, Mike," Connie smiled, "It means a lot to me, but... I think we should both handle the questioning tomorrow...make it a team effort!"
Mike smiled, "I believe that can be arranged. I am really looking forward tomorrow!"
"Me, too!" agreed Connie, "I just hope I'll be able to sleep tonight!"
"Speaking of which..." began Mike, "here's a joke...how does the witness Larry Cantrell sleep?"
Connie smiled, she was in the mood for anything lighthearted, "I have no idea, Mike...how does Larry Cantrell sleep?"
"First he lies on one side then he lies on the other!"
And despite all the stress from the last few days, they laughed as if they didn't have a care in the world.
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They spent the rest of the night discussing various ways to attack the case and then before they knew it, dinner was over.
It was getting late and they would soon have to separate.
The thought depressed Connie as she looked over to him. The sight of Mike in the candlelight, flame and shadows playing over his striking features made Connie's entire body tingle.
As Mike watched her, he longed to touch the soft, silken fibers of her hair, her velvety skin, and the pulse at the base of her throat. He wanted to make her breath catch in her throat and hear her whispering sweet nothings in his ear.
They sat so close to each other. He lifted his face, and there was an intensity, a hunger in his eyes.
"Connie," he seemed to whisper at last, "When this case is over, I'll be flying back to New York. But I didn't want to leave this time without telling you how much I'll miss you, that the thought of leaving you is killing me."
Connie heard the words that broke her heart. He was laying bare his soul, something he had done with so few people in his life.
"Mike," Connie considered her words carefully, "The hardest thing I have ever done will be when I watch you walk away from me. These last few days with you have made me feel happier than I ever thought was possible."
Mike could not help it. He reached out and gently touched her cheek.
Connie closed her eyes for a second, savoring his touch.
When she opened her eyes again, she glanced to where his shirt revealed his bare throat. Her breath quickened, betraying her awareness of him.
Their shared gazes were filled with desire.
Mike's hands reached up and curved around Connie's shoulders. He nudged her forward, his mouth lowering to hers. His lips were so tender and sensual that she could not help responding.
Her thoughts scattered crazily. Connie inhaled sharply and tilted her head in utter surrender. She felt the pull of ecstasy in every limb, her nerves screaming for more. At last when Mike released Connie's mouth, he left her lips moist and kiss-softened.
His face remained close to hers and Connie felt as if she were drowning in the blue pools of his eyes. His hand came to the side of her face, his thumb brushing the corner of her mouth.
"Come back to New York with me," he softly said.
He held her gaze deliberately, informing her silently that he no longer wanted to conceal his feelings.
But he felt, more than saw her stiffen. Too soon, he realized. Looking at her face, Mike sensed her inner struggle, as if she were determined to deny herself something she wanted badly.
His invitation had taken Connie by total surprise. Her heart began to pound with uncomfortable force. They had been having a wonderful time up until this point.
She had just settled in LA. How could he ask her to just up and take up roots again? she internalized. There was something to be said for living in "la la land", of waking up everyday to sunshine. Not to mention, her career was just taking off, with promises of her being promoted to Senior DDA.
She was expecting to be finally rewarded for all the endless nights she had worked this past year. Could she give it all up and start all over again?
"Mike, " Connie tried to keep her thoughts together, "I'm surprised and flattered...but...the timing is so off...I have family here, I have my career here!"
Mike leaned back, regretting his words, trying to understand the difficult situation he had put them both in. But his time in LA was running out.
And he did see her point. She deserved all the accolades coming her way.
But he had entrusted his heart to her. They had shared stolen looks and intimate kisses. And he wanted more, but Connie obviously was not ready for him.
Mike felt frustrated, wanting for the first time in his life to own the heart of a woman. It was his particular misfortune that it had to be his legal partner. He felt if he couldn't be with her, he would remain alone for the rest of his years.
But her life was here, he concluded, and he cared enough for her to want her happiness over his, something that had never happened before in his life.
And he knew it would hurt the longer he stayed with her.
"I should go back to the hotel now," he stated coolly, getting up, "Court will be early tomorrow."
Connie couldn't believe the night was ending so abruptly.
Wait, Mike, don't go," pleaded Connie, with desperation in her eyes, "Don't you want to talk about this?"
Connie watched him with pleading eyes. She became absurdly aware of the sound of her own breathing. She fought to keep the movement of her breath slow and regular as she thought of what else to say.
"You're right, you know," Connie tried to make him understand, "there is something between us, but for me to give up what what took me a lifetime to achieve...
She tried to say more, but suddenly, her throat closed, and her shoulders quivered.
Meanwhile Mike concluded he had mistaken their light bantering, their lingering looks, their sweet closenesss as something more than it was. He'll think twice before he'll waste his time again.
"What more is there to say, Connie?" he asked her, "There is no solution to this and I've fought my feelings for you long enough; I need to move on."
Connie wanted to convince him to stay a little long, but harsh reality came crashing down on her.
He was right. She wasn't ready and was just avoiding the inevitable. This was perhaps what they needed to break it off. Cleanly. Completely.
She looked down at her lap. Back when she had to go up against Marcus Woll in court, she had told Mike she was a damaged witness. In reality, she was a damaged person. Because of what she had gone through with Woll, her heart was scarred, seemingly unable to heal.
"I-I don't know...everything...happened...so fast..." Connie was confused, "like I said...the timing..."
Mike shoved his hands in his pockets.
"The only way we can ever work is if both of us are in..all the way." he stated, and when she remained silent, he had his answer, "But I see your decision has been made, Connie."
The problem was, Connie didn't know if she had enough to give him. He wanted it all, but a part of her needed to keep her independence, her career.
"But, Mike.."
"…Don't worry," added Mike sounding businesslike, "The case will move forward as planned...see you bright and early in court tomorrow, Connie."
The words seemed to hang suspended in the air. Connie couldn't bear to look at him and by the time she had looked up, Mike was already headed towards the door.
She watched the backside of him departing.
Connie took several long breaths to settle her thoughts as Mike disappeared from sight and soon she only heard the sounds of his retreating footsteps echoing in the hallway.
When she heard the elevator doors shut, she knew Mike was truly gone. An empty, forlorn silence occupied her office, such as she had never heard before.
And once again, she was left with only a lonely heart.
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Final courtroom scene next chapter!
Mystery of the names will be solved!
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