The Dance Ch. 3 M7 ATF AU

She checked her updo for the third time in the mirror, and tried to decide if she had too much makeup on, not enough, or just the right amount. Once again she'd spent more money than she probably should have on having her hair done and on the long ebony gown that she now wore with matching high-heels. But she was going to another ATF function and wanted to look her best.

This time instead of attending alone however, she had a date who would be picking her up in a few minutes. She couldn't believe the handsome agent she'd danced with at that first event over a month ago would now be her companion for the evening.

He'd showed up at her door the day after the award ceremony and taken her out to eat. They had both enjoyed the meal, lingering and chatting over coffee and tea afterward. Then the attractive figure had brought her home and given her a light kiss on the cheek in her living room before saying a rather reluctant goodnight and leaving her to her…quite lovely…dreams.

She'd thought that would be it, but he'd called her or shown up at least once a week since then, offering to take her out to grab a bite or to see a movie, even asking if she wanted to go horseback riding with him and his friends one weekend. Each time the parting had ended with an increasingly deep kiss, and an obvious hesitancy on both their parts to see their time together come to an end.

Texts were even more frequent, sometimes just a word or two, accompanied by a few emoticons, but they always made her smile. She'd been somewhat amazed at first to see the various smileys, since he hadn't originally struck her as the type to use them. However, she seemed to bring out the playful side of the impressive and dangerous figure, or so he laughingly told her when she commented on her surprise.

And while he was obviously highly trained and very talented in his field, he had been nothing but thoughtful and gentle with her, offering her a hand in and out of the car, holding doors for her, etc. And when he put his arms around her, the strength was quite evident, but he used only the amount of pressure necessary to accomplish what he wanted, no more. She'd never felt threatened even though she was well aware of how lethal he could be if the occasion called for it, and in fact felt extremely safe in his company. He wasn't overly possessive, but did sometimes put a slightly protective hand on her back as they walked. Not a militant feminist, she found she appreciated his gentlemanly gestures and considerate attitude. Almost as much as she appreciated his looks…

A slight blush stained her cheeks as her mind wandered to the attractive 'assets' displayed by the fitted pants he wore. While gorgeous from the front, he looked damn fine walking away, too!

She let out a little giggle at the thought. He seemed to appreciate watching her walk as well, even though she knew she wasn't a runway model or anything like that. Not that he seemed to care. His glances made her feel pretty and elegant, even when she was in jeans and a tee shirt.

That was one reason she wanted to look as perfect as possible tonight. She knew what he was like in a tux…which was drop-dead gorgeous…so she didn't want to not appear at her best. She didn't think he would be disappointed, but she didn't want people to look askance at his choice of partner for the event.

Finally deciding she was alright as she was and if she kept fiddling with her hair and makeup she was going to ruin it, she spritzed a light mist of a seductive perfume and walked through it so that it would scent her hair and clothes but not be too strong. Gathering up her glittery black clutch and matching wrap, she moved into the living room.

She had just laid the items down when her doorbell rang. Not able to control the flutter in her stomach, she took a deep breath and then walked over to open the door.

The handsome figure leaned negligently on the frame, eyes bright and a smile on the chiseled lips. As she'd known he would, he looked breathtaking. Well-tailored ebony material strained across the broad shoulders and clung to the eye-catching lower portion of his anatomy. A white silk shirt peeked out from between the edges of the black jacket and elegantly brocaded vest he'd chosen to wear. A black tie encircled his neck, tied neatly in front. While she now knew that he wasn't exactly crazy about formal affairs, he cleaned up quite nicely and looked extremely attractive as he waited for her to let him enter.

"Wow! You look amazing, Handsome!"

He gave her a little teasing bow as his eyes roamed up and down her figure like she'd done to him.

"You look beautiful. Like a movie star." offered the unique tones softly.

"Thank you. I think you need glasses, but I love the compliment! You make me feel like Cinderella."

He leaned in to give her a kiss, inhaling of her perfume as he did so.

"You smell good, too. I like the scent. It suits you."

She gave a little shy smile as she returned the light pressure of his lips.

"I'm glad you like it. You take my breath away…"

They kissed a bit deeper and then resolutely drew away a few inches. One ebony-garbed arm was held out for her while the other swept in a gesture to draw her attention to the shiny sports car that waited outside.

"We better go Beautiful, or we won't get there at all!" The sculpted mouth gave her a wry, yet sensuous grin. "Your chariot awaits."

"Wow, that's a lot better than a pumpkin! That's yours?"

A light laugh prefaced his answer. "For tonight anyway. Actually I borrowed it… I thought you should arrive in style at the ball."

"I love it, but I'll ride in anything with you. Let me get my stuff."

She hurried to get her bag and wrap, then took the elbow held out to her, allowing the handsome figure to escort her to the vehicle.

As he helped her in and shut the door, she gave a dreamy little smile. Looked like Cinderella was getting a second dance with her prince.

By DMA