January Prompt: "may I have this dance"

Scott sighed and undid and redid his tie again.

It didn't matter how many times he did this Scott could never get used to wearing full tux and black tie.

And he did it quite often, now that he was the CEO of Tracy Industries. As one of the wealthiest men in the world and one of the most philanthropic, charity events were much more often than he would have liked.

If he was honest with himself, even once a year would be too much…

He couldn't remember which event this one was, but for once he didn't feel so put out because for once he wouldn't be going alone.

This time both John and Virgil would be going and, because all three were going, Kayo had been roped in for security purposes. Scott couldn't lie, he felt much better knowing she, that they were all going to be going.

For a moment Scott rested his head against the mirror. The coolness was a balm to his confused brain for a second.

He couldn't deny that over the last few weeks there had been a slight shift in his…perception of the girl he'd practically grown up with. She wasn't a girl anymore.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Scott finished getting ready and headed down to the parking lot where the limo would be waiting to take the three of them onwards.

There was no chatter in the car other than John muttering about why he let Penny talk him into doing this again and smirks shared between Scott and Virgil.

The trip over was thankfully short and they drew up to the usual red carpet. One of their own security opened the door and they climbed out to flashes and questions and then they were moving into the venue.

The event was everything Scott had dreaded.

Dull, self-righteous people whose only agenda was promoting themselves rather than the charity they were raising funds for plagued him constantly. He wasn't even guaranteed any time alone in the bathroom!

But it was a worthy cause, one of their Mom's favourite charities. UNICEF was celebrating 125 years this year and the fundraising event was marking that milestone.

The eight-course meal had been worth every penny, and had restored Scott's humour enough that he'd agreed to dance with several people. The music was good too - a live band and a mini orchestra alternating modern music with classics and even a couple of waltzes.

Scott was taking a breather at the bar when he became aware of a murmur going around the venue.

He turned around and almost dropped his scotch at the sight before him.

Subconsciously Scott knew Kayo would be here in a dress - this wasn't her first rodeo either - but he'd not caught sight of her once so far this evening. This wasn't unusual, she was working after all, but in the past when it was her break time she'd usually spend it with Penny or John.

The vision that was currently the subject of his daydreams was walking towards him and for once in his life Scott was so stunned all he could do was stand there and gawp.

Kayo was wearing a simple watered silk sheath dress that fitted like a second skin. On her left side it ended with a full sleeve that was split to the shoulder with the skirt at mid-thigh. Her right shoulder and arm were bare, the neckline angling down gently. The skirt on this side reached her knee, and while there was no telltale sign of her thigh strap Scott knew it would be on that leg, discreetly hidden. The outfit was finished with matching ballet pumps tied with ribbon, a simple white gold bangle and a white gold, diamond and blue sapphire choker with pearl drops.

If the design of the dress wasn't stunning enough the colour finished the effect. Kayo traditionally wore shades of green to such events but today she stood out in a bright burnt orange. It wasn't a colour Scott had ever seen her wear and she shone in it.

'Close your mouth, big brother.'

Virgil's voice laughed in his ear and broke Scott out of his trance. Without responding he looked like he'd reached up to brush an imaginary speck of dust off his lapel when in fact he'd turned his comm off before turning to the barman and asking for a sparkling water.

By the time he turned back around Kayo was standing there, a slight blush showing that she was well aware of his - and if Scott was honest almost every other man in the room - reaction.

Accepting the water, Kayo clinked glasses with Scott before slipping in beside him. She tried to look like she fitted in there beside him, with everyone, but for once in her life there were butterflies in her stomach and she felt acutely aware of herself.

Scott was radiating heat and she could feel it against her bare arm. It was both relaxing and electrifying at the same time, and for a brief moment she realised that the rest of the people here were not the ones causing her to feel self-conscious. There was something about Scott tonight that was doing…things to her insides…

He swore he could feel the touch of Kayo's bare arm against his jacket , but Scott knew it was fanciful of him to believe that. He stole a glance at her as she looked away and was almost overcome by a sudden desire to nibble on her exposed collar bone. He flushed and covered it up with a gulp of scotch that almost made him choke, but he managed to control that…"if only I could control the rest of myself that easily," he thought.

They stood side by side for a moment, both outwardly at ease but inside consumed by something so very new, so very different. They were both saved by the orchestra starting up a gentle waltz, and Scott took a deep breath, put his glass on the countertop and turned to the most beautiful woman in the room. He held out his hand and watched with no small amusement and just a little bit of fear as Kayo regarded it suspiciously.

'May I have this dance?'

Kayo's eyes opened slightly as she realised what Scott was offering, and she placed her hand in his and let him lead her onto the dance floor.

She knew Scott could dance, had spent many an event watching him…uh, she meant watching over him. Kayo could even remember in the distant past Lucy teaching him the steps not long before that fateful holiday.

He'd never asked her to dance before.

The butterflies were back as Scott's hand rested so gently on her side and held her right hand up with his left. She rested her left arm on his right and her hand on his shoulder. They paused to catch up with the music before they were flowing.

Dancing with Scott was everything Kayo had ever thought it would be. He didn't stand on her toes, he led with consideration and no wondering hands at all. She found her face heating up as the thought that actually she wouldn't have minded if one of his hands did wander a little…

Scott noticed Kayo's flush and smiled. Why oh why had he never asked her to dance before? She was…intoxicating. Her perfume was light and surprisingly floral, a rose-based perfume that wasn't heavy like most were, and she'd applied the merest hint. He took a risk and tightened his hold so that he could discreetly sniff her hair. Oh wow did she smell good…

They danced a little longer, Scott trying hard not to stroke the silk beneath his right hand and 'accidently' brush her breast, and Kayo trying hard not to shift his right hand further down…

The world had disappeared and there was just the music and themselves. Neither could tear their eyes away and both had a touch of red about their cheeks.

It was the minutest of changes. Kayo shifted during a turn, her bare knee brushing the inside of Scott's leg and he froze inside. The moment was extremely brief but the damage was done.

"No, no, no…no," Scott's brain was screaming but his lower regions were not listening to him.

He loosened his hold on Kayo for a moment and turned slightly, swallowing uncomfortably. Kayo's eyes narrowed before taking in his suddenly uncomfortable stance and her eyes lit up and it was all she could do to not laugh out loud. She took pity on him and, taking him by the hand, led him from the floor to the rooftop outside.

She stood and looked out over the city, giving Scott some time to sort himself out in private. But she was hyperaware of when he returned to her side, his arm snaking around her waist.

'Sorry.'

'Don't be. I'm flattered!'

Scott looked at her in surprise for a moment before he began laughing, pulling her into his side. It was a rich vibration that she could feel right to her bones, and Kayo couldn't believe how ridiculously happy it made her feel. She couldn't remember when he'd last genuinely laughed like this.

He was shaking with mirth as he held her and impulsively Kayo turned in his arm, drawing his other arm up and, once Scott had got the message and was holding her, Kayo stood on tiptoe and lightly pressed her lips to his before stepping away and looking at him. Scott looked at her. All mirth was gone but his eyes were alight as he regarded her.

'May I?'

Kayo nodded, suddenly shy. Scott's hands came up and gently cupped her face. He looked at her for several beats before leaning in and kissing her back.

(Perfume: Milieu Rosa by Odin)