Nikita pondered all day about what to wear on their "date". She felt she needed to be very feminine. After numerous times through her closet she settled on the creamy winter white cashmere. The sweater dress and cape had been a gift she had given herself for Christmas. Aside from Carla's bottle of wine, it was her only gift.
It was a form fitting v-neck dress in soft cashmere that hugged her figure with a short skirt and knee-length wrap cape that made her feel dainty. She had always wanted to be able to carry off an Audrey Hepburn look and this succeeded in making her feel very sophisticated and desirable.
She decided to complete the outfit with simple pearl drop earrings. As a last thought she decided to to avoid being totally virginal by wearing white thigh-highs and garters with the matching pumps. At first the winter white made her feel self-conscious. Then after a quick call on Carla, she felt better. Carla told her she looked like a naughty angel.
The analogy suited her, she decided. As she completed her make-up, she decided to sweep her hair up in a simple chignon. A few stray tendrils softened the look and brought the attention back to her eyes and face. She smiled in the mirror and stuck out her tongue. Sometimes she thought she over-analyzed everything. A knock at the door brought butterflies of anticipation.
"Get a grip, Nikita, it's just a job." she told herself. A glance out of the peep hole told her Michael looked luscious. He was her couterpart in black. He had on a black collarless shirt, blazer, those wonderful black pants and his trademark boots. "Damn!" she thought, "If he was mine, I'd have hard time letting him out of the house." She opened the door.
The fire in his eyes told her the extra effort had been worth it. "Kita." he said and walked into the room. She closed the door behind him. He kissed her on the cheek and then on the lips. It was tentative at first then he deepened it for a split second. Both pulled back. Knowing instinctively if they pursued it any further, they wouldn't make it to dinner.
"Is that a new dress?" he asked in a whisper. She nodded. "Do you know the only time I've seen you look better?" She shook her head. He smiled and looked at her through half closed eyes. "It was that night in Lyon, when I saw you through the fire. I thought it was a halucination. Then when we met on the barge, I knew it was a dream."
She blushed. The passion of the unspoken hung in the room like a fog. He pulled a long box out of his breast pocket. It was an oblong black jewelry box with a simple gold bow.
"What's this?" she asked.
"It's your Christmas present." he said. He could see the skepticism in her eyes. She still had niggling doubts about his sincerity. He couldn't blame her. She slowly opened the box. The light sparkled off the gold chain. A small heart charm gleamed against the black velvet. Michael picked it up and showed it to her.
"It's beautiful." she said breathily. He smiled slightly and and turned over the heart so she could read the inscription. Her eyes widened as she read the phrase. "Keep mine close to yours." Tears glistened in her eyes but didn't fall. She turned to let him put it on her.
As he fastened it, he couldn't resist gifting her with a soft kiss on the neck. She shivered and turned to face him. It fell perfectly in her decollage. He picked it up and looked her in the eye. Nikita tentatively kissed him on the lips.
"Thank you, its lovely."
"On you it is." he said simply. He replaced it and ran his finger up the chain and down her jawline. He looked as if searching her soul. "Are you ready to leave?" he asked breaking the moment.
"Just let me get my wrap." When she returned to the living room, his look said it all.
"One more thing." he said. His fingers caressed her cheek and slowly moved back to the small spot behind her earlob. "You'll need your com unit." he whispered against her lips as his thumb gently placed the dot on her skin.
"Oh yes, of course." She had almost forgotten it was a mission.
The atmosphere was one of antique elegance. Crystal chandeliers and candle light brought out the rich Victorian antiques and china. Nikita had driven past this old restored mansion hundreds of times; but, she had never had the opportunity to dine here. Old world elegance made her feel special. When they were seated, Michael ordered a bottle of wine and checked in with Birkoff while she checked the menu. After their "waiter" had taken thier order, she also checked in with Birkoff.
"We've got him, Birkoff. He's very low key."
"With good reason." he answered. "Blue team just picked up our real link. This guy's clean. Abort." Nikita looked at Michael.
"Okay Birkoff. We're standing down."
"We'll see you in the morning Birkoff. I don't think you'll require our presence tonight." Michael said as he leaned across the table and caressed her cheek. His fingers slowly moved up to remove the com unit from behind her ear. He discretely removed his as well. The piano player began to inject strains of "Unchained Melody" and each became lost in their own thoughts for a few moments.
"Would you like to dance?" Michael asked. He stood and offered his hand. She smiled and stood. He led her on the floor and stopped. She placed her arms around his neck and his went around her waist. A bump from behind molded her to him. He met her eyes and held them. When the couple behind the moved back, he held her against him. They moved seductively.
"You dance very well." He whispered to her ear. His breath was hot against her neck.
"So do you." She looked at him with veiled eyes. "Your one of those people that like to do everything very thoroughly. I like that, it's very satisfying when the task is done." She smiled. "Michael?"
"Oui?"
"Take me home."
A nod was his only answer. As they walked out of the restaurant, Michael's hand slid down her hip. He stopped and she glaced over her shoulder.
"Is something wrong?"
He shook his head. "Come here." She walked back to him and stood inches from his body. She could feel his heat. His hands went around her waist and drew her to him. As they slid down her hips he asked, "What are your wearing?" He breathed the question more than said it. The night air had become chilly and steam escaped with each word.
"What?"
"I said, what are you wearing here?" his hand rubbed across the small bump caused by the garters.
"They're called garters. Why?" she asked innocently. She cut her eyes up at him and gave him the full effect of the baby blues.
"Kita, your a tease. And what's worse is that you know it." The valet stopped the car and came under the awning to give Michael the key. He released one hand and tipped the boy. He then returned to kiss her with white hot intensity, totally oblivious to the teen's open stare.
When the car stopped in front of her apartment, he came around and opened the door. He escorted her to her front door, took her key and opened it. She turned to face him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thanks for dinner, Michael. It was very nice. Goodnight." She stepped inside and closed the door. He just stood there for a minute in shock. He raised his hand to knock and then let it drop. As he turned to go, Nikita opened the door and leaned out.
"Michael?" He turned around and looked back. "Aren't you going to come in?"
Two strides was all it took to cross the distance. He picked her up and slammed the door with his foot. Once inside he sat her on her feet and pushed her against the wall.
"Tormenter!" he ground out in heavy French.
"Now, Michael!" she said and began pulling his shirt loose from his slacks. He kissed her hard as she undid his pants and pushed his hardness free. His hand was up her skirt and ripping the tiny scrap that was her panties. He lifted her leg to his hip and entered her with a driving passion. He pushed her against the wall and she wrapped both legs around his waist. Both of her hands were in his hair and she pulled his head back. He looked at her in full blown passion.
"Harder!" she said. He groaned and slammed her against the wall. She pulled his mouth to hers with his hair. The orgasm wracked them both at the same instant. "Oh God, Michael!" she breathed.
"Kita!" he whispered against her neck as the spasm wracked his body. He held her against the wall for a minute longer. Then he carried her, still connected, to the bedroom. He lay her back on the bed and leaned down to kiss her thoroughly.
"Mon Dieu, Kita! I want to consume every inch of you."
The ringing of the cell phone snapped his head up. He closed his eyes and when he opened them the veil had fallen into place. He went for the phone. She heard him answer. "Yes." The click that followed meant the evening was over.
After he left she lay in the bed and inhaled his lingering scent. Passion was the only word to describe this. It was like a roller coaster. If you liked the highs you had to face the lows. As she fell asleep, she smiled silently. When this ended she knew it would be a long time before she ever smiled again. It was worth it she decided.