I had made an impression, that was clear
to see. Andrew and his audience had all
fallen silent—they were a sea of approving grins as they took in my sparkle and
satin. If the charming senator ever
suspected the pretty creature in front of him was the same practical,
efficient, no-nonsense woman who held down the desk outside his door, he gave
no indication of it. Instead, he gave
his usual campaign-winning grin—God,
it was even sexier behind the striking tuxedo pattern of his mask—and tipped
his glass to me.
“Well, I’ve been told my dancing skills
are mostly up to par,” he chuckled modestly.
“Of course, I’ve never had the opportunity to measure them up against a
Cirque du Soliel star before.”
“Maybe someday you’ll have that
opportunity,” I returned. “Until then,
though, will you take the chance with me?”
“Absolutely,” he said, clinking his
champagne flute against mine and finishing the last of his drink with a
courageous swig. Taking both our glasses
and dropping them on a passing tray of empties, he took my hand and led me onto
the floor.
I already knew that Andrew was an
accomplished dancer. I’d seen him at
enough events to know it. I’d never, ever been the partner he swept out under
the lights, though, and as he slipped on arm around my waist that giddy
butterflies feeling fluttered up again.
His confident embrace was firm but gentle, and joyfully, comfortably
warm. I found it was almost impossible
to even settle into his arms, I was so electric with bubbly, sophomoric
glee. It was almost embarrassing: but
of course, who knew it was really quiet little Liz under this mask?
“You dance very well,” Andrew
complimented me. “Miss….?”
“Oh, no, Senator,” I chided
playfully. “It’s a masquerade
party. No names until the masks come off
at midnight!”
I knew he was just being charming,
anyway; I certainly wasn’t tripping over my own feet but I was really just
following his lead, my cheery bells
jingling as he waltzed me around the floor.
That was fine by me, really—I was more than happy with his arms around
me. This close, I could have nuzzled the
hint of five o’clock shadow along his handsome jaw line, or run my hand through
his sandy hair. I didn’t, of course… but
just being near enough to do so gave me a serene contentment. The scent of his cologne—L’Eau D’Issey, musky
and rich with the sweet scent of wood and amber—was heaven.
I didn’t think I’d ever been so close to
Andrew before. Or perhaps I had, leaning
over his desk to get his signature or go over a proposal with him or help him
figure out some new computer hardware.
I’d certainly never been this intimately
close to him, though… and it was a rather pleasant feeling.
“I hear you’re up for auction later,” I
teased him as we danced.
“You’ve heard right,” he replied. “And can I expect you to be among the
bidders?”
“Maybe.
Of course, if I did bid on you
and I did win,” I mused. “I’d have you for… what? A pleasant little photo-op of a luncheon, a
chance to bend your ear about the charities I support or the event I’d like
your help to arrange. That’s all well
and good, but personally, if I was looking for a date with you I think I’d like
something a little more… genuine.”
It earned me another of his gorgeous
smiles. “How candid of you. Should my feelings be hurt? You make it sound as though you’re decidedly not interested in a date.”
I shrugged, dropping him a wink. “I got a dance. I can be happy with that.”
He spun me, sending the jester’s bells
a-ringing. As I twirled back into his
arms, I could swear he was holding me a little bit closer.
“You’re a very mercurial woman, aren’t you?” he asked.
“I’m just… enjoying my moment,” I said.
“Well,” he replied as the song came to
an end. He lifted my hand, giving it a
kiss. “To many more moments, hm?”
“One can hope,” I agreed. As he led me off the floor, he reached out
and as if simply waiting for his signal, one of the waiters whisked by to offer
us both another glass of champagne.
Andrew took both proffered flutes and handed one to me.
“Won’t you join me for a walk on the
grounds? Maybe I can convince you to
invest a little money in the auction after all.”
“Be my guest,” I laughed, and let him
lead me out of the crowded ballroom.
Andrew took me for a leisurely stroll
through the hotel’s lusciously landscaped gardens, but surprisingly enough he
said very little. Once we were out of
sight of the party-goers on the balcony, he gently let his hand drift to my
lower back, pressing his fingers ever-so-lightly there while we meandered along
the verdant lawns and the pseudo-Greek garden architecture, admiring the lights
playing along the surface of the hotel’s elegant fountaine as they sang pretty
sprays of water into the sky.
“Your costume is stunning,” he finally
said to me as we reached a quiet colonnade open on one side to a serene
reflecting pool. I smiled demurely in
thanks, and quietly slipped away from him to stand by one of the columns and
admire the calm water. Again I marveled
at the playful creature looking back up at me; where had she been all my life?
Andrew cozied up beside me. “So, about that auction—”
“You’ll fetch a very handsome price, I’m
sure,” I said nonchalantly. “Probably
from the head of the Women’s Society herself, although I’d be careful with
her.”
I gave him a wink. “I’m sure she’d love to get her hooks in a handsome, successful senator, and for
more than just a pretty little PR date.”
“Well, then, wouldn’t it be better for
all involved if somebody else won?” he muttered, leaning close and resting his
head near to my shoulder. I was startled
and thrilled by his nearness, my heart picking up its rhythm as the
invigorating scent of L’Eau D’Issey soothed and stirred me.
“It’s all for charity, now, remember,” I
teased.
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to
bid?” he asked. His voice was lower now,
right by my ear. I turned towards him,
our bodies pressing more closely together.
“There’s not much chance I could afford
a luxury like you,” I whispered.
“Better chance than if you don’t try at
all,” he murmured back. “And if you were perchance to make the final bid, I
think I might be the one who really wins.”
I thought to say something back to that,
something flighty and teasing. Before I
could, though, his lips were on mine, warm and pleasing. His right hand dropped gently to my hip,
while his left snuck around my shoulders to press me against him. The little bells on my cap shivered and
jingled; I happily obliged, shutting my eyes with a quiet sound of happiness.
We kissed for several long seconds, his
arms tightening around me in warm embrace.
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