Strings for the Veteran (Closed)

[prettyserpentine]

Elinor looked around at the clock. It was just after three am and she blinked the sleep away, turning to look at him again. He looked as confused as she did, and she realised both of them had been dreaming. And his dream must have been quite something, if the tent in his shorts was anything to go by.

She ran a hand over her face. "I'm okay... And I'm glad you aren't going to fight in any more wars."

As his hand touched her shoulder, she had looked away, and she flinched. She clenched her fists, angry at herself. "I'm sorry..."

She kept glancing at the stiffness in his shorts. They wanted each other, she couldn't deny the attraction there was between them. She reached for him, kissing him deeply, winding her legs around his, holding him. She groaned into their kiss, sleep fading away from her senses, letting the desire take over again.

Her lips moved, her voice coming in an almost silent whisper. "Please, touch me again... Like before... Don't stop until...you know." She drew back, holding his face and looking at him as she wriggled out of the nightshirt, lying before him in her white lace and baby pink satin bra and panties. "I need you. I need you to touch me, please," she begged. Her voice was laced with a dream as she kissed him again, slipping her hand down over his sternum, wrapping her nimble fingers around his hot manhood. "Nikolai, please show me you love me..."

 

[Niceandbrutal]

A part of him thought that trying again so soon was foolish, bound to failure. He didn't listen to that voice of negative doubt. As she wrapped her slender hand around his manhood, he groaned in pleasure, the remnants of a very confusing dream vanishing like mist before a summer sun.

He kissed her as she wrapped herself around him and asked, almost begged: "Nikolai, please show me you love me..."

And what prayer would be sweeter to answer? He'd seen her flinch when he touched her, and he fell in love with her a little bit more when he saw her visibly fight against that reaction. If she was willing to fight for this, so was he. And if fighting this meant having sex with her, who was he to argue?

When she took off her shirt he'd almost gasped by the beauty lying before him. A toned and slender body crowned by a beautiful face was lying beside him, demanding his full attention sexually and otherwise.

His hands got busy again. He slid his one hand towards her groin, taking his sweet time to caress her exposed tummy before slipping his hand inside her panties. Wary of her reactions, he started caressing and exploring her soft folds again. She was still warm and wet after her orgasm, and he used the lubrication down there to help him manipulate her clitoris and her vaginal lips.

His other hand stroked and caressed her head as he leaned in and kissed her ever deeper, alternating between deep kisses and roaming and licking, sucking and nibbling her upper body. He sought to be relentless, trying to draw pleasurable moans and sudden hisses of desire from her lips. He was pleasantly aware of her hand on his penis. He encouraged her when she caressed him right and corrected her when she grew too firm in her eagerness. He too was gauging her reactions and listening to her corrections and encouragements as he sought to push her over the brink.

Always he was aware that she might stop him and he hoped with all his heart she wouldn't.

 

[prettyserpentine]

They fumbled like teenage lovers, but the innocent giggles were gone. Nothing existed for her but him in that moment, and he was the light chasing the shadows away for her. She wanted to cross this barrier, win this fight. She wanted to sprint over the finish line and for him to be the one she broke through for. Her eyes squeezed closed as his lips and hands wandered over her tense body.

She was slick and wet, and so very hot as his fingers slid between her legs. She moaned against his mouth, her body melting against him as he kissed her neck and her collarbone. Her hand gently moved up and down his shaft, drawing out lustful groans from him as he guided her, and she him.

The thought of him inside her turned her on so much, but one step at a time. His fingers stroked over her clitoris and she bucked, suckling a little on his shoulder as she whimpered.

"Don't stop, please don't stop..." She rhythmically moved her hips, moving her hand a little faster as her excitement built.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Don't stop, please don't stop..."

Nicholas had no intention to stop unless she told him to. She had a look of resolve in her eyes and there was soft steel in her voice when she asked, begged, DEMANDED that he satisfy her. He loved it. There was an assertiveness behind the uncertainty he'd like to see more of. but firste she had to overcome her fear of being touched.

He gradually delved deeper with his fingers, starting to probe carefully into the opening of her vagina, returning often to her clitoris. His mouth ventured down her body from her mouth, trailing kisses and caresses with his tongue over her chin and down her throat.

His other hand sneaked its way across her back and unfastened her bra as his mouth got ever closer to her breasts. As he started kissing the top of her breasts he slowly removed her bra, gently yet insistently.

He smiled up at her. "It's only fair that we wear the same amount of clothing, my love." The tone was light, the meaning clear: There is no reason to be shy in front of me, Elin. Trust me.

As the bra slowly inched away he kissed and licked further down her breasts. Finally her nipples were exposed. He stopped to admire them for a little moment. "God but you are gorgeous, Elin!" Then he tentatively flicked his tongue over both areolas and nipples while his hand in her crotch never stopped working.

 

[prettyserpentine]

As her bra slid away from her skin, she felt that ball of tension grow in her belly. She held her breath, biting back the fear inside her.

"It's only fair that we wear the same amount of clothing, my love."

She was mostly naked before him now, her nipples peaked in arousal and the fear she tried to deny. His mouth moved down over her chest, his fingers delving inside her and then out, stroking along her clitoris. She trusted him, she moved against him, her inhibitions cast aside. Her heart raced, her pulse quickened and she whimpered.

He said she was gorgeous, and she buried her face in his hair. The words that came from him were always so kind, so caring. She quivered, her entire being seemed tense against him. She felt like she might cry as her heart lurched in her chest.

And then, his tongue was upon her nipples. Flicking over them. Her body shook, her legs tightening as they lay by him. She bent her head back, crying out. It was a primal cry, one filled with lust, yet tinged by fear and frustration. Her hand around his penis moved a little faster, her fingers running over the head as it oozed precum. She bit her lip, trying to muster her noise as her hand slid down again, slippery from the little juices, gliding over his manhood.

Her back arched, her body bowing to him like a cello bows to it's master. She cried out again, her free hand tangling in his hair, holding him to her as she fought within herself.

And then, the tension felt like it was moving, lower, down into the bottom of her belly, tightening and curling...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

It was obvious she was struggling with herself. One moment she was abandoned to her passion, the next moment she was cringing against him. But she never told him to stop. On the contrary, it seemed her body was starting to win the fight for her. He couldn't be more pleased.

He'd started thrusting towards her hand as she gently but firmly kept up her caresses of him, and he knew he couldn't last much longer, seeing as he hadn't had any sex in a while.

It seeme indeed as she was approaching a climax. Her breath became shorter and more acute, as did her whimpers and moans. Her thrusts against his hand also came quicker and sharper, following his hands caresses of her clitoris. A quick stroke was followed by a thrust of her loins. And another. And another, until her bottom was clear off the bed.

As he felt the contractions of his own orgasm start inside him he absurdly cried out a warning, not wanting to soil her hand. She was clear of the mattress now, her shoulders being the only thing grounding her as she writhed and thrust against him. And then...

 

[prettyserpentine]

When he cried out, she flinched and yelped almost violently. Their bodies were touching, rubbing sharply against each other as they both got close. When she flinched, her hips bucked, his fingers stroking a little quicker on her clitoris as they moved back down over her lips, the entire length of his knuckle grazing her little bud.

And then...

A silence seemed to envelope them. Her back felt like it was arching entirely, her toes were curling. Elinor let go of his hair and he looked up at her, her mouth frozen in an 'O' shape, her face reddened, the expression on it a mix of fierce determination, fear and love. Her eyes rolled back in her head for a second, the vein in her neck pulsing slightly. Her gaze lighted on him the moment the silence fell. Her mouth opened further, her brows knitting, the bones of her neck accentuated as her body arched. She wordlessly tried to speak as her body began to shudder.

She came, the second his knuckle grazed her, her insides clamping around his fingers.

The cry that issued forth from her was full of uncertainty, the sound of pain breaking away, the barriers from her heart shattering. Her head fell back as her body completely gave over to him, her hand drawing up along his length as he tensed. Nicholas came with her, his seed pulsing out, splashing on her wrist, her hand, his stomach, her stomach. It shot out, even landing some on her breasts. She let go, falling back on the bed, quivering and rocking her body a little. Her every breath was impregnated with the remnants of that soul-shattering cry. Silent tears fell from her eyes.

"Hold me, please, hold me..." She was shaking, turning her head to look at him, her face torn between love and the agony of her dread. The dread of being alone.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Her orgasm was a beautiful sight. Her cry was heartbreaking with all the emotions bursting forth from her. Nicholas tried to contain himself, but his body pulsed and bucked as he came in copious amounts over both of them. He registered very little for a few seconds, a rushing sound enveloping his head. Then, when he came to, he saw the tears from her eyes and her plea:

"Hold me, please, hold me..."

He lay down next to her and embraced and cuddled her. He kissed her on the forehead, her nose and on her mouth like he'd done before and told her: "I love you, my fierce little sun. You are so very dear to me, my beautiful Elin." He kissed her on the mouth again, a little deeper this time.

A little pause as he leane his forehead against hers. Then, with raw emotion filling his voice: "Thank you for trusting me." A new kiss and a slow comforting caress across her now bare back.

His heart was about to burst with pride and joy because she'd let him chase her over that threshold, and also with love. He wanted to jump up and down and shout out to the whole world how much he loved her, he wanted to run around the room like a giddy five-year old shouting "wheeeee", so happy was he to have shared something so intimate with her.

He did none of those things, of course. Instead he gazed into her tearful green eyes with his clear blue eyes and smiled reassuringly at her as he lavished her with kisses and caresses and praise.

 

[prettyserpentine]

It didn't take too long before Elinor drifted off to sleep again. As she slept, she curled up in Nicholas' arms, sated and content. She didn't dream, just breathed slowly and steadily in his embrace, stirring slightly as he moved his arms over her back in his sleep. Her eyelashes grazed his skin when she moved, pursing her lips and kissing his chest in her sleep.

She eventually rolled onto her back, the bedcovers bunched around her legs, her skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat, and other less pleasant fluids. But she hadn't cared, too happy and blissful when she fell into her sleep. As she slept, her arms stretched above her head, her hands tangled in the pillowcase and bed head. Her breasts rose and fell as she slept, breathing steadily.

It was the cold that woke her. The chill that crept across her skin at about six thirty in the morning. She rolled onto her side, planting a soft kiss on Nicholas' shoulder. He was fast asleep. They smelled like sex, sweaty and salty. She smiled, glancing at the clothes strewn about the room. She got up silently, closing the door behind her and lifting her cellphone, dialling the local deli. She ordered filled, warm bagels and croissants. Bacon and eggs. All delivered at nine. She called the doorman just to let him know they were coming at that time.

She washed herself quickly, dressing in shorts and a cropped top and sneakers. She walked down the hall and into the little gym she had, jumping onto the running machine and spending about twenty minutes running, just until she felt that burning on her thighs. After being in hospital and everything, she was taking a little time to get back to her level of activity. After she finished running, she headed out of the room, past the two closed off spare rooms and out onto the terraced rooftop garden. She walked through it, past the hot tub and into the archway at the far side. She stripped her shorts and top off, kicked off her sneakers and grabbed a towel from the wall closet, tossing it on the floor.

Elinor pulled on her nude coloured bikini bottoms, almost skin tone. She tied the top behind her back and stepped up on the diving board. The swimming pool had a long corner window that looked out across the morning Boston skyline. Elinor looked ahead, out over the river, and she straightened her back. She bounced a little on the diving board and dived into the water, feeling the cool water rushing over her skin. She swam for a long while, before glancing up at the archway, smiling at the figure who stood there. She reached that end of the pool, putting her arms on the tiles, the water glistening in her hair as she looked up at him, smiling.

"Good morning, my darling," she said as he crouched down. She rose up on her hands and gave him a kiss. "Breakfast is coming at nine. I thought you'd like bacon and eggs, filled bagels and some croissants. And hot coffee." She pushed off the edge, back stroking away and smiling, treading water.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He watched her fall asleep. It was one of the sweetest sights ever for him. She had triumphed over some of her demons tonight and he had helped her. His reward was to watch the woman he loved fall into calm blissful sleep. Her face was calm and her breath was slow and steady. She kissed his chest in her sleep a couple of times, making his heart ache with tenderness for her.

He leaned in and whispered "I love you Elin" in her ear and was rewarded with happy grunting mumbles from her as she snuggled even closer to him, squashing her soft breasts to his chest. He fell asleep, awaking only when she'd rolled over and slept outstretched. He'd watched her sleep when she'd had nightmares. She'd huddled up in a near-foetal position, pulling the covers over her. Now she lay luxuriously outstretched, apparently not a care in the world.

Nicholas smiled again as he fell asleep and came to only when she'd finished showering. He caught a glimpse of her in her workout clothes and a waft of shower gel and shampoo. She looked hot and fresh in her gymclothes, contrasting how Nicholas felt. Ugh. He smelled! He put on his clothes and went down to his apartment for a change of underwear and a set of his own gym clothes. His apartment, nice though it was, felt cold and lonely now after spending the night with her.

He rushed up to her apartment again and jumped into the shower, washing and scrubbing vigorously as he sang a merry silly tune. Then he changed into gymclothes to join her, only to find her gone. Oh well, he still had to work out. He hopped on the treadmill and gave it a good go, remembering what the DI's in basic had told him: Pain is weakness leaving the body. Relish it.

He relished the pain for 25 minutes, then started to wonder where she'd gone off to. Then he heard a distant splash, and he understood. He'd packed a swimming trunk for the swimming pool of the hotel. He'd have to pack a new one, it seemed. He went to change and then went to the pool. She was swimming... naked? No, but the colour of her two-piece swimsuit had almost fooled him. She was graceful and swam with easy confident dtrokes.

She spotted him and swam over to his side of the pool. When she lifted up to kiss him he noticed a cute tattoo on her right hip. It was a heart that ended in a triple clef at the bottom, a bar of notes running through the heart. She kicked back and swam away from the edge, stopping and treading water. He didn't hesitate but jumped in shouting "CANNONBAAAALL!"

He swam up to her and said in a quiet and cheerful voice "Good morning, sweetheart. You were magnificent last night!" He gingerly grabbed hold of her neck and kissed her good morning while they both tread the water, their feet softly colliding and mingling under the water. They stayed locked in that kiss until she...

Her tattoo: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2736/4150820227_4cc7c67e51.jpg

 

[prettyserpentine]

...giggled, pushing him away and swimming off.

"I'm not magnificent at all..." She laughed as he caught up to her, disagreeing as she knew he would. She turned as his arms tread water, and she put her arms around his shoulders, pulling him underwater with her and kissing him. She smiled broadly, her eyes twinkling in the clear water. They kissed for a few seconds, and then came up for air, her arms still around him. She was smiling and giggling happily, kissing his cheek and neck.

"I can't remember feeling this happy," she confessed as she indulged in another kiss. Their feet were touching the bottom now and she cuddled up against him. "And we have New York to look forward to now! I'm so excited. What time is our flight?" She swam to the little ladder, climbing out of the pool and wrapping her towel around herself as she sat on one of the sun loungers, looking out at the cold morning, glad for the heated pool as she ruffled her short hair.

"What should we do tonight when we get there? Opera? Broadway?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

It was a joy to see her so happy and relaxed around him. He joined her, sitting on the floor beside her and towelling himself. "Our flight? Didn't Alexey tell you? After the vultures printed those pictures of you, he insisted we use his private jet, which means we can leave after a two hour warning. The pilots have to schedule a flight plan and other such red tape, but Alexey told me we could leave whenever we were ready.

(In her bedroom, his cell phone lay forgotten, buzzing an angry buzz.)

"I'm thinking we leave after breakfast and check into the hotel. We can use the wi-fi on Alexey's plane to see what there is to see in the Big Apple. I'm up for opera, Broadway, ballet. ANYTHING as long as it's something we do together."

He stopped, laughing at that last sentence, then repeated with a dumb voice "as long as it's something we do together. Duh!" He stood on his knees and leaned in to kiss the wonderful woman he loved. "As if that wasn't the whole point of this trip." He kissed her again. He didn't tire of touching and kissing her, and he loved the bubbly playful mood she was in.

They went to get dressed and Nicholas noticed his telephone showed several missed calls and a mass of messages. Both Erin and Marianne had called and texted several times, as well as Alfredo and Carl and Alexey and Greta. With a sinking sensation he flicked through the messages and they all had a variation of the same message. Check Boston Tattler now!

Then the phone rang and Erin was on the other end, livid. "Those BASTARDS! It's an invasion of privacy! They can't DO that to you, to us, after what we've been through!" She was crying with frustration and anger, and Nicholas had to calm her down. They hung up after he'd promised to check out the BT first thing. By the look of Elin's face she'd gotten a mass of messages and missed calls as well.

He went over and wrapped one arm around her as he looked up the Tattler on his phone. The first thing he saw was his own face. The main picture was a picture of him in Afghanistan, all buzzcut and cockiness. There was also a mugshot of him from the night he was arrested, and a picture of him from the ball with Erin by his side, watching Elin play.

"MIRONOV-KERSHAW HEIRESS' NEW BEAU?? MAN WITH TRAGIC COLOURFUL PAST LINKED TO RICH PRODIGY AS HER SAVIOUR AND LOVER!"

The "article" was a quick and faulty recap of his life up until the rescue of Elin. That he could live with. But they had dug up the story about Erin and in lurid details told of the assault and rape of her and the death of Max. They went on to describe how he was "haunted" by bad luck and how things apparently had turned for him after he rescued Elin. Every little bit about him they could dig up they had dug up.

He impulsively reached around and hugged Elin as he shook with anger. "Please hold me Elin. Goddamn it! Now they've dragged you AND Erin through the mud. And the Jensens!" He broke down and wept in anger and frustration. The night had been terrific and the day had started so well! Why this? Why now? Just... WHY!? His phone rang. It was his mother. She heard him cry as he disentangled himself from Elin and answered her, wrapping an arm around Elin's shoulders. He needed her now like she'd needed him. She kept him calm, kept him from doing something violently stupid.

"Nicholas. By the sound of it you've read that... despicable... LURID piece of trash! If not for your sake, then for Erin's sake I will engage Bartholomew's lawyer and RIP THOSE ASSHOLES A NEW ONE!" Nicholas hadn't heard his mother this upset ever. "They will NOT drag my children through the mud unpunished!" Nicholas had an epiphany. He told about the Mironov's lawyer and how he should meet with the O'Hara's lawyer. Two very sharp lawyers from two very wealthy families could wreak havoc on a lurid sensationalist newspaper. His mother told him to go to New York and forget all about that piece of trash newspaper. Then she wanted to speak to Elin.

As Elin spoke with his mom, Nicholas paced through the room like a caged predator. He wanted most of all to drive down to the offices of the Tattler and knock some heads. But nothing good would come of it. One look at Elin was enough to calm him. She needed him as he needed her. She could calm him with a look, a kind word or an embrace. Despite it all, he smiled. She was a godsend.

Elin hung up. Nicholas embraced her again.

 

[prettyserpentine]

After Erin's phone call, Elinor couldn't pin down one emotion. Rage, sadness, despair, worry... All these things fled through her system when she saw the headline. She read, in gruesome detail, all about what happened to Erin and Max, and she felt sick. Her head spun and she barely registered Nicholas' rage-filled tears as his arms went around her. Hers surrounded him, holding him. She felt cold as stone, and stood there stoically, barely breathing. The back of her head throbbed and she started to shake as Nicholas' phone rang again. She held him tightly as he sobbed to his mother, and Elinor could hear very plainly everything that Elizabeth said.

"She wants to talk to you," Nicholas said, handing the cell to Elinor.

She took a deep breath and listened to Elizabeth as she raged about suing the paper, calling the lawyers. "I understand how upset you are, I am too. But we can't sue them for finding out the truth. However, my lawyer is looking into breach of trust with their trespassing on my property, and the hospital. What they've done to Erin... Digging up all those details, the only thing I can think of... Is to fight fire with fire, Elizabeth. These things happened to my mother and father... I'll make a couple of phone calls. Call my aunt, and your lawyer. I'll be in touch." She hung up, smiling calmly at Nicholas as he moved to her, holding her.

The doorbell rang, as if on cue.

"Can you get that? I have a couple of calls to make."

She disappeared into the bedroom, calling the woman she dealt with for Public Relations, her lawyer, and Greta.

She came back into the living room. "I'm going to make a statement. A small press conference. I'm afraid we can't leave for New York until after lunch." She straightened her shoulders. "If they want a headline, I'll give them a goddamned headline." She went back into the bedroom, opening her wardrobe. "I'm going public. No one gets to pry into my life without my permission. I'm going public with what happened, and with the charity work. Good things can come from this."

She looked around at him, desperate for him to agree, to support her. "Can't they?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

She was amazing. She was calm and collected, a fine counterpoint to Nicholas' seething rage. He went to collect the breakfast and started setting the food out as he heard her talk on the phone in the adjoining room.

Then she came out, resolve etched across her face. She started talking about press conferences and headlines and his stomach sunk. Did she expect him to talk to the press? He would if she wanted him to but the thought filled him with dread.

"I'm going public. No one gets to pry into my life without my permission. I'm going public with what happened, and with the charity work. Good things can come from this. Can't they?"

Her resolve was contagious. He swallowed once, twice, then told her: "I will be there by your side if you want me to. I won't let you face these vultures on your own. This is our fight."

He stood and held out her chair for her. As she moved to sit down he was overcome with love for her and he stepped forward and embraced and kissed her. "You. Are as fierce. As a lioness. My love!" He punctuated with kisses, then helped her sit down before piling food on her plate.

He sat down and helped himself to some food as well. In a few short minutes she had completely turned his mood around. "Oh, and to answer your question: Yes, I do believe something good can come out of this."

They spent breakfast discussing what to wear at the press conference. He agreed that she should do most of the talking as he didn't entirely trust his own temper.

After breakfast he talked with Alexey's pilots and comfirmed take-off time. Then he went on the web and checked... Yes! Perfect! He made some arrangements over web and phone and then it was time for them to go. The conference would be in one of the lounges at the airport.

They packed their luggage into the waiting car and were on their way.

 

[prettyserpentine]

Elinor's hands shook as she dialled the number on her cell. She lifted it to her ear as it rang once, twice, three times. The voice on the other end greeted her.

"I don't think I can do this... There are eighty seven reporters out there," she said.

Erin McKenzie answered her with a quiet, determined resolve. "You can do this. You've come this far. Uhh... What? Oh, okay. Mom wants to talk to you."

Elinor shivered as her PR Tina stroked her back.

"Elinor? Hi, it's Elizabeth. Where's Nicholas?"

"He's just going to wait at the door for me, with my uncle. Greta and Tina will be with me."

Elizabeth sounded like she was smiling. "I am so proud of you... You'll be fine. Keep your head held high..."

Tina tapped Elinor on the shoulder. "It's time, let's go."

Elinor looked at the door where Alexey stood with Nicholas. She gave him her best smile, trying to look as strong as he believed she was. But she was terrified. She tripped going up the steps to the table, behind which sat three chairs. Greta kept her hand at her back, guiding her to the middle chair.

Silence fell, as Tina stood up, introducing herself and explaining why the conference had been called. There would be opportunity for arranged interviews at a later date.

"And now, I'd like to welcome Miss Mironov, who will make a brief statement." She turned, smiling sharply, almost warningly. Elinor rose from her chair, smoothing down her pale blue blouse and her black pencil skirt. She lifted the papers that she had written. Her hands shook so badly she couldn't read them. She dropped them on the table. The majority of the reporters were women. Tina had done her job. Some of them gasped as a photograph was flashed up on the screen behind her. A young woman, bruised and battered, with blonde hair, her face unrecognisable. Another, a brunette. Another victim of violence. Several more images, one of whom was the photograph of the prior victim to Elinor. David's girlfriend.

"Her name was Leah Astly. She was killed almost two months ago."

The final photograph was the one taken of Elinor. Her torn dress, casted arm, broken lips and bruised and bloodied face. Elinor straightened her back and focused on a point above the centre of the room.

"My name is Elinor Mironov-Kernshaw. I play the cello, the violin and the piano. I am not going to let what has happened to me define who I am or who I am going to be." She took a deep breath. "Two days before Leah Astly died, her murderer attacked me in an alleyway. He used a knife to...cut my dress. So he could-" Her lips shook a little. She balled her fists. "So he could r-rape me. You all know the story. I was rescued by a man formerly of the US Army. Some days later, my attacker came back to finish the job. But he didn't." She shook a little, adjusting her stance. "He will face our justice system, of that there is no doubt. And he won't hurt anyone else."

She looked around the room. "Nicholas McKenzie saved my life. And I'm here today to announce the plans to build a support centre for Army veterans returned home. Ones who suffer from PTSD, ones who don't know what to do with the horrors they've seen. With the nightmares. They aren't alone. My family and I have given $2 million to fund this."

Elinor looked at Nicholas, steeling herself as she looked out again at the press. "You may have seen in other tabloids, the horrible news about his life, about his sister's life. All of this sensationalised, dug out of the past because of what happened to me. The invasion of privacy, sadly, has always been part of my life. I feel sick that an innocent girl now has to suffer at the hands of such tabloids." Elinor was as white as a sheet as she raised her head, remembering Elizabeth's words. "We are not victims. Leah Astly was a victim. We are survivors. I am a musician, not a victim. Some of the girls in those photographs are teachers, nurses, engineers." She swallowed, holding the edge of the table. "I would personally like to thank Bartholomew and Elizabeth O'Hara for their collaboration with my aunt to help open a centre for other women like us. Somewhere to go, to talk with people who know what they've been through. A support network to get them back on their feet, past the pain..." She bit back tears. "I'm very lucky, I'm very blessed to be where I am. And out of such horror and tragedy, we will knit a better community, we will regrow and heal." She took a deep breath. "I'd ask you to respect the privacy of those involved here. We are just trying to get by. Tina will liaise with you for any further questions. I'd like to thank you for your time..."

Elinor sat back down in her seat heavily as Tina stood.

The reporters were just standing up to leave, when Elinor shook her head, her icy hand reaching for the table to steady herself as she stood up. She looked to the door, seeing Nicholas and started heading towards him, before darkness and her lack of eating nipped at her consciousness. Greta and Tina managed to catch her, holding her up as they glided her down the stairs and into a private room, where Alexey waited with a jug of water.

She came round slowly, holding Nicholas' hand. "Are we in New York yet?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Nicholas barely managed to keep his composure during the conference. Drawing strength and calm from Alexey, he sent out all his strength and love to Elin. He knew she was nervous. He also knew she would go through with this. For Erin's sake. For his sake. For her own sake. He was fiercely proud of her, though a bit worried. She'd barely touched her food this morning. And she had that pale look he knew so well. He exchanged a glance with Alexey and Alexey nodded. He made a quick call, then returned his attention to the conference.

As the pictures flashed across the screen you could hear a pin drop. Only Elin's voice broke the silence, as well as a few gasps at the more horrid pictures. Nicholas became painfully aware that some attention was directed at him. He managed to ignore it when cameras were directed at him, though he hated it when they started snapping pictures of him as tears filled his eyes. As it was he got only a fraction of the attention, which suited him just fine. Nevertheless, it was intimidating.

When the conference was over the journalists left, some of them approaching Nicholas asking for a comment. Nicholas referred them to Tina. He knew that much at least about handling the press: say as little as possible.

And then she fainted. Nicholas ran forward and helped Greta and Tina guide her into the private room. He held her cold hand and rubbed it as she came to.

"Are we in New York yet?" He'd noticed an almost childlike quality to her voice when she woke up which he found endearing beyond words.

"Not yet, sweetheart. But there's food waiting for you on the plane. Didn't I tell you to eat before this?" Nicholas gently and lovingly scolded her. He helped her on her feet and held her tightly as Alexey led them to the aeroplane, a Bombardier business jet. Greta, Alexey and Tina followed them on board and seated Elin in front of the food with one clear order: EAT!

Greta and Tina were quietly discussing the press conference and potential consequences. Tina went to Nicholas and took him aside. "Nicholas, you need to be aware that not all response to this might be positive. There are lunatics and crackpots hiding in the wings, as well as jealous people wanting to smear these charities for no other reason than to blow their own horn in some way. I need to know RIGHT NOW if there are any secrets in your past that might surface that I need to control." Nicholas told her truthfully about his falling out with his mom, previous girlfriends, his golddigging ex-wife and the stay at the Army psychiatric institution after breaking his CO's jaw. She nodded. "And Miss Mironov-Kernshaw knows about all this?" Nicholas nodded. "No secrets between us." Tina gave him a smile at that and went back to Greta while Alexey hovered near his niece.

Nicholas sat down opposite her in the elegant swivel chair next to the table with food. Alexey, greta and Tina left the plane on the behest of the pilot, stating that they had completed pre-flight checks and had takeoff in ten minutes. The steward packed away the food, promising to bring it back after take-off. They buckled their seatbelts and held hands across the table as the jet plane slowly started taxiing towards the runway. The engines revved and then the plane bolted forward, down the runway. Then that unreal feeling as the plane lifted off. Nicholas had only ever flown commercial planes or military transports before. This plane was a lot less noisy, and due to its size the feeling of flight became more acute, almost intimate. Nicholas loved it. He sat grinning like a child as the landscape flashed by beneath them.

The steward returned with the food. Nicholas' attention again turned to his brave girlfriend. "I'm so looking forward to this!" He checked his watch. Yep. Plenty of time to check in and eat at the hotel before springing the surprise on her. He'd been reading up on the hotel, and the chefs were world class.

"I hope you haven't made too many plans this afternoon," he said with an enigmatic smile.

 

[prettyserpentine]

Nicholas had this expression on his face, like he was proud of himself. It was an adorable kind of smugness.

"I hope you haven't made too many plans this afternoon."

She smiled curiously, her eyebrows knitting together as she looked at him, picking apart a ham sandwich with her fingers.

"I hadn't planned on anything... Why? What have you got up your sleeve, Mr McKenzie?" Her stomach ached as she swallowed her bite of sandwich and started picking apart some pieces of cheese. She frowned even harder when he just shrugged, brushing her questions off as he glanced out the window. Elinor followed his gaze as the plane rose out of the clouds, steadying and levelling out. She took a drink from the bottle of water, leaning back in her chair and taking a little moment to relax and close her eyes. She concentrated on her breathing, listening to herself inhale through her nose and exhale through her slightly parted lips. She opened her eyes, her heart skipping slightly as she saw Nicholas looking at her. He grinned as her cheeks pinkened, and he squeezed her hand.

The flight was a short one, landing at Newark just after one in the afternoon. The cab ride took thirty minutes, eventually pulling them up outside the hotel. It looked out over Central Park and was relatively new, having been renovated and refurbished. A bellboy was there in a flash, opening the car door. Nicholas stepped out, leaning down and holding his hand out to help Elinor onto the sidewalk. They stepped into the huge hotel foyer and walked across to reception, handing over the hotel voucher Greta had given them.

The woman behind the reception desk smiled pleasantly, taking the voucher and looking up the details on her computer screen. "Good afternoon, Miss Mironov. Mr McKenzie." She nodded, smiling at Nicholas before looking back down at her screen briefly. "We trust you'll enjoy your stay with us. Three nights in our penthouse suite. Full room service is available, should you require it. The kitchen is fully serviced, as per norm." She looked at Nicholas. "Mr McKenzie, Mr Mironov has instructed us to ensure you of total security during your stay. Our head of security is a former associate of his, Quentin Lynch. His number is on this card." She handed the card to him, along with two key cards. "Darwin will take your bags up, and there will be a late lunch served in your suite in forty five minutes." She smiled again, genially. "My name is Christiania, and zero on your telephone will direct you here to reception." She glanced over their shoulders. "Ah, there's Darwin now."

The bellboy bowed curtly. "Sir, ma'am, your bags are up in your suite. I can direct you there now, if you'll follow me, please."

Elinor and Nicholas thanked Christiania wholeheartedly before Nicholas put his hand on the small of Elin's back, guiding her to the elevator where Darwin led them. Once inside, he rattled off the details of the hotel and their suite. It boasted of a 1,200ft terrace, three bedrooms, a huge dining room and very spacious living accommodation. He opened the door into the grand sitting room, and their luggage sat waiting on them. Nicholas tipped Darwin, and Elin carried her luggage to the master bedroom suite. The huge windows looked out over the city. When she came back into the sitting room, Nicholas came up behind her, kissing her ear softly and putting his arms around her waist, just holding her as they looked out over New York. He kissed her temple and she leaned back against him.

"It's like the world is our oyster, isn't it?" She turned, nuzzling against his chest. "Mmmm, I can't wait to eat." She nipped his chin playfully with her lips, and then kissed him. "I'm starving." They cuddled, looking out at the skyline. You could barely hear the traffic below. They held each other for a few moments, swaying gently before Elinor stepped back. "I think I'll get a shower before lunch. I always feel funny after I fly. You should call your mother, tell her we got here safe, and how well the press talk went."

Elinor unpacked her things, noticing that Nicholas' case wasn't there. She could hear him on the phone in the sitting room, and she wandered into the second bedroom. There it was. She sighed, shaking her head as she dragged it into the master suite, lifting it onto the long bench beside her own, now empty. She undressed, grabbing a towel and heading into the bathroom. She turned on the rain shower, and stepped underneath, sighing happily as the hot waterfall poured over her, easing her tensed muscles. Once she had washed her hair and body, and dried off, she smoothed her lily-scented body milk over her skin. She grinned, hearing Nicholas' low chuckle as he obviously found his luggage. She stepped out, smirking at him, her towel wrapped around her tightly as she was only in her white silk underwear, trimmed with black lace. The straps were obvious, the silk shining in the light.

"I might go to the spa tomorrow," she said. "Before we have dinner. A massage would be nice. And they have a sauna too, and a pool, and a beauticians. We could go to the opera after, if you want..." She quickly dropped the towel, her skin prickling nervously as she wrapped the bathrobe around herself. It was huge, white and fluffy, and far too big for her. She laughed. "I think this might be yours..."

She was rifling through the wardrobe when the doorbell rang. Nicholas went to answer it, and let the maid in with their lunches. Elinor dressed quickly, in a grey dress with a deep pink jumper, black nylons and a pair of velvet black high heels. She stood in the doorway of the dining room as the maid laid out their plates, lifting the covers to reveal poached salmon on a bed of salad. Nicholas stood at the other side of the table, next to the maid, staring at Elinor. She self consciously tugged at the skirt of her dress. She knew it was a little short. As she sat down at the table she blushed furiously.

The couple talked and laughed as they ate, going over plans and places they wanted to visit. He reassured her about the dress. She told him she loved him. After they had eaten, the maid caught Elin's eye as she darted out of the sitting room. Elinor glanced at Nicholas, who had that smug, enigmatic expression back on his face. She grinned, getting up and hurrying into the living room. Her eye was drawn to the sideboard, where there sat a bucket of ice with a bottle of champagne in it, two long stemmed roses, and a bowl of fragrant strawberries. She turned to Nicholas as he stood behind her, and she beamed at him, throwing her arms around him, kissing him on the cheek.

"What exactly have you got planned? Is this my surprise? I love it! Thank you!" She bounced in his arms, hugging him tightly.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Nicholas told his mom about the press conference. She was jubilant it had gone so well. He told her about Elin fainting and she scolded him for not taking better care of her, relenting only when he told her Elin could be as hardheaded as Erin. When he told her of the hotel she squealed. "Oh, Bartholomew and I have stayed there once. Their restaurant is to DIE for, Nicholas! Oh, I almost envy you!" Nicholas told her of his plans for the evening and she sighed. "You really really love this woman, don't you Nicholas?" He could only answer: "Yes I really really do." He paused for a moment, thinking he had heard some scuffing and grunting from his bedroom. He shrugged and said his goodbyes to his mother. Before they hung up he warned her that he would turn his cellphone OFF and that it would be off until tomorrow morning at the earliest. She just laughed and said "Have a good time, and say 'hi' to Elinor for me."

He hung up and did as he'd promised. His phone was off and would remain off for the time being. Then he went to unpack, only to find his suitcase missing. The door to Elin's room was ajar and he peeked inside. Sure enough, there it was. He chuckled as he pictured her small frame lugging his case to her room. So that was the scuffing noise he'd heard!

She stepped out of the bathroom, looking fetching as always. Her impromptu little tease turned to comedy as she'd taken his bathrobe. She was way too small and looked almost too cute in it. He excused himself as the doorbell rang and a maid arrived with their lunch. As she set the plates out, Elin appeared in the doorway. She looked decidedly hot. She showed off her legs very well in her getup and Nicholas gawked, making her blush as she sat down to eat. He really couldn't help himself. He knew he'd be the envy of most guys (and some of the girls) tonight, and he told her so. Nicholas himself was dressed conservatively, dark grey suit and dark blue tie and matching handkerchief on a light grey shirt. He liked dressing consevatively, and he had no intention of trying to outshine his radiantly beautiful girlfriend.

The lunch went by, and he had to suppress a little smirk when she told him she was kicking herself for not booking at Carnegie Hall, as it was one of the most prestigious venues in the world for music, classical as well as contemporary. He shrugged and said something along the lines of "too bad, but we'll make the best of it."

Then something caught her eye and he knew part one of the day's surprise was in place. She ran into the sitting room and squealed as she saw the champagne and the strawberries.

"What exactly have you got planned? Is this my surprise? I love it! Thank you!"

He smiled at her as she beamed and hopped in his arms. "This is only a hint of what's to come, Elin. If I could direct your attention to the champagne, you will notice it's russian. And that is going to be something of a theme for the rest of the day. A tribute to your mother and to an era that, for better or worse, is gone." He removed the roses from the glasses and gave them to Elin as he opened the bottle. Slow and easy was the trick if you wanted the cork to not fly around the room and spill half the bottle's content in the bargain. With an audible 'pop' the cork came out, and Nicholas knew they had to drink as much as possible now, as flat champagne was just white wine.

He poured two glasses and put a strawberry in each, then handed one glass to her. "Here's to us, Elin," he said, raising his glass. The champagne went straight to their heads, and they soon became relaxed and giggly. Nicholas felt his shoulders lower, and he realized just now how stressed he'd been. "Massage tomorrow, you say? I think I might join you for that." They finished two glasses each of the champagne, leaving them with a pleasant giggly buzz. Nicholas tested her trust in him by making her close her eyes and feeding her strawberries by hand. She did the same, only to misjudge and ending up smearing strawberry on his face. He looked at her, an incredulous laugh escaping him as she covered her mouth with her hand, giggling. Her eyes were shining with mirth as he with a mischievous glint in his eyes told her to clean it off. Then he added: "No napkins or washcloths allowed."

 

[prettyserpentine]

Her smile sparkled from her face. "No napkins or washcloths, eh?" She tilted her head, putting her finger to her chin and thinking. Then she picked up his handkerchief and dabbed a corner along his lips, smirking at winning his little challenge. "You never said anything about handkerchiefs." He grabbed her, pulling her to him and she laughed loudly, freely. Then she allowed him to kiss her, circling her arms around his neck.

After they had eaten, they wrapped up in warm coats to venture out into the city. When they reached the foyer, Christiania was waiting, smiling and handing Nicholas an envelope.

"Mr McKenzie sir, I believe your...taxi?...has arrived." She winked, smiling openly.

"Taxi?" Elinor looked around at Nicholas in puzzlement. He merely smiled, taking her arm and leading her to the door after tucking the envelope inside his jacket.

When they walked out of the doors, there was a horse-drawn carriage. Elinor put her gloved hands up to her mouth as she gasped in surprise, turning to Nicholas with wide green eyes. The driver nodded, tipping his hat as Nicholas helped her into the carriage.

She was lost for words. As they drove around Central Park, Elinor cuddled up to him. It was pretty cold, but she barely felt it at all. She was so happy she thought she might burst.

"I'm so happy, I think I might burst," she whispered to him, her voice shaking with emotion. "I haven't planned anything for you... You've done too much. It's more than I deserve."

 

[Niceandbrutal]

The ride through Central Park was magical. Twilight had set in, casting everything in a blue light. Several trees in the park were decorated with tiny lights, lighting up the path their carriage took. They passed a lake that was frozen solid enough for people to skate on, and families and lovers were frolicking on the ice, accompanied by an eclectic choice of music. Near the edge of the lake stood vendors selling hot drinks and snacks, and people sat around small stoves to keep warm while they ate.

The carriage rode through som dark passages, and Nicholas snuggled closer to Elin, kissing her when they were obscured. They shared a blanket, and Nicholas let his hands caress her body under it.

"I haven't planned anything for you... You've done too much. It's more than I deserve."

"No it isn't. This is exactly what you deserve. There's more to come, sweetheart. Sit back, relax and enjoy! You've done so much for so many people that you deserve to be treated like a princess, my little sun." He kissed her, muffling the protestations he knew she'd serve him. then he broke the kiss: "Shush. You deserve it. Basta!"

The carriage went all around Central Park and exited the same place it'd entered. They ended up near a grand old building erected in italian renaissance style. They were at Carnegie Hall, only a stone's throw away from their hotel. Nicholas doule checked to see if the envelope was there.

The marquee all but screamed at them: "Tonight only, in the Isaac Stern auditorium, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra will play highlights from the great russian composers!" Nicholas nodded at the marquee and looked at Elin. "Wouldn't you want to hear them play Rimskij-Korsakoff, Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky? Well, guess what?" He opened the envelope and brandished two tickets.

 

[prettyserpentine]

The pitch of the squeal that came from her was in the ranges only dogs, bats and several humans could hear.

"Oh... Oh my god are you serious? Are we going? Oh my god!!” she squealed! bouncing in the carriage. The driver turned around, laughing to himself.

Elinor practically bounded out of the carriage, her heels clicking as she hurried across the sidewalk to the doors. "Oh my god Nicholas, this is Carnegie Hall! All my life... All I have ever wanted to do is play here some day. Oh I can't believe we are here!"

Nicholas handed the tickets over to the box office, and ushered her inside. Most of the other people around were well dressed, but Elinor didn't even care. They went to their seats on the upper level and Elinor could see over the entire orchestra. She was so excited she could barely contain herself. The conductor came out, tapping his baton on the podium and clearing his throat before they began to play. They started with Rachmaninoff, his Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.

She kept her eyes closed throughout, her body swaying a little as they played. Her muscles tensed, her fingers twitched, and when the piece ended, she was the first out of her seat, applauding and cheering passionately. She turned, grinning to Nicholas, leaning in to him.

"Did you hear that? Wasn't it incredible?" She whispered to him as they played on.

Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov... All the greats. At the end of the concert, Elinor turned to Nicholas. He was sitting back, relaxed, a calm smile on his face as he returned her gaze. His eyebrows lifted, as if to ask if she was alright.

She took his hand, never feeling more sure about anyone in her life. She would be with him until her last breath, until the very last note of her existence.

"I love you. More than I can say. I... I just love you, and that's it."

It was short, and to the point. And then she kissed him, with every ounce of passion that she had.

Rachmaninoff: http://youtu.be/49dEdhsNpKE

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Nicholas spent almost the whole concert watching her listen to the music. She forgot to be selfconscious when music gripped her, it seemed. Nicholas didn't have the same sensual to the arts he knew Erin and Elin both had but he still loved classical music, especially when performed by such an excellent orchestra. His favourite piece was Mussorgsky's very dramatic "A night on the bare mountain". It gave him goosepimples to hear it played so well. It brought back memories as well. He'd played it on his mp-3 player on his way to his first combat drop to get psyched up. But he managed to distance himself from the associated emotions simply by watching Elin enjoying the music. He gave her hand a squeeze and smiled at her.

Her passionate kiss and his embrace after the concert caused some reaction around them, but Nicholas didn't care, especially as all the reactions were benign. He distinctly heard an old lady sigh: "Ah, young love. Remember our first concert, Albert?" A low throaty chuckle and a coy giggle from the woman told Nicholas that yes, Albert distinctly remembered that. When they finally broke the kiss, they were almost alone on the upper level. Nicholas was touched almost beyond words after her declaration of love for him.

"And I love you so much that I hurt when you hurt, I'm sad when you are and I'm ecstatic when you're happy. Therefore I must make it my mission in life to make you happy, my sweet." A loud 'a-hem' broke the spell.

"My apologies madam, mister, but we need to make ready for the next performance. But I'm glad you enjoyed the concert." It was one of the ushers, an elderly african-american with a genial smile, impeccably dressed.

Blushing and giggling, they left Carnegie Hall and stood outside in the chill New York evening. "And now we walk, sweetheart. But only a couple of bl- no, not back to the hotel. Come with me, if you please." He guided her to 57th street and led her to a renowned restaurant called "The Russian Tearoom".

They went inside and were met by the maitre'd. Nicholas showed him the reservation he'd gotten from Christiania. The maitre'd bowed and led them to a secluded spot before vanishing. They had a good view of the restaurant while being partially obscured from prying eyes. The maitre'd returned with menus and a question. "Miss Mironov-Kernshaw? I thought this might interest you." He handed her an envelope with a bow and her name beautifully written on it.

Nicholas smiled and shrugged. "Open it."

 

[prettyserpentine]

Elinor looked at Nicholas, her eyes filled with wonder. "What is it?" She slid her butter knife inside and sliced the envelope open, pulling out a photograph. "Mama..." She looked at the picture, holding it like a precious baby. "It's my mother, look!" She showed Nicholas the photograph. There sat Katarina Mironov, her glass raised along with the others in her troupe in a toast that had lasted for over twenty five years. Elinor looked around, her eyes welling up. "She sat right here, where we are..." She grasped his hand. "Thank you..."

Nicholas ordered the Traditional Red Borscht for his appetiser, and Elinor ordered the goat cheese and mushroom Blinchik. When they arrived, they tasted each other's and Elinor commented on how her uncle used to love pickled red beets, but hated goats cheese. The entrees arrived shortly after. Nicholas opted for the Stroganoff, as did Elinor. They giggled at each other as they ate the noodles.

"This is incredible, the truffle sauce is really lovely..."

When they were finished, Elinor sat back in her seat, rubbing her tummy. She looked at Nicholas and smiled a little tiredly. "I have very little room left for dessert. But I think I shall have the Tiramisu."

And she did. Nicholas stole a bite, and she in turn stole one of his Chocolate Pyramid. When the waiter returned for their plates, Elinor whispered something in his ear. He nodded, and returned moments later with two glasses of clear liquid, setting one in front of both of them. He bowed before leaving. Elinor squirmed in her seat and lifted her glass.

"This is Beluga. It is vodka made in Russia, from Siberian spring water. It is the purest Russian thing you will ever taste."

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Nicholas frowned. Beluga? He'd thought that was caviar, not vodka. Ah well, he had much to learn about Russia still, it seemed. He raised his glass and uttered the only russian phrase he knew and understood. "Na zdrovie!" He emptied the glass but resisted throwing it away as was the custom in some russian circles. The vodka was icy cold and smooth, caressing Nicholas' throat as it glided down into his stomach. He hardly felt the alcohol until he inhaled, and then it was a benign heat warming his throat and belly.

Inebriation took hold of him immediately, or so it seemed. He looked at the glass and nodded approvingly. "That... is the best vodka... ever!" They shared another glass of vodka, sipping it and savouring the soft, almost creamy flavour of it. They spent some time admiring the photo of her mother and Elin pointed out members of the troupe she'd met, sometimes slipping into russian when she grew eager and a little more inebriated. He'd never seen her so happy and relaxed before. His heart beat only for her as he watched her eagerly tell about her Katarina Mironov. Her face lit up in a bright smile and she gesticulated eagerly as she spoke about her mother and father.

Nicholas settled the bill and thanked the maitre'd profusely for the photography of Katarina Mironov. Then they went outside and were blasted by cold winds. Nicholas was in such a good mood that he just roared with laughter at the rough weather. He swept Elin in his arms and endeavoured to protect her from the cold of the night as they walked back to the hotel, it being only a few blocks away.

When they reached the hotel they were cold but cheerful, loudly exclaiming as they entered the warmth of the lobby. He went to the reception and asked for an envelope. He wrote a note to Christiania: Thanks to your help, this night was even more magical than I'd planned. Accept this as a token of appreciation for your great help. He signed the note and slipped a 50-dollar bill inside the envelope with it. Then he wrapped his arm around Elin and led her to the elevator. He did his best to warm her on the way up, embracing and kissing her. Then they reached their floor.

 

[prettyserpentine]

The elevator doors slid open and they stumbled to the penthouse door, giggling like teenagers. As Nicholas slid his key card into the lock, the door opened. Elinor teetered in, gasping and pointing to the window.

The view was breathtaking. She turned to the stereo, switching it on as a ballad played on the radio station. She kicked off her shoes, sashaying to the window and raising her arms above her head, dancing and swaying in front of the twinkling lights of the city as they glittered. In a moment, he was there.

Her arms went around his neck and they just danced together to the ballad playing. She got lost in his eyes, in the way that his smile changed into some kind of soulful expression. She felt alive as she closed her eyes, leaning against his chest as they danced. His heart beat steadily in his chest as he held her, kissing her head. She smiled up at him, her lips finding his.

I said love, don't mean nothin', unless there's somethin' worth fighting for...
It's a beautiful war...
When I hold the warmth of your body...
There is no body I'd rather hold...

The lyrics faded away as the guitar melody took over and Nicholas held her close, so her feet barely touched the ground, and he just spun her around like she didn't weigh a thing.

When he set her back down she was breathless. She stood before him, panting, her cheeks ablaze...

...and then she was on him, kissing him hard, almost biting his lip. Her hands were on his jacket, pulling it off his arms...