Confrontation - Chapter 9
Title: Confrontation - Chapter 9 Let’s Dance…
Author: hf_pocus
Pairing: Henry/Mike/Vicki
Rating : 18 and up
Spoiler: None
Warning: mild sexual references.
Summary: Uneasiness hangs heavy in the air. Something is up but exactly what?
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Blood Ties they are the property and creation of Tanya Huff. I do this for fun and make no profit. Enjoy J
Mike stood silent, an anxious shudder building in the pit of his stomach as he watched the smile spread across Henry‘s lips. Vicki glowered, puzzled, not liking the sudden feeling of suspicion that swelled in her or quite understanding the reason behind for it, chalk it up to the damn sleuth in her.. Mike shifted uneasily, instantly, recognizing that quizzical look of hers and tried hard to swallow the growing lump that had suddenly appeared in the core of his throat.
“This is odd.” Vick began wishing she has not just let those three words spill from her mouth. She hid the shiver that ran up her spine as she watched the faces of both males change. Henry appeared strangely pleased, and Mike well, his face and eyes ran through a series of emotions far too quick for her to read.
“Oh? Vicki?” Henry asked clasping his hands behind his back his smile curling into a mischievous grin.
“Why do you find this odd?” Mike asked abruptly.
“Well….” Vicki shrugged studying his eyes noting the discord in the tone of his voice “It’s not - that odd -but…the two of you. . . here?” Vicki managed a small chuckle hoping it did not sound as forced as it was.
“You’re here too Vick.” Mike shot back, his voice suddenly on the defensive..
“Yes- yes, I am. Yes.” Vicki nodded pursing her lips together, the conversation was turning awkward and her sixth sense was firing off signals that something was up with Mike, something she had never seen in him before. Henry, on the other hand, could not peel his eyes from her. That was nothing knew she was use to the intensity of his stare, at least she thought she was and the uncomfortable feeling could be the mere fact that she has not seen him in three weeks and well… intensity was normal, as far as she knew with Henry but damn why was this all so strange?
She averted her attention to the bodies on the dance floor, pretending she was watching as she tried to rationalize her thoughts. It was not long before she felt an electric tingle trail up her arm. She let her eyes slowly fall to her wrist, the point of origin where the warmth began to see Henry standing close, their arms touching. Slowly she followed up the length of his arm, along the curve of his shoulder, the soft bow of his lip to the twinkle dancing devilishly in the corner of his eye. Her head suddenly felt heavy, as a familiar ache began between her thighs. Oh heaven help me she sighed to herself.
“So…” Henry chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he gazed at her. “It is uncanny, the three of us ending up here all on the same night, what are the odds?.”
Vicki raised a brow at him, grinning slightly her words coming out in a soft sigh. “Just uncanny.”
Henry could feel the intense heat of Mikes stare burning into him. Languidly he let his eyes fall upon a young female and male closely passing by hand and hand. The smile dissipated quickly from Vicki’s lips as she watched the fluid movement of Henry‘s eyes as the flowed over the young couples bodies, first the male and then over the female..
“So Mike …“ Vick turned away, disappointment now looming in the pit of her stomach. “You said you were meeting someone? ”
“Yeah Mike. You did say that” Henry lazily turned his head to him.
“Yes I did, didn’t I Fitzroy?” Mike nodded, his eyes giving the club a quick scan. “And…I don’t see them anywhere, looks to be a no-show….ah well. Wasn’t that important anyway.”
“Oh?” Henry smirked raising a brow.
Mike looked away, he knew if he held Henry’s gaze the fire in his groin would surely give him away, surely. He turned his body to face the dance floor. The best thing to do here is to act as if he knew nothing of them, or at least her, being here. Still the ache to touch Fitzroy was unbearable and, for the first time, he felt resentment toward Vicki , not to mention jealousy with the fact that Henry appeared to be all too glad to see her. He gnawed at his lower lip as the anger grew. Yeah, damn it, he was all too fucking glad to see her. There had to be a reason, something had to have come up, some case she needed Henry’s super natural abilities for. They couldn’t possibly be here on a --date?
“So….”Mike quickly brought the questioning back to Vicki. “ Why are you here Vick? Are you two…” he wagged his index finger at the both of them. “Working on something ? Something I should know about?”
“Um…no actually…” Vicki shifted on her feet, running her hand through her hair, then pushing her glasses up on her nose, a habit she had acquired when lost in thought or just plain nervous.. “Actually I was looking for - Henry” She turned and flashed Henry a quick smile.
“You were?” Henry grinned his eyes brightening.
“”Really?” Mike crossed his arms in front of him. “Again Vick? Is this anything I should know about.”
Vicki felt a strange tension building between the three of them. “Um…no Mike I just…”
“Hey you guys!” A familiar female rang out, clashing with the tempo and the melody of the music. All three turned in unison to the direction of the voice. Coreen slanted her body sideways, squeezing through the small opening of people, her face beaming as she approached them.
“I am so glad you guys are here. I seem to have been dumped by the person I came with.” Coreen looked around. “Well at least it looks that way, not that it matters they were boring me to tears any way. So I see you found Henry- Vicki, and Mike as well. What are the odds in that.”
“Uncanny.” Vicki nodded
“Absolutely.” Henry smiled.
“Just..” Mike huffed.
The awkward silence now hung over the four of them like a dark cloud.
“ Um… yeah okay?” Coreen sucked in her breath trying hard not to smirk or roll her eyes. “Is anyone leaving? I could sure use a lift.”
“Well the night is still young for me.” Henry smiled at her. Coreen softly laughed give him a knowing nod.
“And Vicki you said a few minutes ago you were looking for me?” Henry let his arm brush against her arm again. She glanced at him, his eyes right on her. A strange sensation rose from the pit of her stomach, like a thousand tiny wings fluttering at once making her feel queasy as the tingling electricity ran through her arm again. Jesus she thought I haven’t felt like a giddy school girl since I was - hell - a school girl. She gave Henry an awkward smile nodding. “Yes, yes I did.” she cleared her throat and quickly looked back to the crowd dancing on the floor.
“Well…” Henry interjected slowly since they all seemed to be at a strange stand still and neither Mike nor Vicki was looking at him, only Coreen whose sleepy pleading eyes told him she needed to go home. “How about….you take Coreen home Mike and then…Vicki and I can have a little chat..” Henry’s kept his smile as he made quick contact with Mike, Mike’s eyes narrowed on him questioningly.
“Is that ok with you Mike?” Coreen flashed him an unsure smile, “I would really appreciate it. I don’t mean to screw up your evening, I could probably call a cab…” Coreen opened the small purse she was carrying and began rummaging through it.
Damn it Fitzroy. Mike grumbled low in his throat.
“No no…Coreen I will give you a lift.” Mike gave a reassuring nod. “Anyway tonight is one of those nights nothing went as planned.”
“Thanks Mike I so appreciate it.” Coreen smiled happily. “ When I find that friend of mine I am going to just…” Coreen shook her tiny fist in the air.
“No no. No need for that. Come on let’s go. Night Vicki.” Mike nodded in Vicki‘s direction but he did not allow his eyes to make contact as he gently took Coreen by the arm .”Fitzroy.” he nodded again for a moment locking his gaze onto Henry, the embers of Mikes desire smoldering into disappointment.
“Mike” Henry returned the gesture holding the gaze.
“See ya tomorrow Coreen.” Vick called after them as they disappear into the crowd.
Now suddenly finding herself alone with Henry the awkwardness fully gripped her. The wheels began to turn in her mind searching for something clever to say, surprised with her reaction at being at a loss for words. What could she say though? She had just wanted to see him, there was no real reason only the mere fact she had missed him.
“Well…” Henry smiled .rocking his weight playfully back and forth on his heels.
“Well?” Vicki shifted, hating the awkwardness inside her. What the hell, anyway?
“So…what is it you had to talk with me about Vicki?” His eyes sparkled with curiosity as she desperately searched for some reason, some damn reason that would seem pliable.. Nothing came as she stood there sinking into the warmth of his eyes. Henry chuckled softly, taking her by the arm and leading her to the dance floor.
“Um…what are you doing?” Vicki stared at him blankly, her eyes bouncing from his to where he held her by the arm.
“Taking you to the dance floor.”
“And…why?”
“So we can dance.”
“Oh no! No, no, no, I don’t do that.” she retorted as Henry turned her to face him his hand slipping round her waist.
“Really?” He swirled her gentle into a half circle, the floor suddenly feeling as if air were under her feet. The tingling sensation from his touch was gliding slowly up her waist and she knew her heart was getting set to pound. She thought of breaking his hold, willing her self to pull from him mentally but her body did not respond to her brains commands. “You seem to be a natural.” he grinned guiding her body into the sways and turns as each note rose and fell.
The scintillating heat rose in her and she knew the guard she had tried to keep up was quickly coming down. Again he turned her, their bodies moving into synchronized grace. Slowly his hand slipped from her waist around to the curve of her back She shuddered as he pressed his body against her, the sway of his hips enticing her secret desire. She closed her eyes, feeling the softness of his breath against her cheek, the light tempo of his heart against her breast. The swarm of people around them fell away, there was no one else on the dance floor but them. She closed her eyes as the rapid beat slowed, the music becoming hypnotic. Drifting into a peaceful alluring rhythm.
She was losing herself to the music but mostly to him, as his other hand found the curve of her hip and her hands slid around his waist, the moistness building steadily between her thighs.
Henry recognized the scent, the sweet aroma of her arousal as he pressed her closer, his own desire rising within him. The delicate sway of her hip, the quickening pace of her heart. The temptation was becoming far too great, far too overwhelming for the both of them.
Slowly Vicki raised her head to him, her eyes smoldering as she licked her lips. She imagined her hands sliding down the muscular mounds of his ass, gripping each cheek tightly. Again she sent the command to her limbs to make a move, but again the command was ignored. What the hell was wrong with her, here was her chance, her time to make a move. He was in her arms and her in his, gazing into each others eyes. It could not be more perfect, why the hell wouldn’t she make a move. Henry smiled, soft, his lips delicate as they curved at the corners. Such a sexy smirk he has she thought to herself. Slowly he pressed his mouth to her forehead, breathing in the scent of her hair, causing bumps to rise on her flesh. Oh Jesus.
“Vicki.” Henry breathed into her hair, his voice a soft delicate whisper. “The music has stopped.”
She blinked twice as she gazed at him, raising her head quickly off his chest. The music had stopped and they were once again surrounded by people. “ Oh Jesus, I feel stupid.”
Henry laughed as his hands fell away from her hips. “You are a very good dancer:”
Vicki just shook her head in answer and disbelief. The unsettling cloud began to loom over them again. Damnit, she thought to herself the chance had passed her again, damnit.
“It’s getting late, Vicki,” Henrys eyes were tender, his smile thoughtful “ at least for me.”
“Well for me too,” Vicki stepped back from him clearing her throat. “ hell this place will probably be closing soon.”
“So what is it you wanted to discuss?” Henry gestured for her to move off the dance floor. Vicki did, rubbing the back of her neck hoping he did not sense her embarrassment. “Um…?” She began, biting her lip.
“There wasn’t really anything you needed to talk with me about was there Vicki?”
Vicki shifted her eyes to the floor shaking her head no. She shrugged. “ I wanted to dance.”
Henry laughed boldly “Really? Maybe - you didn’t exactly object when I lead you to the dance floor so maybe….:”
For the third time tonight the awkward silence rose between them. Funny it’s presence did not seem to exist on the dance floor and Vicki found herself looking longingly back, the swaying bodies becoming less and less.
“Well…Vicki the night is…” Henry began
“I know, I know….” Vicki sighed. ”I have to go too.” she turned and smiled at him. “Good night Henry.“ The disappointment was heavy in Vicki’s eyes as she walked away, the moment between them ending far too soon.
Henry watched the sway of her hips through his lashes. Damn, he said under his breath. He had heard the building tempo of her heart, caught the scent of her burning desire and felt the frustration in her as she pulled from him on the dance floor. He had missed her as she had missed him, she was a temptation and now …so was Mike.
The image of Mike rushed into his mind. The muscular curves, the musky scent of his skin and the mere taste of him burned on his tongue. But Vicki…yes he had missed her as well and that instant connection the two of them shared had not fizzled out, not in the least,
“Shit.” Henry growled as he made his way to the exit.