Heart's Cry

    Sitting on the edge of the overstuffed chair, I could not feel more out-of-place. Drunk and drinking party goers were huddled in little groups or mulling about the lavish sea side estate home of Aleksander Kikorov, the local import/export magnate. Kirkorov was very well known for both his savvy business sense and a very active night life, and this party was a testament to the latter.

It was well known when Kirokov hosted such a party and everyone did their best to be on the guest list. Well, everyone but myself.



    Having always preferred to stay out of any form of lime light and not one for partying, I felt like a fish out of water. However, my best friend since elementary school, Jenna Kenney, was the polar opposite. Always the socialite, Jenna was all about going to clubs and social events to be seen, as well as find some new boy toy to play with. All the while, I’m comfortable at home or hanging out at a friend’s house watching movies. This brings me to why I’m so out of my comfort zone right now.



    Jenna had found out about the party and did some snooping to find a way in. She succeeded in catching the eye of a young executive in Kirokov’s business and used him to get the two of us into the party. Once there, we stayed fairly close to him until we were introduced to Kirokov. After the formalities were out of the way, Jenna ditched the exec and spent her time stalking Kirokov in the attempt to garner his attention longer than just the polite ‘hello, nice to meet you” and “I hope you enjoy the party” moment we had received earlier.



    Left to my own devices, I had wandered around the open areas of the home until I discovered  a very comfortable looking vacant chair. As I watched those around me, I started to wish I had come up with an excuse not to come along. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this would happen so I wasn’t really surprised when it did. However, that did nothing to change the fact I was becoming more and more uncomfortable with each passing minute. Falling back into the chair, I closed my eyes and tried to pretend that I wasn’t there. With little success, I tried to tune out the loud voices around me until a single, slightly accented, one broke through the incessant chatter.



    “Are you feeling alright? Do you need anything?”



    Opening my eyes slowly, I looked up to see Kirokov standing over me with a concerned look in his eyes. It took me a moment to register he was speaking to me as I caught myself staring at him. His six-foot three, slender frame towering before me while his cerulean hues searched me for any sign of distress from behind a few errant strands of light brown hair.



    “What? Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, I’m fine. I was just sitting and waiting on my friend.” I finally explained, feeling embarrassed at being caught staring.



    “Your friend? The blonde female you and Joshua were with earlier?” He inquired.



    “Yes, that would be the one.”



    “All right. But you may have a long wait. I’m pretty sure I saw your friend leaving with Thomas, my Human Resources Director, about ten minutes ago.”



    “Really?” I returned as I sat up again, feeling a bit of anger building at the thought of Jenna stranding me here just to get laid.



    “Great! Do you know of any cab services that come out here?” I added as I started a mental checklist of what to tell Jenna the next time we would speak, which for her sake had better be a few days away.



    “No, sorry. I take it she was your ride then?” He asked softly.



    “Yes, she was.” I growled. Then catching myself, I shook my head and apologized. “I’m sorry; I didn't mean to sound that way to you. It’s not your fault my friend thinks with a different part of her body besides her brain.”



    “Well,” he replied with a soft chuckle. “I suppose I should be glad I spurned her advances earlier. Would you like to take a walk on the beach with me? I need to get out of here for a few minutes; I’m starting to feel a bit smothered.” He asks as he extends a hand to help me up out of the chair.



    “Um, sure, if you don’t mind the company.” I returned as I slid my hand into his and stood up.



    “Not at all, I would enjoy it actually.”



    “All right, thanks.”



    Smiling, he continued to hold my hand as he led me through the people and out a patio door on the back of the house. Once we were off the deck, he escorted me along a slatted wood path to the white sand beach. We engaged in small talk along the way until I caught the sight of the moon reflecting off the ocean and heard the sound of the tide coming in.  On the horizon, clouds could be seen with some lightening illuminating them nicely.



    “Oh wow, this is so beautiful. No wonder you live here.” I said in awe.



    “I love the sound of the ocean” He explained before we started down the shore line. All the while, he never released my hand. I noticed his skin was cool to the touch, but paid it little mind as we strolled along casually.



      “I’m sorry; can you please remind me of your name again? I meet so many new faces that names are sometimes hard for me to remember.” He explained as he looked toward me.



    “Katharine, Katharine Denny. But most people call me Kat.”



    ‘Katharine, such a pretty name. Do you mind if I call you Kat? It would be easier for me to remember.”



    “Sure, please do” I replied with a soft smile.



    “Wonderful. And please, call me Alek.”



    “Really? I mean, okay. Thank you.” I stammered, suddenly feeling stupid for the initial reply.



    “Yes, really.” He said with another chuckle. ‘Why would that be so surprising?”



    “I’m sorry; I suppose I never figured to be on a first name basis with someone of your social status.” Again, I felt a fool for admitting that to him.



    No sooner were the words out of my mouth, he stopped and turned to face me. Gently he placed his hands on my upper arms and turned me to face him. Looking down to my five-foot seven inch petite frame, his gaze caught mine as he spoke in a stern, but soft tone.



    “Do not ever talk like that. You have no reason to think I am any better than you are. You are very beautiful and, from what little we have been able to speak, I can tell you are very smart. And, if it’s all right with you, I would like to kiss you.”

             

    Looking into his eyes, my heart skipped a few beats as I listened to his words. It was strange but his voice seemed to fill my head completely so that nothing else around us registered at that moment. When I heard his request, I only nodded my consent as words seemed to escape me. Smiling his eyes never left mine until they closed when our lips met.



    It was like instant electricity throughout my body as he deepened the kiss. His right hand moved up to tenderly caress my face as his left moved down to the small of my back. My hands rose to rest lightly upon his chest as I began to feel lost in the moment.



    After what felt both like an eternity, yet not near long enough to satisfy a sudden desire, he pulled back from the kiss and opened his eyes. When I opened mine, our faces were still only centimeters apart when he spoke, his hand still holding my face.

“I’ve wanted to do that since we first were introduced earlier this evening.” He informed softly.



    “Wow” was all I could respond, still reeling from the effects of the kiss.



    My response brought another chuckle out as his right hand slid from my face into my hair. His eyes soaked in the features of my face as he whispers.



    “You are so beautiful” he said as his gaze returns to mine. “Stay with me tonight, please.”



    I couldn't help but blink at his request. I had never been with a man before. I didn't know what to say or do, so in a panic I chose full on honesty.



    “I’ve...I’ve never been with anyone. I doubt it would be a very enjoyable experience for you.” I blurted out while feeling my cheeks flush.



    “Really?” He asked with a confused look. “I find that hard to believe. You are too pretty not to have guys breaking down your door for your hand.”



    “I don’t get out much” I countered.



    “Please Kat, stay with me tonight. I would be honored to be your first. I promise to be gentle. You won’t regret it.”



    “I…ok” I finally consented.



    “Wonderful! We should probably get back before they destroy my home. Will you stay by my side the rest of the night? I would like everyone to meet you.”



    “It’s by your side or hiding in that chair” I replied with a grin, which was soon matched by one of his own.



    “Then let’s go wrap this up and then get to know each other more.” He said before escorting me back to the house.



Once there, he seldom let go of my hand as he introduced me to everyone he spoke to while playing gracious host. When the last guest finally left, he closed and locked the door before taking my hand once more and leading me to his bedroom.