Mixed-up Valentines
By Sherry
(A special thanks to Nahla who helped with this story!)
Part 2
"Perfection? Who asked for perfection? Just throw on a dress and comb your hair. We can't be late." Xavier complained.
"Just throw on a dress? What cave did you crawl out of Xavier? You can't tell me that Bren gets ready in five minutes!"
Xavier sighed. "Well, not five minutes, but she doesn't take all day like some people, either!" A few minutes later Curlly heard the door to their suite slam. She put the finishing touches on her hair and walked out of the bathroom.
"Okay, Xavier. It's all yours." She looked around but the room was empty. "Xavier?" Then she spotted a note on the coffee table in the sitting room. Opening it, she laughed. "Darling, I couldn't wait any longer. I'm going to one of the other rooms to see if I can borrow their shower. Don't go anywhere without me. Your adoring husband, Xavier."
Fifteen minutes later Xavier was back, freshly showered and dressed to kill. He walked in the room and stopped dead in his tracks. "Wow!" His reaction was all the vindication Curlly needed. "You like?" she teased. "You look great," he responded. "Why thank you, sir. Now see, wasn't all that time worth it?" Xavier simply shook his head, knowing when to keep his mouth shut. "Shall we?" he motioned out the door. Curlly grabbed her bag and they headed for the dining room to meet the rest of the guests.
Avi and Sinjin were the last to arrive in the dining room. Sinjin was holding her close to his side and whispering in her ear. Avi looked at him adoringly, placing a kiss on his cheek. Sinjin's hand slipped very, very low down Avi's back. She turned adoringly to him and whispered, "You better move that hand now, sweetheart, or you're going to find a knee where you really don't want one."
Sinjin smiled at her, touched her nose with his finger and then pulled her even closer. "That's what I love about you, lass. You can seduce a man and threaten him all in the same breath. Besides, I'm only doing my part for the team."
"Yeah, well your hand is not all over 'the team.'" Avi retorted as Sinjin laughed.
Once everyone was seated, there was one empty table. Obviously, First Team had not yet arrived. Mason Steel went to the podium at the front of the room. "Good evening my dear friends. I am so happy you have decided to join us for our Valentine's Getaway. We have everything to make this the most romantic and memorable four days you and your loved one have ever spent together." There was a commotion at the entrance to the room. All heads turned in that direction. First Team had arrived.
"Ah, Mr. & Mrs. Roarke, I presume," Mason said as she moved down to greet her newest guests.
"Ms. Steel. A pleasure. And it's just Roarke. And this lovely creature is my life as well as my wife, Sherry," Roarke made the introductions quickly. "I do apologize for our late arrival. A last minute business crisis, you know," Roarke explained. Nodding, Mason continued. "I am so glad you could join us. And who did you bring with you?"
Sherry turned to them and smiled. "This is my sister, Nahla, and her companion, Michael."
"I see. It's very nice to meet you. I'm glad you could come," Mason offered then guided her newest guests to their table. She again returned to the podium and finished her welcoming speech. Then dinner was served.
Rita and Antonio were sharing a table with Avi and Sinjin. "That figures. Why is it that she's with Michael? Someone explain that to me? And not only that, she gets Roarke too! I'm gonna talk to someone about this," Rita huffed.
Sinjin tried to calm her down. "Well, Michael and Sherry are the senior operatives. They would be on First Team. And they've worked together for years."
Avi chimed in. "Look at it this way. She has to pretend to be married to Roarke. And she has to watch Michael and Nahla. At least she doesn't have Michael to herself." Rita smiled at that. "You do have a point, Avi."
Antonio, also trying to be helpful, added, "Yes, and just look at them. Roarke is fawning all over Sherry. I'm sure Michael is steaming inside." Avi and Sinjin laughed. Rita sighed, "Shut up, Antonio. You are not helping."
After dinner, there was time for the couples to get acquainted. Roarke and Sherry "met" the Second Team couples, then headed off to introduce themselves to the Rileys. Michael kept Nahla glued to his side as they met with the others, gleaning what bits of Intel they had managed to gather so far. There wasn't much since they hadn't arrived very early and had been taken straight to their rooms to settle in.
After the get acquainted session, everyone went back to their suites. First Team had adjoining rooms and they all entered Sherry and Roarke's suite. Roarke quickly scanned the room for cameras and listening devices. They didn't expect any since Mason was not involved in her cousin's business, but they needed to be sure. Once they were certain it was clean, they discussed what information had been gathered so far. Michael, as team leader, was profiling the mission on site. As more Intel was received, he would make changes accordingly.
With business finally out of the way, the foursome sat back to relax. They had been on the move for the past two days. Sitting there unwinding while they enjoyed their various drinks, Sherry burst out laughing. "Did you see those guys down there? It was hilarious."
Nahla smiled. "It was funny. But I'm pretty sure Rita wants to kill you." Sherry nodded and Roarke chimed in. "Never fear my beloved, I will not allow anyone to hurt one precious hair on your head," and then he planted a kiss on her hair.
"She's not the only one that wants to do bodily harm," Michael mumbled giving Roarke the glare that had made many a man tremble with fear. Roarke, however, simply laughed it off. "Well, my boy, she is my wife. What do you expect? I can't help it if you don't appreciate the way I take care of my woman." Winking at Sherry, he continued, "She deserves to be pampered and adored." Moving behind her, he began to massage her neck and shoulders. "Darling, I do believe you're a bit tense. I'll have to see about helping you relax later when we're alone."
It was all Nahla could do to keep from laughing, until she saw Michael's face. "Oh man, I'm glad I'm not you," she whispered to Sherry. Sherry laughed conspiratorially. "Oh, but you would be having so much fun." Patting Roarke's hand to make him stop, Sherry got up and walked over to Michael. Caressing his face, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered, "Michael, you know there is only one man for me. Now be a good boy and behave yourself." Growling, Michael pulled her onto his lap and kissed her soundly.
Roarke's voice broke in. "Well, Nahla, I'd suggest we leave these two alone, but it might look a little strange if I left my beloved alone with your companion during this romantic little interlude." Nahla was holding her stomach, trying not to laugh. Watching these two men would certainly provide hours and hours of entertainment.
"Good point," she finally said, and let the laughter go. "Michael, honey, now that you've said a proper goodnight to my sister, I think it's time we go," Nahla advised. Michael nodded and started walking toward the door to their suite.
"Thanks, Nahla. My wife and I really do need to get to bed," Roarke said as he walked up behind Sherry and wrapped his arms around her waist. Michael paused and turned, "Don't push it," he warned before taking Nahla's hand and leading her through the door. Sherry swatted Roarke when they were alone. "Would you please try and behave. If you're not careful, Michael will profile your cancellation and I may just let him."
Roarke looked devastated. "But darling, what would you ever do without me?" Sherry sighed. "Oh, shut up. Let's just go to bed."
"Now you're talkin," Roarke said leeringly, only to find himself the recipient of a pillow upside the head. "Hey!" he cried. "Is that any way to treat your husband?" Sherry smiled at him naughtily and then replied, "If you don't like it, sweetie, you can always get a divorce."
"Sassy woman -- just the way I like 'em," Roarke growled before he took the pillow and threw it back at her and the pillow fight was on. Their laughter carried through to the adjoining room where Michael was pacing like a caged animal. Nahla wanted to help Michael, but she wasn't sure how. She had never spent much time around him, but his reputation was legendary. The fact that he was so visibly agitated worried her.
"Michael, please sit down for a minute," she said. Pausing, Michael turned toward her, noticed the concern on her face, and sat down. "What's wrong?" he asked. He knew she wasn't a cold op and thought something about the mission was bothering her.
"It's not me, Michael. It's you. You've got to stop tearing yourself up like this. You know it's only a mission. You've been in much worse situations than what she's in. She knows it's a mission, so does Roarke. He's only bating you. You trust her, don't you?"
Michael was surprised at her insight. "Of course I trust her. I just want the mission over and us out of here before she has to do anything that she will regret." Nahla nodded in understanding. She didn't know what she would do if things ever got that far with her and Michael. There's no way she could go through with it. Michael noticed her sudden tension and realized what she was thinking. "Don't worry, Nahla. Nothing is going to happen between us. We aren't the ones playing the married couple, so we've got more latitude. I'm just worried they'll end up somewhere with the Rileys and things will have to progress farther than anyone would like."
Nahla nodded and studied him for a moment. "You really do love her, don't you," she smiled at the statement. Michael got up from the chair and moved to look out the window of their suite. "Yes. Do you doubt it?"
Nahla shrugged. "No, not really. Although there have been times." Michael looked away and sighed. "It's not an easy situation," he began to explain.
Standing, she walked over to him and laid a hand on his arm. "It's okay, Michael. I don't need an explanation. I just don't want either of you to get hurt." Michael hugged her close and kissed her forehead. "Thank you. Neither do I." After another moment, he said, "Now, I think we need to get some sleep."