Part of her new job had been to help organize and plan a fundraising event for the Science department, and she couldn't help but think that the money that had gone into the lavish party would have been better spent on the department itself. But one of the higher ups had insisted that a party was necessary to make sure that they had the following years funding in place before the end of the year.

"You have to spend money to make money," Nelson had said when he had examined the invitations that she had been hand addressing. "I bet you know most of these people, don't you?" He threw the invitation he held back onto the desk. "You should enjoy the party, you'll get to hob knob with all of your friends."

"That's right, Nelson mentioned that you knew Garrett Reed. He's given money in the past, maybe he'll give some to us this year," Hadley threw out as she typed something on the computer, but her back was turned so she missed the quick look of aggravation that Nelson shot her at her comment.

Livy had paused looking at both of them, wondering what else had been discussed about her while she hadn't been present. Nelson then turned to her with his charming smile and, as usual, all of that wonderful charisma distracted her.

"I thought we could go to the party together Livy." He watched her as he asked, and his smile grew wider when she blushed.

"Ummm...would it be allowed?"

"Why wouldn't it?" he frowned.

"Well, I'm a student here and you're a teacher."

He had laughed. "No, its fine, you're not my student." He stood up and reached for his lab coat. "Think about it. But know I'm counting on you to say yes because having the prettiest girl in the room on my arm would definitely make me popular."

"So, you're just using me," Livy joked, a smile playing around her lips as she continued to address the next envelope. After a lengthy silence, she looked up at him and noted that he looked stunned at her words.

"I was joking!" she laughed.

"Do people really do that, use you?" Hadley asked off handedly as she took a sip of her coffee, turning in her seat to watch her.

"Sometimes," Livy shrugged.

"I'm off," Nelson said as he headed for the door. "Don't keep me waiting too long Livy. You might break my heart." He held his hand over his heart at he backed out of the office.

Hadley rolled her eyes at his dramatics. "You're not actually falling for that, are you?"

Livy smiled. "He's sweet."

"Sweet, who wants sweet! I'd rather have the dangerous looking man who joined us for dinner the other night. What's his story? I'm intrigued, especially when Nelson mentioned that he cleaned up well and that he left with Garrett Reed."

"He was a friend of my father's." Livy hadn't didn't to talk about it, and Hadley must have sensed it because she turned back to her work and left the subject alone.

*******

Now, three weeks later, the party was in full swing and what Nelson had said was true. She knew most of the people who were there, Garrett Reed included.

He came in with a delicate looking redhead, who must be his new wife, and Livy watched as they worked the room. It was evident that Garrett loved his wife because she was never out of his reach, and if she said anything he leaned down to listen as if it was the most important thing in the world.

Livy felt jealousy shoot through her. That was something that she had always wanted; to be loved and cherished, not ruled and controlled. She wanted what she said to matter, she wanted to be heard.

"Join me outside for a few minutes, I need some air," Nelson suggested as he gently took her by the elbow and led her to the doors on the other side of the room. The doors led to a veranda that wrapped around the back of the hall where the party was being held. He took her over to a dark corner and he leaned against a pillar behind him, watching her.

"You look stunning tonight Livy," he told her once more. He had mentioned it when he had picked her up but it was still nice to hear again. Especially, since she had taken such pains with her appearance. She had chosen a sea-green halter dress that fell to her ankles with matching shoes. She had chosen to wear her hair up in an attempt to look older and she was wearing a wonderfully dramatic faux diamond necklace around her neck and it mimicked the deep v of her dress's neckline.

"Thank you." She smiled as she looked down and brushed at her flowing skirt. Trying not to shiver as the cold air touched her bare shoulders. They were the only people outside in the cold night air.

"You're cold, aren't you?" Nelson asked as he reached for her, pulling her into the circle of his arms.

"A little." She went willingly enough and was glad for the warmth of his arms as they wrapped around her. It wasn't the first time she had been in a man's arms and it was nice to be appreciated.

She looked up into his handsome face, about to say thank you when he cut her off." Livy, can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice was low and gruff.

Livy nodded as she licked her lips, looking at his. When his lips met hers, it was nice as far as kisses went. He was well practiced and knew what he was doing. His hands wandered up her back caressing the bare skin and she shivered at the difference in the warmth of his skin touching the coldness of hers.

"That was very nice, thank you," he said as he pulled away. "I think we should do this again."

"What kiss?" She sounded breathless as she said it, but It wasn't because of his kiss, it was because she had suddenly spotted Declan through the door behind them. However, Nelson must have thought it was the kiss that made her sound that way because he laughed pulling her close once more.

Livy watched Declan over his shoulder, she wasn't sure if he had seen her or not, but she was hoping he hadn't. He was talking to the President of the university so he wasn't facing her. She hadn't seen him since he had left over three weeks ago to go to London, and she hadn't addressed an invitation to him, so she didn't know why he was at the party. 

She couldn't help but think that he looked awesome in his tuxedo. She had seen him in one many times before, but somehow, tonight, he looked different. His shoulders looked massive and he dwarfed the President and his small wife. Suddenly, he looked over at her as he took a glass of champagne off of a passing tray and caught her eye at the same time. His steely gaze met hers and she saw his jaw tighten before he turned back to the President with a smile, as if he hadn't seen her.

So much for being cool and collected the next time she saw him.

Livy pulled away from Nelson and he let her leave his arms.

"Definitely that, but I thought maybe we could actually go out on a date. You know, dinner and a movie, something simple?" he continued, oblivious of the moment that had just happened between her and Declan.

"Ummm...I'll think about it," she said offhandedly, watching as Declan was led away by the President to meet someone else.

Her stomach rolled at the idea of having to talk to him. He had returned and found her in the exact same position he had left her in, with another man. Taking a deep breath, unable to control the shiver that coursed through her body, she felt Nelson reach for her.

"You're cold."

No, she wasn't, she was frightened, she paused as she turned that word over in her mind, frightened wasn't right word. She knew Declan might yell and give her hell but he wouldn't hurt her, of that she was sure. The racing of her heart and the trembling of her hands wasn't fear, it was excitement. She was excited that he was back and that he was near. Soon, she would be talking to him, fighting with him, and while part of her was dreading it, another part of her was looking forward to it.

But what did it mean, this was boring Declan she was thinking of.

"Let's go inside," Nelson suggested as he looked at her pale face "We'll get you warmed up in no time."

She gave him a strained smile and let him take her hand to lead her inside. They mixed and mingled a little more, but there was no sign of Declan.

It was almost an hour later, when Nelson had been pulled away by Hadley to explain a technical detail to a potential donor, that Declan suddenly appeared.

He walked up behind her, not saying a word as they watched the crowd that moved in front of them. She took a deep shaky breath as she felt the heat emanating off of him while he towered over her. When she felt his hand land on her bare back she almost jumped out of her skin. When Nelson had touched her back earlier it had been pleasant, but with Declan it felt as if she had touched a live wire.

"Are you ready to go now?" he whispered into her ear as his arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close.

"I didn't come with you," she hissed back.

"Maybe not, but you're leaving with me, now."

Nelson appeared, as if out of nowhere, giving Declan a forced smile. "Are you ready for our dance Livy?" he asked. It seemed odd to Livy that he was asking for a dance now when he had had all night to dance with her and hadn't.

"Dr. Taft." Declan nodded but didn't bother to extend his hand. "I appreciate you escorting Livy here this evening, but we have some business to discuss, so we've decided to return home." His cold eyes watched and waited as Nelson looked from one to the other.

"Livy?" Nelson asked, concerned.

"I appreciate your understanding Nelson, Declan is so rarely in town, and I never know when he is going to show up, his arrivals are always so unexpected, and he's not the best at letting me know what the plan is." She felt Declan's arm tighten around her in warning as she rambled on in her nervous excitement. She felt her heart-rate speed up and she wondered if he also felt it. "I'll see you at the office on Monday?" she went up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek and Declan's continued hold on her made it a difficult maneuver.

It was odd, but she really did feel as if she was going home this time, and the thought that Declan had showed up once again to carry her away excited her.