On this boat you are the more experienced."McCock had heard the acknowledgements and seen the green on his chair screen."Prepare for translation. Helm..., take us down slow."Closely watching the screen just before reaching the boundary between the alpha layer and n space McCock ordered,"Retract sails" and allowed HCL to pass with still some momentum. The ususal wrenching was much diminished. Once through,"Period one sweep, 'hole in space'."Acknowledgements were made."Threat levels?" None on the. I wanted to go on, to run to thebedroom away from her, but instead I stopped right there. I felt like Iwas going to fall over. My left foot was barely touching the carpet, myarm extended as a runner pumping for momentum. My eyes were focused on thebedroom door and my mouth was giving away the desperation I was feeling. ?This isn't happening,' I thought to myself and tried to move. I tried tomove my arms, legs and even my eyes only to learn I had no movement left.My lungs still breathed and my. Then when my brain stopped rattling, I realised that Cayenne Proctor had set me up with an opportunity to dance with my secret dream girl and I had totally blown it! Or had I? Desperate times called for desperate measures.I dropped to one knee, not worrying about the tuxedo’s encounter with the dusty floor: it would be dry cleaned before its next outing. “Miss Kafkasian,” I said, “I fully deserve that slap for being so stupid. I assumed you would be going to the party with Cayenne because I. Eagerly I finish my drink, we make eye contact and no words are needed as I slide out from the booth and offer my hand for her to join me. The alcohol is in my blood, even after only a couple I am starting to feel that relaxation and cloud of happiness arriving.We enter the lift in the lobby, I take this opportunity to get closer. As the doors slide closed I lean in and kiss her cheek, instantly I feel her fingers on my neck and her head turns. Our lips find each other’s, that same taste.