"Seriously, Nico, I'm so happy for you. Your speech was terrific, although would it have killed you to acknowledge the label, or anyone associated with the film?" Michael asked with a laugh.
"Yeah, it probably fucking would have, actually," Nico snarked. "The fuckwads at the record label didn't have shit to dowith this project, and the film people were a goddamned pain in the ass to work with."
Michael blinked at him and gave a shrug. "Well, at least you saved all your curse words for us," he said with a wry grin.
The after-party was an exclusive event held in the large ballroom at the hotel. Jayne and I dashed up to our rooms to make a quick wardrobe change. Our gowns were gorgeous, but they weren't conducive to actually moving around in. She opted for a shorter version of her gown in a deeper burnished gold color. I had selected a fitted A-line dress, with cap sleeves, a scalloped edge on the deep front V-neck and a hemline that fell just below mid-thigh. It was the same emerald green as my gown had been, and I felt fun and flirty wearing it.
Drinks were flowing and music was playing, including what seemed to be Storm Front's entire playlist. I took turns dancing with Tony, Matt, and Josh, none of whom seemed interested in finding other people to hook up with for the evening. I knew why Tony wasn't looking, but I wondered about Matt and Josh. Wishing Becca and Min were here with them, perhaps?
Nico tried to stay close, but as an award winner, he was in high demand. I caught glimpses of him talking to just about every person in the room at one point or another. He came over a few times to check on me, and we were able to get in a few dances together. We had danced together a few times over the years, and I always loved being in his arms. Tonight, it felt even more special though. He held me tighter than usual, pressing his body to mine in ways he never had before. When his award-winning song came through the sound system, he softly sang the words in my ear as we shuffled around the crowded floor.
By 3:00 am, I could hardly keep my eyes open. Too much excitement, too much alcohol, and too much time on my feet. Nico offered to walk me back, but Michael and Jayne were ready to leave, too.
"You stay, Nico. Your adoring public awaits," I said, with a regal, if slightly tipsy, wave at the throngs of people still packed in the ballroom.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "I really don't mind going with you."
"No, I'll be fine, really. Michael will make sure I get back to my room safe and sound. You stay and enjoy the party. It's not every night that you win a Grammy," I grinned.
He nodded. "As long as you're sure."
I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck to hug him goodbye. He put his arms around my waist and pulled me flush against him. I gave him a quick squeeze, and tried to take a step back, but he didn't let go. His right hand slid up my spine to clasp the back of my neck, while his left slipped a little lower on my waist, resting on the upper curve of my ass. He bent his head and kissed me, slipping his right hand around to the front of my neck in a gentle hold as he deepened the kiss.
I could taste the whiskey on his breath as he ran his tongue along my lower lip. My lips parted softly, and he slid his tongue inside and gently explored my mouth. I felt the glide of his tongue along mine, the gentle squeeze of his hand at my throat, the hardening bulge grinding slowly against my lower body. I'm not sure how long we stood there kissing, but by the time he let me go, we were both breathless.
He stared at me for long moments, before whispering in my ear, "Goodnight, Sunshine. I'll talk to you in the morning."
I was still in a kiss-induced haze as Michael led Jayne and I over to the elevator. I was incapable of coherent thought, reliving that kiss on a continuous loop in my mind. What the hell just happened? Sweet Jesus, that man did wicked things to my senses.
Once I was reached my room, I undressed on autopilot, still stunned by the kiss. What the ever-loving fuck was that about? We had never, in the history of ever, had a kiss that included even the tiniest bit of tongue, let alone a body-grinding, spine melting lip lock like that one had been. That man had some explaining to do.
Exhaustion had really started to set in again after the adrenaline rush known as Nico, but I managed to get most of my makeup washed off, brushed out my hair, and even remembered to plug my phone into the charger next to the bed. I drank a bottle of water and took two Tylenol, before sliding into bed. I sighed in pleasure as I felt my body cradled by the deep comfortable mattress. It was like lying on a cloud, and I fell into an exhausted sleep moments later.
It was after ten when I awoke, and I reached for my phone intending to call Hannah to check on Gracie. I couldn't wait to tell her about the ceremony, the after-party, and the kiss. Oh, shit...the kiss! I guess that hadn't been a dream after all. What did that kiss mean?
When I unlocked my phone, it immediately opened on the last app I had used last night, when I had posted a few pictures to my page. And there it was, two side-by-side pictures of Nico from last night. The one on the left was obviously taken rightbefore I left the party. I was wrapped in his arms, his hands on my throat and ass, my face barely visible as he held me close and kissed the shit out of me. The picture on the right was apparently taken as Nico left the party and got on the hotel elevator, sometime around 5:00 am, according to the accompanying caption. His hair was mussed, jacket missing, vest hanging open, his shirt mostly unbuttoned and half untucked, and a tall, slender glamorous redhead, wearing the same shade of red lipstick that decorated his shirt collar, clinging tightly to his arm.
Well, I guess that answered my question. What did that kiss mean? Nothing. Clearly, it meant absolutely nothing, at least not to Nico.
