Flames of Venus (closed for Vailyn )

T.J McPhee didn't look like the typical guy who spent his days camped in front of a computer. At 6'3" 220 with short cut brown hair and sky blue eyes he had a presence that made people pay attention. Why he was spending his days as an IT analyst in a US embassy when he could be out hunting down terrorists is anyone's guess. But here he was staring at the computer monitors in the closet he called an office scratching at the permanent 5'oclock shadow that always seemed to be on his face. He'd just finished an analysis of the embassy's weaknesses to cold weather, and how he thought the on coming storm that was brewing outside would probably shut this place down for days. He'd properly sent off an email with a list of reasons why a complete over haul of the main embassy building would be in order, or at the very least new construction of a main building should take place. His direct boss Lyle would file it in a folder called "wishful thinking" AKA 'Trash" along with the 5 other requests that T.J. had made over the last year. He hadn't asked for much really, a new chair, possibly a desk with drawers, and a white board so he could track a few things but they were all stuck in limbo known as purchasing. Instead he was stuck with a desk chair that was possibly a relic from the cold war and could be donated to the Smithsonian for a live diorama. As IT staff he didn't realize that his small department of 4 took second fiddle to just about everyone. but then again, he'd learned how to make due, and work with what he had. He just hoped the band-aids and repair work he'd done would hold through the on coming storm.

Instead of sulking, he turned to the task at hand of cleaning things up in his sparse office space. As IT had to be indoors and locked up due to security reasons. His only windows were picture frames he'd hung on the wall with a few photos of beaches, Tahiti, Puerto Rico, Maui and the skiing in the Alps. These were all set up to give him some sort of a distraction. Hanging next to it was his calendar of the year, his parents had sent him last Christmas was a family photo which included his girlfriend Stella at the time. It was taken in early December when they'd traveled back home to visit family. Happier times, which ended in a knock down drag out fight on the flight back to Europe. She'd some how expected a ring, when they'd only been dating a few months. T.J had hoped to see how the trip went and would have looked at engagement rings upon their return, but the fight just seemed to have taken all the wind out of his sails. Spring forward to March, and they'd broken up, she'd moved out and he'd put a post-it note over every photo with her in it as he couldn't bring himself to look at her. Between then and now, they'd tried to patch things up a few times, but each time it fell apart for one reason or another. He'd even thought of inviting her to the Christmas party here at the embassy this evening, but when she refused to return his phone call a few weeks ago he dropped the idea. Looking at the calendar he pursed his lips and blew air out in frustration, "Holidays suck when you're single..." As if there was someone else to hear him talk out loud. He knew what the real problem was, it wasn't his ex, no it was Andalee..

No more than a year ago, just after they'd spent a few moments under the mistletoe during the Embassy Holiday party. What was supposed to be a chaste kiss on the lips for good luck turned into a toe curling experience. T.J could swear it lasted for 20 minutes, a slow chaste peck on the lips grew longer, as they moved against each others lips, eventually an intricate erotic dance occured which even now made T.J's cock stir.. And when they both came up for air, he was sure they exchanged a knowing glance that could push them both to find an empty office room and proceed to spend the evening in each others arms. But as the situation was, Andalee was dating someone back home in the states, and well.. T.J was trying to repair his relationship with Stella. But the memory refused to fade and over the course of the last year he couldn't get her out of his head.

Now one year later, T.J wasn't attached and he'd spent too much time trying to find a way to talk to her, but avoided the opportunity all the same. Now, they'd be at a holiday party where the entire staff was known to lose a bit of their inhibitions once the alcohol got flowing... He thought of a little liquid courage to help, At least that was the plan. My how well made plans tend to get tossed out the window in a matter of moments...

For the party he'd dressed up more than his normal Jeans and a button down, he'd actually polished up his nicest brown shoes and dressed in dark khaki pants with a light blue shirt that he'd been told matched his eyes. He hoped he wasn't under dressed, as the ambassador was known to give people shit, even during what was supposed to be a casual holiday party.

Finished up, he headed for the door and to shut off the remaining lights to his office. Turning the door knob to exit his office the familiar sounds of holiday music could be heard coming down the hallway. Backing out and reaching in to turn the lights off behind him, he nearly backed straight into someone. Catching a strong inhale of her perfume made his insides stir, but thanks to quick reflexes he turned just quick enough and caught whomever it was in his arms before he knocked them to the floor.

"OOPH!"

It was Andalee, and he'd nearly wiped her out before he could try and find her.

Pulling her to him, his lips nearly touched hers before he admonished himself and apologized profusely.

"I am SOO Sorry Andalee, always such a clutz.... You ok?"

Andalee Caine

"I can't do this anymore. I can't keep dating a girl that isn't even in the same country as me. I hardly see you and it's hard to even make time to talk to you with the time difference and your work schedule." said Paul.

She could hear how upset he was over the phone. She was tired of fighting about it. Fighting with him about how important the job was for her and how she felt it was the right thing for her to do professionally. She loved Paul but the last year had shown her how he didn't share her goals and he wasn't willing to compromise in order for both of them to be happy. Everything had to be done the way he wanted or it wasn't ok. She wiped the tears off her cheeks before they could fall down on her dress.

"I love you. You know that." She hoped she didn't sound like she was crying. She didn't want him to know that she was crying. "I love you but you're right. It's not working. You should be with someone that will make you happy. Let's break up."

"Maybe. I think we're fine as long as we can be together. But you're over there and I don't know if I can keep waiting to see you a few times in the year. You know that I'm swamped. I have to work three times as hard to make the promotion. I want to become a partner. I..I miss you all the time like crazy and it's just adding more stress. Why don't you come home? You can work at an embassy in DC. It's not like you can't network for your field here. Just come home, Andalee." Paul said, frustrated and not quite willing to give up.

"I can't, Paul. You know how important my job is to me. Just like your job is important to you. I can't just quit when I am doing what I want to do. This is a great opportunity for me." She didn't want to do it but they've been having the same argument for months now. "I'm sorry. Let's break up. It's not going to work. I... have a Merry Christmas, Paul."

Andalee ended the call before he could say anything. Things have been rocky since last winter between them. At first, he was totally supportive of her choices and her professional goals. But when he realized that she as going to be gaining a permanent position and their relationship would stay long distance, he changed. Paul started to become more possessive, demanding and argumentative. They were only happy when they were together during their short visits. The rest of the time, it seemed like they circled the same topics relentlessly. It got to the point that she wasn't happy about calling him.

The phone buzzed and the screen showed that it was Paul. She canceled the call and let it go to voicemail. There wasn't anything new to say. It's over. A part of her was glad. It felt like a weight had lifted from her shoulders.

She wiped the tears from her face and looked at herself in the mirror. She had long, dark brown hair that she usually wore up in an elegant French twist. Changeable hazel eyes that changed to a golden brown when she was happy. She made a point of staying fit. Looks mattered in politics. Beauty is something that can be used as leverage. She wasn't classically beautiful but she thought she was attractive. In the US, she looked rather exotic with her large eyes, golden skin and oval face. But here, she appeared to be a mixed European.

"Right. Shopping. I have to find a dress for the Christmas party."


"Andalee, hurry up! You're going to be late to the party. You know all the good food will be eaten fast! I'm going now. Don't take too long!" Sarah called out before she left for the office Christmas party. The embassy threw a few parties for the employees during the year. One of the most looked forward to events was the Christmas party. There had been decent snowfall over the past month and everything was covered in a layer of white. It was certainly a White Christmas this year. It was enchantingly beautiful.

There were important appointments coming up in a few weeks and she had been working longer hours to get everything ready. Thank goodness that she had shopped for the party a few weeks ago. On this side of the embassy, there was a series of small dorm like rooms that employees used when it became hectic or there was an emergency and they had to stay on the premises. Andalee grabbed her dress from the room she was using and dashed into the bathroom. She changed into the blue evening gown. She loved the way the lace top hugged her torso. The skirt was long and went down to the ground but there were two high slits that gave glimpses of her long legs when she walked. It was a beautiful and fun dress. She couldn't help but spin and watch the dress twirl out in a billow of silk. A quick check confirmed that her matching black satin underwear and bra didn't show. The lace top gave the impression that she was naked underneath but it was just an illusion of the dress design.

Hair tucked up in a French twist, light makeup to emphasize her large eyes, pert red lip stick on her lips and a few spritz of her favorite perfume, Eternity.

She gathered up her stuff and threw them onto the bed in the room she was using. It had been so hectic with work lately that she hadn't bothered to go to her apartment except to grab fresh clothes.

The click of her silver heels echoed down the hallway as she made her way to the party. Her phone buzzed and she grabbed it out of her silver clutch. It was another message from Paul. He hasn't given up on trying to get back together with her. It was hard to resist at first but each conversation and message only strengthened her decision. It wasn't working and they needed to move on. She was busy writing a text back to Paul when she bumped into someone.

"OOPH!"

Her phone went flying out of her hands and clattered on the floor. She felt herself lose her balance and, before she could do anything, strong arms caught her and held her close. She looked up to find herself in T.J.'s arms. The tech guy that she had kissed at last year's Christmas party. Her co-workers had a bet that she lost. Sarah had dared her to kiss the first man to walk beneath the mistletoe. T.J. walked over to it right as Sarah declared the dare.

Andalee rolled her eyes at her female co-workers and went to complete the dare. It was suppose to be a simple little kiss but it ended up being more than that. The memory of their kiss was seared into her brain and it kept tempting her every time she saw him... Now the man and his lips were only an inch away from her own.

"I am SOO Sorry Andalee, always such a clutz.... You ok?" T.J. asked.

"Uh, I'm fine. You caught me just in time. I thought I was going to fall." She laughed. "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking at where I was going. Are you okay?"

He felt great. She didn't want to move away but she took a step back. That didn't stop her from staring at his lips. Her lips parted and the tip of her tongue rested on her lower lip. The kiss they shared last year was amazing. Would it always be that good?

TJ took one good look at Andalee and knew he was in trouble. The night was still very young, hadn't even really started, and he was staring at his heart's desire like he was a deer in head lights.

Taking a deep breath, TJ gave her a subtle smile and despite the hidden innuendo she'd probably see right through, he spoke as positive as he could.

"I'd never let that happen, and if it did I'd help you up.."

"Christ you are such a sap.. " he thought to himself, you've nearly run her over and that's the best you can think of?

Her subtle perfume lit his senses on fire, bringing back the memory of their first kiss as if it had happened not more than a moment ago. The slow tease, their lips meeting, a soft exhale and hearing her breathe.. it was all so intoxicating to remember and twice as hard now not to kiss her with Andalee standing right in front of him. Andalee look amazing, the gown she was wearing did nothing but accentuate her figure. As she stepped away, TJ was about to say something, ask her how her days have been or if she was going to the holiday party, but all of those questions seemed to have obvious answers. Instead he spied her phone which had skittered across the floor away from them.

“Here.. let me get your phone..”

TJ took a few steps around Andalee and picked her phone up, checking it lightly to make sure the screen hadn't busted.

Handing it over he gave her a warm smile and made sure not to let go of it till she had her hand on it. His fingers lightly brushed across hers as he handed it over. The light touch was electric, giving him a sort of inner hope that he might be able to do more than touch her hand, and do much more than catch her fall. Turning in the direction of the grand reception area, TJ commented on her dress,

“I hope you don't mind me saying, but you look amazing. The dress was made for you.” Hell who knows maybe she had a contact with Vera Wang who'd hooked her up with an amazing dress. He had to say something more besides just compliment her dress, the silence was awkward so he sacrificed one of their co-workers as a topic of conversation.

“Are you planning on staying for the entire party? I know Howard always ends up giving away some ridiculous gifts. Last year it was a cell charger that was supposed to work with any type. Only thing was it was dated from 4 years ago.. so unless you had one of the original IPhones you were 'SOL'. I just remember the look on his face was priceless when he found out. He put so much work into the presentation.”

Howard was the assistant Ambassador, second only to Thomas Fitzgerald who was the Ambassador they all answered to. Howard always had the best intentions, but his execution was always about 3 miles off.

As they walked down the corridor, TJ awaited her answer while he looked out the windows into the gardens. The Embassy had been given to the US as a gift from the home country as the grounds were lush, and spacious. Course, the embassy was nearly 2,000 years old so they figured entrusting the old roman estate to the Americans would prevent the place from being destroyed, and well, it had other… 'value' that TJ hadn't quite figured out yet.

The winter weather had turned the lush gardens white, a slight dusting of snow earlier in the day had turned out to be a bit more than that. Still, it was quite picturesque for anyone who took notice. As they rounded the corner and reached the grand entrance, classic Christmas tunes could clearly be heard echoing off the walls. The last notes of Bing Crosby singing 'White Christmas' rang out just before they reached the right side entrance.

Standing there watching the 30 plus other staff members of the embassy milling about and beginning to set up the food, TJ took it all in. The grand entrance was one very large space, no pillars or structural posts obstructing the floor plan. Tables were set up on one side away from the main lounge area where guests of Embassy would sit, large furniture filled the grand space, anything small would seem out of place. The team who'd decorated the grand entrance had done a great job decorating the space, it wasn't overly done, it was festive, and the tree they'd set up filled the space. Surely not the intention of the original builders that a christian holiday would be held in these walls.

The grand entrance at one time, at least as the story goes was the beginnings of a temple to the goddess Venus, in some of the architecture, stone carvings of the goddess were evident, and a prominent one just so happened to be just above where the mistletoe had been placed last year. Looking for the mischievous little plant, TJ spied it and found it right where it had been last year.. The memory of that kiss kept the fire stoked that Andalee's perfume had started. Giving Andalee a subtle smile after he'd spotted the mistletoe, he cleared his throat in an attempt to distract from the awkward silence between them. “I think I better check with Miranda, she's always got extra stuff she needs help with, catch up with you later?”

TJ busied himself with helping Miranda, one of the administrative assistants that was more like a mother hen to the staff, she had some additional things she needed TJ's assistance with setting up for dinner, when all was done she made the not so subtle suggestion that TJ go get some food and have a seat. As he looked around for an open spot to sit, the only seat not taken, or reserved was set right across from Andalee.

With a meek smile, TJ approached and started to sit down. As he looked over to Andalee he shook his head.. “You know.. if I didn't know any better.. I'd think some of our co workers are conspiring against us… Don't you think?”