Prompt: Blood Ties - Henry/Vicki - Celibacy (e.g., someone's celibacy as a challenge to seduction), sensuality, ice princess - She seemed unatainable. His prize to be conquered. Word count: 149
He wanted her. And somehow amusing himself had transferred into respect, which was--not quite different, but more welcome than admiration in any man's eyes.
His desire, between them like a poorly-kept secret, amused her more than anything else, however deeply he touched her and made her burn. A self-deprecating amusement more than anything else, but still there. His eyes on her, his patience--predatory, very nearly--his *want*, not really so transient after all.
And it only made each touch more real--the brush of his fingers at her elbow, the hungry burn of his mouth on hers, the contact of their eyes, the sound of his startled laugh--more real, searing the air with all the unspoken knowledge of ground she would not surrender.
Mutual or not, Vicki was determined it would remain the proverbial pink elephant in the middle of the room.
She liked her stasis. Cowardly or not, that was how it would stay.