Distant Shores - Marco Palmieri [94]
But even as he struggled to remain calm and take this one step at a time, part of him poured accelerant onto the fire that now threatened to consume him when it reminded him this is no ordinary woman.
Though she might be ignorant to the specifics of the rituals surrounding the presentation of a Bonding Box, she would never have misconstrued its significance. Nor, given their circumstances, would she have felt any compunction about giving it to him rather than waiting for him to give it to her. He had struggled to subdue the feelings of deep attraction he’d felt for her almost since the day they’d met. She had to have known for some time now that one word from her and he would willingly have endured any challenge presented in developing a more intimate and fulfilling relationship with her. But he would never have dared broach the subject without a definitive sign that she was willing to go there.
And now here it sat, in the palm of his hand.
“I don’t know what…” he stammered, struggling to find his own words.
But because the universe is hard wired with a wicked and perverse sense of humor, that was all he had a chance to say before Neelix’s voice rang out over the com.
“Neelix to Commander Chakotay.”
“Chakotay here,” he responded automatically, before he realized that he had failed to tap his combadge and open his side of the connection.
Neelix didn’t wait to hear his reply.
“Please report to the mess hall at once. There is an urgent matter that requires your personal attention.”
This time, Chakotay managed to raise his free hand and activate his communicator before saying, “I’ll be right there.”
Finally, he looked directly at her. She was still smiling, but her eyes were now tinged with worry, and a small voice in his head was whispering insistently…
Idiot.
You’re making an idiot out of yourself right now.
SAY SOMETHING, the part of him that was still lucid demanded.
But he didn’t get a chance. Placing her warm, gentle hand on his, she asked with genuine concern, “Are you all right?”
He nodded immediately, still searching for words, yet unable to stop focusing on the newly electric sensation of her hand resting on his.
The words wouldn’t come. There were too many… and no time to even begin.
“Is it… do you like it?” she was asking.
“I love it,” he said honestly, taking his first full breath since he’d unwrapped the box. He was further calmed when he saw the worry lines that creased her brow relax.
“I wanted to find… just the right…” Now she was the one having difficulty speaking.
He couldn’t blame her.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, taking the hand that rested on his and grasping it firmly. “You obviously did some extensive research,” he added, going for a game chuckle to dissipate the tension.
“I believe I could pass a test on the gift-giving traditions of almost every Native American tribe in the Federation database,” she replied.
“Then this is something you’ve been thinking a lot about?” he asked, searching her face.
“For some time now, I haven’t been able to think about anything else, Chakotay,” she answered, smiling faintly. “I’ve seen the agenda planned for the next few hours, and though this evening may be more fun for the rest of the crew than the guest of honor, maybe this will…”
“Give me something to look forward to?” he asked.
A loud pounding echoed through the cabin, and as he turned, startled, toward the door, he missed the confusion that flew briefly across her face at his last statement.
“Commander Chakotay!” Neelix called urgently from the hall, still hammering on the door.
Placing the box on the low table in front of him, Chakotay rose, releasing her hand.
“You’d better go before he breaks it down,” she suggested.
Turning slightly, he extended his arm.
“As long as you’re with me,” he said.
She smiled, almost playfully threading her arm through his.
As they crossed the threshold Chakotay was unable to refrain from laughing at the mixture of alarm and