<em>- Bo in Great Room dancing with Nicci -</em><br/><br/>Bo was intensely aware of every nuance and curve of Nicci's firm body pressed against his own as the heat between them warmed the room.  Her delicate hand in his, the tight curve of the top of her rear pressing lightly against his fingertips, the soft mounds of her breasts compressing gently against his chest, and her tender lips were the only soft areas of her warm flesh.  Bo was eager to explore with his hands and mouth, and the manner in which she reacted to his touch made it clear that she was as well.  He anticipated sorely the time when his lips would be pressed against hers.  Fully aware that time was in abundance, Bo realized that there was no reason to rush things, but reason had very little to do with how he was reacting to Nicci.<br/><br/>Nicci shyly glanced away for a moment, and Bo noticed that Mila and Vince were heading back to their drinks.  He was just about to suggest that they do the same, when Nicci looked up and spoke with a lilting tease in her voice.  " . . . battle wounds . . . "  was all Bo remembered hearing.  For the briefest of moments, he found himself looking at the face of that small, charred boy from his dream.  His smile waned.  The look in his eyes felt suddenly distant and hard.   With effort, he pushed the image aside and recovered a half grin, seeing once again the beautiful visage of Nicci before him, but the spell had been broken.<br/><br/>Releasing his hold on Nicci, Bo kept his hand in the small of her back and gently ushered her ahead of him toward Mila and Vince.  "Shall we finish our drinks, love?  You have a way of making a man thirst," he managed with a light tone.