Nikki's cheeks swelled and her nose wrinkled; both a pure and reflexive reaction to his words.  Maybe the buzz was helping her to loosen up a little, but his remark spoke to a side of her that had felt dormant for far too long.  Sure, guys occasionally hit on her.  She'd been asked out more than a couple times while doing things so innocuous as grocery shopping, but this was quite different.  She and Chris had wandered into the middle of the meat market, and this gorgeous young man was going to heap his attention on<em>her</em>?<br/><br/>Heart aflutter, she continued to dance, delighted to see the guy loosen up.  In wake of his flattery, it was easy to see his hesitation moments before as downright<em>cute</em>, instilling in her a deeper level of comfort in the light embrace that they shared.  With his hands now resting upon the rocking swells of her sensual hips, her dark eyes were on him and him alone; even as other bodies swayed and pulsed to the gentle beats all around.<br/><br/><em>"Richard,"</em>she uttered his name thoughtfully.  His smile was infectious, making it easy not to think too much about Chris and where he might've gotten distracted.  With any luck he was enjoying his birthday.  At this rate, she certainly was.<br/><br/><em>"Nice to meet you, too.  What d'you do?"</em>She quizzed, more deeply immersing herself in the play that the two of them might actually be getting to know one another with the intent of something more.<br/><br/>