This Time Around

I rejoined the group at our table, just as the lounge lights dimmed, the American Idol logo flashing across the oversized television screen. Cheers and screams echoed throughout the room from the contestants and their families, and I too, joined in the applause.

When I placed my hands back in my lap, I conveniently allowed my left hand to wander, softly brushing against Simon's thigh before sliding it back on my leg.

Simon's eyes darted down quickly at my hand and then slowly traveled up the length of my torso, finally landing on my face. Pretending not to notice, I stared at the screen intently and softly licked my lips.

A few minutes later, I stretched, reaching my hands out far underneath the table. When I brought them back down, my left hand landed on Simon's inner thigh. I allowed it to remain in place for a moment before slowly beginning to withdraw it. However, Simon's larger hand grabbed mine and pressed it down on his leg, holding it in place.

To any onlooker, it would have appeared he and I were both intensely focused on the show, neither of us moving a muscle except for my fingers, slowly creeping their way dangerously high on Simon's leg, just inches away from Big Ben itself.

A low, barely audible moan escaped Simon's lips as he urged my hand higher. I reached up and stroked him twice through the coarse material of his jeans, smiling as he twitched involuntarily. Suppressing a giggle, I cleared my throat and removed my hand from his leg to take another sip of my martini, then rested it casually on the table.

I could see Simon from the corner of my eye, looking at me curiously. He then returned his attention to the show, clearing his own throat as well as he slumped slightly in the seat, stretching his arm out and draping it across the back of my chair.

His finger lightly trailed over my shoulders in small, inconsistent circles. I shivered, his light touch immediately causing goosebumps to cover my exposed flesh.

"Cold?" he whispered hotly into my ear, fingers still softly traveling up and down the length of my upper arm.

"Maybe," I replied, not taking my eyes off the screen.

"I think I've got a way to fix that."

"Don't be so sure of yourself Cowell," I teased as I leaned forward and rested my head in my hands on the table, distancing myself from his touch.

"We've got your results live, Jennifer Hudson is through to the Top Twelve, we've now got three more spaces to fill, and now it's up to Paula Abdul. Paula, who have you decided to put into our Top Twelve tonight?"

I looked over my shoulder to catch Simon's eye before returning my attention to the screen, where I was attempting to give the name of my wildcard despite Simon's distractions. I announced Leah's name and Randy gave his thoughts before it was Simon's turn. Knowing what was coming, a smile crept on my face and I leaned into Simon, giving his side a nudge with my elbow.

"Leah, I think you're very lucky, I think you're very lucky you have a fairy...grandmother in Paula."

With that the entire room burst into laughter as we did on screen, hooting and hollering.

Simon looked at me, and I laid my head back on his shoulder as I cracked up. He too, started laughing, and before long tears were streaming down our faces.

"What's so funny?" Ryan asked incredulously.

I just shook my head as I wiped my tears away, breathing deep to try to catch my breath.

To be honest, I'm not sure what was so funny. Maybe it was the slight buzz I was starting to feel from the drinks. I shrugged the thought away, thanking the waiter as he handed me third- or was it fourth? - martini.

"Grandmother huh?" I whispered light-heatedly. "You forget, Cowell, that you are older than I am. So that should make you what? A great-grandfather?"

"Why don't you go out there and prove me wrong?" Simon challenged me, pointing to the dance-floor when the show ended and the crowd dispersed, many of them dancing to the music.

"Fine," I said standing. "What do you want me to prove?"

"That you've still got some youth left in that old body of yours." He winked at me, his eyes traveling up and down my body.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You might be surprised Cowell; I've got moves you've never seen."

"Oh really?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Show me."

"Alright," I said. "But you gotta come with me."

"Oh no," he said, holding his hands up in front of him. "I don't dance."

"You do now."

"No I don't," he said defiantly.

"Come on, P, I'll dance with you," Ryan said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me to the floor, leaving Simon sitting alone in the booth, arms crossed over his chest.

I joined the contestants and Ryan on the floor as the group moved together to an upbeat song. Shifting my hips from side to side with the music, I pulled Ryan to me, quickly looking over his shoulder to see Simon standing in the corner alone, his eyes focused only on me. I winked at him, then returned my attention back to Ryan.

Suddenly, the beat changed tempos, and a few squeals were heard from the girls on the dance floor as Beyonce's smooth voice wafted through the room.

I love to love you baby
I love to love you baby

I broke into a broad grin as my hips circled in time with the music, and I scanned the room to meet eyes with Simon, who was standing alone at the far end of the bar, martini glass in hand.

I'm feelin sexy
I wanna hear you say my name boy
If you can reach me
You can feel my burning flame

I moved towards him in time with the music, giving him my best seductress look, never breaking the intense eye contact that was between us. When I reached him, I removed the glass from his hand, placing it on a nearby table, and pressed my back against him, grinding hard against him. At first he stiffened, and I reached an arm behind me, wrapping it around his neck as my head fell back on his chest, my body swaying with the music. His face swooped down and he lightly brushed his lips against my neck before I rotated around to face him. To my surprise, Simon picked up the rhythm, matching my hip gyrations with his own.

Tonight I'll be your naughty girl
I'm calling all my girls
We're gonna turn this party out
I know you want my body
Tonight I'll be your naughty girl
I'm calling all my girls
I see you look me up and down
And I came to party

I gulped as we moved together, Simon's face inching closer to mine as we heated up our section of the dance floor.

Baby the minute I feel your energy
The vibe's just taken over me
Start feeling so crazy babe
I feel the funk coming over me
I don't know what's gotten into me
The rhythm's got me feeling so crazy babe

We might as well have been the only ones in the room. Simon seemed to be free of all his usual reservations, his hands placed firmly on my hips, urging them closer as we grinded together.

I love to love you baby
I love to love you baby
I love to love you baby

As the lyrics went back into Love to Love Ya Baby, I reached a hand around to the back of Simon's head, weaving my fingers through thick hair, as I pulled his face to mine. Our lips brushed softly, and then he pulled back to look at me, a sly smile playing on his lips as he leaned in again, lips parted. However, before our mouths touched, something caught his eye over my shoulder, and he jerked back abruptly. My eyes followed Simon's gaze, and I turned to see Terri coming towards us.