Manhattan - The Cellar
Despite the name and first appearances, The Cellar is a proper, upscale wine bar. Simple grey floors and arched walls are designed to give the impression that one is actually in an old wine cellar. Large wine cask tables with glass tops, and stools that match nicely take up the majority of the space. Wall length wooden wine shelves filled with numerous varieties of wine cover the two side walls.
A light oaken bar is surrounded by several matching chairs. The entire wall behind the bar is a lighted glass cooler of various whites and roses, the reds stored on glass shelves to the side of the cooler.
Characters
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| Brooke Bishop | Kieran Collins |
Tonight is the night.
Brooke has had time to get across the city to her studio apartment, shower, change, put on a little bit of makeup, some gold jewelery, and a nice pair of black slingbacks. She's also had time to pull out her new outfit and quickly change into that as well, before she determined she was ready enough to go.
The finishing touch was pulling her hair back into a curly ponytail that tickles the back of her neck.
Brooke hasn't been certain that the car would arrive, but when it did and the man insisted he was from Kieran Collins, she slipped carefully and gracefully into the back seat.
Now they're just arriving at The Cellar, the driver getting out of the car to open the door for her, and help her out from the back of the vehicle.
"Thank you," she murmurs.
**
Kieran has been waiting patiently for his date's arrival. He's chosen a gray sportcoat and white button down shirt with dark charcoal pants for tonight's excursion. No tie; too formal. Still not over dressed however. He's intentionally unshaven, enough of a fine dark stubble covering his face to be just a hint of unkemptness and his hair is perfectly finger touseled.
The driver calls him as the car arrives, so he's stepping out of the building and striding toward the curb as Brooke leaves the vehicle. He takes advantage of the moments of her distraction, blue eyes tracing and admiring her legs, the cut of the dress and how it conforms to her curves.
"Miss Bishop," Kieran nods to the driver, before focusing the entirety of his attention on Brooke and extending his arm to her. "You look absolutely amazing tonight."
**
Honestly, she was expecting to meet him inside. When she realizes Kieran is right there, her breath catches in her throat. Exhaling slowly, she bites her lip and smiles up at him. "Mr. Collins."
Taking the offered arm, she turns and smiles at the driver. "Thank you again."
Then her attention is focused fully on Kieran. The grey outfit, the slightly rugged look of the stubble, the way it looks as though someone's spent the early portion of the evening mussing his hair in bed.
She nearly curses as she can feel her heart speeding up.
Why on earth does he make me react like an unschooled teenager? I've got poise! Class! This is ridiculous!
**
"Yes, thank you," Kieran nods to the driver with a small inclination of his head. "Have a good night." He's already made certain that the man will have a sizeable tip. It's the best way to continue to get and receive good service.
Like the good human male he's supposed to be, Kieran pretends that he doesn't hear the change in the rhythm of heartbeat, and his smile as he looks down at her is nothing but congenial. "And thank you, Brooke. For not minding that our outing has to start so late in the evening."
**
"Why would I mind? New York rarely comes alive before nine in the evening, and besides, it gave me ample time to get ready." Have a quick dinner so her stomach isn't empty while they have drinks. Change dresses several times.
Brooke still isn't certain that she looks as great as she thought she did when she left her apartment, but there's no going back now.
"Also, I'm well aware you run your own business, and that it'd likely keep you busy until later in the evening anyhow."
**
"It doesn't mean that I can't appreciate your patience and thank you for it," Kieran points out with a crooked smile. He pats her hand lightly where it rests on his arm, and leads her into the bar, giving thanks to the attendant who holds the door open.
"Are you one of those women who changes outfits a million times while trying to make up her mind?"
Beat.
"If so, you made the right choice. The top complements your hair well, and I'm fairly certain I've the prettiest date here tonight."
**
"I…" Brooke laughs, and blushes, looking down at where her hand rests on his arm. "Not a million times, no. I don't have quite that many outfits to choose from."
The compliment boosts her self confidence just enough so that she stops stressing over whether or not she's made the right choice. Smiling prettily at him, she says, "Flattery may just get you somewhere, Mr. Collins."
Beat.
"Thank you for the compliment."
**
Kieran chuckles, dancing his fingertips lightly over the back of her hand before withdrawing the touch. "It's not just idle flattery. I mean every word of it."
Beat.
"Though if continuing to speak my mind like this is earning me points, I most certainly am going to continue it."
He gives his name to the hostesss, who gives him as subtle a once over as possible and gives Brooke a look that screams, 'Lucky bitch,' before smiling and nodding to them. "Your table is ready, Mr. Collins. If you would follow me?"
**
Brooke doesn't need the look from the hostess to know that she's lucky. Men like Kieran Collins just don't ask women like her out very often. Different social circles, different classes — especially according to the New York pecking order.
It's a bit of silly possessiveness that makes her cling more tightly to Kieran's arm after the look from the hostess, and she bites the inside of her lip to keep from saying anything to the woman.
"I really don't think you need to earn points, Mr. Collins, but feel free to speak your mind regardless."
**
No attention is paid to the hostess' look. Kieran is used to it, and it's also rude. Tonight his focus is on the lovely red head at his side, and he won't make an impression if he's strutting like a peacock. The tightening of her hand on his arm does make his lips quirk just a bit, however.
"I'm not sure about that," Kieran says, as they follow along behind the woman. "If I speak my mind too much, I'll say something that offends eventually, and that's where I need those points."
**
Kieran is one of those men that don't really need to strut. Women seem to fall all over him from just a look. It's a wonder he even bothered to ask her out, he could likely net any woman he wanted to.
"But if you don't speak your mind, at least on some things, I'll feel guilty for stifling you." Brooke stops as the hostess stops, and actually takes a look around at The Cellar through the eyes of a woman on a date, and not a public relations manager trying to bag a new client.
"It's lovely," she breathes.
**
He asked her out because she really did raise his interest at the launch party. Oh, it helped that Sera had mentioned her a few times, but his Child does know his preferences. She knows that while he plays the role of playboy - it makes for easier feeding on all fronts - he also does sometimes enjoy a bit more than a dalliance for food and sex. When he takes a companion of sorts, simply for the novelty and challenge of it really, he prefers "older" women, and particular types. Red heads, the cccassional brunette, women like Sera or Samira, who back in centuries past (and still in some circles) were called 'exotic.'
"Well, we can't have you feeling guilty." He holds out a seat for her, waiting until she's comfortably perched and then takes his own seat.
Kieran is wearing a bemused grin, his gaze focused on her as he agrees, "Yes, yes it is."
**
It's shocking, how gentlemanly that move is of him. Brooke seats herself gracefully, crossing one leg over the other, and sets her miniature clutch atop the table. She could keep wearing it, but there's no point in having it rub over her wrist all evening.
"Well we could, but then I might pout, and my pout isn't at all cute." There's a soft tease to her voice, and she's trying her damnedest not to let him affect her so much this time.
That determination falters a great deal when he agrees, but seems to be talking about her. Pulse racing, she can feel the slow burning tingle work its way downward from her stomach, and she's got to pinch herself to keep from letting that feeling get too far.
"So what would you recommend?"
**
"Your blush is very cute, so I'd be surprised if your pout isn't." Kieran says the words casually, watching her carefully as he does so. He knows she's portraying an outward calm, that she's trying not to show all those little reactions she's having, and for some reason, that amuses and intrigues him. Most women are more than happy to show how they react to him, wanting him to return their adoration and adulation.
He can't help himself, the corners of his mouth turning up into a teasing smile even as he reaches for the wine list, "I assume you're referring to the wine?"
**
Brooke stares at him openly at the compliment to her blush. It's the first she's every received about that, and it causes her to laugh. "I'd show you my pout, Mr. Collins, however, you've not given me a reason to pout." Really, she'd like to keep it that way as well.
"I… er… yes. What else could I possibly have been referring to?" There's a twinkle in her eyes, as though challenging him to actually come up with something else she could have meant.
"You do own your own business after all, so I thought perhaps you could suggest something suitable."
**
A playful twinkle alights in Kieran's eyes and he gives her an innocently and boyish grin. "I haven't the slightest idea. We're in a wine bar, so we must be speaking of wine. Anything else would be quite a far reach of innuendo."
Giving her a wink, Kieran studies the wine list for a moment, brow furrowing a tiny bit as he reads over the options. "What's your preference? Do you like white? Red? Dry? Something fruity, or would you just like to try something unique and different that you've not tried before?" There is a faint twist and lilt at the end of his words, a subtly implied double entendre, but his eyes are a completely innocent when he looks up at her.
**
"I generally prefer white, dry…" Brooke blinks at him at the double entendre, and then gives her head a shake as she grins. The man is surprisingly good at making everything sound horribly (or perhaps not so horribly) dirty.
"But I'm more than willing to let you choose something. Trying new things can be… fun."
Licking her lips, she locks her blue eyes to his and then swallows. "Surprise me, Mr. Collins."
**
"Happily," Kieran responds without missing a beat. He holds her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, without saying a word. "You'll find that I can be quite surprising."
With a wink, his attention goes back to the wine list, "Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc. It's a Bordeaux White that's fruity and smooth, and usually served as a dessert wine. It's a sweet white, so that's something new to try, yeah?"
**
Brooke does her damnedest to not let it show, the fact that her heart is racing as he holds her gaze. She tries her damnedest not to wriggle a little on the seat. When his attention slips to the wine list, she gives herself a moment to close her eyes and tell herself that she needs to stop acting like a horny teenager, and just enjoy sharing a drink with him.
"Definitely something new to try," she replies, smiling at him brightly when she figures she's got herself under control.
**
God, he loves that sound. The skip pattering of her heart in her chest. The very faint, slight but subtle change in her scent. It's most amusing to Kieran because he hasn't truly done much more than sit here, talk to her and flatter her. It's almost too easy, but it's equally remarkable that she's trying to hide it all. She's quite an enigma, Brooke Bishop is.
"I was talking about the wine," Kieran deadpans, just because he can.
**
Blinking at him at the deadpan, she laughs. "I did realize that. I'm not a complete moron," she teases. Brooke is acting like a teenager, but she's having fun. More fun than she's allowed herself to have in a while.
"So besides asking near strangers out for a glass of wine, what do you like to do?" Brooke stares across at him, as though trying to figure him out. She knows virtually nothing about him, except for what he quite possibly looks like without his clothing on.
**
Before Kieran can answer, the server arrives. She introduces herself as Tanya, and though she speaks to Brooke, her gaze is on Kieran the entire time. He's polite, cordial and orders the wine, completely unaffected by the woman's attention. He does nothing to encourage her, and keeps the majority of his focus on Brooke except where politeness dictates he look at Tanya.
"What do I like to do?" Kieran asks. He folds his hands on the table and pretends to consider it.
He grins and chuckles, "Sleep in." Shaking his head, he continues. "I enjoy reading, watching or going to movies, cooking. Physical activity, horseback riding, though I don't get out of the city to do it very often. Lifting weights and running."
Beat.
"Playing video games."
**
"I grew up on a horse farm," Brooke says at his love of horseback riding. "And I obviously have a great love of reading as well." Beat. "Well of a particular genre obviously." She likes fantasy novels as well, but romance, and historical romance are always going to be her favorite.
"I would kill to be able to sleep in, but I'm on call pretty much twenty-four-seven, so it's rare when I get to sleep much past six in the morning." Not that she's complaining, but she'd love to take just one day and sleep in ridiculously late, and lounge around in her pajamas all day.
"What kind of video games?"
**
Kieran quirks a smile. "I'm usually going to bed at six in the morning." One, because he is nocturnal, and two, because his businesses do the bulk of their business in the evening and wee morning hours. He waits a beat, then teasingly adds, "Not always for the more fun reasons, either."
He shakes his head, "No, your turn, before I answer that. What do you like to do for fun besides having drinks with strangers and reading the romantic plights of well written heroines?"
**
"I love dancing." Brooke's not ashamed to admit it. She does enjoy going to clubs with a few of her clients, but she enjoys going more when they're not there. When she can just let her hair down and dance. When she can glamour her age away and just have a lot of silly fun.
"I don't get to do it as often as I'd like, and a lot of the clubs are generally full or list only by the time I manage to get there." Shrugging, she smiles. "Besides, having drinks with near-strangers can be quite fun." She did enjoy having drinks with Sera, after all.
**
"Dancing?" Kieran repeats with a playful grin, "I do recall that you were quite comfortable on the dance floor. You had a few moves." He was very focused on her, and noticed quite a bit of how her body moved and how relaxed she was on the dance floor. "Maybe if I don't strike out tonight, you'll be amendable to going out dancing with me sometime."
"Then you need to find a club where you're on the A-list and don't have to worry about that sort of thing." Tanya returns with the two glasses of wine, as well as fruit and cheese plate that Kieran ordered. When she departs, Kieran continues, "Yes, having drinks with near strangers is fun. It's a good way to get to know interesting people."
"I have an XBOX 360 and a Playstation. I'm your typical testosterone bloke, I like first person shooters." Lowering his voice, Kieran leans a bit toward her, "Don't tell anyone, but I like Rock Band, too."
**
"Unfortunately for me, I'm not really the A-List type." Brooke gives a shrug to that, because really, it's never bothered her. She either gets in when she needs to speak to a client before something (or more commonly after something) stupid has happened. "It doesn't really bother me. I can dance just as well at home as anywhere else."
Beat.
"Thank you, Tanya."
Lifting one of the glasses she tilts it as though in toast. "To drinks with near strangers then."
Beat.
"I don't have either. Tristan, the lead for Steel Clover, won my Playstation in a bet back in university, but I always enjoyed the roleplaying-type games."
**
Kieran gives her a soft, appreciative smile, his voice a near purr. "I happen to think that you're very much A-list material."
He lifts his glass and chimes it lightly against hers. Licking his lips, he takes a swallow, blue eyes watching her intently over the rim of his glass.
"That must have been quite the bet."
**
"Quite," Brooke replies with a laugh. "My soccer team happened to lose."
His words sink in and she blushes furiously and takes a sip of the wine without properly tasting it. Letting the liquid burn slowly down her throat, she closes her eyes and then smiles at him.
"Careful, Mr. Collins. Your compliments may just go to my head."
**
"Soccer team?" Kieran gasps in mock horror. "You're American. I've been here long enough to you that you Americans love your football and your baseball. It's the small majority who enjoy a real sport, that is the real football." Kieran takes another sip of the wine, savoring it. "Which team was it?"
He smirks at her, "That's the idea. I'm driving you to distraction with compliments." With a wink, he takes a piece of cheese and bites and chews it slowly.
**
"Manchester United."
Beat.
"Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching American football too, but I find soccer and rugby to be quite a bit more raw." Brooke stares at him for a moment, just watching him sip the wine and eat the piece of cheese. It takes her a moment to realize that she's staring at him and when she does, she stares down at the table instead.
"So, Sera mentioned that you used to visit in the summers? Was it just because your family had a home here, or was there a reason for it beyond vacationing?"
**
"Why Manchester United?" Kieran inquires. "Why not Chelsea or Liverpool?" He's curious as to whether or not she and her friends knew what they were watching or just picked the name Americans are likely to hear the most frequently.
"My grandfather used to bring my father for summers because the old house was here. My father grew accustomed and started up the tradition again eventually with us." He always refers to his brother in passing, just in case the pain in the arse should ever blow into town and he has to explain his presence and existence. "While most were going to Malta and Spain for their summerings, we went to Louisiana. Which was hot, stifling and made me really appreciate the weather back home."
**
"Or Arsenal, Fulham, Aston City…" Brooke grins, and daintily reaches for a piece of the cheese. Taking a small nibble from it, she grins. "I blame Bryn Blackwell for that one. He got me hooked on soccer when he was living in Lima, and his favorite team slowly became my favorite."
Another nibble of the cheese is taken, and then a small sip of the wine to wash it down. "I've got to say, I'm a bit envious. It sounds like a grand adventure when you were young. Is that why you chose to move to the States to open your business?"
**
Holding up a hand in surrender, Kieran laughs. "A'right, you got me. You're not typical American posing out your 'international culture and knowledge.'" Kieran has met plenty of those in the past, and the present. "You didn't ask, but I'm a fan of Manchester as well."
He takes a grape from the tray and pops it into his mouth. It's slowly and thoughtfully chewed as he watches her nipple on the cheese and sip the wine. "It was my father's restuarant, actually. He visited New York City and fell in love. Moved here, and bought a restuarant. My brother and I stayed back home with our extended family. Our grandparents didn't want to see him uprooted."
He chases the grape with wine and continues with a shrug, "I was old enough to make my own decision, so I stayed until I finished secondary. Then, I came here, went to university, and moved right into the restuarant business." He pauses, taking another sip of the wine. "It was too much for my da anyway. Owning the restuarant and Flanaghan's. Took a toll on him and his health, but I like having them and running them. It's a challenge and it's a fun challenge."
**
"You own a restaurant as well?" Brooke blinks at that, in surprise. She only knew he owned Flanaghan's because Sera mentioned it, and she figured that was all he owned. "I didn't know that."
Beat.
"I'm sorry about your da," she says, quietly and thoughtfully. "How did your brother take it? Losing both your da, and subsequently you when you took over the businesses?"
**
"James was - " A pain the arse. A royal thorn in Kieran's side. An annoying brat who needs to be slapped around. " - difficult. He moved here for a while, but once he was old enough to be on his own, he took off. He was the golden boy, our mum died giving birth to him and he was sickly as a child, so he was protected and doted on and never really had to figure anything out on his own."
That part of the story isn't a lie or an embellishment. Seamus, his brother's name by birth, was all of that. Even their step-mother fretted over 'poor Seamus.' "I admit, I spoiled and coddled him as much as anyone else did. But then I couldn't give him the same attention after our da died. I thought he was just being a rebellious teenager. Maybe he was. Maybe he still is." Definitely still is.
Kieran sighs and projects all of the 'concerned, but resigned older sibiling' that he's rehearsed over the years. "I know where he is. I know what he's doing. The last few times we saw each other, there was a lot of anger and resentment, so it's less stressful for both of us if we're not in the same city together. And I think James likes his independence."
**
Brooke can't help herself, really. She reaches across the table and gently sets her hand atop his. Giving him a look of understanding and compassion, she quietly whispers, "I'm sorry that you've both had to go through so much."
She's quiet for a long moment after touching his hand, just looking down at hers resting atop his. When she looks up, her eyes are a little watery. "It must be really difficult for you, having only your best friend around as family these days." Squeezing his hand again, she draws hers back slowly and bites her lip. "I shouldn't have brought it up, Kieran. I apologize."
**
Kieran glances down at her hand, and places his other atop hers before she can pull it back. "Thank you, but I'm a survivor. James and I are both survivors, and having Sera around has been … a godsend. She really is family to me, and she's made it a lot easier to deal with things."
Kieran gives her hand another squeeze and strokes his fingers lightly over the back of her hand. It's not meant to be fliratious, but comforting and reassuring her. "Don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong. If I wasn't comfortable talking about it, I wouldn't have mentioned it." Beat. "It is what it is, between my brother and I. Like I said, I'm not alone."
Beat.
"Neither is James." That however, he really isn't going to delve into too much.
**
"Still…"
Brooke blushes deeply when he strokes his fingers over her hand. She's meant to be comforting him, yet here he is trying to comfort her. It's sweet, really, and she just wants to walk around the table and give the man a hug. That's the down-home girl in her coming out, and she tries to lock her away too.
"So you own a restaurant?"
**
"Yes, I own a restuarant." Kieran chuckles a bit, shaking his head, his smile firmly in place. "You mean that Sera tried to throw us at one another and she didn't give you my entire CV, including financial worth and marital aspects? She is slipping."
He nibbles on another piece of cheese, speaking once he swallows and washes it back with a sip of wine. "Yes, I did realize what she was up to, but I really couldn't argue with her. I did enjoy dancing with and talking to you."
Beat.
"I'm enjoying having this too." He lifts his glass of wine to indicate the bar and their date.
**
"Does she do that often? Try to marry you off to total strangers?" Brooke bites her lip, and gives him a tiny smile. Her eyes are still a little wet with unshed tears for the horrible life he's had to endure, but at least now she's smiling at him again.
"I actually told her I didn't want an introduction. Likely why she slipped up and didn't pass me a copy of your credentials and marriagablity." Reaching for a grape, she holds it between two fingers before popping it gently into her mouth. After swallowing it, she lifts the wine glass up and takes another sip.
"You're the owner of the pub I was throwing an event at, you are the model for John Drake, who is in just about every story that got me interested in Sera Roche to begin with." He looks very similar to her ex.
"But after dancing with you, I did want to see you again. Outside of that setting so we could get to know one another."
**
"Define often?" Kieran teases. The woman across from him is intriguing him more than he would like to admit. Under other circumstances, she'd be playing right into his hands, except that he hasn't intentionally said or done anything to earn that sympathy card. He's fairly tame and restrained tonight, because he did promise Sera to be nice to this one, but Brooke is holding her own as at least being a little more interesting tha a quick snack and shag.
"No, not often. She's like a mother hen sometimes, or a big sister. Thinks I need to - " Find a more suitable public companion for my public position - "Settle down a little bit. She's not trying to marry me off, exactly, but she is looking out for my interests in her own way." Mainly, she starts to get annoyed and tired of his endless train of bimbos, and it's about the only thing she and Nichole are in agreement about: his public persona needs him to be a bit more 'settled down' and mature.
"Oh, well, the moment you told her 'no,' it was inevitable," Kieran grins. He takes a few swallows of the wine and pops another grape into his mouth. "I'm glad, because I really wanted to get to know you outside of that setting, too."
**
"As often as my older sister enjoys trying to force me to date," Brooke says with a laugh. "I suffer the mother-henning too, though I know she does it in a very good natured manner. I really think she's just worried I'll wind up alone." Brooke has dated in the twelve years post-Bryn, there's just not been any who she's been interested in pursuing after a few dates.
"It's nice to have someone who wants to look out for your interests. To take care of you. At least some times it is."
Beat.
"Was it? Does Sera not take 'no' for an answer very often then, or did she figure that since I'd said no that I might be better suited for you?"
**
"I can't imagine that she'd have to force you. Or that you'd have any problem getting dates." Kieran nibbles on a bite of cheese and chases it with a grape. "Unless of course, the blokes you meet are intimidated by a strong, intelligent, independent woman."
"I think Sera's worried that I'll end up with a gold-digger who'll poison me or suffocate me in my sleep." Well, that's what she'd be worried about if he were human and she had a reason to worry. "Or the whole alone thing, too."
Kieran nods his head, his smile a bit softer, though no less genuine, just not over the top flirtatious. "It is, sometimes. We tend to look out for each other, and I'm far harder on her dates than she is on mine."
Beat.
"The answer would be Sera doesn't take 'no' for an answer ever, and yes, because you refused, she probably thought you were a good woman for the job, so to speak."
**
"I don't generally make time for dates," Brooke admits. "That, and I've not really found someone that I am interested in for more than a few dates." Until now, but she can't tell him that.
"I guess that is something you'd have to worry about, considering that you own two businesses. A lot of women would date a man like you for the publicity or noteriety that comes with that. Hell, I do PR work for a lot of them." Laughing a little, she slowly finishes off her wine.
"I don't think that I could have, in a million years, ever dreamed of going on a date with someone like you, Mr. Collins." Definitely not a date with someone who makes her heart race so eratically or who can just glance at her in a certain way and make that tingling run from her stomach all the way down.
**
Kieran blinks at her with a wry grin. "I hope that's not a hint. Or a subtle, 'Take a hike, Kieran.'" He's teasing, because if nothing else, he knows that she's having a good time and as far as first dates go, this one isn't bad. It's not cockiness or arrogance, it's the ability to read a situation.
"This is probably the point where, as curious as I am, we shouldn't compare notes to find who I've - " Shagged and bitten - "Dated that you've represented or are representing."
He follows her lead and finishes his glass of wine as well, looking around to catch Tanya's eye for refills. "I told you about that. It's Kieran. Please. Mr. Collins was my father. Or my grandfather." He mock frowns, a twinkle in his eyes, as they wrinkle at the corners, "Old blokes. Not me."
Still smiling, Kieran gives a slight tilt to his head, "Why not? I'm certain you've had arrogant, annoying blokes ask you out before."
**
"Definitely not." Beat. "I'm enjoying myself."
Brooke laughs, and then shakes her head. "Really, I doubt that the past is so important that I need a detailed list of every partner you've been with on a first date." She likely won't need it on a second or third either, because really, she's not planning on sleeping with him.
"Fine, Kieran."
Beat.
"Men like you never ask women like me out on dates. They generally prefer younger arm candy."
**
"As am I."
"A refill?" Tanya asks, arriving at the table.
Kieran looks to Brooke, "Another glass of the same, or are your taste buds willing to try something in red?"
**
"I'm willing to be adventurous," Brooke replies, shyly smiling at him. Oh, she's confident that he's enjoying himself, but at the same time she's still got a bit of trepidation about the date.
"What would you recommend, Tanya?"
**
The server stops trying to eye-sex Kieran and turns her attention to the man's date. "The L'Ecole Cabernet Sauvignon is popular if you're looking for something red, with just a hint of fruit. It's more of a earthy one, but the fruit is very ripe when added to the wine. For something a bit more dry, then Guigal Gigondas Rouge Grenache. I could bring a sampler glass of each?" Beat. "I prefer fruity white wine myself, so I can only give the popular house recommedations. They're both equally ordered."
"A sampling glass of each then, would be fine. Thank you, Tanya," Kieran says with a warm smile. He waits until the server departs, turning back to watch Brooke for a moment. "You're not long in the tooth," Kieran points out, resuming their earlier conversation. "Sometimes, I happen to like a pretty face and intelligent conversation."
**
"Be that as it may, I'm not really jail bait any longer, which it does seem the majority of decent men in our age group tend to prefer." Brooke shrugs her shoulders at it. She's known this for a while, and she doesn't seem to care that the men prefer younger women. She's generally busy with work anyhow.
"Do you consider me both of those things?"
**
"Those are the ones who are afraid of committment and an equal relationship," Kieran explains, picking up a few more grapes and popping them into his mouth. He chews, swallows and resumes, "Your average twenty-one year old is extremely high maintanence, but they're also more prone to say 'yes, as you wish,' a great deal. For some men, that's a sort of power trip."
"Yes, I do. I'm certainly not bored right now."
**
"And for you, Kieran? Do you enjoy that type of power trip?"
Brooke feels embarrassed asking that, but it just sort of slips out before she can turn on her internal filter.
To keep herself from saying anything else, she picks up another piece of cheese and nibbles on it.
"I'm not bored either."
**
The vampire watches her for a long moment before he answers. Long fingers pick up a cube of cheese that he bites into, blue eyes never leaving the woman across from him. Once the cheese is done, he licks his lips and gives her a slow, practiced smile that belongs more in the bedroom between silken sheets than at the table. "I do enjoy a power trip, but there are many different kinds of power that can be enjoyed, Brooke."
Beat.
"Good, if you're not bored, that means I'm doing something right."
**
A shiver runs from the back of Brooke's neck, all the way to her center. There's no denying now, the way he physically affects her. Closing her eyes again, she gulps and then smiles at him. "What kinds of power do you most enjoy?"
Popping the rest of the cheese into her mouth, she glances down at the table. "I'm sorry. I know that might be a bit out of line."
**
Oh, Kieran does so enjoy the way he affects her, even more so because she tries so hard to not show it. He very much would love to get her somewhere quiet and private, and see just how many buttons he could push with a word, or a light caress of his fingers. He'd love to see what it would take to get her to finally show a crack in that armor, and it would be such a lovely challenge to do it without calling upon any of his preternatural and bloodline talents.
Chuckling softly, Kieran shakes his head and waggles a finger at her. "Oh, no, not yet. I get to keep some secrets and surprises for the next time."
**
Blushing, Brooke laughs lightly. "You're right. If you tell me everything now it would take all the mystery out of it." She would likely die if he got her somewhere quiet, and give up on her determination not to jump into bed with him. Slowly licking her lips, she stares across at him and quietly reaches for a grape.
After eating it slowly, she licks her lips again, then whispers, "Sometimes it's not a bad thing to want to say 'as you wish'."
**
Every movement is watched, studied, analyzed and Kieran is very good at analyzing people. His gaze drifts to her lips, hovers there for a moment, and then slowly rises to hold her gaze. His voice is low, a caress of words with an undercurrent of sultryness. "In the right place, at the right time, saying 'As you wish,' can be enjoyable and well-received."
Tanya returns at that moment, placing the sampler glasses on the table. She indicates which is which, and says she'll leave them to decide before walking away. She seems to have given up on catching Kieran's attention, but perhaps she's just smart enough to recognize the energy at the table and know that she can't compete with it.
**
The words cause every part of Brooke to stop. She's fairly certain her heart has stopped beating as his eyes catch hers. It's a full moment before she feels as if she can breathe again, and she's very thankful to Tanya for showing up and breaking the spell just a little. Turning, she murmurs a soft thank you to the waitress, and then reaches for the nearest glass. Swirling it a little, she sips slowly and then swishes it around in her mouth. She lets it sit on her tongue a moment before swallowing.
"This one is good. It's very full bodied."
**
Bloody hell, Kieran wants to claim this one. There's just something about her controlled responses, the way she poked at him so confidently, the way she tries to keep her composure. What he wouldn't give to be a mind-reader and know what's going on behind those blue eyes.
He follows her lead and takes the glass that was set closest to hers. A sip that he savors, rolling it around, eyes trained on Brooke the whole while. He swallows, slowly and deliberately, lets his tongue dart out to touch his upper lip. "That's the Grenache. It's a bit … spicier … than the Sauvignon." There's a lilt and an accent on the word 'spicier' that has nothing to do with wine.
**
"Shall we try the other?"
Brooke reaches for the second glass, glancing at him shyly. Lifting it up slowly, she repeats the motions. Swirl, sip, swish, swallow. "This one is lighter."
The witch sets the glass down, tilting her head to the right, inquisitively watching him. It arches her neck so that the vein can be seen a little, and she quietly says, "I think I enjoy the spicier more. Kieran?"
**
"Certainly."
Kieran too takes the second glass and tastes it, though it's very apparent that his attention is more focused on Brooke than it is on the wine.
It's habit and instinct really that his gaze briefly drops to the curve of her neck, sweeping over the vein and her pulse point before drifting to her lips, to her eyes, as though he's taking in the whole picture. He moistens his lips and gives her a rakish grin. "I definitely prefer the spicier."
**
"We'll have the Grenache, please, Tanya."
Brooke smiles at the server, and then turns back to Kieran. Her attention is locked to him, and she's no clue why he's looking at her as he is. Almost like he wants to gobble me up.
Her heart is almost caught in her throat, and she slowly runs her tongue over her lips. "Why is it that you make that sound so absolutely naughty?"
**
Tanya accepts the order and wanders away, Kieran waiting until she's gone to turn the mischief and naughtiness in his smile up a few notches. "Maybe you just have a naughty mind?" He offers innocently, though there is nothing innocent about the twinkle in his eyes.
Beat.
Kieran waggles his brows, leaning toward her a bit as he licks his lips. "Or … maybe I am a wicked naughty man."
**
God. When he does that, I just want to lean over the table and kiss him.
Brooke gulps, and then haltingly whispers, "I… it's… possible." Beat. "Naughty mind… I mean."
He's definitely making her have a naughty mind. She blushes again, just thinking about him guessing what's going on up in her noggin.
"Are you?"
**
Kieran chuckles, low and rolling, reaching out a hand to graze his fingers ever so gently, barely a touch really, over the back of her hand. "Relax, deep breaths, Brooke. I promise not to bite."
Beat.
"Tonight." The words are delivered with that flirtatious teasing he's been affecting all night long.
"That blush really is attractive," Kieran remarks, settling back to take another sip from the small sampler, and finishing off the galss. He follows it with a mischievous smirk and a one shoulder shrug, "I just might be."
**
It's on the tip of her tongue to quip, 'what if I want you to bite?', but she nips on the bottom of her lip, and just does what he says. Relaxes. Breathes deeply. Doesn't jump across the table at him.
This is what happens when you go out with a man who has so much control over you without even trying.
The blush deepens, and Brooke closes her eyes. "I've always found that it makes me look blotchy," she comments, not able to see how he could possibly find it attractive.
"I think you're a wicked tempation at the very least, Kieran Collins."
Beat.
"And I think you know full well that you are."
**
Brooke is right about one thing: Kieran does like that element of control and power. He's reveling in just how much control he has over the woman, and is having a million naughty thoughts of how much he'd like to play more with it. Still, this one is different, it's actually a date and he's supposed to be a normal human bloke, and he's not going to glamour her or anything else. Not yet.
"Au contraire, it colors you prettily, making your cheeks and neck flush." Not unlike a woman would look in the throes of passion and immediately after.
Called out, Kieran laughs and gives her a salute, touching two fingers to his forehead. "Ah, but can't we all use a little temptation in our lives?"
**
"Thank you," she murmurs, looking down at the table. Brooke takes a few more deep breaths, and then glances up at him with a smile. Which is immediately followed by a laugh at the salute. Eyes twinkling, and thoroughly relaxed again, Brooke nods.
"I suppose we could. It's not a bad thing to have. A little wicked temptation never really hurt anyone. Unless one acts on it far too prematurely."
**
"Exactly," Kieran nods. His smile is loose and boyishly charming. He is quite aware of the effect he's having on her, but he is enjoying himself and knows that she is as well. He's quiet while Tanya brings them glasses of wine, and he thanks her kindly before she departs. Now that she isn't giving him hungry-moony eyes, she's quite the pleasant server and Kieran will tip her generously.
"Giving into temptation too quickly could be problematic. Better to build up, take advantage of the joys of anticipation."
Beat.
"Where is your favorite place to go dancing in the city, Brooke?" Kieran asks with an easy going smile, as though he hasn't just been the epitome of pure seduction and temptation. As though there still isn't that air about him that says he'd love to exploit that temptation a bit more.
**
A gently murmured thank you is offered to the server, and Brooke knows that she will recommend the woman to those she sends here for events and meetings. Tanya has proven to be knowledgable, and Brooke is quite happy that the woman got the hint and quit making moony eyes at her date.
It wouldn't be that bad to give in to temptation. Christ, he's like the snake with the apple in the Garden of Eden.
"Decades," she answers slowly, "But really because, like I said earlier, I've not had much luck getting into other clubs unless I'm with a client. It's kitschy, really, but the theme nights can be fun. Especially when everyone dresses up."
**
"Nothing wrong with Decades. I've been there a few times." Kieran lifts his glass and takes a sip of the wine. "I'm partial to the 50s and 60s, when rock n' roll was still young. Though, the few swing nights they've done have been a brilliant spot of fun." There are certain advantages of living so much history, and that's knowing the music and the dances from the decades past.
"Have you ever been to Purgatory?" He's not going to mention - yet - that it's his, and really he's just feeling her out to figure out where he plans to ask her out to next. Because, yes, Kieran does intend upon asking her out again.
**
"Me too!" Beat. "Though I'm quite fond of the 80s, simply for the fun colors and crazy styles." Really, Brooke hasn't lived through that many decades, and the ones she has haven't been the best musically or style-wise.
"Purgatory? Oh, hell no. I could never get onto the list for that place. It's always packed. Even Tiffany Rothschild, my little celebutante client, can't get in there."
**
That cinches it. Kieran knows exactly where he will take her next. Sera will likely tell him that that's cheating, but there's nothing in the unwritten rules of dating that says he can't take a date to his own place, so long as he's honest about it. Which he will be. When they get that far.
Kieran is wearing a bemused, playful grin as she talks about the 80s. "You had big hair, didn't you?" Of course, she did. It was the 80s, everyone had big hair. Even some blokes had big hair.
**
"I was too young for the big hair. I wore headbands, and legwarmers though." Beat. "Braided pigtails." Brooke was only eight at the end of the 80s, so far too young for the big poofy hairdos.
"Though, if I'm being honest, I likely would've had big hair if I was old enough. Feathered bangs, a high ponytail, the whole mess." Lifting up the glass of wine, she takes a sip of it and closes her eyes as she lets the liquid flow down her throat. It really does have a nice, spicy flavor to it.
**
With her eyes closed, Kieran watches the movements of her throat as she swallows the wine. He breathes in slow, gaze temporarily riveted to the jumping pulse in her throat. He takes a long, slow swallow from his own glass, forcing his attention away from that most tempting sweet spot.
"We should go on 80s night. You can have big hair." Beat. "I won't have a mullet though. Not a real one." Yes, just like that, Kieran has made it a foregone conclusion that he's going to see Brooke again.
**
"That would be fun, actually. Ponytail, or should I wear it down?" It's not uncommon to talk about an additional date on a first date, and it could be fun to actually see him in a mullet — even a faux one. Biting her lip at the image, Brooke grins. "I wouldn't dare ruin your hair by having you do something like that." Beat. "But they do make wigs."
**
"Down," Kieran votes. "Definitely down."
He tilts his glass toward her in a half-toast. "For you, and in the spirit of the theme, I will wear a wig. Also, those horrible leather pants with all the buckles in them."
**
"Oh, if you're wearing those, don't go with the mullet. Go with the punk, Sid Vicious look." Beat. "I'd offer to pull off a redheaded Nancy, but I don't think I could bring myself to wear makeup quite that horrible." Brooke bites her lip, and smiles at him.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Collins, but have we just made another date?"
**
"Hmm… " Kieran frowns and taps his fingers on the table, pretending to replay their conversation and ponder over the question. "Let's see. I said something about going to Decades, and you said it would be fun … so, yes." His mouth lifts in a playful grin. "Yes, Miss Bishop, I dare say that we have just made another date."
Beat.
"You poor woman. You really might want to reconsider and back out while you still can." Kieran delivers the words in a good-natured, self-deprecating manner, topping it with a wink.
**
"I might," she teases back, lightly and playfully. "Maybe I'll have to wash my hair that night." Winking at him, Brooke lifts the wine glass to her lips, taking another delicate swallow.
"Then again, I may just take my chances with a wicked temptation of a man, dressed like Sid Vicious."
**
Kieran watches her, his eyes moving from hers and again trailing to her lips. His gaze lingers there as he lifts his glass, taking a slow sip of the wine, and then dips further, tracing the curve of her neck, down along her collarbone and then making the circuit back up until his eyes lock with hers again. It's all very deliberate; he wants her to know that he's actively looking at her, and tease her with wondering what it is he's thinking.
"That sounds like it could be fun." Kieran smirks at her. "Though I could be quite a bit more dangerous and tempting that you think I am."
**
"Washing my hair, or taking my chances," Brooke asks, without really thinking about what it is she's saying. Teeth lock onto her lower lip and she nibbles it slightly, face flushing quite a bit from the look he's giving her.
What I wouldn't give to know what he's thinking about.
Reaching up, she brushes a stray strand of hair backward, trying to tuck it back into the ponytail. "I don't know. I'm already thinking you are either the best, or the worst temptation in the world and I'm having trouble deciding if it's a good thing or a bad thing."
**
"Yes," Kieran replies.
"Or you could take a chance washing your hair," Kieran teases. It's followed with another one of those mischievous grins. "Or I could."
Sitting back in his chair, Kieran tilts his head a bit. "I suppose that depends on what and how I'm tempting you." He takes another long swallow of his wine. "Would it help at all if I promise to respect your boundaries?"
Mostly.
**
The thought of Kieran Collins washing her hair causes her eyes to widen as she squirms in the chair. Licking her lips, she stares across at him and breathlessly whispers, "That could be fun." Beat. "Maybe, down the road."
Another beat, and Brooke laughs, flushing prettily.
"You have no idea what my boundaries actually are."
**
Kieran decides in this moment that he's not going to sleep with Brooke tonight. In this case, there really is something to be said for temptation and anticipation, and there are plenty of other sources if he needs that sort of gratification and fulfillment. For a while, he'll play completely human - the charming playboy who may be on the verge of settling himself down - and will give her no reason to suspect anything else.
If he should need a proper feeding, then he might have to bend the rules a little.
"You're right, I don't," Kieran chuckles and winks. "But part of the fun is finding out."
**
Brooke is not the type of girl that would sleep with a guy on a first date anyhow. That's what one night stands are for, and she's really enjoying the back and forth teasing with Kieran. She definitely wants him for more than one night.
"Definitely."
Beat.
"For all you know, I don't have any boundaries."
**
"Oh you do. Everyone has boundaries, at least initially."
A few more swallows and his glass is nearly empty. Long fingers trace the curve of the glass as a faint fire sparks in Kieran's eyes. "You might test them, flex them, even expand them once you find yourself in a situation where things are familiar and comfortable. You might not even have discovered them yet, but they are there."
A generalization, certainly, though depending on the situation, sometimes even Kieran has boundaries.
**
The fire in his eyes causes a slow burn in her center. In an attempt to quickly douse it, she grabs her glass of wine and finishes it as quickly as she can, while looking anywhere but at him.
"Maybe," Brooke replies quietly. "I have never fully explored what my boundaries might be."
**
"You're young yet," Kieran says quietly, draining the last of his wine. "We both are."
Beat.
"Plenty of time for us to get to know ourselves."
**
Brooke adores the fact that he calls her 'young'. It nearly makes her giggle. "Yes, I do suppose we are."
Beat.
"I'm thirty, by the way. I know you didn't actually ask, but I know I tend to look older or younger depending on what I happen to be wearing." And she really wouldn't like it if he thought she was much older than she is.
**
"I didn't ask, true." Kieran puts his glass to the side, and Brooke's as well. He'll order them both another glass of whatever Brooke perfers when Tanya comes back around. He scrutinizes Brooke, the flush of her skin, the state of her eyes. This is one time when the vampire doesn't want his date drunk, doesn't want to pour her into the car and send her home. He wants her to remember being out with him and having an enjoyable evening.
"I wouldn't care if you were twenty-five or thirty-five," Kieran says with a smile. Or forty. "I'm enjoying your company and age isn't a factor. But as long as we're on the topic, I'm twenty-eight. Taurus. My birthday is later this month."
Beat.
"And I enjoy long walks on the beach and candlelit dinners," the vampire adds with a chuckle.
**
Two years (well really, one and a half) isn't a horrible difference, though Brooke hasn't really dated a man younger than she is, if only because when she was younger there was the maturity factor, and now that she's older she's not been dating as much.
"Good, as long as it's not a factor, but I feel better that you know." Some men, Brooke knows, prefer younger women. Or at least prefer women to be younger than they are. "Well happy early birthday then," she says with a soft smile.
Beat.
"Do you really, or are you trying to play up the dating site factor?"
**
"Thank you," Kieran grins back at her, and it's another one of those quirky, boyish ones.
"Definitely playing up the dating site factor. I'm not quite so cliched." He notices Tanya heading their way and lifts an inquiring brow. "Would you like another glass of wine? Ladies choice."
**
"I don't know, dinner on the right beach would be a good evening out."
Beat.
"Then again, I'm fairly certain that Sera's classified me as a hopeless romantic."
Brooke bites her lip, and then shakes her head. "As much as I would love another glass of wine, I likely should have a little bit of ice water." Holding up her forefinger and thumb, she pinches them together. "I don't want to get too tipsy on a first date."
Beat.
"But feel free to have another if you'd like to."
**
"I would like another glass of the Grenache," Kieran says as Tanya arrives. "My lovely date would like a glass of ice water."
"Very good," Tanya smiles with a nod. "Would you be interested in trying dessert this evening? I can bring out the dessert tray." Tanya waits for the answer, collects their empty glasses and wanders away.
With their server gone, Kieran turns his attention back to his date. "Does that mean that you get tipsy on second dates?"
**
Brooke blushes at the mention of her being his 'lovely date'. Just the simple compliments are making her like this man even more. It's not that she doesn't hear compliments ever, but simply that she's not used to getting them from men she might actually want to be showing interest in.
"Perhaps a small tray, Tanya?"
When the server disappears again, she laughs. "It's entirely possible, but not likely. I try not to get too tipsy, on the off chance I get a call at three in the morning for a statement regarding a client." It doesn't mean that she doesn't drink, she will when she's got a night off. Generally more than her usual two or three glasses.
"Besides, getting entirely tipsy or drunk defeats the purpose of going out and having fun with someone. It makes everything blurry."
**
"Let me see if I have this right." With his elbows resting on the table, Kieran laces his fingers together and rests his chin atop the joined hands. "You're a hopeless romantic who likes to stay clear headed on dates, would like to have an evening dinner on just the right beach, and is enamoured of dancing, particularly to the 80s music? You've never tested your boundaries and you like a man … who takes control." The pause is deliberate before he finishes the statement, because Brooke never came out and said that last, but Kieran he's not a stranger to subtlety and subtext, and he knows that Brooke was feeling him out.
**
No, Brooke never did come out and say the last. His assumption causes her to turn beet red. Closing her eyes, she mumbles something mostly incoherent, which could very well be a 'yes' or a 'no'.
"Pretty much," she says finally, opening her eyes. "That makes me sound a little like a nut case, I suppose. What liberated woman of this century is a hopeless romantic these days?" Let alone, what woman really wants to give up her control to a man?
"Though it was never fully tested my boundaries."
**
"My mistake. Never fully tested your boundaries."
Kieran doesn't push to find out what she said. Vampiric hearing makes things louder but a mumble is still a mumble and embarrassed incoherency doesn't get a magical translation. "No, it doesn't. Plenty of women are hopeless romantics. If they weren't romance novels wouldn't sell, Sera wouldn't have a career, and Hollywood wouldn't make money hand over fist with Romantic Comedies. Not to mention that the Lifetime Network wouldn't even exist." Kieran does have the most unique take on the world and modern culture.
"I think that it's charming, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to be romanced, and nothing wrong with admitting it."
**
Brooke actually giggles when he corrects himself. "Very true. Romance sells, because whether most women will admit it or not, they crave the romance in their lives." Beat. "We're actually taught that from a young age though, with fairytales like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White. Hell, even Disney made a fortune capitalizing on it."
Exhaling a sigh, she catches and holds his eyes for a moment. "What of you, Kieran? You're obviously a lot more difficult to read than I am."
**
"What would you like to know?" Kieran asks softly. Unlacing his fingers, he drops his hand. He stretches his across the table to take one of hers, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. "I am an open book. Flip to any page and have a read. Ask me anything."
**
"Everything."
Beat.
"But I suppose that is far too broad a subject." Brooke nips at her lip, smiling brightly when he takes her hand. It is one of those gestures that most men don't think about. "Do you hold an actual belief in romance, or do you just look at it as a necessary tool?"
**
"Oh my, she starts with the big guns." Kieran gives her a boyishly charming smile. His thumb doesn't stop tracing small circles. "As weird as it probably is in the twenty-first century, I'm a bit old fashioned. To an extent. I'm not so much a romantic as a believer in respect and chivalry. Holding the door, holding out a woman's chair, sending her flowers or a note to let her know that I'm thinking of her. It's being thoughtful and respectful. It's really just saying that 'yes, you're special and here's how I'm going to show you."
Beat.
"It doesn't have to be candy and flowers, either. It's what she likes, what will put a smile on her face. So long as it's heartfelt and the motives are pure. I don't believe in faking it. If I do something, it's because it feels right."
There's a pause and he chuckles. "I've missed birthdays, and been late to dates. I'm typical, but I try to keep things fun and sweet, and let a woman know that I know her. I pay attention to her and I'll do my best to put a smile on her face."
**
"There's no doubt in my mind that you pay attention, Kieran. You've obviously pegged me quite well from our conversation so far." Brooke smiles at him happily. Old fashioned, romantic, really they boil down to the same sort of thing, just two different ways of looking at the same coin.
"See, I consider that romantic. Listening is a skill plenty of men don't possess, but you obviously enjoy listening to those around you, and I'm certain that you've always been forgiven for being late. You do run your own businesses."
**
"Listening is important to maintain any sort of equal relationship with someone." Kieran gives her hand a squeeze, and reluctantly releases it as Tanya arrives with the ice water and the wine. Another server is with her, a food runner no doubt, who presents the tray laden with desserts. Cheesecake, tiramisu, specialty pies, creme bruele, each of which Tanya describes expertly enough that she could be a walking menu. Kieran almost considers handing her a business card.
"Would you care for dessert?" Kieran asks Brooke. He'll indulge if she does.
**
A soft sigh is exhaled as her hand is released, and she glances at him somewhat shyly. A slow smile appears on Brooke's face, and she thanks Tanya for the ice water.
"Creme bruele, please." They all sound fantastic, but beyond cheesecake, the creme bruele is probably the most decadent thing that Brooke can order. She really doesn't want to see this date come to an end because she's enjoying herself immensely.
**
"I'll have the same, Tanya," Kieran says. "Thank you very much. Both of you." He'd already planned on tipping well, but knowing that the servers likely split tips with the runners, he'll add a little extra on top of that.
When the two women are gone and they're alone again, as much as they can be in the bar, he rests his chin in his palm and gazes across the table at her. "What else would you like to know? Go on, then. Pick my brain."
**
"You're giving me the keys to the kingdom here," Brooke says with a laugh. "I've no clue what to ask you." Oh, there's plenty she wants to ask him, but some of it she won't bother asking in public.
"Is that what you're looking for, though? An equal relationship?"
**
"I …" Kieran stops and affects a confused frown. A wrinkle works its way in his forehead and between his brows that slant together. "…don't really know."
Beat.
"Wow. You stumped me." Kieran laughs and gives his head a shake. "I haven't really thought about it. I know that I'm tired of twenty-somethings who think the height of conversation is celebrity gossip or plotting how best to backstab their so-called friend. So …"
The vampire looks thoughtfully at her and sighs. "I never thought about it like that, but I suppose I am looking for something of a more mature relationship."
He holds up his hand with a smile, "Don't panic. It doesn't mean I'm going to stalk you or anything if you decide you don't want to see me again."
**
Brooke blinks at the fact that she's stumped him. She wasn't really trying to do that.
"I'm not really trying to push anything, you realize? I was mostly just curious." Biting her lip, she takes a small sip from the ice water and then laughs when he tells her not to panic. "Kieran, have I given you any indication that I don't want to see you again? If I have, please let me say that I don't think I've enjoyed myself so much on a first date in a long while." She carefully doesn't add that she really doesn't want the evening to end.
"I'd like to think that even if we find we're not compatible romantically," she means sexually, she's fairly certain, "That we could at the very least still talk sometimes and enjoy a friendship."
**
"We haven't said good night yet, I could still screw up." The words are quite teasing, and he gives her a wink. "I'm glad to hear that. I've certainly been enjoying myself. I'd keep you here all night if I could."
He lifts his glass in a salute/toast, "I couldn't have said it better myself. It's been a long time since I've had such a good, relaxing time just talking to someone." That part is very true, because he usually doesn't waste time with talking.
**
Brooke laughs again, and winks at him. "Ah, but you forget about the points you racked up earlier. You can still screw up, yet have a chance," she teases back, lifting her glass to his before taking another sip of the ice water.
"I'm sure you have evenings like this with Sera." Holding her hand up, Brooke says, "I know she's just a friend, but that must at least count for something."
**
"In that case …" Kieran trails off with a laugh, moistening his lips with his tongue.
"Yes, Sera and I do spend a lot of time together, but that's different, and you know that's not what I was getting at." He waves a finger at her, purely in jest. "It does count for something, but Sera isn't a … romantic interest." He's using her word from earlier, with the same sort of emphasis that she put on it.
**
"But you can still count it as one mature relationship in your life," Brooke points out. "It may be different, but the two of you seem extremely close." Which means, anyone wanting to get involved in a relationship with one of them is going to have to at least be able to put up with the other. It's how Brooke used to be with her cousin when she was younger.
"Have you ever pictured what your future might hold?"
**
The pair are closer than Brooke could ever possibly imagine. What she sees, what everyone sees, is the show that they put on for the public and the uninformed. The close camaraderie, the chaste affection, is all part of that ruse. So many women (and men) haven't been able to handle that surface portrayal of their relationship, never mind how they'd (not) cope with the true depth of the relationship Sera and Kieran share and all of its facets. It's a Vampire thing, a Maker-Child bond that runs close and intimate, as it was designed, but Kieran doesn't expect humans to understand that.
"We are," Kieran admits. "Which is why she hit the nail on the head with wanting to introduce us."
Tanya returns and serves dessert, and Kieran waits until she departs to resume conversation. "Well, I have decided that I am going to be young and handsome forever. Healthy, hale and wealthy too because it's pointless being young forever if you're ill and ailing. Though wealth, that can be acquired, it's just easier to start out that way."
He gives her lopsided grin and picks up his spoon. "I don't think too far ahead. Don't mistake that with being flighty or whimsical. Financially, I know that I'll be stable and sound and able to take care of myself no matter what. My brother too, if required." Because remembering the family card is important. "I don't imagine myself alone, though. I'm not on a wife hunt, but when I think about my future, I don't see myself alone… how far in the future are we talking?"
Beat.
"Say ten years, yeah? In ten years, I'm still doing what I'm doing, maybe a little less hands on and being a little more willing to delegate more. Traveling a bit. With a companion, girlfriend. Maybe wife. Don't know about kids, but definitely a dog."
**
"I'll have to remember to thank her for not listening to me then," Brooke replies with a chuckle. Really, she wouldn't be sitting here tonight if she'd not gone all silly fangirl when she was having dinner with her sister, so she is going to have to thank Sera. Which she'll do by making those two promotional events for the new book extraordinary. Realizing that her thoughts are drifting to work, she slams the door on those and thanks Tanya for the dessert.
"Have you found the fountain of youth then?" Brooke's words are light, but they likely wouldn't be if she knew the truth.
"Christ, you're young, Kieran. Men your age are generally just beginning to think about settling down. If you were on a wife hunt, I think I'd be a little worried." Glancing at him, she blushes. "I really don't know you well enough to have just said that. I'm sorry."
Taking the opportunity to shut herself up, she spears her spoon into the creme brule and shoves it into her mouth. Eyes close as she mentally tells herself to keep her mouth shut, and when she opens them, she smiles.
"To be fair, I don't really have a plan either. My thoughts drift to the future every so often, but that's more or less wondering if the small business I'm starting up will flounder or succeed. I'm still doing a bit of freelance, and I'd much rather just have a few solid clients to work with so I don't need to worry about calling the tabloids every damned morning and getting pictures removed."
Beat.
"Dogs make the best companions, really. Duke, our dog back at the farm, is going to be seventeen this year, and he often still acts like a goofy pup when I go home."
**
"No, no fountain of youth, but I'm extremely optimistic." He helps himself to a few bites of the creme brulee with a smirk.
"God, I don't even have to say anything directly to get that blush." Kieran reaches across the table and nudges her fingers with his. His attitude is light and flirty, clearly not at all offended by her words. "I think that being on a wife hunt would scare off and worry most women, except the ones who are looking to be trophy wives." He's met more than a few of those over the years.
"Are you sure you wouldn't have to call the tabloids even if you had regular clients?" Kieran inquires. "I've ended up in them a few times, and I'm hardly celebrity material." He knows that she knows about that; they discussed it at the launch party. Kieran doesn't do much to avoid it because he sees his whole identity as 'hiding in plain sight' and is amused by it. Sera isn't so much, but her whole public persona is much more the private writer.
"I'm a fan of dogs. Dogs like me, too. It's a win-win. I just don't have time for one when the poor thing would be neglected and left alone. Though I suppose I could always hire a dog-sitter."
**
"Oh, I have no doubt that I'd have to call the tabloids, but likely not as often." Beat. "The stories with you and Miss Roche are pretty tame and entirely speculative. Now if the two of you were caught naked in a night club, that would be when I'd have to call and get the photos back." Which is often really difficult to do, and costs quite a pretty penny of her client's money.
Brooke lifts her shoulders in a small shrug, and smiles at him. "Celebutantes, the type I freelance for, rarely have class, and forget that we live in an age where anyone could be taking photos to sell to the tabloids. Every phone has a camera attached to it these days, and it's not like phones are banned in night clubs."
Beat.
"I love dogs. We've always had dogs. I would have gotten one here in the city, but I don't think it's quite fair for a dog to be cooped up in a studio apartment all day, and just be able to go for a walk or two in the park whenever I have time."
**
"That's really not a problem for me. I would never be caught naked in a nightclub." Kieran's smile is sly and devious. She'll likely think he's teasing her now, and maybe he is. Maybe he isn't.
"Like Kita Lang?" His position in among the socialites and standing in the hierarchies means that Kieran does come into contact with some of those celebutantes and society girls who seem to make a living out of causing damage. Kieran went out once with Kita, an up and coming model of some sort, and had to glamour her into proper behavior before they even left the car; it was a bad sign that she decided to tease him by taking her knickers off in the limo on a first date. The girl has been in the tabloids a lot lately.
Pretty, but not worth the trouble, even for the eye candy factor.
"I assume that she's not one of yours, but she's an example?"
Beat.
"What sort of dog is he?"
**
Brooke blinks at him, eyes wide, and then laughs. He's obviously teasing, and if he's not, he's damned lucky that he's never been caught at it. Someone like him would definitely be tabloid worthy material, especially in a place like New York.
"Yes, like Kita Lang." Brooke has seen the images, and while she was tempted, for a time, to offer to clear up the poor girl's shady past and get some of those pictures out of the hands of the tabloids. Then she wrote the girl off as being too much trouble for too little gain. "There's quite a few of them that are just not worth the trouble it would be to have as clients. I suppose I'm looking for the more elite type of client, really. The ones who want to present a better public image for themselves, who want to work at bettering their businesses or productions. It's why I like having a few of the Broadway and off-Broadway theaters in my portfolio."
Taking another bite of the creme brule, she grins.
"Irish wolfhound. Shelter rescue when he was just a pup. Only eight or nine weeks old when daddy brought him home. He turned seventeen last month."
**
Kieran laughs when she does, more than content to allow her to think whatever it is she wants to think.
"Which theaters?" Kieran gives her a sheepish smile and rakes his hands through his hair. "I'm … sorry. I'm coming at you with questions. I'm just curious. Trying to get to know you a wee bit better."
The dog's age and breed do earn a bit of surprise, more for her than a genuine showing of such by Kieran. Oh, he is surprised; that's unusually old for a dog, but he doesn't show those sorts of things unless he wishes to do so. "Wow. What does your family feed that dog? And do they make it for humans?"
**
"I've done a few things for Actor's Playhouse, Chelsea Playhouse, Flatiron Playhouse, and the New York Theatre Workshop on the off-Broadway things." There are a few others, but it was bit-work for publicity more than anything else. "On-Broadway would be the Brooks Atkinson Theater, Majestic Theater, and the Winter Garden Theater."
Brooke offers a smile at him, and then reaches out to touch one of his hands, tentatively, as he lowers it. "I don't mind the questions."
Beat.
"Plenty of love and affection, really. Duke was my baby until I left for university. He's more an extension of the family than a pet, and he gets plenty of fresh air and exercise." She knows the dog is exceedingly old, and she assumes her mother is using some sort of spell to keep him healthy and in tip-top shape, but it's not something she's ever asked about.
She's honestly afraid to know the answer.
**
"That sounds like enough to keep you busy and on your toes. Combined with the band and the random celebutante?" Kieran gives a low, impressed whistle. "How do you find any time for yourself?"
Beat.
He takes her hand, sweeps his thumb up to stroke the backside of her hand, teases his fingertips against hers. "That is a very lucky dog. You'd do great with one here in the city, I think. Maybe find a responsible high schooler to come over and play with it or walk it when you're out and about? Or a stay at home mom with a primary schooler?"
**
"I don't," Brooke replies with a laugh. "This is the first night I've taken off in months, and I guarantee you that I'll have at least five missed calls by the time I get home."
Beat.
"Granted, to be fair, the work with the theaters is generally only when they're winding up or gearing down a production. Making sure they get the proper press releases to the proper outlets, and seeing what talk shows I can book them on. If I were working for the actors themselves… then things might be a tad busier there."
Brooke can't help but glance down at their hands again, and marvel at how just that simple touch can make all the thoughts flit out of her head.
"A… smaller dog wouldn't be so bad, I don't think. One that wouldn't mind a small studio apartment for a home. That I could carry places with me if I needed to."
Beat.
"But then I'd look like one of those celebutantes, or lonely rich women."
**
"Then I'm going to be exceptionally happy that I'm the lucky bloke who managed to sneak his way into your schedule tonight." Catching her gaze drop down to their hands, Kieran raises the ante, lacing his fingers between hers on the tabletop. Without looking down and while keeping his eyes on her and maintaining conversation.
"Some of them are horny bored rich women who need to get laid more often." His eyes flare and widen a bit, and he ducks his head affecting abashedness. "Whoa, I am sorry."
Lifting his head he gives a boyish grin that would probably convince a jury that he wasn't guilty of being a vampire. "That was very vulgar of me. I think that I'm getting comfortable and bit loose of tongue with you, Miss Bishop."
Squeezing her hand, he only releases it to take a sip of his wine and a bite of the creme brulee. "What I was trying to say before my words skipped past the filter was that you could never look like or possibly be like one of those women."
**
Blushing deeply, more from his words than the action, Brooke slowly glances back up at him. She misses his fingers lacing with hers until she feels them, and it causes her to gasp and look down immediately. A soft, surprised smile tugs at her lips, and then she blinks and stares at him again.
Laughing, she quickly covers her mouth with her free hand and then clears her throat. "I believe I'm inclined to agree with you."
Beat.
"I think I like that you're getting comfortable," she murmurs quietly, watching as he releases her hand. Taking a small bite of her own creme brulee again, she smiles. "Well, I suppose you're right on the look like part. I can't afford the clothing they wear."
**
Her laughter causes him to grin a bit lopsidely. He takes a swallow of the wine, eyes intently focused on her over the rim as he tilts it back. Setting it down, he's quick to reach out and run fingertips over the back of her hand. "Still not what I was trying to say." Beat. "You don't have that air of quiet desperation and neediness about you. You're … independent. Confident."
Beat.
"Hot."
**
Brooke nearly chokes on her creme brulee when he says the last, and stares at him with wide blue eyes. She says nothing, just reaches for her glass of water to wash it all down before she looks at him again.
Confident has never really been a word to describe her except in the business sense. Hot, is not a word she'd be using to describe herself at all.
"Thank you," she says finally. "So are you."
**
"Also not used to being given blatant compliments," Kieran notes with a soft, gentle smile. "Guess I'm going to have to keep doing that." Beat. "Or maybe not. Wouldn't want it to go to your head and have you getting used to it."
His smile broadens a bit at her return compliment and he inclines his head and winks, "Thank you."
**
"No, I'm not." Brooke avoids them or brushes them off, really. She's always been self-conscious and after having her steady boyfriend just disappear on her after graduation, that slipped quite a bit. It took a great deal of effort from the boys of Steel Clover to pull her back up to some semblance of a useful person, which is why she pushes so hard on their promotions.
"But I think you are. You likely hear that quite a bit."
Beat.
"It's the eyes, I think. The rare full smile you give. The way your hair seems to fall over your forehead just so…"
Beat.
"Christ. Now I'm waxing poetic…"
**
"Oh please don't stop. Go on." Kieran rests his chin on his hand, grinning at her across the table. Kieran has never denied that he is well aware of his attractiveness, and he's charmingly arrogant about it. "Please wax poetic about my eyes and hair …"
Teasingly, he rakes a hand through his hair, tousling it and pushing it away from his forehead if onnly briefly.
He winks. "I'm surprised you don't hear it more often. I'm not just saying that to get you into bed, either. You are a truly attractive woman, Brooke. You have this smile that can't seem to figure out if it's innocent or mischievous … maybe you can't figure out what you want to be?"
**
Brooke laughs when he tells her not to stop. "I think I'd better leave the poetics up to the writers. They have a far better flair for words than I do." She could go on and on about his eyes and his hair all night if he let her, but she's embarrassed that she's just done so.
Biting her lip as he rakes his hand through the hair, she swallows.
"Maybe I can't."
Beat.
"Maybe I'm both at once?"
**
"Won't that be fun to find out?" Reaching across the table, he takes her hand. Holding her gaze, he lifts it to his lips and brushes a light kiss across her knuckles, his lips lingering a second or two longer than necessary. "I'm up for the challenge."
**
As he lifts her hand, Brooke stares at him incredulously. It is singularily the most romantic, and the most distracting thing anyone's done to her in twelve years.
"Are you saying…"
Then he adds the last part, and her heart speeds up again. Dipping her head down, she smiles and blushes lightly.
Brooke has no idea what to make of this man. Obviously Sera wasn't kidding when she said he was 'taken' with her, but she has no clue what he's expecting or what he's thinking.
It's maddening.
"Are you quite certain about that, Mr. Collins," she teases with a wink as she looks up at him again.
**
"Oh yes," Kieran still has hold of her hand, and his words brush across her knuckles. He winks right back at her. "I am always up for a challenge."
The vampire waits a beat and then releases her hand. He settles back in his seat, and gives her another disarming grin. "Rather than doing the traditional wait-until-I-drop-you-off-at-your-door thing, I'm going to ask now: when can I see you again?"
**
"Are you always so non-traditional," she blurts, staring at him. Brooke seems to be doing that quite a bit this evening. That, and gaping, which she also does. It's one of those things that puts her on the spot, and if he wasn't grinning at her in such a charming, disarming manner, she'd scold him.
Sliding her hand into her purse, she pulls out her iPhone. Switching to the calendar, she frowns.
"Not until at least Thursday, I'm afraid. Unless I reschedule something." She's sure Bridget won't care too much if she needs to reschedule their dinner date, as long as it's for a good cause.
**
"Yes," Kieran answers without pause. "I find that being a little non-traditional and unpredictable can come in quite handy. Besides, what's the problem with admitting that I really wish to see you again, and asking about it? Why wait?"
He has plans on Thursday, or that should be Serafine has plans for him on Thursday. He doesn't know what they are, but it's his birthday and the woman doesn't usually disappoint.
"Thursday is bad for me," Kieran admits with a frown. "Friday night instead? We can meet for drinks and go dancing."
**
"There's no problem with it, really," Brooke replies quietly. She figured that this was a one-shot, and that he wants to see her again is actually good. At least for her it is.
Frowning as she scrolls through her calendar, she bites her lip. Holding up her finger, she fires off a quick text to one of her clients and mentions that the Friday night meeting will need to be rescheduled for Thursday, and then nods.
"I can work with Friday." Filling Friday evening on her calendar, she glances up. "Will around the same time work for you?"
**
Kieran watches her scroll through her calendar, a bemused smile on his face. He could pretend to check his, but he has no intention of doing so. He'll just excuse himself from work that night. That is one of the perks of being his own boss and having expert help.
"Yes, the same time would be perfect. I'll send a car around again."
Beat.
"I'll be looking forward to it." He just needs to decide where he is going to take her dancing. That can wait, however.
Tanya chooses that moment to return, inquiring if they will need anything else.
"I'm good," Kieran tells the server. He looks to Brooke, "You?" There are only so many reasons to tarry, and he still intends to see her home safely.
**
"Just call or text me sometime next week and let me know where you're planning on taking me dancing." Brooke wants to dress appropriately, and if they're going to one of the fancier clubs, then she'll need to pick up an appropriate dress.
Or beg Bridget to make one for her on extremely short notice.
Blinking up at Tanya, she turns her phone off and tucks it discreetly into her purse. "I'm fine, thank you."
**
"I promise that we'll be in touch."
After Brooke verifies that she needs nothing else, Tanya smiles at them both and turns to Kieran. "I'll have you checked out in a few minutes."
"Take your time," Kieran tells the server. "We're in no particular hurry."
He does tend to be a big tipper and he will tip to cover any loss tips for the woman due to he and Brooke taking up the table.
**
"I believe I'm going to hold you to that promise, Mr. Collins," Brooke says lightly, smiling at him. There's a rush of excitement at the fact he'll call her during the week, and another that she'll see him again next weekend.
Quickly glancing at the table in order to hide the silly grin from her face, she chews on her lower lip and peeks up at him.
"Thank you, Kieran. I've had fun this evening."
**
"I'm very good at keeping promises."
He watches her reactions, a smile dancing over his lips. "I have too. This has truly been one of the better - no, best first dates that I've gone on in a very long time."
And he's not even taking her back for a bite and a shag.
