Scarlet Springs (Ari Levinson) AU - 18+

16

Ari

"I wanna take you out".

If I wasn't so obsessed with this woman then I would've meant it the other way - but instead I'm talking about a date. I wanna take her out and I know for a fact she's probably gonna say no.

"Hmm?" She asks as she lies against me, passing me the cigarette I'd lit for us to share. Something to further the post sex haze we're currently in.

"I wanna take you out, on a date?" I say as I inhale the good stuff, and then let the smoke seep from my mouth. "Actually buy you a dinner that doesn't taste like the shockers I've served you with". 

Margot sits up and wraps the sheets around her, looking back at me. "You don't have to, I've er...never really been on a date before".

The cigarette almost falls from my mouth in surprise. "What? Never?"

"Unless I count the time I was thirteen and some boy took me to the shop around the corner from our home and brought me some candy, then no". She shrugs. "Will it be safe?"

I nod. "If you want somewhere close? We could always go to the diner near here? Not exactly romantic but you might feel more comfortable". I suggest. The last thing I want is some hitman or even Davy himself gatecrashing this for me. I'll blow his head off if he or anyone else does.

Her cheeks flush slightly. She always gets these moments of shyness - something she says she shouldn't have because of the nature of her past work. That wasn't work though - that was involuntary labour and I remind her of it. From it she's gained confidence so she says, but at the same time it's made her a little ashamed as the weeks have passed.

"I don't need romantic" She admits quietly. "I mean...this? This is my kinda romantic - just lying here with you after a good lay with a cigarette". 

We now both laugh as I pull her back into me and keep my arm around her. She takes the last of the cigarette from me and inhales. "Well, a different setting at least. You don't have to - but I'd like to". 

There's a momentary silence before she nods. "Ok". 

I look at her. "Yeah? You wanna? 

She nods again with a smile. "Yeah, I do...although I'm not used to this kind of thing so please don't get offended if I'm a little awkward". 

I chuckle and shake my head. "Margot, that asshole had all the money and never spent a dime on you. You deserve to have someone actually treat you like a human, not a money maker. You deserve a night out at a crappy diner with me in other words". I give her a cheeky wink knowing that I also deserve this. 

I deserve her. 

"When do you wanna go?" She asks, checking the time on the clock next to the bed. It's already late afternoon and we decided to have a little fun now that the sickeningly cute honeymooners have checked out. 

"How about you go get yourself ready and we can go in about an hour or two?" I suggest, also glancing at the time. 

She gets up now, and I lean back against the headboard, watching as she slips on her clothes, all while admiring every part of her. She has a great body to say the least, another thing I love.

"See you in an hour" She winks and heads out, the door to the office closing. 

I sink under the covers and groan, knowing that I need to make a call to Sammy to tell him I want out. That this is a pointless job and there are others we could be focusing on. He's all about the money though, and I suppose I was too until I met Margot. 

Now I'm all about her. 

I get up and head to the phone, punching in his number. It rings a couple of times before he picks up. "Hey, long time no speak". 

"I know, motel's actually had some guests so I needed to be a good host". 

"All part of the plan" Sammy laughs. "Any news or sightings of our runaway hooker?" 

My hand grips the phone and I want to lash out and correct him about that, but I don't. Instead I remain calm. "Nothing. Listen, I don't think she's gonna be heading this way - there's other jobs we could be working to pass the time. Either way I don't think this girl is gonna be bringing us the money". 

Sammy sighs. "It's a fucking good reward too". 

"I know, but we're just sitting on our asses doing nothing and practically waiting to see if she just happens to pass through. I'm backing out, plus I'm bored as shit". 

He seems to be contemplating this and then sighs again. "Yeah, sure ok...fucking waste though buying that Motel just so we had a chance...could've spent it on something worthwhile". 

"I mean it's getting custom, so it's not a lost cause. Could be a nifty little side project when the bounty hunting isn't bringing in the money". I admit - just as long as he doesn't come here anytime soon. 

"I'll think about it". He says, "Anyway  I'll look into some more cases we can take The hooker's probably halfway across the country by now". 

"Seems likely considering it's been weeks, months since we got the job through". 

Sammy agrees. "I'll keep the paperwork just in case, but I'll be in touch if and when we get something else. I may just drop in when..." 

"Could you at least give me a heads up before you do?" I ask. No way do I want to have him turn up and find Margot here. It's that or I meet him at the diner from now on. 

"Fine". He huffs. "Anyway speak later". 

"Yeah" I say and we ring off. 

A little satisfied that I've got him off my back for now, I get up and shower, ready to finally take Margot out on her date.