Quickies

mistaken - 1

*** F  I  C  T  I  O  N ***

She saw him enter the restaurant, a vision in white, a deep dimple and an unforgivable grin that made her stomach churn. He looked around the tables of early diners for a second before his eyes settled on her. She sat straighter and crossed her legs, trying to contain her anxiety as he approached her in very easy strides. She hoped he didn't catch her taking a deep breath, and instead lifted her chin as he stood in front of her.

"Have a seat. I've been waiting."

He grinned and sat on the chair across her. He took off his glasses, making her appreciate more how he looks angelic even as he exuded a certain macho vibe. Intimidating, overwhelming.

"I apologize. I see you're having wine already."

She raised her glass and motioned for the waiter to approach.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Pour me another one."

"Whiskey for me, please. Neat."

She raised a brow and continued to take a sip. His eyes held her gaze as he smirked. She swallowed slowly and licked her lips before speaking.

"Well, how do you want to begin this?"

The waiter placed his drink on the table, and he acknowledged it with a nod. He swirled his glass before drinking, his Adam's apple bobbing as the drink passed through his throat.

"They told me you're all business. I like that."

"Because there's no point in making small talk about it."

"I agree. And you're aware that if I am pleased with this first venture, it may mean a longer term arrangement?"

She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. She's thought about it, her agent told her that this client is never always easy, but can be very generous as long as he is happy. With his looks, she thought that however way they do this, she might end up being the one satisfied.

"Yes."

He drank the rest of his whiskey in one gulp and placed the glass back on the table.

"Good. Then perhaps after you finish your wine we can take our business somewhere more appropriate."

She drank the rest of her wine, while he left a bunch of bills on the table. He stood up and held out his hand as she got off her chair. He led her out of the restaurant, his hand gently placed at the small of her back. As they walked towards the door, he spoke.

"I have to apologize but I had a completely different image in my head based on how my associates described you."

She laughed.

"And how, pray tell, did they describe me?"

"First off, they said you would be a little bit older. A bit masculine, they said."

"I'm sorry to have disappointed you, then."

"That was a bit crass, I'm sorry. Physicality is but a decoy for what is pure and honest underneath. And with the few minutes that we have exchanged words, I can tell that you are more than your stunning features."

She stopped and turned to him.

"You have a way with words. But I suppose words can always be combined and twisted to hide the truth in order to do away with the pain that daggers do."

It was his turn to look surprised. He chuckled as he shook his head. He opened the passenger side of a black Jaguar that drove up. She turned to look at him, gave a sly smile before getting inside. He closed the door, and she watched him walk around to the driver's side. She adjusted her seat and took a deep breath before he entered the car. He leaned over to her, and it took her a moment to realize that he was just going to strap her seatbelt on. Whether the brush of his arm against her breasts were intentional or not, she actually didn't mind. It got her more excited, but she needed to calm herself.

She's never felt like this with a client. It has always been work for her. But now this... what was different with this guy?

"Penny for your thoughts?"

The sound of his voice - deep, calm and commanding - slightly made her jump. Now that they are within an enclosed space, away from the chatter earlier at the restaurant, she can't help but get more drawn to him, look at him closely. He was only inches away from her, and she heard him draw in his breath as he gazed on her slightly opened lips. She bit her lip before looking away, and decided to settle back on her seat.

"A penny might not be enough for our deal. You do know that, don't you?"

"Hmm. Right down to business. I like straightforward women."

He changed gears and they sped away from the restaurant, smoothly cruising their way through the evening traffic. The black panther, his business associates called her. And he can sense why. She has this silent power, he felt it the moment he laid eyes on her. However soft her features are, with those doe eyes and full lips, she exuded an inner strength that, while it may raise a flag in his head, he knew he will not let this one get away that easily.  His associates easily backed away from dealing with her, and he found it challenging. She intrigued him, and all the more that he wanted to close this deal with her.

It would be one of his biggest conquests.

"Would you mind if we do this at my office?"

She kept looking straight on, legs crossed, her right hand clutching her purse and the other resting on her side, occasionally touching his as he shifted gears. There was electricity, undeniably, so when she heard him ask her about going to his office, she struggled internally to keep her focus on the road.

Men and their secrets.

"I won't. If that will make you more comfortable."

Her answer all the more piqued his curiosity. He couldn't tell if she was testing him, or she really didn't mind. What he's sure of is that he wants to reach his office a lot quicker and get the deal done.

What she wants is to get this over with and call it a night.

Both of them, although in a rather misleading conversation since they met not even an hour has passed, want to dig deeper into the other.

***

started this as a draft since last year, when those photos of alden and maine came out. @cati_21 made a shoutout on twitter to anyone in the fandom to make a quick fic from it. this'll be a 3-5 multichap quick fic. took me some time to do this, and though i know where i'm taking this story, i am playing a bit on some twists and turns. let's see. hope you guys will be patient with me. haven't written for some time and i'm trying to feel my way back here again.