Subtle Invitation [Thomas Shelby]

Desire

Tommy tapped his shoes impatiently at the front desk of the hotel. The hotel manager was hovering around him, worried that trouble was coming and it was starting to irk him.

Just as he was about to light up a cigarette he spotted Lily making her way down the stairs, her hair up and off her face, dressed in a delicate navy fitted coat.  Tommy couldn't deny that she knew how to dress, she was always expertly put together.

As soon as their eyes connected he felt a pull deep down in his stomach and he wondered if she could tell.

"Morning" she smiled as she took the last step and stood in front of him, her big green eyes alight with wonderment.

"You ready to go?" He asked as he outstretched his arm to hers. Lily took it and shyly ignored the stares they where receiving by the hotel staff.

"Miss Adler, before you go there's a telegram here for you!" The hotel manager called from behind the desk.

Tommy watched as she left his arm and took the telegram, watched as her eyes quickly scanned the paper, her mouth twitching with a small satisfied smile. Lily folded the paper and gently placed it into her pocket as she thanked the hotel manager.

Taking his arm again she smiled up at him "Harris has completed the final payment today"

Tommy nodded, he knew that the final payment would be made today as he had sent Arthur around to ensure it was completed on time.

As they stepped outside Tommy watched as she squinted into the rain, quickly he opened the car door and watched as she slipped in.

"Where are we going?" She asked as she watched him get in. Tommy thought her eyes in the natural light looked greener today making the blue speck in her right eye stand out even more.

"Where is that from?" He asked as he pointed towards her eye.

"I'm sorry?"

"The blue fleck in your eye"

Lily blushed and looked away and he could of kicked himself. It wasn't supposed to come out of his mouth but it had been on his mind ever since their first meeting.

"I've been told by my birth parents neighbour that it was from my mother"

Tommy pulled the car away "Did she tell you anything else about your birth parents?" And he knew he was treading on dangerous ground but he was curious.

Lily shrugged "All I know is that they where hard working people who loved each other very much" he heard her voice crack and forced his hand to remain still on the steering wheel "I was an only child who was apparently doted on greatly" and she closed her eyes.

That was enough. Tommy wasn't going to push her anymore. It would have to sustain his curiosity for now.

"So are you going to tell me where we're going?" She asked as she opened her eyes back up and stared out of the window.

"Where going to look at a new building" he mumbled.

"What for?"

"For the company. We're expanding rapidly and we need a proper office" and he looked at her, gauging her reaction "I need you there"

Lily's breath hitched in her throat and she had to force herself to concentrate on the road ahead.

"Once we legitimise the company I'll need you to help run it. Polly and I will be focusing on....other ventures"

"Me?" She asked, her eyes wide with terror.

Tommy laughed a little, enjoying her reaction a little too much "You're good with numbers and with a little training from Polly you'll be good with managing the office. You already know how to get what you want, you just need to hone your skills"