Killian has seen a million dollars.
Literally.
He's seen a million dollars. He's held it in his hands. He's spent a million dollars in one night. He is in line to inherit a company worth millions and millions (billions if you want to be accurate) of dollars. And yet when he saw her for the first time (her golden blonde hair, her smile, her red dress that fit just right, take your pick) it was like all time stopped and he was certain that he'd give just about any number of million of dollars to be able to talk to her.
"Dave, who is that? Talking to Mary Margaret." Killian asked his newly engaged friend.
David Nolan (heir to a real estate business that owned half of the east coast and over two-thirds of the west coast) looked up and gave a tight smile to Killian, "Ah, Emma. Emma Swan. Newly minted 1 percenter from her security software company, used to go to school with me and Mary Margaret, and way, way out of your league."
"C'mon, Dave, when has that ever been true?" Killian grinned.
"I'm serious about this, Killian." Dave warned, "Emma is not to be messed with. She put herself through college by working for the New York police department. She got in a bar fight in London and she won. She has a doctorate in computer science. She would give you a run for your money."
"Hmmm…. I do love a challenge." Killian smirked just as he gulped the last of his rum.
Without waiting for his friend, Killian strode over to the pair of women gallantly.
"Congratulations on your engagement, Mary Margaret." Killian opened.
The woman, who could be Snow White herself, blushed and gave the Killian the happiest grin he's ever seen. Mary Margaret was one of the good ones, in Killian's social circles. Despite being an heiress to one of the world's best horse breeders, she still saw the good in people and for that Killian respected her immensely.
"Oh, thank you, Killian. But you probably knew about it long before I did."
"That's neither here nor there. Dave's been positively terrified about asking you, I'm just glad I won't have to hear him talk about how nervous he is every time we go sailing."
Mary Margaret laughed, "Oh, well, Killian this is my old college roommate Emma Swan. Emma, this is Killian Jones."
"Pleasure, Swan." Killian kissed Emma's hand and couldn't help but notice the slight flush in her cheeks. She truly was quite a marvel.
"Killian Jones, huh? Weren't you the Jones Brother that bought a crocodile on his 20th birthday and then let it go into the Florida Everglades?"
Killian grinned, "Aye. That bloody crocodile did nothing but terrorize my dog. I would have much rather skinned it myself, but my self-righteous brother thought it would be a better idea to release it into the wild."
"So you sail and own crocodiles? Where's your perm, Captain Hook?" Emma shot back.
Killian smiled. She was quick witted. If he wasn't interested before, he was a goner when she smiled demurely at him over her flute of champagne.
Mary Margaret smiled as she caught the look between her friends. She excused herself, positive that the two hadn't heard a single word she said.
Killian stepped closer into her space, "A perm I may not have, but I assure you, a dastardly handsome pirate I may certainly am."
Emma didn't back down, in fact she leaned even closer, as she continued to stare at him with those gorgeous emerald eyes.
"Didn't realize you pillaged and plundered on first impressions."
Killian raised an eyebrow and lowered his voice, "I can do a lot with first impressions, love."
He let the innuendo sink in and he felt an absolute thrill to seeing Emma's eyes darken just slightly.
But something else crossed her face, a wall. She took a step back and put on a neutral expression.
"Sorry, Hook, but I don't pillage and plunder on second impressions either." She gave him one last glance before she stalked away, not looking his way again.
Killian's had a hard time of it lately. The last woman he fell in love with turned out to be married and easily bought (he was sure that she wouldn't take the money. He was sure of it. But as it turns out, his father was right. Everyone does have a price.)
Ever since then, he was more of a one-night dalliance type of man. He's been with a lot of women, but nothing like Emma. Emma Swan was different. She felt different. She had walls. She had doubts. And Killian knew the look she had when she looked around her, as if the world she found herself in was just going to get up and leave her in the cold.
But there was a fire in her eyes. The kind that would most likely burn him if he got too close, and maybe David was right she was out of his league, but he stood by what he said.
He did love a challenge.