So I'm not to sure about this story. I'm still planning on updating my other story along with this one, if I can manage it. I hope you like it though. Read, enjoy and review if you please
Chapter One : Coffee and a Surprise Introduction
Bobby Singer glanced at the sour look on the face of the pretty twenty four year old woman beside him. He spoke up lowering his voice. "Hey kid, do you think you could try to at least look like you're enjoying yourself."
Elizabeth Singer glanced up at her father's stern face. She sighed running her hands down her dusty pink kneelength cocktail dress. "Sorry dad."
He gave her an affectionate smile before wrapping an arm around her giving her a gentle side hug. "It's alright kiddo. I get it. You think I like spending time with any of these idjits?"
She returned the smile as he dropped his arm letting her out of the hug. God she hated these parties. Her dad had told her though, that if she was going to join the family business then she would have to learn to suck it up and put up with the rest of the corporate idjits.
To be honest she really wasn't sure if this was what she wanted. Working for Singer Automotive Industries had never been her plan. She really wasn't sure what her plan was anymore.
She had finished school with a degree in accounting out in California. She had tried to stay out there and find work build a life for herself, but she had messed up. She had been forced to come home to her father and his work. She had been tempted to venture out on her own find her own way time and time again. She knew that she couldn't do that now though.
Her dad needed her to help him with the company. Especially now that Singer Industries was being forced to merge with a long time competitor Crossroads Industries. Bobby Singer's small scrap yard supply and manufacturing business had grown over the years, but the economy had made things difficult. He knew that he couldn't keep the business running for much longer if he remained on his own. So he'd been forced to let a bigger business come on in and merge up with him.
Crossroads Industries were sending over a big chunk of their employees to help fix sales, and design. Robert Bobby Singer knew that he had to accept the help.
Elizabeth Singer had spent many a day listening to her father complain about how that McLeod bastard was a pain in the ass. This McLeod guy was apparently the 'king of sales' for Crossroads Industries, who was being sent over by the bigwigs to run things along side Bobby. She didn't know the particulars of the exact reason her father hated him so much. All Bobby Singer had ever told her was that McLeod was an arrogant promotion hungry bastard , and if he had his own way he'd take over the business and get rid of Bobby completely.
Elizabeth sighed wondering how long she'd have to stay for this party. It was a big deal since it was being thrown to celebrate the two companies merge. All she wanted to do was go home and ditch this dress.
The party was dull. She didn't really know anyone that well. It was being thrown in the ballroom of some fancy hotel downtown. There was soft classical music playing over the sound system, a big buffet of rich fancy foods, and an open bar.
She began to walk away from her father making her way over to the ballrooms open bar after she spoke to him. "I'm going to go get a diet coke."
Crowley McLeod ordered himself a glass of whiskey taking a sip of the drink before he spotted the only other person at the bar. The young woman was sipping a soda, looking like she was bored to tears.
He smirked a little knowing the feeling. He hated these parties. He stared at the woman hoping that it wasn't obvious that he was checking her out. She was gorgeous. Dark auburn mid back length hair. It was loosely curled and was pulled aside into a ponytail a silver rhinestone hair accessory holding it in place. She had big chocolate brown eyes ,plump lips, and a nice figure. She was short though the silver strappy heels she was wearing made her a tiny bit taller. She was wearing a soft pink cocktail dress which made her pale skin look even paler. She was young, probably too young for him.
She took him by surprise speaking up in a slightly annoyed tone not hiding her sarcasm. "You're staring. You know I heard taking a picture makes it last longer."
He cleared his throat trying to hide his embarrassment at being caught. "Sorry I didn't mean to stare. You just, you look like you're bored."
Elizabeth turned on the bar stool facing the man. He was handsome, she couldn't argue with that fact. And that accent, it was beautiful. She had always been a little bit of a sucker for British accents. He looked to be about in his forties with the most beautiful pair of hazel eyes she'd ever seen. Dark short brown hair, a fancy black suit with a light gray-blue tie.
"Is it that obvious ?" She asked glad to have someone who understood just how much these parties sucked.
He took another sip of his whiskey before smiling at her. "Yeah."
He spoke again trying to find out if she was even available. "So do you work here or...are you here with a boyfriend, or a fiancee, a husband ?"
"Nope no boyfriend..It's a little pathetic but I'm my dad's date for the night. I do a little bit of accounting on the side for Singer Industries too. I'm essentially a personal assistant slash secretary, who sometimes helps out with the books." She admitted a little amused at his obvious attempt to find out if she was single.
"Oh that's not pathetic. It's sweet that you're here with your dad." He responded noticing that slight blush that had formed across her cheeks at his compliment. He found her reaction so ridiculously adorable.
"How old are you ?" He asked making sure that she was even legal.
"Twenty Four." She answered giving him a kind smile.
He cleared his throat having no idea how to even ask her this. He hadn't even attempted to date in what seemed like forever. "So do you want to get out of here ?"
She raised a manicured eyebrow at him a little thrown off by his question. He swallowed the lump in his throat realizing that she may of taken that question the wrong way. He didn't want a one night stand, he just wanted to talk to her away from this dull party. Get to know her.
"I didn't mean it to sound like that. You just look like you're bored to tears, and I know I am. I just thought we could get away from this party. Go have a cup of coffee, talk." He admitted trying to clear up any misunderstandings.
She felt relieved as he cleared up what he meant by : getting out of here. She knew that she shouldn't leave. Her dad wanted her here to schmooze with their new coworkers.
The guy had a point though. This party was horrible and she was so bored she was sure she could just die. He seemed nice enough, sweet really. He almost seemed nervous to hit on her. It was a refreshing change from the shitty guys who usually tried to hit on her. What could a cup of coffee hurt ?
"Okay. Sounds fun. I don't have a car though. My dad drove me here." She admitted agreeing to his offer.
He nodded his head before speaking. "Okay, I can drive you home after coffee. No problem. I didn't catch your name by the way."
"That's because you were too busy staring to ask." She teased a playful somewhat flirty tone to her voice.
She looked at him enjoying his almost embarrassed look. He quickly recovered from the embarrassment a smirk appearing on his face. "Sorry love."
She felt her heart flutter at the name love. Usually if some guy called her that she would be either creeped out or just annoyed. The way it sounded coming out of his mouth made her feel an overwhelming sense of attraction to him. It had to be his accent. She knew he could say anything to her in that ridiculously sexy accent and her knees would go weak.
She reached out for a handshake. "It's Elizabeth. Call me Liz though."
"Crowley." He introduced himself reaching out and shaking her delicate hand.
Not even a full hour later the two found themselves sitting at a diner sipping coffee. Crowley could admit he was lost at what to say to the woman sitting across from the booth from him.
He hadn't made an attempt to really date that often, even though it had been years since his short lived marriage and his ugly divorce. His ex wife Lilith had destroyed his confidence when it came to women and the whole idea of love and dating.
He had spent years just throwing himself into his work. It had paid off. He was being trusted by Crossroads Industries to become Robert Singer's new business partner. It was a big promotion for him. He had been in sales for years. He could sale anything to anyone with little trouble at all.
He spoke hoping that he wasn't boring her. "So Liz, you're good at math ?"
She gave him a smile as she nodded. "God I hope so. If I suck then I'm totally pissed about that accounting degree I managed to get."
He chuckled at her response. Her snark calmed him down a little bit. Her sarcastic responses, reminded him of himself. Well himself when he wasn't nervous as hell.
Being around her made him feel like a teenage boy all over again. She was young and pretty and he couldn't help but to think that she was so out of his league. She couldn't possibly have any interest in a forty something year old workaholic.
"Okay fair enough. So what do you do for fun ?" He asked taking a sip of his hot coffee.
"Draw, paint. I like sculpture too. I can make a pretty great vase. My father thinks I should have majored in art instead of accounting. Occasionally I help my dad fix up cars. It's sort of his personal little hobby away from work and he likes it when I help him out." She said.
"Do you live with your father ?" He asked wondering how he was ever going to get around being able to see a girl that lived at home with her folks.
Surely her parents wouldn't approve of a guy his age being so interested in a girl her age.
He couldn't help but to hope that this little coffee date they were having wouldn't be the last he'd ever see of Elizabeth. If she would allow it then he wanted to see more of her.
She shook her head rolling her eyes a tiny bit. "Oh no. I live in an apartment by myself. It's a piece of crap studio apartment, but I would take it over my dad's place any day. I love my father but he drives me insane most of the time."
He nodded his head remembering that his late mother had drove him crazy most of his life as well. Parents tended to do that without even realizing it. His father hadn't really been around. It had always just been him, his mother, and his younger sister Bella.
Crowley gave her an understanding smile. "What about your mum ? I mean is she anything like your dad ?"
He felt his stomach drop when he noticed the look that developed on Elizabeth's face. She spoke up turning her eyes away from his, staring down at her coffee. "My mom died when I was five. I don't really remember that much about her to be honest."
Crap, he had really screwed this up. Less than an hour with the girl and he had already upset her. She would never see him again after this for sure.
"Oh...crap, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't mean to upset you.I lost my mum a few years back." He blurted out feeling horrible about it. She looked so upset. Why did he have to have such a stupid big mouth.
Elizabeth shook her head. "You didn't know. I mean how could you. Don't apologize seriously. Don't."
She gave him a reassuring smile as she spoke up changing the subject. "So I'm guessing by the accent. You aren't from around here."
He nodded use to people questioning him about his accent. "Yeah. I moved to the states when I was in my early twenties. I used my degree to get a job at Crossroads Industries and worked my way up the ladder. I was sent from the main office in New York to here a few months back."
"So you're a workaholic ?" She asked that flirty tone returning to her voice.
"Guilty. Ever since my divorce I just... I've thrown myself into work." He admitted feeling a little awkward about what he'd just said.
Awesome just awesome, He thought bitterly. He was showing her all his baggage. Letting his insecurities about dating out in the open. That had to be attractive in a guy.
It was a miracle she hadn't run from him yet.
She gave him a curious look before asking. "You don't have to answer, but how long have you been divorced ?"
"Since my late twenties. Lilith my ex. She and I, we rushed into the marriage thing. We weren't right for each other. I was too blind to see it though. I thought I could make things work. I love kids , I wanted tons of them. She hated them. She thought that kids were brats. She was downright cruel about it really. The whole marriage was failed from the start. Then she started to cheat. She ran off with some prat named Alastair. I filed for divorce not long after that. It...well it hurt. Our marriage only lasted two years." He stated hoping that him spilling his guts to her wouldn't scare her away.
She reached across the table taking him by surprise placing her hand over his. How could anyone let a catch like him away ?
"That...well that sucks." She said before deciding that she may as well spill her sucky dating history as well.
"I haven't really dated that much myself. My dad he's overprotective. He isn't even aware of the few guys I have dated. Which is probably a good thing really. I have a history of picking the wrong guy every time. Womanizers, drunks, just jerks. My ex stole from me. Andy emptied out my bank account gambling. That's why I'm working for my dad. I can't afford to find a better job." She admitted surprised when Crowley changed the position of her hand now holding it in his.
He squeezed her hand wondering how anyone could treat her like that. She was amazing from what he could see. Sweet, smart, beautiful. Underneath that flirty facade, She was just as brokenhearted and scared as him.
The two reluctantly pulled their hands away from eachother when the waitress walked over to their booth giving them an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry guys, but we're about to close up for the night."
Crowley nodded reaching into his coat pocket pulling out his wallet. He took Elizabeth by surprise paying for both of their coffees.
A perfect gentlemen, Elizabeth couldn't help but to notice and love it. It was refreshing to see that. She wished that she could spend the entire night just talking to him.
She was shocked that they hadn't even known each other that long and they were already so comfortable together. Spilling out all the information about their crappy lovelifes to each other like they'd known one another for years.
Needless to say she was disappointed when his black range rover pulled up to her apartment building. He spoke up as she reached down for the door handle. "So can I have your number ?"
She smiled thrilled to see that he was asking her. She had been a little scared that this would just be a one time thing.
She reached into her silver evening bag pulling out a receipt and a blue ink pen. She scribbled her number down before handing it to him. "You better call."
He smiled folding up the receipt sticking it in his wallet. He spoke up remembering what he hadn't bothered asking her all night. "I don't even know your last name."
She shook her head as she gave him a playful smile. "Well then you better call me huh."
And with that she spoke up opening the door. "Thanks for the coffee Crowley. It felt really nice to talk to someone about so much. I had a really wonderful time."
He let out a sigh watching her disappear into her apartment building. He fully intended to call her. He would call her every night if he could get away with it. He was smitten. He had a crush for the first time in such a long time. It was like he was a schoolboy all over again.
He knew that he wasn't going to get her out of his mind and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Elizabeth sipped her latte as she stared at the computer in front of her. The connection at the office was so bad. She had been trying to set up an appointment for ten minutes now and she really didn't want to have to deal with tech support right now.
She was exhausted. She had been too excited to sleep after last night.
Crowley was a dream come true. Attractive, kind, a perfect gentlemen. He was a little too old for her and in any other situation that fact would probably make her too nervous to even attempt to give him a chance. He was too amazing to ignore though. For the first time in a long time she found herself downright giddy about a guy.
She was so bored right now. Work was the last place she wanted to be. Sitting at a desk outside her dad's office. Secretarial work was horrible. It was boring and tedious and so repetitive. Answer calls, place appointments, be sweet even when the person on the other end was an ass, and then do it all over again. Like she'd said repetitive.
She looked away from her computer as she heard her dad's voice. "Elizabeth kid, I want you to meet somebody. Crowley McLeod. McLeod meet my daughter Elizabeth."
Crowley...Crowley McLeod. Oh shit.
She looked up connecting her eyes with the man she'd found herself so giddy about. He was wearing a suit almost exactly like the one the night before. He had a dark red tie on today though.
Crowley looked at the young woman just as shocked as her. Bobby Singer frowned at the look his daughter and his new least favorite person were sharing.
"Is there something wrong ?" He asked clueless as to what was going on with his daughter and Crowley McLeod.
Crowley cleared his throat deciding to play it cool. "We've already met. Last night at the party. It's a pleasure to see you again Elizabeth."
She gave him a calm smile getting that they weren't going to share the part about their coffee date and their flirting last night. "It's nice to see you too."
This was a disaster waiting to happen.