A Gradual Descent
Chapter 2: Easier
Author: Knowhere
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Nothing.
AN: Thanks for the response. It amuses and flatters me that so many of you are taking to this story like ducks to water...many of you even boldly proclaimed that you like it more or just as much as Lux. Thank you. This story is very much about changes in charcters whereas Lux was about changes in situations. However, I'm having a great time writing this. It's moving along faster than I anticipated and I think this will prove to be one of my own personal favorites.
Asa: Thank you for helping me as I tried to remove myself away from my "Lux-world" and delve into this newer one.
Summary: Literati. She refused to be a cliché, falling for the seemingly dangerous guy when she was with the safer one. He refused to let the innocent girl of his friend to make him feel something unwanted. He'd tease, flirt, and have his fun, but they're both unprepared by the need to be with one another. AU.
---
Two and a half weeks later, she still hadn't run into him in the early morning hours, or accidentally bumped into him without Simon. Not that she wanted to, of course. Not after the disastrous kiss they shared. Rory was secretly pleased that Jess was so adept at hiding in shadows behind his hard exterior. She had observed for herself the subtle change of emotions after their kiss that night. She watched as he turned open feelings into a thing of the past. Rory saw the flicker of his hazel eyes turn browner as he pushed her aside both literally and figuratively as he stepped aside and brushed her away. She admired it and yet hated it. She had seen something in him and he hid it away before it could be mistaken for a sign of weakness.
So why had that kiss haunted her still? It was just a brief moment of uncontrollable need. One tiny second of her loosing the tight rein of her morals made her hot inside, blood boiling to a pitch. So why had kissing that cocky devil made everything feel so right? But it wasn't right. It was wrong.
"Rory?" Simon's concerned glance jerked her out of her private thoughts.
"Sorry, what?"
"You haven't heard a word I've said, have you?"
Sheepish, she shakes her head. "Sorry."
Instead of being annoyed at her lack of attention, he grinned. "I said, is it all right if we stopped by the apartment? I have some paperwork I need to drop off at the office before we head off to dinner."
With her limited interactions with Jess, she had no idea whether or not he'd be home. "Uh…"
"I'll be quick. Promise." Thinking that she was in a hurry to eat, he let her know that they won't be late for their reservations.
Knowing that there's nothing to say without revealing something she didn't want to, she relented. Oddly enough, she wasn't racked with guilt over kissing Simon's friend. It was a temporary insanity. One that was not going to be repeated, so why ruin the good thing she had going with Simon for something as ridiculous as Jess?
Unlocking the door, Simon walked through and led her with her hand closed warmly within his own. He had come to enjoy Rory's company. Though he knew somewhere in the back of his mind that this wasn't going to be the great love in his life, he really did like being with her. She was quirky and refreshing, unpretentious in her actions, and demanded very little of their relationship. He would have been happy to give her anything she requested, is she had asked. In all honesty, there lacked a certain heat within her calm personality. Simon needed someone who challenged him more than she did. Rory was a nice girl, a beautiful one at that, but she seemed lackluster in her quiet existence. Not that Simon required danger, but he wanted a woman who would meet him with a challenge. One who would rise up to the occasion and perhaps, give him a fight. He didn't like things being handed to him, and Rory was all too willing. But, he'd take their time together in stride. He wasn't going to let a perfectly good girl, and potentially a happy relationship, slip through his fingers simply because he thought she was lacking in a certain something that should make his heart leap instead of beat regularly.
Jess stepped out of the bathroom with ease, his long legs taking the familiar path to the kitchen table where he did most of his writing. He had sat at that table typing away at his computer more times than he could count. Even though there was a spare room that he and Simon both used as a study, Jess had preferred the kitchen table to do his work. There was something peaceful about being in the middle of the apartment alone, sitting halfway between the couch and the kitchen. Even though it wasn't, Jess felt like it was the focal point of the apartment. His gaze caught at the familiar sight of his roommate, and froze at the not so familiar face of Rory.
"Hey man. We just came back to grab some papers to drop off at the office before we head off to dinner. Have you seen the packet I left on the counter from last night?" Simon rifled through the mail that littered the kitchen counter, not noticing the way his best friend stared as his girlfriend.
"I threw some papers into the study," Jess gruffly replied.
"Thanks." Simon left them abruptly.
Jess sat without prelude. "Couldn't avoid me forever, huh?"
Rory looked away, not in embarrassment, but in confusion. Wasn't it him who was doing the avoiding? "We'll be gone soon. Just as soon as he finds what he's looking for."
Unkindly, he swept his gaze up and down her form, drinking in what had been missing in his recent memories. "Good."
Both their heads turned at the sound of Simon swearing softly. He appeared in the room again and sent Rory a soft look of remorse. "Sorry, it turns out that I need to go to work. There's been an emergency with a client." Coming up to her, he dropped a kiss onto her lips. "Will you be okay?"
Not knowing what to say, she nodded.
Simon winked at her and turned his attention to Jess, speaking to Rory, but clearly making a pointed remark to his friend. "Jess makes a great lasagna. He's usually happy to show off when he's asked correctly."
Jess rolled his eyes, but otherwise stayed silent. Rory nodded again and gave Simon a reassuring smile. "Maybe I'll just head home."
"No, don't do that. This'll take me two hours, tops. We don't have to loose tonight simply because I need to leave for a bit. Stay." Simon nudged her gently.
"I don't think…"
"Yeah, stay. I'll make dinner." Jess's quiet, but steady voice jolted her.
Simon glanced back at his friend, his gaze apparent in his attempt to silently convey to his friend to be nice. Jess smirked.
Hearing the door close behind Simon, Rory looked up to see Jess's fixed stare. "Why did you do that?"
Standing, he went into the kitchen, pulling out a baking pan. "Do what?"
"Make it seem like you want me here."
He shrugged, unshaken. "Who said I didn't?"
"Whatever."
He turned, a grin in place. "What does that mean? Whatever?"
"It means whatever you want it to mean."
Clanking some pots together in his efforts to get what he wanted, he pulled out a chopping board. "Isn't it a bit dangerous to give me carte blanche?"
"You're just dangerous, period," She mumbled.
He chuckled, not missing a single word. "Perhaps. Is that another compliment, sweetheart?"
She wanted to tell him to shove that nickname up his ass, but the words didn't come. Oddly enough, his endearment did just that…endear. It was a weird effect. Spying his laptop, she walked around to the other side of the table and plopped down in front of it. The sound made him turn around, a refusal on the tip of his tongue. Seeing his disapproval, she smirked. Gesturing to the computer, she flipped it back open. "What, porn?"
He came around swiftly, catching her off guard. "None of your business."
"Hm. Seems like a lot of things are none of my business." She gestured to the laptop. "Whatever that is, your friendship with Simon…what else should we add to the list?"
"I'll let you know."
"What's the big secret?" She turned her eyes to the screen. Seeing an open Word document and various windows open in this Internet browser showing obvious meticulous research, her interest piqued. "What is all of this?"
He scowled. "It's my work."
"You work?"
With an eyebrow raised, he questioned her. "What, did you think that I sit on my ass all day?"
"I don't know what I think," she replied honestly.
He nodded, silently appreciating her honesty. "I write."
She looked surprised. "Really? What? Articles? Freelance?"
"Novels." He watched her eyes go wide, and he smirked. "Not what you expected is it?"
"Are you published?"
He cocked his head to the side in a dismissive gesture. "A few."
She spread her hands over the keyboard and clicked at the open windows on the desktop. He didn't stop her. She looked up at him through the corners of her eyes. "What's your last name?"
"Why?"
"Curious."
He chuckled as if he knew her train of thought before she knew herself. "Is that all? Nothing else? Not wanting to check if I'm the same Jess who authored a recently published book?"
She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. "So you are who I think you are. You're Jess Mariano."
Clicking his tongue, he gave her a wink. "Someone has to be."
"But…" She scrambled for words. "You're arrogant and conceited. You're rude and you totally disregard the feelings of others."
"Not that I don't enjoy your frequent attempts to point out my flaws, but what does that have to do anything with my work?"
"Your books. They're just so…"
He narrowed his eyes. "So what?" He dared her to continue.
"They're just so full of…something indescribable. They're wonderful."
That was not what he was expecting to hear from her. He had braced himself for another flood of her accusations based on no real knowledge of what he truly was. Her sudden praise brought a surge of unknown feelings.
"How does someone like you write things so…"
"Wonderful?" He finished her sentence.
"Don't get an inflated ego."
He got up, walking back into the kitchen. "Oh, wouldn't dream of it."
She followed. "Is that why you're always in the apartment? You write from home?"
He picked up the knife and began to slice tomatoes. "Guilty as charged." Rinsing off another tomato, he began to cut into it as well. "Tell me, did you like my book?"
Her silence was prolonged. She was torn between a lie and the truth. On one hand, she wanted to tell him that she loved it, that she has all three of his published works. She wanted to tell him that his latest one was actually in her purse, and that the others were on her nightstand at home. On the other hand, she wanted to tell him that they were utter crap; that a five year old could have done better.
Without turning, he reached for the bag of prepared salad. "Come now, don't lie. I already know you've read at least one of my books, so just tell me what you thought."
Rory cocked her head at being caught. He frightened her the way he seemed to know her own mind before she did. "What makes you think I've read it?"
"You recognized my last name."
"Maybe I simply saw your book in the store."
Finally, he turned, fixing her with his steely gaze. "I could see it in your face. You recognized me beyond just noticing my last name. You've read my work."
"So what if I have?"
"You liked it." It's a plain statement, not even a question. His arrogance showed. He knew she liked his work, and he wasn't shying away from the obvious delight it gave him. Seeing Rory open her mouth, he chided her before she can even begin. "Don't lie."
"Ugh! Who said I was going to lie?"
He chuckled at her frustration. "I could tell."
Dropping the subject, she assessed his relaxed stance. "Why do you live with Simon? You can obviously afford an apartment like this all by yourself."
He snorted. "So can Simon."
"Then why?"
"That's another thing to add to the list."
Caught off guard, she hesitated. "What list?"
"The list of things that are none of your business."
Her palm itched to slap him again. "What is your problem? Are you completely incapable of holding a normal conversation?"
"And are you completely incapable of accepting the fact that not every conversation will go exactly the way your want it to?" Turning, he set the knife down and wiped his hands on a dishtowel.
"This is ridiculous." She backed up. "Tell Simon that I needed to go home. Lie, whatever. Just tell him that I'll call."
His brown eyes went hard. "I'm not telling Simon anything. I'm not lying to him simply because you're too much of a coward to do so yourself."
"A coward?" Rory hissed. "You don't know the first thing about me, damn it."
"Ditto." Slowly, he approached her. "Tell me, why are you with Simon?"
She scoffed. "That's none of your business."
"Simon's my best friend. That makes it my business."
Holding her own against him, she stood up taller. "No it doesn't."
"You're no good for him." He said it bluntly, and he knew it hurt her.
Her gaze became hazy. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me."
"Is that why you're such an asshole to me? Because you think I'm no good for Simon?"
"No, I'm an asshole because I can be. I still think you're no good for him, no matter how I act towards you."
"How dare you!"
He caught her hand. "Yes." Lowering his head to hers, he pierced her with his fierce eyes. "Simon has had too many failed relationships in the past. More than I care to count. You're just going to add to that list. He doesn't deserve that."
"And you know just what he deserves?"
"I do."
"No you don't. You're just jealous. I've come between you and your friend and you can't stand it. You don't want to share him with someone else."
He gripped her hand tightly, unrelenting. "Women will always come and go, but nothing will come between friends. But what you'll inevitably do to Simon is undeserved on his part. He needs a woman who'll challenge him, not a meek one who will submit."
And that cut her deeper than any of his other insults ever had. It hurt the most because it was true, and she knew it. She was always the best friend, never the girlfriend. And when she was the girlfriend, she was just a glorified friend with benefits. For some reason, she was never engaging enough to hold onto her boyfriends, and vice versa. They also never excited her passions, neither intellectual nor physical. It was never enough for her to want more than a passing relationship. She was never viewed as a challenge in men's eyes. She was just the open book that was easily read and then discarded. And yet she had tried so hard to change, to be someone worthy of being held on to, to be loved. But she never found it. Never found someone she wanted to challenge in return.
He released her, knowing that he cut her with much more force than intended. He watched the play of emotions across her face with careful intent. He saw the internal struggle of her battling her past demons. He saw as Rory debated on struggling against him, denying the truth, he even watched her acknowledge the fact that she wanted to hit him again. "I'm right, and you know it."
"I don't care what you think you know. You don't know me."
Suddenly, his voice became quiet. "Why do you become someone else with Simon?"
"What?"
He shook his head in disbelief. "You're different with him, and not for the better."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you pretend to be someone you're not. You think you're being what Simon wants when you're with him. You don't show him this side of you, do you Rory?"
"And what side is this?"
"The side that presents a challenge. The side that has no qualms in being angry with me. Up to the point of slapping me."
To her shock, he reached down and took her hands, laying them on his chest. Bending, he nuzzled the side of her neck, brushing a whisper of a kiss on her jawbone. She swallowed heavily. "What are you doing?"
He ignored her with a question of his own. "Answer me. Tell me why you're different."
"I can't."
His hands came to tangle with her hair. "Why not?"
"Because I don't know the answer." As if her fingers had a life of their own, she brushed over his chest, feeling the twitch of his muscles beneath her searching caress.
"You don't know, or you're afraid to know?"
His arrogance grated her. But it was the truth. "Both."
He let it go. Taking the lobe of her ear between his front teeth, he tugged gently, drinking in the sounds of her short breathless pants. Smoothing a hand over the delicate curve of her neck, he pressed insistent kisses along the exposed skin at the top of her low cut shirt. The other hand came up to press against the weight of her breast, and she gasped. Kissing her, he swallowed the sound. His hand left her neck and inched below her shirt, seeking exposed skin and warmth.
"Don't." She tried to pull away.
"Don't what?"
"Stop this." She succeeded in shoving this hand away. "You're just trying to ruin what I have with Simon."
She expected him to grin or smirk with his lazy smile in place. But what she saw frightened her to the point of tingling excitement. He stared with an intensity that was inhuman. Jess's eyes darkened. "Simon is the last thing on my mind right now."
"You're just trying to seduce me. Trying to make me into one of your many conquests."
His smirk appeared. "If that were true, sweetheart, you'd be naked by now, instead of worrying about Simon."
"I thought you were his best friend."
"I am."
"Then how can you be kissing me?"
He blinked. "It does present a problem, doesn't it?"
"So you've seduced his girlfriends before?"
His reply was swift. "No. What kind of friend do you think I am?"
"I don't know what I think when it comes to you."
His lazy smile made a brief appearance. "Another compliment?"
"Like hell it is."
"If Simon could see you now, just as you are, he'd fight to keep you."
Rory's jaw clenched. "And he wouldn't fight for me now?"
"I'm not saying that."
"You implied it."
"You inferred it."
She uttered a frustrated groan. "You are the most presumptuous man I have ever met. You just—"
He cut her off with a fevered kiss, swallowing her insults, mixing it with the warmth of his mouth. He soothed every demand of her body with his kiss. It was the same gentle, quiet demand of the first kiss. She was beginning to understand this style of his. Jess never took anything that wasn't given freely. He pressed and goaded, but never forced. He waited with a silent patience of a man who was used to getting exactly what he wanted from women.
Wrenching her mouth away, she barely caught her breath. "Stop doing this to me!"
Jess gave a harsh laugh. "Like I have any control over it."
"You have total control and you know it!"
In an instant, his quietly controlled resolve crumbled. "Like hell I do! Do you think I enjoy betraying my best friend? No matter what you might think, I've never crossed this line with any of Simon's girlfriends. But something just happens every time I'm around you. You make me want to throttle you and kiss you senseless at the same time! I can't stand the way you pretend to be someone else around Simon. But most of all, I can't stand the way you look in the mornings, coming into my kitchen, obviously looking freshly fucked with your hair around your shoulders, wearing Simon's boxers."
His sudden confession was more than she can handle. "No, you're lying. You just want to get rid of me." She couldn't believe it. Rory had never heard of anyone speak of her in such a way. With great passion and annoyance to the point of possessiveness.
How naïve was this girl? Jess wanted to shake her until she realized the truth. He wanted her under him, legs spread and willing, writhing against him until he could feel the sharp effects of her climax around his aroused body. He wanted her, all of her. But he wanted this Rory, the one with the quick wit and tightly controlled temper. He didn't want the girlfriend of Simon. He wanted Rory. "If I wanted to get rid of you, you'd be gone."
"You've got your wish then." Turning on her heels, she walked quickly out of the apartment.
---
Jess sat at the table with a container of fresh lasagna at his side. Delving into the glass pan, he swallowed. The front door opened and Simon appeared. "Hey." Jess nodded. Coming to the table, Simon peered around the spacious apartment. "Where's Rory?"
"She left."
Simon cocked his head at the vague statement. "What happened?"
"Nothing."
"You scare her away?" Simon plopped down to snag Jess's fork, taking a bite of the lasagna.
"What makes you say that?"
Simon sobered. "What is it? You don't like her?"
Jess stared intently at the flat pasta noodles. "I never said that."
"You didn't have to. I can see it. Even she can see it."
"I don't care what she can see."
Simon stopped, arrested by the vehemence in his friend's voice. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." Unable to stop, Jess lost the control in his voice. "Why are you with her?"
Simon pulled back, unprepared for that question. "What difference does it make?"
Standing, Jess waved a dismissive hand. "Forget it."
With surprising agility, he reached out and grabbed his friend's wrist. "Tell me."
Jess struggled, tugging harshly away from Simon. "She's no good for you."
Simon released him, sighing. "She's a nice girl."
An arrogant snort is released from Jess. "Yeah, real nice. So nice that she's thoroughly predictable." That was the Rory Simon was acquainted with, and Jess knew it. Little did his best friend know that his girlfriend was far from the docile mouse she pretended to be.
Simon met Jess's gaze with a steady one of his own. "No one's asking you to date her. She's my girlfriend."
No matter how much they both knew Jess was right, there was no going against Simon's protective instincts. In that regard, both men were very similar. They both protected what was theirs with a fierce determination. Simon did it with words and then actions; Jess did it with actions and then words. But both would never let a single thing come between what they deemed to be important. "Yeah, I know very well that she's your girlfriend."
The way he worded it drew Simon's attentions. "Don't fucking tell me you like her."
Jess chose his words carefully. "No. I don't like your girlfriend." What he didn't add was that he was drawn to Rory, the woman, not Rory, Simon's girl.
Still, he wasn't convinced of Jess's statement. "But this is about her, isn't it? Why you've been acting all distant these last few weeks."
Jess gave a harsh chuckle. "That's just me, period." Moving away from the kitchen, he walked casually to his room.
"Jess." Simon stopped him with his quiet, dominant voice. Jess stopped but kept his back turned. "I don't care what went on between you and Rory, but she's my girlfriend. Understood?" Stay away from her.
Jess clenched his fist around his doorknob until his knuckles turned a ghostly white. "Yeah."
---
He awoke to the familiar feeling of warmth beside him. Grunting, he hauled his legs over the side of the bed and wearily rubbed his hands over his face, vaguely thinking that he needed to shave. The body moved in the masses of bedclothes, and he noticed the stark outline of her nipples against the thin sheet. She was still asleep, and he didn't bother waking her. He never woke them; always allowed them to sleep their fill until they went out into the living room to seek him out. This was no different. She was pretty enough, with long legs that supported a body that could make any pubescent boy have wet dreams for a month. But with Jess's jaded tastes, he just saw another woman. One in a running list of many.
Closing the door behind him with a soft click, he strolled into the direction of the kitchen, mentally going over what they had in their fridge, deciding on Ego waffles. He spied her dark head bent over the morning paper and a cup of coffee. Annoyed that anyone would touch his paper before him, he ignored her completely, as if she didn't exist.
She cocked her head in his direction, placing the paper down with a swish. "Morning." Her voice was anything but cheery, almost as if the greeting hurt her physically to say aloud.
"Are you enjoying my paper?"
Rory made a face. Quickly shuffling the pieces together, she tossed them down over on the far side of the counter. "Sorry."
He didn't even pay attention; instead he focused on taking the waffles out of the freezer and popping them into the toaster. "Why?"
His single question irked her. "You obviously made it clear that you didn't want me reading your paper."
"Huh. Did I?"
She stood and dumped the remaining contents of her coffee down the drain. "Forget it."
Jess still focused on rummaging through the pantry for the syrup. Catching her off guard, he spoke quietly. "Where have you been?"
"What?"
He turned, giving her his full attention. He gave her his intense stare that inevitably made her knees weak and her palms itch to slap him. "You haven't spent a night here in two weeks. Where have you been?"
"I didn't have a fight with Simon, if that's what you're implying."
"I didn't imply. If you and Simon did argue, I would know."
Rory had no idea what to take from that statement. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"No."
She began to open her mouth in a tart reply, but a noise drew both their attention back in the direction of his room. Rory mumbled below her breath. "How appropriate."
He smirked, hearing her as clear as day. Though he addressed the intruder, he kept his gaze on Rory. "Sleep well, Claire?"
She nodded, strolling over to the pair of them, eyeing Rory with all the forgiveness of a sheepdog eyeing a wolf. "Morning." She placed her hands on Jess's waist, encircling them in a possessive manner.
Rory watched, eyes wide. Jess gently, but determinedly, removed Claire's hands and pushed her aside. "You'll probably want to get home to shower before work, yeah?" It was obvious he wanted her out.
Claire cocked her head in Rory's direction, but spoke to Jess. "Could I shower here?" She pressed.
"We only have one, and I still need to shower as well as my roommate."
Jess's dismissal of the woman made Rory uncomfortable. She began to inch away from them. Claire continued to stare at Rory in a way that irritated Jess. He didn't like being accused of anything, no matter how privately Claire did it. She sensed something between him and Rory and he didn't like it. He watched Claire pick up the coffee pot. "Maybe I'll join you." She tossed her hair in a provocative manner, and it only made Jess want her out even more.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
She finally got it. "Oh." She sets the coffee back down with a thud. "Okay."
He nodded and watched Rory's expression as she watched Claire reappear in less than three minutes, dressed and out the door. Rory arched her brow. "Lucky girl."
Jess chuckled. "She knew what she was getting into."
Rory watched him from beneath lowered lashes. "One night only?"
He shrugged in reply.
"Why am I even surprised?"
"Don't know. Why are you?" He smirked.
She stuck out her chin. "You're despicable."
"I prefer mysterious."
Oh, that was for certain. How anyone could be such a question mark was beyond Rory's comprehension. "Why even bother with them if you only want them for one night?"
His pointed glare gave her the answer.
"So they're pretty much prostitutes? You pay for the date and bring them home for sex."
He was amused. "Who said I paid for the date?"
"You really are a hateful person." She began to turn away.
He caught her hand. "Why do you care?" At her shocked expression, he pressed. "Why should you care about what goes on in my bed?" His mouth came down to press very near to her ear. "Curious? Jealous?"
Rory pushed hard against his chest, almost making him stumble. "Get over yourself."
The deep rumble of a chuckle was unkind, and she left him alone in the kitchen.
---
Jess nodded to the hostess. "Reservations under Cannon?"
"Yes. Please follow me."
Pushing the rolled up sleeves of his dress shirt, Jess trailed her closely, noting that she was pretty, but probably too young for him. When she turned the corner he noticed the distinctive sway of hips, and he raised a brow at himself. The hostess drew his attention with an outstretched arm towards a corner table. Expecting to see the easy smile of his best friend, Jess's good mood suddenly deflated and his arousal roared seeing Rory instead, in a low cut black cocktail dress, running a fingertip around the rim of her water glass.
She looked up. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Jess took a seat. "I could ask you the same thing. I'm meeting Simon here."
"So am I. Well," she fumbled with her blackberry. "There must be a mistake." Pushing the familiar button to search for Simon's number, she dialed without another glance at Jess. "Simon? Hey, I'm at the restaurant. Did you, um…Jess is here as well." Her face scrunched. "No, you didn't tell me. Or him."
Jess ignored her and flagged down a waiter. "Grey goose screwdriver please."
"What? No." The vehemence in her voice arrested Jess. She gave him a furtive glance out of the corners of her eyes. "Well, how long? Simon…" She almost started to whine. "No, nothing. Yeah, hold on." She handed the phone to Jess. "He wants to talk to you."
He took it. "Cannon." Nodding along, Jess traced his fork with the pad of his thumb. "Yeah. Okay." Hanging up, he gave the blackberry back to Rory, palm up. "He can't come."
"Yeah, I got that."
"Well, it looks like it's just you and me."
Rory stared. "I think I'm gonna go."
"Why?"
Bluntly, she replied. "Because I don't want to have dinner with you."
"Huh." He wasn't insulted. "But I'd like to have dinner with you."
She looked away. "No you don't."
"How do you know?" He handed her one of the menus. "Come on, I'll be good. Promise." With that, he flashed her one of his charming smiles.
It caught her attention. That smile should be deemed illegal. Or lethal. "Are you buying?"
His eyes sparkled. "Sure." Taking a sip of his drink, he clicked his tongue. "So, I suppose you'll be getting the lobster then…" He trailed off as he read off the most expensive items out loud to her.
She tried, but she couldn't help but giggle. "And an expensive bottle of wine."
Jess's eyes snapped up. "You should laugh more." At the sight of her uncomfortable wiggle he peered back down to the menu. "Wine? Good choice. Hm, by the look of things, you might be able to eat away my entire royalty check for my new book. Lucky you."
"You're writing a new book?"
"Trying to at least." He closed the menu. "Know what you want?" He flagged down the nearest waiter and waited patiently for her to order. "Ladies first."
She smiled impishly. "I'll have the lobster." Rory kept her eyes glued to Jess's. "And I'll have a glass of your most expensive wine."
"Red or white, ma'am?"
She kept eye contact with Jess from across the table. "Whichever one costs more."
Jess snickered. "I'll have the same as her, minus the wine. Could you bring me another?" He tapped his half-empty glass.
"Of course, sir. Thank you." The waiter gathered their menus and walked off.
---
He was having a good time. Jess watched as the low lighting reflected off the blue flecks in her eyes, making her irises even larger than usual. He tried to keep his eyes from trailing down her deep v neckline, but failed every time she reached for a piece of bread or for her wineglass. The hair on the back of his neck pricked as she laughed, and every time she bit her lip as she considered her words, he wanted to reach over and take her hand into his own. He wanted to touch her, anywhere, everywhere. But he didn't.
She was enjoying herself, damn him. She had obviously underestimated his ability to hold a conversation. After ordering their meals, he had almost switched to another Jess. He was the Jess that had briefly made an appearance after their kiss. He was causal, but still self-assured. He lost the cocky edge in his tone, leaving him with a deep rumble of confidence that was overpowering. She watched as his long fingers flexed over the silver of his fork, wondering what it would feel like to have those fingers curl around her skin instead, tugging gently at her nipples. She shuddered.
He noticed. "You all right?"
"Yeah. Fine." She smiled and watched his tongue dart out to catch a crumb of his cheesecake.
Jess caught her staring. "What?"
"Why are you different?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
She grinned. "Touché."
"So you admit it, then? That you're different when you're around Simon?"
Rory shrugged. "What person isn't a little bit different around certain people?"
He kept his eyes kind, coaxing the truth from her. "Okay, I'll give you that. But that's not what you do. You hide who you are from Simon. He doesn't know who you really are."
She pushed the sauce with her fork, making a loopy circle. "He knows what he wants to know."
"No. He's seeing what you think he wants to know. Why not show him what you are, regardless of anyone's opinion, including your own?"
Her eyes flickered away. "It's easier this way."
"I like the real Rory better."
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AN: Please review after reading.