AN: Welcome to the first collaboration between SaturnineSunshine and comewhatmay.x! Thanks for the reviews for the prologue and we hope you enjoy the first chapter:)

It was hot. Too hot. If there was one thing that Blair wasn't expecting while walking into the alumni dinner as the newly reigning Queen, it was the sweltering heat. Spring had barely begun and she was suddenly relieved about the revealing cut of her dress, no matter how many pairs of eyes belonging to aged alumni followed her with interest. It was enough to distract her from noticing that a certain business mogul was gracing the hall with his self-absorbed presence. The problem with that was, she was the distraction.

"Miss Waldorf, if I'm not mistaken?"

Blair felt the society mask that she had perfected since birth fall firmly into place as she turned to face the speaker. He wasn't young. At all. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but at least he didn't seem to be on Medicare. That much she could tell.

Her fake smile seemed to be genuine enough to him as he offered his hand in a cordial greeting. It was stifling enough to listen to his ramblings while attempting to find her niche in the newest social dynasty. It was hard enough to pretend to pay attention while sweat trickled down the nape of her exposed neck.

Until it got a hell of a lot harder.

She knew it couldn't just be the heat this time. There seemed to be a tremor in the air and Blair found her body instinctively pivoting a fraction of an inch, without any self-control, as she listened to a dull conversation about the crumbling economy. Blair really couldn't care less, but she was a business major after all. And so she nodded appreciatively at the man's prattle while her thoughts wandered elsewhere.

White Bucks clicked on the floor and Blair wanted to wrinkle her nose, knowing that Chuck Bass loved that his most fashionable shoe rhymed with his newly reinstated nickname, as of five months ago.

His eyes hadn't reached her yet but she was suddenly very aware of how wet her hairline was and how her perfectly tailored dress stuck to her ribs. Blair brought her hand to her the nape of her neck, feeling a bead of sweat slide down to her collarbone.

At the front of the room, Chuck Bass let his eyes wander the room appreciatively as he sauntered with all of the self-awareness that was in his being. As though his sixth sense had immediately kicked in, his slanting dark eyes flicked to her high updo and exposed neck, before a slow smirk drifted lazily across his face. Blair stiffened, and she began to think that leaving her phone in her jacket, which had seemed completely irrelevant at the time, was a terrible idea. There was no way Gossip Girl could have missed this. But Blair Waldorf was caught completely unprepared as Chuck Bass looked at her-and her sleek attire-in the most inappropriate manner. She had been prepared for his arrival, armed with a dozen or so comments, but his sudden presence threw her completely off guard.

"...and the drop in the prices of real estate, as of late, has certainly caught the eye of more than a few real estate developers. One in particular, Bass Industries, seems to be buying up most of Manhattan's skyline. Of course, Cooper Enterprises seems to be challenging Bass' stake in the market. Bass is failing to maintain its monopoly on the New York market, and its stock is quite crippled as of late. It must be due to the inexperience of their young CEO, Charles Bass. We were certainly impressed with his management of the company, but he's still quite foolhardy. Around your age, if I am correct?" The man scrutinized Blair carefully as her smile slipped ever so slightly. She nodded her affirmation once more.

"In fact," the man continued, catching sight of someone. "Isn't that Chuck Bass over there?"

Blair tore her eyes from Chuck's alluring ones, eyes that always seemed to ensnare her and make her forget where she was. Belatedly, Blair realized that she was still taking part in an extremely dull conversation. Chuck's smirk broadened and she knew that his tendency for lurking had grown into a fully blown talent because he had heard every word.

Blair sighed as his approach. "The one and only," she replied dourly. She refused to turn as a natural musk she had been intimately familiar with since the age of 16 became more prominent.

"Chuck Bass."

Blair let herself cast a sidelong glance at Chuck's extended hand as he introduced himself to her rambling companion. Of course, as was with everything that was a game, it was just a facade. Chuck was always aware when someone was speaking about him.

Especially her.

Once the introductions were settled, Blair stared stubbornly and pointedly at the other side of the room, refusing to be a part of the conversation any longer. The stranger in front of Blair coughed at her refusal to acknowledge the man beside her.

"Blair."

Blair exhaled heavily and finally turned to face him, her sickeningly sweet smile back in place as she reciprocated his greeting.

"Chuck."

Whatever amused him so, the feeling was not mutual. She could tell by the way his own eyes refused to meet hers that he had been taking in the status of her wardrobe.

"Is that what they're wearing on the runways these days?" he leered. "I thought you were getting it tailored at the very least."

She really would have relished the feeling of the side of his face hitting her palm with a satisfying smack but then again, they were in a public forum. One that meant too much to her.

"I'm not sure what you're trying to insinuate," Blair articulated, ignoring the very evident observer of their conversation. It just gave Chuck another opportunity and excuse to rake her form with eyes.

"Is your mother aware that you walk out of the house like that?" Chuck asked, and Blair realized that his judgment wasn't due to his opinion of fashion as a familiar flicker of heat flashed through his eyes.

"Considering it's her design," Blair said, "I would daresay that she does."

He was still looking south of her face. Subtle.

"Is there a problem?" she pressed.

"I just thought that Eleanor was more..." Chuck drawled, "traditional."

"It's 90 degrees out, Chuck," Blair said but his reaction pleased her. It was the way he couldn't take his eyes off of her that convinced her. Provocative dress wasn't a cornerstone of the Blair Waldorf experience. And it seemed he liked it better that way.

"I wasn't aware that you two were acquainted."

Twin sets of dark eyes went back to attention of the aging man before them, as if they had forgotten he was there. The interruption of their conversation was more of a hint. They had forgotten that they weren't alone. Again.

"Unfortunately," Blair couldn't help but slip in.

"Blair and I have known each other since preschool," Chuck said with false camaraderie, flashing a winning smile at Blair, who scowled in return. "In fact, in high school-"

"We're more of acquaintances, really." Blair said through gritted teeth.

"Blair and I have always shared mutual interests," Chuck said in agreement. "Our mutual love for limos, for one-"

"And of course, our mutual interest in the business world." Blair said loudly, hoping to drown out Chuck's words.

"Oh yes!" The man jumped in quickly, eager to join in on the conversation once again. "Miss Waldorf and I were just discussing your company Mr. Bass. Now, if I may make a few suggestions about your handling of the L.A. crisis..."

The man turned to Chuck eagerly as Blair excused herself with a smile, leaving the mismatched pair behind. Chuck glowered after her, but she threw him an innocent smile, waltzing away just with enough impeccable timing to be apprehended by none other than her newly acquired roommate.

"Serena," Blair said tersely, the effects of Chuck Bass still assaulting her senses, much like his very noticeable cologne.

"Who was that you were talking to?" Serena asked with that innocent Virgin Mary act that Blair found cumbersome.

"Don't start," Blair answered as they wove their way through the dining tables.

"I'm not starting anything," Serena answered evenly. "In fact, I'm sure that's the first civil conversation the two of you have had in the past five months."

"I would check your definition of 'civil' and 'conversation,'" Blair answered, "and replace it with 'that Bass-tard tormenting me as he so relishes.'"

"Blair."

They stopped short, having arrived at the correct table.

"You had to have known he was coming."

"Like you said," Blair answered. "It's been five months."

"He's a prominent business mogul-"

"Yes, I was introduced," Blair sneered. "Everyone is practically dripping with aroused excitement at the very prospect of speaking with The Infamous Chuck Bass. It must do wonders for his ego."

"I think you're going a little too far," Serena suggested with mild disgust. "I'll refrain from pointing out that you sound exactly like him." Blair didn't even bother with rolling her eyes, though feeling the very trap that his presence caused creeping up on her. "And haven't you heard? Brendon Cooper's here."

"Who?" Blair asked dismissively.

"Brendon Cooper," Serena repeated. "Of Cooper Enterprises."

"I can't be that easily overlooked."

Both girls heard the older voice over their shoulders and turned to the interloper simultaneously, a society smile plastered on both their faces.

"Excuse me?" Blair asked. "We were having a conversation."

Or at least, Serena's face.

"Blair," Serena reprimanded.

"It's quite alright," the apparent innovator of Cooper Enterprises replied. But in an entirely unprecedented scenario, he wasn't looking at Serena at all. His eyes were trained solely on Blair's.

"I'm so wealthy that usually no one tells me what they really think to my face."

"We weren't telling you anything," Blair reminded him with a roll of her eyes. "You were eavesdropping."

"My apologies," Brendon answered. "But you weren't exactly having a private conversation. And you're at my table."

"Your table?" Blair asked coolly.

"I can see that I'm not going to win this conversation," Brendon said almost conspiratorially to Serena.

"Not in the slightest," Serena smiled, offering her hand. "I'm Serena van der Woodsen."

"Brendon Cooper," he replied.

"We've been over that already," Blair said in that way that made it sound like she was giving a compliment, when she it was really an insult.

"And you must be..." Brendon prompted.

"Blair Waldorf," Blair conceded, finally doing the proper thing and offering her hand. As he gripped her hand, the cold metal of his wedding band pressed firmly against her flesh.

"Pleasure," Brendon smiled at her.

The oddest feeling washed over Blair as Brendon's eyes raked over her dress approvingly, and she felt both skeptical and flattered at his attention. There was something strangely familiar and yet distant about his appearance. His three-piece Armani suit was impeccable, and she found herself staring at his paisley tie, wondering where she had seen it before. The faint, lingering scent of Acqua di Gio permeated the air, and Blair scrutinized his features, noting that he couldn't have been any older than thirty-two.

"So what's your major?" Brendon inquired, his hand still enclosed over Blair's. Blair felt Serena's eyes on her as she removed her hand, which was slick from the heat. The back of her neck prickled, and she was suddenly very afraid that she was too close this charming and older businessman.

Like she was being watched.

Preposterous.

"Business," Blair replied at the same time Serena said "Neurobiology."

Blair shot Serena a sharp look in place of her usual elbow in the ribs when Serena pretended not to be undecided. Neurobiology? It was a wonder that Serena even knew how to pronounce 'Neurobiology'.

"Business," Brendon said, much to Blair's surprise. He was looking at her and not at the Golden Princess. "That is actually an area I have quite a bit of expertise in."

"Like Blair needs it," Serena said under her breath.

"What was that?" Brendon asked curiously.

"Nothing," Blair smiled sweetly.

"She's right," Serena said. "It's nothing. It's just that my stepbrother is Chuck Bass. She's been exposed to that sort of expertise since-"

"Thank you," Blair said shortly, "Serena."

"Chuck Bass," Brendon said conversationally. "I suppose you are at that age."

"What age?" Blair asked, unable to be free from taking offense.

"I've just heard rumors, that's all," Brendon said. "Bartholomew Bass was one of my biggest rivals. Luckily for me, his son is rumored to be somewhat of a Lothario."

"And Blair is his Lolita-"

"Serena," Blair snapped again. Brendon looked dubiously between the two before turning to Serena for a moment.

"Neurobiology sounds fascinating," he said. "What sort of credentials do you need for that?"

Serena blanched, and Blair smirked slightly as the conversation came to an abrupt halt.

"Actually," Brendon said as he looked around, "If I'm not mistaken we're about to dine. Would you care to join me by my place?"

His hand was stretched out towards Blair, but she nodded towards Serena, making it very clear that the invitation to dine with another "prominent business mogul" was to be extended towards the both of them.

"So," he spoke up as they were being served, "Miss Waldorf, I had no idea you had such...connections."

"Pardon?" she asked, eying her very full plate with slight distaste. Serena looked at her pointedly.

"You said you're acquainted with Chuck Bass," Brandon said and Blair noted the slight ire in his voice. Jack Bass wasn't the only one. No one could accept a rival in the industry from a boy who hadn't even graduated college. Or even gone in the first place.

"He's Serena's step-brother," Blair shrugged.

"Will he be at this table?" Brendon asked smoothly. Blair stopped short, looking to Serena for support.

"No," Serena replied, apparently very well informed. "He has some investors to speak with. He'll be courting them over dinner."

"I'm to assume that he doesn't attend Columbia, then," Brendon said. Unable to contain herself, Blair let out a peal of laughter and Serena looked at her sternly. Blair knew that Chuck had been invited to the alumni dinner solely because Columbia wanted press. And 'young, promising CEOs with a natural flair for business' would bring press.

"Chuck doesn't go to college," Blair answered primly, knowing full well that Brendon Cooper knew that Chuck Bass had never stepped foot in a college for an education. More like seducing co-eds.

Strangely enough, Brendon wasn't looking at her in that condescending way her mother did when she breached propriety. He was smiling at her with an expression she couldn't quite describe. Suddenly, she wished that she hadn't invited Serena to sit with them at all.

"I only ask because I am an alumnus of Columbia myself."

"And you don't want the likes of Chuck Bass encroaching on its hallowed grounds?" Blair asked.

"Well if he's an acquaintance of yours, he can't be as bad I've heard."

Brendon Cooper. Built Cooper Enterprises from the ground up like his (former) rival Bart Bass. He was younger than most of his competitors, but unlike Chuck, he had experience in the business world. He was smooth, knew how to dress, and was an alumnus of Columbia-something that Blair valued with high regard. But there was one thing that Brendon Cooper didn't have that Chuck Bass did. And that was the ability to appear out of nowhere.

"I've missed this." She was abusing sarcasm at this point.

Blair hated that he had startled her while she ordered her julep. She hated herself more for knowing that it was him without needing to look at him. She turned to see him with his customary glass of scotch and an even more customary expression.

Smugness.

"Almost as much as I've missed you, love," he said fondly, tipping her chin up to meet her eyes. She slapped his hand away with an irritated scowl.

"You gave up the right to touch me right about the time you gave up the right to walk without a cane," Blair said cruelly. His nostrils flared with emotion, but he swept it away quickly.

"You hurt me, I hurt you," Chuck said. "Isn't that how the game is played?"

"This isn't a game," Blair snapped.

"Then stop treating it like one," Chuck answered just as quickly. "Or was that not my father's rival you were flirting with? My rival now, too. Not that Cooper Enterprises is anywhere near the prestige of Bass Industries."

"Please," Blair mocked with practiced affability "we both know that Cooper Enterprises has surpassed Bass Industries' stocks in the past few days. And from the looks of it, Bass Industries won't be catching up anytime soon. Especially with the recent loss of revenue from L.A."

"I'm impressed Waldorf," Chuck said coolly, regarding her with his trademark Chuck Bass smirk. The one that made almost every girl in a five-mile radius swoon and fall into his arms without a second thought. Every girl, save for one. "Perhaps we should hire you for an internship. I know I wouldn't mind working closely with you on a few projects. In fact, I foresee a lot of late nights in close quarters. Maybe on top of my desk."

"Your blatant come-ons are mediocre at best," Blair said drolly. "I think your time spent on the ethical side of things has greatly impeded your game."

"You're still standing here, aren't you?" he asked without missing a beat.

"What does that have to do with anything?" she asked. But it was becoming more and more apparent to her why she and Chuck hadn't had more than a two-minute conversation in the last five months. It was tense between them, the passion still evident although she had sworn him from her life. With his every word she felt herself losing her power to resist him. She couldn't give into him just yet, not without forgiving him first. And she was in danger of forgiving him if he continued talking to her like that. Maybe she already had.

"Don't pretend that you didn't wear that dress just for me," he uttered lowly in her ear. She glared at the traitorous goosebumps rising on her skin as his piquant breath brushed against her ear.

She settled for grinding her heel into his instep. She heard his light groan as he pulled away, hating the memories that were invoked in her at the masculine sound.

"Luckily for me, I don't have to worry about what you think anymore," Blair answered, with a smirk at his vulnerable state. "Everything that has happened since the summer is just further evidence that whatever we had is over." He had recovered quickly and was already rising to his full height-inches above her, even while she in heels. She hated that self-assured smirk that he wore, as if he believed that she could never hurt him.

"That wasn't very nice," he informed her. "Or ladylike. Do you treat all business moguls you meet like that?"

"Not just anyone," she replied smoothly." You're special. And using the phrase 'business mogul' very loosely."

"And you are deluded," he said as though it were just an amusing anecdote. "The two of us are too connected to be anything but apart anymore. Your dalliances with prominent Columbia alumni don't make a difference. I believe they have a word for that. It's called prostitution."

"You do realize that you calling me a whore isn't as flattering as you might think."

"When have you ever been susceptible to flattery?" he remarked absentmindedly. "There's a reason I was the first man you let into your bed. And there's a reason that I'll be the last. You like the way I talk to you. Like there's no one else in the world. Because you're not like anyone else. Even if Bruce Wayne over there may think differently."

"That doesn't mean I respond well to being called a prostitute," she reminded him, ignoring the obvious fact that Chuck's rampant jealousy had flared up again from something so innocent. "That's Serena's territory."

"No," he said confidentially into her ear. "You only respond well to it when we're alone."

She knew that the easy way to retaliate was another form of physical injury. But she also knew that it would only encourage him further. He was the only person with whom she could fail to come up with a retort. They were too well matched. And suddenly his mantra of 'we're the same, Waldorf' didn't seem so far fetched. Then again, she had realized this years before.

"Maybe you're right," she finally said sweetly.

"That isn't in any way surprising," he replied. But they were both aware that Blair Waldorf didn't just roll over and take it.

"I think I'll go over and talk to that prominent Columbia alumnus like the whore I am," she answered coolly. "Maybe he can give me some tips for my classes. His company's stocks seem to be doing exceeding well, wouldn't you say so, Bass?"

As she turned her back to him, she felt his furious gaze boring into her back, and she smirked slightly to herself in victory. She had hurt him as he had hurt her, as was the never ending cycle. Despite her assurances to Serena that she was over their games, over him, she knew that what they had would never wane. He still liked to believe that they were inevitable. And she was loath to disagree with him.

Shaking the thought from her mind, Blair smiled coquettishly as she approached the prominent Columbia alumnus currently seated at the bar, vodka tonic in hand. Sliding next to him, coy smile in place, Blair knew exactly what she was doing. She was sitting next to a man who was not only the CEO of Bass Industries' rival, but also well past graduating college. And as he turned to face her, she realized that she liked it.

She knew that she was soliciting conversation with a Christian Bale look-a-like because Chuck Bass had goaded her into doing so. But what she hadn't counted on was relishing the attention. Because this person was smiling at her curiously and offering to buy her a gin martini. She shouldn't be indulging in it, shouldn't be enjoying the attention from a man of his stature. It was not Brendon's attention to her that had urged her forward, but the snide remark from the other half of her soul and the fact that at this very moment, she felt his very hot and very dark eyes watching her from a nook in the corner.

"I'm glad you decided to deign me with your presence once more."

Once again she found herself lost in a reverie about him while in apparent conversation with someone else. And like all other instances, it seemed to be the same man who had plagued her since childhood that demanded her attention. Even with a single stare.

"And why is that?" Blair asked, gaining her bearings once more as she forced herself to ignore the pointed glare from across the room.

"I enjoy your company," he told her with a smile.

"And what is it about my company that you enjoy?" she returned with an equally coy smile.

"I find myself wondering the same thing," he mused. "I don't usually sleep with the enemy, so to speak."

"I wouldn't go that far," Blair answered flirtatiously, not really understanding what she was doing. "But I didn't realize that I was the enemy, in any case."

"Your friend made it very clear that your allegiance lies with Chuck Bass." She could hear the slight disdain in his voice again.

"She's the one who's related to him," Blair answered, stirring her drink decisively. "I, on the other hand, am free to do as I please."
"Is that so?"

At his tone of voice she looked into his eyes with a strange sense of familiarity. She suddenly found herself oddly afraid. And strangely intrigued. Leaning in, she realized that she was flirting in an improper and overt manner. But Brendon had never looked away from her once.

"Do you know what you're doing?" she smirked darkly, knowing exactly what this looked like from a distance. Especially to the competitive and possessive eyes from across the room.

"I have no idea," he replied in the same tone. "But I'd love to find out."

Blair leaned away, satisfied that her display had been intimate enough. But she had never been in a situation like this before. It was exciting. And it was wrong. Two qualities that she was highly familiar with.

"I am glad that I met you tonight, Blair," he replied, his voice lowering an octave as his eyes sought hers. She was very aware of the fact that he stopped addressing her as 'Miss Waldorf'. The usage of her first name both thrilled and scared her at the same time. Never before had she been quite so intimate with an older man so as to warrant a first-name basis. Even her mother's many colleagues and acquaintances only called her 'Blair' when permitted to do so by her mother.

Her friends called her that. Chuck called her that. Then again, he also called her by his own vulgar pet names.

"I mean it."

Blair hated how she had receded so easily back to dark eyes and a darker demeanor when the attractive man before her was still speaking to her. She knew that he had noticed it as well.

"How often do meet someone who will insult you to your face?" Blair asked with a teasing smile.

"That's not why," he answered quietly, and her knuckles turned white against the stem of her glass. He cleared his throat and the moment passed. "Actually, I thought you were the perfect candidate for a spring internship at Cooper Enterprises. Bass Industries can't offer you that."

Blair shut away the recollection of Chuck's hot and tight body molding against hers as he promised her dark nights in his office.

"Not in so many ways," Blair smiled tightly. Brendon reached into the pocket of his suit and a wave of his cologne wafted under her nose. It was distinct. Even if it wasn't distinct like she was used to. He reached out, handing her a stiff card.

"Here's my card," he told her as she looked down at the overly elaborate business information. She felt a strange sort of jolt and she knew he was trying to impress her. Chuck used to do the same thing when he would show her the interior of new hotels he would buy.

"Thank you," Blair replied archly. "I don't suppose I'll need an interview?"

"I think you'll be a perfect fit at Cooper Enterprises," he told her, taking the card back from her. Their fingers brushed together and Blair felt oddly inclined to grasp his hand.

"I'm just going to write my cell on the back," he narrated for her as he took out a pen from his breast pocket. Blair sat back on her bar stool, knowing that she should find this entire interaction entirely inappropriate. Instead, all that came to mind was how his left hand scrawled across the card with practiced ease, making his scent more dominant as he shifted back to return it to her. Their fingers brushed against each other's once more and she found herself smiling. Not just because she felt compelled to by furious eyes in the background, but also because she wanted to.

They were looking upon each other as she fingered the card delicately. "Just in case you need any guidance with your coursework." he added, nodding towards her hand. The undertone in his words were still clear.

"I don't suppose a CEO like yourself would have the time to help a mere college student like me?" Blair inquired with false modesty.

"Ah," he said with practiced ease "we at Cooper Enterprises like to lend a helping hand to future employees. Particularly ones with bright futures like yours."

"Oh?" Blair arched an eyebrow at him. "And I don't suppose this future would entail me working closely with the CEO, would it?"

"It's plausible," he said, as though he was considering it for the first time. "I think you would excel in convincing others to see things your way. And you seem quite adept at telling others what to do as well."

Blair smiled discreetly, knowing full well that he meant it exactly as she took it. As a compliment. Vibrations coming from her purse startled her as Brendon looked on, a picture of vague amusement.

"Serena," Blair answered the unspoken question. Brendon nodded understandingly. "I should..." He stood up as she slid out of her own chair. She noticed the way he straightened his lapel and she wished she didn't. She wished that he wasn't wearing a paisley tie, in part because of another man that had a penchant for paisley ties. But she smiled anyway. She smiled because it was easy to overlook.

"Am I to be expecting a call from you?" he asked and she knew they were standing closer than was appropriate.

"We'll see," she said teasingly. A tone of voice that she had learned from the devil himself.

Because the devil himself was staring at her with betrayal in his eyes and she wished that she still didn't dream about the way his kiss burned her into oblivion. She wished that her eyes weren't still trained on his fiery ones, as Brendon Cooper's fingers intertwined with hers.

tbc