Waiting

"Another martini, please." Vivian slid her empty glass across the bar counter to the handsome young bartender on the other side. Absently she chewed on the cocktail stick that previously skewered an olive.

"Coming right up."

Looking around the bar, Vivian thought her surroundings would be different that evening. She wasn't in a dark pub with heavy metal rockers. No, quite the opposite. She was in the quaint hotel bar feeling embarrassed, stupid and on her fourth martini. No longer would she trust her gut instinct. She would listen to her head because obviously taking risks wasn't working for her.

"There you go." The bar tender had quickly served her another drink. Without hesitating, she snatched it away and took a big gulp.

"Mmm...thank you very much." Vivian grinned and spun around on the bar stool. Maybe it was the alcohol taking effect, but she was starting to feel less sorry for herself. Slowly she scanned the bar, mentally making note of the few people that were spending the evening just like she was.

Another drink would very much tip her over the edge, so using her head, Vivian decided this drink would be her last. The last think she needed in the morning is a pity hangover. Dropping the old cocktail stick on the counter behind her, Vivian took the new cocktail stick from the glass and plucked the olive off the end with her teeth. She'd worn her best black skinny jeans and red peplum top - they hugged her curves and she wasn't going to deny that it was for Stephens benefit. The man was attractive as hell, why not put a little effort in. Too bad her efforts were for nothing.

With a heavy sigh, Vivian sipped on the rest of her martini as quick as she could. Feeling alone and pretty pathetic, she decided enough was enough. Setting the empty glass down, she slid off the stool landing on her heels with a wobble. Regaining her balance she sauntered away from the bar - as elegantly as she could - and made her way across the lobby.

Casting a wistful glance towards the entrance doors before she made her exit Vivian's heart leapt to her throat in surprise. There was no way that was Stephen walking through the doors towards her. Shaking her head in disbelief, Vivian turned around. Dizziness swept over her, leaving her unable to move forward for a moment. Her eyes slipped shut and after a deep breath they opened again leaving her able to walk in a straight line.

"Vivian." Feeling Stephens hand on her wrist, Vivian stopped walking away. When she turned around she realised she hadn't gotten away as fast as she thought she had. She'd blame her heels and her inability to walk in a straight line.

"Well, well, well." Vivian shoved her finger into Stephens chest and narrowed her eyes. "You're late."

"And yeh're drunk."

"I am not!" Maybe a little, but not enough to cloud her judgment. He had stood her up and that was all that mattered, never mind him being there now.

"Ah'm sorry ah'm late."

"You were supposed to be here two hours ago." Vivian emphasised her words by holding two fingers up. "I hope you had a lovely evening."

"Me sisters car broke down, she called me. Ah couldn't jus' leave her." Vivian narrowed her eyes and scanned over Stephens attire, spots of oil dotted his shirt, his hands clearly had oil scrubbed off them. Maybe he was telling the truth. "Ah didn't have yeh number, otherwise ah would have called."

"Okay." Vivian nodded and bit her lip. She felt dizzy, the alcohol having a worse effect the longer she stood upright.

"How much yeh had to drink?" Stephen gently touched her jaw with the tip of his fingers. Vivian gasped and stumbled backwards, the touch sending a bolt of lust through her body. She'd never had such reactions to a man before, not from a simple touch like that. With lightning fast reflexes, Stephen had both of his arms around her waist saving her from hitting the floor.

She heard him mumble something in Irish - probably cursing her ridiculous behaviour. "I'm just a little tipsy."

"Let's get yeh to yer room." Vivian clung onto Stephen as if she couldn't hold her own weight. But Stephen was particularly lovely to have her hands on. She'd never felt such strong arms before.

"I can go by myself." Vivian nodded to herself, but in the back of her mind she knew she didn't want to leave on her own.

"Yeh think yeh can make it?" Stephen didn't even wait for her to answer, he held her close and walked her over to the elevator which opened instantly when he pressed the up button, "What floor are yeh on?"

"Five." Vivian reached out to press the number 5 button, also pressing 4 and 6 as she swayed a little bit. "Do you always spend your evenings rescuing women in distress?"

"Not all." Stephen smiled down at her, chipping away at her resolve even more. "Just some evenings."

Leaning forward, Vivian tentatively pushed her lips against Stephens. She was testing the water, seeing how he would react. When his hand clasped the back of her neck and he deepened the kiss, Vivian felt her whole body shudder with excitement. He felt good against her. Strong, solid, all man. After what seemed like only a split second, Stephen pulled away and Vivian struggled for words, anything coherent to let him know how interested she was had long gone. Her gaze dipped to his mouth as his tongue darted out to lick his lips. Her head wasn't controlling things, the alcohol was. Vivian pressed her finger to Stephens chin as she seductively slurred the words, "I like your beard."

Stephen only laughed and Vivian knew she was a goner. "This is yer floor." Vivian hadn't noticed that they'd already stopped at the fourth floor and were not at the fifth. Stephen had a hand on her back, ushering her out onto the corridor.

"My key is in my pocket." Reaching for her back pocket, Vivian pulled out the flat key card which Stephen quickly took.

He wrapped his hand around hers and gestured in front of him before he said, "Lead the way, lass."

Tightly holding onto Stephens hand, Vivian walked the short distance to her room. She couldn't help but glance down at Stephens hand holding her own, amazed at how small she looked in comparison.

"This is my room" Looking up to the door number Vivian bit her lip, trying to shut herself up but one question lingered in her mind. "Can I kiss you again?"

"When yer sober." Stephen reached out and ran his thumb across her jaw line. She didn't jump back this time but she did feel tingles all over her body. "Ah don't want yeh to think ah'm taking advantage of yeh in this state."

"But-"

"Get some rest." Stephen put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small bit of paper. "Ah was going to leave this for yeh at reception."

Taking the small bit of folded paper, Vivian couldn't think of anything to say. Stephen sent her a smile and waved goodbye - leaving her with mixed emotions. He'd stood her up but had come to apologise, there was no way she could be angry about that. Once Stephen was out of sight, Vivian unfolded the bit of paper carefully reading what was written in black ink - an apology and a phone number. She was thanking her lucky stars that Stephen was an honourable man and a hot one at that. Come to think of it, lucky was an understatement.

A/N – Thank you prettybaby69, shakeitsalome, Carolina Kel, ThatGirl54, boston246, xFindTheEnigmaWithinx, wolviegurl, Nisi85 and ZizFox for the awesome reviews! Once again you are all pretty fabulous! Lou x