"I'm seducing you, Merisel. The real question is, will you let me?"
In that moment, Merry understood as she had never before, how Eve had been so easily led astray, for no fallen angel could have ever tempted a woman more than the man standing before her, his soft lips whispering dark, suggestive words that seduced her senses; the promise of forbidden knowledge held deep in his intense, lustful gaze making her want to follow where he led.
"Sic et Eva tentabatur a gratia excidunt" Merry murmured. The deep rumble of his laugh made Merry blush, realizing she had spoken the phrase out loud.
"And so Eve was tempted and did fall from Grace?" Red easily translated the Latin that fell involuntarily from her lips. "Why Merry, did you just compare me to Beelzebub himself? I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted." The humor in his voice danced through his eyes, making him look, for just a moment, like a mischievous little boy and Merry could not help but to smile in return. He was drawing her in with his charm and his disarming sensuality and Merry wasn't at all sure she that she didn't in fact, want him to wear her down until she surrendered.
"Not Beelzebub, no" she teased him playfully. "You've more in common with Lucifer Morning Star I think. The most beautiful of God's creations, he was also the most seductive and cunning. He offered Eve knowledge of the forbidden, but what he delivered instead….."
Red's voice lost all traces of humor and returned to the deep seductive tenor of darkest velvet that Merry could almost feel brushing across her skin, low and intimate despite the fact that they still stood in the center of the now empty ballroom. Releasing her hand, he reached up and cupped the side of her neck, drawing her close once again, resting his other lightly on her hip where the heat of it burned through her clothing and seeped deep into her flesh. Meeting her gaze, he held it with his own, refusing to let her look away.
"What he gave her Merry, was the beauty of choice. She could remain ignorant and happy in her safe little world, or she could brave the danger and perhaps find glory in the experience. You see, Merry, it always comes down to a matter of choice. The serpent could seduce her all he wanted, tempt her with all kinds of inducements, promise her the darkest of pleasures, but, in the end, he couldn't force her into taking what he offered. Eve had to consent in order for his seduction to be complete. And now, Merisel, you find yourself in much the same situation. Tempted by want and being offered everything you desire by someone who knows exactly what you need. Give me your consent, sweetheart. I promise you'll enjoy the fall far more than Eve ever did."
"You're a very dangerous man, Raymond Reddington" she sighed, knowing she should refuse and walk away now while she still could. But did she really want to? Never had she been pursued with such single-mindedness, been made to feel so desirable as a woman, so very wanted. But then, she had never met a man like him before. His force of will and quick intellect alone was enough to draw her to him; add in the sensuality Red was drowning her in and Merry knew she didn't stand any real chance of refusing him. He was right; she was fighting a war on two fronts. Between his desire and her own, it was a losing battle.
"As much as I enjoy flattery, Merry, that wasn't an answer."
Merry was sure there were a million reasons she should say no and turn tail and run from all he was offering her, but for the life of her, at that moment she couldn't think of a single one, not when everything in her was begging to say yes. Giving in to her desire for this beautiful man, she leaned into him, her gaze dropping to his lips and….
"There you two are!" Elise's voice was like a bucket of cold water across Merry's heated skin, causing her to jerk back with a gasp. Blushing furiously, she turned to face the other woman, mortification and frustrated desire warring for dominance inside her. Glancing sideways at Red, she was annoyed at the calm look of polite interest on his face, seemingly unaffected by the interruption. The slight tick under one eye as Elise walked towards where they stood gave away his agitation however, and made her feel marginally better. Surely he had to be as frustrated as she was right now.
"Dinner is about to be served and we need to get you seated Red" Elise purred as she came to stand far too close to him for Merry's liking.
"Wonderful! I'm positively famished and looking forward to enjoying a meal in the company of two such lovely women" Red smiled as he stepped away and offered his arm to Merry.
"Oh, I'm afraid that I didn't realize Merisel would be staying for the gala dinner" Elise frowned in mock dismay. "But I'm sure we can find a place for her at one of the other tables. You of course shall be sitting at our table besides Nicholas and myself" she smiled seductively at him. Before Merry could say anything, Red's voice snapped out, coldly putting an end to Elise's maneuvering.
"Oh, I'm afraid I must insist that Merry join us at our table. We were having the most stimulating conversation before you came in and I am most reluctant to put it on hold." His tone made it clear he would brook no further argument. Not waiting for an answer and without another look at Elise, Red escorted Merry off the dance floor towards the dining room, leaving the furious woman to follow in their wake.
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After some jostling around of the other guests, Red managed to seat Merry between himself and Nicholas with Elise safely on the far side of the rounded table. Outwardly calm, Red fought to tamper down the frustrated desire and annoyance raging within him. He had almost had her before Elise had barged in and caused Merry to retreat from him again. She had been about to say yes, to surrender to the need that was raking them both relentlessly. He had seen it in her eyes, felt it as she had leaned into him, her head tilted up for his kiss. A kiss he very badly wanted and was determined to get before the night was over. Turning to look at the object of his desire, he noted the tension in her body and the unhappy look on her face.
"Sweetheart, try not to look so miserable, it's only dinner" he teased, hoping that she might relax enough to find some enjoyment in their shared meal.
"Multo miserorum gemitus lacrimaeque sero enim nos hodie cenes apud inferos" Merry smiled wryly at him, glancing across the table at Elise for emphasis. Red's eyebrows lifted in amusement and his lips quirked in a half smile as he considered her statement.
"As rusty as my Latin is, I do believe 'it is far too late for tears and unhappy sighs, for tonight we dine in hell' is a mishmash of quotes. As well as a being bit over the top, don't you think?"
"You've never had to endure family dinners with Elise. Let me know how you feel in an hour, if we survive the meal that is" Merry whispered, having leaned in close to him so Nicholas, seated on her other side would not overhear her remark. Taking advantage of the proximity she had granted him by leaning in, he made sure his reply whispered across the sensitive skin on the side of her neck, his lips just inches from being able to nibble on her delicate earlobe.
"Oh, Merry, I have every intention of surviving this dinner. We have so much more to discover about each other. All I need is one little word from you and that voyage can begin" he coaxed. The small, involuntary gasp she gave made him smile and he was just about to press his advantage when Nicholas leaned around to engage him in conversation. Switching gears with ease, Red turned his attention to his business partner and entertained him with stories from his last stay in the city while the first of many courses were served to them.
Nicholas was an interesting conversationalist, adding stories of his own and keeping the conversation flowing evenly around the table, making sure to involve all of their dining companions, but Red felt there was a glint of amusement in the younger man's eyes whenever they met his and he wondered if Nicholas had some idea of what was going on between Red and Merry, had perhaps even intended to set them up by introducing them tonight. If he truly knew what Red had in store for his sister, Red highly doubted amusement was what he would be feeling.
They had just been served their entrees when Elise asked him how long he was planning on staying in the city. Whipping his mouth with his napkin, Red gave a noncommittal shrug.
"Well if you plan on being here for any length of time, I would love to show you the finer points of our fair city. Perhaps share some of the more….pleasurable past times with you" she offered with a suggestive smile. Out of the corner of his eye, Red saw Merry stabbing at her plate with just a bit more force than the hapless spear of asparagus warranted and heaved an internal sigh. An angry Merry was not at all what he wanted for tonight. Reaching out as he turned towards her, he removed the silverware from the death grip she had on it, placing it besides her plate. Grasping her hand in his larger one, he brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the delicate skin. Merry smiled at him as he lowered their hands to rest on his thigh, still intertwined.
"As pleasant as that sounds Elise, I'm afraid I'll have to decline" Red replied, not looking away from Merry. "Merry and I were discussing some of the more famous gardens here in your beautiful state earlier and I was hoping to persuade her accompany me to some of the many lauded botanical exhibits located in the area."
"If you're truly interested in gardens, my friend" Nicholas interrupted, "you should have Merry show you around the grounds here at the hotel. They are absolutely beautiful, perfect for an evening stroll. And perhaps later on in the week, if you are still here, you might persuade Merry to show you her own gardens. True works of art." He winked conspiratorially. Red was now sure of it, Nicholas definitely approved of his interest in Merry. If only he knew how far that interest lay and in what direction, he might have a change of heart Red thought in amusement.
"Well well well, don't you work fast, Merisel!" Elise snide voice cut across the table and there was no mistaking the look of contempt on her face. Merry arched an eyebrow her in response.
"Aulularia, occurrit in lebetem" Merry replied. 'Pot meet the kettle' Red mentally translated and had to cover a laugh with a cough. Elise frowned in confusion before snapping at her.
"Even with her less than reputable background, I would have thought you mother would have been able to instill better manners in you, Merisel." Elise smiled cruelly at the look of outrage that crossed Merry's face before Nicholas' voice rose in reprimand.
"Mother, that is quite enough! You've made everyone here uncomfortable" he gestured with one hand around the table where the other diners were mostly staring down at their plates uncomfortably. "Apologize and let's move on to a more comfortable topic."
Red silently agreed with Nicholas. He had had quite enough of Elise and was preparing to excuse himself and Merry but before he could get the words out, Merry's temper got the best of her. Reaching out, she placed the hand not held by Red gently on her brother's arm.
"It's ok, Nicholas. Really, an apology isn't necessary." She gave him a comforting pat. "Honestly, I'm surprised Elise has managed to contain herself this long." Looking away from her brother, Merry gave the other woman a pitying smile. "After all, knowing your husband was unfaithful is one thing, but to be expected to politely share a public meal with his bastard sitting across the table from you might be asking a bit too much."
Absolute silence followed her remark. Nicholas looked like he had turned to stone and Elise just gaped in fury, not able to come up with a suitable response. Merry casually lifted her wine to her lips, smug satisfaction plain on her face. That satisfaction would be short lived, Red promised himself as he rose from his seat, grasping Merry's elbow in a firm grip to bring her up with him.
"As horribly awkward as this evening has become, I think I'll take your suggestion Nicholas and have Merry show me around the gardens. Please excuse us."
With that he moved away from the table towards the French doors along the far side of the room, towing Merry reluctantly by his side.
"What do you think you're doing" she hissed furiously at him. "I'm not going outside with you!"
Coming to an abrupt halt, he turned to face her and leaned in close, anger hardening his features and obvious in his low, clipped voice.
"Yes you are, Merisel. How you choose to do so is up to you. By my side or over my shoulder, you will accompany me into the gardens and we will discuss your behavior in a more private setting, because trust me, that is not a conversation you will want to have here." The warning was clear in his voice, but she stubbornly chose to ignore it, opening her mouth with the clear intention of arguing with him. As her lips parted, he placed a single finger across them, startling her into silence.
"Hard or easy, Merisel. Choose wisely."
