There was nothing like a challenge to fire her passions up. Chuck hid his surprise flawlessly, determined to be her perfect goddamn gentleman. But it took everything he had to keep the unexpected excitement from beaming out of his eyes. If only he'd known he could play Blair's mother and end up with Blair going to Cotillion with him! Nathaniel's 'heart on the sleeve' ploy would have been imitation carob in a chocolate wonderland. And he would have slyly played that card a week ago. He filed the piece of information away for further use, now knowing that Eleanor played correctly could be a pawn in his quest for supremacy of Blair. Right now it didn't matter.
Right now he just had to keep from looking as downright smug as he felt.
Blair's hand came to rest on his own leg and squeezed. Hard – there was no doubt she meant it as a threat. He was already with her on this one though, and nothing she could do would upset him just now. Not even her nails digging into his skin. If they weren't under such close scrutiny he'd lean over and remind her how much he enjoyed her passion marks lingering in his skin.
As he met his own father's eyes he momentarily cowered at the seething disapproval. Bart never liked him but even this seemed extreme.
"Charles you are taking Eliza Barker to that dance. As agreed," he stressed, his eyes furious.
Chuck barely kept from shaking his head petulantly. Like hell he was – Blair had just said she was going with him! No way was a business deal getting in the way of that longed for pleasure. He did his best not to look too antagonistic, or grimace, for that matter.
Blair just stuck him with her sharp claws. Apparently Bart's announcement didn't sit well with her. Was it the revelation that Bart used his son as a player in his business? Why had she thought he was taking Eliza – that Chapin reject? Not everything was about his own enjoyment, when his father dictated that a deal could go sour, his only son was expected to do everything he could to salvage it. Including escort girls to parties. And anything else required to seal the deal.
Did Blair think she had an exclusive licence on him? Just because she made him feel effing fantastic and he spent most of his day at school staring at her?
He caressed Blair's leg one final time, gently, as a contrast to the stabbing pain she was inflicting on his thigh. To remind her that what they did was different, what they did when they were together wasn't something he could ever replicate to ensure Bass got hedge fund backing.
Then he let her go and moved back to his own lap, covering the hand she was digging into his fleshy muscle. With all his strength he subtly pried her angry fingers free. Once they weren't bruising him he affectionately slipped his palm beneath her, hoping it kept her from returning to torturing his leg. Then a moment later he carefully entwined her fingers with his own.
Now that he didn't do with anyone else.
"No," this was the first time in his life he'd stood up to his father and it was painfully difficult. No matter how badly Bart Bass wanted it, there would be no Eliza Barker. "I promised Blair."
Lie. She hadn't wanted to go with him until twenty seconds ago. But the moment the words left her lips he'd been set. With Blair he had to take every tiny chance he was offered and pounce on it lest she slip away from him.
"Nate only wanted to go with a friend, so he's taking Eliza," he conveniently made up on the spot. Quite ingenious though, to get both their rivals out of the way.
He hoped Blair would approve. And thank him later as only she could.
His fingers brushed the back of her hand. Blair didn't even tug away a little bit, despite his effective end to her plan of being escorted by his best friend. Instead she took a death grip on his hand that seemed to imply she'd never let go. And his heart almost exploded with joy.
Screw Bart. Screw Eleanor. Screw Prince Theodore and Serena and Nate. He was spending the night with Blair. Like on her birthday. Tonight. He could not wait until they were at school tomorrow or worse, after school in the limo. It had to be tonight. Soon.
He needed her – he needed to kiss her and feel her tugging him, undressing him, touching him.
He needed Blair. Because all of a sudden he had the feeling that he had Blair. His father and her mother had seen to that in the most spectacular of backfires.
He shot a quick glance at Eleanor's thunderous face and quickly began planning. The Waldorf penthouse was probably off limits for an amorous rendezvous, so it couldn't be exactly like her birthday. A glance at Bart told him his own suite was probably not a good choice either. No trouble, they would just get another suite at the Palace instead. He knew exactly how to play the front desk staff so his father couldn't find which room he was in. The almost-satisfaction of tasting her this afternoon was now not nearly enough and he hungered.
Blair suddenly stood up, far too quickly for him to release her hand and in that second their chaste affection was bared for all to see.
