Chapter 9 - Dinner

Somehow Rogue turns dinner into talking about himself and his family. It would've been annoying if I wasn't so thankful he dismissed our previous fiasco. We were starting to get some stares.

"So you must be looking forward to your trip." Rogue says to Natsu

"I don't have much of an option now that my rugby career is over." Natsu says

"You played professional rugby?" I ask curiously

He turns his attention on me, eyes twinkling and a half smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

Gosh he's pretty... Focus Lucy!

"I did, for seven years."

"And you quit to work in your family's business?"

"No, I blew out my knee."

"You can't recover from that?"

"I can, but there's a chance I wouldn't be able to walk without assistance if I had another accident like that."

"Oh."

"Yeah, it wasn't worth the risk and my father's agreement was when my rugby career ended, I'd work with him."

I only nod. But I completely understand where he's coming from. Heck it's the same reason why I'm sitting here tonight.

"Rugby's a pretty violent sport." I comment

"I prefer aggressive, do you watch?"

"I went to a couple games when I visited Crocus."

"Hopefully I can find the same passion for hotel management as I did for rugby.." he sighs

"I'm sure it won't be difficult to use your skill set to the Dragon Empire." Rogue pats him

"The Dragon Empire? The Luxury hotel chain?"

Woah those hotels are legendary! They're not just a place to sleep, they're an experience!

"That's the one" he gives me a tight smile

Holy shit!

"Lucy's father is Jude Heartfilia, of Heartifilia Railroads." Rogue says

Natsu looks at me curiously

"That sounds familiar."

Dinner arrives finally putting conversation to rest.

I pick at my salad but my stomach continues to roll.

I excuse myself to go to the ladies room. I need to pull myself together. I pat my face with a wet paper towel and breathe.

Once I step out, I once again bump into the same man I did last time I was in a hallway with .. only now I know his name —Natsu.

"Are you okay?" He asks in his deep as sin voice

"I'm fine, I'm fine."

"I don't believe you." He's eyeing me

He gently moves some stray hairs from my forehead.

Sweet lord, this man is intense. The way those eyes are penetrating me..

"If you're thinking about molesting my mouth again, you might want to reconsider."

"Woah! Do you have a fever?"

"Just a little warm."

"A little warm? I could cook bacon on your forehead!"

"I'd rather you not."

"Is this really my fault?" He frowns

My first instinct is to tell him no. My upbringing, his looks, and his sincerity has to blame for that. But I need a place to live, so he's guilty.guilty.guilty.

"It really is.." I nod sadly

"I feel awful about this. I can't believe I sexually assaulted you and got you sick!"

"You ruined my audition too."

"Wait, I did what?!"

"I had an audition the next morning for a play. But I vomited all over the director and it ruined my chances of ever working with him again. Now I'll never get another role in the city!"

"Are you serious?!"

He looks horrified, I guess my improv skills aren't that bad when I'm sick hehe.

"Well, I don't know about the city but definitely not the director." I confess

He runs his hand through his unruly hair and sighs

"I really screwed you, didn't I?"

Well you're tongue certainly screwed my mouth.

I watch his eyebrows rise and eyes go wide.

"My tongue screwed your mouth?"

OH MY GOD! I thought I said that to myself!

"Umm..yeahh.. your tongue .. did, when you, uhh kissed me? with.. you know, your tongue.. you screwed? and.."

Oh god, Lucy, shut up!

" —My mouth and your tongue.."

He crosses his arms over his chest. A half smirk forming at the left corner of his mouth.

"You kissed me back."

"You caught me off guard, and I was drinking."

"Drinking.. really? How do I know that's not the real reason you hurled on your director? Hmm?"

"Okay okay, I had one drink but I really am sick!"

"Oh no sweetheart, you can't have it both ways."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about these excuses you're coming up with to explain why you kissed me back when you didn't even know me."

My jaw drops, and I glare at him.

"FYI, I have a very low alcohol tolerance. And I had one very strong martini!"

"I am very sure you did."

"Arrogant ass."

His smirk is infuriating!

I don't know if I want to throttle him or kiss him stupid.

"Besides, regardless what happened the other night. You actually are the reason I'm jobless and now about I'm about to be homeless. So I hope you're well entertained by my misfortune."

Homeless?" That wipes that damn smile off his smug face

End of chapter 9