Sorry for the brevity of the previous chapter... Sometimes I feel that it would ruin some of my "scenes" if I added to much to them. Hope you don't mind :) Here's the next chapter!

CHAPTER 10

The evening was passing by awefully slowly for CC. She just wanted to move it along so she could either get some rest or get some action to brag about to Broom Hilda so that she could prove him wrong and see the look on his face when he hears that she is officially seeing someone. She giggled to herself as she took a sip of her brandy.

"So, Damon, you wanted to discuss the music for the show?" She asked him. They'd hardly had any stimulating conversation throughout their main meal so she was grasping at straws now.

"No. Not really." He smirked and slid his leg along hers once more.

CC was amused and smiled at him shyly. "So... What would you like to talk about?" She asked.

"You."

"Um..." she giggled. "Okay... Anything in particular?"

"He patted the seat of the booth he was sitting at, encouraging her to get off of her chair and round the table to sit on the comfortable seat next to him. She put down her fork and did as he suggested, scooting in close beside him.

She felt strange doing as she was told. It wasn't in her nature. Unless it was Maxwell asking her to do something but even then, she always made attempts to change his mind and get her way.

"Let's talk about how much I love this dress on you," he said as he slid his finger slowly across the sweetheart neckline of the garment. She trembled slightly at his intimate touch. Usually men seemed almost fearful of coming near her.

"It matches your eyes."

And my varicose veins? She mused, admitting that maybe Niles's joke was a little bit funny.

"Thank you," she said, patting his knee and smiling up at him.

He picked up a large, chocolate-covered strawberry from his dessert dish and held it up to her mouth. She opened her mouth and took a bite. As she slowly chewed, he put the rest of the strawberry into his own mouth and watched her lips move as she chewed.

He's going to kiss me. Do I want him to kiss me? She thought, and swallowed, licking her lips.

He pulled into her slowly, touching her jaw lightly with the tips of his fingers.

She felt strange, kissing him. She knew the slow pace was meant to be sensual but it gave her too much time to think. She found she was reminding herself to concentrate on enjoying the moment. Perhaps the brandy was inhibiting her focus.

His lips left hers and he smiled at her, their heads still close.

She could smell the brandy on his breath.

She hated that smell.

"We should get going soon. I still have some paperwork to pick up at Maxwell's before heading home. So much work to do tomorrow. Max is a slave driver..."

"I see. I just kissed you and already you want to run? Would that imply you're not interested in having a second date?" He asked, sliding his hand along her lower back.

"This wasn't a business meeting?" She smirked.

McMann grinned and moved her hair to kiss her neck. CC found it difficult to say no when this was the first man in years to notice the colour of her eyes and show his obvious attraction to her.

It'll take time but I'll get to his level sooner or later, she thought.

"A second meeting wouldn't be the worst idea," she said as she slid out from the booth seat and adjusted her dress as she stood beside his seat.

"Good," he said. "Can't wait to see what you'll wear next." He brushed the back of his hand along her leg just above her knee and she shivered. She wasn't sure if this kind of public display was meant to feel uncomfortable or if she just wasn't used to being one half of a couple in public.

McMann drove her back to the mansion, walked her to the door and pulled her tightly against his chest.

"Thanks for dinner," she offered.

His eyes were hooded. He smiled at her chest. "I only hope you'll pay me back in some way." He said with a cocky raise of the eyebrow.

"Oh, Damon!" She laughed deeply. "You're impossible!" He twitched at the sound of her laugh, pulling her closer for a kiss.

She kissed him back gently and pulled away before he could get any ideas... And before the brandy she'd had would allow things to develop. "We'll arrange for a second meeting soon," she said with a smile as she reached for the door.

"Be careful what you wear to our next meeting CC. Your figure could kill a man." He said, clutching his heart.

She laughed and watched him as he winked and got into his Mercedes. As his car sped down the street, she turned the door knob to enter the mansion, hoping it was still open and that someone would be awake…