AN: Thanks to everyone who is reviewing!! You all really keep me going. Here's a big ass update for you all. I can't seem to stop writing! I guess I could always leave you guys waiting for like, 5 days at a time but I figure you'll get tired of that so I'll continue with the close to daily updates.

And yes, THE SCENE is coming up! And trust me, it will be good!

Chapter 10: "The Bold"

"Was that too bold?" Hannibal questioned, once again he was unsure of himself as he watched her face. His thumb lazily stroked her smooth and muscular calf as she contemplated what she would say. She cleared her throat and shook her head.

"Bold, perhaps. But not too terribly." She managed. Hannibal rose up to where he was higher on his knees and placed both hands on either side of her, resting on the couch. They came face to face and watched eachother. Lillian's thoughts raced as she watched the man in front of her. Was this really happening? What was she getting herself into with all this? He would be gone in the morning and all this was was a fling. She would wonder if he even meant all of this.

Was the point of dinner to seduce her? The point of saving her, was it to make her trust him? Was he manipulative just as the other men had been? Hannibal watched these thoughts cross her face, and he was comforted that his instincts had come back to the point where he could finally read her. But she could read him as well, and he did not regret leaving himself open.

As he watched her insecurities flash across her eyes, his palm came up to cup her cheek. Her soft skin warm underneath his fingertips.

She could tell he was as unsure as her, wondering if perhaps he even wanted to do this when he knew he would be leaving, as well. She felt a jolt in the pit of her stomach as his eyes roamed over her in a most sexual manner. He did not even have to say anything, much less touch her, to make her want him. He did it all with his eyes. And his mouth. God his mouth! He wet his lips as his eyes rested on her bosom as it heaved slowly up and down.

He leaned in, and she could feel his warm breath on her lips. He smelled of wine, although he was not drunk. He wet his lips again before speaking.

"Would this be too bold, then?"

That was all he said before his lips landed on her mouth in a soft kiss. Her lips were soft against his as their lips moved together in a sweet, but teasing manner. He pulled away and looked at her, waiting for a response as his fingertips came to her ears and he played with her earlobe. She shivered but was relaxed as she smiled at his questioning face. He looked like a little boy, she thought. Eyes wide, lips parted, looking up at her for a response. Any response. She smiled again.

"If too bold is what you were looking for, you will have to try harder." She responded teasingly. A smile immediately lit up his face as he leaned forward and captured her lips in the hungry kiss that he had so wanted, but held back for. Her hands wandered to his dark hair, lightly gripping. His hand went from her earlobe to her hair, which was still pinned back. He grumbled deep in his throat in disappointment, but kept his concentration on the kiss that she was returning. His fingers worked out the bobby pins as his other hand travelled from her calf to her outer thigh, passed the freckle he so loved, and to the base of her un-needed garter belt.

His lips took control of hers as he gently opened her mouth with his tongue, wanting to know what her mouth tasted like. Their tongues danced and battled in a never ending play for control. They parted for a breath, but his mouth was on her again. He had begun to think his thirst would be quenched, and it had been. Her lips only started a fire now that the thirst was gone, and the fire would not be easily controlled. As she took a breath, his mouth worked on the pale skin of her neck in soft kisses and nibbles trailing down to her collar bone.

He listened to her ragged breathing as his fingers massaged the base of her scalp now that her hair was free from its confinement. He listened to the short, small gasps everytime his teeth came in contact. The small gasps made him quiver, wondering what she would sound like as he thrust into her. The thought excited him so much he bit down hard enough to leave a loud, red mark and quickly licked the wound in a half-hearted apology. He could feel her hand in his hair and he pulled away to look back into her eyes. Her breathing was ragged and her lips swollen from his kisses.

She could feel her excitement building up between her thighs as he leaned over her. They were nose to nose, breathing heavy, but in rhythm with the others' lungs. He softly kissed her nose in an attempt to seem less hungry, but she did not suppress her thoughts at all as she tightened the grip on his hair and spoke the only words he needed to hear.

"Bolder, please."