Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Nor do I own the featured song.

Where we are in the story: Finally up to date! We observe a short phone convo between Rukia and Evy, that is only the beginning of the tension between them. And then get Byakuya's prospective on the scene in the rain. Plus a hot(not too hot because of the rating and well let's face it this site has sadly gotten pretty censored)little scene between the singer and the CEO.

It's a long one people! Or- person! Thanks again atomicvegemite for reviewing and for doing so in paragraph form- letting me know as a whole how I'm doing! Much love!

Eva's After Dark

Act 2: Scene 3:

Action!: Liar, Stalker, Lover

The sky was being consumed by thick gray clouds closing in from all directions. The smell of the coming storm made Evy smile. Rain was just what she needed to feel refreshed, to wipe away her embarrassment and hesitation- it always seemed to clear her head somehow. Others however did not seem so pleased by the growing dark overhead, their paces quickening on the sidewalk. Evy only sighed, keeping her pace leisurely, ignoring the jostling crowd around her.

When she felt a- dare she say- thrilling vibration against her chest, she stopped in her tracks, causing a few people to glower her way. Someone bumped her carelessly and she stumbled forward as she was fishing between her breasts for the cellphone she had stowed in her bra. People gave her further odd looks as they watched her peer into the halter top of her dress, her right hand out of sight beneath the fabric. She growled to herself as she managed to pull it free starting forward again. If it weren't for Rukia she wouldn't bother with a cell, but her manager had insisted.

Her phone was simple if not a little out of date. As she flipped it open she smiled, knowing it could only be one person. "Hey munchkin!" She greeted cheerfully.

Rukia sighed, "I thought that nickname had been retired."

"It's making a comeback," Evy couldn't help the teasing tone to her voice, "What's up?" Rukia grimaced and shook her head.

"I hadn't heard from you about the meeting with Mr. Kuchiki… Did everything go alright?" Evy could hear the concern her friend tried to disguise.

Ugh. She would call at the worst time. Evy inwardly groaned as she caught sight of Senbonzakura Towers, not far in the distance. Umm… Ummm…

"Evy?"

She laughed suddenly, "Funny you should mention that… I'm actually on my way to tie up some loose ends. I should go!"

"Oh…Well did you want me to go with you this time?" Again Rukia was trying to hide the emotions she felt, but Evy knew her too well and heard the eagerness in her tone. Her manager wanted to make sure she didn't screw anything up.

A little late for that. Evy rolled her eyes then quickly smiled so that Rukia might hear the confidence in her voice, "Oh no! Don't worry- I got this. I'm sure Benji-"

"Renji." Rukia corrected her with a frown. Evy sounded anxious.

"Right. The studly redhead. Umm… Well he'll be calling you in a few to set up a time when you can meet with Byaaa- Mr. Kuchiki… Look darlin, I just stepped into the lobby- I gotta go. I'll catch you up later!" This shot a bolt of suspicion into Rukia. Renji had already called her.

"You sure you don't want me to meet you down there?" Rukia put in quickly before Evy could hang up.

The singer grimaced. The last thing she needed was the awkwardness of Rukia staring at her wide-eyed as she apologized for throwing herself at their possible boss to their possible boss. Trying to smooth Byakuya's surely ruffled feathers was going to be tough enough.

"Have a little faith, darlin!" Evy coaxed, but her manager knew there was a degree of uncertainty in her client's heart.

Before Rukia could demand an explanation, the dial tone buzzed in her ear. Glaring down at her cell phone she couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions ranging from anger to apprehension. Evy, you fool, what are you doing?

Evy sighed heavily, her heart suddenly pinching at the thought that she had so easily shut out her best friend. But this was one scenario in which Rukia shouldn't have to undo the damage; she likely could with that sweet-talking tongue of hers, but it would be ungodly awkward and it wouldn't be fair to put her in such a position.

As the first drop of rain stroked her nose like a comforting hand, the singer looked up to realize that she had stopped several feet from the main entrance of the apartment building. From where she stood she thought it looked so far away, but really it would only take her a few dozen steps to reach it. Still she didn't move, letting the steady rainfall sluice down her bare arms and soak her hair and dress.

"Sir?" The doorman's muffled voice through the glass startled him.

Byakuya had been staring out at the main street through his window for the past few minutes. He had not even realized when he had pulled up the circular drive and stopped in front of the carpeted walkway that lead to the front doors of his apartment building. He patted his breast pocket to insure the access card to the building was still there where he always put it. When he felt its familiar outline against the fabric he opened the door to his Aston Martin, the engine still running as silent as a stalking cat, and got out, a briefcase in hand. He was sheltered by the building's overhang supported by the Grecian style columns, but he could see that the rain was coming down quite hard, so he gave the waiting valet quick instructions to have the car wiped down after the boy drove it around to the underground garage. The boy agreed immediately and slid into the driver's seat with a look of pure exhilaration. Byakuya cocked an eyebrow at him, but said nothing, choosing to believe that the manager of the building would not be so shortsighted as to hire a reckless teenager with a history of speeding tickets. Still he gave the boy a chilling look of warning as he moved around the car to the sidewalk to which the boy gulped looking suddenly quite cowed. Byakuya headed toward the double doors, already opened for him by the smiling doorman, but something made him pause. He looked to his right, toward the west where the sun was setting behind the dense clouds drenching the world in rain. His building was situated in a quiet area of Karakura, right on the edge of a park, close enough to the downtown area to be convenient, but far enough to be allowed its peace, and of course it's priceless view over the tree tops. She stood with her back to him, staring into the tree line past the manicured squares of flowers bordering the sidewalk.

Her face was lifted to the sky; her normally carefully styled hair was dripping and curling wildly around her bare shoulders. The dress was black, sleeveless, and hugged her upper body until it reached her waist and fell into a wider skirt. Red toile peaked out from the bottom and was visibly layered in the back down the skirt. Like most of her outfits it had a very 50s retro look to it, and suited her perfectly somehow. Glimpses of the tattoo between her shoulder blades could be seen beneath her hair and he found himself walking toward her to get a better idea of what it depicted. A million thoughts hounded him as he approached her, like why was she here, how exactly did she know where he lived, and how long had she been standing in the rain? But at the forefront of his mind was: What did she want? He had given no thought to the expensive suit that was now pretty well saturated, but as he stopped behind her he couldn't help but question exactly what it was he was doing.

He suddenly glared at her back. First she kissed him without an invitation, and now she was practically at his door step; was she unbalanced? What is wrong with this woman? I should have had my assistant run a background check on her- she could have some stalking record… Well whatever her game is I have more dignity than to play it. After a few minutes that seemed like only seconds, he cleared his throat lightly. She did not stir and his frown deepened. Finally in attempt to get her attention he stepped around her to face her, ready to demand an explanation for her reprehensible behavior. But her eyes were closed and in that moment he was reminded of the attraction to her that he had refused to acknowledge. She was wearing no makeup, but for the deep red color that made her full lips even more appealing. Suddenly he recalled the feeling of them pressed to his own and he felt a strong desire to feel them again. To rid himself of the uncomfortable, not to mention uncharacteristic train of thought he cleared his throat again and said the first thing that came to mind.

"You should not be out in this." He said his eyes narrowed at her serenely unaware face.

She did not start at the sound of his voice, as though she knew it so well. She opened one eye to look up at him, "Well it doesn't look like you were considerate enough to bring an umbrella so why bother telling me?" Her smile was playful as she opened her other eye to gaze at him, that unnerving ring of green around her pupil sparking like emerald fire.

He had to force himself to keep from smirking and looked away instead. Even now she was impudent and for some reason this made his blood uncomfortably sizzle. "You are standing outside my building…" For what purpose?

He watched as her playful expression was replaced by one he recognized as fortitude. Ahh, so she was not here to simply test his nerves. "Right. I wanted to talk to you."

Then why had she not simply waited for him under the overhang, out of the rain? Why was she standing like some weather goddess outside in this damnable rain? "And this cannot be done inside, out of this downpour?" The feeling of his suit sticking to his flesh was unpleasant.

She paused a moment looking uncertain, a look that seemed out of character for her and thus made him rather curious about what kind of woman she really was. But when she flashed her heartbreaking smile, he could think of nothing to say. "Here is good!"

He made a short sweeping gesture, prompting her to speak.

She tasted the rain on her bottom lip with her tongue unconsciously and he again could not help the thought that he would like another taste of her mouth. His eyes quite suddenly were glued to her lips. This is ludicrous. I should send her on her way. I should forget this whole deal as this woman seems to continually overstep her bounds… She agitates me and yet her determination continually surprises me. Her pride is so very obvious in everything she does… And… It's affecting me. His mind went blank at this thought and he barely heard her words.

"...should not have been so forward the other night. While normally I know how to hold my liquor, I apparently lost track…" You can thank your friends for that. He inwardly smirked.

She had paused a moment to gauge his reaction, but he was still unable to tear his eyes from her inviting lips. "Ours is a working relationship and I disregarded that. It will not happen-,"

But he wanted it to happen, and before that straight-laced, cold, and utterly logical part of him could force him to think of a decent response, his hands were in her hair and he was stealing her breath with his mouth on hers.

He literally had to force himself away from her as he had felt her reacting to his advance. And again before he could doubt himself he looked down at her startled face and he heard himself say, "Come with me."

They rode up together in the elevator side by side, no words exchanged. Evy thought back to the disapproving, yet amused look the doorman had shot them when they had entered the lobby, sloshing water onto the elegant marble tiles. His gaze became questioning as his eyes followed them to the elevator wondering how it was the woman walked so boldly in her wet red heels, seemingly unafraid of the slick surface she was making worse with the water dripping from her. He had frowned when they had entered the elevator and turned to face the lobby as he realized how uncharacteristic it was for that particular male resident to bring women home. She smiled at the memory of his sudden wide-eyed shock. The elevator made its stop at his floor and again her mind went blank as the doors opened and she followed him out.

They stopped at the coded door to his apartment and then in mere moments they were through the door and as it closed behind him, she forced him back against it with the strength of her sudden embrace, her arms about his neck and the pressure of her full lips. His arms around her waist he held her off the ground until she wriggled, fisting his jacket as she pulled away to touch her feet to the floor. Looking her in the eyes for that brief moment that she deprived him of her mouth, he could see the luminous light of passion in their brown depths, the ring of green that hugged her pupils so bright it seemed to glow. Thankfully the moment was indeed brief and she was kissing him again, pulling him with her as she walked backwards. The two steps down into the sunken living room didn't seem to trouble her in the slightest; she did not break contact as awkward as it must have been for her to walk backwards in a place she was unfamiliar with. Only when they had fallen on the couch did he hesitate.

He reluctantly pulled away despite the inviting sensation of her body beneath his. She looked up at him anxiously hoping he wasn't about to protest this whole thing, his morals getting the best of him. "The couch," He said.

She frowned, "What of it?"

"It's leather. The water from our clothing will ruin it." He said steadily without hint of emotion as usual.

Seriously? Her eyebrow winged upward incredulously. But soon she smiled, realizing how characteristic it was of him. He lifted himself from her and offered his hand to help her up, not even a twinge of embarrassment present at his eccentricity.

"I shall return with towels." He said and soon disappeared from the room. She couldn't help but chuckle as she shook her head. Byakuya's OCD was almost cute. Almost. Saving the trouble of him telling her about the value of the carpet she walked back up the stairs to the tile that extended the length of the kitchen just outside the short entry hall. She folded her arms over herself as she glanced around. Despite the fact that she adored walking around in a downpour or even a spring shower, she hated the sensation of being inside with wet clothing and she shifted from one foot to the other in impatience. Her anxiety was not simply the uncomfortable feeling of her now heavy soaked dress, but the sharp feeling of needing to continue what he had started outside; in reality what she had started the night of their business meeting. She didn't want to hesitate, didn't want to doubt what she was doing here for an instant; it might shatter everything her body longed for this night.

Upon his return she sighed with relief and watched as he placed towels on the couch to soak up the water they had carelessly dripped on the cushions. He approached her to offer her a towel and then bent by her feet to wipe up the floor around her. As he did so she stooped slightly reaching for her left heel, quickly unstrapping it, balancing on her right foot. He paused; watching as she did this his eyes on her shapely calves as with unconscious grace she removed both shoes. When they were both off she took the towel from him, spread it out and laid her shoes on it, leaving room for her to stand on it as well to dry her feet as much as to drip on it. The sight of her being so considerate stirred emotions he did not wish to explore. Luckily she caught his eyes, looking down at him, being on higher ground, with an expression that could only be described as slightly predatory. He looked up into her eyes, travelling over her features, his gaze lingering on her lips still tinted red by her favorite lip stain. He had stripped himself of his coat, suit jacket, shirt, and shoes leaving only the black suit pants.

Her eyes roamed over his well-toned chest without shame, and she exhaled audibly. When she looked back at his face he only seemed to see her lips move, "Are you going to show me your bedroom?"

He gave the slightest sound of disapproval or perhaps amusement as he turned his back on her. A small smile tugged at his lips as he walked away to take the second set of steps out of the living room toward the hallway that led deeper into the apartment. Her heart gave one thunderous clap before she followed him. She did not dare glance at her surroundings, any curiosity about his personal decorative style would complicate things and she wanted this all as uncomplicated as possible. She wanted no regrets and no strings she told herself as she stared at his back. His bedroom was the last room straight at the end of the hall. The double doors to his room were open and as she crossed the threshold she paused. This time she could not help but take in her surroundings as the room was sparse. It was definitely in the minimalist fashion from the wood floorboards to the two elegantly, yet simply painted screens angled on each side of the low to the ground bed, its thin blanket a crisp white. The room was rather large; the thing that made it breathtaking though was its floor to ceiling windows enclosing it on three sides.

Evy made no comment on the room, her mind returning quickly to the reason for venturing this far into his home in the first place. "The bathroom?" She questioned.

He gestured toward her right and watched as she nodded and quickly sought it out. The light flicked on, but she did not bother to close the door. He turned his back to her after he had seen her reach for the zipper of her dress.

With a sigh she reached up to place her wet dress over the shower stall, smoothing it slightly as it began to drip down the shower wall. She reached for the clasps of her garters. She realized this kind of killed the spontaneity of the whole thing but she was not about to leave a bad impression by being careless with her wet clothing. While in her own home she did not pay so much attention but anywhere else she was mindful of the respect one should pay to others belongings. As her fingers fell away from the wet fabric of her stockings she sighed again her eyes seeking her bare feet as the slight feeling of regret touched her. Drawing in a deep breath to dispel the feeling she turned toward the door.

When he looked up upon her reentrance he grew very still. She was wearing only a dark purple pair of lacey boy shorts and a matching strapless bra, her wet curls still dripping slightly, crystalline drops falling down her neck to leave glistening trails on her dusky skin. Her nerves were showing the slightest bit as her chest rose and fell in a swift rhythm, her breasts pressing sharply against the edges of the lace with each breath. Unselfconscious of how seductively she moved she approached him where he stood at the end of his bed. He watched her, enjoying each switch of her hips and the way she trained her eyes on him, her lips parted slightly. When she was three steps away he held out his hand to her and she took it, allowing him to draw her toward him until he could reach her face where he placed his hands. As he stared down at her his gray eyes veiled and yet telling, she drew her bottom lip into her mouth to wet it. It was all the invitation he needed before capturing her lips again. That was all it took for the passion to ignite between them, burning away all doubt.

Just tonight I would, I would lay here for you.

His bed was firm, but she felt like she was sinking, drowning in the white mattress beneath her as easily as she might drown in his powerful arms.

Just tonight I would, I would sink her for you.

The hands that clutched at her back were uncalloused and unrelenting as they unclasped her bra and continued down ward to smooth over the lace of her shorts and the voluptuous flesh peeking out.

Just tonight I would, I would slum here for you.

A longing sound spilled from her lips between kisses, urging his hands on in their exploration. And as he discovered that every part of her was soft and supple from her face to her back and rounded hips and thighs his touch became more eager. The thought that this zealous man that touched her had never been a part of himself before spun in his mind for but an instant when it was banished by the feeling of her lips straying from his jaw up to his ear where her teeth grazed the lobe.

"Mm," The agreeable sound literally escaped him as he had not meant to utter it. He heard her delighted laugh in his ear, husky and thought seducing. There was something ungodly inviting about the way she tilted her head to one side to look at him. She arched her back and lifted slightly to allow him to discard her last piece of concealment. Naked to his eyes finally she was almost painful to look at. But he did not get to admire her body for long before she drew him down ward, wrapping her arms around him possessively so that their bare chests pressed together and there was almost nothing between them. He was still wearing his shorts, but they would soon be tossed aside as he could feel her fingers sliding beneath the elastic waistband.

It had grown dark outside, the rain still falling, spattering pleasantly against the glass, the perfect accompaniment to their bed play. There was only what little light the sky afforded to brighten the room. Thunder rumbled and she shivered with anticipation, the vibration sending ripples of ecstasy along his own body.

And as lightning lit the sky and they could see perfectly the emotion in each other's eyes in that sky illuminating flash of silver light, she whispered in his ear, "Just tonight." Her eyes closed in total surrender, her long dark lashes brushing her cheeks. His hand on her breast, his mouth on her neck, his hips fitted between her thighs, his mind answered simply. Yes.

Just tonight I would, I would die.

AN: Not over the top lemony, right, just enough to let the imagination wander! Again the song verses featured at sporadic points in the last several paragraphs is from The Distillers song "For Tonight You're Only Here to Know". To me it's a dark one night stand song- so it works! This is one of my favorite- if not my favorite- song! I adore Brody Dalle who has such a unique, riveting, and soulful sort of voice. If you've never experienced her in either her role as front woman for this amazing punk band or as the vocalist for Spinnerette- a project with her hubby… Please do not let another moment pass you by without looking up either! Please R&R Hoping I have some fellow Brody fans out there!