Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. But here's the next chapter. I was having writer's block. :-) Anyway, hope u guys like it. Let me know what you think. Happy Readings! xoxo
Five Days Later
Blair stared at the Palace Hotel and heaved a deep sigh from within her chest. She had been holding her breath from the moment she had parked her car down the block and made her way to the Van der Bass suite. She walked in wearily, her steps heavy and out of sync. It had been days since she'd heard from Chuck. Days since she'd seen him, heard from him, thought of him. Well maybe the last part wasn't true, but she hadn't seen him since the last time they were together. Since they'd had sex in her office. And now she was pretty sure she would be crossing paths with him once again. This dinner for Dan and Serena's prenuptial arrangements was sure to be a family event, and Chuck Bass was, and had been for a very long time, part of Serena's family. Blair didn't even know why she maintained the friendship with Serena when the blond shared such a strong link to Charles Bartholomew Bass. Though it wasn't fair to say that either, since Chuck Bass had been AWOL for years. But now that he was back, she was definitely starting to have second thoughts regarding staying so friendly with Serena.
Stop being ridiculous Blair. Serena is a sister to you. And Chuck's just Chuck...You can deal with him!
Shaking her head, Blair walked into the hotel and caught an empty elevator. Enjoying the momentary silence, she sighed contently as she rubbed her temples and methodically inhaled and exhaled as she had learned to do in high pressure situations. She could feel her muscles relaxing, her breathing evening, her mind clearing and the headache subsiding. She allowed herself a small smile to spread across her face. You can do this. A short dinner. In and out. Don't even have to talk much, except with Serena and Lily. Chuck probably won't even be there. Yeah. He has better things to do than come and plan for the Brooklynite's wedding.
The elevator dinged its way up to the 24th floor, making periodic stops as passengers boarded and exited a few levels before her own destination. As the elevator made it to the 18th floor, the elevator stopped, and in walked her worse nightmare.
Chuck waltzed into the elevator with a hellishly handsome smile and looking amazing. His lilac bow tie matched perfectly with Blair's dress, and his eyes twinkled as he realized their "matching" outfits.
"Blair Waldorf. Always a pleasure," Chuck stated charmingly, as if they were mere acquaintances and hadn't spent an entire afternoon wrapped around and under each other's bodies. Taking her hand in his hand, he dipped and placed a chaste kiss against her hand.
Blair forced a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes, quickly pulling her hand away as if burned. Chuck's eyes twinkled even brighter.
"You're joining us for dinner tonight?" Chuck drawled as the doors to the elevator finally closed and they made the short ride up to the Van der Bass suite.
"Isn't that obvious," Blair shot back saucily, annoyed at being treated so indifferently by him.
"Feisty much?"
Blair glared at his use of their much overrated high school phrase. "Didn't grow up much?" Blair threw back at him, impressed with her wit all things considered.
"Oh I've grown up. Where it counts," Chuck grinned at her wickedly and winked. "You could vouch for me, Waldorf."
The elevator signaled their arrival as the doors slowly opened before them. Chuck signaled for her to lead the way, and his steps kept up closely with her own as they made their way into the family's suite.
"Blair! Charles!" Lily said excitedly as she caught sight of the pair walking in through the foyer. "You two came together?"
"Oh no," Chuck answered quickly, earning himself a hard stare from Blair.
"No," Blair agreed firmly, upset at being blown off so easily by Chuck. "We just happened to meet on the elevator on my way up here."
Lily nodded and led them into the living room. Serena stood off to the side with Nate and Dan, as Bart spoke with Eric and Jenny on the couch. Blair made a beeline for Serena, greeting her warmly as Chuck followed her steps and shook hands with Dan and Nate.
"Alone tonight, Chuck?" Dan asked as Chuck stood close by. Blair continued to chat with Serena, but her ears perked up and listened in on what was being exchanged by the men beside her.
"Unfortunately. Though there are plenty of lovely women in this very room," Chuck joked as his eyes swept across the room, catching with Blair's and holding her gaze for a few seconds before taking in the rest of the room.
"So Nate, how are things going with the Captain?" Blair asked as she walked over to Nate and led him to the couch. Nate eyed her curiously as he accepted her arm to tangle with his own and walked over to sit with her on the couch. He was sure Chuck wouldn't like this.
Two can play at this game Basshole. You have no idea who you're messing with, Blair thought quietly as she sat chatting, smiling, giggling, touching and caressing her hands across Nate's arm and leg as he recounted the stories of his family, his job, his latest vacation. She flipped her hair when the occasion called for it, she laughed flirtatiously and threw out remarks she had mastered in all her years of playing the coy and coquettish society miss. She could feel Chuck's eyes watching her from across the room, the intensity burning a hole through the back of her head. The thought of Chuck brooding jealously in the corner made her laugh even harder and her eyes twinkled even more excitedly.
"Nate. Blair," Lily cut in to their conversation, "I hate to interrupt you two catching up, but dinner is served."
Blair stood and accepted Nate's hand as he led her into the dining room. Before she could walk inside, Serena blocked her path and smiled sweetly at Nate.
"Nate, would you excuse us for a second? I have to talk to Blair," she stated more than actually asked, as she began dragging Blair to the corner of the room.
"What the hell has gotten into her?" Chuck rasped harshly as he grabbed Nathaniel to the side just as Serena pulled Blair away.
Nate eyed Chuck anxiously and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not making a pass at your woman. Believe me. I don't know what's gotten into her," Nate said quickly, swift in defending himself.
"Right. Then why the hell is she all over you and flirting so blatantly? Is there something you haven't told me Nathaniel?" Chuck asked dangerously low.
"Chuck! God no. You know I have no romantic feelings for her. I haven't in a long time. Since before you and her. Why would you even think that?"
"You're right. Sorry," Chuck said evenly as he helped straighten out Nate's jacket.
"She's probably just screwing with your head," Nate offered as he watched the exchange between Serena and Blair off in the corner of the room.
Chuck watched her carefully too, caught her eyes as she looked over at him and then quickly diverted her eyes. Once. Twice.
Nathaniel had a point. Maybe she was just trying to mess with him. Well Waldorf, two can play at this game.
--xoxo--xoxo--
"What are you doing?" Serena spoke quickly and quietly. "Have you lost your mind?"
"What?" Blair asked innocently as she looked over Serena's shoulder and met eyes with Chuck. Quickly looking back at Serena she smiled sweetly.
"You're flirting with Nate. In front of Chuck! I don't think you could have picked a worst person to flirt with. You know how Chuck gets when it comes to you guys..." Serena said nervously. She knew Chuck had noticed. She could see him fighting hard to reign in his temper as he watched Blair and Nate interacting in the living room. Serena could almost see the flames shooting out of his ears. If she squinted very hard and the light caught him just right.
"I don't care. I don't owe Chuck anything. Not a damn thing," Blair said dramatically as she spared a look over Serena's shoulder and once again met eyes with Chuck. Dammit.
"Why are you doing this?" Serena asked exasperated. "I don't want any drama tonight."
"Don't worry your majesty. I'm not going to do anything to ruin your night," Blair scoffed as she began walking around Serena and into the living room.
"Blair honey, no not there," Lily interrupted as Blair began to take the seat next to Nate. "Over there," Lily signaled across the table in the other corner furthest away from Nate. Chuck grinned. Blair glared at him.
"Sure Lily. My mistake," Blair smiled primly as she walked over to the other side of the table, beside Dan. And so they sat. Lily and Bart at the heads of the table, Serena, Dan and Blair on one side. Nate, Jenny and Chuck on the other side. Blair sighed as she stared at Chuck directly in front of her. Jerk.
--xoxo--xoxo--
By the middle of the dinner, Blair was close to gagging. She sat quietly most of the dinner, with Bart and Dan closest to her and Chuck directly in front of her. And so most of the dinner she was forced to sit and watch as Chuck chatted and flirted with Little Jenny Humphrey, even earning a blush and giggle from the ditsy blond. Blair could feel the entrée rising up her throat. She could hardly swallow the dessert plated before her.
"Miss Humphrey you are a pure delight. I see all these years have done you well," Chuck said coquettishly as he laughed and joked with Jenny.
That's it. Infuriating asshole. He's doing this on purpose!
Blair shimmied closer to the edge of her seat and released a swift quick under the table.
"Fuck!" Chuck exclaimed as he dropped his fork and stood up quickly.
The entire table turned at the outburst as Blair fought hard to contain the burst of giggles that threatened to escape her throat.
"Charles?" Lily asked confused.
"Uh. Oh yes. Sorry. I forgot I have something to do. Blair care to join me?" Chuck said as he walked over to Blair's side and grabbed her arm before she was able to refuse.
"Oh. Of course," Blair said tightly as she caught the stares being thrown in their direction. "Charles and I will be right back," she stated softly as Lily smiled in acquiescence and excused them from the table.
"Don't count on it," Chuck mumbled as he dragged Blair across the dining room, through the living room and into the elevator.
As soon as the doors open, Chuck shoved her unceremoniously into the elevator, pressed her against the cool metal wall and kissed her.
