Chapter 11: And he… scores?
Niles was in heaven.
Last night was perfect.
He had dinner with Babcock, they cleaned the table and washed the dishes while chatting, they showered together (while, well, chatting), went to bed together and had sex again (without the mask since the beginning, what fulfilled his fantasy of watching them in the huge mirror) and things were already wonderful as they were.
However, to complete his happiness, they had a baffling conversation before falling asleep, entangled in her bed.
'I want you to know something', she mumbled, nuzzling on his neck.
'End of slave time?', he asked, enjoying her delight for his scent.
'That, too'.
'There's more?', he rested a hand on her thigh, 'Wow'.
'I was always careful'.
It took him some seconds to understand what she meant, 'You're saying it because we didn't use protection?'
'Yeah', she pulled him tighter, 'And I'm on the pill'.
He kissed the top of her head, 'I was careful, too, in the few times I left the monastery', he heard her chuckling and added, 'But I'm not on the pill'.
She chuckled again, and kissed his jaw, 'That's all right'.
He smiled, 'Thank you for telling me'.
'Uhum', she acknowledged, then sighed, 'Funny I didn't even think of it', she snuggled impossibly closer and said the last words before sleep claimed her, 'I feel different with you'.
Niles found sweet that she would want to reassure him they had not done something that could have serious consequences for both.
However, what made him melt in her arms was that last sentence.
So, she felt different with him? It meant he was not like her previous…
Previous what?
Previous lovers?
(Uhmpf. Niles was sure he was a lot better to CC than the Chandlers and Colons and Senators she had dated.)
Previous slaves?
(That was an interesting notion. He couldn't know if he was her first, in fact. However, he was the first with whom she felt different.)
Well, it would be arrogance on his part to suppose he knew what he was to her, once he was far from knowing what she was to him, now.
Not an enemy, surely.
Not exactly a friend, either.
What he knew for sure was that she must be a powerful witch who had thrown a charm on him – such was his need to do things for her.
For instance, in that morning he woke up gladly, much earlier than his already early usual, to prepare her breakfast before he went to the Sheffield's.
That uncontrolled urge to satisfy CC didn't feel totally alien to Niles, but he decided not to think too much about it. He still could not understand what was happening.
Xxx
The butler couldn't foresee the challenges the day would present to him.
(At some point he wondered if it was really necessary that things were so difficult.)
The first challenge was not totally bad: he had to disentangle himself from Babcock and convince her he really had to go back to the mansion that early.
(It was not easy to get rid of such a sexy blonde who knew exactly what to say and do to engage him, but the process was enticing.
That witch.)
The second challenge was to enter the mansion without waking up someone who could ask too many questions.
(He succeeded, using the back door and going directly to his room to change.)
The third challenge came in the form of Fran Fine breaking into the kitchen as soon as the children were out for school, and going straight to the point, 'Is she blackmailing you?'
Niles raised his head slowly from the dishwasher, 'What?'
The Nanny had her hands on her hips, 'Miss Babcock. Is she forcing you to do things? Is that why you stayed in her apartment last night?'
He gulped down, straightening his back and not able to hide completely his shock at the possibility that Fran knew something, 'I don't think I follow'.
His friend seemed angry for some reason, and walked towards him while counting on her fingers, 'You took her home, you made her dinner, you stayed cleaning her kitchen until so late I fell asleep and didn't see you coming back home, I know a good part of the breakfast today was delivered and you're suppressing yawns, what means the woman kept you up all night. What does she know about you to make you do her every whim without a question? It's not like you, Niles!'
He realized she was just guessing and hurried to dismiss it, 'You're overreacting, Miss Fine. It's not that much…'
'I'm right! She is blackmailing you!', Fran's angriness turned into worry and she shook him, 'Just tell me, Scarecrow! How can I help you?! What's it you did?! I'm sure I know someone who can fix it!'
Niles had to think fast.
On one side, it was good that someone else knew. This way he could count on help to distract his boss when he needed time off.
On the other side, it was Fran Fine. If she knew anything, she would soon blab to half New York. Telling her was breaking his agreement of discretion with Babcock.
(And one thing was Babcock almost breaking it at every encounter out of sheer lust, other completely different was him breaking it through the Queen of Gossip.)
Besides, until now he didn't need any help but from his witch to provide opportunities for them to be together.
And more: telling Fran the real reason why he had to wait on CC Babcock hand and feet (Uhm…That's an interesting image…) required he mentioned his gambling debt; and, Niles realized, it felt so far in the past it didn't make sense bringing it up again.
He took a decision, 'Yes, she is blackmailing me. I plotted a practical joke and it backfired terribly. She is milking the situation for all it's worth'.
Fran nodded fiercely, 'And what are you gonna do?'
'Nothing'.
'Nothing?'
Noticing she was frozen in surprise, Niles gave a step back and was out of her reach, 'To be sincere, Miss Fine, I deserve it', he shrugged, a bit embarrassed of saying it, once he knew the kind of things slavery has been demanding from him, 'It was time for Miss Babcock to have the upper hand, and I decided to concede her this victory'.
'Niles… This is…', the brunette took some moments to deal with his statement, then smiled, '…a very nice change'.
'Isn't it?', he smiled back, surprised it felt so good.
'Maybe there's some hope for the two of you', Fran opened her arms, showing she accepted his decision, 'But, if she goes crazy on you and you change your mind, just call out and I'll be there'.
Now he had to fight a fit of laughter, 'Thank you very much, Miss Fine, but Miss Babcock has been surprisingly reasonable in her demands, until now', he smirked, 'I'm pretty sure I can deal with the kind of craziness she is throwing at me'.
xxx
Niles was anxious to have a moment alone with CC, and not just for the usual reasons.
Yes, he wanted to see her and have some intimate exchange after that glorious time together; but he didn't want any misunderstandings between them, so he needed to tell her he had given a limited version of the truth to Miss Fine.
To his chagrin, since the blonde arrived in the mansion, that morning, Maxwell Sheffield seemed adamant in keeping her at closed doors in the office.
(The man even made sure to greet her at the main door, saying they had urgent matters to deal with and he needed her.
What did it say about Maxwell's proverbial bad timing?!)
As if the challenge of rescuing CC from the office's tower was not already hard, it seemed Niles had got his own Sancho Panza for the day: Miss Fine was following him whatever he went, in the house, obviously intending to protect him from Miss Babcock. She supposed her presence would make the blonde uncomfortable to demand anything from him.
(How little did Miss Fine know the Ice Queen to think something so puny as a witness would stop her from being evil?)
When people came to lunch, Niles was counting on Babcock's expertise to find a way to be alone.
But there is one more challenge up for him.
The brief 'CC just went home, Old Man', offered by Maxwell at the dining table made Niles lose his façade.
'I hope there's a good reason for her to be gone without warning', he said, showing so openly his annoyance at the lack of information that he hurried to disguise it with a zinger, 'I cooked enough to feed the kinds of her, Sir. Shall I call Sylvia for the leftovers?'
'I don't really know what came upon her', his boss was adjusting the napkin on his lap distractedly, 'But the one who disappears from his own job should not throw stones'.
Fran chimed in to take off the focus from her friend, 'What if Miss Babcock is ill, Mister Sheffield? She may call Niles to clean after her! It's the kind of thing she has been doing'.
Niles threw a thankful nod at Fran for coming in his defense.
'I believe CC just wanted another afternoon off. These days have been frantic, and she often mentions how distracting she finds the household', Maxwell raised his head, ready to start his meal, 'But tell me, Miss Fine: is Gracie's situation at school solved?'
The subject was changed and Niles was left to guess whatever had happened.
(Not with Miss Grace. That he already knew, obviously.)
xxx
So, Fate had decided to challenge him again and again?
Desperate circumstances call for desperate measures.
And the butler was ready to do anything that was needed.
xxx
CC was on her sofa, in the penthouse, sulking.
She was an objective and no-nonsense person. She hated questioning her own decisions after they were taken.
Overthinking was something she didn't deal well with, but since Maxwell had spoken to her, this morning, she felt thorn and couldn't stop analyzing her feelings on the subject.
What was happening to her?! Since when feelings mattered when business were at stake?!
She just had to go in a business trip. It was not something she had never done, before.
(Oh, well, if you consider that usually Maxwell doesn't let her go by herself in those trips, once she was not known for her diplomacy – yes, she was keeping a grudge on that –, it was kind of a novelty.
And, if you consider the many times she went on business trips with Maxwell and hoped something would happen between them, she must admit there were some feelings involved – at least on her side.)
But those things were not the point, now.
Was CC excited that her business partner decided to send her alone to deal with that damn writer, who had gone to visit his family in Canada when the company needed to wrap up the contracts?
Yes, she was.
Was CC thrilled by the opportunity to prove she was right since the beginning and this situation was totally solvable?
Yes, you can bet she was!
Did she want to rub on Maxwell's face that, the moment he insisted on her going by herself to talk to the man, thinking she could fail, he was in fact giving her the perfect terms to claim the success of their play as her almost exclusive doing?
Hell, YES!
Was she confused about how to break the news to Niles?
Yes. Completely.
That was what bothered her, this time.
Niles…
CC messed with her hair, sighing in impatience.
Well, there was no escape. She had to think about it.
Resigned, she faced the situation.
The truth was that, every time she invested in what she believed was to be a serious relationship, she had been dumped. The usual explanation was that she was too unstable: there were times when she was distracted or just talked about business; then, she would remember she was with another person for whom she must seem interested and, as if she had to compensate for the lost time, she pampered the guy with attention until he felt suffocated and ended things.
She finds it difficult to know how to behave, in relationships. She knew hypocrisy was a powerful weapon in business, but expected it was not necessary in personal liaisons. She wanted an intimate relationship to be about freedom, not the taming of her natural urges.
(Niles would have a lot to say about it.
Niles…)
It didn't make sense dating someone who felt uncomfortable at her defining traits – the things that made her who she was, as Niles had wisely pointed.
Niles…
Yes, it was about him.
She shouldn't be concerned about his reaction.
He was her slave – not someone she was dating.
He had nothing to do with her business trip, in fact. She didn't even need to tell him about it. The news flew in the Sheffield's mansion, anyway. Sooner or later he would know.
That's why she came home, wasn't it? Because he didn't need to hear it from her and she had to prepare her bag.
(The one she didn't start until now, by the way.)
If it was that simple, why was she feeling like she had done something wrong?
And worse: why did she care if she had done something wrong?
To Niles, of all people?
She must be just overthinking it. She couldn't decide how and when to approach the subject, and that was why she took the easier path and came home without talking to him.
But why the doubt, anyway, if they were never careful with each other?
It was not like she couldn't just enter the kitchen with a mug in her hand, with some luck find him alone (even if Nanny Fine seemed glued to him, today), and say…
What?
'Butler, coffee. By the way, I'm going in a business trip tomorrow. Behave while I'm gone'.
(Nah. It sounds like I couldn't wait to tell him.)
'Hey, Hazel. Let's have as much sex as we can, tonight. I'm going to Canada tomorrow'.
(Wow. No need to be so straightforward.
He may even like it…
No.)
'Com'here and kiss me, Butler Boy. I have to go to Canada, tomorrow. I'll miss you like crazy'.
(Uhm, well…
Wait-what?)
Her doorbell rang, and CC woke up from her reverie and went to see who the doorman had permitted to come up.
It was a delivery boy, carrying carefully a small box, 'Miss CC Babcock?'
'Yes, it's me'.
'This was sent to you from an admirer who identifies himself in the card inside'.
She frowned, wary, but received the box, gave the boy a tip and closed the door.
Respecting the this side up signs, she sat on her sofa and opened it.
There was a small vase with a cactus, inside. It had no more than 10 inches, and a beautiful colorful flower was born on its top.
She took the card:
I've heard through the grapevine that something has bothered you, my Mistress, and it can't be.
I have three offerings to make, in order to appease you.
First one is a living creature, plenty of enchanting details (and probably delicious, in case you want to munch on something). It requires some care, but it's not one of those frail things that will be blown away by the weakest breeze – it's strong and beautiful to the ones who are fortunate to get close enough. That's why it made me think of you.
If I managed to pick your curiosity, send word to the doorman, and I'll go up with my second offering.
Yours,
Niles
CC beamed as a fool.
Yes, he had picked her curiosity.
As he always did.
She phoned the doorman and waited for her bell to ring again.
(And to say she was thrilled was not close to what she was feeling.)
CC was at the door when it chimed, and opened it immediately.
There was Niles, deeply serious, with a box in one hand as if it was a tray.
He lifted the upper side as soon as she appeared, showing a cake.
CC couldn't contain her laugh at such a scene – the butler was wearing a huge overcoat, his brow furrowed charmingly while extending the creamy dish towards her as if she was royalty, 'Dear God, Niles! Enter before Sylvia follows the trail of strawberry and chocolate and finds you here!'
He chuckled, pecked her lips and walked in, 'Does it mean I've reached second base?'
'I suppose so', she locked the door and went behind him, who had gone to her kitchen to put the cake on her table, 'Wait a minute: second base?What are we, teenagers?'
'Well, for what I have planned as offering number three…', he took her hand and kissed it, '…it feels right to use more colorful wording'.
'Uhm…', she licked her lips, 'I wonder what you could offer to me, after flowers and sweets'.
'Let me explain my reasoning', he said, reaching out for the first buttons of his overcoat, 'I started poetic, sending the card you, to my utter surprise, was able to read, instead of devouring everything without a second thought', he reached the middle buttons, 'Then I went domestic, bringing you a freshly baked cake with some of the things you enjoy most', he finished the buttons and opened it, 'And now I'm going for sexy'.
CC could barely believe her eyes.
He had come with an overcoat because he was wearing nothing but black leather, under it.
And not much leather – just enough to cover the essential.
He threw the coat on the floor, and she marveled at the view: high boots, jockstrap, suspenders, straps of leather on the muscles of his arms.
And the leash, connected to a leather collar.
Her mouth went dry.
'Is it enough for you, Mistress?', he gave a step towards her, 'Am I worth you?'
She didn't find anything to say but 'Slave time'.
CC advanced to Niles and locked their lips in a breathtaking kiss.
There was space enough for her to sit on the table without disturbing the cake, but she would have none of it, and the moment she was naked, CC spread handfuls of chocolate and pieces of strawberry in every spot she wanted licked, and used the leash to control the movements of her slave.
He cleaned all the right spots with his tongue, taking her to the edge and keeping her there until she couldn't take it anymore and ordered him to make her come.
He did so, using his mouth, and she felt like there was nothing in life she couldn't deal with, if she could have that.
She wanted to calm down with him in her, so she pulled him by the leash for a kiss and murmured the sexiest Take me he had ever heard.
Niles entered CC and kept the pace slow while he was able to control himself.
But then they parted and she looked into his eyes so heatedly there was no way he had any rational thinking going on, anymore.
xxx
CC entered the kitchen, later, after taking a quick shower – what Niles insisted she did while he provided the cleaning.
He had made tea, and received her with two mugs and a small plate with portions of the cake, 'That's what I was able to recover. I guess you wouldn't mind, once you're used to eat worst things'.
The fact he was still wearing just his leather gear (minus the collar, that she had taken off earlier in order to suck at his neck) was a bit distracting, but she was able to retort, 'Give a little respect to the deceased cake, you ingrate', she accepted the chair he pulled out for her and sat down, 'It accomplished its mission brilliantly, and will always be remembered'.
'I'm glad to have been a part of it somehow', Niles sat on another chair, and spoke tentatively, 'I was worried I could be the cause of your annoyance'.
She sipped the tea, 'Believe me, Niles, I make sure you always know when you are the cause of my annoyance'.
'That's soothing'.
They clang their mugs and drank.
'Then', he resumed, 'I suppose you didn't – maybe still don't – want to talk about what bothered you'.
CC shrugged, 'Do you really want to know? Oh, that was a stupid question'.
He glared, 'I hope you're saying that because you know I care, not based on my unfair reputation as nosy'.
She raised her brows, 'Unfair reputation? How do you dare saying that?'
'I should have known better than being gentle', he rolled his eyes, 'Come on, Babs. Are you telling or not?'
'The writer agreed on signing new contracts over the changes in his play', she spoke, not feeling the need to hide it, anymore, 'He is currently abroad, and Maxwell insisted it was on me to tie the ends', she pursed her lips, 'So, I'm going to Canada tomorrow'.
'Oh, Miss Babcock!', Niles got up to involve her in his arms, 'Congratulations!'
She accepted the hug, strangely comfortable, 'You're celebrating?'
'Of course!', he parted from her and pulled his chair to sit closer to her, 'It's a golden opportunity to rub your competence on Mister Sheffield's face. He never left such a thing on your hands. He probably thinks you'll not succeed, but I know you have it nailed, witch!'
His enthusiasm and confidence in her were touching, and she smiled, flattered.
'But why did it annoy you?', Niles frowned, suddenly worried.
Think fast, CC…
'Is there something still pending on the deal?'
Think fast, CC…
'Will you be gone for long?'
That's it!, 'There is the little fact that now that I finally have a slave, he is going to be far from me for two days'.
'Oh', Niles was comically surprised, 'I see…'
'Then you understand my point', she said, relieved he had bought it.
'Well, there is not much I can offer to compensate your loss', he reached out for her hand and rested it on his bare thigh, 'Does it help if I promise you I won't touch myself while you're away?', he let go of her hand and rested his on his leather covered middle, 'Or that I'll call you every time I touch myself thinking of you?', he settled his deep blue eyes on hers, 'Would that make you feel at least a bit better?'
'Jesus, Niles!'
(They found out chocolate and strawberries were among their favorite side dishes, so to speak, when they had their mouths all over each other.)
xxx
They were saying their goodbyes at the door, between kisses (this time both had to shower), when CC resumed a point Niles had brought up earlier, in the shower, 'I'm glad you have told a censored version to Nanny Fine. It will take off of us the load of making up excuses every time I ask you to come over'.
'My thoughts, exactly', he tilted his head, his hands caressing her sides, 'Now I just have to find a way to pacify Mister Sheffield about my unexpected times off'.
'Oh, please. Did he ask for an explanation about last night?'
'No. He just said he hoped it didn't happen again'.
'And he accepted the excuse you gave today?'
'I said you had called and asked for a cake. Miss Fine probably has filled him with the version of the facts I gave her and, knowing him, he prefers not to be filled with any more versions of the facts related to what we do when he's not around'.
'You're such an evil man…', she nose-kissed him, 'Traumatizing and manipulating people in order to get what you want…'
'Does it make us a pair of evil men, then?'
'A match made in heaven!'
They chuckled, kissed some more and, when they parted, Niles breathed deeply, 'I better go before we start it all over again'.
'I'm impressed. For such a lazy servant you never get tired!'
'You know better than anyone that we never get tired of what we love'.
He spoke and was wide eyed.
She blinked, his words sinking in.
Terrified of her reaction and deeply confused at his slip, Niles quickly let go, adjusting his overcoat nervously and looking everywhere but at her, 'I mean, being a successful professional, you know you can work overnight when really engaged in a project, as I have seen you doing, and…'
She stopped the fuss and the blabbing putting her hands on his cheeks and making him look at her, 'Thank you for being happy for me. It means a lot', she kissed his lips softly, 'I'll miss you'.
He stayed looking at her, too overwhelmed to say anything.
CC pressed her lips together, afraid of losing control over whatever feeling she was sharing with him.
Niles realized they were on the verge of something neither of them understood, and made an effort to speak and break the emotional moment, 'End of slave time?'
'Y-yes', she nodded, giving a step behind, 'You can go, now'.
He looked at her for some moments more and approached for a last kiss.
It lasted more and was more tender than both had expected.
Niles turned, opened the door and exited without looking back.
CC closed the door and looked through the peephole.
He didn't call the elevator right away.
He stopped in front of it and put a hand over his mouth.
She saw the sobs shaking his shoulders.
She had damn tears running down her face, too.
The only reason for her not to open that door and call him back was that she had no idea why she was crying, and she suspected he was as lost as her and, knowing their track record, they had no maturity to deal with such intense emotions.
When Niles calmed down, he pressed the button and sniffed, throwing a last longing look at her door.
When he disappeared from view, CC closed her eyes and supported her forehead on the door, wondering which mess they had put themselves in.