AN: Sorry for taking a while to upload this but I've just enjoyed being home for Christmas too much. I'll try to get another update done before the new year. Anyway, I've been waiting forever to write this chapter! I wasn't sure how much detail I should have gone into so sorry about that. It's also a tad shorted than the previous chapters but it just seemed like such a good place to leave it. So yeah, hope you enjoy reading it!
Seto poured Elizabeth a drink from the wine bottle he had just bought from the bar, leaning in a little more than necessary to brush shoulders with her. They were currently sitting at a table just around the corner from the bar, out of the way of other members of the public. Elizabeth shifted her feet as Seto poured her a drink, still trying to find a footing on the bar stool she sat on. Her heels were making it difficult.
"Thanks." Elizabeth said as Seto finished filling her wine glass. She lifted it to her lips to take a sip. It was good, but that didn't surprise her. Seto had an excellent taste in wine.
"You're welcome." Seto replied as he poured himself a glass.
"So, why did you decide to come tonight?" Elizabeth questioned.
Seto glanced up at her, still taken aback by her looks. From the dramatic smokey eyes to the lipstick the same wine red colour as their drinks, Elizabeth had really outdone herself this time. Her dress was the same dark blue as the tie he wore, which amused and perplexed Seto at the same time. It was tight fitting and short, the grey blue feathers at the bottom grazing her thighs. Seto considered Elizabeth's question as his gaze roamed down her.
"Because you asked me to." He replied. Elizabeth frowned in confusion.
"You came here just because I asked you to?" She repeated.
"Is that hard to believe?" Seto asked before taking a drink of his wine. Elizabeth's finger toyed with the stem of her glass as she answered.
"Kind of." She said. "I mean, you're Seto Kaiba."
"You use that as an answer to a lot of things." He pointed out.
"Because it is an answer." Elizabeth explained. "You're supposed to be a cold-hearted bastard, remember? You're not supposed to do what other people want you to do." Seto laughed a little at what the blonde was saying, drinking some more of his wine.
"So tell me why you think I'd come here then?" Seto challenged. Elizabeth looked surprised at this.
"I have a few theories." She stated. She also picked up her glass and took a long drink from it.
"And what would those be?" Seto inquired.
"The first is that you've come here to tell me to leave you alone and to never speak to you again." Elizabeth began.
"I don't think that would be a smart plan. Look how this past week has gone." Seto explained. Elizabeth dropped her gaze to her glass to hide a small smile. Clearly being away from her had the same effect on Seto as being away from him had on Elizabeth. It was good to know.
"Another is that you actually like me in some way and have come here tonight to see what we can make of these feelings we have for each other." Elizabeth continued. Seto smirked.
"That's a good theory." He commented before taking a drink. "That's only two theories though. I thought you said you had a few? I wouldn't exactly call two a few."
"No, you're right." Elizabeth nodded. "I have one more." She began to play with the stem of her glass again.
"And that would be?" Seto prompted.
"That you've come to toy with my emotions and are going to lead me on for a while before being extremely cruel and telling me it was a lie the whole time." As Elizabeth finished she took a long gulp of her drink before having the courage to look Seto in the face. He almost winced. He followed suit and took a lengthy drink before answering.
"I can see why that would be a theory." He stated dryly, thinking back to their almost date.
"You hurt me, Seto." Elizabeth suddenly admitted.
"I know I did." Seto acknowledged.
"At first I just forgot about it, because I thought that was just Seto Kaiba. But after spending some more time with you, I don't think it is. You can be frustrating at times, you love to wind me up, and you hate to lose – but I don't think you are ever cruel, at least not to the people you care about." Elizabeth looked away and drained the last of the wine from her glass before topping it back up. The bottle ran out when her glass was about half full.
"Is that why you've been doubting whether I care about you?" Seto questioned.
"Of course it is!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "You knew I liked you, and you toyed with my emotions for you. I want to see if we could take this further but…"
"But you're still hurting over what I did to you?" Seto guessed. Elizabeth nodded and took another drink. Seto copied. Alcohol was very much needed.
"I know that I hurt you." Seto admitted. "I knew from the moment we stepped into the restaurant and you saw your mother and Mokuba. I saw the hope die in your eyes – and for once, crushing someone else actually brought me displeasure."
"Seto…" Elizabeth breathed, hanging onto his every word.
"I learnt from an early age to not let people close. Mokuba is the one exception to the rule. It scared me to think you were somehow getting closer and closer to me. I think part of me wanted to push you away."
"Does that part still exist?" Elizabeth asked. Seto drained the rest of the wine from his glass.
"That part of me will always exist. I always want to push things away that don't make sense to me, that go against everything I've taught myself." Seto explained.
"And what doesn't make sense about me?" Elizabeth inquired. She had never heard Seto speak so openly like this before, and it both intrigued and frightened her at the same time.
"Why you would fall for me." Seto stated. "I guess that's why I wanted to find out, and I did in the only way I knew how."
"You couldn't have just asked?" Elizabeth joked. Seto smirked, though he couldn't quite look in Elizabeth's eyes.
"I don't do things the simple way." He joked back. He got off his seat and stood in the small gap between his stool and Elizabeth's.
"Seto?" The blonde questioned, looking up at him. This time Seto had no qualms about holding her gaze.
"Elizabeth, I apologise for the way I made you feel." He started. "I should have done this a long time ago, perhaps that very same night. I kept pushing my guilt away though. Can you forgive me for it?" Elizabeth considered.
The only thing she had ever wanted from him was an apology, and she had just got one. She was prepared to let herself fall for someone who was sometimes rude, erratic, who put his work before anything else. Someone who seemed uncaring, who didn't express his feelings as often and as loud as they should. But the one thing Elizabeth needed was someone who could own up to the mistakes they had made. She had been in an, albeit brief, relationship were the other could never accept that anything was their fault and it had drove Elizabeth crazy.
The blonde could accept many things, but not someone who couldn't apologise when they were wrong. She had thought Seto would fall into this category, which is why his apology was all the more surprising to the blonde.
"Yes, I forgive you." Elizabeth said. She wasn't excusing what he did, but at least she was now somewhat more understanding of it.
Seto cupped her cheek, tipping her head back slightly. He leaned down and placed his lips on hers. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Seto's neck in an attempt to bring him closer to her level. She was still sat on the stool after all. They broke away, both breathless. This was nothing like the first kiss they shared. In that one, Elizabeth's anger had been all consuming. This kiss was sweet in comparison.
"Would you like to take this somewhere more private?" Seto suddenly questioned. It was then that Elizabeth realised that they were still in the hotels bar.
Even though they were out of sight, it still seemed strange to be kissing someone like Seto Kaiba in public. Plus, she was on edge about them being seen in public again after they had ended up all over the newspapers together.
"Yes." Elizabeth agreed. Seto grinned.
"Wait here." He instructed before disappearing. Elizabeth waited patiently, finishing the rest of the wine they had left. It wasn't long before Seto came back and handed her a plastic card. She supposed she was lucky she had organised the Christmas party at a hotel.
"You ready?" He asked. Elizabeth nodded and stood up, following him around the corner until the bar was in sight.
"Go on ahead, I'll meet you by the elevators." Elizabeth told him. Seto looked confused but complied anyway. The blonde grinned before making her way to the bar.
"Could I get a bottle of champagne and two champagne glasses?" Elizabeth asked before handing the money over. It was a struggle to carry everything over to where Seto was waiting for her. Upon seeing her he went to meet her and took the glasses from her.
"I'm annoyed I didn't think of this." He said as they entered the lift.
"Yeah, it would have been a great move." Elizabeth agreed, smirking a little. Seto pressed the button for the top floor.
"Did you rent out the penthouse suite?" Elizabeth inquired, taken aback. Now Seto smirked.
"I couldn't let you one up me, Walters." He replied.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck again, champagne bottle in one hand and bejewelled bag in the other. Seto returned the kiss, wrapping an arm around her waist. He would have held her with both hands but one was currently holding the glasses she had acquired. Their lips moved expertly. It was clear they had both done this before. This kiss had more passion than the last, and was only broken when they had reached their destination.
They broke apart and exited the lift, following the corridor to the only door on the whole floor. Seto opened it and gestured for the blonde to enter first. She did so, marvelling at the room Seto had gotten for them. It was huge, and it was clear this was only one room of many. It looked to be a living room, with a huge TV taking up a lot of space on one wall and plush white couches littered around. Elizabeth walked in further, the sound of her sparkly silver heels echoing on the wooden flooring. She spotted the heavy drapes across the back wall – it was made entirely of glass and a door led to the balcony outside.
"Is that a hot tub?" She questioned. She made her way over to get a better look, placing the champagne bottle on a coffee table along the way. Seto followed, placing the glasses next to the bottle before standing next to Elizabeth.
"I believe it is." He replied, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Would you like to try it out?"
"It's December." Elizabeth laughed. "I'd freeze to death the moment I opened the door to the balcony."
"Good point." Seto agreed before nuzzling into her hair. Elizabeth leaned back into his touch as she took in the view.
They were high up, probably not as high up as she was when she was at the Kaiba Corp. building, but Seto hated to be outdone. She never spent a lot of time staring out the window at work though, especially not at night. The city glimmered below her.
"What are you thinking?" Seto questioned before placing a kiss against her neck. Elizabeth tipped her head to allow it.
"That I've waited a long time for this." She answered.
"I apologise for that." Seto pressed more kisses into her neck, causing Elizabeth to lose focus for a moment.
"It's not entirely your fault. We've both been denying our feelings." She replied. A moment of silence stretched between them before Seto broke it.
"Would you like some champagne?" He asked. Elizabeth turned to face him with a grin.
"Of course, why else would I buy it?" She joked. They both walked over to where the bottle and glasses sat.
"Do you want to open it or shall I?" Seto questioned.
"The last time I opened a champagne bottle I gave myself a black eye." Elizabeth replied. Seto looked shocked.
"How?" He asked.
"The cork rebounded off a wall and hit me in the face." Elizabeth shrugged. Seto struggled to contain a laugh. The blonde glared. "It wasn't funny! It really hurt."
"Well don't worry, I'm here to protect you now. You might want to take shelter." Seto explained as he placed a hand over the top of the bottle.
"Very funny." Elizabeth replied, but it didn't stop her from standing behind Seto. She jumped when she heard the pop and her eyes quickly scanned for flying objects. Seto turned to her and held out the cork, still in his hand.
"I make it look easier than it actually is." He sarcastically reassured her before placing the cork in her hand.
"Whatever, just pour." Elizabeth instructed as she placed the cork onto the coffee table. Seto handed her a glass when she turned back around.
"You have good taste." He complimented as he took a sip.
"So do you with wine. I stole a bottle from your fridge the night of the Halloween party." Elizabeth admitted with a sly smile.
"I guessed it was you." Seto replied.
"Of course. Seto Kaiba is too smart to be deceived." Elizabeth joked.
"Especially by the likes of Elizabeth Walters." Seto retorted. Elizabeth scowled at him.
"Hey! I've –"
"You've beaten me in every class so far." Seto finished for her. "I know, Elizabeth." The blonde was about to open her mouth for another comeback but Seto kissed her again and her thoughts scattered.
"Not fair." She breathed after they stopped to catch their breaths. Seto just smirked.
Elizabeth drained the last of the champagne in her glass and picked up the bottle, holding it and her glass in one hand. She grabbed Seto's sleeve with the other and walked him back over to the windows with her. They finished off the champagne taking in the view. Elizabeth placed the empty bottle and glasses to one side before approaching Seto again. The alcohol seemed to be having no effect on her. True, she usually drank a lot more, but Elizabeth figured the adrenaline from being in the same room as Seto Kaiba was keeping some of the effects at bay as well.
As soon as she was close enough Seto placed a hand on Elizabeth's hip and kissed her once more. Their mouths moved in sync with one other. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Seto again and brought him close. Seto's other hand entwined in Elizabeth's hair. He had always wanted to touch it, and it was as wild as ever tonight. Elizabeth felt for the knot on Seto's tie and quickly unknotted it, dropping the tie onto the floor.
"Are you sure you don't want to keep hold of that? We could have a lot of fun with it." Seto teased. Elizabeth grinned.
"Maybe later." She replied, pressing her lips against his. She reached up and undid a few buttons on Seto's shirt as Seto slid off his jacket.
"It's not exactly fair that you get to undress me and I have nothing to take off on you." Seto pointed out.
"Hey, it's society that said women have to wear dresses and men have to wear suits. I don't make the rules." Elizabeth joked. She looked up at Seto with a smile though. "If it bothers you that much we can always take this to the bedroom." Seto raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?" He questioned.
"I am if you are." Elizabeth answered. Seto didn't need telling twice.
He continued kissing her with a renewed passion and they stumbled towards the bedroom together. They managed to locate the room and they entered, closing the door behind them. Once inside Elizabeth continued undoing buttons on Seto's shirt until there was none left to undo. She placed a hand on his chest, marvelling at how warm he felt. She pushed the shirt off his shoulders and Seto twisted out of it as Elizabeth kicked off her heels. Her feet ached after being in them for so long. Elizabeth looked back towards Seto to see him topless and her eyes widened a little. Seto smirked. He took her hips again and kissed her, his hands trailing lower to find the bottom of her dress. He tugged on it to get Elizabeth's attention.
"What?" She questioned. "Have you never taken a girl's dress off before?" Seto nipped at her neck for that remark and Elizabeth yelped a little, but couldn't deny that it hadn't felt good.
"I was asking for permission." Seto clarified. Elizabeth grinned.
"Yes, Seto. You can take my dress off." She said. Seto pulled the dress upwards, the blonde lifting her arms to allow the dress to go over her head. Seto dropped it onto the floor and stared at the blonde. Elizabeth was relieved she'd chosen to wear her best underwear tonight, a black lacy pair that left little to the imagination.
"Elizabeth, you have no idea what you do to me." Seto breathed, kissing at her neck again.
"I have some idea." Elizabeth replied leading him towards the bed. She had just gotten to the end of it when Seto spoke again.
"This isn't your first time, is it?" He suddenly questioned. Elizabeth looked at him in surprise.
"No, I've had sex before." She answered. "Why, does that bother you?"
"Not at all, I was just making sure." Seto replied before kissing her again. Elizabeth wriggled out of his grasp.
"Why?" She laughed.
"I'm not exactly the type of person you should be losing your virginity to." Seto explained. Elizabeth scoffed. She never understood why people acted like the first time having sex was a big deal.
"Are you sure it's not just because it's actually your first time and you're very nervous about it?" Elizabeth grinned. Seto smirked.
"I can assure you I've done this before." He stated.
"Are you sure? I could make this really special for you." Elizabeth joked. "You know, spread some rose petals on the bed and light a few candles. We could even have a bath together first." She was about to laugh when she suddenly found herself lying on the bed, Seto climbing on top of her after.
"Did you just throw me on the bed? You really are impatient." Elizabeth commented. She ran a hand down his stomach.
"As you said, we've both been waiting a long time for this." Seto replied as his hands roamed over Elizabeth's body. "Besides, you're the one in your underwear." Elizabeth rolled her eyes, reaching for his trousers. The blonde undid his pants and pushed them down, Seto kicking them off for her. Elizabeth watched as they fell to the floor.
"When did you take your shoes off?" She questioned, seeing Seto's bare feet.
"A while ago." He replied with a smirk. He kissed a sensitive spot on Elizabeth's neck, causing the blonde to moan slightly. "Though I can forgive you for being distracted." Elizabeth scowled.
"I can make you moan just as easily." She retorted.
"Want to make a bet of that?" Seto questioned, raising an eyebrow. Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. Damn, how did he have this effect on her? She was lying on the bed, Seto towering over her with his weight on just one forearm. The little space between them seemed too much.
"And what does the winner get?" Elizabeth asked, focusing her attention back on Seto's question.
"The loser has to buy them breakfast." Seto replied. Elizabeth looked up at Seto with a questioning look.
"There's going to be breakfast involved?" She inquired. That meant Seto still planned on being around in the morning.
"If you want there to be." He said, moving some of her hair out of her face. Elizabeth smirked.
"I'm a sucker for free food." She informed him.
"You're that sure you're going to win?" Seto asked. He caught the mischievous look in the blonde's eyes before she flipped him over and straddled his waist.
"Like I said." Elizabeth replied, leaning down to press her lips against his. "This isn't my first time."
Elizabeth awoke with a dull headache. She opened her eyes and winced at the sunlight coming in through the windows. The curtains were wide open. She blinked a few time to adjust her bleary eyes and then scanned the room. This wasn't her bedroom.
It was then that she became aware of someone else sleeping next to her. She turned to see who it was, her eyes going wide. Last night's exploits came rushing back to her as she stared at the sleeping Seto Kaiba, the sheets down by his waist to leave his top halve exposed. She sat up in surprise, clutching the sheets to her chest.
I've had sex with my boss, Elizabeth realised.
No, scratch that.
I've had sex with Seto Kaiba.