CHAPTER 11 – WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
Felicity's sleep had been unsettled. The rest of her Friday night shift had gone by in a blurred haze. Nyssa, Sara, Oliver and Tommy had all left by the time she had emerged from the basement and as far as she was aware, she was alone in the apartment now.
She poured herself a steaming hot coffee and scrolled through the Starling City Sentinel on her cell.
"Six teenagers have been charged over a brawl at an entertainment complex. Seven police officers were left with minor injuries in the disorder at Starling City on 23 November"
"A fire at Starling City Amusement Park, occurred at midnight."
This caught Felicity's eye. Hmm, that's about the time Roy came in and… her thoughts flew back to Oliver and his strong form towering over her. But what would this have to do with Oliver? She surmised that he probably owned shares or something in the company who ran the park. Oliver remained in her thoughts as she turned on the shower and stepped in. She let the hot water cascade over her head and onto her breasts as her memory of Oliver consumed her. She let her fingers circle her nipples, hard despite the temperature in the shower and lowered them further, past her navel and down to her smooth folds.
Feeling refreshed in more ways than one, Felicity sat at her desk, typing precisely as she hacked into Billy Malone's computer. She'd been meaning to hack the SCPD for a few weeks and now as she needed her mind taken off her impending date with Oliver, she'd decided this was as good a time as any. On that one date with Billy she'd assessed, correctly as it turned out, that he was a logic man rather than a creative, which meant his password was far easier for her system to crack than any trusting member of the public would presume it to be. From here it was simple enough to get into the SCPD logs and track any ongoing investigations.
Ok, Starling City Theme Park. Let's take a look at you
Arson. No casualties. Well, it was late at night. 80% of the park was damaged and 70 fire trucks. Damn. Different parts of the amusement park were also noted to have been set ablaze simultaneously. Suspected disgruntled employees. "Starling City is dying", graffiti before the fire. Reported sighting of "The Hood". Unconfirmed. No CCTV visuals.
Ugh. Pointless.
"What do you think?" Felicity stepped gingerly out of her room. She was wearing a silver halter neck camisole that sparkled elegantly as it dropped just below her knees.
"Damn! If I was gay, I'd totally go for you…oh hang on…" laughed Sara.
"I'll take that as the ultimate compliment"
"You look amazing Felicity" agreed Nyssa, as she helped her with a silver rose link bracelet.
"Is it weird?"
"Is what weird?" Nyssa crinkled her brows
"That I'm going on a date with Oliver and you went on a date with Oliver. Is it weird?"
"Of course not! He only went on a date with me to be polite and like I told you, he talked about you the entire time. This was inevitable."
"Hardly inevitable. I could have turned him down"
Sara scoffed on her drink and Nyssa let out a loud "Ha!"
"What?! I could have"
"Ok Felicity, if it makes you feel better to think that" chuckled Nyssa, handing her a glass of Prosecco. Felicity downed in one. Nyssa swapped the empty glass for her freshly poured one.
"Steady on girl" warned Sara
"I'm just so fracking nervous"
"Is it going to be awkward at work if you two, y'know, bom chicka wow wow?" Sara grinned
"Yes, very, so no we won't be doing any of that…Hey!" she exclaimed as she saw Sara & Nyssa raise their eyebrows to one another. Over the volume of their raucous laughter the intercom sounded.
"Frack!" Nyssa beat her to the speaker and invited Oliver up "I was going to meet him downstairs"
"Oh but we don't want to miss this" Nyssa mocked as a gentle knock reverberated.
Just breathe…
"Hi" Felicity said weakly as she opened the door.
Wow he looks…incredible. She swallowed hard but her throat was dry. Oliver's eyes slowly trailed over her from head to toe. He smiled before looking over her shoulder.
"Ladies" he acknowledged the two friends at the kitchen island
"Have fun you two" Nyssa winked as Felicity stepped out of the apartment and closed the door behind her.
"Felicity, you look amazing"
She tucked a loose strand behind her ear nervously.
"Thank you. So do you"
Oliver opened the door to the car for her & she shuffled in. He joined her on the other side.
"Felicity, this is my associate, John Diggle" he gestured towards the man in the driving seat. "John, this is Felicity"
The man lifted his dark eyes to the rear view mirror and gave her a simple nod. A cold nod. He's probably introduced to a new girl of Oliver's each week.
"Felicity is my Executive Assistant" Oliver continued.
This seemed to change something slightly as the driver spoke as he pulled into traffic.
"I've heard a lot about you Ms Smoak"
"Oh Felicity, please." He's heard about me…
"I've made a reservation for us at Culprit. Have you been there before?" Oliver asked
"No. I'm usually more of a Big Belly Burger girl."
John Diggle laughed.
"Oliver has never been to Big Belly Burger" he revealed
"Oh that's not true, he must have" she replied and turned to look at Oliver and knew instantly that John was telling the truth. "Oh Oliver… How can you not have had a Big Belly Burger?"
He shrugged "Well I guess I'll have to change that. Big Belly Burger will be our second date then"
John coughed gently as her eyes widened. A second date. The first one had barely even begun. She turned her head to look out of the window to hide her blushes. Once at Culprit, John helped her out of the Limo and Oliver took her hand. She gripped it firmly to steady her nerves, especially as one or two photographers were outside the front door. She put her head down and allowed him to lead her through the door. A quick tip to the Maître D and they were led right through the restaurant, weaving past the other diners to a darkened booth. They had barely gotten comfortable when a dozen oysters were placed in front of them.
"Wow" Felicity breathed "Is it always like this for you?"
"Like what?" Oliver looked bemused
"So, elegant and…efficient"
"Well…people tend to be efficient when you're a generous tipper, and as for elegant, you're the most elegant person in the room" he scanned the restaurant, finishing by looking at her. She reached for an oyster to distract herself from his gaze.
"I'm looking forward to getting to know you Felicity, away from the office and away from the prying eyes of our well-intentioned but somewhat inquisitive friends"
She laughed "I'm surprised this place isn't bugged. Although, that would save me a lot of time when I get home and have to answer all of the questions… So" she turned to look at him properly "what would you like to know?"
"Ok, um…tell me about your childhood in Vegas. What's something you always wanted to do as a child but never got to do?"
Felicity was impressed that he had remembered she was from Nevada.
"Space Camp. I really really wanted to go to space camp. I think I was 9. I dreamed of being an astronaut."
"And why didn't you go?" He seemed genuinely interested.
"We couldn't afford it. My mom is a waitress and my dad is…" her voice trailed away before she finished the sentence firmly "gone. He left when I was young."
"I'm sorry"
"Don't be. Mom and I were great all on our own. My mom is so strong, she's my idol."
"I'd love to meet her sometime" Oliver's eyes were again burning into her and she sipped her Sidecar. When she finally returned his look, a smile curled at the side of his mouth and he gently reached out a hand towards her. She froze as his thumb grazed the side of her mouth.
"Sugar" he said, raising the tip of his thumb to his lips and sucking the sweet crystals. His eyes didn't leave hers for a second and Felicity felt as though all the air had gone from the room. He leaned towards her again and her eyes dropped to his soft lips surrounded with just the right amount of stubble to be sexy. And then they were joined. His kiss was soft and gentle, his hand reached up to caress her cheek. He pulled away slightly after a couple of seconds and looked at her again, as if to silently ask if she was ok. Felicity responded by closing the gap between them once again as she pressed her mouth on his.
A few more minutes of what Felicity hoped would be never ending kisses broke with Oliver gently suggesting they order some food. Her stomach groaned in response and she blushed again.
She opted for the Duck Breast served with a peach sauce whilst Oliver plumped for the Beef Tartare.
"And a bottle of Laurent Perrier. Thank you, Joff"
"You come here so often you know the staff?"
"I like to make an effort to know the names of the people I have on my payroll"
"Of course. I don't even know why I'm remotely surprised you own this place too" Felicity sat back with a sigh
"I like to spread my portfolio around. It makes sense in business to not have all your eggs in one basket"
"Very true. So where else do you have your eggs?"
"Ha! Some of my other baskets are a little restaurant in Central City, Amarasia Oasis, Forbidden Fruit Cake Shoppe in DC, Alessandro's in Gotham, the Upswipz App and Poison, Max Fuller's old place. I've been trying to buy a very cool nightclub in LA with a gorgeous penthouse right above, but the owner isn't keen to sell. If you're ever in LA it's definitely worth a visit."
"How do you find the time to run all of this stuff as well as Queen Consolidated?"
"Well, I don't. I own them, or part of them. I don't run them. I have excellent managers. You don't get a dog and bark yourself." He sipped his champagne lightly. "Does that make me sound arrogant?"
"A little… but also, you've clearly worked hard and you deserve to be proud"
"Thank you. Helps that I'm a night owl. I don't really need a lot of sleep."
Was it the lights or was there a definite twinkle in his eye?
Dinner ended with a salted caramel mouse & poached apples.
"Mmmm" Felicity moaned at the first bite. "This is incredible" She caught Oliver who looked at her in hungry amusement "Too much?"
"Not at all. Mind if I try a bite?"
She pushed the dish towards him as he swapped it for his crème brulee. "Oh yeah… I see what you mean. This is the best. I have to go and mention it to Sterling, the Chef. I will be right back." He slid towards her and kissed her deeply before departing. On his way to the kitchen he stopped Joff, the waiter and seemed to be ordering something else for them. I hope it's not more food. It's incredible but I don't think I could have another bite
Felicity was in luck. It was another couple of cocktails that arrived just as Oliver did.
"You look beautiful tonight Felicity"
"Thank you. I mean, so do you. Like incredible. Hottest guy in the room. On the planet. I'll shut up" she took a gulp of her drink as Oliver laughed.
"The whole planet huh? I'll take that"
Felicity snuggled in closer towards him, breathing in the scent of Cedar and Amber from his cologne mixed with the citrus from his drink. His hand gently grazed her thigh as he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her near for another kiss. She moved closer to him, wanting to show her consent, allowing him to keep his hand on her leg. He began to gently gather up the skirt in his fingers, raising it higher as she groaned her approval. Felicity slid her hand from Oliver's strong chest, lower towards his waistband, lower still to rest on his hard bulge. She felt as well as heard his acquiescence at her contact. His hand rose to between her legs which she parted gently for him to caress. The sounds of the restaurant were lost now & she was grateful for the dimly lit space as his finger softly stroked her panties.
"Mr Queen" a deep voice came from above them. "Mr Queen" the voice more demanding now as Oliver and Felicity snapped out of their embrace. "Mr Queen, there's been an incident at Merlin Global. There're flames."
"Tommy" Oliver ran his fingers through his hair, his face visibly pale even in the dark room. "Tommy" he repeated. "Felicity I have to…"
"I'll come with you" she insisted.
"No. Whatever it is it'll be too dangerous. Felicity I'm so sorry, I'll get Joff to call you a cab. I have to go." He kissed her again "I'm so sorry. I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow"
One more kiss and he was gone with Dig.