Blueeyeddevil06, thank you so much for being my beta!

Kunzite was sitting in the breakfast room finishing breakfast when Darien came down to eat. "You sure slept in," he said.

Darien nodded and yawned, "I didn't get to sleep right after my parents' ball last night." He served himself and sat down.

Kunzite jumped right into what he wanted to ask, "Can we use your box at the Opera tonight?"

"You can. Why would I be involved?" Darien then took a bite of his food. At the same time, a servant poured him coffee.

"I wanted to invite Mina and her cousin Serena to join us." Kunzite looked at him hopefully.

"The girl who danced with you last night?" Darien tried to pretend that he was trying to remember them. He tried not to think about how he had the taste of Serena memorized.

"That would be her. I know her cousin ignored you, but you have to admit she's a pretty thing. She won't be hard to look at."

Darien took a sip of his coffee and nodded, "Send the invitation. Chances are, though, with how beautiful they are, they already have plans tonight."

Kunzite cursed, "Dammit! You're right! We can't invite them until we know if they're free this evening."

"Why?"

"Because it would look weird when I show up where they are after telling them I planned to go to the Opera with you." Kunzite ran his hands over his face in frustration.

Darien smirked. He looked at the servant pouring Kunzite more coffee, "Please get my valet." The servant nodded and exited the room immediately.

A short time later, Andrew came into the room and looked expectantly at Darien, "What can I do for you, sir?"

"Kunzite would like to know what Mina and Serena are doing tonight. He needs to know where to show up. Can you find out from their servants where they are going?"

Andrew bowed, "I'd be happy to." He then left the room quickly to carry out his task.

"You're welcome," Darien said, smirking and continued eating his breakfast.

Kunzite smiled at him. "I really appreciate this. I'm fascinated with Mina. She's incredible, and I keep getting the feeling there is more to her than I realize. She's so intriguing."

That night, they ended up at a society matron's house. Darien was relieved when he'd found the invitation in a stack of unanswered letters. He quickly sent his response that he would attend. Now his carriage was pulling up to the home with them ready to see the women again. He carefully guarded his excitement to see Serena.

When he stepped into the room, his eyes were drawn to Serena, and she took his breath away. She was stunning and looked so perfect and demure. He was glad that only he knew the fire that simmered just under the surface, and he loved that he was the only one to experience it. He also knew that she planned to play hard to get. That meant he had to chase her. Something he was happy to do since he knew she'd let him catch her later tonight and bury himself in her warmth.

He approached the girls with Kunzite and smiled at them. He needed to start showing he was interested in her. He smirked when he thought of spanking her last night as he fucked her. He smothered his look and tried to hold his desires in.

Kunzite took Mina's hand and kissed it. "What a lovely surprise running into you here tonight."

Serena covered her mouth and chuckled, "Our hostess was just commenting about what an unexpected delight it was that you said you'd come. Apparently, you don't usually accept her invitations." She looked at him expectantly.

Kunzite blushed and said, "Can you blame me for coming when such a temptation is here?" He then looked at Mina. She smiled at him and let him draw her into a conversation.

Soon the hostess drew everyone's attention and asked, "Serena, do you play? I've not heard if you are good with the piano."

Serena kept a serene look on her face and inclined her head, "I would be happy to play any time you request it."

"Then I insist you play now."

Serena went to the piano and didn't bother looking for music. She began playing expertly and didn't miss a single note or flub a melody. It was perfect and enchanting. When she finished, everyone clapped loudly.

Darien had watched her, and she was the picture of perfection. He loved looking at the graceful arch of her neck and her delicate fingers. He made his way to her and whispered, "You're quite good with your hands."

She held back a smirk, "So, I've been told."

"You must practice a lot."

She nodded, "I do. I'm expected to achieve a certain level of perfection, and I don't like to disappoint anyone's expectations."

Darien gave her an odd look and thought about what she said. No wonder she was such a rebel and made her way into his bed. The weight of everyone's expectations on her must be crippling.

He drew her hand to his lips and kissed her hand. "I'm sure you wow everyone. You're incredible."

She blushed since she knew others around them heard his words. She knew he was starting his pursuit of her. Still, the honesty of his words washed over her and brought her joy. She sassed him back, though, instead. She let him see the heat in her eyes for him though to soften her words, "And now you finally acknowledge me. You were quite rude at your parents' ball."

"I don't like to dance. I try not to get anyone's hopes up that I'll ask."

She smirked, "Don't worry. I wasn't hoping that you'd ask me."

He heard Kunzite chuckle at him, and he gave her a crooked smile, "I'm not into asking. I generally just get what I want."

She leaned forward and whispered, "The chase is on."