I'm not really satisfied with this chapter, but I am sick of fiddling with it. I hope you enjoy! Thanks to my editor and my best internet friend for giving it their blessing. Enjoy the vacations, ladies!

Chapter 6: Part 2 - This Girl Is On Fire

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." Charles M Schulz

"Great food is like great sex. The more you have the more you want." Gael Greene

Traffic was light and Sal pulled up to the well known brick façade of Stan's in excellent time. Darcy explained on their ride that the owner was actually an old family friend whom he regarded as a distant uncle. After getting drinks at the bar and being assured they would be seated momentarily regardless of the long line of people ahead of them, he tried to catch up on some more pressing emails while Elizabeth wandered over to the lobster case in the corner of the lobby. He glanced at the time on his cell and then checked it against his watch. How had it become so late? Regrettably, he wouldn't have much time with Elizabeth tonight.

A shadow fell over him. A large, aging man dressed head to toe in white stood before him with open arms. "Will, my boy, when Mary said you were here tonight asking for a table, I couldn't believe it. I had to come out and see for myself." Darcy was enveloped in a warm hug which he returned enthusiastically. "It's been what—years since we last saw you?"

"A few, I suspect." He glanced about the familiar restaurant. It was hard not to reminisce. Memories of previous dinners, many with his father, assaulted him. So many family moments had been celebrated here within these walls. "The last time I was here was when I brought Georgie for her graduation from high school. She's about to graduate from college now."

"Oh, I'd love to see her." The owner looked about, "Did you bring Georgie with you tonight?"

"No." He tilted his head towards Elizabeth. "I'm with her."

"Oh? You're on a date, William? Even better." Stan looked hopeful, rubbed his hands together. "She must be someone special. You've never brought a woman here with you before. Who is she? A grand amour?"

"Her name is Elizabeth Bennet." She was already engaging other patrons in some nonsense at the case. It had been five minutes and she was already making fast friends with strangers. People were naturally drawn to her. On stage or off. He smiled. "She is a singer. We're working on an album together."

"You've always had a passion for music. And always beautiful women, eh? Now the two passions are one." A passion. Was that what this was that he felt for Elizabeth? Ever since the ordeal with Aubrey, he had struggled to quantify their relationship. "Are you expecting others to join you tonight?"

"No, it's just the two of us."

"An intimate dinner, then?" Stan's smile grew wider. "I have just the table."

While he was talking to Stan, Elizabeth had been joined by two well-dressed business men and she was animatedly making pinching motions with her hands. The taller of the men leaned in, rested a hand on her waist, and she shook her head. The three laughed. Reading the body language of the more aggressive man as he bent forward again made Darcy uneasy. He crossed the room to her, wrapping an arm possessively around her waist from behind her. Instinctively, he met the man's eyes over her shoulder in challenge, and he whispered close to her ear, "Our table is ready."

She didn't resist as he rested his hand on her back guiding her behind Stan's lead, but when he held her chair she asked rigidly, "Mind telling me what was that about?"

As he took the seat across from her, he admitted, "I didn't like the way he was looking at you."

Elizabeth thanked Stan politely for seating them so fast. Behind her back, the old man gave him a thumbs up sign. Darcy shook his head ruefully. He didn't needed help impressing a woman.

A waiter handed her a menu. She opened her it, giving it her full attention. "You know, I already have a daddy."

Darcy declined a menu. "Those two didn't have anything but trouble on their minds."

"Maybe I had trouble on my mind too." He smiled at the bite in the statement. He quite liked her in a snit. It brightened her eyes.

His phone vibrated. Distracted, he read a text from Gloria Stein. She was the best in their marketing department and it was time to bring her on to their team. She'd texted her availability so they could discuss the best strategy for Elizabeth's release. He texted her back it would have to wait until next week. This unexpected trip to Atlanta to see Wentworth was inconvenient to say the least. But, his friend wanted him there when he made the big announcement to his employees.

Elizabeth flipped a page in the menu, her silver eyes widening at the extensive array of selections. "It might come as a surprise to you but some men do find me attractive."

Of that, he had no doubt. He did, after all, have personal experience. He stopped himself from embarrassing himself by agreeing with her enthusiastically. No, she was fishing for compliments. He was not going to flatter her with commenting on his growing attraction to her. It was obvious. Anyone with eyes couldn't miss it.

When Elizabeth decided on one of the more modest steaks on the menu, Darcy raised his eyebrow. She closed the menu, insisting it was what she wanted and then dared him to disagree with her by crossing her arms in defiance. He knew better than to tangle with that look unless it was important. The waiter returned at his nod and he ordered their meal. He was not surprised when Stan sent over a rare bottle of wine for them to enjoy gratis.

His phone vibrated again. This time it was his property manager. A reminder that an apartment was open in his building. Interesting. He hated that apartment of hers. It baffled him that even after she'd been given her advance, she had made no plans to move out of the horrid place. He typed a message that he wanted to see the unit. He looked at Elizabeth speculatively then added that he would be bringing the potential tenant along with him. Tonight.

Her sigh drew his attention away from his phone. "You know you really didn't have to bring me here if you didn't want to."

"I'm not the type of man that does things he doesn't want to do." He laid his phone on the table, boldly staring at her. "Surely, you know that by now."

When Elizabeth didn't respond, Darcy studied her face. There were pronounced bluish smudges under her eyes. This desire to be with her before he traveled was purely selfish. He should've dropped her home and insisted she get some rest but he'd begun to cling to these small snatches of time away from their work, away from the lingering presence of Max King. It was childish, he acknowledged, but he found himself doing everything he could to sabotage their weekly lessons. While he hadn't been able to hear what was said, the little tiff he witnessed tonight at the studio gave him immense satisfaction.

Darcy was not jealous of Max. No, not at all. He'd never been jealous of another man in his life. He damn sure wouldn't start with a second rate bassist in a third rate band. The fact of the matter was he wanted Elizabeth. He wanted her more than he had wanted anything in what felt like forever. And, they'd be lovers. Soon. There was nothing that Max could do to stop them when he decided it was time to take Elizabeth into his bed.

"Since you brought me here, Will, the least you could do is converse with me."

She wanted to talk? Good. He had just the topic he wanted to explore with her. "You were engaged only the one time?"

"Yes, only the one time." He was charmed by the blush that climbed into her cheeks. How many grown women did he know that still blushed? "Have you ever been engaged, Will?"

Shaking his head, Darcy felt a rush at this line of questioning. She was always asking about the women in his life. Could she be any clearer that she wanted the position? "In fact, I usually grow bored with a woman within a few weeks."

Darcy had said too much. He wondered if she was thinking, as he was, that it had been over two months since they had started having these little intimate meals. No matter how much time he spent with Elizabeth, it never seemed enough. These friendly little dates were no longer enough.

"A few weeks? That doesn't leave much time to get to know a person." He disagreed. A man and woman could learn a lot about one another's appetites in that period of time. He could not wait to show her, to uncover the secrets of her body. He wanted to find out exactly what she enjoyed and give it to her. "I guess that's the point, isn't it? It's actually better if you don't really know them when their time is up."

He detected her judgmental tone. As much as he wanted her, he wanted her to have no illusions. "I never lie about what I want, Elizabeth. And, I've never had any complaints."

She barked a laugh, then covered her mouth with a napkin, looking around sheepishly. "Oh, I just bet you haven't."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Oh, please." She waved the napkin like a mini-white flag. "If one of your lady friends complains, you just get rid of her sooner, right?"

Her insight was disarming. She was, after all, correct in her assumption. There was always another less demanding woman waiting in the wings. Someone else vying to get his attention. Even this unusual fascination he had for her would evaporate once he had sex with her a few times. He was glad she understood. They would be able to be friends after their sexual tryst.

She lifted her wine glass again, but it did little but draw his attention to her alluring mouth. "Tell me these women of yours, do they at least get some sort of pricey, parting gift when you are done with them? You know, tell them what they win, Johnny."

"I'm honest with the women I see from the beginning." He defended himself, bristling at her teasing. "I'm very clear about my rules before I become involved with them."

"You have rules, eh? Love is some sort a game, is it? With a winner and a loser? How very romantic of you, Mr. Darcy!" This time she managed to keep her laugh bottled, but the effect made her eyes glitter with merriment. She laid a hand on his, patting him like a small child. "Let's hear these rules. I'm sure they're perfectly terrible."

"I think not." He refused to be goaded. She made him sound foolish. He wouldn't give her anymore ammunition tonight. "I can just imagine what kind of a man you want. You want someone so completely besotted with you that he can't cross the street without consulting you first." He'd never be like that for any one.

She made the sound of a buzzer. "Wrong answer, Will. Let's see, he should be sensible, good humored, lively with happy manners."

It was clear she was not going to be serious tonight. She giggled playfully, then sobered, "Okay, let's see, since I want children some day, I want a man who I can respect." She paused thinking. Her children? What would they be like? Would they be miniatures of her? He could picture it suddenly. A little brunette girl with wild hair and big stormy eyes sucking her thumb and carrying a teddy bear. Her older brother with unruly black hair and vivid blue eyes, holding his little sister's hand. He blinked the hallucination away. She smiled continuing her list, "I want a man who challenges me and wants the best for me. A wise man, because I could never like a stupid one, to counsel me on the rare occasions when I'm wrong and who is confident enough of his own to let me pursue my dreams."

There was nothing wanting in her response, but it rankled him. What she wanted was a fairytale! A man choosing to shackle himself to one woman for the rest of his life when there were so many on the buffet? It was purely romantic horseshit. The same woman, week after week, month after month, year after year? Who'd want that? He had a fairly good idea of at least one man. "Was the irresistible Dr. Hancock such a man? Is that why you were so desperate to marry him?"

The effect was immediate. Just like the day in the booth, something swam in the depth of her eyes. She played with the stem of her wine glass. "Will, how did you know Peter's last name? Or that he was a doctor?"

He, who hated liars, became one. "Georgie must have told me."

Her brow furrowed as if she was thinking of when such a conversation could have taken place. He hoped it had. His sister and Elizabeth had become fast friends since their shopping excursion. They talked nearly every day, met for lunch, went shopping occasionally and got pedicures together. In fact, it had begun to aggravate him just how much of her precious time Elizabeth carved out for his little sister.

"It seems like another lifetime ago, but I was actually a nurse if you can believe it." For the next few minutes, she told him unnecessarily about her career. A career he already knew all about.

Darcy was impatient to get back to the subject that most interested him. "You met Peter through your work?"

"Yes, he is a cardiac surgeon."

A doctor of the heart. A man who could make life or death decisions. A saver of lives. It was hard not to be impressed. Maybe, Darcy realized with clarity, he could feel jealousy. Elizabeth said she no longer loved Peter, but was he the man she measured all others against? "Why did you break up? You never said."

"I think what I said was that it was none of your business. That's as true tonight as it was the first time you asked."

Darcy was frustrated with her answer. After her disclosure about Peter, he had done what any rational man with his resources would have done. He'd hired a private detective to get the answers he wanted. It was more expedient than waiting for her to casually dispense her secrets. However, to his grave disappointment, the private investigator hadn't discovered the reason behind the breakup. It was the one thing he was burning to know.

Their entrées arrived serving as a distraction to their conversation. He cut into his fish and tried to prepare himself for the onslaught of what was to come. As he expected, she took a bite of her steak, closed her eyes and moaned softly with pleasure. It was the sexiest sound he'd ever heard a woman make. He couldn't wait to be the reason she was making it. It made him hard every time she did it.

Who was he kidding?

They needed to become lovers, and soon, just for the sake of his sanity. He wasn't use to celibacy. He hadn't been with a woman in months and he was in a desperate need of release. He couldn't wait any longer. It would have to be tonight. Rules firmly established or not, Darcy wanted Elizabeth. In his arms. In his bed. On his couch. On his balcony. The floor. Wherever. As long as he spent the night buried as deeply as he could inside her.

They'd have to go to his place. Going there would be a departure of a firmly established rule. In fact, it was his number one rule. He didn't bring women to his home. It made sense. It was so much easier for him to leave their place when he grew bored then wait around for them to take the hint to leave. But, in this case, it was a necessity. What he wanted to do with Elizabeth, he had to consider comfort. None of his fantasies contained that tiny futon.

And, the morning?

Well, the morning would just simply have to take care of itself. The trip to Atlanta would provide a valid excuse to put distance and time between them. Give them both an opportunity to regroup after a night of sexual gratification. The way he felt at the moment, there was going to be little sleep tonight for either one of them tonight. He wanted to thoroughly excavate her body.

Another text came in from his property manager asking what he should do since he had already collected a deposit from someone else on their wait list. He texted his property manager back reiterating he should return the money. He added a reminder that he owned the building, could rent to anyone he pleased, and if that was not explicit enough, he could also fire anyone he damn well pleased. It would be a perfect cover having Elizabeth move into his building. With any luck the paparazzi would not suspect they were lovers until their relationship had ran its course and fizzled.

A text came through on his phone. "I'll meet you at the unit tonight." He grinned.

Elizabeth did not understand why Darcy had offered to take her to dinner. Clearly, he had a lot more important things going on than to enjoy it with her. She couldn't miss the satisfied smile when he received his most recent text. Someone was evidentially giving into one of his demands, bending their will to his domineering one. If ever there was a man who enjoyed getting his way, it was William Darcy. The text was probably one of his rotating harem of brainless bimbos trying to arrange for a booty call. She restrained herself from rolling her eyes. Poor delirious woman!

She took another sliver of her steak. It was delicious—melt in her mouth perfection. No wonder people waited for hours for a table. If she ever made it big, she was going to hire the staff here to cook all of her meals morning, noon and night. Okay, remembering the work up Dr. Tanner did, maybe that wouldn't be good for her cholesterol but a girl could dream.

"Must you do that every time you take a bite?"

"Do what?" She sipped her wine. Stan had exquisite taste.

"Moan. It's very distracting," he elaborated, glancing to the nearby tables.

Elizabeth had no idea what he was talking about, and when she looked as he had around them, all she noticed was that several of the women nearby were watching him. Darcy would be able to generate interest in a room full of elderly nuns. No wonder he was so messed up about women. They practically lined themselves up for him. He should have a sign around his neck. Now serving two million and one. She almost laughed but was able to conceal her humor behind her wine glass.

Oblivious to her thoughts, Darcy chewed his food as if he were eating rocks. The few calories he consumed from his sensible meal tonight would be burned off by five thirty tomorrow morning. No way it could become fat around his mid-section. Not when he woke around four every morning and devoted hours to his treadmill, weight room or the pool before his morning call to her. More often than not, he also joined her in the gym in the afternoon to keep his eagle eyes on her progress with Sierra. She didn't know when he actually managed to sleep.

His cell phone buzzed again and at her pointed look, he picked up the device from the table, glanced at the message, and then slid it in his jacket pocket.

"You'll be happy to know that I've found a satisfactory solution to your apartment problem."

Apartment problem? As far as she knew, there was no problem. There was nothing wrong with her place other than he did not like it, but Elizabeth had enough sense to know she wasn't going to ruin a perfectly good meal arguing about it with him.

"There's a unit in my building coming available soon." Why would she care about an opening in his building? "I think you should take it."

She couldn't help it, she laughed. His dry, disarming sense of humor turned up at the most unusual times. "I think it's safe to say that an apartment in any building you live in is just a little outside of my tax bracket."

"I know the landlord pretty well." His lips became a sexy curve. "I'm pretty sure we can find some way to negotiate the rent."

"Negotiate the rent?" If this was any other man, she would have thought that he was flirting with her. Since it was him, she needed more wine. He probably wanted her to work out another extra hour a day in exchange for the apartment. Add another four songs to the CD. Have her give up a lung? No, thanks! Besides, such close proximity to him would put her even further under his micro-manacle thumb. Another no thanks! She chose a diplomatic answer. "Even if I could afford it, Will, I don't think it's a good idea."

He frowned darkly. Elizabeth finished the rest of her wine. When he moved to refill it, she blocked the top of her glass with her hand, shaking her head. "I've had enough. It kinda sneaks up on you and I don't want to get drunk."

He put the wine bottle down, pushing his plate away and nodded to the hovering waiter. She perked up as he approached.

"Will this be all Mr. Darcy or would you be interested in some dessert?"

"No, we'll just take the check —"

"Wait." No, dessert? Was he was out of his mind? "He might not be, but I definitely am. Interested in dessert."

Elizabeth felt wicked when Darcy looked from the waiter to her with a look of exasperation. Whoever he had waiting tonight would just have to wait a little longer for him. Nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to get between her and something high in sugar content.

"What do you suggest, Tyler?" She leaned her cheek on her hand, turning a full wattage smile on the young waiter who blushed to the tips of his ears. She listened with rapt attention as he seduced her with words like shaved chocolate, creamy caramel and freshly made whipped cream. Honestly, were there any words better in the whole English language?

She sighed in bliss "Oh, decisions, decisions. They all sound so yummy, but I think I'll try a piece of French silk pie." She channeled Marilyn Monroe, chewing her lip. "A big piece?"

"Sure. The biggest I can find. I'll bring it right out. Right away."

The waiter seemed a little unsteady on his feet. See, she could still attract a man's attention even if her producer didn't think she could. When she turned back to him, Darcy was clearly brewing for some sort of fight. Before he could deliver a lecture about her diet, she shot a preemptive blow.

"I ate a sensible breakfast and practically only lettuce for lunch. Then, I went to the gym where Sierra kicked my butt. I was reasonable with my dinner choice." She sipped some water to clear her palate, adding, "Besides, I haven't cheated yet and it's my cheat day."

"Cheat day?"

"Yes. I can have anything I want. No matter how bad it is for me." If his facial expression was any indication, she had just issued the walking papers to her dietician. "Dr T says giving in now and then helps curb cravings."

"Cravings?" Face turning red, he reached up and loosened his tie.

She wondered if he should have his blood pressure checked. "Will, are you alright?"

Before he could answer, her dessert arrived. For Elizabeth, it was love at first sight. Chocolate magnificence. Licking her lips, she knew it was going to be delectable. She lifted the plate to eye level and simply stared at its perfection. Something so decadent needed to be appreciated before it was devoured. It was a great pity that Darcy did not seem to share her appreciation.

As she took her first bite, Elizabeth closed her eyes. She couldn't swear to it, but she may have moaned. In fact, she may have several times in a row. Never had chocolate tasted so good. When she opened her eyes, Darcy was staring at her, his mouth hanging wide open.

"This is sinful. You've got to try it."

She cut him a small piece and lifted her fork in his direction, intending to feed him. His hand covered hers guiding it to his mouth. His lips closed over the utensil. Then, his tongue licked the traces of chocolate from his lips before he released her hand. It was no wonder that women flocked to him. He could making eat pie look like a sexual adventure.

"Do you like it?" She asked, his eyes had darkened in answer. Who knew, Darcy had a weakness for sweets too. "Do you want another bite, Will?"

"Yes, God, yes." Then, she cut him another piece. She was being practical. Sharing her dessert meant only consuming half the calories. She began to repeat the process when his phone rang. He cursed. Loudly. Several people at nearby tables looked at him harshly, but he did not seem to care. He withdrew his phone with a rough jerk. Looking at the caller ID, he answered. Something was said that he did not like.

"What is so confounding about what I want? I told you. I want to meet tonight. Not tomorrow or next week. Tonight. I was pretty explicit. I'm trying to enjoy dinner and you keep interrupting me. I'll call you when I am ready to meet you. I don't want to be harassed every second - " Without a look in her direction, she watched in amusement as he stood, walked through the lobby, gesturing with his hand and disturbing people as he passed, behaving completely out of character. Someone had surely ticked off Darcy and in a big way. She wouldn't want to be that someone for all the tea in China. She'd never seen him so angry.

By the time Darcy returned to her looking like a thundercloud, she had finished with her dessert. No half the calories for her tonight. He gave his credit card to take care of the transaction and then glared after the retreating waiter.

"I'm going to talk to Stan. The way he was ogling you was highly inappropriate."

"Ogling me? Leave poor Tyler alone. He did a fine job, make sure you tip him obscenely." She rubbed her stomach. "That meal was the best I've ever eaten in my life."

His jaw tightened. "About the apartment in my building. The manager is going to meet us there in a few minutes. Afterwards, we can go to my place. I've got a bottle of Royal DeMaria that I've been saving for a special occasion. I think tonight suffices, don't you?"

Elizabeth yawned, digesting such a heavy meal had zapped the last remnants of her energy. She might not even be able to stay awake on the ride home. She definitely didn't want to see an apartment she had no intention of ever renting. No matter how special the bottle was, she had drunk more than she usually did and was feeling tipsy. Yes they had finished another song, but she was not aware of why that was more special than all the others.

"Maybe another time, Will." She gave him a tired smile. "I just want to go home and fall into bed. I think I'm going to pull a Rip Van Winkle and just sleep straight through until Wednesday when you get back."

"You can't be serious?" He slapped his cell phone on the table with such force she thought it would break. "You want me to take you home? To that dump? With that junk?"

It didn't surprise her that Darcy thought her belongings were worthless, but to her they were heirlooms. Not collectable heirlooms he'd be interested in, mind you, but family heirlooms nonetheless. Like her dining room table. It had started out its life in the first apartment her parents had before they bought their house on Sycamore Lane.

" Why do you insist on living in that squalor?" Elizabeth's silence seemed to fuel his temper. "Why haven't you made any attempt to move? What did you do with all that money I gave you?"

How dare he ask her such private questions? For someone who loved talking of boundaries, he had none. "What I do with my own money is my business. Not yours."

Exasperated, she heard the tell-tale buzz of his cell phone as it fishtailed on the table. The women who were texting him all night were welcome to him. Especially in his current mood. He actually looked confused when she stood.

"You obviously have better things to do tonight and I don't want to keep you from them. I'll just grab a cab and that way you won't have to take me home and see my dump." She turned to leave, but then stopped suddenly, remembering her manners. "Thank you very much for dinner, Will. It was delicious. Please have a safe trip tomorrow. I'll see you on Wednesday."

Darcy called her name, but she did not look back at him nor did she stop. When she exited the building she passed a surprised Sal who was waiting for them, reading a book. Ignoring him as he rushed to open his car door for her, she whistled to hail a passing cab. As it pulled away from the curb, she saw in the rearview mirror that Darcy had exited the restaurant and was looking for her. Not able to fight the urge to hide, she shrank down in her seat, suddenly very glad to have the break the following day.