For my Jester
It occurred to Scarlett that the ring Vladimir had given her was still on her ring finger on her left hand; the hand he was still holding on to. She had to put it back to where he had placed it but he had her hand now, he was holding on to it so tightly, she didn't want him to let go ether. Despite the few hushed words in the restaurant before they left he was silent. He made her blush, all he did was look her in they eye and even with the lenses he had in place she could feel his intentions. The trip back to his palace in the sky, the ride up the elevator, it wasn't until they were alone did he kiss her. He made her weak, he lifted her spirit, he gave her strength, she was home again. Her coat found its way off her shoulders and his was gone. She was breathless in his arms, his lips never left her skin; he desired her and she felt that it would only be a matter of time before she would be in his bed, she was eagerly looking forward to it. It was when he placed her left hand on his cheek and pulled away did she realize that that wasn't going to happen in that moment.
"Now then, this little promise has found a new home?" Her eyes found his when he spoke, she was radiant. He wanted to connect with her, badly, but his desires were still just too great, too dangerous that he didn't trust himself not to hurt her. He was also recalling what Stephan said on the trip, after a night of whoring, he said 'please value her mind more so than her body or she will be no different to you than those sluts were to me' and promptly went to throw up and shower.
Scarlett knew she had done nothing wrong, in fact she thought her little deception with Liz's help was clever. Only truth she thought. "That guy you saw, he substituted once for Jane, he recognized me. I didn't want him to bother me so I moved it. I'll put it back…" she started to remove her hand from where it was and and his covered it to stop its removal from his cheek.
"I rather like it better on that finger love. I can't have you in another situation where another male would question my possession of you." It was a bold thing to say, to tell her he possessed her so promptly on his return but she didn't waver one bit at his words. "I would like to hear of your adventures these last few days love, my need to hear you speak is rather great at present." S swallowed softly, he knew she wasn't a talker but he needed time still, he needed to see her more as his mate than a possession; an object for his pleasure.
Truth was all she had. "I spent most of the time missing you and feeling awful, as you probably expected. I do love what you have done with my apartment; it's the nicest place I've ever been able to call home." Her fingers wiggled free of his but she still kept them where they were caressing his stone cheek. "I did go out a few times to get food I was craving and looked around in the nearby shops without Liz." She shrugged softly. "Progress?" He gave her a soft grin; she hoped she wasn't failing completely. "I even managed to make it to the bank and it was shocking and yet rather amusing to see them fall all over themselves to make me happy. They even offered me coffee and a personal accountant." Her head shook slightly. "I refused both. I didn't want to feel that I owed them something because for all that they were offering to do it felt like it was a show or something like that." Her fingers made it up to his hair above his ear, how she loved feeling its softness and suddenly realizing how much she missed it. "The ones you met there, they weren't upset with you and Stephan being there. I think that worried me the most, worried you would be in danger and for something to happen and me never knowing about it or seeing you again."
Vladimir's grip around her waist tightened; he expected that she would worry about them but it was unnecessary. "They were very hospitable and should they return the favour of a visit we would need to be as well. They were very curious about you actually, your Paris pictures made it through the iron curtain. It seems the Russians do appreciate a beautiful woman even when there is no hope of them ever seeing her in person." It was her moistening her lips and her glancing around the dimly lit space and expression that finally grounded him; she was back to being his cherished treasure. She hadn't been back to this place since Liz took her away crying and hysterical, his long torment without her made gears in his body readjust to elevate this woman before him as even more valuable than she was before. "We don't have to stay here if it upsets you Scarlett, I did not consider that you might have lingering feelings about this place." Her eyes scanned the dim room, her heart was steady and her fingers still stroked his temple; there was no fear in her that he could detect other than a passing memory in the form of a shiver.
Scarlett recalled the fading memory of the man who once gave her nightmares. "I'm a stronger person now, I want to be here with you." Vladimir's soft smile was gratifying and she felt like she passed an invisible hurdle in her own growth; she felt her heart grow strong with confidence. She knew it was all because of him, he built her up like no other had done and she loved him dearly for it. He took the time to show her her value to him, built up her own worth in her mind; showed her that his heart and love ruled over him when he was with her. "Take me to your bed so we can make love Vladimir. If I need to beg, I will, because that's how much I love you and I want you to know that."
Vladimir felt his body swell and gravitate towards her; she, such a simple creature, in a few words owned him so easily that it astonished him every time she did it. His lips were on hers and he had them both in the bedroom in a heartbeat, the second heartbeat he had her stripped down to nothing and by the third his clothes were still floating down overtop of hers on the floor. It was just as he was setting her into bed to nestle his hips between her legs she gasped 'me on top' that he pulled her up over him and her legs fell to either side of his lap. Perhaps it was how aggressive she was, how she commanded him, or how much he sensed her needing him but it was him who growled out and erupted the moment she had him fully encased inside of her. She realized it this time, unlike before and just gasped; his hands at her hips holding her down on him loosened.
"I think I'm flattered that you feel so strongly." Scarlett's grin twitched as the palm of her hands pressed over Vladimir's chest so she could get a better seat on him. "But I can't have you running dry before I pass out as I intend to last a few hours." It was quite possibly the most crass thing she had ever said to him. She then, for a moment worried that she had overstepped some sort of line, hurt his manhood but then he smirked up at her. It was the oh so evil look in his eye that made her forgot her original worry over this new development.
She 'intended to', is that so Vladimir asked himself. Feeling her whole body shiver slightly, he had a great advantage of being buried deeply in her to feel it, he quickly surmised the shift that had taken place in her mind. He knew his smirk was unsettling her, his dark nature savoured her uneasiness. "A challenge then? I accept my love." Her eyes widened slightly. His hands moved from their place so his thumbs were pressing on the crest of her sex. "Your safe word is apple or should you pass out before speaking it, I will be victor. You, should I suddenly need to go find sustenance, will have won." His long fingers held her hips still over him as his thumbs massaged her swells. There was a soft 'yes' from her as her body struggled to keep composure. "No resisting love, never resist." He was slow, he was methodical and above all careful as his hips slowly thrust up into her as his thumbs took turns working her up into a very slow rapture. She was escalating in her pleasure second by second. Her hand would come down on his chest harshly if he slowed; he grinned, he loved her selfishness in wanting his pleasure. Her body swelled around his length, her breathing and gasps became more erratic but it was her whimpering that was driving him mad and increasing his pace as well as her breasts bouncing ever so softly in sync; he made a point in paying attention to them next. Several shared groans later and she came undone over him.
She knew she was already beaten when he asked her if she was challenging him, to what exactly escaped her; endurance? Vladimir's voice was speaking to her in the richest accented tone, that regardless what he asked, her answer would be yes, always yes. Her mind was dizzy, her body felt so alive and her heart swelled as she gave herself over to him; she felt so free from the world outside. He was then lifting her hands off of his chest and raising them up so her arms would drape around his shoulders as he sat up after their shared rise. She felt his hand on her back, keeping her posture up while her breast was being massaged and her nipple teased and sucked on. She righted herself further to hug and bring V's head in closer to her breast as her hips rolled over his lap; he was groaning at her movements over her. She smirked and deepened the motion but not quickening it. It was Vladimir who pulled his mouth away from her breast to growl and quicken her movement.
She was still crue; he loved her. She giggled at him when he pulled away from his task of suckling her nipple; he wasn't done but he loved her for it. With several deep thrusts up into her he had her whimpering over him again. She would need a few moments to recover and that's when he had them moved again in an instant. With S flat on her back and her rear at the edge of the bed her legs were up and over his one shoulder as he stood; he held them there as his hips slowly moved his length in and out of her; he was going to punish her. "I wasn't done with you breasts my love so now I will..." he smirked and just kept pumping her slowly until she came undone again. As she was still gasping he flipped her over to her stomach and re-entered her; S groaned in pleasure, he knew this was an especially pleasurable position for her so he went just as slow again to draw out her enjoyment. He watched her claw at the bedding, fist it up in her clenched hands; he quickened his pace so his lap struck her rear and made her skin pink. It was only moments before she cried out his name and he growled as held her firm against him to release. "Apples love?" Her head shook no and he was pleased, he needed more. His hands released her hips and he withdrew his length to inspect her now flushed bottom; his hands smoothed over the heated skin. "This will be tender,' he glanced up to see her looking back at him and smirking "I see you are amused h'm? I will be too as I watch you deal with it in the morning." No harm done he told himself but he would still be careful with her and remind her the following day that she needs to speak up if he ever did hurt her.
Scarlett recalled V once saying he liked sex, it was one of the few physical pleasures he enjoyed and if she didn't realize it in Paris or Germany she did now; he was exceptional at it. V easily moved her back on the the bed into the center of it, onto her back and was raising her arms up over her head; she was so pliable in his hands at that moment she didn't' care what he did to her, she only wanted more. V was back at her breast, kneading them and sucking on her nipples; it felt good, so very good that it was relaxing her to the point of drifting off. "Are you cheating?" She startled herself out of her drifting waves of pleasure to look down at the man; he was grinning up at her with that evil look in his eye again.
He would love every inch of this woman, she was his, her heart belonged to him but more importantly he was hers. Scarlett's breasts were exquisite in every way; firm and soft to the touch and not too large for his already sizeable hands. He'd make a point of being at her breast regularly now whenever he had her alone. S's abrupt waking from the haze he was putting her in made him smirk. He gave her throbbing sore bud a lick. "Never love. I was only allowing you to rest for a moment before we continued." He inched up over her, she kept her arms up over her head as he opened her legs up; lifting at each knee to settle himself between her legs. Her eyes were tired with lust and exhaustion but she still wanted him and mouthed 'I love you' to him. "My love," he dipped down to her lips to kiss them then whisper on them, "my treasure." His hand went up to hold her hands there as he entered her again. Her eyes rolled back as she whimpered. "My beauty." He pumped her slowly as they kissed. Her rise back up was intentionally slow and perfect; he moved with her, his body truly organic in response to her hers until she reached her peak. He held her there for quite some time before he let her spill over with him. His hand released hers and she embraced him as she came down from her high. Vladimir kissed her neck, it was so warm and salty with her scent; she offered it so readily, her cheek turning to rest on the surface of the bed to expose it, that the darkness in him sparked awake. 'She's yours.' It hissed at him as he growled for it to be silent. His throat burned and he took his lips from her skin. He could proceed, he wanted to desperately but he knew what the consequences were for failure and they were too high. "Scarlett?" Her eyes remained closed and her heart was steadily slowing; she had passed out. He smirked at his win but was pleased she didn't concede out of her own free will. He carefully, reluctantly, removed himself from her; she was an exquisite mess to look at as he covered her up so she could sleep. He got dressed and planned to hunt a good distance away from his residence should the need arise that he need to feed close and not have suspicion arise to too many deaths suddenly in one location.
Scarlett's body was still tingling when she awoke the following day, mid morning. V was missing from beside her but in his place there was a single white rose; she smirked. With one small stretch her muscles chimed in their discontent; she smirked again and admitted to herself she loved having sex with Vladimir, loved it on an entirely different level because she loved him. Nothing would ever compare. Her eyes scanned the darkened room and she listened for him; fast typing and the occasional few words from the other room were all that registered in the otherwise peaceful setting. Scarlett decided that she wasn't upset that he wasn't beside her as she woke, the mini vacations adventure was over for now and he had to do what he did and she, well, she wasn't sure what her role was now. Things were different again. She then had to remind herself that Liz did see her leaving with V so as far as that one concern she had, it was settled. The waiting flower on the pillow found its way to the the waiting vase on the nightstand nearby. The room was warm and she was glad after the warm covers came off; she was still naked. Scarlet knew V heard her but she still tried to be quiet as she left the bed and went to the bathroom; she imagined he wanted to give her a little space in his space so she in turn tried not to be too assuming in it; things were different but how much so she wasn't sure yet. In the bathroom she found everything she needed set out for her; he again thought of her every need. This was more than love, it was complete devotion and it coming from what Yvette called an 'ancient' meant all that much more to her. She took a quick shower and found a robe waiting for her hung up beside his own. She then wondered if he was, in a way, showing her that he wanted her completely integrated into his life. The ring he gave her he insisted on staying on her left hand, him telling her he possessed her; she was his treasure. It confused her, she had told him she was his but he was still trying, but then again, so was she she figured. She realized her telling him she wanted to last for him the night before was her doing it still. Scarlett shook her head as she put the pair of panties he had set out for her and loose fitting camisole. When she peeked out to where V was sitting she saw several screens facing him and him talking as his fingers busily were typing away. She imagined both him and Stephan were a real force in the business world to be able to do that; his hand raised and he curled a finger beckoning her over. It was her heart that made her rush over to him to take his still outreached hand. The moment she touched him he rose up and embraced her and breathed in, inhaling deeply.
It was difficult not to slip in between the sheets beside her when he returned from feeding but he managed. Scarlett was sleeping so deeply that didn't wish to disturb her, no, not after their much needed reunion. The luggage that traveled from Paris was retrieved from where it had been waiting for his return and was unpacked and put away in moments. The bulk of her things had traveled with his and it all found a place amongst his possessions. In truth he didn't have much so the waiting space was glad to now have a use. He did stop often once he did start working again on his various businesses to go look at her, he had to plan his existence with this woman because now not only were her physical needs needing to be taken care of but also her emotional ones. She would, within reason, set the pace for them at her own speed as his own pace would, no doubt, overwhelm her. He listened to her sleep when he was back at his desk, the smirk never leaving his lips; he had won her. He listened to her wake, heard the flower stem slide into the crystal vase and her feet patting across the floor to the bath. This, this kind of existence agreed with him and had he known it would be his he'd have done nothing different and sadly he knew that that night in the alley watching his love face death was all a part of it. "Buna dimineata dragostea mea." The woman in his arms shifted slightly to peer up at him. "Good morning my love." She smirked.
"Good morning love." Scarlett felt V pull away slightly to gaze down at her. "I guess you won last night," She shrugged. "Not like I had a chance I guess." Vladimir's eyes glowed and not because he appeared to have a good meal after she had passed out. Something in her, something major, loved being looked at like he was looking at her; it felt so right. His fingers slipped down and guided the robe she still had on open.
"Let's see at what cost my victory came at h'm?" Her arms dropped from around him and she obediently allowed him to look. "I nearly lost S," he sat back down as he guided her to stand beside his chair. "You almost won but I don't believe you at all lost ether." He looked up to her smiling down at him before he returned his attention to her breasts. His hands soothed over them underneath the thin material of the camisole and yes, her nipples were still flushed; the heat from them was noticeable. He hummed as his hands glided down her torso to where he had held her firmly against him several time. The surface of her skin appeared normal but the flesh underneath was damaged, he could tell. "I shall be more careful love, my apologies for not being so last night...I was rather excited to have you back with me." S's heart started beating a bit more rapidly; he smirked. "Now then," his hand slipped between her legs to feel her thighs. "Not too sore?" He rubbed over the muscle. There was a soft 'no' above him, he continued. "And here love?" His forefinger brushed over her sex and he heard her inhale sharply. "Is that a yes." His eyes darted up as her head shook. "H'm not sore but very sensitive, noted." His finger kept stroking her how he wanted to take her there but she needed her nourishment and further recovery. He nudged her in closer to him and tilted his head to where her now faded scar was and kissed and licked the spot; no, he would never be displeased with this flaw on her, it was how he was able to win her over. Her hands found their way into his hair and for just a moment he felt dizzy with contentment in the peace of the moment.
Scarlett didn't want V to stop his attentions but she also didn't want to speak so she stroked his hair and ran her fingers through it. She knew he cared about hurting her but this was new; she didn't mind and rather liked the contact of being 'inspected'. He lingered at her side for some time despite the ringing phones and several beeps from the computer but it wasn't until he heard one particular noise that he stopped. His one hand went for the little box of contact lenses while his other hand patted her rear that was still tender. "I guess I will have to deal with that for your amusement?" There was a knock and the door opened as her robe was closed to concealed her. She watched as the attendant came in a set a few things down at the table where other items already waiting. He was concerned about her eating well, still. The attendant quickly finished and left them; her bottom was patted again and she took the hint to go eat. As she approached the table she huffed, "apples" to look back at him, he was smirking at his little joke and didn't dare look up at her from his screens. It was funny in a subtle kind of way that she figured she'd need to keep an eye out for his future attempts at humour. She sat and started eating while looking about the room now that she could see in the daylight. Where her former 'room' was now opened and it appeared to be a kitchenette of some sort. She also noticed more plants were in the space. It had a more relaxed feel from when she was there before, it was less cold now as she recalled it from before. He told her that he was changing and she saw hints of it now even more so than what was already evident in the bedroom and bathroom. She didn't rush eating or take too much time; as far as she knew there was nothing for her to do that day. She did glance at him a few times; he was engrossed in his work and it made her happy in a way that it took his focus off of her to be 'there' but she admitted to herself that she did want his attention too. She finished off her food and went to the windows to look out to the city below. She recalled that she only had seen it once before during the day and only twice at night; things were so very different now. This is what Vladimir wanted, this is what he set out to do over a year ago with her as he said in Switzerland, to have her with him without anything between them. Could she live this way with him, locked away up in the sky without worry of anything? It was possible, she was exceptionally happy and she did imagine that he'd wish her to pursue her interest as he had asked her back in Paris. As she recalled she didn't have any except reading her National Geographic magazines so she guessed she would do that until something else more substantial occurred to her. She heard the door behind her open and the attendant come into collect the dishes and she didn't bother to look to see them because V was there. He would keep her safe. It would have been all too much to take in last year when she hardly knew him, that level of devotion would be enough to drive any girl of the deep end but he, she then realized it, didn't rush her ether. Nudged yes but never rushed.
Vladimir was content, settled as if a burden on his heart had been lifted in the few hours of sweet tranquility he was sharing with his mate. Thoughtful yet silent in her reflections he watched her from the corner of his eye go about her morning. He himself was well past getting caught up with his own work. How he had existed before her was now a mystery, his mind was keener to more possibilities and alternate paths to more goals. He'd take it, he'd take all of it now. She was a key that had eluded him for centuries but he debated telling her that as not to spoil her mind too much. He loved her just as she was and would tell her, in time, how deeply her presence was making him better. The sun was shining through Scarlett's hair and that light was what caught his eye to look up finally directly at her By the windows sunning herself. 'She'd make you a perfect immortal mate.' The evil inside of him chimed. He whispered, "She is already perfect and immortal in my mind." and grinned to himself. The drive to get his work done and have her was great but also was the need to make her feel as though she wasn't being suffocated; she wasn't under his employ now, she was his mate. Human mate. He huffed to himself as he very well knew that other vampires would see him as lesser of an immortal than he was but the alternative was unthinkable. They would have to adjust, not him, or his love. Stephan was a day or two away from his departure back to Romania and he decided that he would like him to have a visit before he left; Vladimir thought S would like seeing him again. He placed the brief call and arranged it. He completed all he wished to do that morning and went over to where Scarlett was at a very slow pace. "I have invited Stephen over this evening as he will be going back home soon for a little while." She grinned at him. "If you like when you are out at dinner with Liz you may invite her over as well." Keeping her in contact with with the woman he knew was important, it was an outlet he felt she needed.
"I'll ask but I don't know if she will accept." Scarlett thought for a moment. "If not with Stephan over then another time? I'm not sure if she is settled with you two but I'm pretty sure she will be quiet about it." The times she did bring him up with Liz there was this hesitation, it wasn't like before in Paris where she was gushing a little over the men but all that was gone now and she wasn't sure if she felt bad for either of them, Liz or Stephan individually or both of them together. "I'm going out for dinner?" She smirked as Vladimir held her in his arms and they looked out over the city together. "And after, I'm staying the night?"
Vladimir kissed the back of Scarlet head and held her a little bit tighter, he wanted her to stay indefinitely but that was not his call he felt. "I wish you to stay but if you want to go back to your apartment then I will bring you there."
Scarlett savoured being held for a moment. "I'd like to stay." He squeezed her softly. "Can I go get my magazines?" She asked the question but then realised that it was within it it was a question that had deeper meaning, one she didn't quite intend but still wanted clarification for as it meant that it would help her outline her new role.
Vladimir felt the slight shift in her and indeed this was something he wished to discuss with the woman. "You are free to come and go at your leisure love. As much as I would like to have you with me constantly, I do want you to further your own personal growth, if you wish and that would entail you needing go out." He turned the woman in his arms. "I will need you on a few nights to accompany me out for various business events but even those you may refuse if you dodn't feel up for it." Never in his centuries has a human ever had so much say over him and he didn't mind one bit. Scarlett was processing the information and he allowed her to as the physical responses he could detect were all positive ones. "I had a lengthy discussion with Yvette this morning and she rather liked having another woman she could speak with so if you would be so kind to give her some of your time I think the conversations would further your understanding of our kind and I'm sure she would appreciate it." There was more thought behind Scarlett's eyes and he wished he could be privy to it.
The ring on her finger felt very present at the moment. "I'm a little bit overwhelmed at that, I can't imagine what she would want to talk to me about. I'm not exactly a wealth of information or anything."
Vladimir smirked, "Probably our sex life love." Scarlet went ridged, and he laughed. "She's probably curious as to what an ancient immortal knows and is looking for new ways to surprise Henri." He shrugged. "On that respect nothing much has changed, it's quite surprising actually, so I'm sorry to disappoint you on that respect love."
Scarlett went blank from her earlier train of thought of how it might be to her benefit to be in regular contact with Yvette should she need to beg her for a favour that the brothers were not willing to budge on. "I didn't even think of that until now but please don't be sorry, I'm just happy to have you after being alone for so long." Vladimir's brow raised, she sighed. "It was almost ten years for me." Vladimir went perfectly still in her arms. "Like I said, about that incident, it really put me off...did a number on me." Yvette was right about men when she recalled what she had told her, they don't want whores and he was no different.
It was Scarlett's own stillness that woke him up from the daze; ten years. "You were already an indulgence in my eyes love. I didn't realize how well you guarded your heart on that respect, I am truly humbled by you now." Humbled was the correct word for how he felt, he was pleased, ecstatic that not many men got to enjoy what he was now; perhaps it was an old fashioned preference he had carried over all this time. One thing was for sure, Scarlett's feelings ran very deep whereas another with her looks would have thought nothing of using them to profit from. He wanted to learn more of her life, all of it, every detail but decided to not be so abrupt in asking it all at once. "I'd like to know more about you love, how you came to be but only when you wish to share it, when you are comfortable doing so." His next mission was to find this ex boyfriend of hers and slowly rip small pieces off of him.
"Okay." It'd take less than an hour to do so she figured, to tell him her story and truth be told, she wasn't that crazy about it. She still regretted what she did tell him when they first met, about her ex and mom but she figured he was still curious about her. It was all hurt, he wanted to know about her years of hurt; she would tell him if only to convey how much she did appreciate him now. "Not today though, today is our first day back together and I'd like it to be a happy one." Vladimir nodded down to her, he was truly too good. "I think I'll go out a little sooner to dinner to swing by my place to get my books and hook up with Liz there so we have a bit more time to talk."
Scarlett was back at her place and had her books in a little bag with her when she and Liz went to dinner. "Please come over for a visit Liz, it'd make me feel better about being there." The waiter took their order and quickly left them. V had made the reservation for them and holding true to form they were seated in a more private area of the restaurant with very few people near them. "Stephan will be there and it might be the last time we see him, he's going home for a little bit and you know, I'm sure it'd be good if you parted with him on good terms?" Liz seemed so detached from her that it was upsetting. Scarlett, as much as she loved Vladimir she didn't like the idea of losing her only friend.
Liz was still miffed about the whole being informed over her essentially being told she was attending dinner and not having a choice in the matter. It may have been the norm for her friend now but she hated it. She was almost settled in not going when she looked over at Scarlett; she was deeply saddened. "I really don't want anything to do with them again, you can understand that can't you?" Scarlett gave her a nod and Liz admitted to herself that she was still scared. She wished she didn't know, she wished she didn't encourage Scarlett to make her feelings known to Vladimir, she wished she knew what he was so she could have never gotten her friend involved with him to begin with. "I just don't want to lead him on, you know? I'm sorry, I'm just not like you, so accepting of things to be able to ignore the fact that.." Liz zipped her lips as the waiter brought over their drinks and appetizers. "That from what I have seen I'm not comfortable being around them." Her friend looked so forlorn; it was bothering her. "Did he tell you to make me come over?"
Scarlett shook her head, "No. He said if I wanted to that I should ask you." She shrugged, "he said if I wanted to stay at my one place that I, I can do whatever I wanted really." The look of disbelief on Liz's face told her that she didn't believe her. "He's not controlling me Liz if that's what you think, I don't even have to go out with him on business outings if I don't want to...he's making every effort to not make it like before." Before, Scarlett thought, it wasn't like that was all that terrible except for the whores. "Come over if you want, I don't care anymore if you want to be a friend to me or not, but at least Yvette is making a damn effort to be one to me from where she is." Scarlet lost what little appetite she had and got up, "I'll see you when I do I guess." and left. Today was going to be a good day and it turned out not so great. The car that was waiting for her outside the restaurant brought her back to Vladimir's place in no time and dropped her off. With a swipe of the card she was given the elevator doors opened and up she went to where V was waiting for her. Once through the apartment door he was holding her in his arms and asking what was wrong. He'd know there was a problem just by looking at the time; thirty minutes past the dinner reservation and she was back. "I'm fine. Liz won't be coming over, she made it quite clear she…"
Vladimir's finger rose up and pressed on Scarlett's lips, somethings sometimes were best left unsaid. He could imagine why Liz wanted to distance herself so there was no need to say it. "I am truly sorry your friend feels that way love. I can only suggest we give her space?" Scarlett nodded at him but was still upset. "In time, as she sees you coming and going from your apartment, and you content she might not think so harshly of your boyfriend." Another nod and a smirk. "Are you hungry? I can order something for you or take you out myself?"
She paused, it'd be interesting to go to dinner with a man that didn't eat. "No. I don't have much of an appetite now if that's alright with you, if I have anything now it wouldn't sit right and I don't want to have an upset stomach for later." She was sure V would protest the skipping a meal but was surprisingly accepting of her decision. She went off to freshen herself up and get changed into something more comfortable for Stephan's visit.
Vladimir didn't like S being upset but unfortunately it was out of his control, nor did he wish to upset her over skipping her dinner ether; if anything he could find her food later that night if needed. He listened to her putter about in the bath and bedroom as he sat at his desk getting some work done; she eventually lay down on their bed to rest for later. == Vladimir had accomplished much that day and was settled in taking time for himself and having his team of lawyers dig into S's past a bit more extensively. She had been resting the entire time so he had hoped that she would be in better spirits now that Stephan was on his way.
Stephan was welcoming the bit of reprieve from last twenty four hours from being back in town; he also thought it kind of his brother to have him over and share the company of his mate so quickly. If it had been him, he thought he wouldn't be so kind. The distance between their two residence wasn't great, not for him so walking there was no effort on his part. He saw her outline well in advance of arriving at the place she was standing so he had time to consider a different path but it was curiosity that made him approach her in such a way that she would notice his approach and not be scared off; he had a feeling from his departure from her yesterday that her apprehension of him and his brother was still present. "Madame, bonsoir." The grief behind her eyes seemed to transcend the reality of his being. "Whatever is the matter?" Her looming about the front of his brothers building couldn't be good.
"I just," Liz knew Stephan would be there but was a little surprised seeing him where she had been for the better part of an hour. "I'm an awful person, terrible friend and I just don't know if she will ever forgive me." She found herself packing back and forth between the doors and the street the whole time gathering up the courage to go see her friend; would security let her in, she wasn't sure of that either. The man before her clearly didn't know what had transpired between them and she wasn't about to say it was his fault.
Stepahn looked up to where he needed to be and back down to Liz. "I'm sure it can't be that bad, not compared to, well, anything I've ever done madam but we will never know for sure unless we ask h'm?" He decided, whatever the little rift that had formed between the two women couldn't be that bad or his brother would have informed him about it. "Do you want to come up with me or rather stay down here in the cold?" Liz gave him a nod and even took his offered arm. He watched her as they entered and noticed her looking to where the security people were keeping post; they only gave them a glance and no more. His brother had a way of selecting the right humans to serve him. Stephan listened to Liz sift around all the way up the elevator and then swallow deeply as the doors opened. "It will be fine Liz, she doesn't strike me as one who would write you off so easily."
Vladimir looked over to where Scarlett had settled herself on the couch to read her magazine when the doors of the elevator opened; she didn't take notice when he was up and at the door opening it. "I see you found someone brother." Her eyes were up and looking between Stephan and Liz; there was a silent communication between the two women that they observed. "One day we will understand women and their telepathic abilities." Liz went over to where Scarlet was they embraced. They heard their few hushed words and he watched her take her friend's coat so she could sit with her. == The evening went well, Vladimir thought, there was lively discussion, S was happy and his brother was in better spirits by the time he left than all that day while they were working. He noted Liz's timid questions and her cautious tone when asking her friend about certain aspects of them; he and his brother although listening did try to give them a bit of privacy by finding another topic to discuss between them. Vladimir was pleased that Liz allowed his brother to escort her down and into a taxi even, the simple gesture from what had transpired between the two ladies earlier that evening was in the works of being forgotten. It was late when he and S got to bed; he noticed how tired she was both physically and emotionally. It was when he had her in his arms that he finally spoke up. "Things are better between you two now?"
"Yes, I think but I don't know. I don't exactly know what to compare it to to make a call." As much as Scarlett was happy to see her friend that night she wondered; V was waiting on her to speak because even he must of figured she was still off. "I just was wondering the whole time if she would have come up on her own or still be down there if Stepahn hadn't found her ya know?" She knew how persuasive the brothers could be if they wanted to so this was a valid concern.
She was so very thoughtful about some things that Vladimir had to give his mate's question a bit of thought. "I can not say what she would have done but rest assured she will always have access to you if you desire it. When we find those that genuinely care for us we must never let others keep them from us, including me." There was understanding in her eyes; she was so readable to him. "I wish you to have a phone of your own love, I'd like you to be able to contact your friend and she you anytime that you wish." There was that crease on her brow that he adored. "Should I be away from you I'd like to be able to contact you as well as having to a security detail on you at all times." The crease lessened but was still there; she resisted wealth even for her own benefit. "In those cases I'd write you love letters." He winked at her and she giggled.
"Aren't we past that part?" He shook his head at her; how she loved him. "Well, I'm still practicing my writing so it's legible but asking me to put how I feel about you on paper will take me some time… I can't put words to my feelings, I don't know if I will ever be able to." His eyes sparkled, she realized she did that. She didn't question why they weren't making love in that moment; this was just as intimate. "I should write that then?" There was a nod.
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