Chapter 11: Hot and Sweaty
Beatrix Kiddo watched the whole personality switch and the words exchanged between the two men with mouth agape and blue eyes wide. As her supposed target approached she found herself recoiling a step. Her facade flipped from shock to pure anger. She was angrier at herself for being so goddamn stupid. How could she have let herself fall into such a sleazy trap? Compress all human emotion, a key rule and she brushed it under the rug. Another advancing step and she retreated a step. Deep down Bea was frightened, she never was stupid enough to put herself into such a situation. No, she had to remain calm and show these fucking assholes who they were dealing with.
She gulped down the lump in her throat and effortlessly snatched out her own 9mm from beneath her blouse. Hands were clenched tight to the handle, finger on the trigger, but seeing 'Neal' with his own revolver she hesitated and just aimed for now. Her features tightened and her mouth formed into a thin line. "Take one more step and I'll blow your fucking head off," she threatened through clenched teeth.
"Not before I blow one in yours," came a voice from behind Beatrix. She felt a cool barrel of a gun pressed against the back of her head. She recognized that voice. She stifled a laugh, and shook her head. This was so fucking screwed up. "Dan, right?"
"You've got a good memory, Black Mamba."
"That I do."
"Now, be a good girl and put the gun down. Than go make yourself comfy." The soft click of the gun could be heard. Beatrix reluctantly lowered her gun, hands still clasped she let it hang down in front of her. "I prefer to stand." .
"Ah, looks as if you got another surprise," sleazy mustache said with a sneer, "Dan here arrived just in time." He watched her put down her gun, "That's better." he cooed disgustingly.
Rick remained aiming his revolver. His blue eyes focused keenly on Beatrix as she stood there shocked and appalled. "Black Mamba?" Rick narrowed his eyes, "What the fuck kind of name is that?"
"Stupid code name," mustache replied, taking a long drag of his cigarette, "Dan here tells me this bitch is an assassin for hire. Her boss is some asshole wanna be cowboy kung fu shithead...who knows...who cares. She aint no assassin for hire anymore, eh Dan?" Mustache chuckled. Upon hearing this new news, a wisp of uncertainty crept onto Rick's face but obviously he wasn't the boss around here and he kept quiet...his gun still aimed at Beatrix's head.
Mustache took a few more tentative steps; obviously he was a least somewhat cautious knowing Beatrix's occupation. "Well, if ya prefer to stand, so be it baby."
Dan had on a sly smile. He held the gun in one hand, still aimed at the back of Beatrix's head, and the other hand casually wavered up to stroke at that blonde hair. "Nah, she's a slutty bitch-ass whore for tonight," Dan replied coolly.
The tall blonde held a demeanor of mildly amused and utterly pissed off. Blue eyes only blazed more when they went insulting her boss. Bea was the only one that could insult Bill and even than it was all in good fun. Her knuckles turned white around the firearm. Her gaze cold, leveled up to the man with the mustache. "Knowing my profession do you really think I'm gonna let you and you're shitass friends gang bang me? I could easily cauterize you before you even got a chance to fuck."
Dan's eyes lit up. "Ah, see, I knew you'd say something like that. That is why--" His hand trailed down along her shoulder. "We've packed reinforcements."
Beatrix shot her head up and turned to see another man appear from the shadows. This guy was wearing a white suit with a blue tie; he was Hispanic in appearance with a jagged appearance in his hand he held a threatening looking syringe.
Mustache man laughed at Beatrix's reaction to seeing the new syringe wielding arrival. "All makes sense now eh? You think your all tough shit right now honey, but in a few minutes you aint gunna have no choice but to lay down and play nice. Works every time eh Rick?"
Rick smiled sleazily, "That's right...works like a charm. She wanted to fuck me anyways...too bad she won't be able to remember most it now." He took a step closer, gun still raised as the Hispanic man came up behind Beatrix, the syringe needle prepped and oozing every pervert's favorite date rape drug, Rohypnol.
Mustache man took a handful of Beatrix's blonde hair in his grubby hand, yanking it, "Just a little prick and then a couple not so little ones eh boys?" He laughed in his annoyingly loud laugh. The others chuckled. "Be good enough and I might even keep ya." The Hispanic man was now right next to Beatrix, he raised the needle and brought it down on her upper arm.
Beatrix had been watching that needle as a frightened child anticipated the chicken poxs vaccine. Her heart rate picked and she felt it beat harshly against her chest. It hovered inches above her skin ready to pierce, that child facade faded and she reacted. One hand removed from the gun and shot out like a snake striking it's pray, her hand latched around the wrist of the Hispanic man. Without a second delay she snapped his wrist as if it were a twig. The man dropped the syringe to the floor and sprang away with a scream. He was clutching to his now deformed hand, cursing in a foreign tongue. Beatrix stood there with an amused expression. Slender brows rose as she skimmed over the three other men. "Anyone else?" She chimed. Her hand held up and digits extended, she slowly curled long white fingers into a fist, knuckles cracking in the process.
"That, was fucking stupid you cunt!" Mustache man roared, taking a cautious step back. There was a loud clicking sound as Rick pulled back the hammer on his gun. "One more move and I'm just gunna go ahead and kill you anyways you bitch."
"Dan you asshole," mustache glared at Dan, "This one's far too much trouble. I aint gunna get my face busted in just for some pussy even it is good."
Rick, who looked rather angry now, stepped forward, the butt of his gun pressing hard into Beatrix's cheek. His once warm blue eyes were now nothing more than hallow cold orbs. Mustache man bent down and picked up the dropped syringe. He handed it to Rick looking like a true coward. "You do it Rick, don't fuck it up. I'm losing my patience."
Rick took the syringe in his non-gun hand and held it right in front of Beatrix's eyes. "Maybe I'll just stick it in one of those pretty blue eyes of yours, you fucking bitch!"
Mustache man didn't seem to like that idea much. "No, no...just as planned for Christ's sake..." He appeared to be losing his cool.
So, this had all been planned out. She shoulda known. But than again, she did know. Beatrix had had that gut feeling; she didn't want this assignment to begin with. Although she had been given the choice to go or not she still felt as if she had been swindled into it.
Blue orbs stared at the opposing needle. She could feel the cold metal of the gun to her cheek. Sweat started to form on her forehead. Bea stuck herself into this and she could jump out. Nonchalantly she tilted the gun in her hand, barrel aimed, Rick was only a few inches from her form. If she was going to do something she had to do it now. Her finger pressed on the trigger. A loud bang could be heard, the bullet wedging into Rick's gut.
"Bitch!" Dan yelled his face red with fury.
Beatrix quickly ducked down before a shot could be taken at her own head. Long leg extended and swung around hard against the back of Dan's legs causing the man to fall over. She sprang forward and ducked behind the couch. That blonde head popped up over the edge, gun poised at the man with the mustache. Blue orbs burned. Rick went down with a loud scream, clutching at his stomach. He fell onto the floor in a fetal position and proceeded to bleed to death all over the ground. It was a terrible and slow way to die.
Mustache man watched all of this happen with a look of utter freight on his face, he backed up. "Dan, you asshole," he yelled as the other man went sprawling next to the screaming form of Rick.
"I came here to kill you, not fuck you, and I plan on sticking to my assignment." Her finger tensed on the trigger.
Mustache man sneered, "Well, looks like the plans changed bitch!" In fast draw style he reached behind his blazer and spun out a revolver. But, apparently the guy was no Bill. He lost his grip on the gun during the maneuver and the weapon went spinning into the corner of the room. 'Fuck!" he yelled and dove behind a small nearby chair. "Look," he called from behind the furniture, "We'll work something out...forget this ever happened." The guy was a typical swindler. "I'll pay you whatever you want, alright?"
This brought a cold and bitter laugh from the blonde. That scared little girl was long gone and all that remained was a blood thirsty killer. "I don't bargain well especially when lives are on the line--" Beatrix trailed off her gaze springing to Dan whom was trying to make a clean get away. "Nah-uh." 9mm aimed and the trigger was pulled. Dan let out a scream as his legs gave way from under him. Bea had lodged a bullet in the back of his calf muscle. That had to hurt. "You stay right where you are," she sneered between clenched teeth.
Gun was reposed to her original target. "Now, you're gonna stay there like a good shitass-pimp and answer me a few questions. I'd ask your buddy over there but his leg must hurt real bad."
From behind his hiding place, Mustache man cringed as he watched Dan go down. "Shit!" He licked his lips, "Alright, alight...ask me whatever you want ok! Just don't fucking shoot me..." He sounded pretty damn pathetic. "I don't know much...just...augh..." he made a sad noise in his throat, "...jesus..." The man sounded really scared. For somebody who had acted so tough before, he was turning out to be something of a disappointment.
Beatrix found this man to be so pathetic she wasn't even sure if he deserved to die. It seemed almost too honorable. A gift he shouldn't receive. Her lips curled into a frown. Unlike herself she knew this man would be truthful, especially with a gun aimed at his head. "First question; why'd you set me up? Did you think it was funny, to tempt a killer? Or are you just that fucking stupid."
There was a long pause from behind the chair as the man attempted to collect his thoughts. "I...I...I didn't think you were going to actually be a real killer...I thought Dan was just shitting me...ya know exaggerating," he cleared his throat nervously, "It...was something of a game. I've been looking for some new whores. Dan told me he knew of this guy..er...Bill who ran a group of female assassins. I thought that was pretty fucking funny. Dan had done some business with them...so we set it up...for shits and giggles ya know." He paused, "Look...I'm sorry...it was just for some fun..."
"Oh, it's been a real blast," she spat between clenched teeth. Intense blue eyes stared at the chair; she could easily see the back of his head and his lower torso. This man was so pathetic, Beatrix found herself having an inner debate. It wasn't completely against her code of conduct to let this pimp-ass off the hook. But, if she killed him her satisfaction level would decrease and she felt as though she would drop a level in stature. He had caused her so much trouble and it could have been avoided. Glaring Beatrix flexed her fingers and pulled back the hammer.
"You can be as sorry as you want but that ain't gonna change a goddamn thing. You fucked with the wrong person and as sad and pitiful as you are--I can't let you get away with it." She effortlessly pulled back the trigger. The bullet whizzing across the room and smashing into the back of his head. A good amount of blood splattered on the floor along with a few skull fragments.
Her face stood emotionless as she rose to her feet and took threatening steps to Dan, whom was squirming on the floor in agony. Beatrix shook her head with a 'tsk-tsk'. "You, you I have no trouble killing." With that she aimed and fired. She cocked her head to the side, rose the smoking barrel of the gun to her lips and blew softly, before twirling and holstering. "I'll be leaving now. Have fun bleeding to death." She sprinted over his twitching body and exited the hotel room.
It was hot...almost miserably so. The afternoon sun baked the stones that composed much of Bill's oriental garden/courtyard. There was just the slightest breeze. Small insects flew this way and that. There was hardly any shade to be seen. Even the grass seemed to wilt under the intensity of the heat. In the middle of the courtyard Bill appeared to be exercising some of his numerous demons. He was barefoot, shirt unbuttoned. He was going through a long sword form with a ferociousness that spoke of more than perhaps a simple practice session. He was covered in a visible sheen of sweat.
Obviously he had not been expecting any company...Beatrix included. At her approach he stopped, lowering his sword. He turned towards her slowly, hair blowing across his face. He smiled broadly and genuinely. But one look at her and he knew something was wrong...the smile slowly faded. "What happened Kiddo?" His voice was laced with concern.
Beatrix stood there in the middle of the oriental garden. She wore a pair messy trimmed jean capris, a soft indigo shaded t-shirt; the sleeves rolled up to appear more like a tank top than an actual t-shirt, and she wore a pair of sandals to finish off the outfit. Blonde locks of hair were pulled back into a tight braid, loose strands settled against her void features. She chose to ignore the hint of concern in Bill's question. Instead she tilted her chin down, blue hues frozen as they settled on him. "I hate you," she whispered eerily.
Bill cocked his head to the side mulling over these words. "Well..." he began slowly, turning fully towards her, "...that's your prerogative I suppose." He bent and slid his sword into its scabbard setting it down the cobblestones. He sat down casually on one of the steps, attempting to wipe the dripping sweat off of his face.
"Come...," he patted the spot next to him, "sit down and tell me how much you hate me..." He appeared calm but there was a definite edge to his movements...as if he had suddenly become aware of his own mistake.
Beatrix was reluctant at first to take the invite but eventually gave in and settled beside him. Her legs were bent and she settled crossed arms on them, leaning forward a little in a mild sway. Her gaze was fixated on the cobblestones under her feet. Silence perused a couple of moments before Beatrix spoke up. Her tone was calmer but it was clear she was in fact masking her fury.
"A note before I go and tell all; next time a client asks for me personally, send someone else." She shot him a chilling glare before resting her head on her knees.
Bill turned his head and watched her talk, looking at her in his trademark intense expression. His frown deepened as she continued on. "The Pussy-Cat was the club I was supposed to find my target at. I waited and became--preoccupied." She wasn't about to go and tell Bill how she fucked up. She probably never would unless he could figure it out and so far she was leaving no clues to the puzzle. "Fuckers ambushed me. I wasn't sent there to kill, I was sent there to be a whore. Everything was so screwed up I had trouble piecing it together. You're buddy, Dan, he planned it all. Set me up. They were gonna drug me up with Rohypnol. I wasn't sure if I could handle it but I snapped out of it. I wouldn't be Quick-Draw Kiddo if I couldn't." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "All four are dead."
When she had finished, he turned away squinting into the sunlight. "Fuckers..." he whispered viciously. "Shit..." It was obvious that Bill was unsettled by this turn of events. He sat silent for a few minutes. "Ok...your royally pissed at me...I can understand that," he admitted finally. Actually, this news was far more disturbing to him than he was letting on. He had never had one of his Vipers set up in such a manner. It was low and completely tasteless. And the fact that it had been Beatrix only made it worse. He'd personally go and kill each and every one of those fucking assholes right now if Beatrix hadn't already done it herself. He had no doubt that she had made the experience very painful. He was much to blame for the whole thing, he knew that. But he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. Suddenly he turned towards her, "Did any of those fuckers touch you?" It just came out...he hadn't intended to say it...it was more of a thought. One that made his blood boil. Well, too late...he'd said it. He played along, watching her closely.
Her head picked up and turned to him. Pink lips were parted an inch in a momentary shock. She found that question be very un-Bill-like but it was comforting to know he cared, in his own twisted way. Beatrix shook her blonde head. "No, Bill, they didn't touch me." Her tone took on a wave of sentiment but it vanished. She was supposed to be royally pissed off at him and here she was starting to feel something for his concern. Elbows bent on her knees, palms upturned so she could nestle her chin there. Her gaze tore away.
"When they tried I broke a hand and wedged a bullet in some guy's gut." She wanted to confide in him and tell him how scared she was. That she let her emotions get in the way when one of the first things Bill ever taught her was to compress all human emotion. But she wouldn't tell that tall tale.
Bill nodded. Secretly glad she hadn't reacted weirdly to his accidental question. He chuckled, smiling openly at her description of her killings. "That's my Kiddo." he stretched his legs out, leaning back, "Yet I'm getting this weird sense that your not telling me everything. It just doesn't make sense to me that you would walk into a trap. I thought I educated you pretty well on that kind of thing." His voice was still even and casual, but there was a definite hard undertone to it. "It concerns me. You were lucky...well...your good..but you were also lucky. You were supposed to get this guy at this...Pussy-Cat club correct? How in the hell could you be ambushed so openly?" He shrugged, "Maybe I'm just being paranoid." Casual...yet somehow probing.
Eyes darted to him and flashed with a brief alarm. She quickly averted and tongue flicked out to wet her suddenly very dry lips. Beatrix had to make a decision. Bill was smart and she should have expected him to see the flaws in her story. She gritted her teeth and took a distasteful facade. "It wasn't at the club. It was in a hotel room." She turned her head to see his bewildered expression. She had to elaborate. "There was this--guy--at the bar...and we started to chat. That's what I became preoccupied with. A guy. And I was enjoying myself because it wasn't you, it was the complete opposite." She raked a hand through her bangs in a discontented manner. "I feel head over heels for him. Enough so that I went back to his hotel room." She gave him a look. "Let me finish--That's where I was ambushed in the hotel room. I became the pray and walked right into the trap. I don't know how I could've been so stupid!" Her tone picked up on anger, hostility towards herself. Clearly she had mentally beat herself during the flight home already. "I forgot everything all cause there was this cute guy with big blue eyes." She paused. "Lecture me if you want, Bill. But, I'm more than aware of what I did."
Bill stared at Beatrix, mouth slightly agape, brown eyes hard. "Wait...," he turned over so he was now facing her, "You went to some fucking jerk's hotel room because he had big blue eyes and he was cute?" he spat out these last words. "What are you some 16 year old, giggling-" he held up his hand, stopping himself. He took a deep breath. "I'm completely shocked not to mention disappointed. I thought you knew better...fuck that, I thought you were beyond that sort of thing. Apparently I was wrong." It was obvious Bill was starting to get a little angry. "And what's this about...'he wasn't you so I wasn't enjoying myself'?" He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, "They baited you with some cock and you fell for it! JESUS! You're an assassin Kiddo, not a cocktail waitress who lays down for any dick that comes long. You're fucking lucky to be alive!" He stopped, she'd called it. Of course, he couldn't help himself...the whole thing was incomprehensible. Bill often failed to realize that Beatrix, despite being a trained assassin, was still a young woman. "You were going to fuck him weren't you? " He added venomously and completely inappropriately.
Beatrix had been gearing herself up for this but apparently she didn't adjust the breaks accurately. She sat up to a full posture, her body turned to him. Slender brows knit together and her facade clearly read pissed off. Deep down she knew he was right. She had told him that she knew it was wrong and stupid but had to exaggerate it. Subconsciously she knew this was why she had fallen so easily for the 'nice' guy because she was stuck with the 'bad' guy. She sat there, locked in a death glare with her boss. Bea slowly leaned her head forward, her face coming inches from his, and she replied to his question in a challenging undertone, "Maybe I was." Brows rose. "Why? Does that make you--jealous?"
Bill's eyes widened slightly as Beatrix leaned forward. His nostrils were flared, jaw set in anger. They sat in this death glare for a few more seconds after Beatrix proposed her question. WWIII was going on in Bill's mind, although his expression remained as hard as ever. Finally, he opened his mouth. "Yes," he admitted in a soft murmur. "It makes me immensely jealous," there was nothing but raw honesty in his voice.
Beatrix just stared. She was expecting some kind of lashing other than verbal for that remark and she surprised to be getting blunt honesty. A quick note ran through her mind to remind herself that Bill could be more truthful than she ever could be. Her expression softened but she wasn't going to melt completely. "Okay--" Her face lingered close to his and long digits roamed up to gingerly cup against his face. Beatrix than leaned in, soft pink lips brushed against his before placing a smudge of a kiss to his upper lip. Following the unexpected event she tilted her head down and averted her gaze, her hands remained. This time she was going to stay and see what her actions brought instead of walking away.
Bill had been wanting this for so long and it was odd to finally have it happen. Dreamlike in a completely un-corny sort of way. Here they were lounging on the steps of his Oriental garden on one the hottest days of the year. Somehow fitting. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment. He had always loved the feel of her long elegant hands on his face. Her kiss was soft yet meaningful. He could feel her eyelashes brush his chin tilted her head down. He remained unmoving for a few seconds, eyes still closed...taking the whole thing in. He opened his eyes and gently removed one of her hands with his own. Moving slowly he placed her hand on his chest over his heart. He gave her a small apologetic smile for the sheen of sweat that still remained. All of his previous internal conversations about distance and self preservation seemed to fade at this moment. "That's a very lonely place," he whispered, referring to the placement of her hand. He looked as if he wanted to say something more, but changed his mind. He leaned forward, moving his head slightly to the side so that they were cheek to cheek...not the expected action. His arm came up to wrap around Beatrix's shoulder, his hand resting on the back of her head. It was almost as if Bill was giving a loving embrace. Unthinkable.
Unthinkable but not unwelcome. The hand had remained to his cheek now moved down to drape across his shoulder and curve delicately around his neck. Beatrix had stuck around this time and the response she received had been worth the wait. There was a slow but potent realization forming in her head. As much as she wanted to fall for the younger soft hearted man she was falling for the older hard hearted man. Not that she had any complaints about it--for the moment. She brushed her cheek against his and nestled her face against his neck. Bill was sweaty but Beatrix was starting perspire as well being that they were sitting under a hot desert sun. All of her anger she felt towards him had evaporated but that brought more anger towards herself for sinking into such a show of emotion. But she wasn't going to back down and decided to store away her anger. Bea spoke softly, breath hitting against his neck, "I know. I've got that same place."
Bill smiled softly at her words, leaning into her. He was doing his damndest to not think about the close proximity of her body and concentrate on what really mattered at the moment. "Well then," he spoke in that rare soft tone of voice, ".I suppose us cold lonely hearts should stick together." He ran his hand through her hair, staring at the blonde locks reflecting in the sun. So beautiful. No, more than beautiful, gorgeous. He pulled his head back so they were now looking at one another face to face. She was staring back at him, the sheen of sweat beginning to gleam on her skin, blue eyes luminescent in the bright light. What he wouldn't give to know what was going on in her mind right at that moment. He realized, with a pang of irony and perhaps a little regret, that despite all his efforts, he was no different than any other man. Didn't all men wonder about that at moments like this? Didn't they all want to delve into that feminine mind just for a second and grab up its secrets. In the end, murdering bastards were still men. He smiled faintly. "Penny for your thoughts?"
Blue eyes stared into those brown for awhile longer. Unlike women, men were easier to figure out during certain situations. Beatrix could take a wild guess to what Bill was thinking right than and she knew she'd be more or less on the dot. When it came to what was going on in her own mind, her thoughts would always be a mystery. She canted her head. "That was...nice." A smirk tugged at the side of her lips but she masked it with a sly smile. That wasn't the type of penny he wanted to be tossed. Her gaze wandered away from him and settled on a lotus tree, not yet in full bloom. A sparrow was perched on one of the long branches. "I needed that, Bill. I needed to know that not all of male populous are sick perverted bastards. You've still got your plain bastards out there," her words were soft leveled but held a spark of sarcasm.
Bill smiled. He should have known better. Beatrix had an iron clad curtain over her inner thoughts, maybe someday he would be allowed to peek in. He followed her gaze to the unbloomed lotus tree. He considered her comments for a moment. "Sad but true Kiddo. There are always going to sick perverted bastards out there...they've been there since the dawn of time. I don't see them falling extent anytime soon. As far as your 'plain bastards' as you so gently put it," he turned towards her again, "Well, who am I to make amends for them?" He smiled, "I may be many things, but at the very least I'm willing to fess up to it...no excuses," there was a definite sense finality in his voice when he said that.
A smile, or close to it came to grace her finely tanned features. She turned her head back to him and she placed a hand to his shoulder. "The fact that you are willing to fess up makes you a king among all those other bastards." She spoke these words in a prestigious manner as one would use when dubbing a knight. Beatrix even laughed lightly and her smile widened enough to expose pearly whites. She let her hand fall back to her side.
Bill was a little taken back at her comment, but in a pleasant way. He laughed, "A king? Now...that is something I have never been called...even if it a king bastards. But from you, I'll take it." Then again, he'd take just anything from her. He brought his fingertips up to her cheek, "And you Kiddo...you are," he spoke in a majestic tone, "...a true woman among imposters...a diamond in the rough, a variable epitome of beauty and grace, the queen of hearts and," he dropped the act, "...quite possibly the most stunningly beautiful and amazing woman I have ever met." He blinked, surprised at his own rush of "sweet" words. Of course he meant them in every way but to actually say it, and so honestly, was a little shocking to him.
She blinked back at him returning the shock. But it dissipated quickly and faded over with pure bliss. It was this time that she found a new reason for her attraction to a murdering bastard. The sweet side. His sweet side was his best side and as rare as it was it was always worth the wait. Words didn't seem to fit and she wasn't about to go showing gratitude for the compliment. Instead she leaned back in, placed lips to his, and allowed him a more sentimental kiss, as to which, was hard to say. Beatrix lingered, her forehead resting against his, her breathing shallow but soft paced. She'd let actions speak for her words.
Bill was still reeling from his own words when Beatrix leaned in and kissed him. He had been very careful not to initiate anything thus far. He knew she could be easily scared off and he didn't want that. He imagined this was especially so after what he just happened to her. It was something he must respect. He tiled his head to the side, more than willing to receive whatever she was willing to give him. Closing his eyes, he took everything in; the feel of her soft lips, her forehead pressing against his own, the sound of her breathing, even the faint tickle of her bangs. It was sweet and sentimental. Perfect really.
Beatrix wanted to give him more than just a kiss and psychical contact. But, she knew that any further would be going over her own boundaries and she didn't want that. It was best to break it off here and let the tender, meaningful moment be a pleasant memory for them both. Though she found herself reluctant to pull away from him. Reluctance to not feel that body heat exchange or cascading emotions but also remembrance of when she broke it off months ago. A moment of bliss was quickly flipped over. "Bill--" she trailed in a hushed voice. More words would have followed if she had been able to think of any.
There was a definite hunger in Bill's eyes and he leaned in again...a far less sentimental kiss obviously on his mind, but when Beatrix spoke his name he stopped...lips millimeters from hers. He froze there. "Your right...," he murmured, still frozen n place, "Bad idea." With a look of pure reluctance he pulled away a few inches. His eyes scanned her face questionably. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her long fingers. "Perhaps a rain check?" he quipped, with an almost Bill-like smirk.
Beatrix was glad she spoke his name when she did because she was sure if he kissed her again she'd go right along with that bad idea. Her head remained tilted downwards but blue eyes were picked up to him.
"Sounds good," she replied gently. Bea was still happy and wore that smile to prove it but her eyes sparkled with humor. "Actual rain would sound even better," she added, her tone returning to a normal level. The hand Bill wasn't still clinging to was used to rake through the bangs that had been plastered to her forehead, and disheveled them to the sides. "I couldn't agree more," Bill replied, his tone of voice weighted perhaps be some double meaning. But that vanished as he sat up...realizing for the first time that the stone steps weren't all that comfortable. "Next best thing...going inside and getting something to drink." He stood up, helping Beatrix do the same. Not that she needed any, but he seemed to be unwilling to let go of her hand. He finally let go and retrieved his sword.
He motioned for her to lead the way silently and padded barefoot behind her into the shade of the house.