AN: Boy has it been a long time. Life has been SUPER hectic lately but I promise that this story is not abandoned. Matter of fact I've been holding off watching the second season so that I don't get a tone of muse and not be able to do anything about it. I hope you enjoy this next chapter and as always I can't wait to hear what you guys think!

After they saw Daphne and Simon off, the Bridgertons and Katherine returned inside, going their separate ways. Katherine wanted nothing more than to take a hot shower, well maybe a cold one after her encounter with Anthony earlier, and her pajamas. Now that the adrenaline was starting to wear off, she could only picture going to sleep after the very long day. She knew, though, that she needed to go speak with Anthony. That wasn't something they could just brush off and pretend that everything was normal between them. He had promised to make her scream his name and she could not wait until he made good on it.

She bit her lip as she made her way to the en suite bathroom. Maybe a cold shower was needed after all. Just as she was about to head into the bathroom, a knock was heard throughout the room. Laying her pajamas on the bed, she made her way over to open the door. Anthony stood there, hands clasped in front of him as he waited for her to answer. His eyes slowly moved up to meet hers and she couldn't help but smile. She was glad he seemed to be as nervous about what the incident at the pool house meant for them as she was.

"Hey." She greeted. "I was actually going to come find you after I showered."

He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "I couldn't wait." He chuckled. "About the pool house," he started, "I definitely want to continue what we started and maybe we can soon but I also wanted to let you know that I want more than just that with you. So if I have to continue to show up to these events for the rest of the season so that your family thinks we're doing things right, then so be it."

"Tony, you don't have to keep going to these events if you don't want to. I know there're rules to all of this but when have I ever been such a strict rule follower? I would much rather figure out what this is between us without all of the theatrics anyway. As you said, if you wanted to spend time with me, all you have to do is pick up the phone."

"But can I still call on you the next time you're accepting callers?"

Katherine rolled her eyes. "If you must."

"And can it be the same day we're going to dinner?"

"We're going to dinner?" She teased him, arching an eyebrow towards him.

"Yeah, sometime next week at Amore. I was going to make the reservation while you showered."

"I do love Amore. Will there be cheesecake involved?"

"Of course."

"And will I get a proper request?"

Anthony smirked as he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her hips as he pulled her close. "Miss Gibbs, will you do me the honor of coming to dinner with me next week?"

"I would like nothing more, Mr. Bridgerton." She grinned before leaning up on her tiptoes to give him a kiss.

"Still come find me after you're done?" He asked after slowly pulling away before things could go any further.

Katherine nodded before giving him one final kiss. "See you soon."

After seeing his sister and her husband off, Benedict made his way to his car so he could meet Ronan at the club. He wondered if his nerves were more because he was meeting Ronan or if they were leftover from his freak out that he had slept with Henry Granville's wife. Maybe he should have asked his brothers or maybe even Katherine about their thoughts on the club he was supposed to meet Ronan at. He may have initiated their…date? But Ronan had suggested the club so Benedict could have some anonymity.

Would people even bat an eye seeing them together? Anthony held the title of captain for the family but by association, Benedict was held in the same high regard compared to Ronan who was just one of the Bridgerton's many soldiers. Would this get back to LW? Then again events that were not a part of the Season didn't seem to usually make the blog.

Maybe he was just overthinking it. Then again he was always like this for all of his first dates. This nervous at least. So what if it was with Ronan? All interactions with Ronan so far have been good. For how quiet he was, he had a sharp tongue on him and a powerful punch.

Ronan stood outside, waiting for Benedict to show up. This was casual. Benedict was experimenting and Ronan was a firm believer that it was always safer to experiment with someone you trusted.

He tried not to be the first of them to arrive but Benedict had texted him when he was getting ready to leave apologizing that he would arrive late. Apparently, he needed to stay to send Daphne off on her honeymoon, and Katherine and Anthony were nowhere to be found and they had to wait for them since Katherine was in charge of decorating the vehicle.

When he saw Benedict walking towards him, he smiled and waved. He wasn't too late despite his initial fears. "So they finally decided to show up, huh?" Ronan said after he greeted Benedict.

Laughing, he nodded. "And something happened between them too. Their hair was wet and they had changed clothes. I just don't want to know what that something was."

Ronan chuckled. "I don't blame you." He then motioned towards the door. "Shall we?"

"Yeah, lead the way."

The club was a converted abandoned rail yard offering different rooms for eating, drinking, and dancing. It was one of Ronan's favorite places to go and to bring others. The energy about the place always gave him a little boost. No matter what, he always had a good time here.

"Have you ever been here before?" He asked once they ordered their drinks.

Benedict shook his head. "No, I haven't. I'm excited to check it out though."

"I hope you like it. It's one of my favorite places in the city."

"I can see why." Benedict smiled. Ronan just seemed to fit in here. Sure there were many different people walking around but this place just seemed to be made for the other man. His fingers itched to draw, to capture how the blue neon sign paired with the dim lighting cast shadows across his features.

"Can I draw you?"

Ronan's brows furrowed. "What, you mean now?"

Benedict shook his head. "I don't have anything on me. Could I take a picture so I can reference it later?"

Ronan chuckled nervously and nodded. He had never been asked to be a model for someone before. It felt like an honor to be asked. "Sure. Will I get to see the final product?"

"Yes, but keep in mind, I'm working on my lines. I can't seem to get this just right at the moment."

"I promise."

That earned him a dazzling smile before Benedict pulled out his phone to take the photo. "Could you look to the right and act as though you're deep in thought?"

"Sure." He agreed, doing as he had requested.

Looking through the screen, Benedict was trying his best to figure out the best angle to get the image that he had wanted. He even asked Ronan to move his head in different ways when he finally lowered his phone and reached out his hand to Ronan's chin. "May I?"

"Whatever you need."

Benedict carefully nudged Ronan's chin upward with his knuckle so that his jawline was better on display. He then moved his head slightly more forward so it wasn't such a profile shot. Ronan's eyes had fluttered closed when he felt Benedict's touch, letting him lead him wherever he needed. At the feeling of his lingering touch as he pulled away, Ronan opened his eyes. He had heard that artists had some kind of pull to them but even after spending so much time around Henry Granville and the budding artists that used his studio, he never felt it until right now.

"Perfect. Hold that." Benedict said as he pulled away to snap the photo. There was a desire in Ronan's eyes that he couldn't wait to try to capture in his drawing but that feeling wasn't as strong as the want to explore that. He had received his fair share of lusty and hungry looks from women but this was something different, deeper even.

"Did you get it?" Ronan asked.

Benedict quickly put his phone away and smiled. "Sure did. Ready to go to another room?"

Drinks in hand they left the bar area and made their way through to the dance floor. The bass could still be felt throughout their bodies but it wasn't making the walls or floor shake since it wasn't crammed into a small room. Outdoor seating was available with fire pits nearby. Some couples and a group or two were taking advantage of it. They were able to still enjoy the music while enjoying the other person's company as well.

Benedict and Ronan made their way to the dance floor but just before they got too close that they would have to yell over the music, Benedict confessed. "I've only ever really danced ballroom. I don't know how good of a dance partner I'll be."

Ronan smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about it. I'll show you. Just feel the music and move your hips."

Feel the music and move your hips, Benedict repeated to himself as he followed Ronan out to the dancefloor. He started copying Ronan's movements, Ronan even placing his hands on his hips to help him out. By the third song, Benedict felt like he finally got the hang of things but when Ronan tried to pull away, he caught his hand and brought it back to his hips. "This is fine." He reassured.

Ronan took a step closer, squeezing Benedict's hip. "Is this okay?"

Benedict nodded. "More than."

Another song played through and they couldn't keep their eyes or their hands off each other. Benedict had brought his hand up to caress Ronan's neck. The movement made Ronan's grip on his hips tighten as he tried to bring Benedict even closer to him.

"I really want to kiss you right now," Ronan confessed.

"I'd be a little upset if you didn't," Benedict said.

For being in the middle of the dance floor, it started out as one of the gentlest kisses either one of them had ever felt before it built as if a spark had finally reached a powder keg. The desire that both of them felt exploded. Fingers tangled in hair as arms wrapped around waists to bring each other closer.

"Do you want to come back to mine?" Ronan asked in between his heavy breathing when he pulled away to try and get some air.

"Lead the way." Benedict spun him around and nudged him forward. The night turned out even better than either one of them expected.

She found Anthony in his bedroom, looking down at his laptop screen perplexed. His well-sculpted torso was on display and just a peek at his pajama pants poked out underneath the blankets covering his legs. "What's got you thinking so hard over there?"

He paused the security footage he was watching and turned to find Katherine leaning in his doorway. "I may have pulled the security footage from the docks the other day." He confessed.

With a groan, she made her way over and climbed into bed, sitting next to him. "I told you I had that covered."

Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "I would like to make sure that nothing was tampered with and to also watch Ronan kick this guy's ass with the door." He pressed play and the clip of Ronan kicking the door out to smack the intruder started going.

Katherine couldn't help but chuckle. "Was anything tampered with?"

Anthony shook his head. "It was more like he was just scoping out the place and wanting to be seen on the cameras without showing his identity. Dinner is next Tuesday by the way at 7." He smiled at her.

"Can't wait." She smiled up at him, kissing his cheek. "I'm going to sleep now. Don't stay up too much later."

He smiled as he watched her turn around and settle further down under the blankets. He sent off a few screencaps of the intruder's profile, hoping that it was good enough to get something back before closing his laptop and setting it down off the bed. After turning out the light, he moved behind Katherine, wrapping her up in his arms and burying his face in her neck. "Is this okay?"

"Mmhmm. G'night."

"Sweet dreams." He placed a kiss on the back of her neck before settling into the pillow.

A long silence stretched over them as they both tried to fall asleep but it seemed like that wasn't going to happen. Katherine let out a soft sigh before turning around to face Anthony. Seeing that his eyes were still closed, she lightly tapped on his nose and whispered his name.

"Are you awake?" She asked when he made a noise as an indication that he had heard her.

He chuckled. "What's on your mind, Kit?"

"The fact that you still know that."

"Kitty, several years may have passed since we were attached at the hip but I haven't forgotten any of the specifics. Tuesday I'm bringing the biggest bag of peanut m&m's that I can find and a bottle of whipped cream vodka."

Katherine grinned. "I am almost out of my latest bottle."

"That can't be it, what else?"

She watched her fingers trace patterns and shapes along his bicep as she tried to put into words what her mind had spiraled into while she was in the shower. She started to worry if this was moving too quickly after just a couple of weeks she had turned him down. Was she giving in because someone was making vague threats and he was there for her once again?

"I just want to make sure that we're entering into this with a clear mind. It's only been two weeks since things were stirred up between us and you are far too important to me. My heart would be unrepairable if I lost you, lost your friendship."

He pulled her in close, tucking her head under his chin. He knew he couldn't make the promise of being there with her forever, no matter how badly he wanted to. That just wasn't in the nature in the world they lived in. The truth of that was living right under the same roof, his mother sleeping in her room all alone because his father had been killed in a shootout. He could reassure her that this was it for him, though.

"My mind is the clearest it has been in a really long time. The only way I will be leaving your side is if I am forced from it. Time hasn't been our friend even though it kept giving us glimpses of how our life could be but it was never the right moment. This is our time, Kit. I fully believe that."

"Are you talking about the first real job we did together?" She asked in awe that things went that far back for him.

"Sure am."

They were 19, a year had passed since his father had been killed. He and Katherine rose from the grief as closer friends than they ever had been before. While Simon offered a distraction, Katherine offered her supportive realness that allowed him to stay focused on his classes and to even pick up the family business.

The summer before they were to return for their second year at Oxford, Anthony had to negotiate a contract with the docks they currently worked together. Katherine's father was there guiding things but it was the real first test either of them faced that had everyone in the organization watching.

"We'll need to make sure that we're offering enough of an incentive for the new manager. We should probably also mention that if we move there others will follow, which will mean more for his pocket." Katherine pointed out during one of their meetings.

They had been cooped up in Anthony's office in the corporate building of Honey Bee Inc, the Bridgerton family business. Katherine's father sat across the desk from them as she and Anthony hunched together over his computer. She glanced his way after her suggestion and he nodded, indicating that she was on the right path.

Anthony clicked around pulling up the various spreadsheets they had been using for their data and after comparing what they paid the dock manager now with what they were bringing in, he did some math and came up with the number they could offer. "Do you think that should be good?"

"I think so but we'll offer a lower number when we meet with him, so he'll feel like he's getting a good deal when we reach the actual number in negotiations."

Nodding, he added the number they came up with to the contract. They were hoping to wrap things up today so they could send it over to his family's lawyers to look over. "Berbrooke will probably follow. Dad said they were always trying to copy us. What do you think about the Cowper's?"

"The new dock has better access points to get to their dealerships. I think if they didn't the moment they heard we were moving, they could be easily persuaded."

"You think you could do it?"

"She could if she was over the account. Remember Anthony, she's still learning and only has an assistant job at the moment." Howard spoke up, cutting off Katherine's reply before she could even speak.

"She's been doing a whole lot of the work with this for her to only be an assistant."

Katherine smacked his shoulder causing Anthony to look at her. Ever so slightly she shook her head. No one talked back to her father. It usually ended badly, something she knew all too well.

Letting out a small huff, he turned back to Howard Gibbs. "I apologize. I forget that not everyone is in my position especially since Katherine is doing so well. I believe she will be a force to be reckoned with once she has solid experience under her belt." His gaze drifted back to hers, offering up a small smile. It shouldn't have made her blush or even cause butterflies to erupt in her stomach but it had.

"You are forgiven. But keep in mind not everyone in this organization will remember that you are technically of learning age still, Mr. Bridgerton. They will not take your words so lightly."

"Yes, sir," Anthony replied before returning his focus to the contract.

Katherine moved closer once again, rubbing his back slightly not only to offer up some comfort but as a way to say thank you as well. Someone even attempting to stand up to her father for her was rare and far between but when it happened it was always appreciated.

If LW was around during this time, she was sure she and Anthony would have made the blog as a power couple alert. The negotiations were extremely successful. The dock manager agreed to all of their requests. Katherine had been nervous about it when they had walked into the conference room but everything had gone exceptionally well.

Anthony had held the door open for her. He was dressed in his best suit and she in a sleek black dress. For them to still have a bit of a babyface, they commanded the attention in the room. Howard sat in the back of the conference room, watching as the two worked together. Anytime Anthony's anger would flare up, Katherine placed a hand on his arm and cut in, explaining in a way that the dock manager didn't realize he was being led right where the two wanted him. Perhaps the young man had been right, his daughter acted like a pro. She needed to work on her poker face, however. The negotiation could have been shorter if she didn't give little hints away with her facial expressions. Anthony always swooped in at those moments, bringing the manager back onto their side.

The moment the manager left, Anthony and Katherine grinned at each other. "We did it!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a hug.

He wanted to kiss her. He had wanted to for a while but working on this together made him think of the stories he would hear about his parents and solidified the thought that maybe they were meant to be together. The signing of the contract wouldn't have happened without her. He was sure of it. But he couldn't indulge in his impulse desires. She was dating someone else. Someone who meant a great deal to her. He wasn't sure if love had ever been expressed between the two but he could tell that for Katherine she was getting there just based on how her face lit up when talking about him. He hoped that this Luca knew how lucky he was to get a look like that out of her. Settling for the hug, he even twirled her around as they celebrated, earning him her laughter in his ear. That sound was more than enough to hold him over.

Katherine smiled at the memory. "We did kick ass that day."

Anthony chuckled. "We sure did and continue to do so."

"Hell, yeah we do." She laughed along with him. "I don't think they'll ever be ready for us."

"No, they never will." He placed a kiss on her forehead before resting his there. "I want this, Kit. I have for a long time and I promise that nothing else is clouding my decision. You're really stuck with me now."

Her smile grew from where he had kissed her forehead. He had successfully pulled her out of her rabbit hole. This was their time now. Their paths finally merged together instead of twisting and turning around each other. "I think it's actually that you're stuck with me."

"We're stuck together then." He whispered against her lips before kissing her. "Sweet dreams, Kit."

"Sweet dreams, Tony." She replied before snuggling into his embrace and finally falling asleep.