~*~*~*~ "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, rounded with a little sleep." ~*~*~*~

"Adrian Taylor?" Sarah hissed in my ear. "Is that the Adrian Taylor that you were talking about? Phoebe? Phoebe?"

But I couldn't hear her; the blood was rushing through my body, roaring through my ears, and I had no idea which way was up and which way was down. Adrian stood casually at the front of the room, looking for all the world like he belonged there. I doubted that there were many places out there where he was out of place.

"Miss Grey!" Dr. Pritchett's voice startled me and it was only then that I realized that I had risen from my seat. "Whatever are you doing?"

"I… I…" All of the eyes in the classroom were on me, including Adrian's. Quickly, I looked away from him and at Dr. Pritchett, hoping that my face wasn't flaming. "I really need to go and see the nurse. I'm not feeling so well all of a sudden."

He frowned but walked to his desk to get me a nurse pass. An example of why it was good to be a Grey, I thought. My father was a benefactor, so the teachers were generally syrupy sweet to me. When he offered me the pass, I snatched it and then left the classroom without looking at Adrian, though I could feel his eyes on me.

What is he doing here?! How does he know Dr. Pritchett? Why did I have to act like an idiot in there? Why couldn't I have just pretended that I didn't know him? Why did I have to freak out? What am I going to tell the nurse when I get there? I can't just go home; there's a lot to do today…

The nurse didn't ask too many questions, thank goodness; she insisted that I needed some fresh air, so she sent me to go sit outside for a while. I decided that I would stay there until second period started. I really hope that Adrian isn't giving a lecture in French, too, I thought dryly as I made my way outside, going to sit on one of the benches near the fountain. I had always greatly admired the campus, especially the fountains and rose gardens. They did an excellent job on the upkeep, even during the winter months.

I'd been sitting there for quite a while when a familiar voice said, "My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still. My father does not feel my arm; he has no pulse nor will."

Without turning around or even looking at him, I returned, "The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done. From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;"

Adrian dropped down onto the bench beside me, staring at the fountain as he quoted the next lines. "Exult O shores and ring O bells! But I with mournful tread-"

"Walk the deck my captain lies," I finished, also looking at the fountain. "Fallen cold and dead."

"So," he said, and I felt him shift beside me, felt his eyes on me. "How's our sick little student?"

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I said, "I'm fine. The nurse said that I just needed some fresh air. It's helping."

"Wonderful," he responded. "I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better."

Years of inbred civility caused me to respond, "Thank you. I'm sorry that I missed your lecture; I'm sure it was quite interesting."

"Not really." He smiled that smile like he knew something that I didn't. "At least, your friend didn't seem to think so. She seemed much more interested in checking out my outfit." Leaning closer, he whispered, "I think I passed muster."

I shot a look at his outfit – black slacks and a gray button-up shirt. Black Italian leather shoes. No tie, but he didn't necessarily need one. "I'm sure you did. Sarah's all about fashion."

"Then I'm sure that Dr. Pritchett isn't her favorite teacher."

I turned to face him on the small bench. "How do you know Dr. Pritchett?"

"I don't," he said. "The school asked me to speak to classes today. Which reminds me, what are you doing for lunch?"

Taken aback, I said, "I usually go with Sarah. It's open campus, so we go and grab something at a nearby restaurant."

His eyes darkened slightly, looking almost indigo. "Skip lunch with her today. Come and have lunch with me."

At the rather abrupt and straightforward invitation, I felt myself go up in flames, and I was sure that it showed. "You're asking me to have lunch with you?"

"As a matter of fact," he returned dryly, "that's exactly what I just said. It's almost like you were sitting right here. Oh… wait… You are sitting right here."

Biting back my own witty remark, I said, "I don't know if that's such a great idea."

"Getting free lunch isn't a good idea?" he asked me innocently. "Come, Phoebe; I thought we were becoming fast friends. If music be the food of love, play on!"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Are you only quoting Shakespeare to convince me to have lunch with you?"

"I thought it might help," he admitted. "But I have other methods of persuasion, if you care to find out." Something about the way that he said that made me shiver. Made me picture being alone with him behind closed doors, where no one could hear what he would do to me. What would he be like in bed? Wild and possessive or gentle and tender?

Horrified at the turn that my thoughts had taken, I said, "Why do you want to have lunch with me?"

And there was that secretive smile again. He looked at the fountain, though he actually seemed to be looking into the past. "Can I not just wish to have lunch with a pleasurable companion, Miss Grey?"

Pleasurable… Of course, that got my thoughts turned back in the direction of being alone with Adrian behind closed doors. And that wasn't a safe path for my thoughts. "Where?"

He flashed me a triumphant grin. "Wherever your heart so desires, Miss Grey."

Evilly, I said, "La Blanc." It was one of the more exclusive lunch restaurants in Seattle, and it was always booked months in advance. You couldn't just show up and expect to be given a table. It was an unfair challenge.

But he accepted it without pause. "Certainly. I'll call ahead. What time shall I be waiting for you out front?"

"Eleven-thirty."

"Excellent." He rose and smiled down at me. "I'll see you then, Miss Grey." And then he was walking across the lawn, moving with the grace of a gazelle.

Did I seriously just compare him to a gazelle?

Once he was out of sight, I jumped up and headed into the building. The bell rang and Sarah met me in second period French, making a beeline right for me as soon as she was through the door. She plopped down into her seat and gave me that look… the look. "Tell me everything, Phoebe Grey. Right now."

You couldn't argue with that look, but I tried a different tactic. "It's really nothing, Sarah. We met at the party and that's that. And… well… he asked me to have lunch with him today. Is that okay with you? I mean, I know that you and I usually go somewhere together for lunch, but-"

"Are you kidding?!" she asked me, mouth falling open. "You have to go. And you have to tell me everything! Where are you two going?"

I looked down at my hands. "Um… La Blanc."

There was silence and when I looked up, I saw that it was because she was awed. "He's taking you to one of the most expensive restaurants in Seattle?"

"He's a billionaire," I said, almost defensively. "He's just used to eating in places like that." And I issued him a challenge, essentially. "It's not a big deal or anything."

"If you have to tell yourself that it's not a big deal, it's a big deal," she told me sagely. "You're going to be late for Calculus. But we have a sub today anyway, so it's not like we'll have roll to worry about. Oh, my God," she gasped. "Does your dad know?"

"No!" I said, suddenly slightly panicked. Leaning closer, I pleaded with her. "You can't tell him. He would… I don't know what he'd do…"

She rolled her green eyes at me. "Seriously, Phoebe. I'm not going to tell your dad anything. You know I'd even lie for you if he called me."

Relieved, I smiled at her. "Thanks, Sarah."

She jabbed my arm with a hot pink nail. "I'm serious about you telling me everything, though." She winked at me. "He seems yummy. Are you two going to hook up?"

My mouth fell open. "Sarah!"

"What?" she asked innocently. "He's hot and rich and obviously experienced. You could learn a lot from him. And you never hook up with anyone-"

"That's because I don't think sex should be like that," I said softly, so as not to be overheard. "Sex – especially your first time – should be with someone that you really love and trust. Not something to be thrown away at a party."

She shrugged as the tardy bell rang. "To each his own. But I seriously wouldn't mind hearing details about your hooking up with Mr.-"

"Stop," I hissed at her.

She laughed as the teacher came in and began to call roll.