Disclaimer: Bioware owns all.
A/N: Thanks to my beta, drakontion, for putting up with me and to everyone following along.
Chapter 16
I smoothed my dress as we entered the restaurant, the soft fabric lightly clinging to my frame and enhancing my slight curves. I had chosen it for modesty's sake, showing very little skin compared to most feminine attire I had been subject to, maintaining my false persona as best I was able. Guy seemed to appreciate it by the way he stared, a goofy smile upon his face as I opened the door. The nervous energy returned, pooling in my belly and I fought for control. I would make no rookie mistakes this night.
Soft music played in the background, a classic fantasia that sounded vaguely familiar. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, dripping with crystals and showering brilliant flecks of light onto the tasteful décor. I marveled at the mix of architecture, reminiscent of the second asari renaissance and modern, clean lines. Living statues dotted the room, golden bodies shifting subtly in the candlelight. I was left breathless by the beauty of the place. Never before had I witnessed such a delight.
A light touch on the small of my back captured my attention and I wrenched my eyes from the scenery to meet his of soft grey. A charming smile graced Guy's lips and he gestured to the room before us.
"You've never been here before?" His eyes sparkled teasingly.
I was speechless, and so shook my head, my gaze scanning the restaurant. Luxurious booths lined two walls while simple, square tables provided additional seating. I noted the tables were not bolted to the floor and could be upended with minimal effort should the need arise for impromptu cover. Exits were visible and easily accessible. Seven servers meandered between the tables, two bartenders were stationed behind the counter, and from what I could see, at least ten staff were on duty within the kitchen. A single host awaited our pleasure behind a podium, reworked and restored from what appeared to be actual wood. Needless to say, I was impressed.
"Shall we proceed to your table?"
Guy looked to me briefly before nodding. We followed our host to a table nestled against the wall, crystal stemware sparkling in the glow from a single candle, what looked to be actual beeswax dripping down the side. Fabric linens were folded in decorative patterns, the deep, golden hue contrasting beautifully with the crisp white of the tablecloth. I ran my fingers over the fabric appreciatively before sitting down, the cushions of the chair conforming to my body. Guy had chosen his destination well.
"I never knew such a restaurant existed on Omega." I stated plainly, my eyes still drawn to the beauty in the room.
"I know people." He stated enigmatically, grey eyes crinkling with mirth as he activated his menu. The blue glow of the holo splashed color onto his face and I openly observed him as he studied it.
I folded my hands in my lap, allowing my curiosity and awe to show through. "What do you recommend?"
He paused and met my gaze through the menu holo. "That depends on what you are in the mood for."
I smiled shyly and looked away as if embarrassed by dual meaning of his words. I recognized the smile which returned to his face and satisfaction spread through my veins. He either enjoyed this creature - this persona I had created, or he believed such a lovely restaurant would surely win me over. Either way, he was mine.
"I must admit I am at a loss." I relied coyly. "Why don't you order for me?"
He appeared pleased at my suggestion as his eyes brightened. "If you're sure?"
I nodded and smiled warmly at him, rewarded with a flicker of heat in his gaze. That he desired me I had no doubt, although I was not entirely sure why. I did not consider myself a beauty by any stretch of the imagination, and I was not blind to the wealth of sensuality of the many dancers, human and asari, that were also in Aria's employ. And so my mind briefly debated my attributes as we waited for the server to take our order.
I had kept my hair short, preferring the simplicity of the cut. Long hair reminded me of time spent with Arch, and I needed no additional reminders. I had enough as is. My nose was too wide, my hips too narrow, and my breasts too small. Sex did not trail in my wake as it did for so many others that I had been privileged to meet, and power did not radiate off me in waves as it did Aria. I considered myself average, plain even, and yet here I was with Guy in a place of such refined beauty. I felt akin to a dark stain on an otherwise pristine landscape.
"Are we ready to order?" The server asked. "Or would you like more time?"
My attention was wrenched away from my musings and I shot Guy a light smile as if to make up for my wandering thoughts. He did as I asked and ordered for both of us, and despite my ulterior motives, I looked forward to my evening with him. As evidenced by the restaurant, his taste was extravagant, and again I wondered as to his interest in me.
We made polite conversation as the server poured our wine, glasses still sparkling against the glow of the candle. I asked him about his business, curious as to what lies he would create. Apparently, Guy fancied himself an antiquities dealer for an asari merchant on Illium, specializing in Prothean artifacts.
I swallowed my laughter at such a bold fiction, hiding my knowledge with another sip of rich wine. According to Aria's intelligence, Guy was an information broker, and he had certainly crossed her in order to end up as my target. Such dishonesty eased my discomfort, settling the nervous energy in my belly. My time with Guy would be all the more enjoyable the less emotion involved.
Our food arrived in a timely fashion, hot and steaming. Guy had ordered a classic asari dish for me, one that I was familiar with but unable to pronounce. I feigned surprise and satisfaction, much to his delight, and strove to eat as delicately as possible. However, the white sauce still spattered onto the table and onto my face. I tried to hide my embarrassment, but desisted when I noticed Guy's reaction. My clumsiness seemed almost endearing to him, and he shifted in his seat to dab at the sauce on my cheek.
The fluttering in my core returned, hot and insistent, and overwhelming my control. I could feel the flush of my cheeks and moved to hide it with another sip of wine, the liquid only serving to further spread the warmth throughout. Flustered by this new sensation, I inadvertently met his gaze, the heat of Guy's eyes matching my own.
I quickly glanced away, not to remain aloof, but for fear of the stirrings within. I recognized the hunger in his eyes; hunger which mirrored my own.
We finished our meal accompanied by stilted, awkward conversation. I spoke of inconsequential things, such as the miraculous plague cure and the sudden drop in mercenary activity. I recognized his lack of interest as I cared little for the topics as well. I soon abandoned my attempts, not wishing to further stunt my cause. There was little need for conversation as the heat between us was palpable, wine doing nothing to stem the flow of lust. Attempt at coherent thought was difficult and I struggled to maintain my focus, my thoughts drifting to other, more vigorous activity.
A break in the tension arrived in the form of our server. She cleared our plates and refilled our wine glasses, offering to provide us with another bottle. Guy accepted her offer, his eyes smoldering with desire as he met my own. I had no doubt another bottle of wine was not in my best interest, but I was too far gone in my tempest to care. I had thought to retain control this eve, to play Guy as one would an instrument. Instead I was lost to him as I had no doubt he was well aware.
A drop of red spilled onto the crisp white of the table cloth as the server filled our glasses. Guy held his up in toast, the crystal goblets ringing like playful chimes as they met. We drank in silence, his grey eyes sliding over my body. I endeavored to remain aloof, to keep my gaze off the line of his jaw, the curve of his neck, and I failed utterly. I found myself blatantly admiring the form of the man before me, the haze of wine dulling my resolve.
I had thought my situation could grow no worse, but I was wrong. Guy refilled my glass and ordered dessert. Our server arrived with a single plate topped with a decadent, chocolate mousse. I felt my mouth water in anticipation, and even though I no longer hungered for food, I could not resist.
I watched his eyes light up as Guy smiled mischievously. He dipped his spoon into the dessert and held it out, tempting me. Greedily, I complied. An explosion of flavor danced over my tongue, the mix of wine and chocolate heady indeed. Never would I have believed chocolate could be so incredibly sensual, but I was happy to learn a new lesson, and so I continued to indulge.
We took turns, feeding each other, teasing each other. The mousse became only a prop in our play, a reason to move even closer, to touch, to lick the delectable dessert from long fingers. I nearly melted when his lips brushed my hand, savoring the warmth of his breath, the feel of his skin against my own.
He was slow, deliberate, and methodical, and I soon forgot the plate of mousse before me. My attention was focused solely on him and the heat he elicited. I was drunk on lust, consumed with my need for him, and I watched his grey eyes dance with delight.
Our server arrived again and we paid her little mind. Guy addressed the bill and we exited quite hastily, the bottle of wine left half-empty upon the crisp, white table. We left the sparkling chandeliers and living statues behind as we made our way through the grime of the streets, barely aware of anything but each other. The vagrants bothered us not, the vendor's cries went unanswered, and before I realized, we had arrived at the end of my alley.
Reality settled in with surprising clarity, pulsating through my veins with the force of a hammer's blow. As much as I wanted to I could not invite him in. While I could explain away the fume hood, the function of the distillery and incubation system in my tiny kitchen would raise questions I could not answer. No, he could not come in, could not know who and what I really was.
Frustration blossomed within, driving all warmth from me. I was left with the ghost of his touch, the echo of his kisses as I pulled abruptly away from him. He shot me a quizzical look, and I pushed aside the need still coursing through me.
"It's late," I stammered.
"Oh?" I recognized a hint of strain underlying the velvety smoothness of his voice as he moved closer, tantalizingly so.
"I have to work tomorrow." I could think of no other rationale for my abrupt change in behavior, and proceeded to step away from him.
"Perhaps next time, then," he suggested. A question flashed in his eyes as he reached for my hand and pressed his lips to my palm. Heat flushed once more within my core and I had to fight to maintain control.
I could not help but smile at him then. "Yes. Next time."
He shot me another brilliant smile before leaving my side, his movements seemingly rigid and uncomfortable. Once again I watched him disappear into Omega's alleyways, the taste of him still on my lips. I stood for a time, reviewing the night's events, regaining control of my senses. Need still pounded within my veins and I felt the faded memory of manacles cool against my skin. I gripped my wrists and shivered, but with desire or disgust I could not say.
It was as I turned toward my apartment that I noticed a familiar face, almost hidden within the shadows. The Lout had followed me home. I made no move toward him, showed no hint of recognition, and continued on my way as if he had never been. Instead of heading directly to my apartment I took a meandering route through the alleys. I had no intention of leading him to my abode.
To my great relief he did not follow, and I hurried inside lest he catch sight of me. I was at a loss to discern his intentions, but was unwilling to assume it was nothing more than drunken infatuation. The Lout could not know where I lived, could not have inadvertently stumbled across my path without planned intent.
There was a new player in the game and I had yet to uncover his motives.