Apologies for the very late update. But I hope i can make it up to you with a longer than usual chapter. Enjoy!
The anticipation of the evening hung thick in the cab, it seemed like every single stop sign was against them, eventually the cab came to an abrupt halt outside a restaurant lined with bright red awnings, the glow of candle light from inside lit the already darken street.
Unbeknown to Piper, whilst she had been gazing out of her window Alex had paid the driver and made her way around to her side of the cab. She graciously opened the door, the small gesture-causing Piper to blush as she stepped into the bitter evening.
Alex guided Piper into the restaurant, the feeling of her hand touching her back through the sheer material causing goose bumps to cascade down Pipers back. Alex strode into the restaurant with oozing confidence, the mai·tre d's face lit up at the sight of her.
"Miss Vause, so lovely to see you again"
Piper couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealously, she was tall stunningly beautiful with curves in all the right places, sporting her best killer smile just for Alex. Piper felt inferior. Did Alex have this effect on all women?
"How can I help you?"
"I was hoping my usual table was available?"
"Obviously she must bring a lot of women here." Piper thought bitterly.
Not even bothering to look down at her bookings form, "For you, of course." She flirted back.
"Can we have a bottle of your house special champagne brought straight to the table?" Alex asked, then turned towards Piper winked and donned that million dollar smile, "it's a special occasion."
The mai·tre d, finally acknowledging Pipers presence, muttered a disgruntled "Of course " before reluctantly showing them to their seats.
Walking towards the back of the restaurant Piper finally took in her surroundings. The walls were covered with exposed red brick, the restaurant had a classic yet rustic feel, with the furniture mainly consisting of reused and reclaimed mismatched wooden pieces all beautifully dressed with candles. They were guided to a deep cherry booth in a secluded part of the restaurant. Their champagne already waiting on ice on the table, highlighted by the warm glow of the dancing flames.
"Wow, Alex this is amazing"
Alex just shrugged the compliment off as both took their seats, the waiter kindly pulled the napkin off the table and laid it gently on Pipers lap much to the dismay of Alex. When trying to repeat the favour, Alex quickly snatched up the napkin and then continued to lay it on her own lap. The waiter blushed deeply and scurried off into the busy restaurant. A guy had never been allowed to get that close to her crotch before and she certainly wasn't going to start tonight, plus she was still secretly jealous of the proximity Piper had allowed him to come within.
Alex's actions had amused Piper and she had to try hard not to let this display on her face, meanwhile Alex had proceeded to lean over and lift the champagne from the ice bucket and with one hand poured the amber liquid into the crystal glass in front of Piper, repeating the process for herself.
"Impressive" Piper said, referring to Alex's pouring technique.
"I spent some time in France recently. They seem to make everything look far more sophisticated, so it may have rubbed off there or the two years of waitress at 16 may have had some influence."
Alex revealing a snippet into her past had caused Piper to lean in and listen closer, surprised by her revelation, "You were a waitress?"
"Everyone's gotta start somewhere kid." Raising her glass towards Piper, changing the subject, "Just like you now and your new job, congratulations by the way, cheers" Piper mimicked Alex's gesture, the released spirit cast its sweet scent between them and the crystal clinked so musically, as the gentle drops of the golden liquid passed over Pipers tongue and left a trail of warmth down her throat it gave Piper the little confidence boost she needed to press on for a more information to piece together the mystery that was Alex Vause.
"So 16, was that like a part time job while you finished up school?"
"No, I worked full time" Alex took in a deep breath, played around with her glasses and pushed them up her nose trying to give herself a few more seconds to decide her next move. Alex typically kept her cards close to her chest; she toyed with the idea to let Piper in, looking up and meeting those bright ocean eyes pouring into her gave her all the conformation she needed, "I didn't graduate school Piper, my mom was a single parent. Helping her out financially was always my goal, still is."
Piper smiled, "She must be a wonderful woman"
"She really is." Thankful Piper didn't push for more information, the waiter slowly made his way over to their table, his presence causing both women to gaze up.
"Si vous avez choisi? Can I take your order mesdames?"
"I'm so sorry, I haven't even looked at the…" Alex cut Piper off before she could finish, "Pour commencer... nous aurons la Soupe à l' oignon . Pour suivre le Boeuf bourguignon s'il vous plaît."
"Merci" replied the waiter gathering both menus. Piper usually hated when people ordered for her, but there was something about the way Alex took charge, her confidence and the way her husky voice sounded like a melody as the French rolled of her tongue to eloquently that made her shrug off this bold mood for once.
"So you didn't graduate but you speak French, and you can afford to take me out to a fancy place like this?" Piper teased.
"What can I say I'm well travelled, my job allows for such pleasures."
"What is it you do?" Piper asked genuinely, Alex stared at Piper confused, took a deep gulp from her glass and continued; "I told you that day we met in that bar downtown kid"
"Shit! She was being serious, she really does work for an international drug cartel!"
A thousand thoughts rushed through Pipers mind, sensing her panic Alex reached forward and took Pipers hand into hers, running her thumb over the vanilla skin covering her knuckles. Each touch leaving a tingle stronger than the last, causing Piper pulse to increase, this time not from panic, she was sure Alex could feel the bounding rhythm in her wrist giving away her true feelings.
Breaking the silence, "Anyway, enough about me Pipes tell me something about you."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything, I want to know everything" Alex replied honestly, looking deep into Pipers eyes, suddenly this didn't feel like just celebration.
"Well, I was born in Connecticut. My mum is a waspy alcoholic narcissist and my father a serial adulterer, then there's perfect Danny, my older brother - doctor, wife, owns a dog and brownstone. Everything my mother hoped for in her offspring. My grandmother is amazing; she's always been the one to tell me to follow my dreams and not those of my mother. You should have seen my moms face when I told her I had chosen Smith, "What happened to Yale or Columbia Piper, honestly, what do you want to go to that liberal lesbian hippie commune for?" Piper imitated her mother laughing to herself, "My other brother Cal, he's pretty cool. He currently spends most of his time getting stoned and avoiding my family, we are both competing in our parents biggest disappointment competition."
"Kiss me and you will see how important I am." Alex randomly quoted, causing Piper to choke on her champagne.
"Excuse me?"
"Sylvia Plath- Smith Alumni am I right?" Alex smirked, knowing full well what effect she was having on Piper. Right on schedule the waiter arrived with their entrée, shortly followed by there main. The food was delicious of course, complementing Alex's choices as the conversation flowed easily throughout the evening. Pretty soon their bottle of champagne was empty, and the glow of the candle between them was struggling to stay alive. Both decided against desert and after Alex settled the bill, they both made their way out into the bitter night, Alex slowly casting her arm around Pipers shoulders to keep her warm as their breaths caught in the air and left visible streams in their wake. Once at edge of the sidewalk, Alex removed her arm from around Pipers shoulders and flagged down a cab, opening the door for Piper. Piper turned back towards Alex before getting into the cab.
"I had an amazing time tonight, thank you so much." Piper didn't know what to do; everything from the evening had told her this had been so much more than just a celebration. The way Alex held her hand, the ease of conversation, and the smile that had been permanently imprinted on her face all evening.
Before she retrieved herself from the deep thoughts that engulfed her, Alex's arms surrounded her, running slowly up and down her own, sensually warming her. The feeling of helplessness, the sinking yielding, and the feeling of coming undone from a single touch this woman could evoke was incredible. She reached up and cupped her face, slowly letting her thumb rub along Pipers bottom lip. Staring deeply at her lips, before licking her own, Alex bent Pipers head back with her hand supporting her neck and kissed her, softly at first, and then a deep hunger took over. The intensity that had built up over the evening was finally being released, causing Piper to moan deeply. She clung to her, as the rest of the world disappeared around them. Alex's insistent mouth parted Pipers lips, running her tongue slowly along the trail she had run her thumb over earlier, begging Piper for permission. Leaving no time to catch a breath, Alex's tongue over threw Pipers senses engulfing her with the rich sweet taste of left over champagne, sending tremors along her nerves, evoking from her sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling.