Chapter 5 Dinner

Jacqueline didn't cry… she was pissed! How dare her brother ask her something like that! How dare he think that she would prostitute herself out for him or for anyone for that matter? She had gone out to dinner with Bruce and it had been lovely, but she was not going to be fucking anyone anytime soon. She was not that kind of girl.

She sped down the streets of Gotham in her sleek silver BMW towards her office. She needed to be alone and since it was after eight o'clock on a Friday night no one would be there to ask questions. She pulled into her parking place and made it up to her office before the tears started to fall. She locked her office door and made it to her personal bathroom (a perk of being a partner) before she completely lost all control.

When the crying stopped and the hiccupping started she stripped naked and stepped into the shower. She kept a change of clothes in her office at all times and had even thought about expanding her bathroom to include a small bedroom. She spent so much time there already it only made good sense.

While the hot water worked its magic on her knotted muscles she thought back to her dinner with Bruce. She hadn't bothered to text him her address knowing full well that Nelda was going to do it for her. "What are you wearing?" Nelda asked as they worked through the files for the day.

"I'm not sure… I haven't really thought about it…" was her reply, which was a blatant lie. She had been agonizing over what she was going to wear.

"Well, I think those silver palazzo pants, the ones that well out so wide at the bottom, would be perfect with that top you have that ties at the side. With some strappy heels and your hair done up, girl you will be smoking hot!"

She shrugged at Nelda. "Let's get these files done so that I can get home and get ready. You know it takes me forever to make a decision about my wardrobe."

And it had taken forever. She had gone through about ten outfits before she finally decided that Nelda's suggestion was the most appropriate. She had pulled the silver palazzo pants on with the black top that knotted at the side and put her black heels on before deciding to mess around with her hair. "You don't date clients," she said out loud. "Why are you making this such a big deal? Because Gotham's most eligible bachelor asked you out for dinner that's why," she said, answering herself.

"And now I'm talking to myself."

In the end she had opted for a simple up hair do with a few loose tendrils down by her face and had accented her clothing with a chunky black stone necklace and bracelet. She spun in the mirror and took a quick shot with her phone to send to Nelda for approval. She immediately got a reply that was a thumbs up sign. Now to wait on Mr. Wayne.

Bruce arrived at her apartment building five minutes before eight o'clock. She met him downstairs in the lobby because there was no reason he needed to come up to her apartment. When she stepped off the elevator he had tried to play it cool, but she looked amazing. She was round in all the right places and had a confidence about her that was ridiculously attractive. "Ms. Nallier," he said.

"Mr. Wayne," she had replied. "Is this outfit ok?"

"That outfit is smashing," had been his retort. "I am a lucky man to have you on my arm tonight."

She had giggled at that statement. "Don't say that yet. I haven't worn these shoes in months and the likely hood that I am going to trip and fall is great."

"Well I'll just have to keep a firm grip on you all night then won't I," had been his response.

"Not too firm, I bruise easily and we don't want to start any rumors do we now?"

He had grinned at that statement and for a moment he looked like a little boy. The world weariness had fallen from his face and she made a silent vow to make him smile like that more often. "Shall we?" he asked, extending his elbow for her to grasp.

"We shall," she replied taking the offered elbow.

Dinner had been at a local place and their table had been at the back of the restaurant away from the crowd. They didn't order, but rather the chef sent out what he thought was his best dish for the night and he wasn't wrong. Their waiter brought wine, but when Jacqueline declined a glass Bruce sent it away. "You don't drink Ms. Nallier?"

"No Mr. Wayne, I don't. I prefer to remain in control of myself and alcohol just doesn't taste good."

He had smiled at that and she reveled in his grin. "No alcohol, I'll put that on my list of needed information."

They had spent the evening talking about everything from travel to dreams and never once spoke about her job or his. Three hours after their arrival Bruce had paid the check and offered Jacqueline his elbow again. "Where too now?"

"Did you notice we didn't have dessert?"

She smiled. "Now that you mention it, yes. Will the chef be offended?"

"No, he knew that dessert was taking place somewhere else this evening."

"Intriguing."

He had driven them just outside of town beyond the lights of Gotham City and parked in a densely wooded area. He took her hand this time and led her through the trees to a clearing that sparkled with all the stars in the heavens. "Alfred, this is Ms. Nallier. Jacqueline, this is Alfred. My butler and best friend."

"Pleasure madam," Alfred said before kissing Jacqueline's knuckles. "Please have a seat and dessert will be served."

The clearing contained a gazebo covered with ivy and in the gazebo was small bistro table and two chairs. A red and white checked table cloth covered the table with a single candle burning in the middle. Bruce pulled her chair out for her and helped her get comfortable at the table. As soon as he had taken his seat Alfred had appeared with a plate of brownies and ice-cream drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce. "Master Wayne said you did not prefer alcohol so I have brought milk if that is to your liking Ms. Nallier."

She smiled at Alfred. "Milk is wonderful Alfred, and please call me Jacqueline."

Alfred smiled at her before pouring two glasses of milk and disappearing into the darkness. After dessert was finished Bruce had taken her out of the gazebo to a waiting blanket where he had educated her about the stars and constellations. She had been mesmerized by his knowledge of the heavens. "Is there anything you don't know about?" she had asked.

"You," he had said without looking at her. "But I'm getting a good idea about you."

She couldn't help but smile. "Smooth Mr. Wayne, very smooth."

After Bruce had plotted the entire sky for her Alfred approached and asked if they were ready to depart. Bruce had helped her to her feet and guided her back to the waiting car. "Thank you Alfred," she had said giving the older man a hug. "This was amazing."

Alfred had returned the hug and wished them a safe trip home. It was almost two o'clock in the morning when they made it back to her building and he walked her to the lobby. "This was amazing Bruce. I don't know the last time I have felt so special."

"Does that mean you will date this client?" he had asked with a smirk.

She sighed. "Rules are made to be broken," she had responded.

Bruce placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "I'll call you in a little while ok. Get to bed, you do have to be at work in a few hours."

She stood in the lobby and watched him walk to his car. "Text me and let me know you are safe," she had yelled and then felt like a fool.

She had bolted to the elevator and gone straight upstairs shaking her head at her ignorance. "Like he cares if you know he's safe," she had muttered to herself.

Thirty minutes later, when she was dressed in an old t-shirt and ready for bed her phone dinged with a text message. "Made it safe, good night beautiful – Bruce," was the message she read and her heart flipped in her chest.

Jacqueline stepped out of the shower in her office with a grin plastered on her face. All of the negativity of her dinner with Jack and Harleen was fading and she was looking forward to another date with Bruce.