Pickup

Bruce predatory gaze immediately began scoping out the crowded club, the bass of the music pulsating in his chest and matching every step he took. It looked as though the turn out for the new club's opening night had been a complete success. It made him glad he'd decided to be part owner.

He slipped his hands into his pants pockets, his playboy image in full swing as he gave a dazzling smile to a waitress who offered him a glass of champagne. "Thank you," he suavely replied, taking the offered beverage.

The waitress smiled shyly, her cheeks tinged pink as she bit at her bottom lip. "You're welcome, Mister Wayne."

"Mister Wayne was my father," he told her. "Please…call me Bruce."

"Okay, Bruce," she said with a girly giggle.

"Bruce!"

The familiar squeal of his name alerted him to the fact that Veronica Vreeland was here tonight. Turning, he spotted her running towards him…or running as much as a woman could in spike heels while drinking alcohol. "Ronnie, good to see you," he greeted her with his signature charm, kissing her on the cheek. "You look lovely as always tonight."

"Bruce, you old charmer," Veronica replied with a laugh, swatting his shoulder with the back of her hand. "It's been too long. Where have you been hiding out lately? Probably too busy partying and bedding some actress or an up-and-coming model."

Bruce dipped his head bashfully, knowing that nothing could be further from the truth. "You know me so well, Ronnie."

Veronica pursed her lips, her hands coming to rest on her hips in a motherly pose. "Bruce, when are you going to find a nice woman to settle down with and build a family?" she asked. "I'm sure Alfred would love nothing more than for you to fill the manor with kids."

"Ronnie…" Bruce groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck, her words creating an unexpected warmth to settle in his chest. It had been nothing more than a fanciful dream years ago before life had become so very complicated and dangerous.

"No, Bruce," she sternly interrupted him, her expression serious. "I worry about you. It's time for you to move on from the swinging bachelor life to becoming a family man with a good woman who will take care of you. No one deserves that more than you."

"I don't know if there's woman out there that could handle me," he teased her with a grin, doing his best to lighten the subject and the mood.

"There has to be a woman out there capable of taming the seemingly untamable Bruce Wayne," she insisted with a roll of her eyes. "You probably just haven't met her yet. You never know, Bruce. She might be here tonight just waiting to meet a handsome, kindhearted man like you."

"Ronnie, you're making me sound like I'm some sort of a saint," he said with a laugh, chancing a glance towards the bar. "We both know that's not true."

"I know the real you whether you like it or not," she told him, causing him to stiffen slightly with her response. "You like to have a good time and you do love the beautiful ladies, but beneath all that superficiality beats a soft heart that is just waiting for someone to love and to be loved in return."

"You certainly make me sound like the poster boy for the most eligible bachelor," he replied with a sigh.

Veronica placed her hand against his cheek, gently caressing his face. "You're a good man despite what you lead others to believe about you," she continued. "I know your parents would have wanted that for you. I want that for you too, Bruce. You're one of my oldest and dearest friends. I want you to be happy."

"Thank you, Ronnie," he softly said. "It's nice to know there's someone in my corner."

"Always, Bruce," she reassured him, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. Retreating, she straightened his tie for him, patting his chest affectionately. "Now, go get 'em, tiger. She's got to be in here somewhere just waiting for you to find her."

Bruce couldn't help but chuckle in response to her encouragement. "Behave yourself tonight," he told her. "I don't want to have to bail you out of jail again."

"Hey!" she yelled as he began to walk away. "That was a one-time incident fifteen years ago and it wasn't even my fault!"

"Says you," he smoothly shot back.

Bruce continued to make his way through the club, stopping to make superficial conversation with various people and friends to promote his image. He was anxious to get this appearance over with so he could move on to what he really wanted to do. He drew a deep breath, releasing it slowly through his nose in an effort to keep his mounting anticipation at bay.

"Bruce Wayne…is that you?"

Bruce internally groaned as he recognized the voice, wishing that the floor of the club would just split open and swallow him up or maybe it was a good time for the Joker to make an unexpected appearance. Turning, he plastered on a grin. "Ashley!" he greeted her, automatically opening his arms as she threw herself into him.

Pulling back, she pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss that he only reluctantly returned. "You know I still haven't forgiven you for not returning my calls last year," she told him, using the pad of her thumb to wipe off the remnants of her lipstick from his mouth. "We had such a fabulous time that weekend. I thought for sure you felt the same way, but then you never called me."

"I'm so sorry…truly," he told her, his hands still gripping her hips. "It was my mistake never calling you. I got tied up with emergency business for Wayne Enterprises and well…you know."

She cocked an eyebrow at him, clearly not pleased with his insinuation. "You met someone else, didn't you?" she stated. "What was her name?"

"I…uh…don't rightly recall," he lamely replied.

"You know I should be furious with you, but you're just so sexy," Ashley said. "Call me and don't let me down this time. I'm not giving you another chance."

Bruce shook his head as he watched her walk away, needing to get a drink. He was beginning to think that he wasn't going to survive this evening if he stayed too much longer. He made his way past the dance floor, spotting a beautiful woman sitting at the bar.

Her raven hair was pulled into a low ponytail that trailed down her back like a waterfall, concealing a portion of her backless red dress. He couldn't take his eyes off her as he made his way towards her, his piercing azure eyes narrowing as he approached her.

He casually made his way to the bar, sliding into the seat right next to her. He cast a fleeting glance to his right, drinking in the beauty that was sitting next to him. Her profile was stunning to say the least, stealing his breath as he forced himself to look away.

"What will you have?" the bartender asked Bruce with a smile on his face and a dishcloth thrown over his left shoulder.

"Whatever she's having," Bruce replied, tipping his head towards the stunning creature beside him.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" she asked without making eye contact.

He chuckled softly with her brash response, masking his surprised response with her question as he took the glass of alcohol from the bartender. "I'm sure I can handle it, miss," he told her, pausing to take a sip and grimacing internally as the liquid slid down his throat.

He really didn't drink as much as his playboy image purported and he was just reminded of that fact as he attempted to swallow past the burning sensation that consumed his throat. Her alcohol of choice packed a punch and he had a feeling that she did too.

"Would you like a glass of water?" she asked, an undercurrent of amusement in her voice.

"No…I'm good," he managed to croak out, pausing to clear his throat.

"I promise you that your throat won't be permanently damaged," she lightly teased him.

"If you say so," he muttered crossly as he turned to face her. "My name is—"

"Bruce Wayne, billionaire entrepreneur and all-around bed-hopping party boy," she replied with a slight upturn of the corner of her lips as she lifted her glass to take another drink.

Bruce chuckled as he studied her, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "Okay…I guess you do know me then," he decided, clearly impressed. "Did you also know that I own a vacation home in Fiji, a private jet, and have enough cars to fill a dealership?"

"Hmmm…" she reflectively responded as she finally turned to look at him, her lips pursed in thought. "It seems to me that you might be trying to compensate for some insecurity with your bragging."

He was right—she was breathtaking and smart and clearly standing in a class all her own. He just had to find a way to get her to see that he was so much more than his playboy image and the money that he possessed. She was definitely unlike any other woman that he'd ever met or known before and in more ways than one.

"Ouch," he said, his hand coming to rest against his chest as if she'd just wounded him. "You don't pull any punches, do you?"

"Tell me," she began. "Is this the point where you ask me if my father is a terrorist because I'm the bomb? Or maybe did it hurt when I fell from heaven?"

"Actually, I was going to say that I'm lost," he told her with a charming smirk, his piercing blue eyes intently studying her. "Can you give me directions to your heart?"

Melodic laughter spilled from her red lips as she shook her head, pulling a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "That's just terrible," she said. "Do you men come up with these silly lines on your own or do you search the internet for them?"

"What?" he said, his elbow coming to rest on top of the bar. "'Do you believe in love at first sight or should I pass by again' doesn't do it for you?"

"That's even worse," she ultimately decided, her blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Since you find me so charming, maybe you would care to dance with me?" he asked, relieved that they were playing a slower song…a love song no less.

"You're pretty confident, aren't you?" she questioned him with a blinding smile, pausing to slowly rake her teeth over her bottom lip as she pretended to consider his request.

"Attractive, isn't it?" he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I guess if I was into cocky, self-assured men," she teased.

"And I'm guessing you are because you're still talking to me," he ventured, standing to his feet and offering her his hand.

She looked down at his offered hand before looking up into his eyes. Her mouth quirked with pleasure, taking his hand as she stood to her feet. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to share one dance with you."

"It depends," he told her as he laced his fingers with hers, leading her to the dance floor. "Did I also mention that I'm a thief and I'm here to steal your heart?"

"Next thing I know you're going to tell me that you secretly dress up in tights like those superheroes who save the world," she said with a laugh at his cheesy pickup lines.

Bruce pulled her to him as they began to dance, his arm slipping around her waist. "I can't give away all my secrets on our first date."

"Oh…so this is our first date?" she questioned him. "You don't even know my name."

"Well, I may not be a genie, but I can make your dreams come true," he told her as he held her close, gazing deeply into her beautiful eyes.

She smiled despite herself, enjoying the feel of being in his arms like this. "What do you think my name is?"

"Angel…because you came from heaven," he told her, holding her hand in his against his chest as they swayed to the music. "Am I close?"

She shook her head, unable to control the smile that was determined to stay plastered on her face despite her best efforts. "Not even in the ballpark."

"Do I get a hint?"

"Diana," she replied. "Diana Prince."

"Diana Prince," he slowly repeated, allowing her name to dance on his tongue before spilling from his lips. "It's a very beautiful name for a very beautiful woman."

"I bet you say that to all the women you've managed to seduce," she countered.

"Is it working?"

"I don't think so," she said, lifting her chin in haughty defiance. "You haven't even tried to kiss me yet."

Staring into her eyes, he brought their joined hands to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "I'm really not as bad as all those reports say that I am."

"I have a feeling you're still quite a handful," she replied.

"And I have a feeling you're more than up to the task," he flirted with her, moving his fingers so he could press his lips against the palm of her hand. He took great satisfaction in the fact that she visiblely shivered with his kiss.

"Maybe I am…maybe I secretly wear tights and fight injustice in my off hours," she softly said as she leaned in towards him, whispering against his lips. "Maybe I'm far more dangerous than you can possibly begin to imagine."

Her lips were a breath away from his, his eyes falling to her mouth. "And maybe I love to live dangerously."

"I guess we'll just have to see—"

Bruce silenced her with his lips as they continued to sway, the music and the people in the club all becoming nothing more than white static as they lost themselves in the slow, sensual kiss. He nipped at her bottom lip before finally retreating, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Want to get out of here?"

"I thought you'd never ask," she replied, allowing him to lead her off the dance floor.

He led her down a back hallway, pausing to kiss her again as he backed her up against the wall. His hands fell to her hips, gripping them firmly as he thoroughly devoured her until they were both struggling to catch their breath.

"Bed-hopping party boy…compensate for some insecurity?" he asked her, breathing heavily as he leveled her with a dangerous glare. "That was a very low blow, princess."

Diana laughed something throaty and completely devious as her hands came to settle on his backside, pulling his pelvis firmly against hers. "I thought it was rather clever," she said with a wicked grin.

"Have men really tried those cheesy pickup lines on you?"

"I heard the one about my father being a terrorist just tonight before you finally came to rescue me," she told him. "What took you so long?"

"I got cornered by Ronnie tonight," he replied, leaning in to kiss the sensitive spot behind her ear. "She seems to think that I need to find a good woman and settle down…maybe start a family of my own someday."

"Well, I guess it's a good thing we decided to establish our relationship and make it public."

"Ronnie told me that my future wife could be in this club tonight," he revealed, pausing to nibble on her earlobe. "Maybe she was right…maybe I do need to settle down…maybe I should find myself a good woman. You know I did run into an ex-girlfriend here tonight."

Diana's hands moved to cradle his face, pulling him in for a heated kiss that stole his breath. "You are stuck with me, Mister Wayne, and don't you ever forget it," she growled.

"Never, princess," he told her as he leaned in to kiss her again. "Let's get out of here."

"I couldn't agree more," she replied, allowing him to take her hand and lead her out a back door to Alfred and his waiting limo.

"Miss Diana," Alfred greeted her. "Did you have a good time?"

"It was more fun than I had imagined," she told him as she climbed into the back of the limo, thoroughly enjoying getting under Bruce's skin.

Bruce climbed in behind her, the limo door closing and giving them all of the privacy that they needed to continue where they had left off. Diana quickly moved to straddle Bruce's lap, her hands framing his face as her lips claimed his once more.

His hands came to rest on her thighs, pushing her skirt up towards her waist as they heatedly kissed. Her fingers quickly went to work on his belt and zipper, anxious to continue what they had started. She kissed a heated path along his jaw towards his ear.

"If you ever allow that girl to kiss you again, I will break her and then I will break you…got it?" she growled low in his ear.

Bruce trembled with her threat, his desire for her suddenly blazing out of control. "You are the only one I love, princess," he swore to her.

"Is that another pickup line?" she asked as she sat back on his thighs.

Bruce instantly missed the feel of her, pulling her against him once more. "No," he promised her. "No more pickup lines for me. I have the only woman that I want."

"Good answer, Mister Wayne," she murmured with a grin, her lips ghosting over his. "And I love you too."

Bruce smiled against her lips as they kissed, Diana settling over him as he slipped inside of her. He was so relieved that he didn't have to keep up his playboy image anymore, didn't have to use all those ridiculous pickup lines to charm women into dating him.

He'd finally found the one that he wanted…the one that he needed. Ronnie was right. It was time to get married and settle down…to start a family. His hand slipped from her hip to his pants pocket as they began to make love, his fingers brushing over the box and the engagement ring hidden inside.