Noah began tapping his fingers loudly and impatiently on the table, hoping the noise would annoy John so much that he would finally realize that he wasn't wanted, leave them alone, and go be a pain in someone else's ass for a while. But apparently, it was too much to ask.
"Are you going to speak, young Morningstar?" the man prodded. "Or did the cat get your tongue?"
"I don't believe we've met," Celine told John with a big smile, making Noah's eyes widen. "My name is Celine Mikaelson. How are you?" She held out her right hand.
John raised an eyebrow, then took her hand to gently kiss the back of her palm. "Charmed, I'm sure, my dear," he told her before releasing her hand. "And…Mikaelson as in…Klaus? Or one of the many others?"
"Yes, Klaus is my grandfather," she nodded. "His son Adrian is my father.
"Oh, look at that," John smiled. Klaus's eldest offspring had another girl," he grinned. "Part demon?"
"Yes and proud of it," Celine nodded, her eyes narrowing a little since he seemed to regard that part of her heritage as insulting. "I'm one of triplets, actually. And…what's your name, mister?"
"There's no need for you to know, Celine," Noah told her between his teeth. "Don't encourage him!"
"Don't be silly!" John chuckled. "Your lovely companion and I are just getting to know each other!" He paused. "I'm John."
"Only John?" Celine raised an eyebrow "John the Warlock, perhaps?"
"Oh, I'm much more than that, child," John told her, a dark look in his eyes. "So much more."
"He doesn't need a last name," Noah informed her. "He has a terrible reputation, and it follows him everywhere." He rolled his eyes.
"So tell me, Celine," John said in a very chummy fashion as if they were friends. "How is it that you're here with Lucifer Morningstar's son? What relationship could you possibly have with him?"
"He's my godfather, actually," Celine said with a smile as she raised her chin.
"Oh, really?" John's eyes widened. "What an interesting fact to learn…and very amusing too." He grinned as he buried his hands in the pockets of his designer jeans. "Tell me, young Noah…is it on the list of things to teach your goddaughter? Encouraging her to dress almost naked in public?"
Noah went pale, his hands balling into fists. "Don't you have anywhere else to be?" He asked. "Anywhere at all?"
"And even if you don't," Celine added, "what business is it of yours how I dress?"
"My dear, as handsome as I am, I wasn't born yesterday, and I can spot a rat a mile away. He paused, highly amused, as Noah rolled his eyes. "There's a lot of sexual tension between the two of you, isn't there? You could cut it with a knife."
That made Noah rise to his feet, his body tense and his heart full of outrage as he leaned toward John. "That's enough! If it gives you some sick pleasure to do so, you can disrespect me all you want. I don't give a fuck! But leave Celine out of it! And get out of my sight!"
"Awww," John put a hand to his heart. "It's so cute how you're protecting your precious goddaughter from the big bad warlock!" He grinned and gently pushed Noah away with the tip of his finger. "At ease, soldier. Your secret is safe with me. I can only sympathize with your desire to enjoy a nice dinner with this beautiful young woman. You need something to keep your mind off the fact that the Council is currently prosecuting your father for…what was it again? Murdering an innocent elderly human?" He scoffed. "And people wonder why I despise so may in the supernatural world."
"The way I see it," Noah told him emphatically, "You either leave, or get my fist in your face. Either suits me."
"Oh, all right," John nodded. "I'll be on my way and let you enjoy lunch with your delightful goddaughter." He gave Celine a mock bow. "Lovely meeting you, Miss Mikaelson. It was a true pleasure."
"I wish I could say the same," Celine drawled as she watched him walk away.
Letting out a groan of frustration, Noah sank back into his seat, then frowned at Celine. "That man is a fool and a troublemaker, but he's right about one thing: what could have possessed you to wear that ridiculous vest in public?"
Celine just grinned and grabbed her menu. "Well, look at that," she drawled, twinkle in her eye. "You called it a vest."
Natalie stood proudly at the foot of the unconscious Lucifer Morningstar.
"Natalie Mikaelson!" Avery called, her eyes wide with surprise, her sister Azrael at her side as they both stood very alert of the drama.
"I…I know that what I did was wrong, in a sense, Ms. Morningstar, but…I'm not sorry," Natalie shook her head. "I just can't be! But I promise I don't mean any disrespect."
"You misunderstand me," Avery told her. "I just brought attention to all this because you've done what so many of us have wanted to do to him for a very long time!"
"You got that right," Azrael added. "He's my brother and most of the time I love him, but enough is enough!" Then she smirked as she watched Lucifer struggle to get up, blood trickling down his chin.
Meanwhile, in the crowd, every Mikaelson was now very aware too of what Natalie had done. Milo blinked and made his way to his sister's side while thinking about how to handle the other woman in his life. "Natalie, be careful!"
"Fuck it all, what's he done now?" Angelica growled.
"Klaus," Amy turned and gave her ex-husband a desperate look, urging him to go and fight for their daughter if need be.
"I'm on it, Amy," Klaus tried to reassure her.
"Not without me, you're not!" Angelica cried stubbornly and grabbed his arm. "It's your daughter against my father and I think…I think I can stop things still if he tries to hurt her!"
"No!" Klaus shook his head. "Remember what happened last time you tried to stop him from hurting someone? He pushed you on the ground! You were incredibly lucky you weren't hurt and I won't let you take the risk of hurting yourself or the baby!"
"I know you mean well," Angelica replied through her teeth, hands placed on her large hips. "However, no man on this Earth, not even the rat who got my mother pregnant with me will tell me what to do anymore!" She elbowed him aside. "Move it!"
Klaus heaved a big sigh, rolled his eyes, and eyed Milo, who gave him a sympathetic look. "You saw me try, right?" He asked the young man.
"Yeah," Milo nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for the effort, even though you didn't have a chance. That's my sister for you!"
"And that's my daughter too," Klaus agreed with a wink. "Let's go!"
"I think I need to see what's going on here," Amy told Kol, then let out a growl of frustration as he pulled her back against himself.
"You're going to do no such thing," he commanded. "You'll listen to your husband and sit your pretty ass back in this chair. I'll protect Natalie for you, since you've chosen me to do it. I couldn't do more for her.
"I've chosen you to do what?" Amy scoffed. "Are you kidding me, Kol? Klaus is fine. He's my ex-husband, your brother, and most importantly, Natalie's father, for Steve's sake!"
"And what does that make me, then?" Kol demanded, pulling her close so that their lips were almost touching. "A replacement?"
"No," Amy shook her head, eyes closed as goosebumps and shame invaded her body. "No, you're so much more than that. You're my husband, my baby's father, and Natalie's uncle, as well as her stepfather."
"Wow, I should consider myself lucky that you remembered all that! Will you remember that I would give anything to be there for Natalie also?" His breathing became heavy.
She opened her eyes and met his dark gaze. I'm sorry." She swallowed hard. "I suppose I could have asked you to help too."
"Yeah, you could have," Kol agreed and gently released her.
Meanwhile, Selina was prodding Elijah. "Will you do something to help or do I have to do everything myself?"
"What do you want me to do, Selina?" Elijah questioned, open-mouthed and dumbfounded.
"How should I know?" Selina rolled her eyes. "They're your brothers! Figure something out!"
"Fine!" Elijah left her to stride over to Kol and Amy. "I'll come with you both to see what's going on and then stay with Amy, if you want."
"Great," Kol threw up his hands. "Another one of your ex-husbands coming to the rescue." He then left and took a seat in a nearby chair.
"He is so infuriating sometimes!" Amy cried, stomping her foot.
"My dear, I wouldn't blame him for being discouraged," Mikael told her. "You seem to be putting more faith in your exes than him. And since they're also his brothers, that must hurt him." He shrugged.
Amy made a face. "Did anyone invite you into this conversation?" She snapped, knocking him out of the way to make her way down the aisle.
"Really, Father, now is not the time for this," Elijah muttered and strode off.
"And then there were two!" Mikael smirked at Selina. "Isn't it always the two of us left, my dear?"
Selina rolled her eyes and snatched up the bag of Oreos Angelica had abandoned on a nearby chair, throwing them at Mikael. "Eat those and be quiet!"
"Oh, look a bribe for my silence," Mikael chuckled and clicked his tongue. "I thought such behavior was beneath you." He then grabbed a cookie and threw it in his mouth.
Selina started a little as she felt a hand on her shoulder, then turned to see Sybil. "What the hell happened here?" Sybil asked before taking a seat by her husband's side, her eyes wide with shock.
Selina shrugged. "We're still trying to figure that out."
"I think the real question is where you were!" Mikael told her. "I came in here alone and was forced to sit in this spot!"
"Oh, you poor baby," Sybil drawled and gave him two hard pats on the back that made him wince. "Didn't you see your granddaughter Natalie punch Lucifer Morningstar in the face?"
"Natalie, lovely young woman though she may be, is not my granddaughter!" Mikael reminded her.
"I'm sure she's glad you make that distinction," Selina hissed. "Who would want to be your grandchild anyway?"
"Exactly," Sybil agreed. "You're not her grandfather because you're a stubborn man with a huge ego who can't accept that Klaus is as much your son as the others are! Now, if you have no intention to be helpful, I suggest you eat your cookies and not say another word!"
"Yes, dear," Mikael drawled and had another cookie.
Lucifer stumbled a few times as he tried to regain his balance and stand up while wiping the blood from his chin.
"It looks like the apple didn't fall too far from the tree," he spat at Natalie, who stood still and tense, hands balled into fists on either side of her body. "You're as violent and reckless as your father!"
"Lucifer, shut the fuck up!" Azrael and Avery demanded, even though they knew it was useless and their brother was clearly in the mood to make trouble.
"My father taught me how to fight troublesome jerks like yourself," she snapped, her gaze not leaving his. "I'm not afraid of you!"
"Just leave her alone!" Milo shouted. "Do you hear me?" He grabbed her hand and looked her over.
"It's okay," Natalie was quick to reassure him. "I'm fine." She put her hand palm down on Milo's chest in an attempt to reassure him.
"What did you do to her?" Milo demanded of his father.
"I did nothing!" Lucifer cried. "For my father's sake!" He paused and pulled an immaculate handkerchief from the breast pocket of his designer blazer to wipe his lips off with. "She attacked me for no reason!"
"Oh there certainly was a reason!" Natalie snapped. "And I bet you know what it is!"
"All right, all right, let's all just take some deep breaths," Avery implored. "Natalie, your father and Angelica are coming over here along with…"
"…The entire squad of people who don't like you," Azrael directed the comment at her brother before chuckling.
"Really, Azrael?" Lucifer hissed. "I didn't know you had it in you to hate me so much!"
"Oh, believe me, it's been a long time coming!" Azrael snapped. "Don't think I don't see how you've treated your children for a while now, especially Angelica. It's just disgraceful!" She crossed her arms over her chest and glared.
"I don't think we need a whole squad of people to let you know you're the worst father on the planet," Natalie snapped.
"Oh, this is getting ridiculous!" Lucifer snapped as he finished wiping his nose, folded his handkerchief, and stuck it in his breast pocket.
"It's not!" Natalie shook her head. "You've been awful and you need to own up to it!"
"Natalie, come on, let's go sit," Milo urged, trying to pull her into a nearby chair. "I'm grateful for all the heroics on my behalf, but maybe…"
"No!" Natalie pulled away, then looked Lucifer in the eye again. "He has to know that you heard him say would kill him if your mother didn't agree to play along with all his sick plans!"
Lucifer paled, his eyes wide with shock. "There…there must be a misunderstanding!"
"What is she talking about?" Avery demanded of her brother. "Please tell me you didn't say something so stupid!"
"Of course he did!" Azrael nodded as she watched her brother try and meet Milo's teary gaze.
"No, there's no misunderstanding!" Natalie cried. "Own up to how you've hurt your son!"
"It's fine, Natalie," Milo sighed. "No use in making someone give an excuse or an apology when they don't have one, my so-called father included."
"Milo, son, would it be possible for us to step into the corridor and talk?" Lucifer implored, his voice breaking. He had no idea Milo had heard his threat to Eleanor. Of course he'd never kill his own flesh and blood!
"Don't go with him," Natalie begged. "He's a low-life asshole that has no right to call you 'son'!"
"My patience is wearing thin with you, Natalie Mikaelson!" Lucifer hissed. "Let Milo decide for himself!"
"I don't want Milo anywhere near you! You could be luring him away only to kill him like you did with Mrs. Johnson, then lie to everyone about how it was some big mistake!"
"I think you're mistaking me for your father, dear," Lucifer told her. "After all, he's killed many people in the human and supernatural worlds alike and left a string of broken hearts in his wake with all his failed marriages!" He smirked and turned to Milo. "Since your sister won't listen to me about such things, maybe you should tell her that it's not worth risking everything for someone in the lowest part of this supernatural society!"
"You think? Say that to my face, you heartless monster!" Angelica cried, barging into the group like a soldier marching off to war, hands on either side of her belly.
"Now, now, darling," Lucifer clicked his tongue, his dark eyes bright. "You don't want to get overexcited and hurt that child of yours, do you? Even if it is a bastard."
"She isn't!" Angelica shook her head. "Klaus Mikaelson is the man I love and the father of our future daughter!"
Lucifer chuckled. "You're having a little girl? Isn't that sweet?" He remarked as it seemed like steam was coming out of his daughter's ears. "It'll be interesting for her once she realizes her mother is a self-centered brat who needs to be put on a pedestal and worshiped more than anyone else. Don't try and deny it. You know part of you is scared of what will happen when the baby takes your place in her father's heart."
"I…I won't deny it," Angelica murmured. "I won't deny that I felt that once. Not with Klaus, though. Not anymore." She locked eyes with him for a second before turning back to her father. "But I had to learn that fear from somewhere which is why we're all here today. Look in the mirror, Lucifer Morningstar. You're just as needy and afraid as I was. Acknowledge that about yourself. It's the only way you'll get better."
"And you shut your big mouth!" Klaus cried, coming toward them with Kol and Amy trailing behind. "No one is interested in looking at your gaudy designer suits or paying attention to your spectacle! We're here to see you prosecuted for murdering an innocent old human woman who didn't deserve it! Leave both my daughter and the woman I love out of your bullshit or I'll find a way to kill you for good!"
Lucifer shrugged, unaffected. "Is it my fault your daughter will be a wild animal? It's not as if you can expect anything else from a low-class creature like yourself." He grinned.
"I'm gonna kill him for insulting my daughter!" Amy cried. She ran at Lucifer but Kol stopped her before she could get close. "Let me go!"
"If anyone kills that rat one day, it'll be me!" He cried.
"Oh, dear Amy," Lucifer clicked his tongue. "Such a shame to see you wed to a Mikaelson once again." He shook his head. "You could do so much better!"
"It's better than being married to you!" Elijah mocked, hands on hips.
"You said it, Elijah!" Angelica agreed. "Anything, even death, is better than being married to him and being the bearer of his children." She paused. "Or even being his daughter, while we're on the subject!"
Lucifer paled as the insult hit him, but he recovered quickly. "Yes, I know how much you dislike the idea of marriage, darling daughter," he told her. "In fact, I've talked to Sammy recently."
Angelica's eyes widened and she swayed a little as Klaus slid an arm around her waist to support her, kissing her forehead gently.
"I have to wonder what you've done to make Angelica hate you even more," he spat.
"I don't think it's any of your concern, hybrid," Lucifer told him. "I think it's only natural for Sammy to ask about her since they had a relationship and a child together before she ran off and broke the poor boy's heart!"
"You're despicable!" Angelica told him. "What's happened to you that you're telling such lies?"
"I'm not lying!" Lucifer shook his head. "Luckily for you, Sammy still seems to carry some feelings for you and asked me how you were doing. Perhaps he wants to rekindle your relationship. Would you be interested, Angelica? I really think it would be better for everyone."
Klaus closed his eyes, a growl escaping his throat.
"Don't give him the time of day," Angelica warned, squeezing Klaus' arm. "I'm done wasting my life doing what's better for everyone but me and he knows that!"
Before anyone could say another word, a shrill whistle rang out in the hearing room again, and everyone turned to stare surprised at Alistair, who had Selina's red whistle between his lips. "Thank you, Selina, for allowing me to borrow this whistle," he told her, toneless.
"You're welcome!" She cried from the back of the room.
"Now, if this circus is over, I want everyone to sit and be silent or leave this room," Alistair told all assembled. "Is that understood? I've had enough!"
Everyone nodded and scrambled to get back to their seats without another word. Then Alistair locked eyes with Lucifer.
"You will go sit at the podium and wait for the hearing to start," he ordered.
"Let's go, Angel," Klaus said as he tried to pull Angelica away. "You heard the man."
Angelica narrowed her eyes at her father. "I can't wait to see you beg for mercy!"
"Oh, my dear, sweet child," Lucifer got out. "I believe it's you who will one day. And I'll be waiting for you." He then gave her one last grin before making his way to the podium.
Dorian and Arthur Gray stood in the doorway of the hearing room, watching the whole drama unfold, and once Alistair had gotten things back in order, they'd smiled at each other.
"This feels like home, Dad. Wouldn't you say?" Arthur asked with a grin.
"It's sad to see what this community has come to," Dorian answered, not finding amusement in the situation like his son.
"Yes, but it's such good entertainment!" Arthur got out, chuckling as his eyes caught a certain blonde in the front row. "Excuse me, Dad. I think I'll go sit!"
"Sure," Dorian nodded. "I think I'll go say 'Hello' to your mother."
"Very courageous of you, Dad, since Elijah Mikaelson has stuck himself to Mother like glue."
Dorian sighed and closed his eyes. "Elijah Mikaelson will never be a threat to me. His wife and I share a child and that will never change."
"Good luck to you then," Arthur grinned.
"Same to you if you have your eye on that beautiful blonde," Dorian replied with a wink.
"Oh, just when I was thinking that this day couldn't get any worse!" Elijah heaved a sigh as Selina turned to stare at him, her blue eyes wide.
"Why?" She asked. "What's wrong? The fight's been broken up and now we can get on with the hearing…oh." It was then she caught sight of Dorian Gray coming toward them. "Oh, hello, Dorian," she remarked cheerfully while giving Elijah's hand a good hard warning squeeze that made him wince. "Nice to see you today!"
"Likewise," Dorian returned. "When it comes to you, it's always a pleasure." Then he turned to Elijah and spoke tonelessly. "And I guess you're here too. Hello, Elijah."
"Dorian," Elijah returned, crossing his arms.
"Is Arthur here?" Selina asked.
"Yes," Dorian nodded. "And it seems a beautiful young woman has caught his eye."
"It's probably Gabrielle," Selina grinned. "She's really nice. Adrian's mother in law and the other grandmother of the triplets."
"Well, she seems lovely," Dorian said. "And how's the pregnancy going?"
"Oh, fuck, no!" Elijah spat, yelling loudly enough that people stared, probably thinking there would be another fight. "Don't you dare, Gray! Don't you dare!"
"Elijah, what in the name of Steve?" Selina scolded. "Where are your manners? We've already had one display today and I don't think you want to be part of another one!"
"That is my baby she's carrying," Elijah told Dorian, ignoring his wife. "Therefore, there's no place for you in our lives and you can just stay the fuck away!"
"Are you kidding me, Elijah? I didn't come here to try and steal your wife," Dorian defended himself. "I merely asked how she was doing! It's not bad manners!"
"It is when you circle around her like a bird waiting to snatch up prey!" Elijah said dryly.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Selina asked him. "Have you lost your mind? Apologize to Dorian right now!"
"I will not!" Elijah shook his head stubbornly.
"Dorian and I had a child together," Selina tried to be patient as she spoke. "And nothing will change that, even my loving you more than anyone else. So, you can pout for eternity or you can act like an adult. Take your pick."
"Dorian wants you back!" Elijah cried. "How can you be so blind you don't see it?"
This made Dorian burst out laughing. "You want to know something hilarious?"
"No, I don't give a fuck about anything you have to say," Elijah spat.
"It's so funny to me that it hasn't occurred to you that there might be another woman in my life besides your wife!" Dorian chuckled.
"Oh, I doubt it," Elijah shook his head. "And do you know why?" He paused. "Because there will never be a woman other than Selina Warren for you!" He paused. "Except if you manage to steal one of our daughters, but believe me, I'll be watching you and them so closely that it won't happen!"
Angelica, who was watching the argument, nearly choked on her spit, a whimper escaping her throat. Damn it, she could only hope that the other woman Dorian was talking about was not Mackenzie Mikaelson!
"What's the matter?" Klaus whispered. "Spill, Angel! I know you know something about that fight over there."
"What?" Angelica stared into his eyes. "I don't know anything about the eternal feud between your brother and Dorian Gray!"
"Oh, love, I know when you're lying because you always wrinkle your nose in a very cute way!" He grinned and beeped her nose.
Angelica scoffed, pushed his hand away, and shook her head. "You're crazy! I don't know anything about it at all. I'm just surprised that they're fighting now is all."
Klaus winked. "You can say what you want, Angel, but I know every word coming out of your pretty lips is bullshit."
Meanwhile, Selina continued to try and calm things down. "Dorian, I'm so sorry. Please accept my apologies on behalf of my husband, for his terrible behavior."
"It's not your fault, Selina," Dorian told her. "I'm just glad you're well."
"Me too," she nodded and then watched him take a seat before turning on her husband. "I've just about had enough of you! No sex for a month!"
Eljah rolled his eyes. "I doubt you can handle that. I'll see you in our bed in twenty-four hours or less!"
"You should be ashamed of yourself, Elijah Mikaelson!" Selina continued. "I never thought I would see such childish behavior from you, of all people!"
"Not where Dorian Gray is concerned!" Elijah shook his head stubbornly.
"Wow," Kol murmured as he watched this display. "And people always say I'm the one who makes trouble!" He grinned.
"Don't even get me started about that!" Amy heaved a loud sigh.
"What have I done?" Kol asked playfully. "No sex for me for a month too?" We know that won't happen, Amy!" He chuckled as she growled in frustration.
"Have I mentioned how good these cookies are?" Mikael asked as he finished off the bag.
"I can't believe that's all you have to say for yourself!" Sybil cried, wide-eyed. "There's an intense argument playing out between your son and Dorian Gray and all you can talk about is cookies?"
"Well, no!" Mikael shook his head. "I'm proud of my son, of course. I'd behave exactly the same if Dorian Gray had his eyes on you." He shrugged. Facts were facts.
"Oh, you're hopeless!" Sybil gave his arm a punch, heaved a big sigh, and sat down hard on a nearby chair.
Arthur strode over to Gabrielle and took the empty seat beside her, a grin on his face.
She started a bit as she slowly turned her head to look at him, then winced. "Oh," she drawled. "It's you. I thought it would be someone interesting!"
Unoffended, Arthur chuckled. "Your enthusiasm is making me hot," he told her. "Really getting my blood going?"
"Where?" she asked dryly. "To your head or your penis?"
Arthur threw his head back and began laughing. "Well, it depends. Which one would make you happier?"
"It would make me happy if you just left me alone, Arthur Gray!" She cried as she stared into his dark eyes. "You going elsewhere would just make me ecstatic!"
"Where's the fun in that?" He purred and gave her a wink.
"The fun would be that you're leaving me alone," she told him emphatically.
"Tell me," he pressed. "Is it exhausting to always be denying yourself what you really want?" He ran a finger down her arm. "You know that's why I do this to you. Because you're just holding back. Denying yourself when you don't need to."
"I think it's very presumptuous of you to believe I'm holding back feelings for you," she said, rolling her eyes. "And a very pretty explanation for why you always appear like a cockroach from the walls!"
"Oh, that's not true," Arthur reminded her. "I've left you alone a lot for the last several weeks!" He reached out and tucked some loose strands of blonde hair behind her ear.
"You know, you're very thick headed if you don't understand the concept of someone avoiding you if the don't want to be around you." She paused. "Do I need to write you a memo so you don't forget?"
Arthur smirked, kissing her earlobe gently before whispering in her ear. "You can lie to me and yourself all you want, but the smell of your arousal and the rapid beating of your heart betray you again and again."
Gabrielle started, turning her head to brush his five o'clock shadow and stare in his eyes. The intensity of his gaze made her blush. She could feel the heat in her cheeks, and the grin that curved his lips just made it worse. "What…what do you want, Arthur? Don't play games with me. Just be honest." She was close enough to him that her lips almost brushed his as she spoke.
"All right," he shrugged. "If you're ready to hear me say it. If you want me to be that honest. I want you. I want you to stop stalling and accept my marriage proposal."
She gave an awkward chuckle and straightened up, backing away from temptation. "Oh, but I did answer you about that silly idea of yours," she reminded him. "You would think weeks and weeks of silence would say enough!"
"It's not a silly idea!" Arthur insisted with a smile. "It would be an excellent arrangement for both of us. I would get a beautiful, intelligent wife who would dazzle everyone at all the social activities I needed to attend for work, and you would have a secure financial future. You wouldn't have a thing to worry about ever again." He paused. "Of course it would mainly be on paper, but if you wanted, I wouldn't be opposed to going to bed from time to time."
Gabrielle scoffed at this, wanting so badly to slap the smirk off his face. "You have some nerve suggesting such a thing, Arthur Gray! How dare you think I'm just a whore who'll fluff your ego during the day and then get in your bed at night just because you snap your fingers!"
Arthur heaved a big sigh. "I suppose if you like it that way, I can have my lawyer draw up that contract as soon as possible."
"Or you could drop dead and leave me alone. But I suppose that's too much to ask of you."
"Oh, but we'll have so much fun together!" He promised. "Who would want to miss out on that?"
"Me, that's who!" Gabrielle snapped. But she let herself smile, just a little bit.
"I suppose I could grant you one more week to think over and accept my proposal," he said, finality in his voice. "Looks like the hearing is about to start." He then turned his head and watched Alistair make his way to the podium.
Celine stabbed her chocolate cake several times with her fork, looking at her man who was in the middle of a crème brulee. Her godfather, Noah Morningstar. Granted, she realized, it was not the usual thing for a woman to fall so hard for their godfather. It was unusual, but she didn't give a flying fuck about what others thought.
At the moment, however, she was incredibly pissed by his stubborn silence. Since John the Asshole had ben kind enough to leave them alone, he had avoided her gaze and hadn't said two words to her, except to ask to pass the salt!
Finally, he set his spoon down on his plate, then got the hostess's attention. She was there almost immediately, her cleavage very visible, an obvious ploy for attention that made Celine wince. The older woman was much prettier than her. And less dressed too!
"The check please," Noah requested flatly, not looking at the woman at all.
"Leaving so soon, sir?" The woman purred, her eyes on Celine, who looked at her with narrowed eyes in return. "I hope everything was to your satisfaction?"
"It was wonderful but my goddaughter has other obligations and we need to go on our way," Noah lied through his teeth.
"Oh, your goddaughter, I see," the woman nodded, her red lips curving into a wide grin. "I understand. I'll bring you your check and my phone number…in case you get lonely tonight." She then turned and sashayed away, leaving Celine open-mouthed with shock. Once the woman was gone, Celine leaned toward Noh.
"Tell me you won't sleep with that bimbo?" She begged. "It's too easy! She's just giving herself to you on a silver platter!"
"Of course I won't sleep with her!" Noah cried. "Not that it's any of your business! And I don't think that's the right way to talk to you godfather!"
"That's how we're gonna do it?" Celine huffed. "I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time you've bought random women for your sexual satisfaction! Aren't I right, Uncle Noah?"
"Lower your voice, please," he warned in a whisper.
"I could do that," Celine agreed. "But not before telling you that no other woman you bring home will satisfy you like I will. I know you're aroused because you haven't looked away from me the whole meal. Even if you think you totally ignored me all this time!" She set her closed fists on the table. "I'm not an idiot, Noah! I saw you stare at my perky boobs the entire time. Don't forget who my grandfather is. No one will treat me this way. Not even you!"
Noah blushed dark red and took a deep breath before he leaned forward to whisper, "I'm sorry if you feel neglected, Celine, or that I've led you on in some way, but…all I came for is a lunch. A nice, quiet, not sexual at all lunch. It's what you wanted and it's what you got."
"What I want," Celine corrected, baring her teeth. "Is to feel you buried deep inside me. And you want it too, but you're too much of a coward to admit that you want me in your bed!" She finished and waited for his reply, chin raised.
"Don't say stuff like that!" Noah cried, hitting his fist on the table. "What do you think your grandfather would do to me if he knew you were even thinking such things?"
Celine shrugged, unaffected. "He tries to pull anything, just remind him that you know what he's doing to your sister."
"And how do you suggest I handle your father?" Noah questioned, eyes narrowed.
"Well," Celine swallowed. "He'll be used to it eventually!"
"No he wouldn't!" Noah shook his head. "He'll kill me for raping his daughter!" His cheeks flushed a little as he realized everyone was staring. Then, to make things worse, they heard a discreet cough and found the waitress staring at them too.
"Here's your check," she told him quickly as she lowered it onto the table.
Noah immediately grabbed his wallet without another word, looking the check over and putting a second piece of paper with her phone number on it in his blazer pocket.
Celine saw this and blushed, trying to control her breathing.
When Noah finally threw his credit card on the little tray, he looked the waitress in the eye. "Go ahead and add a 25 percent tip."
"Well, thank you, sir," the woman told him. "That's very kind." She gave Celine a fake, evil smile. "Excuse me. I'll be back in a jiffy."
"I'm glad she's gone," Celine huffed and kicked the table. "She won't satisfy you. Not like I would."
After Noah had hold of his credit card, he gave Celine a severe look. "Grab your coat. We're leaving!"
Noah hurried to reach his BMW as Celine rushed to catch up.
"I can't believe you just left and didn't say goodbye to that bimbo who gave you her phone number," she told him, which made him roll his eyes.
"Just get in the car," he commanded.
"I don't need to get in your car," she pointed out. "I could walk home or take a cab to get back to the club," she suggested, chin raised.
Noah growled and turned to face her, then came to stand by her side, steam seeming to pour from his ears. "Are you done?" He demanded.
"No," Celine smiled serenely. "I haven't even started!"
"Get in the car!" He growled, wanting so badly to spank her, but knowing that that would be a terrible idea. Instead, he grabbed her arm and dragged her the few remaining steps to the car.
"Oh, I like it when you rough me up," she chuckled. "Much more satisfying than being with that silly hostess, right? It's nothing but the damn truth!" She grinned wickedly. "Do you want to spank me too?"
"Just get inside!" He opened the passenger side door and pushed her in before slamming it shut and going to the driver's side.
Celine soon sat upright, a growl of frustration coming from her red lips, her hands two fists in her lap. "Would you like to know why she won't satisfy you in bed?" She questioned as Noah slammed the driver door closed.
"Fine," Noah sighed. "Tell me why. Get it out of your system."
"It's really simple," Celine shrugged. "She's not me. And I am what you want, Noah Morningstar!"
"And you are the one thing I can't have," he informed her, his voice full of frustration. "Don't you understand, Celine Mikaelson? Do you even realize how hard it was for me to have to wait til the day of my father's hearing to take you out to lunch in public? Do you realize how bad it would be if I let my sick, twisted sexual side take over with you? I can't do it! I won't!"
"Noah, you're nothing like your father," Celine tried to reassure him as tears filled her eyes. She raised her hand to gently caress his cheek. "You're good, kind, gentle…"
"I am nothing but in bed," he told her between clenched teeth.
"And that's good," Celine insisted. "It's what I crave, just like you. And by…by denying yourself what you want, you're just hurting us both. Denying us the pleasure of being together when there's absolutely nothing wrong about it."
The sound of Noah's heavy breathing filled the space, his chest rising up and down as he suddenly swore, bringing up his hand to cradle her neck before crashing his lips against hers, kissing her hungrily, and seemingly unable to stop.
When she was finally able to breath, Celine let out a cry of surprise in the two seconds it took before his tongue forcefully invaded her mouth. Then she ran her hands up over his chest and threw her arms around his neck, pushing his fedora hat on the seat so she could play with his hair.
He promptly put his arms around her waist, pulling her into his lap and undoing the buttons of her vest, sliding it down her arms as she frantically undid the buttons of his blazer, then pulled open his shirt with such force that the buttons flew every which way.
Soon after, he undid the vest she wore, staring hungrily at her perky breasts, her nipples erect for his sexual pleasure as well as her own. He began sucking on them hungrily, like a man who'd finally found water in the desert.
This made her moan loudly, rocking back and forth and rubbing against his very obvious bulge. But as soon as it had started, she felt herself be thrown back onto the seat, her vest tossed onto her lap.
"What did I do?" She asked, genuinely dumbfounded as she slid her fingers over her bruised lips.
"You? You did nothing," he shook his head. "But I did much more than I should have. Cover yourself up and buckle your seat belt. I'm taking you home."