Thieves Among Us-Closed

[Perplexia]

Just the sign of him made her breathless. This was not a good start to her plan. She smiled at his compliment, and advised him "and you Sir, as dashing as ever" He was certainly pulling out all the stops. Her eyes skimmed over the limo they were to ride in as the driver held the door open.

She moved herself to the far left to avoid being to close in the spacious car. "Oh" she said in response to his selection of restaurants in a monotone response. "Please don't be offended if I don't order anything. From what I remember they have a lot of unpronounceable dishes with ingredients that are above my preferential taste palette. Just because I can afford to be ostentatious doesn't mean i choose to be. But I do appreciate the thought that went behind the selection. I'm quite sure any number of your women would be overwhelmed to be taken to such a prestigious place"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He chuckled quietly to himself. She may be playing it cool but it was not working. Against someone that could literally hear her heartbeat and smell the pheromones coming off her body it was impossible to lie.

"Oh don't worry. There is plenty on the menu that will tempt even your taste buds, you just need to know what to order," he smiled.

As they pulled up to the restaurant he got out and held the door for her then escorted her in. He told the Maitre De the name their booking was under and the man's eyes went wide. Immediately he summoned a waiter and they were escorted to a small out of the way table, that while private was still well lit and in a beautiful part of the place.

They were left alone and he looked at the menu. "I would suggest the Beef bourguignon, or the Sole Meunière or perhaps the Roasted Chicken and Garlic. I assure you, you will not be disappointed nor will your delicate palate be offended," he smiled.

 

[Perplexia]

It didn't escape her attention the expression on the hosts face when Phillip whispered to him. Despite the people waiting they were promptly escorted to a private dining area. She glanced over the menu and closed it when the waiter arrived. "This is what I want" she stated with a not taking no for an answer attitude. I want a large grilled chicken Caesar salad, no onion, dressing on the side. I would also like a bowl of clam chowder soup.

The waiter looked as if he was about to say something but then glanced at Philip and said "we'll make it happen madam and for the Sir?"

She waited as he placed his order and the waiter left and she looked at Phillip. "There are very few people that can come to this restaurant and place an order that's not on the menu and have nothing said about it. So Phillip, what aren't you telling me?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Phillip ordered the Beef bourguignon and then sat back.

He looked at her deciding what he could and could not get away telling her. Should he concoct some elaborate story or perhaps a little half truth? It took him all of a half a second to dismiss the idea of trying to fool her with a wild story. he knew she would see right through it. Oh he knew he could pull it off well enough, but she would never believe it enough.

So that just left him with the truth, or about 90% of it. Well it was time for him to let her in on his secret. Smiling a small knowing smile he leaned forward and gestured her close. "Okay you have caught me. I really wanted to impress you so I reached out to our mutual benefactor. I asked him to set up a grand date that would sweep you off your feet."

He looked down for a few seconds and then back up at her. "I was told that everything was booked in his name tonight and I was to tell whoever was in charge the name he gave me." Looking around he shrugged. "It seems that that the name carries some weight, but if it is his actual name I do not know. Now, perhaps you could relax and actually pretend to enjoy yourself.I did put a lot of thought into this and he did arrange all of this for us," he smiled.

 

[Perplexia]

There was a multitude of emotions that flooded her. One, he knew a name of the benefactor and didn't share it with her. Second the benefactor seemed to think that them dating was a good idea, perhaps that was his ultimate purpose in putting them together, and third despite all she had done the benefactor didn't trust her with a single name.

"I appreciate the effort you put forth" she said lightly not quite sure what else she could respond with. It was an abundance of overwhelming emotions. This wasn't something she was use to dealing with.

Slowly she picked at he salad and then her soup. Her wine on the other hand she took a few glasses of. "I'm afraid i'm not being a good date" she said lightly after some silence. Perhaps we should reschedule"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Phillip saw he had made a mistake. He could hear her heart racing and smell the anxiety on her and while he would love to think it was him making her feel this way he knew he could not take the credit.

He replayed what he had told her in his mind, going over everything to find out what had caused her to be in such a state. Was it the fact that he had done all of this just for her? No, she had been spoiled like this before on some of her jobs so he doubted it was that.

Maybe the fact that it seemed like he was trying to get a little closer to her than she was comfortable with? Hmm maybe, after all, she could play the seductress but she had never really been seduced.

Well it was true that he had put this all together to get closer to her, just to see if there was a spark of something there, but she didn't know it was him and she wasn't supposed to know it was him, just as he was pretending...

He stopped. That was it. He had said he had contacted their benefactor. Damn he should have said he had contacted his handler. Still even the fact that he knew a name to drop on people was enough. She was jealous.

He almost laughed, but it was not that funny. This could ruin his plans. He had a way to fix it but that would come later, for now there was something he could do.

"I'm afraid i'm not being a good date" she said lightly after some silence. "Perhaps we should reschedule"

Looking at her he smiled. "Nonsense, your fine and I get why your acting a little off." Looking around he leaned in closer and whispered, "Up until tonight I had nothing to call him either, although I am almost 100 percent sure this is not his name," he told her.

Looking around again he lowered his voice even more and whispered "I was told to say Lord Andrew Montgomery. I was going to tell you at the end of the night, there was no way I was going to keep something like that from you, but it was kind of fun knowing it just by myself," he admitted.

Sitting back he looked at her. "Won't you please stay. It would be a shame to waste the rest of the evening."

 

[Perplexia]

If truth be known she would have done the same. Just so she could have it to herself for a little bit before cluing him in. Her suspicious nature pondered over it. How would their benefactor have known about their date. Perhaps he had mentioned it to his handler. That would make perfect sense.

"Alright" she said stabbing her salad and taking a bite of it. "So what will you do if you catch me?" she questioned hoping to throw him off guard. "The challenge will be over, you'll have obtained the unobtainable, will it then be time for a new goal?"

She didn't see a need for the cat and mouse game. Thinking about it was just going to drive her insane. It was important that she make him aware of how she thought it was going to go. Other then to steal things, she'd never had a person as a mark before. "Was it our benefactor that put the request in that you get close to me?" She added with another suspicion.

Her breathing deepens, her legs clenching closed and her heart racing as she remembered the kiss he had given her. The way she felt when she was in his arms dancing. Part of her was hoping he would say it was her benefactors wish, so she would follow it.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Ohhh again he was on dangerous ground. He couldn't really come out and tell her exactly what was going on. For one she would never believe him and two he did not want to scare her off. However he could assure her about several things.

"Did our benefactor put us together? Well you know the answer to that. The answer is yes. However it was not for me to get close to you. My brief was to meet a thief, train with them, get to know them until we worked flawlessly together and then pull off a big job that required the both of us."

He looked at her. "The fact that you turned out to be a beautiful, breathtaking, irritating, funny, magical woman who I have fallen head over heels for is not the point. I am not after you just to obtain the unobtainable you know. If I wanted that there are more noteworthy targets than you," he smiled.

"No, there is just something about you that has captured me and even though you are loathe to admit it, I do believe you feel it a little too."

 

[Perplexia]

"More noteworthy targets then me, you do know how to make a woman feel special" A cheeky smile followed to let him know she wasn't angry at the comment.
In fact he had made a valid point. There were high ranking duchess' and other nobility that would make notable targets.

No, she was not going to reply to whether or not he had captivated her. Of course he had, and she knew he knew it. But denying it was just fun. So she decided to change the subject.

"what was your favorite heist?" she questioned placing her bowl to the side and placing one hand under her chin with her elbow on the table. She had probably drank a bit more wine then she had planned. Her eyes danced and she watched the way his mouth moved and his facial expressions.

Her mind screamed 'Danger!, Danger!' as she watched him and she couldn't help but smile.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He was glad she had stayed and that she had accepted his comment in the way it was meant. He was also glad to see a smile appear on her face again. He wondered if she knew just how beautiful she looked when she smiled?

He caught himself staring and quickly ate a little of his stew and then thought about her question.

There had been a few memorable ones, actually far more than she would ever know. She would be amazed at just how long he had been a thief for. There were several masterpieces in museums all over the world that were actually fakes thanks to him. Yet if he was to answer honestly.

"I know you will not believe me but the other night was my favorite. Truly there have been more dangerous, more thrilling and ones that have required more planning. However never have I had more fun on a heist than I did with you and yet you made me work harder as well," he smiled at her. "How about yourself. What is yours?"

 

[Perplexia]

"Honestly?, I would have to say that when I was a child, our benefactor presented me with all kinds of different challenges. The most fun I had was probably stealing wallets at the dance and purposely placing them in the wrong pockets to create chaos. He didn't tell me to do that, he just told me if I wanted extra money to be creative.

So I was. It gave me great gratification for Billy Johnson to get a punch in the nose. He should have never snapped my bra." She gave a grin and started laughing. Way too much wine she told herself shaking her head.

"But I will admit our little challenge was more pleasurable then I thought it would have been. I'm use to being alone, and working alone. But it was fun to have someone to watch my back and play a game with. Should be fun to do again."

Rina smiled again. She loved the way his eyes seemed to dance when he talked to her.

"Do you have a prize that you're hoping to one day obtain?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He just could not stop himself from looking at her. Perhaps this had been a bad idea he was finding it very hard to control the urge to take her in his arms and make her his right now. Yet strangely he did not have the urge to bite her, nor make her like him. This urge was something else.

He thought about it for a moment as he took another bite of his excellent meal to hide his discomfort and then he almost spat it right back out as he realized what the feeling was. It was lust, pure and simple lust. Something he had not felt in... Well actually he could not remember when.

Recovering quickly he finished his mouthful and then looked at her. "A prize? I suppose everyone is looking for something. Enough money to retire on before I am caught perhaps? Maybe a beautiful woman to share that retirement with," he teased her. "Actually I am not sure what I am looking for," he answered her honestly although he wondered if she would know just how honest he was being. "I think I am close to finding it but I may have 'Trouble' obtaining it," he smiled.

 

[Perplexia]

Rina practically found herself hanging on his every word as 'Danger! Danger!' played in the back ground of her mind. She smiled as he teased her about finding a woman to spend his retirement with, and continued to listen contently as he spoke.

For a brief moment she had been concerned when he spit out his food but then he started talking and it was forgotten. 'Look at the way his eyes dance when he's being sincere, the way his mouth curls when he's teasing, the smoothness of his voice, and those shoulders.

She found herself wiggling slighting her seat and crossing her legs tightly. She was in trouble, her first instinct was to run. 99 percent of the time she would follow that instinct, but not right now. Instead she spoke what her dream was.

"I would like to discover a treasure that was lost. Something that was just considered a myth, but held actual clues that led to an adventure. Like a lost city or something that had never been found but held the greatest treasure ever known. I would buy an island and sleep in a hammock" she smirked

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He looked at her and was now openly smiled, one of his rare, seldom seen true smiles. He knew he was seeing her at her most vulnerable. She was giving off all the signs of flight but her body was poring off with the scent of arousal. It was effecting him as well and he was having a very hard time controlling himself. If he had been but a few hundred years younger...

So she was interested in adventure, treasure, wealth and myth. He almost chuckled. That was the story of his life, in fact it was him if only she knew it. She had but to solve Phillip and she could have what she wanted. Well all but the island and the hammock perhaps, although that could be arranged.

Then he thought a little. There was a thing or two he could put into place that could maybe intrigue her.

He finished his meal and then looked at her. "So wealth, adventure and treasure then," he chuckled, "Oh and your own island with a hammock mustn't forget that. Hmm a tall order but I will get right on it. However perhaps the theater now or would you rather I dropped you home, or at least somewhere close," he laughed. "I know you don't trust me enough to tell me where you live."

 

[Perplexia]

Oh how she was starting to love that smile. "Well I don't want to deprive you of your full date and have you call foul, and require another on the grounds of in-completion." She teased. "So the theater it is." Slowly she rose and wobbled slightly before getting her balance.

Not trust him, more like not trusting myself. She thought thinking of his comment about taking her home. Taking his arm they exited the restaurant and moved outside into the fresh air. She inhaled it deeply as the cool wind brushed across her face before getting into the limo.

The only thing she could think of as they sat in the limo and started their way to the theater was how much she wanted to dance with him again. "Perhaps after the theater you would like to join me for a dance on the rooftop?" she questioned before she could stop herself.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He had gently steadied her when she had stumbled but he doubted she had noticed and then he was gratified when she took his arm as they walked back to the limo. He let her take her time and compose herself before they got in, but he was shocked when she mentioned a dance on the rooftops. She must be drunker than he thought. Still he was not going to let such an opportunity pass by.

"If after the theater you still feel the same I would be delighted to take you up on that offer. In fact I would even forgo the theater entirely to do so if you do not think it would upset our benefactor too much."

He knew it would not but he wanted to see what she would do.

 

[Perplexia]

"I will forgo the roof..no the theater to dance upon the rooftops, but you have to promise not to let me fall. I'm afraid I might have had a bit too much to drink."

She should have allowed herself to sober up. But she would have backed out and lost the opportunity to dance with him. Right now she just wanted to be free without her well honed training stopping her from enjoying herself.

"Consider this an experiment in trust" she said with a smirk.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Well now this was a surprise, but a very pleasant one. Leaning forward he spoke a few words to the driver and soon they were moving in a new direction. A few minutes later the car stopped and the door was opened and he helped her out.

Guiding her with practiced ease he led her down a rather clean alley to the back of a building and a fire escape that reached all the way to the ground. "Ladies first," He said with a small bow indicating the ladder leading to the first floor landing. He reasoned it would be best for him to go second in case she fell so he could catch her. It was not until she started to climb that he realized a small flaw in his planning. He had to look up to watch her and she was wearing a dress. It was not short, but still. Would she think he had planned this?

 

[Perplexia]

Most woman would be cautious about going into an alley with a man. But with she knew that this was how one got to the rooftops. With the ladder all the way down, it made it easier to climb upon the rungs.

About mid way up she realized that all though he was behind her to protect her from falling, he would have a view up her dress. She shrugged to herself. With the granny panties she had on he was hardly likely to find himself overjoyed at the view.

Reaching the top took little time and she found herself crouching down to offer him a hand up. Taking his hand she lost her footing and fell on her bum. She couldn't stop herself from laughing. Even trying to quiet herself from doing so just made it worse. Eventually she regained composure and looked up at him with a smile.

"I'm obviously very graceful when I drink wine. I should probably make a note of that." Since she was already sitting she took off her shoes and placed them to the side getting in the proper dance position.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He had done his best not to look, however it had been impossible not to catch a glimpse of what was underneath her dress. At first he had been surprised then he had chuckled. Oh she had indeed gone all out to be less than impressive for this date. To go so far as THAT took real conviction.

Once they reached the top he reached up to take her hand and laughed openly as she fell over. He knew she would take it the right way and know he was not laughing at her but with her. After all the sight was so charming.

He waited until she was ready and then easily lifted her to her feet and began to dance with her. He stuck to the routine they had been practicing thinking that with her partially addled senses it might be the easiest for her to remember. He also used a little bit of his strength to keep her from stumbling. Anytime it felt like she was about to fall or trip he caught her before she knew about it and he guided her through the routine.

However he didn't stop when he was supposed to dip her, instead he moved back to the start and began again laughing as he did. This time he moved them all around the roof top improvising steps and guiding her making it seem flawless as they danced. The original routine had covered half the rooftop anyway so it was not much of a stretch.

He threw his head back and laughed as the twirled around. "You my dear are truly graceful when you drink. I am going to have to be around you more when you do," he chuckled as they continued to dance in the moonlight.

 

[Perplexia]

Her sides hurt from laughing so much and she just grinned from ear to ear. She found herself tripping into him and standing there under the moon with her body pressed against his. "I'm not so grateful" she said softly her eyes dancing as she looked up to him.

She loved the sound of his laugh, the way he was in sync with her moves even before she had them, and his smile. Raising to her toes she lightly brushed her lips against his. "Thank you for making me go out with you" she said softly wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head against his chest. God he smelled good on top of it.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Phillip stood still just holding her. He was afraid to move and in fact he was a little in shock.

She had kissed him, and in that light touch against his lips, sparks of electricity had seemed to leap from her and into him making his heart beat for the first time in centuries. He could feel her head on his chest and he reached up and held her close. Oh he had no fear of her finding out certain things. He had long since learned to cast certain glamors on himself. She would hear the beating of his heart and feel the warmth of his body, in fact they were so second nature to him they were almost ingrained in him.

"Making," he chuckled. "Why my dear I almost had to beg. Now what am I going to have to do for an encore. However you are most welcome although it is I who should be thanking you. You do know it is the gentleman that is lucky to be seen with the beautiful lady correct," he smiled at her.

 

[Perplexia]

She laughed against his chest relishing in the thumping of his heartbeat. "Lucky for you, you won three dates then." She teased stepping back from him but still holding on to his hips. The fact he wasn't being egotistical, and was being a gentlemen confused the first perception she had of him. Or perhaps it was the perception she had preconceived of him.

Reluctant to end the night she wanted him to have the option of more dancing or to take her home. She wasn't sure how late they had been out. "Are you ready to end the night sir? Or is there more dancing to be had?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Phillip could sense the sun. He still had several hours yet until he had to say goodnight to her, but should he leave her wanting more or should he indulge her a little and then take her home?

It was a pity she was so unsteady on her feet. He would have loved to play a game of roof top tag with her. Still perhaps that could wait until their second date. He was sure she would actually love that.

Smiling mischievously, he nodded. "Very well madam, one last dance before we call it a night. I can never refuse you anything, well hardly anything," he chuckled as he again began to dance with her, this time slowly. It was still their dance, just with the timing slowed down.

It was amazing how much that changed the rhythm of the piece. Before it had been lively and breezy and fun. Now it was stately, and formal but still fun in a different manner. After all this was not a stuffy dance.

As they approached the end he smiled at her. "Ahh the ending. Just how would a true gentleman end the perfect evening do you think?" he teased her. "To kiss or not to kiss, it is a tough question."

 

[Perplexia]

"i'll remember that" she said with a smirk to his comment about not being able to deny her almost anything.

Dancing their routine slowly was an excellent exercise not only in being sure they could still manage it when they were outside of their normal timing. But also to be sure she could follow his lead and trust in him to not make a mistake. Of course he was flawless like normal.

Their bodies moved together like one. If they were to compete no one would suspect they hadn't been dancing together for only a short amount of time. There was no denying that in their dancing among other things they had true chemistry.

Deciding to go the extra mile, and also partly because she wasn't sure she could successfully take the rooftops home without falling and breaking her neck. She made a decision to give him a branch of trust.

"You could drop me off at my building, and make that decision then. Of course, I did already give you a kiss. So in actuality you should be sated." she teased back.