i just wanna know you better now || CONNOR

[ELI LILLIAN BRYNE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 505px; -moz-border-radius: 0 185 185 0px;background-color:#09281d;] so we burst into colours ---------------------------------------- colours and carousels, fall head first, like paper planes & play ground games -------- She couldn't believe that they were actually going out together in public, as a couple. And not even just a couple. An engaged couple. The butterflies that were tumbling in her stomach were enough to make her need to pace back and forth across the bedroom that she now shared with her fiance. It was odd, referring to the man that had been a stranger to her for over a year just a week previously. But her love for him had never ebbed, she couldn't deny that. Even when she went through what she went through and convinced herself that she hated him, it was never true. She loved him and she had never stopped. Blinking at her reflection in the mirror now, she smiled softly. She had been so self-conscious of her appearance ever since the scars had been fixed permanently over her once flawless skin. However, the outfit she had donned covered them perfectly and she felt beautiful for the first time in quite some time. Her natural blonde hair fell in waves down her back. The style had taken her over and hour to do because she was trying to make it seem perfect and effortless. She wanted him to stop dead when he saw her, was that so bad? Smiling to herself once more, she studied the strappy red dress in the mirror. It was daring, with its plunging neck line and short fitted skirt, but it would definitely get her noticed. The problem was hiding her weapons beneath the fabric. She knew that she had made a big deal over this being a normal, weapon free night, but that wasn't safe in their line of profession. They had to be slightly realistic, right? She didn't want anything happening to either one of them when they were supposed to be having fun. Sighing to herself, she finally managed to store the knife in a nifty holster that strapped around the upper part of her thigh. She kept her small gun on her other thigh, since it was the only position available to her. Furrowing her brow, she studied her reflection once more to make sure it wasn't obvious that she was carrying any foreign objects. Satisfied, the young woman retouched her make up and was soon out the door after applying perfume as well. This was so unlike her, and she nearly stumbled in the red high heels that she had found deep within her closet. Catching her balance before she went into the grand living room, she saw Connor out of the corner of her eye, waiting for her at his personal bar. Memories flashed into her mind suddenly as she thought back to when she smashed his expensive bottle of whiskey. Not the best memory, but hey, that was in the past now, right? Trying not to smile, she spun in a small circle for him so he could inspect her outfit, and when she caught sight of his facial expression, she huffed. Hearing his explanation, her brow furrowed and she glared daggers at him. "Well, we wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable all evening long, now would we? Wear looser pants to hide your never ending boner. Ass." She snapped at him, giving him another look that could kill before hurrying back into their bedroom. Men. So concerned about what was in their pants. However, his words had boosted her confidence slightly. But, she couldn't let him win. That wasn't how their game worked. She would wear something slightly more conservative, that didn't show as much skin, but it would still give him something to think about. Smiling evilly to herself, she slipped into a short black number that showed just enough of her skin. Zipping it up without much difficulty, she grabbed her clutch once more and readjusted herself in the mirror. Once finished, she fixed her face into a stoic expression and stalked out of the bedroom. Throwing him a glare that left no room for argument, she walked in such a way in which his eyes would be drawn to her rear. Ignoring him now, she covered herself with a red scarf, purposely, wrapping it around her neck to hide her revealed cleavage. Shrugging her sleeveless ivory longer coat on, she buttoned it up and threw another glare over her shoulder, tying her belt tightly. Stalking through the home, she reached the garage without another look back and settled into the passenger seat of the car that they would be taking for the evening. If he wanted to play, then she would play. WEARING.

template by pan @ caution2.0!

[CONNOR GREGORY SELWYN]

LEANING AGAINST THE COUNTER TOP IN HIS RECENTLY RENOVATED KITCHEN, CONNOR CHEWED ON THE END OF A LICORICE ROPE AND WAITED IMPATIENTLY FOR ELI. HE HAD NEVER BEEN AN IMPATIENT MAN, AND WAITING FOR ANYONE PISSED HIM OFF. HE KNEW SHE KNEW THIS, AND SHE WAS PROBABLY TRYING TO GET UNDER HIS SKIN.

IT WAS WORKING.

HE WAS TENSE ABOUT THEIR DATE SINCE THEY'D NEVER OFFICIALLY BEEN ON ONE BEFORE. HE'D POSED THE PROPOSITION TO HER A WEEK BEFORE, AND SHE'D TAKEN HIM UP ON IT. HE WANTED TO MAKE THIS WORK BETWEEN THEM AFTER ALL OF THE HORRENDOUS THINGS HE'D DONE TO HER. NOT KNOWING IF HE WOULD EVER FORGIVE HIMSELF FOR THE HEINOUSNESS OF HIS ACTIONS, HE TWISTED THE END OF THE LICORICE AND VIOLENTLY TORE IT OFF IN HIS TEETH BECAUSE HE WAS THINKING ABOUT HIS PAST TO BEGIN WITH. HE HATED DWELLING ON THINGS AND BEING ALONE - AND MARKEDLY BORED - MADE HIM DWELL ON THINGS. OVERTHINKING WAS OVERRATED.

CROSSING HIS FEET AT THE ANKLES, HE READJUSTED HIS BLACK TIE AND SIGHED DRAMATICALLY. HE WAS DRESSED IN ALL BLACK, HIS SHIRT INCLUDED, AND IT ACCENTUATED HIS BLACK HAIR. HIS GREEN EYES GLINTED, AND HE LICKED HIS LIPS AS HE STOOD THERE, RUTHLESSLY HANDSOME, WATCHING AS HER BEDROOM DOOR FINALLY OPENED. HE'D DESIGNATED THE ROOM BESIDE HIS AS HERS (SINCE SHE SPENT MOST OF HER NIGHTS WITH HIM NOW ANYWAY, AND IF SHE DIDN'T, THEN HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO RETRIEVE HER WHEN HE DESIRED HER), SO THE DOOR OPENED ONTO THE MAIN LIVING AREA.

AS SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE ROOM, HIS BREATH CAUGHT IN HIS THROAT AND HE SMILED ROGUISHLY. NO, THIS JUST WOULDN'T DO. HER LITHE BODY WAS OUTLINED BY A BLACK DRESS, ACCENTING EVERY DELICIOUS CURVE ON HER FORM. AS SHE TURNED TO FACE HIM, HE WAS ALREADY SHAKING HIS HEAD, HIS ANKLES COMING UNCROSSED AS HE PLANTED HIS FEET AGAINST THE ONSLAUGHT OF LUST THAT WASHED OVER HIM AT THE SIGHT OF HER.

"YOU'RE NOT WEARING THAT OUT OF THE HOUSE," HE STATED SIMPLY, HIS EYEBROWS RAISING POINTEDLY. RISING FROM HIS LEANING POSITION, HE STALKED OVER TO HER AND RAN A HAND DOWN HER SIDE, FEELING THE CURVE OF HER HIP. HIS EYES GREW DARK AND HOODED AS HE SMILED IMPISHLY AT HER. "IF YOU WEAR THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO RESIST DRAGGING YOU INTO THE RESTROOM AND FUCKING THE SHIT OUT OF YOU, SO GO CHANGE."

HE DIDN'T DEMAND MUCH OUT OF HER BECAUSE HE WANTED HER HONEST AFFECTION AND NOT THE AFFECTION SHE WOULD GIVE HIM OUT OF SERVITUDE. THEY WERE EQUALS, HE KNEW THAT NOW MORE THAN HE EVER HAD, AND HE LIKED IT THAT WAY. IF HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A QUEEN, SHE HAD TO BE AS STRONG AS HE WAS. THAT WAS PART OF WHAT HE LOVED ABOUT ELI.

SHE HUFFED IRRITABLY AND HISSED A REMARK AT HIM, TO WHICH HE SMILED AND WENT BACK TO LEAN AGAINST THE COUNTER. "AND HURRY IT UP, WILL YOU?" HE CALLED, TEASING HER SINCE HE KNEW SHE WAS MIFFED HE'D TOLD HER TO CHANGE. THANKFULLY, HE DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT LONG BEFORE THE DOOR REOPENED AND ADMITTED HER INTO THE LIVING ROOM.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS OUTFIT WAS EVEN WORSE THAN THE ONE BEFORE, SOMEHOW ELICITING HIS DESIRE EVEN MORE BADLY THAN THE PREVIOUS. HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T ARGUE AS SHE SCALDED HIM WITH HER GLARE AND STALKED AWAY, HEADED FOR THE CAR IN A HUFF. "SHIT, WOMAN," HE CURSED UNDER HIS BREATH AND STOOD TO FOLLOW HER.

THE DRIVER AND ATTENDANTS AWAITED THEM OUTSIDE, THE CAR PURRING PLEASANTLY IN THE DRIVEWAY AS HE EXITED THE HOUSE, JUST HEARING HER DOOR SLAM. ROLLING HIS EYES AND SMIRKING TO HIMSELF, HE ROUNDED THE CAR AND CLIMBED IN. THE ENGINE REVVED MIGHTILY AND HE PEELED OUT OF THE DRIVE, THE HOUSE DISAPPEARING BEHIND THEM IN A FLASH.

GLANCING OVER AT HER, HIS EYES UNABLE TO MOVE FROM HER BARE KNEES AND SHAPELY LEGS, HE CLEARED HIS THROAT AND IT SOUNDED MORE AKIN TO A GROWL. "WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO ME?" HE ASKED RHETORICALLY, OFFERING HER A ROGUISH GRIN. ALTHOUGH HE'D BEEN IRRITATED BY HIS WAIT, HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO INTO THE EVENING BEING AGGRAVATED. HIS HAND MOVED FROM THE SHIFTING COLUMN TO HER LEG, HIS FINGERS TEASING THE INSIDE OF HER THIGH BUT NOT FULLY REACHING THE AREAS HE KNEW SHE LIKED HAVING TOUCHED.

"YOU WEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND YOU'RE BEGGING FOR IT," HE REMARKED IN A HUSKY VOICE, CUTTING HIS GREEN EYES OVER AT HER, A GLINT IN THEM. HE SMILED A CROOKED GRIN AND PRESSED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, CARRYING THEM INTO TOWN IN NO TIME AT ALL. HE REACHED THE RESTAURANT AND CLIMBED OUT, TOSSING THE KEYS TO ONE OF THE VALET DRIVERS, AND ROUNDED THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR HIS FIANCEE. HE WAS STILL AMAZED THEY HAD GOTTEN TO THIS POINT, AND HE WAS EXCITED TO SHOW HER OFF AS HIS IN PUBLIC.

SHE CLIMBED OUT, AND HE ESCORTED HER UP THE ELEGANT STAIRCASE INTO UPSCALE, THE ONLY RESTAURANT SUITABLE FOR HER AS FAR AS HE WAS CONCERNED. ELI WAS AN UNASSUMING WOMAN, BUT SHE DESERVED THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD. THAT WAS WHY HE DIDN'T DESERVE HER - BECAUSE, IF ANYTHING, HE WAS ALL OF THE UGLINESS OF THE WORLD COMBINED - BUT SHE HAD ACCEPTED HIS OFFER OF MARRIAGE AND HE PRAYED SHE WOULDN'T SECOND-GUESS HERSELF.

FINALLY, THEY REACHED THEIR TABLE AND ORDERED DRINKS, AND HE GLANCED AROUND THE EXQUISITE RESTAURANT, NOTICING THE DANCEFLOOR NEARBY WITH FEW DANCERS ON IT. WITH A SMALL SMILE, HE REACHED BENEATH THE TABLE, HIS FINGERS GRAZING HER BARE KNEE AS A SPARK PASSED HIS EYES. "WOULD YOU LIKE TO DANCE, MISS BYRNE?"

CRAPPY LAYOUT BY ME.

[ELI LILLIAN BRYNE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 505px; -moz-border-radius: 0 185 185 0px;background-color:#09281d;] so we burst into colours ---------------------------------------- colours and carousels, fall head first, like paper planes & play ground games -------- Eli had forced a smile upon her face when she had greeted the attendants at Connor's car, still not used to being waited on in such a manner. Of course she had lived this lifestyle before, but not to this degree. She was never Connor's fiancee before, and she felt as if the staff members were going out of their ways to make certain that she was happy and well equipped. However, she wished they would lay off a bit. She felt smothered by their constant attention and every time she went to do something they were always asking if she needed help. How Connor had grown up like this was beyond her knowledge. It also didn't help that she had been basically rogue for longer than a year, so she had picked up on her own habits. She still couldn't get over the nervous feeling that she got in the evenings. It was something that she supposed would always be with her because of the ordeal that she went through. But that was when she would find Connor. She would try to spend some nights on her own, especially when she couldn't sleep because she didn't want to wake him up. But those were the nights where her fear got the better of her, and it sent her to Connor's room. She never made it look like she had appeared because of her fear, but instead usually woke him up so that they could have mind blowing sex. Because it was mind blowing. Every single time. It was an excuse, but she also wanted it. She didn't want him to know the truth. She didn't want him to know that after he had drifted off to sleep, she snuggled up to his side, feeling safe and protected because he was there. It was a weakness that she didn't want to share. Shaking those thoughts from her mind, she let her anger build as she sat in the car, keeping her legs together in a decent fashion, but also so that the skirt of her dress rode up. She was careful not to reveal the weapons that she had hidden as well because Connor would certainly be on her case about that since she had made such a big deal about this being a normal evening. So, as he sat in his seat, she refused to meet his gaze and pointedly kept her body turned away from him. She couldn't believe that he had told her to go change. He had a whole lot of nerve and she was going to let him have it. Deciding on what to say to him, she turned to face him but then caught the way that he was staring at her. Her mouth parted slightly, for she was about to speak, but then she was frozen by his lust filled gaze. She knew that she made him crazy sometimes, but she had never truly seen him like this before over something that she was wearing. When he asked her what she was doing to him, she remained stubborn, as was her way. "This is your fault. You told me to change, so I changed. Do you still want to take my in the bathroom and fuck me?" She questioned him challengingly. Connor wanted a strong woman by his side, and her inner strength had only intensified in her absence. She wasn't the Eli that she used to be, that was for sure, but she wasn't that different. Taking a deep breath to try to calm her racing heart and her racing fury, she suddenly was aware of his hand on the inside of her thigh. Doing her best not to open her legs to give him easier access, she felt the tremors of pleasure pass through her just at his touch alone. However, nerves got the better of her as she remembered the placement of her weapons, and she closed her legs rather quickly, shooting him a look as he focused back on his driving. "Hands to yourself, Mr. Selwyn." She instructed him snappily. She knew she was being unfair, but this was how their relationship worked. He never usually asked much of her. Hell, he hardly asked anything of her. She should have changed into something more decent, but in her defense, this dress covered more than the other one did. As Connor pulled up to the restaurant, she sighed softly. She really didn't need to go to someplace this expensive, and she had explained that to him. But he had gone on about how she deserved the best so she knew better than to argue. He wanted to spoil her for some reason and she would let him because she knew that in some way, it helped him deal with the past. She had told him time and time again that everything was forgiven, but she understood where he was coming from. Not wanting to go soft on him now, she stayed in her seat, knowing he would want to open her door for her. Letting him play the part of the gentleman, she took his extended hand, using him to help herself out of the lower riding car. Fixing her dress before taking his elbow properly, she tucked herself against him, for it was a bit chillier than she expected. Goosebumps rose up and down her arms and she found herself wishing she had opted for the jacket with sleeves. Staying close to him as he spoke his name under the reservations, she allowed the host to take her jacket and her scarf, missing the appreciative look that the man gave her as she turned back to her fiance. Her eyes caught her engagement ring in the dim lighting of the restaurant and she couldn't help but smile at the sight of it. Remembering suddenly that she was supposed to be irritated at him, she just gave it up. She couldn't. She was too happy with their situation, and as he walked her to their table, she sat down with a smile teasing at her lips. When their drinks arrived, she took a few sips of her own, and then was suddenly aware of his fingers brushing her knee. Turning her blue eyes to look at him, she realized the gasp that had left her lips at his simple touch. That had been unexpected. Hearing his question, Eli thought for a moment and then smiled, nodding. "Sure, if you can keep up Mister Selwyn." She couldn't wait until they shared the same last name, but until then she was content. Waiting for him to make the first move, she watched him challengingly, wondering how interesting this evening was going to get. WEARING.

template by pan @ caution2.0!

[CONNOR GREGORY SELWYN]

[style=width: 450px; padding: 10 25 10 25; background-color: #fff; color: #000; border-top: 10px #000 solid; border-bottom: 10px #000 solid; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; line-height: 90%; text-align: justify;]OH HOW HE ENJOYED MESSING WITH HER. AS HIS FINGERS RAN WITHIN THE CURVE OF HER SHAPELY THIGH, HE SMILED IN SATISFACTION AS SHE REACTED TO HIS TOUCH. HE HAD NEVER BEEN ONE TO BE CLOSED UP WITH HIS PASSIONS FOR HER, AND IT GLINTED OPENLY IN HIS EYES AS HE CUT HIS GAZE OVER TO HER. "UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU, I DO STILL WANT TO FUCK YOU IN THE BATHROOM," HE REPLIED SIMPLY, RAISING HIS EYEBROWS POINTEDLY. HIS FINGERS DUG GENTLY INTO HER LEG TO PROVE HIS POINT. "OR RIGHT HERE IN THE CAR..."

HER REACTION WAS TO CLOSE HER LEGS, SQUEEZING HIS FINGERS TIGHTLY SO HE HAD TO YANK HIS HAND AWAY. "I'LL PUT MY HANDS WHERE I WANT THEM," HE REMARKED TESTILY, A HINT OF AMUSEMENT IN HIS GAZE. HIS GREEN EYES FLASHED WITH HER DEFIANCE, AND HE PURSED HIS LIPS AND NODDED, A SMILE FLITTING OVER HIS MOUTH. THIS WAS THEIR WAY. THEY WERE BOTH STUBBORN AND STRONG-WILLED, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS ONE CONTINUOUS HEADBUTT INTERSPERSED WITH WILD NIGHTS OF PASSIONATE ABANDON. IT WASN'T THAT COMPLICATED, AND HE LIKED IT THAT WAY. HE KNEW SHE NEEDED MORE THAN JUST SEX, AND HE DID LOVE HER ALTHOUGH HE HAD HIS OWN WAYS OF SHOWING IT, BUT HE LIKED THINGS SIMPLE. HE'D NEVER BEEN A MAN KEEN ON OVER-THINKING THINGS, AND IT INFURIATED HIM WHEN HE WAS FORCED TO DO SO. THANKFULLY, ELI WASN'T A COMPLICATED WOMAN, AND SHE KNEW WHAT HE WANTED. SHE DID A MARVELOUS JOB OF SATISFYING HIM; IN A WAY NO WOMAN HAD MANAGED TO DO BEFORE.

REACHING THEIR DESTINATION, HE HASTENED AROUND THE CAR IN HIS PREDATORY GRACE, OPENING THE DOOR AND OFFERING HER A HAND TO CLIMB OUT. HE OPENLY ADMIRED HER AS SHE ROSE, HER BREASTS CRESTING TOGETHER DELICIOUSLY IN HER RED DRESS, AND HER HIPS ACCENTUATED BY THE CLINGING FABRIC. HE WAS LYING TO HIMSELF WHEN HE'D PROMISED HE COULD HAVE A REGULAR NIGHT OUT. SHE TURNED HIM ON TOO MUCH FOR THIS SHIT. AS SHE WRAPPED HER ARM THROUGH HIS, GOOSEBUMPS RISING ON HER ARMS, HE CAUTIOUSLY REACHED AROUND HER, PULLING HER INTO HIM WITH ONE ARM. IN THE PAST, HE'D NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT ANYONE BUT HIMSELF, BUT HE NEEDED TO RECTIFY THAT. ELI WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM, AND HE NEEDED TO SHOW HE COULD CARE FOR HER MORE THAN HE CARED ABOUT HIS OWN WELL-BEING. HE FELT THE HEAT OF HIS BODY, WORKED UP FROM HIS EVER-SIMMERING WANT FOR HER, ESCAPE AND ENVELOP HER, AND HE TURNED HIS FACE SO HIS NOSE SANK INTO HER BLOND HAIR.

"IF YOU PROMISE TO BE A GOOD GIRL, THEN MAYBE WE COULD SKIP DINNER AND GO STRAIGHT TO DESSERT," HE THRUMMED INTO HER EAR, SMILING BROADLY AT HIS INNUENDO. HE LOVED GETTING HER RILED UP IN PUBLIC. HE DIDN'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT THESE PEOPLE IN BOSTON THOUGHT OF HIM. HE WAS THE DON OF THE IRISH MAFIA, AND HE WAS LITERALLY UNTOUCHABLE TO THEM. EVEN THE POLICE CHIEF WOULDN'T DARE TOUCH HIM. HE WASN'T SOME COMMON THIEF OR MONEY LAUNDERER. HE WAS A POWERFUL MAN WITH A POWERFUL FORCE BEHIND HIM. HE ALSO KNEW, WITHOUT HIM, BOSTON WOULD FALL APART AROUND THEIR EARS. THE MAFIA KEPT THE IRA AT BAY FOR NOW, AND THAT PREVENTED THEIR WORLD FROM IMPLODING. IT WAS A TREMULOUS PROCESS, AND IT WAS STRESSFUL TO HIM, BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT. BOSTON BELONGED TO HIM NO MATTER WHAT THE POMPOUS ASSHOLES IN THEIR FANCY MANSIONS AND CONDOS BELIEVED.

SHE TRIED TO REMAIN MAD AT HIM, BUT SHE FAILED AS A SMILE SPREAD OVER HER FACE AT THE SIGHT OF HER RING SPARKLING IN THE MOODY LIGHTING OF THE RESTAURANT. "DO YOU LIKE IT?" HE ASKED IMPULSIVELY, HIS VOICE INQUISITIVE AND CURIOUS. HE GUIDED HER TO THEIR TABLE AND HELD HER CHAIR FOR HER BEFORE CROSSING TO HIS OWN AND ORDERING HIS DRINK.

IMPATIENT TO BE NEAR HER AGAIN, HE OFFERED HER A DANCE AND SMILED AS SHE ACCEPTED. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN HE WOULD NEVER HAVE DONE THIS, BUT HE WAS A CHANGED MAN. HE LED HER TO THE FLOOR AND TOOK HER IN HIS ARMS AS THE SONG CHANGED, LENDING THEM A TANGO TYPE BEAT. DESPITE THE DARK HISTORY OF HIS FAMILY, HIS MOTHER HAD UPHELD THEIR FAMILY VALUES, AND FORCING HER SONS TO LEARN HOW TO DANCE WAS ONE OF THEM. CONNOR HAD HATED IT - CALLING IT SOMETHING GAY THAT ONLY LENNOX WOULD LIKE DOING - BUT YOU DIDN'T ARGUE WITH TESSA SELWYN. HOWEVER, DOWN THE ROAD, HE'D BEEN THANKFUL FOR HIS MOTHER'S INSISTENCE. THE BALANCE AND RHYTHM HE'D LEARNED THROUGH THOSE DANCING CLASSES AIDED HIM IN BATTLE. IT KEPT HIM AGILE AND FLEET-FOOTED, TWO VERY IMPORTANT SKILLS IN HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT ESPECIALLY.

HE GOT LOST IN ELI'S BLUE EYES AS HE DEFTLY SWIRLED HER, WATCHING HER GOLDEN HAIR FLOWING AROUND AS THEY SPUN. HIS BODY LOST IN THE FEEL OF HER IN HIS ARMS. UNFORTUNATELY, SOMETHING CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION AND HE SLOWED THEIR MOVEMENTS TO FOCUS ON THE INTRUSION.

"DON'T ACT LIKE ANYTHING IS WRONG," HE SPOKE SOFTLY TO HER, HIS EYES TWINKLING PLEASANTLY EVEN AS HIS TONE COMMUNICATED HIS MESSAGE TO HER. "THE RUSSIANS FOLLOWED US HERE."

HE KNEW THE WORDS WOULD SEND AN ESPECIALLY DISGUSTING THRILL THROUGH HER CONSIDERING WHAT THE BASTARDS HAD DONE TO HER. APPARENTLY HE HADN'T KILLED ALL OF THEM AFTER ALL. THE THOUGHT PISSED HIM OFF, AND HIS ANGER ROSE INSTANTLY. HE'D NEVER BEEN GOOD AT CONTROLLING HIS RAGE, AND HE WAS VERY HOT-HEADED, VERY FAST. HE NOTICED THEM RIGHT AWAY, TRYING TO APPEAR NONCHALANT AS THEY STALKED THROUGH THE CROWD, THEIR EYES FLITTING OFTEN TOWARD THE COUPLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR.

HASTILY, HE TOOK INVENTORY OF THE ROOM, HIS MIND ACCUSTOMED TO THIS SORT OF THING. WIDE, OPEN SPACE. FOUR COLUMNS, ONE AT EACH CORNER OF THE OPEN DANCE FLOOR. FIVE ROWS OF TABLES SPREADING OUT INTO THE SEMI-DARKNESS BEYOND. TEN WAITERS, THREE SERVING CARTS, ONE HUNDRED TABLES TOTAL: TWENTY IN EACH OF THE FOUR SECTIONS OF THE ROOM. APPROXIMATELY FIFTY EMPTY, LEAVING ONE HUNDRED SETS OF UTENSILS AVAILABLE AS MAKESHIFT WEAPONS IF NEED-BE.

HE GATHERED ALL OF THIS IN SECONDS, HIS MIND CLEARING AS IT ALWAYS DID WHEN HE ENTERED BATTLE. THE ENTIRE TIME HIS MIND WENT THROUGH THIS INVENTORY, HE CONTINUED THEIR DANCE, EFFORTLESSLY LEADING HER. BATTLE WAS LIKE A DANCE, ESSENTIALLY. TWO PARTNERS SQUARING OFF, ONE LEADING THE OTHER UNTIL ONE CAME OUT VICTORIOUS. HE INTENDED TO COME OUT VICTORIOUS IN THIS DANCE. IT PISSED HIM OFF THAT THE RUSSIANS WOULD INTERRUPT HIS 'QUIET' EVENING OF ATTEMPTED-NORMALCY WITH HIS FIANCEE.

CONNOR SELWYN PISSED OFF WAS NOT A GOOD THING.

"THERE ARE EIGHT OF THEM FROM WHAT I CAN TELL," HE INTONED, KNOWING HE WOULD REQUIRE HER SKILLS TO HELP HIM PUT DOWN THIS CONFRONTATION AND TO DO IT QUICKLY.

"YOU BROUGHT WEAPONS, DIDN'T YOU?" HE ASKED HOPEFULLY, LOOKING DOWN INTO HER EYES, HIS EYEBROW RAISING. HE KNEW SHE HAD EVEN IF SHE'D INSISTED THEY BE NORMAL PEOPLE TONIGHT. HE HAD A FEW OF HIS AS WELL. THEY KNEW THE WORLD TOO WELL TO TRUST IT WOULD TREAT THEM FAIRLY.

THE MUSIC TWISTED SENSUALLY, AND HIS HAND MOVED FROM HER WAIST, SLIDING OVER HER HIP AND AROUND TO HER BEHIND. TO ANYONE WATCHING, IT WOULD MERELY LOOK LIKE A MAN GETTING A GROPE ON HIS WOMAN, BUT CONNOR'S INTENTION WAS NOT PURELY SEXUAL. OF COURSE IT TURNED HIM ON TO FEEL HER THIS WAY, HER BODY GRINDING AGAINST HIS BECAUSE OF THE ANGLE, BUT THEY HAD OTHER BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO FIRST. HIS HAND DEFTLY SLID AROUND THE INSIDE OF HER HIP AND HE LIFTED HER SLIGHTLY, LOOKING INTO HER EYES AS HE PICKED HER UP, TWIRLING HER IN A DISTINCTIVELY 'DIRTY DANCING' STYLE. HIS FINGERS SLID INTO A HOLSTER AGAINST HER THIGH, WITHDRAWING THE KNIFE SHE KEPT HIDDEN THERE BEFORE HE SLID HER GRACEFULLY TO THE FLOOR. SLIDING HIS HANDS UP HER SIDES, HE BURIED HIS HANDS IN HER HAIR, HIS EYES GLINTING WITH THE THRILL OF THE HUNT. HE LOVED HER AND HE LOVED KICKING ASS.

HIS RIGHT HAND FREED ITSELF FROM HER HAIR JUST LONG ENOUGH FOR HIS WRIST TO FLICK, SENDING THE DAGGER FLYING INTO THE DARKNESS WITH A FAINT WHISTLE. A LOW GRUNT IN THE SEMI-DARKNESS BEYOND THE EMPTIEST TABLES SIGNIFIED THE KNIFE HAD MADE ITS TARGET WITH ONE OF THE EIGHT MEN.

SEVEN TO GO.

HIS GUN WAS NESTLED AGAINST HIS BACK, BUT IT WOULDN'T DO HIM MUCH GOOD HERE. HE WOULD PREFER NOT TO MAKE A SCENE SINCE THIS WAS THEIR NIGHT OUT. HIS LAST RESORT WOULD BE TO SHOOT PEOPLE. HE DIDN'T NEED HIS FACE IN THE NEWSPAPER.

GRIPPING HER WRIST, HE GENTLY GUIDED HER HAND AROUND HIS BACK, MOVING HIS JACKET ASIDE SO HER FINGERS COULD SLIP BENEATH AND AGAINST HIS DRESS SHIRT. SHE WAS LEANING CLOSER TO HIM NOW, AND HE SMILED, KISSING HER LIPS AS HE URGED HER FINGERS TO SLIP INTO HIS WAISTBAND AT HIS WAIST, RETRIEVING A SHARP DAGGER OF HIS OWN. THE WEAPON WAS LONG AND POINTED, MORE LIKE A NASTY STAKE DECORATED WITH CELTIC LOVE KNOTS AROUND ITS HILT. SHE WAS THE EXPERT AT KNIVES, AND HE NODDED IMPERCEPTIBLY, TURNING HER SO SHE COULD GET A GOOD SHOT AT THE NEXT RUSSIAN./style]
CRAPPY LAYOUT BY ME.

[ELI LILLIAN BRYNE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 505px; -moz-border-radius: 0 185 185 0px;background-color:#09281d;] so we burst into colours ---------------------------------------- colours and carousels, fall head first, like paper planes & play ground games -------- Still irritated because of his comments in the car, she kept her biting tones to herself for once. She knew that he was trying to get her riled up before they went into the eye of the public, and she was getting testy because of it. She also knew that the best way to aggravate him was to give him no response at all. So, as he announced that he could just fuck her right here in this car, she simply raised her hand and gave him the view of her middle finger as she flipped him off. Raising an eyebrow coyly in his direction, she crossed her legs stubbornly, still feeling the heat from his simple touch. He was not going to win this early in the evening. Not giving him the satisfaction of a reaction, even though her lack of a response would show him how he had gotten under her skin, she focused her gaze out of the window. When they got to the restaurant and he helped her out of the vehicle, she folded into him as he tentatively put his arm around her in an attempt to warm her up. Thankful for his action, she was about to say so, when she suddenly felt his nose in her ear. Still pressed tightly to his side in order to pull some heat from his body to warm herself up, she suddenly felt a flash of hot air travel through her, heating her very veins as she understood what he was insinuating. The smile played upon her features, and as he turned away from him, she looked to him, stretching herself a little so that she could kiss him just below his ear. Like him, she didn't care what people thought of them. "You'll need your appetite, Connor." She parried easily, knowing just how to get him worked up when he decided to try the same to her. Already feeling hot and bothered as they waited to be seated, she was suddenly aware of his question. He had caught her admiring the ring, and for a moment, Eli allowed herself to be a true woman. Not one that killed for a living, but one that was genuinely excited over what her life was bringing her. She was going to get married to the man that she loved and no matter how tough her outer shell was, this simple fact alone made her heart sing and her stomach flip with butterflies. The smile that lit her lips reached her eyes, and they glittered pleasantly as she turned her gaze to him. "I love it. It's perfect, beautiful." Realizing her slip up into a more feminine role, she blushed suddenly, bowing her head as she took her place at the table across from him. Embarrassed but still extremely pleased by the ring, she turned her gaze to him as he offered her his hand once more so that they could make it out to the dance floor. Moving with him easily, she let him lead her, matching his steps perfectly, no missing a beat. Her father had taught her how to dance. While she would normally feel a slight pull at her heart with thoughts of her father, she let it go, letting her pain go simultaneously. She had suffered enough so that she now knew she could put her parents' memories to rest. She had Connor now and she knew that he would take care of her even though she would never admit to him wanting to. Pushing those thoughts from her mind, she looked up at him as he twirled her, moving happily, showing off for him because she knew what it did to him. Her wavy blonde hair fell perfectly as she twisted for him, swaying her hips a bit more than she normally would for his benefit alone. Unaware of the eyes of most of the men in the crowd, Eli twirled back to her fiance, landing comfortably in his strong, capable eyes. However, as the tempo picked up, she felt them slow down. That minute change was enough to spark question in Eli's mind and when she saw his face, she knew something was wrong. Keeping herself composed and smiling as not to draw any attention to themselves, she slowed her movements down with his, placated to move with him until he explained what was going on. And when he did, she nearly lost the composure she could normally keep without an issue. She refused to allow the fear that she would always carry in her heart when it came to the Russians consume her and instead allowed the anger and hatred to replace the normal reaction a person would have. Sighing softly, she only smiled up at him, nodding imperceptibly, knowing what they needed to do. They needed to take them out, and who better to do it than the two most successful members of the Irish mafia? Sucking in a breath as he continued to spin them, she knew what he was doing. He was casing the place, taking an inventory with his eyes as he normally did. While he searched over her head, she cursed their height difference. Even though she could easily see over his shoulder, she had more of a block when it came to making out the shadowy figures in the crowd. She recognized those men from anywhere. And as he turned her, she noticed the man that had taken a special interest in her. Her fingers suddenly tightened over Connor's as they moved, but she didn't change her expression. She forced herself to keep gazing around the room naturally so that the man who knew her inside and out, literally, would not see her take notice of him. Looking up into Connor's eyes, she caught her fiance's expression, knowing he would wonder about her sudden reaction. "I count eight too." The smile upon her lips looked happy to anyone who didn't know her, but she knew Connor could and would read it. Something was wrong. She was going to have her revenge tonight and nothing was going to stand in her way. That was the man who was responsible for the loss of Connor's child, of her child. He was the one in the video that Connor had witnessed, the one who had not only broken Eli's leg, but punched her in the stomach, dealing the fatal blood to their unborn baby. Clenching her teeth now, she shimmied closer to Connor as he began running his hand over her hips, cresting over her behind. Normally she wouldn't be able to contain herself from feeling turned on, but her anger was thrumming in her veins. She was steaming but keeping herself controlled. It was difficult for her, but she knew that she had a job to do and Connor would need her to focus and keep her head so that they could do this. When he questioned her about weapons, she had simply nodded her head, too flabbergasted to respond in that moment of horrible, gut wrenching discovery. She felt sick merely being in his presence and she wanted to remove herself immediately, but there was nothing that they could do. They couldn't make a scene. Feeling Connor's fingers expertly remove her knife from her thigh, she felt his hands travel up her hair, one of them weighted down by the weight of her weapon. Moving skillfully out of the way, she pressed herself up against him, hearing the satisfactory sound of a grunt and a thud. Smiling pleasantly and thankfully up at him, she caught his hand as he twisted it around his back side, her fingers snaking around the handle of the knife that he wanted her to find. "Spin me." She whispered after she broke their kiss, not wanting to, but needing to in order to get the job done. As he spun her easily, she twirled, letting her arm stretch out, straightening it and letting the knife fly. It hit its mark with deadly accuracy, her year of intense training obviously paying off as another Russian man hit the ground still bathed in darkness. So far, the kills were quiet and hidden, and if they could continue picking them off this way, there would be no need for alarm. She affirmed her kill easily and soon spun back into Connor so that her back was against her front. Turning her head so that her nose brushed his cheek, she spoke up. "On my back. Flat blade." She spoke quietly with a smile, glad for the V that decorated her dress, exposing most of her back, but not the vital areas. Waiting for him to take the knife, she danced effortlessly with him, wondering if they could pull this off. WEARING.

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