𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞

His voice was low and dry, he politely suggested to Selina to move, while he run a hand over his lips, knowing she must have stained his skin with her lipstick.

She just looked at him. He didn’t respond to her gaze, but he could feel the cold frustration slip through her look. Then she huffed and did as he asked. “Guess I’ll have to get used to this.” Selina pointed out, sharp sarcasm souring her tone.

He cleared his voice and pushed his chair back in front of the desk. He felt her moving around him and sent her a very brief look, which he regretted immediately when he saw her fixing her dress and the only desire he felt, his chest painfully, was the one to drag her back on his lap and turn off every computer.

He shook his head, trying to concentrate his mind with any other thought rather than Selina. Anything would be great, even thinking about…

He was really trying to recall books titles of stuff he liked to read, while he pretended to be busy, but nothing really came up. Especially when Selina decided to be not even a drop helpful and leaned towards him, gently pressing her thumb on his chin, under his lip, tubbing it. “You have lipstick all over your face.”

“Thank you.” He bent his lips in a grumpy, thin line. But Selina answered with a chuckle, shaking her head. “It’s not that bad.”

He shot a look at her, his serious, unhappy expression didn’t disappear, although his gaze was soft when he stopped on her, nonetheless annoyed at the situation. She took advantage of that look to grab his face and keep him there while trying her best to remove her own lipstick from his lips.

“I promise it’s not that bad. And I promise we’ll catch up later.” She winked at him and for a single second, they just looked at each other, both their gazes filled with the expectation of such a promise. He made it a point to swear to himself to make her keep her word.

The computer started to beep loudly. He thought he could have gotten away with a regular phone call, but of course, Alfred had to hit him with a video call.

Bruce grumbled pushing himself closer to the screen and answered with a very heavy click of the mouse.

Alfred appeared in his rectangular window on the screen. Elegantly dressed, hair and beard thoroughly taken care of, he was calling him from his desk at the Manor, Bruce didn’t need to see the background behind Alfred to recognise the natural, bright light flooding the room. He had the look of a wise but very tired Englishman looking at his pupil. It reminded Bruce of the times he was trying to teach him respect, rules observance and good behaviour throughout his rebellious teen years… In fact, for a moment, Bruce went back feeling like that angry, lonely, misunderstood kid, with a form of adrenaline addiction that brought him to slip into dangerous situations more often than what he liked to admit.

Something not at all fixed even now, in all honesty. But that was another story.

Alfred released a sigh before he started to speak and Bruce held himself to the chair, knowing some kind of father-son telling-off speech was coming. He could see too clearly the disapproval and worry in the old man's eyes to fool himself.

“Master Bruce, it pains me to ask, but I must: what are you doing?”

“Nothing.” He sent a quick look to Selina. Involuntarily, of course. But to that question, they all knew what he was doing.

Selina leaned against the desk next to him. Arms crossed to the chest, legs distended and ankles crossed. She didn’t look at the screen, but he felt her eyes on him. It was extremely difficult to ignore.

“You have company.”

“I do.”

“How nice. How does an official invitation sound, Miss-?” The way his voice dropped was a clear calling to fill the gap and let him know her name. But before she could jump in and answer, as anyone would be tempted and tricked to do, Bruce acted quicker. Very well knowing Alfred’s game.

From under the desk, he tapped her knee, the quick look he sent her was clear enough. No words were needed.

He didn’t want Alfred to know her name. Not yet. Not if it meant he had the time to do a background check on her and get the wrong idea.

It was his fault for being so reserved, to be honest. If only he had given Alfred heads up on what he was going to do, who this woman was, how much she meant… Maybe he would have been more welcoming.

“Official invitation to what?” Bruce’s tone was dry, but it didn’t discourage Alfred from his mission, or to change his welcoming, charming, well-spoken, extremely polite tone.

“What a question Master Bruce! For tea, of course!”

Bruce frowned; his lips automatically puckered while he weighed Alfred’s words. And then almost immediately he decided it was time to blow him off.

“I don’t think so, Alfred. She is very busy.” He shook his head.

His mind was flooded by all the reasons and scenarios why Alfred behaved as he did. He knew that Alfred’s only goal was to keep him safe. Yet there was part of him that didn’t appreciate his meddling with his business. He was allowed to have the company of a woman. Even if it was extremely unusual. And his last experience to be considered something close to what he had with Selina was… Something like eight years ago. And he let her know he was Batman. Without giving Alfred any kind of explanation whatsoever about it possibly happening.

What if she wasn’t someone Alfred would approve of? What if he would not approve of his choice? What if that entire thing was a mistake…?

His anxiety took a turn. Since his thoughts were already spiralling out of control, his mind was suddenly filled with the extreme worry of the pros and cons about the possibility to invite Selina to slide even deeper into his life. They barely knew each other, besides everything… He wasn’t sure he was ready for the commitment of “tea” together. And what about her? In front of the possibility to spend official time with Mr Wayne, what was she thinking? What did she want?

Because as soon as they stepped into the streets, unmasked, together, the press and paparazzi would have dawned on her like vultures.

He sent her a quick look. And regretted it. His panic grew rampant as soon as he saw the sad, heartbroken look she gave him. As if his dismissive way to kill such an idea wounded her. Oh, God…

He was wrong. Was he? Assuming she didn’t want it. Him.

He suddenly needed a paper bag to breathe into.

His eyes jumped all around frantically. His already extremely pale skin lost even more colour. Alfred might have been calling him, but he wasn’t sure… He could only hear the heavy, loud flow of his own blood in his ears.

Selina pushed a hand around his jaw, scooping his cheek into her palm and softly bringing him to give her a look. Her eyes dark eyes surrounded him; her gaze was full of sweet determination. She offered him a gentle smile, caressing his cheekbone with her thumb.

“I would love to join Bruce for a tea.” She didn’t look at the screen. Neither did Bruce.

“He doesn’t mean for a tea. He means dinner.”

“Oh. Well then, I would love to join you for dinner.”

“Splendid! I shall start the preparation. Is there any particular request I should be informed of?”

The more Selina looked at him, the more Bruce felt calm seep through him, the ground he stood on wasn’t shaking anymore. Of course, Alfred’s question wasn’t directed to him, so he raised his eyebrows, clearly signalling to Selina she could answer if she wanted.

“Nothing to report.”

“Alright then, I will see you shortly. Thank you for your time, Master Wayne and Miss-.” Again, Alfred's voice lingered in a silent question that both Selina and Bruce ignored.

Just now Bruce looked back at the screen and sent a look to Alfred. His lips curled in a circumstantial smile. He ended the call.

He perfectly knew that he wouldn’t have been able to protect Selina from uncomfortable questions for long. As soon as they entered the Manor, he imagined she would have been put at the stake.

He couldn’t blame Alfred. Even if he really, really wanted to.

“You know he will ask you stuff, don’t you?”

“Why should I be worried?” She leaned closer to him and pecked him on the lips. “I’ve got nothing to hide, baby.” She cooed.

“I don’t think… You quite understand what’s waiting for you up there.”

Selina stood back upright and sent him a firm look. “I am not afraid, Bruce. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to go all the way down the rabbit-hole.”

“Ok, Alice.” He stood back up. Even if slightly hunched he was still taller than her. She didn’t seem to be expecting anything else, since she moved fluidly with him, pressing herself against his chest and leaning her head backwards. She clutched to his coat collar, pulling him as close to her as possible. Bruce’s hands reached for her hips without him even thinking about it.

“I have warned you.” He whispered; his head pushed close to hers. Selina smiled and stretching her neck, she ever so slightly rubbed her nose against his. “Are you afraid he won’t approve of me?”

He didn’t answer.

Of course, he was. But there were many other things he worried about on top of that. For example, the fact that because he was who he was, nothing about him having a relationship, or a fling alike, was easy. To the point that for someone like Bruce Wayne, to even invite someone out for dinner, lawyers were generally involved.

A sight left his chest.

“Shall we?” He asked her taking a step back, but pushing his hand in front of her. Selina nodded, pulling a huge smile, and grabbed happily his hand, immediately crossing her fingers to his.

“You know, this is the first time we hold hands?” She wondered leading him towards the lift toddling. Bruce’s features melted into one of his very rare, sincere, childish smiles. “It’s progress.”

Selina sure didn’t let his hand go for the whole trip up to the Manor.

He found comfort in her hold, surprising even himself, because he was used to reacting in the opposite way any time his anxiety would rise out of control, avoiding physical contact was generally a priority. But not that time.

Although he did fall into his silence. And wasn’t able to hold eye contact with Selina.

He found himself to be extremely grateful to his private lift, now more than ever, because he knew he wasn’t able to deal with any of his employers’ attention if such a possibility presented itself. Especially if he had a woman next to him.

As soon as the lift dinged, signalling their arrival to their destination at the Manor, his breath trembled. But Selina was ready to catch him, squeezing his hand.

Alfred was there when the doors opened.

“Master Wayne.” He welcomed him with a polite bow and an affectionate smile, besides everything. Though, Bruce didn’t miss the attentive look Alfred gave to Selina while he bent. “And miss.”

Bruce took a step in front of her, partially covering her figure with his body. When Alfred stood back up straight and looked at him, Bruce welcomed him with a dead stare and frozen, serious features. “There’s no need for all of this façade, Alfred.”

“Nonsense, Master. We’ve got a guest!”

Bruce rolled her eyes to the ceiling and didn’t contain an annoyed grumble. His shoulders were clearly tense, his body rigid by the cold hold of panic. He didn’t like all of that. He didn’t want to maintain such a spectacle of his importance and money, especially in front of her.

His fear about how different their worlds were didn’t disappear. He didn’t want to scare her away because of such a show of a lifestyle he barely enjoyed and never lead.

And it wasn’t because he was a boor who didn’t want to honour his guest, of course. But he struggled to imagine Selina could like such a welcome.

“Believe me, Alfred.”

The man took note of his words and chose to ignore them.

He turned to Selina with a bright, welcoming smile. It wasn’t fake, Bruce saw the trembling curiosity enlighten his eyes to the idea of meeting the woman who stood by his side. But there was also doubt and caution into the eyes of a man who was ready to do anything to protect his Master to the first appearance of danger.

Alfred bent in a respectful bow to her as well. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss. My name is Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, I have the pleasure to run this house.”

Never like that moment Bruce wanted to give him a smack. He was almost surprised but extremely grateful, that Alfred didn’t pull out of his ass the gesture to kiss her hand. He surely wouldn’t have been able to survive the cringe.

“The pleasure is mine.” She slid from behind Bruce’s side and faced Alfred with confidence to sell and pride glowing through her dark eyes. “I am Selina. Selina Kyle.”

Alfred hinted a signal to someone behind them, to which point Maria, the head housekeeper of the Manor, stepped forward to get their coats. But Bruce's attention remained on him for a long second, knowing he was registering such information as the most important of all.

Selina slid out of hers with feline elegance. Not at all uncomfortable by the idea to be left wearing just her skin-tight dress, and surely not bothered by the stares. Bruce was less elegant, stiff as he found himself to be. And he was, in fact, bothered by the stares, and the possible judgement coming from others' eyes. He could feel his rage rising and boiling his blood just thinking about the fact that someone could have judged her…

“Does the Miss wish to freshen up?” Maria asked politely. Her big and kind eyes jumped from Bruce to Selina and back. She looked at him with the same look a grandma would have – or at least, that’s how he imagined a grandma would look to a kid. She might as well have hearts for eyes, by the way, she looked at Selina, with respect and adoration – clearly proud of the fact that Bruce brought a woman home. If she decided to follow Maria, he had no doubt she would have spoiled her. He always liked Maria.

Bruce exchanged a look with Selina, while she was clearly unsure of what was the right answer to give. But by the huge, dreamy eyes she was giving… He imagined the only thing she wanted was to snoop through his house and find out as much as she could on her own.

He pulled his lips in the imitation of a smile, as soft as he managed, while he nodded towards her. Selina squeaked in anticipation and looked back to Maria. “I would like that very much.”

Maria heisted just a moment further. “Shall we prepare a room for Miss Selina, is she spending the night Master Wayne?”

“I-” His panic grew. “No. I don’t think so.”

Selina shot him another of her extremely wounded looks, with those wide, expressive dark eyes. He felt a shot hitting him right through his heart. A shiver crossed him. He choked on his saliva. She wanted to spend the night with him. Her look was more than clear. Yet, impossible to believe.

And people were watching them.

“We… We need to go out.” He coughed.

“Do we?”

“Yes.”

At least, he needed to. Gotham's crime was not going to fight itself and the light signal wouldn’t have been turned off just because he decided to take a night off.

They exchanged a look that was like an entire conversation. He was firmly standing his ground on that point, thinking she was already distracting him enough throughout his life to make it acceptable to also drop his only reason to exist. While she was trying to allure him to give up.

In the end, she lifted her chin, offering him just the slight appearance of a wicked smirk that almost immediately disappeared. For his eyes only. The promise she would have tried to change his mind.

He watched Selina walk away, following Maria who was more than happy to give her a house tour.

When Bruce looked back, he wasn’t surprised to see Alfred’s look. “Would you follow me, Master Bruce?”

Bruce just responded with a nod and followed him to his office. He knew a talk was expecting him.

As soon as the door was securely closed behind Alfred’s back, the man dropped his butler façade to step right into the mentor’s one.

“What are you doing, my dear boy?”

Bruce just shrugged, avoiding eye contact and shoving his hands in the pockets of his tailored trousers.

Alfred sighed, shaking his head. “I knew something changed. And I knew it was a woman.”

“Alfred -”

“Don’t get me wrong, I am glad there’s someone who caught your interest…”

“Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?”

“Because you know what’s coming. You brought her to the cave. She knows?”

“She does.”

“Why?”

“What kind of a question is that?!”

“Pardon me, Bruce. But in all the years I’ve known you, and especially about your alter ego, I would have never pictured you doing such a thing.”

Bruce released a deep sigh. “She is worth it. I met her last year, working on The Riddler case.”

“She is the woman.”

Bruce just nodded, for whatever means Alfred’s words had. He could have certainly guessed though. Alfred knew while he worked on The Riddler case he was trying to help someone else, and that he was quite bothered by the fact that his ways were different from the ones of this other person. As much as he knew that Alfred figured out the person was a woman because of Bruce’s particular moody behaviour in the weeks after they had said goodbye.

He remembered Alfred even tried to talk to him, which didn’t help.

“The milk is spilt, no reason to cry on it now.” Bruce amused himself by another wordplay particularly on character for Selina’s.

“Do I look like I am crying, Master? I am trying to protect you. This woman… I mean what do you know about her?”

“Enough.”

“Clearly to believe you can trust her with your most important secret. How do you know she won’t betray you?”

“How do I know you won’t?!”

Bruce’s words lashed out without him being able to think about it and maybe rephrase them properly. His anger had been poked enough.

But he saw the exact moment Alfred’s heart broke.

There was no doubt about Alfred’s loyalty. He raised him, he guarded over him and protected him – even now that he was a grown man. He was the closest to a father figure he had. And Bruce knew that he could trust him with his life – as much as he knew he wasn’t entirely wrong…

He didn’t know he could trust Selina. But he chose to.

“Alfred… I am sorry.” Bruce raised his hands in the air, looking for Alfred’s eyes, for once intentionally trying to make eye contact with him. But this time, Alfred avoided him.

The man shook his head and then his shoulders. “No. You are right Master Wayne. I won’t contradict you again.”

“It’s not what I meant, truly.” Now Bruce felt dumb and immature. His anger was quieted down and froze by his guilt. He pushed a hand between his hair, clearly uncomfortable under his own skin. “She is trustworthy.”

“Then you won’t mind if I’ll run a check on her profile.”

“She is the illegitimate daughter of Carmine Falcone. She is a thief. Sometimes involved in some kind of crime, but not… Not someone I would fight against.”

“Bruce…”

“No, hear me out. She is a good person. She deserves a chance. I deserve a chance with her.”

“You might do, my boy, but this was a mistake. You acted recklessly, you didn’t weigh your best interests and…”

“And what my best interests might be?”

“To protect yourself at all costs. You know nothing of this girl.”

“I know enough.”

“You said it yourself. She is a thief.”

“Alfred…” Bruce spit his warning between his teeth, pinning Alfred to his spot with a dead stare. He even widened his shoulders for once filling up the entire space his frame is supposed to take.

One thing was for his anxiety to whisper doubts into his mind.

One thing was his most trusted man saying something that pushed him very, very close to becoming violent.

“You are a young boy. You can be blind.”

“I am not blind about this.”

“But…”

“Alfred!” His voice rumbled like thunder through the room. His eyes went dark. For a split second, he appeared scary. Maybe enough even for Alfred to take a step back and understand he crossed a line.

“I. Like. Her.” Now trying with a calmer, yet extremely determined and serious tone, Bruce pushed those words out of his chest even if he didn’t want to admit it. But then again, he needed Alfred to trust him. To be by his side. Not against him.

Especially in something like this.

“You know I will keep my eyes open, my boy, don’t you?” Alfred offered his words with a slight bow of the head. His tone was polite, respectful, yet stubborn.

Bruce allowed it. “Do what you want. But for the time she is here, you will also make her feel welcome.”

“When did I ever do otherwise?”

“And you will protect her if I can’t. She can take good care of herself. But that is beside the point. She will work with me, helping the Batman’s cause.”

“You know that will put her at risk?”

“I know. She knows. I need an ally out there.”

“And what about Bruce Wayne? Are you two going to go public?”

“I have no idea. Not if I can avoid it. She just found out today who I am – it is safe to say I will take care of that slowly.”

Alfred’s serious face was obscured by a shadow that Bruce could not ignore. He shook his head, rolling his eyes. “What are you thinking?”

“It’s dangerous Bruce. If not because she might hit you in a way you won’t recover from… Because she will be your weakness.”

Bruce fell into a deep, prolonged silence. He looked straight over Alfred's figure, to a corner of the room, voluntarily avoiding his eyes. Trying his best to avoid the truth of his words too.

A shiver crossed his back so violently he felt like he could break under its pressure.

“I know.”

Oh, if he did. Alfred might have been right. He might have acted recklessly, but it didn’t mean that small detail had been forgotten or watched over. Above it all, he knew that his existence as the Batman was supposed to be lonely not because he liked it… But because it was how things went. It was the way to protect others.

And it was exhausting.

In the end, Bruce looked at Alfred directly. His fear was clutching so much on his chest, crushing his best hopes and dreams he never allowed himself to have, that looking at the men in the eye seemed tolerable. His pain screamed through the light, sharp colour of his irises.

“I am tired of being alone.” Another unbearable long silence. Bruce hoped Alfred would say something instead of leaving him the space to feel.

“She made me feel something.”

“I don’t want you to misunderstand me, Master Bruce. I am proud of your courage.” Alfred slammed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a good shake, balancing himself on his cane with the other hand.

“But you disapprove.”

“I want to be certain you’re safe. And in the right hands. I do not disapprove – I simply don’t trust easily. But I can tell it means a lot to you, therefore it means a lot to me.”

“She will warm up to you. It’s her way.”

“I don’t doubt it if she managed to warm up to someone like you Master Bruce.” The trace of an ironic, amused smile appeared on the old man's face. Soft enough to melt through Bruce’s stiffness.

He gave his mentor a hopeful look. “Give her a chance, Alfred.”

“I will. But not without precautions.” Then Alfred paused. Silence fell between them. But Bruce saw his mind work. Until he pointed his finger at him, now more than ever making him feel like a young, irresponsible, naïve boy. “As you should do.”

Bruce was suddenly devoured by the flames of shame. His cheeks burst into a violent burst of blushing and he widened his eyes to the point of shock when his brain registered what Alfred meant.

He choked on his own breath and coughed, immediately looking away, going back to his hunched forward, squeezed between his wide shoulders position.

“Ah…” He trembled, stumbling upon his own too confused thought to make any sense even to himself. “This conversation is not happening.”

He shook his head, rejecting Alfred's assumption and bolted out of the room, not even sure where he intended to go and hide. Probably for the rest of his days, sure he wouldn’t have been able to look Alfred in the eye, not ever again.

Bruce sat at the table, waiting, for a time that seemed an eternity. Every second piling up was torture.

He could feel the curious stares of the staff on his shoulders. It’s been like that since he arrived with Selina. He bet people were whispering, and behind the scenes, word probably spread that he had a guest. A woman.

It was the first time he regretted not getting rid of them for all those years. After all, in a house such as his, inhabited just by him and Alfred, there was no need for a full squad of domestic help. He had a chef that worked there for longer than twenty years, and he imagined he stayed on for loyalty to the Waynes, and maybe because of the good paycheck, more than the passion for cooking Bruce his lonely meals at random times of the day. The same went for everyone else, there wasn’t a crazy amount of work for them, but Bruce never let anyone go, conscious finding a job was always difficult.

But now more than ever he felt the pressure of a house full of people. Even more than having strangers all around him misunderstanding the fact that he spent his nights out, slept during the day and was badly beaten most of the time.

Though, he much rathered being considered a brat spoiled kid, with some obscure inclinations, then having people suspect something closer to the truth.

While he was trying to figure out how long dinner would have taken and where Selina ended up disappearing to, he overheard two maids whispering and squeaking about the fact that she didn’t hesitate to take the chance to grab a bath in one of the master bathrooms.

He smiled, learning that information, as it wasn’t at all impossible for him to imagine something like that would have happened. He pictured Selina immersed in one of the huge tubs, happily basking and relaxing in hot water and thick foam. Lovely.

Selina’s arrival was an earthquake, a cataclysm in his universe. And she surely already made her impression around the Manor.

The Manor was beaming under a different light, filled with vivid chattering and life, instead of the usual shadows. He couldn’t say he disliked it entirely… But it did make him feel uncomfortable. It was something he wasn’t used to seeing, and at the same time, quite hurtful, or better, melancholic because Bruce was not the kind of guy who gave that house and his staff any occasion to be filled with the same energy. The maximum he would do was being pushed to participate in a Board meeting, and most of the time he would drag his councillors over to the Manor. But they were never allowed to linger for longer than a coffee break.

More often than he wanted to though, Bruce found himself thinking about the past, wondering if when his parents lived at the Manor, did it beam of the same energy? Were they having guests, parties, and friends making the environment warm?

It was a coming and going thought. Quick enough to shoot at his heart, holding it tight in a clutch, but not so much so he could spiral in a vortex of pain.

No one really involved him in any decision making for the evening. Which was one of the main reasons why he assumed it would have taken a while for both dinner and Selina to be ready. And he wasn’t wrong.

He hid in his room for a while. He thought it could be a good moment to grab a shower and get ready. He even found the time to shave. Thinking about it now, he could have comfortably wasted twenty minutes taking a nap too, to be honest.

He checked his watch, pulling his lips in a thin line. A sigh left his chest while his right leg trembled under the table in a visible state of restlessness.

It was just passed five o’clock.

It wasn’t late. Not normally. Not for anyone else. But for him it was. Outside the sky already went dark. The night approached quicker and lasted longer during wintertime. It wouldn’t take long before he had to leave everything and go on his regular patrolling.

Part of him was even looking forward to it, not because he wanted the crimes to happen, but because the nocturnal animal hiding in his chest needed feeding.

Shame, because now the energy around the Manor made him look forward to his dinner with Selina too.

The dining room was prepared for a party. The big table, of which purpose was to host many people, but that in reality never did more than gather dust, was now set as if a banquet was supposed to happen. He never ate there, he was used to eating in the living room, with Alfred, on the stone table the old-Englishman liked a lot.

Bruce bet that his staff must have been thrilled to prepare a proper meal, for once. And he so appreciated that they decided to lay the two seats and needed sets close to one another, with his to the head of the table and his guest by his side, instead of pushing Selina all the way on the other side, just because the etiquette dictated so.

Finally, from the hall, through the opened door of the dining room, he heard the echo of heels clacking. He would have recognised the relaxed pace of those legs anywhere.

Bruce cleared his voice and stood up, as the gentleman he was, to welcome Selina’s arrival.

As soon as she entered the room, she took his breath away. How was it that every time he laid eyes on her, Selina appeared to be more and more beautiful?

She left her red wig and wore her natural, short hair. She had removed her make-up, her skin was clear, glowing and rested, though her eyes were equally enchanting even without golden eyeliner or glitter.

She wasn’t wearing the dress she came in with. Now, she wore a black tailored, sleeveless dress, her frame was hugged by its fine material that closed around her neck; the long skirt appeared to be a bit too long for her, not that she seemed at all bothered by the fabric she drugged like a small train. Most extraordinary was the high slit on the skirt that originated almost from her hip uncovering completely her left leg.

She was confidently wearing a pair of high-fashion shoes with a relatively high heels and golden straps that tied around her ankles.

He didn’t realise his gaze crossed her entire body from head to toe, until he looked back into her eyes and Selina melted into a wide smile, welcoming his look.

“Hello, Mr Wayne.”

“Selina.” He welcomed her with a smile and a tight throat.

Walking towards him she twirled, just to make sure he could admire her. “How do I look?”

“Like a dream –” He didn’t even realise his thoughts became words until it was too late. And she was now too close to him for him to be able to think straight anyway.

“Yeah, I thought so too.” She purred raising her hands and caressing his chest sliding her palms around his shoulders and down on the front of his jacket. He didn’t dare to touch her. “You look very nice too. All polished and handsome.”

She eyed at his hair pulled backwards and clean-shaved face, then her eyes slid on his tailored black suit, with which he didn’t bother to wear a tie. The collar was opened on his neck.

“Where do these clothes come from?”

He was sure she didn’t come in with any spare unless she managed to hide a pair of shoes under her fur coat without him realising. As much as he was sure no one ever forgot any clothes inside his house, since no women stepped in there for leisure.

Selina frowned. Then she looked down at her outfit, running her hands on the dress. “Maria gave this to me.”

“I…” Bruce chuckled and sending a cheeky look over her shoulder, he leaned in to whisper so only she could hear. “I doubt Maria would wear that.”

“Mr Wayne!” Selina gasped, giving him a slight push. But then, she slipped into a burst of laughter, shaking her head. “In all truth, I understood there are a few clothing options for female visitors in one of the wardrobes. I’ve seen it! Fancy underwear too. This dress fit the only pair of shoes that were my number.”

Bruce chocked on his own saliva distracted by the underwear conversation. The image of Selina’s body wrapped in lace made him almost collapse on his knees.

Just after he forced himself to think straight, focusing on trying to keep his mind concentrated on the conversation… Bruce really understood Selina’s words – and confusion took over, vividly clear on his face. He looked around as if the answer to his question could be in any corner of the dining room.

What the actual fuck?

Was the main thought in his mind.

He surely was unaware that there was a closet, in his house, with clothing available for guests. Which was baffling, and crazy. Especially crazy. Psychopath crazy in all honesty. What was he supposed to say now? What was Selina thinking about that, more importantly?!

Another train of thought immediately invaded his mind. How hard was his staff hoping to stumble upon a guest to host, to get to such a level of desperation? Or with such over the top service? From how long did it go on? Like, was it a subtle thing? Or was it so serious he was supposed to host a party just so his staff would calm down?!

He didn’t even mind his money was spent on clothing only ghosts could wear. Up to then, of course – now surely, he wouldn’t mind. Money was his last worry.

“There’s a wardrobe for guests?”

He didn’t want to make a scene. His time with Selina was precious. But he made a point to speak to Maria in the morning.

Selina nodded, she looked down at his jacked, pushing herself against him. “So” she purred letting her head fall backwards again. Finally, Bruce found the courage to press a hand on her back. “You have many lady-friends flocking around this place?”

Bruce’s lips curled in a pout, while he tried his best to hide a smile. Him as a Casanova? Surrounded by women? Of course, that was definitely the kind of guy he was. Especially with the kind of time to dedicate to women.

Though he liked to see her interest and the spark of possession that lit Selina’s eyes.

“Not that I know of.” He shrugged, not caring for something as feeble as pretending to be a playboy. And his honesty paid off by the satisfaction that burned through her dark eyes.

Selina ran her hands on his chest. “That leaves out two possibilities, you either are a serial killer and these are the very expensive clothes of you very high maintenance victims…”

Bruce laughed shaking his head. “Yes. I lure them as Batman. They always trust me. It’s the perfect cover.”

“The mystery thickens!” Selina cooed sending him a wicked look. “Or…” Selina threw her arms around his shoulders, her fingers played with his hair. “Or you have many exes.”

“I do?”

“It’s a lot of items of clothing…”

He shook his head vigorously; a nervous chuckle left his chest. He liked to joke and flirt with her, it made him feel ordinary. That splinter of normality he dreamed about for years was shred right in the middle of his broken life, to the point he wasn’t at all sure that it was real.

And he definitely was struggling to imagine how to make everything coexist. If there was even the chance.

“Are you mocking me or do you actually want me to tell you how much of a loner I am?”

“Well, I need to know you in one way or the other don’t I, Bruce?”

“What if I brought you here just to steal your clothes?” He lifted an eyebrow, surprising even himself with his own humour.

Selina grabbed his face, surrounding his jaw, the thumb on one cheek and claws on the other. “You better fuck me first.”

He chocked. Her gaze was serious, determined and as hot and glorious as sitting in front of a fire. He had no doubt she meant it and he hadn’t forgotten where they have been interrupted, earlier.

Though her being so straightforward confident was destabilising, and extremely charming.

He slipped off her hold raising his head out of reach and then he sent a look to the two boys standing in his dining room. His stare was dead serious. He stood stiff on his ground, a shadow crossing his face making him look scary.

He hoped for them they didn’t hear her and her charming voice. Not because he was embarrassed – well, maybe a little because of it. But specifically, because he didn’t much appreciate the idea of them imagining her that way. Even if he was well aware Selina was sex on legs and even he was unable to escape her charm…

“Miss Selina and I don’t want to be disturbed any further. You can leave and close the doors. And kill the security measures in here.”

The two nodded at him, ready to jump to follow his order. “Actually, make it the entire team can go home early tonight. Spread the word. I will see you all tomorrow.”

“Yes, Mr Wayne.”

When the doors closed behind the two, he finally relaxed a little.

“Do people always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Whatever you say?”

“My employees kind of have to.”

He didn’t look at her, slightly trembling. Finding himself constantly hovering between relaxation and panic.

“Sounds tremendous.”

“What?”

“Live with people that listen to you just because they are your employees.”

“I-” He paused, completely unsure what to answer.

He didn’t agree nor disagree. He didn’t have a choice. He wanted those people to have a secure job and he could grant it. The Manor was big enough for everyone and he barely crossed their paths anyways. She didn’t seem bothered by his behaviour. She gave him a kiss on the chin, silently chanting him to bend his head ever so slightly, but more than enough so her lips could find his. Selina kissed him and wasn’t at all discouraged by the fact that it took him a long second to react.

Though nothing melted him like her lips, his mind was literally filled with too many thoughts, too many scenarios, too much anxiety and panic, to make it acceptable for him to concentrate on only one thing.

When he finally managed to isolate the mess of his agitated mind from Selina’s kiss, Bruce released a sigh of delight, encaging her between his arms and pulling her even closer to himself.

She then slipped from his arms and moved around the table, reaching for her seat. “Shall we eat? I understand you are on a schedule.”