a king among men

“Trinity but call me Trini. My mother only calls me Trinity and usually, that’s when I’m in trouble,” She explained. “And you are?” She asked the man.

“Trini,” he repeated. “Ciaran, call me what you will.” He wasn’t entirely picky on the subject, being in his nature to work well with others. “How long has it been since you went out last?”

A part of her was sure she’d overstepped, but the other louder part wanted to push more. See just how far she could nudge that line until things got interesting. Her eyes slipped shut at his lips, but she didn’t bend. “You assume I’m a good girl,” her low and husky to match his own before putting a fraction more space between them. “Bless your heart,  you’ll have to try harder than that to woo me.” Punctuated with a wink. 

Ciaran laughed, the space put between them failing to phase him. Good or not, Weylan had caught his fancy and he was determined to woo her. “Are you the wine and dine type Weylan?” Ciaran teased, bring back her comment from earlier. “Let’s get out of here, shall we?” He stood, extending his hand to her. “I’d like to chat a little more about those sketches of yours.”

Nose crinkling at the word pet, she held his gaze that mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Her lip twitched at his words daring to break out into a smirk. “That’s what I said. Perhaps you should check your hearing.” The tag old man lingered on her tongue but she swallowed it down. This, this was her brand of fun. She gave him a cheeky smile, “Some rules are meant to be broken. And i’ve heard some people like a challenge..”

Icy hues scanned every part of her face, every curve, the way her eyes glimmered, the slightest twitch of her lips--everything bringing him higher. Finally that smile caught him--a smirk tugging his own lips as he leaned in, lips brushing her delicate skin--his voice dropped just above a whisper. “I’d be more than thrilled to show you what happens when good girls break rules.”

she didn’t like being called an ‘asset’ because it truly made her feel like some worker. a staff member. god forbid, stephanie dubois ever considered working. well, for the past two years that’s exactly what she had been doing. selling fantasies to men and women (sometimes), just so she can start her new life. she had only half an year left and there she could be free. that’s what her contract said. so, it wasn’t such a shock when she was told she’d be sent a master who she had to welcome properly and make sure he was enjoying himself. easy. super easy. the leggy blonde made her way back to her suite, telling trinity she needed the bedroom to herself - which the other complied to. not that stephanie was a stranger to having an audience, but still. she got dressed in a black lace lingerie, stockings and all - pairing it up with a set of red bottom high heels, as she waited for whoever was to come. when she heard the knock, stephanie stood up and walked to the door of the suite, opening it slowly as her green eyes moved down the guy’s frame before going back to his face. “you must be master doherty, right?” she questioned, even if she already knew the answer. “i’ve been waiting for you…”

He honestly didn’t know what he was expecting when the door opened, and when he saw her--he was surprised. Dolled up and standing in heels. She just seemed so willing. He had to admit it was interesting to see someone dressed up like that when comparing it to who he’d been around recently. Maybe he was taking into consideration the whole ‘wine and dine ‘em’ comment he’d received. Was he that kind of guy after all? One thing was for sure, Master was not a title he liked to hear. Ciaran chuckled and leaned on the door frame. “Stephanie, right? Do you usually dress so...extravagantly?”

Leona felt as her personality had been read quite easily as the man had suggested a book she’d already read. “A dignified woman?” she replied with a quirk of her brow. “That’s a very kind notion I’d be happy to claim actually.” her words accompanied by a grin. “I hope to keep that impression. I’m Leona by the way,” the woman added reaching her hand out to the man.

“If anyone questions you on that, just let them know an expert gave you the part.” Ciaran reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles. “Leona, even your name reflects your personality, and my name is Ciaran.” He stood, closing the book in his hand. “I could show you that Wuthering Heights if you’d like to read with me today.”

“I’d have been fine if only my arms were a LITTLE longer,” she laughed at the image that followed though, arms hanging at her sides like a damn apes would.  "The dragging knuckles look would turn heads, just not for the right reasons though.“  As much as Caressa LOVED the attention she’d be entirely too self conscious to function, "plus it’d be hell for my manicure.”  Just teasing as she moved when he reached her, offering him more than enough space to share her chair and help her out.  "Thank you, nothings worse than a sunburn in the absolute WORST spot.“

“Any longer and you’d have no need for me to be around.” Ciaran offered, taking the open space to sit behind her. Though the dragging knuckles warranted a chuckle from the man. “I’d pay to see that.” He lathered his hands with a decent amount of the sunscreen, the smell mixing well with the breeze from the ocean. His hands massaged the lotion, starting slowly with her shoulders, thumbs caressing the nape of her neck. “I don’t imagine the red would flatter your flawless skin at all.”

She swallowed hard, keeping her gaze locked to his. Scared as she was she had a spine after all.. Exillerated wasn’t the word she was going to use to describe how she felt but it was damn near close. “I’ll keep that in mind. But maybe I like a little trouble.” She bit her tongue to keep from saying any other comments. She’d dug herself deep enough. 

He slipped his finger under her chin and let himself closer, holding her with an icy gaze. “A little trouble, pet? Is that what you’re looking for?” Part of him was excited by the spitfire of this particular asset, finding her more intriguing by the minute. Her hobbies aside she was fun, and Ciaran--he liked a challenge.

“Obviously. Head starts are not illegal,” She joked. She heard his offer and smirked. “Sounds just what I was looking for, sir,” She said before she began walking for the door. ‘You’re coming or what?”

Could something be illegal if there were no rules or real game? Clearly not he thought, but the joking tone caught him and he turned, nodding to one of the staff by the door. She was ahead of him, but he couldn’t fault her for wanting to get out of the hub for a while. “Do I get a name for the pretty girl accompanying me today?”

“If it quacks like a duck,” she found herself saying before thinking otherwise.  Perhaps there was something to it here. If others were like him, she could see herself enjoying her time here. Shocking.  “Oh, how silly of me to think otherwise. Of course, it’s not required that would just be asking a little much. And who said chivalry’s dead.” Her mouth was going to get her in trouble but oh she was going to push as far as she could.

Eyes narrowed in her direction. If it quacks like a duck. He would have replied but too soon she was talking again and that tone, the words that left her mouth, it all made him wonder how she was going to survive there. He didn’t figure most would get on well with her--moxie. “You should watch that pretty little mouth of yours. It’s going to get you into trouble.”

Her eyes moved over him again.  Assessing how genuine he was. Jury still out. “Wrong? Nooo. I know better than ta say that…A lil’ bit weird..” She wasn’t going to lie, lord knew what he’d consider fair punishment if he’d caught her in one. “Given the nature of why we’re here, that part seems ta get well forgotten. Next, you’ll be telling me you’re a perfect gentleman, right? Wine and dine ‘em?”

“So you think I’m weird?” He could deal with someone like her, witty and charming. Not the lay-down-on-your-back-and-give-up kind. A little fight was exactly what he liked out of his conquests. Easy girls were so--boring. Ciaran leaned his body up against the wall, eyes still locked on her. “Not exactly, though if I had the proper resources I wouldn’t mind a nice dinner. However, it isn’t required.”

“I was thinking maybe about ten miles an hour. Why are you wondering. Are you the walking police?” She teased. She frowned as he he shut the door and side stepped her. “Just an asset looking for fun. I mean, that’s why we’re both here…. for fun,” She hated being cooped up.

“Ridiculous,” he scoffed. “ten miles an hour seems like quite the pace. Must have gotten a head start.” He turned towards her, offering a simple shrug of his shoulders. “I was going to head to the bar or the pool, but I could be convinced to head outdoors if you’re willing to keep me company.”

Trini knew she was probably gonna get in trouble but the waiting for someone to find her interesting enough to take out of the hub for a night was driving her nuts. She know she was supposed to follow the rules but they were made to be broken. She had built the confident to walk to the door, ignoring anyone who told her not to when she was nearly trampled by a man entering the Hub. “No, I mean yes,” She said, gathering herself. “Just testing how quickly I could run into someone,” She said sarcastically. She looked outside, biting her lip. “You’re a master, right?” She asked.

Ciaran stared down at her, a raised brow as she explained. “Just how quickly did you run into me then?” His tone held just a hint of a taunting nature before he shut the door behind himself and side stepped around her. “I am, who’s asking?”

Her brow arched at him. Consider her a skeptic “As much as I can…here.” Between catering to the whims left little time. Scraps of paper or more recently on napkins. She’d yet to be asked about it. “Anything I can…but people mostly… Is that how you charm a woman? Ask about her hobbies?”

He hadn’t thought about how little she had access to compared to him. If she didn’t absolutely despise him he may have to send for some supplies the next day. “Is it wrong to want to know people? Especially when you’re going to be seeing a bit of them.” At least, one could hope they would be seeing more of certain people and he wouldn’t complain if it were her specifically.