5 pm rolls around and Leo stands at the entrance of Fukowsky's. The upscale restaurant was one of those that had to have reservations 4 months in advance. He hated eating at fancy restaurants but he needed to check on the things Mage was doing to ruin his reputation and status.
He watched as Mage's driver pulls the white limo up to the door. Leo didn't know why she insisted on drawing such attention to herself.
Leo steps up to the limo and opens the door. Long legs, with 5 inch stilettoes, exit first. As Mage exits the car, her tall, lithe form comes fully into view. The red dress accentuates her slim body and sharp collar bones.
She places her hand in Leo's as he offers it and stands next to him.
"I missed you. You have no idea how bland my days have been while you have been busy."
"I know, I shouldn't leave a princess on her own for too long. She might find another prince to please her."
"There would never be another prince like you. We match."
Leo smiles and kisses her hand as they walk inside the restaurant. Mage gushes at the attention of the man she deems as hers.
The concierge seats them and Leo orders a bottle of expensive wine, he knows Mage talks when she gets tipsy, so thus his goal was to get her in a mood.
As they sit eating, Mage's glass continues getting refilled by the waiter. (Almost as if the waiter was told earlier to keep them coming.) Leo flirts with her, his foot brushing against her bare leg under the table.
Mage reaches across the table and runs a long, red painted, fingernail across his outstretched palm. He acts as if the motion turns him on, his eyes glazing over as he looks at her.
"You seem to have something else on your mind, other than food, Mage."
She smirks and draws a heart in the rough skin of his hand. The waiter refills her now empty glass. Mage's eyes blink in rapid succession as the alcohol finally begins it's assault. Leo notices the change and continues his attack.
"I am sorry I have been so busy lately. Have you been busy, shopping or going to coffee shops with friends? I should have called you more."
Mage pouts and pulls her finger away . He smirks at her change.
"You do seem to spend rather a lot of time making me chase you. But the fun is in the chase. I know I can always catch you if I am patient."
Leo chuckles and stands, walking around the table towards her. His slow movements, make her breathless. She follows him with her eyes until he stands beside her.
Leo kneels down, his back of his hand drifting down the side of her ribs, his breathe brushing against the up-do escaped hairs above her ear.
"What do you want from me, Mage? Shall I give myself to you or would you rather have power?"
Mage's breath hitches. Her hand wraps around the muscled upper arm as she leans back to look at his face. She wanted him, wanted to be his, but her lust for power trumped that desire.
Leo knew what she was thinking, her body language gave it all away. That tiny flinch when he touched her side, the way she looked down and away when he asked her about power.
He stands and runs his hands along her shoulders. He also knew what his touch did to her. He has a plan, woo the wench and make her have a hard time trying to destroying him.
Leo brushes the back of his fingers along her bare neck as he walked around behind her. Mage shivers. Her eyes close, enjoying Leo's touch. He bends slightly and kisses the back of her neck, his hand slipping across her shoulders.
"Where do you want me, Mage?" his hand brushes her neck.
"Here?" His finger draws a line across her cheek.
"Here?" he steps beside her, spins her chair to face him and leans down eye to eye.
"Or here?" He moves his face close to hers, his eyes seeking the emotions she feels, gazing at her lips as if he wanted to kiss her.
Mage sucks in a breath and wrings her hands together. The alcohol along with her now raging hormones, creates a flush in her cheeks. Leo runs a thumb across her lips, her lips quivering at the warmth.
Leo steps away and looks down at her. Her lips frown at the absence of his warmth and touch. A waiter comes up after being motioned over; Unseen by Mage.
"Sir, it is time for use to close. We have a reservation for the entire restaurant this evening. Mage pouts at the sudden change in mood and tosses her napkin on the table.
Leo nods, hands the waiter his credit card and helps Mage up from her chair. The waiter comes back after paying the bill and Mage starts to walk to the door.
Leo steps in front of her and tilts his head at her, his hand steading her as she wiggles from too much wine.
"Shall we continue some where else?"
Mage stares at him, she wanted him so badly. Her phone rings. She pulls it out and looks at the name, Father. Her mood drastically flips and she steps away from Leo.
"No, I am fine. I don't need you right now, you are busy. We will see each other soon."
Mage turns and walks to the limo as it pulls up, opens the door and climbs inside as she brings the phone to her ear.
Leo laughs and turns walking to his car where Carter waits. Leo 1, Mage 0.
Kaden Kirby stepped off the curb and walked across with all the other people crossing the street. His dark hair cast a blue tint as the sun shown down. Arriving at the other side of the busy street, he leans against the glass windows of an office building. A white limo pulls up across the street and he begins taking photos of Mage and her father as they exit the car. An unknown man stands to the side, extending his hand as Mage's father steps close. They shake hands and Mage looks around as if she doesn't want to be seen. The three of them walk into a building and disappear from site. KK pushes his camera inside the black bag at his side and pulls out a phone. He dials Mr. Stienman's number and listens as it rings. Carter answers from his seat behind the wheel of the Mercedes. "Mr. Kirby, what do I owe the honor?" "I wanted to let you know, Miss Shoten, her father and an unknown male are meeting at the Fry Building as we speak." "I und
Carter stares as his boss smirks and steps away from KK leaned back on the bench. Carter was well aware of his boss's tendencies but at this moment was just fearful that KK would become a target for his anger. KK sat up on the chair, his hand clenching the bag strap, his fingers white.Leo smirks and starts to walk back to the car. "Let me know if you really want to help."Carter looks at KK, then at Leo and follows his boss. KK sits staring after the CEO. His back as intimidating as the front.Carter and Leo climb in the car, Carter stashing the photos with the other evidence they are gathering. He turns to look at Leo who still has a smirk on his face. Leo looks at Carter and begins laughing."Boss, what did you ask him to do? He looked scared." Leo laughs even harder and nods for Carter to drive."He won't do it so It doesn't matter. The look on his face though...the best ever!"Carter starts driving while his boss tries to catch his brea
KK stood at his desk, staring down at the photo of Leo leaning over him. His request for help was never expected. He was seriously trying to decide what he should do. This was a big deal if he took it and he would come out of it with benefits. He picked up his phone to make a call. Carter lifted the phone to his ear, answering. He was surprised to hear the voice on the other side of the line. "Mr. Kirby, to what do we owe the honor?" KK took a deep breath. "I would like to talk to Mr. Shin about his proposal. Can I come to his office?" Carter was silent for a minute. The poor kid was thinking about accepting Leo's offer to help. "Mr. Kirby, are you 100% sure about this? I mean if Mr. Shin has made you uncomfort..." KK chuckled. "No, I am not uncomfortable. I think this might be a good collaboration. We both have our strengths and will be good as partners." Carter was now confused but he flipped through the appointment book in
KK sat next to Leo in the back of the car, watching him carefully. KK had been in this position with a broken hand but he barely remembered the pain, it happened so long ago. His eyes scanned over the man next to him. Everything about him exuded power, demanding respect without even trying. He had been hired to help find the people plotting against him, but KK guessed there may be more happening that he hadn't been told yet. Leo took deep breathes trying to control the pain. He perdicted he had broken the top of his hand and a few fingers. He was so angry about the project. A multi billion dollar investment had been stolen under his nose and would be a part of trying to take him down. He wasn't sure how it would happen but he would be damned if he let them get away with it. Leo closed his eyes, the pain causing him to feel dizzy and nauseous. He wavered, beginning to loose consciousness. KK saw the instant change and caught him as he fell sideways in the car.
Carter sat in the VIP room while Leo is wheeled back to surgery. His hand was badly damaged and needed a few screws and plates. There would be a lot of recovery and rehab for this momentary temper tantrum of his. Carter was trying to find evidence of the theft of property by Mr. Shoten and what, if anything, he was doing with the prototype. Thankfully, Leo had a few people he could really trust and with KK's help, the process was going smoothly so far. Together, they had precured a copy of the signature-signed and received receipt and an affidavit from the prototype company, and the delivery person, stating that it was indeed shipped and signed for by Mr. Shoten. KK even went as far as breaking his own rule, of not doing anything illegal, and hacked footage from CCV cameras showing the prototype delivery. KK had been up all night working to find evidence after Carter called him. Leo hadn't given him the news and he had to find out what caused the inciting inc
KK did a last check of the hall before he closed the door. He hoped the security guard would keep the man from entering. As he turned around, Carter sat on the couch and Leo was staring at him, his eyebrows lifted. KK turned and smiled. "Hi, I am back. How are you feeling?" Leo stared at him. The look made KK turn to Carter for answers. "He's drugged." KK started laughing as he walked across the room. Leo followed him with his eyes, his head following a second later, the action making him look like he had a bad internet connection. ( loading.....) Carter laughed as well. "Yea, he has no clue right now. The doctor said there was some nerve damage so, the pain would be bad. I told them to keep him animated." KK sat down next to Carter and handed him the photo he made of the man following him. "Apparently, I have garnered some attention. Shoten also has armed guards following him. I can't figure out what he's up to though."
Carter drove towards the company. The black car had pulled out when he left the hospital and was currently following him. He dialed Flynn. "Carter, twice in one day." "Flynn, I have a problem." Flynn sat up in the seat, he was riding in, and paid close attention. "Carter, what's wrong? Details...I am still 10 minutes away." Carter switched lanes but the car continued to stay behind him. "He's following me. I can't let them get the evidence I have." "Tell me where you are right now. " He motioned for his driver to speed up. "I can meet you on the road. Carter, tell me... you're scaring me." "Flynn, I am in Leo's black Mercedes. The car behind me is a black Audi, tag #36FH713. The man driving has on a black hat and shades. I can't shake him in traffic. I am heading towards the company but..." Carter's voice cuts off and tires screech. Flynn grows extremely concerned and begins shouting into the pho
Leo sat up in the bed while KK attempted to feed him. The morphine drip had been ceased after Leo climbed out of bed and ran down the hall, looking for KK who had gone to the bathroom. Leo didn't handle the morphine well and the Dr. decided to switch to a less powerful drug. So angry Leo was back and refusing to eat the hospital food. "Leo, you can't go home till you take a crap. You have to eat something for that to happen." Leo snarled as KK lifted the spoon to his mouth again. "You eat it, I'll wait for Carter." KK sighed and gave up, sliding backwards in his chair. "Whatever." The door opened and a tall, athletic man stepped inside. KK instantly was on guard but then he remembered Carter had told him some one was coming. "And you are?" The man walked over, bowing his head. "Carter should have told you I was coming. I am Flynn Cottrell." KK extended his hand and Flynn shook it. Leo watched the