Topic: An Issue of Trust

Angel Delaney

Date: 2012-11-25 02:02 EST
((Follows on from And We Danced ...))

After Joshua had left Angel to fend for herself, he'd gone straight to his rooms. Plans were to be made and executed before he could gallantly show up for the next day's luncheon with Angel. He spent hours contemplating one angle after the other, just to be sure he'd thought of everything. And though he wasn't foolish enough to believe he had thought of everything, he'd grown exhausted and fell asleep. By the time he woke, the house was brightly lit with sunlight and he had a burning thirst. It wouldn't do to be ravenous at the luncheon for something that was definitely not on the menu.

An hour later, he sits in Peg's room, explaining the situation. He'd woken her early to let her in on the plans of the day. She agreed to feign a headache and stay in bed and he gave the nod for her to slip into his rooms so she could be the one watching, this time. It was a strange partnership that worked seamlessly as they both thought just alike.

With a kiss to her forehead and a brief hug, he left Peg's room through the passageway in the wall. It was time to dress for lunch. The car had been waiting for him, to pick him up, drive him about and then back home. It seemed pointless to the driver, but The Lady had insisted.

The black sedan pulled up into the circular driveway and Joshua stepped out. Wearing a dark blue Polo shirt and jeans and sneakers upon his feet, he was as casual as can be. He took his sunglasses off and hooked them into the unbuttoned collar of his shirt as he approached the house.

Angel had been up until the last of the guests had either gone home or collapsed in guest rooms, buzzing from her encounter with her mysterious stranger on the terrace. Yet she'd fallen asleep as soon as her head had touched her own pillow, falling headlong into those overactive dreams that had been haunting her sleep since she had come to live here at Royal Oaks herself. She rose within a few hours, warned by the housekeeping staff that Peg had a headache and needed her to send their guests on their way.

It was only now, as she was scurrying about to get ready for her lunch date, that she realised she didn't even know his name. "What the hell am I doing, Simmons?" she asked the elderly butler as he opened up the front doors for her. "Going on a date with a guy I can't even put a name to?" The old man chuckled his wheezy chuckle, not bothering to answer as he ushered her out into the cold November weather, just in time to see a dark sedan pull up and disgorge her date. "Damn," she muttered to herself, watching him walk up the steps toward her. "You're even hotter in daylight."

When the doors opened and she appeared, he bowed slightly and approached. He could hear what she said and it made him smile crookedly. He put his hands into his pockets as he strolled casually, the bitter wind whipping his hair out of place. He really didn't care, and the cold didn't affect him. That was easy enough to play off, though. Once he was close enough, his smile brightened and he consciously made himself shiver. "Going to invite me inside, or are we going to stand and turn into pillars of ice as we stare at each other?" Joshua chuckled then and canted his head slightly. "You look beautiful, Angel."

"Yeah, I'm sure my duffle coat has you all a-flutter," she heard herself drawl sarcastically, but the smile on her face wasn't feigned or false. She was genuinely pleased to see him, and the flicker of heat that warmed her expression proved that she hadn't forgotten the connection made between them the night before. "Sure, c'mon inside." She gestured for him to make his way in ahead of her, inwardly cringing as Simmons grinned at their visitor.

While Peg had the ability to deny Joshua's compulsion, the staff did not. Even the trusted butler, Simmons was not immune. Pretending to brush a crumb from Simmons's lapel, he looked into the elder gentleman's eyes and murmured, "you do not know me." Then he smiled and gave the man a nod as he passed by. "Such a lovely place," he slowly spun in a circle as he looked around. When he stopped turning, eyes were back on Angel. "The duffle brings out your eyes, which are quite lovely." He had made his point, no matter what she said; he would never believe she was anything other than beautiful. "So, what?s for lunch?"

Simmons' grin didn't fade, but changed, turning a little less knowing as his knowledge of just who the visitor was faded from mind. Angel passed him by as he shut the door behind them, undoing her coat only just in time before the elderly man had it off her shoulders. Laughing at the coat thief as he ambled away, she turned back to her guest. "Uh ....I have no idea," she admitted honestly. "I never have any idea of what?s for lunch here; Peg rules the kitchen with an iron fist." She laughed softly, daring to screw together her courage enough to bounce up on her toes and very lightly kiss his cheek, offering up proof that she was giving him the benefit of the doubt. "So do I get to know your name now, or is that a part of the game?"

"Ah, my name," Joshua offered his elbow. Though less elegantly clad, no less gallant as the night before. "It's Josh." He kept a critical eye on her, to gauge her reaction. "How about a picnic lunch, right here. I mean this room is huge, the sun is warm and it might be fun. I'm sure your man, Simmons, can make the arrangements." He wasn't going to lead, only follow. It would be a bad thing if he started to act like he knew the place inside and out. "What do you say?"

"Josh it is, then." There was no sign that she recognised the name or thought anything of it, just a flicker of pleasure at having a name to put to him now. "You want to picnic in the foyer" Yeah, that does not gonna happen, we still have hung-over guests staggering around here." She laughed quietly, curling her arm through his to lead him toward her favorite room, the Sun Room, with its wide windows and comfortable couches. This was where she spent a lot of her time when Peg didn't need or want her around. "If you just hang here for a sec, I'll go and ....find out what?s for lunch."

Joshua didn't hesitate a moment as he was led into the bright, sunny room. He had a feeling she'd go here. He'd seen her in this room a dozen times and just from her facial expressions and body language, he knew the room was her favorite. "Sure, I can wait," he paused for a moment and smiled. "You're worth it." Thankful for the coffee he'd consumed earlier, a little color stained his cheeks and the tips of his ears as if embarrassed.

Her answering smile was just a little shy as she backed out of the room, pulling the door to so he wouldn't see her quite literally run toward the kitchens to hug and cajole Bessie, the cook, into doing something light and marvelous with the leftovers from the night before. As much as Bessie objected to the idea of serving leftovers, she was easily swayed by an enthusiastic girl, and as soon as Angel had the promise, she skipped out of the kitchen once again, pausing to grab a jug of freshly made rhubarb-lemonade and a pair of glasses. Hopefully she'd been gone long enough not to be blushing anymore, and not so long that he was bored. Hopefully.

Joshua was rarely bored. Even after living as long as he had, he found new things to discover every day. When she skipped back into the room, he stood at the windows, gazing out into the meadow beyond the glass. A family of rabbits was carrying their winter's food from one burrow to another. He slowly spun the ring on his finger. It was an unconscious habit, developed over the years that he'd worn it. It had been given to him by a witch and it protected him from the sun. He heard the doors open and turned to watch as she came into the room. Her cheeks seemed still flushed, but not from awkward embarrassment, but more from exertion. He could hear her heart pounding within her chest. Ah, to be alive, young and vital again. "Well that didn't take very long."

Angel Delaney

Date: 2012-11-25 02:11 EST
"I'm very persuasive when I set my mind to it," she laughed, gently nudging the door closed with her foot, unwittingly closing herself in with the predator from her dreams. "You want a drink?" Holding up the jug and glasses, she moved to set them on a table beside him, the flush on her cheeks deepening as her mind moved toward far less PG-13 scenarios played out behind her eyelids as she slept. She would have given almost anything for him to take her in his arms and kiss her just then, and keep kissing her until she stopped struggling, stopped fighting, and just gave in. But, of course, she knew it wasn't likely to happen. He was a gentleman, obviously.

All you have to do is ask. "I'd love one," he smiled and followed her to the table where she poured the fruity drinks. "So, persuasive one, what did you persuade the kitchen staff to do?" He was watching her, really unable to take his eyes from her. There was something vulnerable that she kept hidden and he wanted to protect that vulnerability, even from himself.

All you have to do is ask. The words reverberated in her mind, repeated from her dream, drawing her hesitantly toward the possibility of asking that fateful question. But no, she wasn't quite there yet, despite the lack of protection against his mind over hers today. She offered up a surprisingly youthful smile, clearly proud of herself for facing down Bessie and winning. "Leftovers," she told him with a grin, offering him a glass of the bittersweet drink. "It's practically against Bessie's religion, so I think I did pretty well."

"Sounds good, a lot of foods are better the next day. The flavors have more chance to bloom and blend." Taking the glass, he took a sip. His cheeks sunk in and he puckered until the sweetness kicked in and his jaw muscles could relax. "I'd say you've done very well." He offered her his hand, just then. "And while we wait we can find ways to entertain each other, I'm sure."

Angel watched him sip, realising what she hadn't said. "Oh, I probably should have warned you that it's rhubarb-lemonade," she giggled, the mischief in her expression declaring loud and clear that she wasn't sorry she hadn't mentioned it. Her gaze lowered to his outstretched hand. All you have to do is ask. Dark eyes rose to meet his, her smile fading into something immeasurably intimate in the sudden stillness as her fingers tentatively slid into his palm.

"Thanks for the warning," he chuckled softly as his fingers closed around hers. That current from the night before began to flow once again, between them. Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he resisted the urge to pull her close and kiss her until she succumbed. His eyes reflected the battle within himself and he had to tear his gaze away from her tempting face. He was able to make the more rational decision then and turned his attention back to her as a calmer man. He took tact, involving a bit of humor. "You are a mischievous thing, aren't you?"

His deliberate attempt to sway back from that intimate threshold gave Angel a chance to draw herself back under control, to keep herself from asking him to do something he would probably regret. She couldn't imagine ever regretting doing anything with this gorgeous man, which in itself was new. Her whole life thus far had been filled with regrets. "Well, it beats being an ice queen, doesn't it?" she offered with a quirk of a smile, unable to resist stroking her fingertips over his palm as she spoke.

"Most definitely," he smiled warmly. "Ice does nothing for me but give me a runny nose." He chuckled, but it felt a bit forced. It wasn't that he felt awkward or didn't like his own jokes; it was the fact that her fingers stroking his palm were very distracting. It felt as if she were caressing his entire body with velvety soft gloves. The feeling did wonders for his impotent reproductive organs. "I, um, that is..." he gazed into her eyes and blew out a breath."Would it be all right to kiss you, again?"

The question took her by surprise, her gaze snapping back to his in quiet astonishment. Was he reading her mind, or ....The thought was absurd. There was no way he could possibly know what she dreamed about. Was there" Swallowing her nerves, she set her glass down, drawing her fingertip along the heart line on his palm once again. "All you had to do was ask."

Joshua nearly laughed at her response. Composing himself, he pulled her close to wrap his arm around her shoulders. He lowered his head then and brought his mouth to hers. The first brushing of lips seemed nearly accidental, as if he were exploring. But the second landed on target and lasted a tiny bit longer. He then pulled his head back and looked down at her with hungry eyes. "I'd better stop, or I might not be able to."

The first kiss was as soft and gentle and brief as the kiss from last night, his goodbye. But the second kiss lit her up. Angel found herself leaning close into him, embracing the feeling of being the prey caught in the predator's grasp rather than running from it. She hadn't felt wanted like this in what felt like a lifetime, not since ....But she didn't have thought enough for that name, meeting the hungry eyes that looked down at her with a hunger of her own, breathless and wanting in her own right. "Don't stop," she heard herself whisper, rising up to curl her hand to his cheek, taking her own kiss from his lips with considerably less care for being gentle than he showed her.

The woman didn't know or comprehend what she was asking of him. When she kissed him, he trembled with the effort of not gripping her too tightly and pressing her against him so hard that they merged flesh. He had to flatten his hand against her arm for fear of crushing it in the passion that she so easily evoked in him. He found himself becoming dizzy; lost in her kiss, her touch. He felt himself losing himself and losing control. His fangs began to extend and he could taste her blood so rich, warm and sweet on his tongue.

The doors to the room flew open as the serving girls carried in the tray of food for them. He broke from her then, and wiped his lips with the back of his hand to clean her blood from them. "I..." he counted to three before he continued."I think we should eat."

Tasting her own blood mingled between them was a startling experience for Angel. She hadn't felt her lip split open as they kissed, too caught up in the intoxication of a kiss that sent her dream lover's kisses into the ether. There was something immediate, something very real and passionate about Josh, as frightening as it was stirring, and Angel found she didn't want to run away from it. She wanted to embrace it, and trust him not to let her be consumed. She jumped as the doors opened, sucking her bleeding lower lip inside her mouth as she smiled shyly, finally looking up at him with unmitigated breathless desire. "I, uh ....I guess you're right," she agreed, a little reluctantly. It would be terribly bad manners to just invite him into her room and stay there for the next few hours, after all.

Though the distance that separated them was only a foot or so, it allowed Joshua to regain his composure. The food was placed upon the nearby table and he found himself pulling out a chair for her to sit in. It was an automatic gesture, without a thought behind it. "It smells good," he said softly. He licked his lips once more, tasting the barest traces of copper there. It was cold now and not nearly as intoxicating as the hot, sweet flow from an artery. He walked to the opposite side of the table, the only chair left available, and lowered himself into it. Once the serving girls left, he leaned forward and whispered. "Not sure I can be a gentleman for much longer, but I'll try."

A little shaken by how much she had wanted to go on, how thoughtless she'd been caught up in that passionate embrace, Angel sat heavily in the chair Josh held out for her, still fighting for her composure as the girls grinned at her, seemingly knowing something she didn't. The dishes laid out between them were very simple fare - Bessie had served up honey baked beans, snap pea and mushroom salad, cold cuts of chicken and ham, and had made sweet little sandwiches out of the soft-shell baked crab from the night before. There were also fresh bread and butter, and a little plate of apple crumb cakes, as well as a chilled bottle of rose wine. Not quite the "leftovers" Angel had had in mind, but a stellar attempt by the fussy cook. She blushed as Josh leaned toward her with his enticing whisper, innocently honest enough to answer him with, "I'm not sure I want you to try."

Angel Delaney

Date: 2012-11-25 02:14 EST
"Then dig in," he smiled and leaned back. "You might need your energy later." No sooner did the words leave his lips when he felt the hair on the back of his neck begin to rise. He knew he was being watched, had encouraged Peg to do so. But he hadn't expected the surge of emotion that he felt from down below. It was difficult for him to decipher whether it was happiness, anger, sadness or a combination of all three. Still, he didn't let his expression change from the outwardly very amorous state the kiss had left him in. He even laughed at the boldness of his statement. Was he moving too fast' Had either himself or Peg prepared for what they'd set into motion"

Innocent of the devious way she had been set up to fall for him, Angel laughed herself, shaking her head at his lascivious subtlety as she reached to serve him from the little collection of foods between them. Turning her attention to her own plate, she felt a sudden pang that Peg wasn't feeling well enough to join them, pausing as she frowned just a little. Should she run up and see if Peg would like to join them for lunch, if her headache was any better" As much as she was enjoying the heat and intimacy, perhaps having a third person there would keep Angel from making a mistake.

Picking up his fork, Joshua began to eat. But he began to notice the subtle changes in her demeanor as she served her own plate. "What's wrong?" He put his fork down and reached his hand out across the table. "I didn't mean to sound so forward. I'm sorry." He didn't want to scare her off, once again. She reminded him of a rabbit; soft and warm, but would dash off in an instant if it sensed any sort of danger.

"No, it's not that." Angel was quick to reassure him, laying her hand into his without a second thought as she summoned a smile. "I was just wondering about Peg. She hasn't been very well this morning, and I was just wondering whether I should go up and check on her. Maybe if she's feeling better, she'd like to join us." She shrugged, a little apologetic, knowing that most men wouldn't like the addition of a chatty elderly woman to what had seemed to be quite a promising beginning to an intimate day. "She loves being around people."

"Oh," he smiled his understanding and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before pulling away. "She's a lucky lady, to have a friend like you. Go ahead and check on her, I don't mind." He truly didn't, but had to stall to give Rose enough time to get up to her rooms. "But may I make a request before you go?" He had picked up his fork, but hadn't filled it yet. His eyes searched hers as he waited for her response.

Angel smiled in relief; glad she hadn't offended him by suggesting a third party join them, or that her thoughts were elsewhere. As she pushed her chair back, he caught her attention with his last question, and she paused, turning her curious smile back to him as she set her napkin on the table beside her plate. "Ask anything you like," she offered. "I can't promise you'll get an answer, but nothing's stopping you from asking."

Sitting back, he leaned his head back to watch as she got up from her seat. "Another kiss?" His brows were raised and his pale blue eyes wide. "I think I can manage to sit alone for the time it takes if I can have just one more." There was a bit of a smirk on his face, and he couldn't help that.

His request brought another shy flush to her cheeks, but her smile was more open than it had been before. He'd broken past her first guard simply by showing up today when he had promised to, and each minute he stayed now only strengthened the chance that she would trust him, given time. "I think I can manage that," she heard herself giggle softly, rounding the table to bend down and touch her lips to his, caressing her fingers gently against his cheek.

He relaxed visibly as she agreed to honor his request. His hand curled around the back of her neck and his eyes closed as her lips touched his own. He dared to take it just a half step further by parting his lips and touching the tip of his tongue to the swell and nicked lower lip. Ah, yes, there was the good stuff. He could taste her blood once again. He sighed into the kiss, and reluctantly pulled his head back.

She broke from him breathless and more than a little shaky on her feet, steadying herself against the table as she straightened up. "You are very good at that," she managed with a faint laugh, unconsciously licking her lower lip clean once again, barely thinking anything of the blood he had drawn from her for the second time. "Okay. I'll be back soon." With a last touch of her hand to his sharp jaw, she turned and slipped from the room, making her way across the foyer to mount the stairs.

So are you, he thought with a smile. Very appreciative of the chair he sat in; Joshua thought he might not be able to stand upright in his current condition. She had no idea how much self control he was having to utilize to keep from simply taking every bit of her he could sink his fangs into. He waved her off with a grin. Realizing his fork was still in his hand; he stabbed something on his plate and began to eat. The food really had no particular flavor for him, not with the taste of her still on his tongue.

Outside Peg's room, Angel paused to compose herself, not really wanting to present her friend with a flushed face and shyly happy eyes if she could possibly help it. She raised a hand and knocked very gently, not wanting to cause pain if the headache had not yet faded away. Opening the door, she very quietly slipped inside, keeping her voice low and gentle as she approached the bed. "Peg" Are you asleep?"

Peg had barely enough time to get upstairs and into her bed before the knock sounded. She'd thrown off her bathrobe and slipped under the heavy quilt. Picking up the book she'd discarded earlier, she looked up from it just as Angel popped her head through the doors. She smiled, put the book back down and lay her head back. "Well, hello there, my Sunshine. I am feeling a bit better, thank you. I hope that you're not too bored without me around."

Seeing Peg sat up and smiling, Angel's own smile reappeared deeply relieved to see that her friend wasn't suffering too badly with the after-effects of her party the night before. She moved across the room, dropping down onto her knees beside the bed to stay on eye level with Peg. "I'm glad you're feeling better," she told Peg, with absolutely sincerity. "I was wondering if you were feeling well enough to join us for lunch. He, uh ....Well, he didn't seem to mind me skipping out on him to ask." She blushed again, rolling her eyes at her own silly sweetness. "I swear, woman, you've turned me into a giggly girl in the space of a week."

Peg gently sat her hand upon Angel's shoulder and shook her head. "I'd love to, but three's a crowd. Really, go enjoy yourself with your young man. You can introduce him to the dottering old crazy woman once he's well and truly snagged and shagged." She cackled and lifted her hand to caress Angel's cheek. "And really, it's been such a blessing to watch you come out of your shell. I'm glad to be part of what?s turned you into a giggler, but I won't be taking all of the credit."

"Peg!" Laughing at her elderly employer's blunt turn of phrase, Angel rolled her eyes again, catching Peg's hand to kiss her palm fondly. "You will promise to come down if you change your mind, won't you?" she asked earnestly. "I don't like to think of you hiding away up here just because you want a man you haven't even met yet to get between my legs without interruptions."

Angel made her feel like a school girl once again and she giggled merrily. "Alright, I promise that I'll make an appearance. But! If I steal your man, don't forget you asked for it." She dimpled happily and gave Angel's cheek a soft tap. "Now off with you, and I want a full report later. Don't you dare leave off any sinful details!"

Angel Delaney

Date: 2012-11-25 02:17 EST
"Bunny, if he can rock your world, you're welcome to him," was Angel's response as she laughed at Peg's insistence on all the details later on. She rose to her feet, leaning down to kiss the older woman's forehead. "Feel better, okay?" With a last squeeze of Peg's hand, she turned to slip from the suite once again, hoping Josh didn't mind how long she'd left him by himself.

Peg closed her eyes to the sweet kiss and then opened them again. "Thank you, Sunshine!" She called after Angel with a wave. Instead of getting up to go into Joshua's apartment to watch them, she decided to stay abed and read her book.

Angel didn't waste any time in returning to the Sun Room after closing the door to Peg's suite, presenting Simmons with the scandalous sight of The Lady's companion running headlong down the stairs and across the foyer hallway with a complete disregard for how short her skirt was, or how hung-over the lingering guests were. She came to a halt outside the door to the Sun Room, taking a moment to settle her flyaway hair and clothes, and let out a brief exhale, pushing open the door and smiling for Josh. "Sorry about that."

Josh had been picking at his plate and felt the rush of relief at hearing Peg and Angel's giggles. Hearing her return, he picked up the crab sandwich and took a healthy bite just before she entered the room. He smiled when she did and then pointed at his mouth. It was full, thus he couldn't speak quite yet. He made sounds of pleasure, indicating that he was enjoying the meal.

"She says she's feeling better, and she'll probably come down a little later," Angel told him, resuming her seat as she laid her napkin over her lap once again. Her relief at Peg's recovery was palpable, proving that at least she wasn't here simply for the money and shelter. "She probably wants to vet you and make sure you're persistent enough to make me ....oh, wow, I'm not going there." She stuffed her mouth with food hurriedly, to forestall any attempt at explaining what it was she hadn't said.

"Oh, good," he managed, knowing full well that Peg was just fine. He picked up his glass of rhubarb lemonade to wash down the crab. When he sat the glass down, he chuckled at her slip. "Oh, so it's not just us that want us to....go there." It was nice to have Peg's permission and help in this endeavor, it really was. And he should have expected something like that to come from her. "She wants us to move at supersonic speeds, hmm?"

Angel waited until she had swallowed, looking fixedly at the way her fork chased her beans around the plate in front of her as she smirked, not quite able to believe she was about to confirm what he was asking. "Oh, I think she'll be quite disappointed if we're not in bed together by the end of the afternoon," she managed, trying not to giggle and blush yet again. "I have a feeling she thinks I'm so out of practise that you'll have to clean away cobwebs."

Thank goodness Joshua didn't have anything in his mouth. He looked at her and laughed out loud. "Now there's an interesting visual." He shook his head and put his fork down. He didn't want any more food. Leaning an elbow onto the table, he smiled. "She might be a little disappointed. I think that's a little faster than either of us expected. Besides, I believe that good things come to those who wait. And something tells me you're very much worth the wait."

"Does that mean I'm good, or you're expecting the wait to be so long anything would be good after it?" she asked with a faint quirk to her smile, looking up at him from beneath long, dark lashes. She wasn't hungry - at least, not for food - but she knew Bessie would blab to Peg if she didn't at least try to eat a little more than she had already.

"Oh, so funny!" He shook his head with a chuckle. "It means I think it'll be worth the short wait," he clarified with an amused look on his face. He picked up a dessert with his fingers and began to delicately pull it apart. "The wait really depends on you, though."

She barely tasted the mouthful as she chewed, losing interest quickly in eating as her gaze focused on the delicacy of his long fingers. Laying her fork down, she wiped her lips, folding her arms onto the table. All you have to do is ask. "I've been waiting a very long time," she confessed quietly, drawing a hand through her hair. "I think maybe it's time I stopped waiting for things to happen to me, and go out there and make them happen. But I'm not very good at it, so I'll make mistakes."

Joshua's hands stilled for a moment as he looked her in the eyes. He'd wanted to do just as she was suggesting from the moment he'd laid eyes upon her. Putting down the dessert, he lifted his fingers to his mouth to lick off the sticky sweetness. "Are you absolutely sure" I don't want you to have any regrets, Angel. I don't want you to feel as if I'm pushing you."

Her own eyes focused once again with startling clarity on his fingertips, watching his tongue lick and stroke, feeling heat spreading through her. She knew what that heat was, she'd felt it before, but never so strongly for someone she knew so little. Where was the harm in spreading her wings? Peg would never invite anyone unseemly to her parties, and that was where Angel had met Josh, after all. "I, uh ..." She laid trembling fingers over her mouth as she forced her eyes to meet his, those pale, beautiful eyes of his that seemed to have haunted her dreams long before she'd met him. Long before she believed she had met him. "Don't let me say no," she managed to say, knowing herself only too well. "Not unless I really am scared. No's just ....it's easier for me to say than yes these days."

Josh nodded his understanding. Angel was scared of herself more than she was of him. At least, that's how it seemed to him. He wiped his hands on a napkin and lifted from his chair. Reaching for her hand, he smiled. "Let's go for a ride in the car and talk about things." The instinct to be alone on their first time was strong. Not that he'd hide anything from Peg, but this was something that only the two of them should share.

Drawn up onto her feet, she let him take her hand, surrendering control with a small smile and a faint nod. And yet, despite that unspoken yes, the no that came so easily threw up an obstacle. "Oh, I should tell Peg we're going out," she said hesitantly. "She might be upset if I just leave without saying anything."

"Yes, of course." He withdrew his hand and placed it into his pockets. Looking away, his brows came down, indicating that he was having second thoughts. "Maybe I should go." He realized he spoke out loud and quickly shook his head. "I mean, I don't really want to, I've had a really good time..." he left that silent "but" hanging out there until he sighed. He knew she was going to prod for the rest of the answer, so may as well be upfront about it. "It's a heat of the moment thing, and we still don't really know each other very well. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to lead you on." He felt like the hole he was digging was getting deeper by the second, so he closed his mouth.

As Josh dropped her hand and began to talk himself out of continuing on as they were, those almost lowered defences rose once again, shutting away the vulnerable young woman who had just bared her fear to him only to have that trust knocked back. Angel's expression closed up, and she stepped back, tucking her hands into the back pockets of her skirt. "No, you're right," she agreed, in a voice almost entirely devoid of color. "You should go. I don't want you to do anything you'll regret."

Angel Delaney

Date: 2012-11-25 02:23 EST
Joshua gave her a disconcerted look, and then sighed again. He hung his head and nodded. "I didn't mean it that way, Angel. We've all the time in the world, no need to rush, right?" He looked up again, the fear of losing her clearly in his eyes. "We can go out on a date, tomorrow night if you'd like. Just, please don't close that door yet."

She was quiet for a long moment, finally looking up at him with a hint of fire. "Don't ask me just because you think I need it," she told him. "I'll survive without it, and I'm sure you could have anyone, you probably prefer people without issues. So, uh ....yeah, I'm not here to play games. I've been played once, and I didn't like it. So you're right, you should go before you give into temptation and play me." Prickly wasn't quite the word for what she was - defensive, and wanting him gone before the sting of rejection made itself known in anger or tears was the root of her sudden chill.

Her accusation stung and he flinched from the heat of it. His eyes wide, he stared at her in complete confusion. "I'll see you soon," he spoke softly, as soothingly as he could. Taking a step closer, he dropped a kiss to her cheek. "I promise I will see you soon." When he leaned back and gazed into her eyes he couldn't quite muster a smile. He wasn't going to argue or press that while he could have anybody without vervain, he didn't want anybody else. His stare lingered for a few moments longer before he stepped away and turned towards the door. Baby steps.

His gaze lingered long enough to see the first shuddering intake of breath that betrayed her hurt, the first glistening of tears in the dark eyes that still burned with longing as she watched him walk away. As he turned his back to her, Angel ducked her head, wrapping her arms tight about herself as she turned herself away. All you have to do is ask. I wish I'd never tried.

Joshua could hear the halting of her breath as she fought to hold back the tears. He paused in his step, indecisive as to what to do next. She'd almost thrown herself at him and he backed up enough so that she fell flat on her face. Guilt rushed in and he gritted his teeth against it. He had led her on; at least that's how he thought of it. The decision was easy to make from there. He turned right back around and moved quickly back into the Sun Room. Taking her face into his hands, he held her there as his mouth crashed down upon hers. She had asked and now he was giving her what she'd asked for.

Angel cried out as his lips crashed to hers, startled by the sudden change from coolness to heat, swept up in the passion she had been so afraid to let herself feel. But it didn't feel right. She'd asked, and he was giving her what she had asked for, but not because he truly wanted to. She could taste the guilt on his lips, feel it in the strength of his hands on her, and she choked on the pity that came with it, pushing away with another low cry. "No ....no!"

Backing away, blood trickling from her newly reopened lower lip, she turned tearful eyes onto him, the sense of betrayal keener now than it had been the night before. "I am not a pity f*ck, and I am not here to make you feel better about doing what you think you have to," she told him fiercely. "I know you must be one of Peg's friends and for that reason I'm not gonna throw you out. But I'm leaving." With that she turned, marching swiftly toward the door herself.

When she stopped him, he stared at her again, this time in disbelief. He swallowed hard, barely tasting the warmth of her blood this time. "You have some serious trust issues." He didn't shout it out, and it was said without passion or malice. He was stating the truth. "I'll be here tomorrow night. Be ready to go." He strode past her then, out of the room, and didn't look back. He did, however, give into the urge to have one last thing to say. "I don't do pity f*cks, by the way. But you'll have to trust me on that one, won't you." Joshua was furious and out of patience. Her blood was making him thirsty. He needed to get out and away. The main door of the house opened and slammed closed behind him, and then he ran.

In the aftermath of the door slamming, servants came hurrying from almost every corner of the house, in time to see Miss Angel running up the stairs, her lip bleeding and tears streaming down her cheeks. Bewildered gazes were shared; had Master Joshua hurt her that badly, they wondered, and why would he do so' The sound of a second door closing revealed that The Lady's companion had shut herself into her room, and worst of all, was still audible, crying out the hurt and confusion and fright that had been poured on her by someone she thought she had been a fool to trust so quickly. Simmons cleared his throat, ushering the housekeepers and gardeners away, frowning to himself, and very slowly made his way up the stairs to knock on Peg's door. The Lady should know what had happened.

Peg didn't need to be reminded by Simmons, so she called out, through the door. "I'm on it, thanks, Tim." She rarely referred to anybody by their last name. Crawling out of bed, she slid her feet into her bunny slippers and made for the door that joined hers and Angel's room. She knocked softly, and then pushed the door open. "Sunshine" May I come in?" There was no use to asking if the girl were all right. She obviously was not. Instead, she laid sympathetic eyes onto the lovely young lady who'd become her fast friend. Inside, she kicked herself for giving them privacy and not watching the CCTV.

Angel was curled on the bed, her face pressed deep into a pillow and still clearly audible, screaming out her frustration and that painful sense of utter worthlessness before quieting into softer, deeper sobs. She hadn't cried like this in years, and she knew it was all her fault. All you had to do was ask. She'd asked, and she'd spoiled it all before anything could come of it. She barely heard Peg come in, coiled into her own little world of abject misery.

Angel Delaney

Date: 2012-11-25 02:33 EST
Peg only waited a moment before allowing herself entrance to Angel's room. She crossed the floor quietly and sat down upon the edge of the bed. "Darling, don't cry, please don't cry." Her hand lay softly upon Angel's back as she leaned forwards to whisper soothingly into Angel's ear. "It'll be all right, shhh, what happened" You seemed so happy."

Feeling the friendly hand on her, the weeping girl twisted, laying her pillow into Peg's lap to cry on the friend who had come to make sure she was all right. The friend who was here to do what no one had been there to do years before, pick up the pieces and push her on. It took a long time for Angel to calm down, turning her head to stare disconsolately into the middle distance as she lay against Peg. "I jumped," she said in a soft, hoarse voice. "And he didn't catch me. But you know what?s worse" He tried to pick me up, and I threw it all back at him. I really messed up."

Through the gut wrenching sobs and tears, Peg sat silently and even cried a few of her own. When Angel placed her head into Peg's lap, Peg gently eased the girl's dark hair from her face and stroked it lovingly. She was patient and calm in the maelstrom of emotions. She allowed Angel to speak uninterrupted; merely waiting her turn. "Oh, Sunshine." Peg sighed softly and continued to stroke her hair. "I'm sure it's going to be alright. Just give it a little bit of time, if you want to." Peg looked up at the ceiling for a moment. "Do you want to see him again?"

The answer came first as a single sob, then as a nod, and finally in words thick with distress. "Yeah, I do," the girl confessed, feeling stupid for still wanting to know Josh when she had all but destroyed any hope of anything happening with him. "He said he's coming back tomorrow night, but ....why would he want to' I'm messed up and rude and I really insulted him, Peg. This is why I shouldn't take chances. People always get hurt, and it's usually me who falls apart."

With Angel's response, Peg's smile came back to her face. "Oh darling. You sell yourself short! You're such a lovely young lady, and you don't even know it." Using the corner of the pillow case, she gently wiped the tears from her face. "That's part of your charm." Her arms cradled Angel's head in a half hug. "Maybe, just maybe, he really does want to get to know you. And now that he knows your quirks, and he persists, it'll be easier. Are you sure he didn't do anything to hurt you? There's blood on the pillowcase."

Angel laughed just a little as Peg sought to reassure her, weak mirth bubbling up at the comment on her "charms". She sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve, and moved to sit up, looking down at the blood stain she had left behind her, raising her fingers to the swollen lip that he had left her with. "No, he didn't ....he didn't mean to hurt me," she assured Peg. "That happened when he kissed me. I didn't even notice."

Peg knew the mark for what it was and believed Angel's telling of it. She had a few of her own scars that were identical when they were fresh wounds. After a while, Peg began to refer to the small nicks and cuts as Joshua's calling cards. "Men can sometimes be rough," she nodded and smiled knowingly. "And that can be fun." Hugging Angel for a moment, she then released the girl. "I think it's time for some Rocky Road ice cream and Breakfast at Tiffany's. What do you say?"

"Isn't that a song?" Yes, Angel was woefully under-educated when it came to the classic movies, genuinely believing that Peg was about to put on the radio and make her dance again. She hugged the old woman warmly, grateful for the care that had given her a little company as she wept. "Thank you, Peg."

"Is it a song?" Just as under-educated about popular music, Peg gave Angel a quizzical look and then laughed. When the hug came, she accepted it and gave back as much in return. "You're welcome, Sunshine. I'm just giving back a tiny bit of what you've already given to me in bucket loads."

"Yeah, but you haven't cried all over me and bled on me, have you?" Angel drawled softly, looping an arm around Peg's shoulders fondly. "Not yet, anyway." She grinned, touching a kiss to her friend's temple. "Go get dressed, I'll go and apologise to Bessie for upsetting her morning and find that ice cream you mentioned."

"Oh, the hell with that," Peg shook her head. She reached over and pressed a button, and a buzzer sounded, then Bessie's voice. "Bessie darling, I'm sorry for the upset this morning. Would you be a dear and bring up the Sunday Morning Blues special?" Letting go of the buzzer, she gave a conspiratorial little laugh and wink in Angel's direction. "What good is it to have servants if you don't let them do their jobs every once in a while?"

"But I'm a servant," Angel objected lightly, falling about laughing at the pure wickedness on Peg's face as she offered up this little bit of golden wisdom. "Bunny, you're incorrigible. And I am sorry I upset your friend. I'm sure he won't hold it against you." She forced a smile that almost reached her eyes, throwing her legs off the edge of the bed as she straightened up. "I'm gonna wash my face. Where are we doing this, in here or your room, little sickie?"

"You're also my dear friend," Peg objected right back with a giggle. "I'm sure he won't hold it against you, either. In fact, I would wager my bowl of ice cream that he does show up tomorrow." She never made a wager in which she'd lose, and made a mental note to watch the tape of the afternoon's events. "We can be in either place," she was about to say it didn't matter to her when she realized she hadn't asked the gentleman in question's name. "Which friend, Sunshine?"

"Mmm?" In the process of splashing cold water on her face and inspecting the odd little nick in her lip, Angel almost missed the question as it was put to her. That wasn't a split; her lip looked as though something sharp had slid in and out of her flesh neatly. No wonder it hadn't hurt. Letting her lip ping back, she grabbed a towel to dry her hands and face, returning to the doorway of the bathroom to look over at Peg. "He says his name's Josh. That's all he told me. I figured he was a friend of yours; I did meet him at your party. Tall, dark hair ....really pale, gorgeous eyes ..." Her voice trailed off, the lightness leaving her face once again as she contemplated the mess she had made of the morning. All you have to do is ask.

Peg had tossed the bloodstained pillow to the floor and was busying herself with fluffing up the remaining pillows as Angel washed her face. "Oh, he's a nice young man, wise beyond his years." She'd rehearsed this bit of it. Turning to smile at the fresh faced young lady, she nodded slowly. "Like an old soul in a very young and delicious body. He is gorgeous!" She was glad that Angel thought so, too. She scoot back against the pillows and reached for the remote. "Come along, have a sit. This movie is really good!"

Chuckling at Peg's enthusiasm, Angel took a running jump and landed on the bed with her darling old lady, wrapping the woman up in a firm embrace as she fell back against the pillows. "You know, you could be the best thing that's ever happened to me," she mused softly, staring up at the ceiling. "No one's ever cared about me the way you do. That means a lot, Peg, and I do mean it. Thank you, for everything."

Peg squealed with laughter as Angel made her running leap onto the bed. She wrapped up with her, hugging her tightly. "Sunshine, you're like the daughter I've never had. You've brought life back into this old girl and you put up with my antics." She leaned back just a bit and made her decision right then and there. "And that's why I'm giving this to you. All of it. The house, the cars....when I go, it's all yours."

Downstairs, Joshua was feeling better for having seen what was going on in Angel's room, but his eyes flew open with shock at this recent revelation. He had no idea that Peg was even considering changing her will. And then, from a personal perspective, it all made sense. When Peg dies, her protection died with her. He laughed then, and shook his head. "Clever, clever."

Upstairs, Angel's reaction to this revelation was a little less controlled. "Wait, what?" Eyes so wide they almost bugged out from her head, she sat up, looking down at Peg in incredulous disbelief. "You haven't even known me two weeks; you can't make a decision like that on so little! Peg, all this is yours. It should go to someone who deserves it, someone who's been with you for years, not some poor little screw up who just happens to be good company."

Peg folded her arms across her chest, lower lip stuck out petulantly. "It's yours. Nobody else has been as good to me. The Great Dictator hung around because she thought I'd give it to her, but no way." She shook her head defiantly. "Sometimes, you just know. And I do just know that you'll take care of this place, the people in it after I'm gone. Please don't say no again. You deserve happiness and Royal Oaks gives you that safe feeling where you can be happy. It's a done deal."

Angel held that petulant gaze for a long moment, feeling very unworthy of the enormous gift she was being handed just for being herself. Biting her lip, she drew in a slow breath. "Okay, I'll make a compromise with you," she suggested, giving the idea as much serious thought as Peg deserved. "I'll say yes to taking over Royal Oaks eventually, because it's not gonna happen for years ....if you agree to hold off on changing any of your paperwork or whatever until I've been here with you at least six months. I want you to be absolutely sure, Peg, this is a big decision."

It took a while, but she did eventually talk her friend into thinking it over a little more carefully before signing her entire lifetime of property and belongings over to a girl she barely knew. Though it had only been two weeks, Angel was coming very quickly toward thinking of Peg as her family, and it was a wonderful thing to realise that the old lady thought of her in the same way. Now if only she could get through a single date with Josh without crying, freaking out, or trying to throw him out, her life would be on the verge of perfect. Would he really show up the following night, even after her appalling display today' Only time would tell.

((Isn't Peg a darling? And Josh ....well now. Who wouldn't want to be eaten up by him' :grin: Huginormous thankbubblies to Josh's player for this scene!))