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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 9, 2016 17:34:52 GMT -5
Derek rolled his eyes, "Well that smacks of a guilty conscience if I ever heard it." he said with a shrug.
"Look, all I'm trying to say is don't f*ck it up. If you want me to talk to her I'll talk to her, but it's not going to be the last time she needs someone to talk to. I spent a year and half trying to crack that shell and she still shuts me out. I don't know what kind of history you two have, I don't need or want to know frankly. Point is, if she needs someone it should be you, if you want it to be you. If you don't, well I think we've already established that there are others willing to take your place."
It wasn't a threat. It was advice. Christian and Diana had to figure out how to communicate without getting naked or killing something. It wasn't easy. Diana wasn't an easy person in general. But if Christian really wanted the job he was going to have to keep trying. They had to learn how to deal with each other.
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 9, 2016 22:39:25 GMT -5
Christian was regretting asking for Derek's assistance, not only because it lead to unsolicited advice but Christian had inadvertently highlighted a weakness in his connection with Diana for Derek. A weakness which, should the man get the nerve, could be used to cause a rift in Christian's relationship with Diana. And they had already established there were others willing to take Christian's place.
"When she needs someone, she bloody has me. If I didn't want her, I wouldn't have f*cking married her. I only thought that, seeing as how you've dealt with this thing before she might be more willing to open up with you. But if you're going to take that as some sort of f*cking bid for advice from you on my relationship, then you can piss off."
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 9, 2016 22:47:28 GMT -5
Derek didn't bother to defend his words or assure Christian that he wasn't after Diana, he was still stuck on Christian's revelation.
"Married? You got married?" he asked incredulous. Then as it settled on him he didn't know whether to laugh or be horrified, "What the f*ck did I miss on this trip?" he asked leaning toward amused.
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 9, 2016 23:03:19 GMT -5
Christian hadn't planned on saying anything. Hell, he didn't even plan on staying married, so mentioning it to Burke had not been anywhere on his to-do list. Later, when he had time to think about it, he might reconsider his desire to annul the marriage. Christian certainly had no plans to be with anyone other Diana and they had already teased each other about it several times without the gut-wrenching sensation Christian had initially upon finding out they had gotten married. He might decide he liked the idea of calling Diana his wife, but at this moment it was still a problem that Christian wanted solved.
"A whole bloody lot, apparently," Christian said, a little less spite in his voice. "Don't worry, it wasn't an 'any guy will do' situation, so you wouldn't have had a chance to get your hands on her even if you'd been there." Christian was half taunting, half rubbing it in that he'd won Diana's heart over Derek.
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 9, 2016 23:08:58 GMT -5
Various scenarios were running through Derek's mind at the moment, but he was now definitely leaning toward amusement. As a third party looking at both Christian and Diana, he had seen the changes over the weeks. As much as Derek might not like to admit it, they were good for each other.
"Don't worry, I don't mess with other men's wives." he said emphasizing Christian's new status, "Wife." he laughed.
"Well congratulations I guess."
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 9, 2016 23:32:36 GMT -5
It sounded no less strange when Derek said it than when Christian or Diana said it. Wife. Diana was his wife, at least until his lawyer figured something out. That made Christian her husband. That one sounded weird too. Husband.
Christian raised his glass to Derek in a sort of mock toast to the congratulations he offered, but realized too late that his glass was empty. Somewhat annoyed, Christian flagged down the haggard waitress for another drink. While the older woman made her way over, Christian mused about his wife. "She'd better not plan on calling me 'hubby'." Christian sneered at the idea, then asked the waitress for another round for him and Derek.
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 9, 2016 23:43:46 GMT -5
"Hold that." Derek said to the waitress, "You know, you can't get married without a proper send off." he said a devil may care grin. Truly it was a bit like taking one's life in one's hand urging Diana's 'hubby' to have a 'proper send off', but Derek had a flagrant disregard for his own life at times.
He looked at his watch, "I got a few hours to kill." He looked back toward Christian, "You up for it?"
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 10, 2016 1:21:54 GMT -5
Christian was fairly certain his monogamy vow was horsewash, since Diana's obedience vow had proven completely ineffective. And at any rate Christian had no intentions of actually doing anything with any other woman, so where was the harm. Besides, when he got home and told Diana what he'd been up to, she was sure to seethe and then they could tear at each other properly.
Christian shrugged. "Why not."
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 10, 2016 1:36:12 GMT -5
Derek grinned unrepentant. He had been on a mission for Lord Voldemort which always managed to make him tense, a little action was sure to relieve some stress. It also helped that he'd be able to rub it in Christian's face the virtues of being single.
"I know just the place."
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 10, 2016 1:46:40 GMT -5
"You're not dragging me to some sleazy club, are you?" Christian asked humorously as the men both stood from the table. Pre-Diana Christian had frequented several different Gentlemen's Clubs, not all of them being on par with Christian's standards. Derek, having an interest in Diana and also being a Burke, likely had high standards as well. Christian wasn't worried about they were going, but in the back of his head he was concerned with what might happen when he got there.
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 10, 2016 1:53:58 GMT -5
Derek had access to the highest quality clubs money and status could buy, but the place he intended to take Christian was reserved for special occasions. The club wasn't expensive, but it was exclusive and for a fee any and all of Christian's desires could be purchased. Derek wasn't consciously plotting against his quasi-friend, but the thought was in the back of his mind. Still he was determined to make sure no vows were broken tonight. Little did he know he wasn't needed for such a thing.
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 10, 2016 2:32:47 GMT -5
The club wasn't exactly what Christian was expecting, but it was by no means sordid. A blonde was on stage as they entered, she was attractive enough but nothing that would get Christian's heart racing right off the bat. Perhaps after a few drinks.
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 10, 2016 2:56:31 GMT -5
The exterior of the club was unassuming. A backdoor in an alleyway with a bouncer twice the size of Christian. Derek showed him a black card that enabled the men to go inside. The gentleman's club was more of a club than strip joint. Whatever the patron wanted he or she could get for a price. One or two black market deals had been conducted in the private rooms which guaranteed not only privacy but security and safety.
Derek led Christian to a back room. There was a bar, a poker table, more dancers, and quite a few booths with curtains for privacy. Deeper in the bowels of the club more entertainment could be found.
Derek selected a table and tipped one of the waitresses to bring them drink.
"Could you also send the girls by? My buddy here just put in for a life sentence."
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 10, 2016 3:17:18 GMT -5
Christian followed Burke through the club and to a small table. As he looked around at the attractive women; dancers, waitresses, and the like, Christian didn't find anyone that interested him. But Derek had requested girls and judging by the familiarity between his "friend" and the bouncer at the door, Christian assumed Derek knew the performers well enough to know they'd be shown a good time tonight.
"That's a sobering way of putting it," Christian said with a dark laugh. He took a drink once his scotch was brought to the table.
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 10, 2016 3:21:43 GMT -5
"Well in your line of work, it might not be that long." Derek teased handing Christian a cigar.
In the next few moments as they sat there a lineup of women came to their table. Each introducing herself and performing a signature move so to speak to spark Christian's interest. The women fulfilled every size, shape, hair color, body type, and facial feature that could interest a man.
"First dance is on me." Derek said graciously.
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 10, 2016 15:27:41 GMT -5
Christian drank as the women came out. All of them were attractive but as they vied for Christian's attention there was really only one girl that interested him even the slightest. She was tall and slender with an hourglass figure very similar to that of Christian's new bride. The woman even had alluring combination of olive skin and dark hair, perhaps proving that Christian had a type. She wasn't as striking as Diana, but then who was? He dismissed the others, leaving only "Gypsie".
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 10, 2016 17:15:01 GMT -5
Derek resisted the urge to laugh as Christian selected a woman who - in Derek's opinion - was a dead ringer for Diana, though Christian noticed the differences. He also bit back the snarky comment he wanted to make about sending the man home.
"Anything he wants eh Gypsie? Take care of him." Derek said holding that same black card up that he had used to gain entry to the club.
"Of course Derek, don't I always take care?" she winked at Derek before sliding her hands down Christian's chest and back again taking him by the collar and then the hand and leading him to a back room.
Derek watched them go, "Just don't do anything that will get us both killed." he said to Christian's back.
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 11, 2016 1:53:13 GMT -5
"This was your idea," Christian said with a laughed as Gypsie led him off to a private room. Christian could only imagine Diana's face when she found out that he and Burke had been to a gentlemen's club. She'd been so emotional lately she'd probably take it as a personal slight against their relationship, though he doubted she'd be miffed when in her right mind.
The private room was circular with a rounded bench seat that lined the wall and a pedestal in the center of the room. Gypsie asked a few questions in a sultry voice gauging Christian's interests. Satisfied she had enough to more than please him, she began to tease him with her body.
Christian was becoming increasingly frustrated, and not in the same way men often felt as an attractive woman rubbed against them. Every time he began to feel excited by the woman in front of him he would have visions of Diana. Not unpleasant visions, but he seemed incapable of looking at Gypsie without seeing his wife's face. As Gypsie trailed her fingers over his body and pushed herself against him, Christian felt nothing. No arousal, no excitement, not even a tingling of energy between them.
The more frustrated Christian became, the more he drank. The ledge behind the bench refilled his drink as soon as his glass was empty. He lost count of how many times his glass had run out. As Gypsie's sensual gyrations proved ineffective Christian determined that he was just too in his own head. Damn Diana for being so worried about him after the explosion. It was obviously her uncharacteristic actions that had messed with Christian's head and made him unable to enjoy the woman on his lap. It couldn't be his vows, because Diana wasn't bound to any vows of her own. Christian decided to drink until the lack of sensation and the hallucinations of Diana faded. But they persisted, so he drank.
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Post by Derek Burke on Nov 11, 2016 3:02:22 GMT -5
After nearly an hour in the private room Derek began to worry about his 'friend' and the very real possibility of death at Diana's hands if Christian was returned 'tainted'. Heads would roll, and more than one body part would be injured if Derek didnt do something soon, it might have already been too late.
He tipped the girl dancing for him, then headed to the back room where Christian was. He knocked, then covering his eyes with spread fingers attempting for modesty and a little worried if he was causing their death with his actions.
"You decent?"
His limited voew showed that despite Gypsie's considerable talents, Christian remained a gentleman. Upon further reflection Derek realized the man was angry and possibly drunk.
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Post by Christian Ward on Nov 11, 2016 12:33:47 GMT -5
Possibly angry. Definitely drunk.
Gypsie had done everything Christian asked of her, including things he wouldn't normally ask for. He was trying in vain to have some response to her and Gypsie, for her part, obliged. She did take Derek's interruption as an opportunity for a break, which Christian had refused her earlier.
"He's all yours, Derek," she said as she pushed through the curtain. Any hint of sultriness completely gone from her voice.
"Hey!" Christian slurred at her abrupt departure. He tried to stand to go after her, demanding she stay until the job was done, but he couldn't manage the movements.
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