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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 15, 2016 13:31:50 GMT -5
Christian left the Hollow Tree Inn and headed immediately for the Rusty Nail. He ordered a glass of scotch, finished it in one go, and then ordered another. His business meeting had been confusing and he wasn't sure what to make of it. He stared into the caramel colored liquid in his glass trying to make sense of what had happened.
Nearly three months had passed and Christian didn't remember a thing. According to Davies, Christian had been working, setting his teams to surveil various men who had all ended up dead at his hands. As with all of his hits, Christian's men never stuck around to witness the finale of the victim's life and never asked questions about the purpose of their missions. They did as they were instructed and steered clear when Christian came to do his job. So figuring out why it was now early autumn when Christian could have swore it was still summer was no easy task.
He finished his second glass and hollered for the bartender to bring him another. He rubbed the fingers on his left hand absentmindedly, unconsciously aware that something felt different. Christian was too focused on his missing time to worry about a minor sensation on his fourth finger.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 16, 2016 0:52:50 GMT -5
Diana was also having problems adjusting, though she was fully aware of what was missing in her life. Erasing Christian's memories hadn't been the 'genius' or 'perfect' plan she believed as she impulsively chose to obliviate him rather than kill him.
She had yet to erase Dr. Hanley's memories or Christian's Mother's. She was resigned to doing so, but had yet to pull the trigger. She couldn't put it off much longer; Christian was already asking questions and putting pieces together. But it was one of many things she just couldn't bring herself to do. Like retracing their steps back to the place they had first run into each other oh so long ago.
It was a little odd for her to be in a bar, particularly one like The Rusty Nail. She wasn't drinking, and it wasn't exactly a social bar, but she kept hoping that he might appear, and then he did.
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 16, 2016 1:10:04 GMT -5
Christian stared into his empty glass, trying to put the puzzle together in his mind. His mind instantly went to the darker curses as he tried to figuge out what had happened to him. He hadn't been Imperio'd, as he would have remembered committing these acts after the curse had been lifted. And if someone had used a Memory Charm on him, surely they would have stuck around long enough to fill in the gaps in his memory with whatever story they had invented so that he didn't snoop around looking into what had happened. It was curious indeed.
He looked up as the bartender brought him another scotch and he happened to glance past the bar at an attractive woman sitting at a table by herself. She looked somewhat familiar. He stared quizzically at her for a moment before a name popped into his head. If it had been any other day he would have approached her then, but he was having a rough one and instead he looked back to his fresh glass of scotch, though he repeatedly glanced in her direction as he lifted the glass to his mouth.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 16, 2016 1:16:26 GMT -5
Every fiber of Diana's being itched to touch him. He was disheveled, clearly distracted, and more than a little frustrated- Diana could tell the way his brow furrowed over his drink. More than anything she wanted to run her hands through his hair, massage his temples, and distract him from the worries that plagued him. Even if she was the cause of those particular worries, which she imagined to be the case.
She sighed sipping on the tea she had ordered which tasted like dirty lemon water. She wondered if even the water was safe to drink in her condition.
But then all thoughts fled as he looked up at her and she looked at him. Their eyes met and it was hell waiting for him to make a move.
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 16, 2016 1:32:48 GMT -5
Christian found it difficult to concentrate on his conundrum with the gorgeous brunette watching him. She clearly recognized him too, though it had been many years since they last spoke. Christian took a few more sips as he attempted to focus on the mystery that had been his summer but he was having no luck. He downed his drink and left the glass on the bar as he stood and walked over to his former fling.
"I know you, don't I? Debra, isn't it?" He knew this was not her name, but he smirked at her anyway.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 16, 2016 1:39:46 GMT -5
Diana laughed. She couldn't help herself. He was still Christian even without his memories. This time around however she wasn't insulted, and while she should have been just as hostile as before, she was feeling indulgent.
"And you're Carter...right?"
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 16, 2016 1:59:44 GMT -5
He vaguely remembered that laugh from their last encounter. She was barely more than a teenager and giggled over him throughout the week they'd shared locked in a hotel room. He remember it had annoyed him, as it did now, though not too tremendously. Her laugh was less shrill now.
A glib smile flickered across his face as she played his own game back at him. "Something like that," he said as he sat at her table without invitation.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 16, 2016 2:11:17 GMT -5
"Please sit." she returned dryly after he had done so.
Her pulse raced as he joined her, though she did a marvelous impression of appearing neutral. In reality she felt a dangerous cocktail of emotions stirring up inside of her: regret, anger, fear, anticipation, hope. The last emotion would be the death of her.
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 16, 2016 2:28:00 GMT -5
He ignored her comment, though he liked the attitude that accompanied it. "Remind me where we know each other from," he said thoughtfully, certain he already knew the answer. Still, it had been at least ten years, possibly longer. Perhaps she wasn't who he thought she was.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 16, 2016 2:31:08 GMT -5
Diana licked her lips almost wickedly though the gesture was unconscious, she was still amused by him and his uncertainty.
A part of her felt guilty, another part felt vindicated, but she was led by her own sense of humor and irony as she replied, " Work perhaps?"
She took a sip of her 'tea' to avoid smiling, though her eyes held a 'secret' knowledge and a twitch of amusement.
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 16, 2016 12:51:33 GMT -5
Christian gave a charming grin at her reply. "I don't think you'd fit in at my company, doll. It's a bit more physical than you're probably used to." He gestured to the bartender who knew by now what Christian was wanting, and shortly after a new glass of scotch was sitting on the table in front of him.
He looked at her evenly, nearly certain his memory had not failed him. "It's been a long time, Diana. The last time I saw you..." She had been naked, twisted in a sheet in a dark room as he headed out the door and never looked back. "Well, this wasn't the type of place you would have hung out in, back then."
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 16, 2016 16:19:30 GMT -5
Diana's expression challenged him to remember the last time he saw her. She knew he wouldn't recall the three amazing months they had spent together. His only memories were of another Diana, one that he had barely known except physically. Even now her body responded to his presence with an overwhelming desire to communicate the way they always had; words were meaningless between them, it was all a game.
"Much has changed." she answered simply, then with a hint of a smirk she teased "And I'm much more physical than I appear, I can assure you."
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 16, 2016 22:17:53 GMT -5
Christian raised his glass as he raised his eyebrows. "Is that so?" he said intrigued before taking a drink of his scotch. He set back in his chair, evaluating her appreciatively. Diana had been so eager to please him when they were younger, he even vaguely remembered her chasing after him in school like a love sick puppy. But his real memories were of the week they spent together. They were young and Christian was more arrogant then, without the breadth of experience he now had to back it up. Judging by the mature curves of Diana's body and the sensual way she smirked and licked her lips at him, Christian could tell she too was likely much more experienced now.
Christian desperately needed to clear his already too blank mind, perhaps it was fate that Diana turned up in this dirty pub today when he clearly needed a release. He gave her one of his most charming smirks. "I'd like to put that claim to the test."
He didn't feel the need to chat her up for any longer than was necessary. Christian wasn't one for lengthy conversations and he wouldn't put in the effort for a one night stand. If she didn't go for it, there was a queue of women who'd jump at the chance. Betty sprang to mind, she was a regular visitor in his bed though he harbored no feelings for her other than those that emerged from his pants, but he focused his attention on the vixen in front of him. For now.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 16, 2016 23:50:44 GMT -5
Sh*t.
Diana inhaled sharply at his invitation, while her body hummed in anticipation as though the decision had been made. Her fist clenched beneath the table gripping the hem of her dress.
It only took her a second to throw caution to the wind.
"I bet you would like that." she said standing and smoothing out her dress. Her expression gave nothing away, though it was apparent she meant to leave the establishment. She took a few steps toward the door then stopped and looked over her shoulder, "Are you coming?"
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 17, 2016 0:07:52 GMT -5
Christian watched as she stood and began to walk toward the door. He admired the view as she moved away from him. When she called to him, he smiled proudly to himself. He'd lost three months of his memory but he hadn't lost his touch.
Christian finished his drink and rose from the table, neither eagerly nor lazily. He moved at a speed that showed his confidence. He met up with her and put his hand at the small of her back as they left the grubby little bar.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 17, 2016 0:22:21 GMT -5
Diana thrilled at the touch of his hand on her. While they had gone longer without being with one another (not much longer), this was the longest they had been apart in three months. Diana was positively starved for him, her body ached to be close to his, her better judgement didn't stand a chance.
As her skin tingled walking confidently next to him, she was three steps outside of the dingy bar when she realized she was leading him home. His home. The home that had become her home. The home that this Christian - the one without their memories - would be very confused to discover Diana had knowledge of.
Diana paused, she couldn't very well take him to Derek's place either. And while she was starved for him, she had a little more class than to pounce on him in a back alley, though her class struggled with her desire.
Recalling the inn they had originally made love in she pressed forward, too excited to think that the inn keeper might recognize her.
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 17, 2016 0:38:23 GMT -5
Christian didn't notice her hesitation, thinking she was only pausing to get her barrings. They proceeded into the Inn and Christian moved ahead of her to the front desk. Nigel, the owner, turned and gave a surprised look at the sight of Christian. The man was likely not expecting to see Christian again, after he'd stormed out of the Inn with a slurry of confusion and obscenities not long ago.
"I need a room," Christian said coolly. "A clean one," he clarified.
Nigel looked past Christian to Diana. He wouldn't forget that sort of a woman for a long time. "Back again, eh?"
"You keep to your business, Nigel. I'll keep to mine. Unless you'd like my boys to pay you a visit." Christian incorrectly assumed Nigel was commenting on his return so shortly after his dramatic exit, not realizing Nigel's curiosity actually laid with the drop dead gorgeous woman he'd seen with Christian before. The one who had come in with literal blood on her hands several times before disappearing.
Christian had a key in hand as he rejoined Diana and led her up the stairs to a room on the second floor.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 17, 2016 0:45:37 GMT -5
Nigel's appearance stopped Diana in her tracks. What the hell was she doing? She gave her head a shake, and had Nigel taken any longer to get a key Diana might have fled.
As it was Christian took her hand just in time to prevent her better judgement from getting her the hell out of there.
The door was barely opened before Diana pounced. She knew every curve and hard plane of the man she was with. She knew the way he tasted, the way he felt against her, the way he made love, the way he f*cked. She knew exactly what to do to make him fall apart, and she was helpless to stop herself from using every trick in her arsenal.
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Post by Christian Ward on Dec 17, 2016 1:12:31 GMT -5
This was not the intimate, passionate fury Diana had come to expect from Christian over the past months. He wasn't selfish, but he didn't take the extra time he had previously become accustomed to in ensuring Diana's every need and desire had been met. He didn't know her body, he didn't know the little tricks to make her shudder as he once had. He made her scream and claw at him, as he would have with any other woman.
Christian didn't love Diana.
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Post by Diana Ward on Dec 17, 2016 1:40:10 GMT -5
Diana noticed the difference only after she had come down from the high at being with him again. He didn't know her, and it was her fault he didn't know her.
All at once the reasons for erasing his memories came to her, this was so beyond careless. She cursed herself for being weak, but she was so weak for him.
A physical ache began deep in the pit of her stomach that traveled to her chest. It was too much. How was she supposed to get through all of this without him?
What did she do now?
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