You and I Would be The Stars (Morag, casual)

[MORAG MACBETH]

ooc: Ken in Glasgow...oh, Zander. XD

bic:

“My story is very long, but I’ll stick to how I ended up where I did. I was born in this very city, but raised in New Orleans. I come from a wealthy home, so when I graduated from school, my parents agreed to send me around the world to blow off steam before university. I saw many places before finally spending Christmas Scotland and New Years in Ireland. It was quite the treat before settling in for college.”

Morag smiled as Zander talked, unable to help admiring the way he spoke as well as what he spoke about. She also was unable to help a small laugh as he mentioned spending New Year's in Ireland - Morag had never been there herself but she had heard stories from those who had. It sounded like a riot.

“I think I may have ingested every drop of scotch anyone set in front of me. Since then, I manage Bourbon and that’s about it.”

Morag laughed as Zander did before taking another sip from her glass, noting Zander hadn't commented - or protested against - her refilling his own. At least there they understood each other.

“I’m sure you saw a lot of my kind meander through like idiots. You probably charmed your fair share of them.”

Well, Morag couldn't deny that was the sort of impression she was giving at the moment, and it was an impression she was relishing being able to give. But in truth, having left Scotland when she was only just nineteen, she hadn't had a chance, or the inclination to give such an impression there. She had remained steadfastly loyal to her husband - it was New York, and the mob there, that had changed things. It was much more effective to play up to such an alluring idea before revealing her true colours - lulling her subject into a false sense of security, as the saying went.

But here, tonight, with Zander - it was different. Yes, she had been disloyal to her husband before, but all in the name of 'business'. But this handsome and wealthy businessman was not a target to be hunted down or an informer to be silenced. He was a man Morag would be all too glad to continue to act alluring towards, and more. She smiled at Zander after he had spoken, a smile more sultry than the good humoured one she had given him before.

"Ye would think sae, wouldn't ye?" she replied, her gaze never leaving his. "But no, I'm nae usually that sort of woman."

She moved closer to him then, moving her free hand to touch his, still looking at him as intently as before, smile still playing about her lips as she spoke more quietly.

"But I'd be mair than willing tae make an exception."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander was sure that there was something special about this woman, seeing as how she genuinely seemed to enjoy the things he said, the attention she fawned on him was nice, too. And she’d started this before she even knew who he was, what he did, or guessed at how much money he had. He was used to women doing all of that in reverse. They only warmed up to him once they knew what he had, what they could possibly get from him. It was refreshing to have it go the other way. He? Well, he was used to flirting with anyone that he liked to. He was the type who flashed his smile, his brawn, then his cash. He often got what he wanted out of women, as long as it was casual. As soon as he got serious, they always seemed to bole because of something he did. He wasn’t someone to be changed. He’d tried many times over, for many girlfriends and both his fiancés. It just wasn’t in him.

"Ye would think sae, wouldn't ye? But no, I'm nae usually that sort of woman."

Zander smiled a bit. No, she certainly wasn’t that kind of woman. She was reading his mind already, which was a far sight better than what any other woman had been able to do, aside from Mama. But having your mother know you wasn’t out of the ordinary. Mothers knew you from conception until either they died or you did. For a woman to have figured him out in twenty minutes at the bar...well, now that was something.

"But I'd be mair than willing tae make an exception."

Normally, this would have been when he’d laugh and brush a woman off, especially if she was this close, putting a hand to his arm and making sure that he knew she was there and what she wanted from him. But he didn’t laugh this time. The small smile on his lips quirked a bit, responding to hers.

“You and I are definitely in agreement there,” he replied. “I would be more than willing to let you make that exception.”

He studied her for a long moment, taking a chance to consider everything. She was a married woman who was more than willing to go home with him, but she got him in ways that he didn’t think anyone would. Already she’d proved that to him. Now he had to make a choice.

“I suppose the only question is your place or mine?”

[MORAG MACBETH]

When Zander smiled at her assertion, Morag was certain she and Zander were on the same page. His reply only served to confirm this feeling – and the fact that he was willing – more than willing – to let her make the exception and continue to charm him, to continue where this encounter would lead – it was certainly something she hadn’t expected to come of this night. But she herself was more than willing for this to happen. She knew it was wrong, she knew she was being disloyal – but at this point she could not care less. This was all technically character development, after all, and what good would all her efforts here tonight have been if she simply talked to the man and left? No. She would have to do more. Much more than that. And yet it wasn’t that any more – that had been an excuse. There were no excuses for what she was doing now, and she knew it. Perhaps that was what she most savoured about this situation – the secrecy, the danger. Besides, what her husband didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. He’d begun to grow distant lately too, after… what he had done. It wasn’t entirely her fault.

It seemed that Zander was considering the situation even as she was – Morag was well aware of the way he was looking at her, studying her, as if trying to discern exactly how they had both been lead to this moment. For a moment she found herself thinking, despite his words, that he would brush her off, tell her she was going too far, insist that they didn’t do this. But what did he have to lose, what did he have to fear? If they were both in the wrong, it was Morag who was further in the red than he. She shouldn’t have encouraged this, pushed Zander away when she had the chance. But she hadn’t wanted to, didn’t want to. She wanted this. She wanted him to want her. She wanted him.

She was surprised how easy it had been for them to get to this point. How long had it been – fifteen minutes? Twenty? And there they were, her hand on his arm, both of them smiling, knowingly, eagerly. It had been he who had struck up the conversation, true, but it was she who had chosen to continue it. And now they would continue where the night would lead – neither of them willing to undo what had been done, what would be done.

“I suppose the only question is your place or mine?”

Morag’s smile grew a little at Zander’s choice of words. It was a classic line, but one she hadn’t had the pleasure of hearing directed towards her for quite some time. She didn’t even mind the words, not when they came from the man before her now.

“I think ye ken the answer tae that one,” she replied.



ooc: I realize she’s being vague/mysterious there but what she means is Zander’s place, not hers. Just so you know. (: She feels explicitly mentioning her husband again would kill the mood, haha. XD

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

For long moment, Zander forgot. He let himself get lost in what he was doing, like he always did, and he just let the important facts slip his mind in favor of enjoying the moment, of enjoying himself in the company of someone who he felt a connection with. It had been far too long since he’d actually found someone to speak with from the opposite sex that he could stand outside of the bedroom. Of course, he had been infatuated with Jane for some time, and she had never responded to him like this, never seemed interested in exactly what he was spelling out. No, not like Morag – and the fact he remembered her name was something significant indeed.

But that was where he’d let himself slip. He forgot that he wasn’t just talking up a woman – beautiful as she was – in a bar. Of course, he was speaking to her, making innuendos, falling into infatuation with a pretty face, smart wit, and...an actress. A married actress.

Still, even if she were acting, even if she was setting him up for something...he wanted to go along with it. He just had to remember the facts, to remember she had a husband and that she could tell him anything that he wanted to hear. As long as he remembered the facts, then nothing that happened between then could hurt him. And though he felt bad for her husband who was undoubtedly sitting at home, wondering where she was and what she was up to, if he couldn’t keep a woman like her interested, then it was his loss.

So he asked, knowing where the path would lead if she accepted.

“I think ye ken the answer tae that one.”

Again with this Ken fellow. Perhaps her memory for his name was as poor as his was most of the time. Well, he would just have to change that, leave an impression that she wouldn’t ever forget. The name Zander Devereux would be in her memory rather than just another Ken. Or perhaps Ken was her husband, which was a troubling thought, but he was in Glasgow she said, so that made things a bit easier to deal with. After all, if he was in Scotland then her loneliness made sense.

“I...my place,” he replied, answering the best that he could, his confident grin in place. “You’ll love the view. I told the realtor that I wanted to feel like I was the one throwing lightning bolts on a stormy day.”

He smiled a bit, thinking of how the entire wall of the apartment was glass, looking out over the city with a view that was unparallel. He enjoyed staring out into the city, laying in bed and watching the clouds. He enjoyed it even better with a bedfellow. Morag would look lovely when the sun came up over the black silk sheets.

“Hopefully I can think of something to distract you from it.”

The sly smile behind the sip of bourbon he took was a clear indication towards what he was planning to do in order to keep her eyes on everything but the view.

[MORAG MACBETH]

ooc: Ahahaha, Zander, stoppit, you're making me laugh so much! XD

bic:

The strange thing was, as much as it may have seemed like Morag was acting - she had been playing a part at first, after all, rather than telling Zander straight that she was married - she was not. Not any more. Married she may have been, but it was clear she was more than willing to ignore this fact. And acting? She was an accomplished actress but the words she spoke - and the feelings behind them - were true.

It should have worried her, these feelings, the way she was speaking to Zander, how she wanted the night to continue - and yet it didn't. It wasn't love, she could readily admit that. And yet...

“I...my place. You’ll love the view. I told the realtor that I wanted to feel like I was the one throwing lightning bolts on a stormy day.”

Morag smiled as Zander did, laughing a little at the mental image of Zander throwing lightning bolts out of his window. It was strange how easy that was to picture, but he was clearly a powerful man, and confident. Throwing lightning bolts wouldn't be a problem for him.

“Hopefully I can think of something to distract you from it.”

The smile Zander gave her then sent a shiver down Morag's spine. She gave a similarly sultry smile in return, raising her own glass as if toasting his implication.

"I'll drink tae that," she replied. Having done so, removing her hand from Zander's arm to take up her glass and taking a somewhat larger gulp from the glass than she had done before, she replaced the glass on the bar before her.

Empty.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander barely kept from preening when she giggled at him. Sure, it sounded like a silly idea. He didn’t actually expect to throw lightning, but it was the feel of being in the sky, of being in power. He wanted to wield that power from where he was most content – his home. And if the thought amused her, that was alright. At least it was attention all focused on him. That was his one and only goal and seeing as how he’d achieved it, that meant he could enjoy himself. She could enjoy herself, too. After all, that was his goal.

"I'll drink tae that."

He smirked a bit, watching as she took a drink and set her empty glass down. He would have offered to buy her another drink, but then they’d just stand at the bar longer. Not that he wasn’t enjoying her company, but he wasn’t the kind who was going to stand around making conversation when he could be enjoying himself in some other way. They weren’t going to get anywhere fast playing this game and he very much wanted to see what would happen if he rolled the dice. If needed, he had booze at home for her if she was interested in drinking. It was all the same to him.

“I think I’ll drink to that, too,” he replied, emptying his glass and setting it beside hers on the counter, the burn of the bourbon strong in the back of his throat. Yes, he had better stuff in his private collection. He could probably open up his own bar with his private collection, but then he wouldn't have a private collection anymore.

He turned a bit and looked down at her, his smile growing a bit as he took her in. She had been beautiful standing alone, but she was truly lit up right then and he couldn’t help but take pride in the fact that he’d done that.

“It would appear both our glasses are empty. How about I pay the barkeep and show you that view I was boasting about?”

[MORAG MACBETH]

“I think I’ll drink to that, too,”

Morag smiled to herself as Zander emptied his glass, setting it down on the bar beside hers, in a manner that the actress in her would almost see as symbolic. She turned her attention from the two empty glasses to Zander, however, as she noticed him turn towards her. The way his smile grew as he looked at her only served to fuel her growing sense of anticipation and, dare she say it, excitement for where the night would lead. Her own smile grew in return - he really was a handsome devil, wasn't he? She would have laughed at how unreal the situation seemed if it wouldn't have spoiled the atmosphere - as it was she simply smiled.

“It would appear both our glasses are empty. How about I pay the barkeep and show you that view I was boasting about?”

"So it would," Morag replied, feigning surprise, amused at Zander's formality considering what was sure to ensue. She laughed a little but at Zander's question her overt mirth faded a little, and she spoke more softly, in a more enticing manner than before.

"I'd love that."

Ordinarily she would have insisted they split the cost of the drinks, or she would have paid the bill herself, as though to show she wielded just as much power as the man before her - but with Zander, at that moment, she let her usual rules go. It wasn't just to appeal to Zander's ego as one might have expected - in this situation, she felt it would be strange for her to try and cut the man down to size over such a trivial matter - especially when she considered what was to come.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

OOC: Sorry, Ness - Zander got wordy XD. Feel free to make your post however long it needs to be, haha.

BIC:

"I'd love that."

Zander smiled, laying a few random bills onto the counter. He knew it was more than the drinks were worth, but he wasn’t going to waste time by counting out costs. Besides, he’d learned as a boy in Louisiana that tipping generously was the way to go. The bartender would appreciate it and in the long run, would he really miss whatever he’d laid on the counter?

Looking down at Morag’s enticing smile, he could imagine he wasn’t going to be missing the money at all. In fact, it appeared that the things he didn’t have to buy would be the best of all. He knew that when he left with this woman, he wouldn’t even remember if he paid the bill or not. He’d have other things to think on, much more entertaining things.

“My car’s waiting outside,” he told her, knowing that Driver was waiting as he always was. He was well paid for his time, after all. He spent many nights waiting outside bars for his boss.

“M’lady,” he said, offering her his arm. “Shall we?”

Of course, Driver was waiting where he’d left the man. He was apparently in a good enough mood to open the back door for the pair. The car was luxurious and full of champagne, but seeing as how they had spent so much of their time drinking, it was probably not in his best interests to offer it to her. As an actress, she was probably used to being driven around like royalty, so he supposed a quiet ride back to the Penthouse was alright. As it was, now that they were out of the bar, Zander wasn’t sure what to say. So he stuck to smiling at her, pointing out his favorite places as they drove. Finally, they pulled up in front of his building. Again, he offered his arm and led her inside, riding up the elevator to the top floor – his floor. The familiar scent of his home relaxed him and he offered his companion a smile.

“Welcome to chez Devereux: New York.”

He tossed his coat haphazardly over a chair and gestured around the room in invitation. It was rather grand for a simple home, but with the location came the perks. As soon as one walked into the space, they were in his living area. A couch and two arm chairs curled around the hardly used fireplace to the left and a chaise lounger was tucked away beside the panoramic windows. To the right he had his kitchen – a large stainless steel and dark wood design that took up the entire wall. Naturally there was a dining table right under the windows. When guests dined in his home, they got the best view in the city, after all. Later, he’d show her the rest of the space. Right then, he was more interested in showing off the view. The whole far wall of the apartment was floor to ceiling windows for that reason, after all.

“The perfect place to throw lightning from, no?” he asked, turning from the view to beam at his companion. He hadn’t imagined she could look lovelier, but in the slightly brighter room, she definitely looked it. “My, you are a sight to behold.”

It was said in an awed way, seeing as how he wasn't sure anyone had caught his eye in such a way before. He suddenly felt a bit of jealousy for her husband for having such a view all the time, and a bit of reassurance that right then she was his and his alone.

[MORAG MACBETH]

ooc: No worries, I loved wordy Zander! ^^ I'll do my best with this post, although its a ridiculous hour of the morning where I am - but my Lady M muse is in gear, so. XD

bic:

Morag watched Zander place a few random bills for the drinks on the bar and her own smile grew a little. Not because he was so rich he could afford to be flippant, no, but it was that devil may care attitude that enticed her. The gallantry, acting the part of the knight in shining armour in calling her 'm'lady' didn't hurt either. She laughed and took his proffered arm and allowed him to lead her from the bar.

It was now that the reality of the situation displayed itself in full force. If she had still been acting, that bar had been her stage. This was backstage, this was still happening, this wasn't a play, a character she could suddenly cease to be. This was happening, this was her, in the present, and she loved it.

The car ride was quiet but Morag appreciated it after the noise of the bar - Zander's smile and his occasionally pointing out places to her as they drove was more than enough. Many of the places he pointed out were places she hadn't visited, or places she didn't visit often enough. She made a mental note to return before focussing solely upon Zander once more - and that charming smile of his.

Soon, more quickly than she would have imagined, Zander was gesturing to his home, welcoming her.

“Welcome to chez Devereux: New York.”

Morag looked around the space in awe. Now that she was able to spend her ill-gotten gains (and legitimately earned money) on what she wanted, she had thought she was used to luxury. Yet this place - its tastefulness, its striking nature, that spectacular view... It was beautiful.

She followed in Zander's wake to the the floor to ceiling windows, gazing out over the view with eyes wide, and a feeling of surprise and awe she hadn't expected. It truly was a stunning, surreal experience to see the city like this, from this height - the perfect place to throw lightning from, indeed.

“My, you are a sight to behold.”

Morag turned to Zander as he spoke, now surprised at the tone of his voice. He sounded as awed as she felt, which she didn't understand. It wasn't as though she was about to turn down the compliment though. She returned Zander's smile with one of her own.

"You're nae so bad yoursel', Zander," she replied, jokingly. "So's this view - ye were right tae boast about it. It's breathtaking."

So was he, she couldn't deny that. But she wasn't going to say that - that would be too much like simpering and pampering his ego for her taste. Besides, she meant what she said about the view. Of everything that had and would come of this encounter, that was a new perspective she hadn't anticipated.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

It was an interesting moment in his life to be standing there in his home, feeling like he was merely an observer to whatever it was that was happening here. His actress was standing there, lit up by the city lights, radiant as she looked impressed by his home. He suddenly very much wanted her to see the Devereux home in Louisiana. If she thought this was magical, then she hadn’t seen anything. The crickets and lightning bugs on a hot summer night, the vines handing off the trees, the bullfrogs down on the pond...Now he was managing to make himself homesick, but it was still a pretty sight in his head.

"You're nae so bad yoursel', Zander."

There was a teasing tone in her voice, the easy tone bringing him back to the moment. This wasn’t the time to be thinking about bringing her home to meet his mama. She was married. There was nothing permanent for them. She was one fine actress, though. He was already believing things he had no business believing.

"So's this view - ye were right tae boast about it. It's breathtaking."

“Why, yes it is,” he replied, closing the distance between them. “My mama told me that I was crazy for wanting to live here. She told me no civilized man – that means someone born and bred in Louisiana with proper manners – would need to be so flashy.”

He knew where she was coming from. She’d tried to raise him to be the kind of person who didn’t buy people and their affections. He relied on his charms and good looks, but this wasn’t about impressing anyone else. It was flashy, but this was something that he needed to have. If he was going to live in a city of millions, he didn’t want to remember that they were there. He needed a place where he could just shut everyone out and be simpler. Up this high, he never felt like he shared New York City with anyone and it centered him in a way nothing else did.

Well, present company excluded. Right then, he was very aware that he wasn’t alone. In fact, he was more than glad to have company right then.

“But I think every man needs at least one thing he can show off.” He glanced out at the city, watching as the street lights flickered from below like artificial fireflies. Well, it wasn’t Louisiana, but it wasn’t half bad. “Can I offer you a glass of wine or maybe some real southern Bourbon?”

He offered her a smile, gesturing towards where he had a spirit hutch. He kept a lot of booze on hand like a proper southern boy, but it was all for social purposes. He didn’t see the point in getting drunk, especially if the evening turned out the way he thought it would.

[MORAG MACBETH]

Even as she spoke to Zander in a teasing, easy tone, the enormity of where she was, of what she was doing there, would not leave her be. And yet, looking out over the city, she realized just how small she was, how insignificant, even when she persuaded herself she was anything but. In the grand scheme of things, this didn't matter, this was of no consequence. She knew it was a mistake, but it was one that millions made. And she wanted to join their ranks.

And yet, she and Zander were so high up, far above the city, in their own world. This was unique, special to them. For now.

“Why, yes it is,”

As Zander moved closer to her, closing the distance between them, she turned away from him to observe the view of the city once more, smiling to herself now, with happiness, with excitement for this, for what was happening now, for what was to come.

“My mama told me that I was crazy for wanting to live here. She told me no civilized man – that means someone born and bred in Louisiana with proper manners – would need to be so flashy. But I think every man needs at least one thing he can show off.”

Morag laughed at that. She had never been flashy either, not before Dunc- not before the mob, and the somewhat legitimate job she had gained as a cover, enabling her to spend the money she gained through illegal means. She had never even dreamed of having so much, and so the temptation to be 'flashy' in her use of her money was often difficult to resist.

“Can I offer you a glass of wine or maybe some real southern Bourbon?”

She turned to face Zander again as he spoke, her smile smaller than the grin she had borne before, but somehow more inviting. She was somewhat surprised at the request but then, they had all night ahead of them. Besides, it had been awhile since the bar, or at least it felt that way, and if things were to continue where they would she was sure she would appreciate another drink or two) first.

"I'd love tae try some real southern Bourbon," she replied. "So I can understand whit all the fuss is about."

Having said this she brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear in a rather coquettish manner. Her words may have been trivial, but this whole incident carried a far deeper resonance than they implied.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander was very aware of everything that Morag did. She’d turn or laugh and he was instantly drawn towards her. He’d been aware of women in his space before. Often they clung to him or they were trying to get his attention. Morag wasn’t trying. She had it and she knew it. She didn’t need to cling or try to cutsie around for his benefit. He liked that. And when she turned that inviting smile on him, he was again jealous of her husband. Ken hiding in Glasgow while she was left to her own devices. Had he been her husband, she wouldn’t have the need to look for adoration anywhere else.

"I'd love tae try some real southern Bourbon. So I can understand whit all the fuss is about."

He smiled a bit, watching as her fingers tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a drawing motion. His eyes certainly were following it closely. He smiled a bit and forced himself to turn his attention to the bottles, digging into the hutch for what she’d asked for. It would be very easy to get caught up in her, or the idea of her. After all, there was no risk on his end. She was taking it all by cheating on Ken.

“The fuss is definitely worth making,” he offered, pulling out one of the bottles he’d had for a few years. After all, aging it up was important to bringing out the whole flavor of it. “They just make it better in the south.”

He turned with the bottle, reaching for two crystal glasses on the counter. It was a bit pompous, but glass just took away from the experience. Crystal just was a must. Had he been poor, he still would have clung to the belief that he needed to have at least one hanging around. He carefully poured out two fingers into each glass, not wanting to give either of them enough to get drunk off of, but to savor.

“They make a lot of things better in the south,” he offered with a small wink, handing her one of the glasses.

He wasn’t lying. He’d lived in both worlds, but it was one constant. People took a bit more time and a bit more care when they did things. A New York Minute wasn’t something that he ever liked. If he could run things from New Orleans, he would, but that wasn’t the kind of person he was.

Taking a sip from his drink, he watched her closely, wondering what she’d think of his native drink.

“And as with all good things, I do believe this calls for a toast,” he said, holding his glass up. “Here’s to...new friends.”

And hopefully more.

[MORAG MACBETH]

Morag was very aware of the attention Zander was paying her - how could she not be? This situation had now moved so far beyond his initial gazing at her in the bar, and as for what would come from taking it further... It was strange, how at ease she was with the entire situation, least of all the way Zander admired her. She wanted his attention, and she had it without having to do anything, really. That was amusing to her...but not just that. No, it was enticing. She wanted to see just how far she could take this.

Yet she couldn't help but laugh inwardly as Zander turned away from her to get the bottle from the hutch - she could see the reluctance in his expression as he did so, how difficult it was for him to look away. To be able to have such an effect on the man, with such a simple gesture...! She knew it was a risk - more than a risk, it was dangerous - to continue to act in this way, to do more damage than she already had done. But she didn't care any more. What would come would come, and she would deal with the repercussions if and when they occurred. Now was not the time to think of the future, but live in the present.

“The fuss is definitely worth making. They just make it better in the south.”

Morag nodded, watching, impressed despite herself, as he measured out the liquid into two crystal glasses. It wasn't as though she had never seen crystal glasses before - but proper Southern bourbon poured by a proper Southern gentleman into crystal glasses - that was something new and exciting. And tonight was a night for trying new things.

“They make a lot of things better in the south,”

She laughed lightly as he winked, raising an eyebrow in response.

"I'll be the judge of that."

She smiled at him having said this, but it was a much more sultry smile than the joking one she had worn before. She took her glass from the counter, watching Zander as he took a sip before raising it to her lips. It was far stronger than the stuff at the bar had been, and all the better for it. She was almost prepared to take back what she had said about it not holding a candle to the Scottish original - almost.

Her smile grew a little as she lowered the glass - it hadn't dissapointed. Nor, she suspected, would the rest of the night, if things continued this way.

“And as with all good things, I do believe this calls for a toast. Here’s to...new friends.”

Morag raised her glass as Zander did, drawing closer to him as she did so, her eyes meeting his as she brought her glass to touch his and her words hushed and barely audible over the sound the glasses made as they met.

"And more."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

It had been a long while since Zander was around a woman he could just enjoy a little back and forth conversation with. It was normally just a fast exchange of names in his world, a roll in the hay, and then they would have the awkward ‘we’ve met’ conversations if they ever ran into each other again. It got more awkward when he happened to run into one who had a child from that one night a hundred years ago. Thank god none of them had wanted to hoist his get upon him, but still, it was always something to see one of his kids after he’d long forgotten the night they were conceived.

He glanced over at where Morag was smiling, tasting his bourbon, enjoying his house. She’d probably have beautiful children and there would be no awkward conversations. No, they weren’t the kind. One thing he liked about her was that she was all coy smiles and pretences, but he was sure that if he were to ask her why she was there, she’d be frank with him. They both knew from the flirtation where things would go from there, even if they weren’t saying it. The women he normally brought home acted all innocent until the end and it was rather refreshing to know that she was well ahead of him. She was probably well ahead of him in a lot of areas, especially with how she laughed at him and managed to turn a simple statement into yet another veiled pun.

He offered a bit of a snort, taking another sip as he watched her taste his native whiskey. As a Scot, she probably had her own opinions on how things tasted, and she probably favored her native drink, but he wasn’t offended either way. Having something pretty to look at as he drank was enough for him, especially when she stepped closer to him, her perfume wafting a bit as she clinked her glass to his.

"And more."

“Now, I’ll drink to that,” he replied, smile curving his lips. “You know, Morag. You’re some woman.”

It was said with a bit of affection and wonder. The fact he could still remember her name said something for that. He could barely remember his own brothers’ names, after all. Now, had they been sultry women he wanted to sleep with, well then that may have been a different story...And he did not need to be thinking about his brothers right then, not when he had intimate moments on his mind.
And what intimate moments they were.

He let his hand wander to her hip, looking down at her, feeling tall and powerful, conscious of how gentle he always forced himself to be. Muscles weren’t always a good thing, after all. Still, he enjoyed the closeness for a long moment.

“Would you care to see the rest of the apartment?” He asked, knowing that there really wasn’t too terribly much more to see. Just the study, the spare room, and...well, the bedroom.

[MORAG MACBETH]

Morag may have enjoyed tasting the bourbon, but her attention did not wander from Zander for long. She caught his amusement at her twisting of his words, smiled to herself even as she continued to drink. And as she drew closer to him her attention was fully returned to the man, eagerly awaiting his response even as she refused to betray this in her words or actions. They both knew where this would lead and yet they continued with the play-acting, the coyness, the flirtation and the wordplay. Not that Morag begrudged Zander this - nor herself. This was all new and exciting to her - and to find someone with whom to match wits, well, that was exciting in and of itself.

But the look Zander gave her when she was near him, the amazement in his voice as he addressed her - that was more exciting still.

“Now, I’ll drink to that."

She smirked inwardly at that, recalling her very same remark back at the bar. It felt an age ago, yet very close at hand all at once.

"You know, Morag. You’re some woman.”

She had been smiling as she followed Zander's toast to their new friendship, and this smile grew at these words and she ducked her head slightly, feigning modesty despite this boost to her ego, her amazement at her ability to evoke a sense of awe in this man, and with little effort on her part. Yet beyond that these words truly had resonance. Here Zander was, he hadn't been in her company for even two hours yet, and these words were said with such affection...

Of course, he could have been acting. But she knew within herself that he wasn't.

It was then she felt his hand wander to rest on her hip. She felt herself blush at this touch, surprised despite herself at how gentle it was. She looked back up at him then, moving to brush his cheek with the back of her hand, surprisingly gentle herself in her manner, giving nothing away. She too enjoyed their newly close proximity - Zander's gentle touch, his expression, his voice...everything about it. And it wouldn't be long before they were even closer.

“Would you care to see the rest of the apartment?”

She raised an eyebrow at the question, a contrast to her gentle caress. Such formality, and in such a position as they now stood - both figuratively, and literally. Such formality. She could have laughed - but then, this was all part of the act.

"Of course," she replied, softly. "I want tae see everything."

The hand she had used to stroke Zander's cheek now rested on his chest, and she was closer to him than before, drinking him in. He, too, was more intoxicating than the bourbon.