TDoBW Can chocolates speak the unspoken words? [Selina]

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He rolled on the balls of his feet as the elevator doors closed. His eyes taking in his reflection in the metal, noting the way his grey suit fit him snuggly. The only thing that seemed not in its perfect place was his green tie that was tilted slightly to the left. His bottom lip pouted out in annoyance as his hand came up to adjust it, his back straight and form presentable. He took in a deep breath once it was straightened, and glanced at the watch on his phone, and then glanced down at the box of chocolate he had shipped in from Paris. It was from the small shop they had gone to together when Selina had dragged him to Europe to research information about the Falcone’s. Of course that trip hadn’t turned out well in the end….and he ended up with lungs full of joker gas, but he hoped the chocolates wouldn’t remind her of negatives. Rather, he hoped she would remember how they started plucking the chocolates off the display and slyly stuffing in their pockets while the owner ran around confused and accusing random children of the theft.

He pressed his lips tightly together. It was a risk. He could have just gone with flowers, but suspected if Ivy got knowledge of that, she would have his throat, which normally wouldn’t bother him if he wasn’t about to ask Ivy for assistance in something. No, it was best to keep to chocolate and not risk the talk of the underworld.

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out heading to her door. It was late morning, and he hoped she was up and not angry with him. After all, his first run in with her at the Iceberg had not gone pleasant, but their recent encounter at Wayne Tower had gone better than expected. He knocked on the door, his cane hooked on his elbow as his other hand held a little bit too tightly onto the chocolates.

He wouldn’t say the action was out of nervousness, after all Selina was his longtime friend, but then again, she was one of his prettiest friends as well. He smirked. He supposed it was natural to be nervous when you’re uncertain whether you’ll open the door to a Volcano Eruption or a longing sunset. He gave the door one more soft knock.

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The door was opened by Liv, her assistant, who smiled and offered him entrance. "She's on the phone, in her room. She should only be a minute or two longer, Mr. Nigma." Came the prompt tone of someone Selina trusted. Even as the short distance through the living room, and down the open, airy hall to Selina's main quarters were traveled, a voice could be heard; not mad, not quite awake, and not quite angry; but in a heated discussion. In something clearly not English.

Once he would open her door, which was already cracked, he could see Selina pacing back and forth in a space of 4.5 feet, back and forth, back and forth. Her hair was pulled back in a haphazard fishtail braid, a sheaf of papers splayed across her desk overlooking the city. A hand went to her hip as she continued to argue, and over the other person talking via her headset. Spotting the suited man, she wriggled a few fingers, the tension in her face easing for a few brief seconds, before she went into another French-tirade against the caller. Pausing her incessant pacing, she stopped beneath the bar suspended in her room, a mere six feet off the floor by two ropes. Most assumed it was to hang her gowns on during fittings. But those who knew her well enough knew it's dual purpose. So as Selina Kyle stood there, arguing a much too early meeting on little sleep, in little more than a pair of yoga pants (black, of course), as well as some sort of nylon, more than fitted sport top (Grey), stretched one hand above her head, spring to grab it with one hand, then the next, and with the grace of a honed acrobat, pull her legs upward to link her knees behind it, while still yammering away in French, like it was nothing more than breathing. Which it wasn't. The conversation was irritating her, and the other party was too nasally for her taste. But still, she referenced some paper on her desk, and then gave a lovely good-bye, before removing the earpiece and throwing it at the window, where it landed with a dull thud, and slid to the floor.

"It's too early to deal with the French," she murmured, hanging upside down from her bar. "I haven'd had coffee, nor stretched, haven't slept since being out last night...but you certainly are something to brighten my day." She half-griped, which slowly turned into a low purr as she addressed her friend. "That can't be what I think it is, is it, Eddie?" Even upside down, that certain pattern on the box he was holding brought back memories.

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Edward smiled at the assistant, who he had seen on a few occasion, but never cared to remember her name. After all, other women seemed to bleed into the background when Selina was near. “It’s a pleasure to see you again,” he said with a nod, but his eyes weren’t focused on her. They darted around the room out of habit to see if anything was out of place. He then walked the distance to her room and slowly opened the door to see Selina pacing in nothing but tight athletic wear that seemed to cling on her body, and insinuate her curves.

He followed Selina’s words perfectly. She spoke French fluently, except for the occasional American Accent that barely traced the edge of her words. Women speaking in multiple tongues was certainly something he saw very rare in the states, everyone more than happy to be ignorant to the rest of the world. It was so rare he came across someone who could converse with him in another language. Selina was one of those rarities, but that was to be expected.

His eyes merely followed her form as she showed him another one of her talents, her cat like flexibility. It was hard for his eyes not to go to the edge of her shirt that slipped slightly down, revealing her tone stomach. His lips pursed as he kept his weight on his cane. He wondered if she purposefully tried to look seductive or if she was completely unaware of it. It was difficult to tell at times. Even when she was angry, it only made her skin a bit more flush. He heard the thud on the window, but didn’t give it a thought.

He smirked at the comment. “The French are insufferable no matter the time of day, dear,” he moved over to her desk, and leaned against it as he continued to watch her hang. He put the box of chocolates on top of her papers. “You will be correct,” he noted, “One of the few times I was in France, and actually did enjoy myself. It’s my way of saying thank you for helping me with the job, and…”he paused, wanting to word this a particular way. Edward Nigma was not a man to admit he was wrong because Edward was never wrong, so when it came to apologies, it was like having that bad after taste from Diet Pepsi. “I wasn’t terribly kind the time before. I hope chocolates can hopefully make up for it.”

He felt strange after the statement. He really hated mentioning anything about his action in a negative light. He still didn’t believe he was wrong, but he needed to make peace on the issue. To deal with the gnawing feeling of annoyance in the back of his mind, he straightened his cuff links, making certain they were perfectly aligned. He then pushed off the desk.

“I wanted to ask something of you, but I wouldn’t want to intrude if you’re too busy or tired, dear,” he responded. “But for someone who hasn’t gotten their beauty sleep, you certainly look lovely,” he smirked.

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Even from her vantage point, she knew. She just knew. From multi-tasking in French, upside down, and negotiating a contract, she could still deduce the minute changes in her friend, and she knew. Hanging there a few more moments as he walked around her, to her desk, she watched. As much as Edward was her friend, he was also dangerous. Even though he knew a bit better to not be as such in her company.

Pursing her lips, she agreed with him; she'd rather not think of what had occurred in that time, nor did she want to relive those moments. But for him, Edward Nigma, the Riddler, to admit he was wrong, stop by, and bring chocolates? Pricey, expensive, exquisite confectionary dreams? She knew he had to want something. Or he'd broken something of hers. Or both.

So while she pulled herself up, arms stretching, and hands grasping the bar while she let her legs extend in the timed, graceful manner of an acrobat, did she finally dismount to the plush carpet of the floor. There was no sound; she was practiced in stealth. Stifling a yawn, she shook her head, braid tossed over her shoulder. "No, no worries. Time difference dictated the call be now, and coffee can easily be acquired; you know that, Eddie." Walking to him, her hands grasped his shoulders as her appraising eye looked him up and down. She wasn't going to speak of Nina right now. If he was coming to her, and her home, she had figure out that reason first. After she was satisfied looking him over from head to toe, she nodded, pulling him to her in a hug. "You look good. Your travels must have done wonders for your health," She murmured into his chest. Pulling back slightly, she smirked. "If I dare say, you seem to be standing, and walking a bit taller, even!" Of all people, she was probably a handful of those that could get away with saying something of that sort without getting slapped.

"And what is this you need to ask me? Heist, or pleasure?" It really didn't matter, both were the same endeavor. She equally enjoyed coffee with the same appetite she developed her schematics for a theft.

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Was Edward Nigma dangerous? The courts certainly considered him dangerous with the long list of 1st degree Murders he had managed to accumulate over the years, fraud, money laundering, hacking, and conspiracy somewhere lower on the list. Edward, on the other hand, never pictured himself as a dangerous man. He was an intelligent man who understood more about the mistakes of humanity on both an expert level and a personal level. If anything, he was a philosopher that could be compared to the great Aristotle or Plato. He hardly considered cutting a few sheep from the masses a crime.

His eyes followed Selina’s body as it maneuvered along the bar as if she were swimming in air. He certainly would never be a danger to her. Not only had he been completely fascinated by her since the day they accidentally met at a heist, but her own pure elegance put his own physical talents to shame. She certainly could have him on the ground underneath her at any moment she wished, and he didn’t think he would terribly protest the action if it were to occur. If anyone was truly dangerous it was the woman who treated her men like trapped mice, and Edward understood. He also was never one to turn down a challenge, and what more difficult a challenge then to seduce the cat before she eats you alive.

He shifted slightly as her hands clasped around his shoulders, catching the way she glanced at him, it was as if she had caught a clue and she was digging for it, trying to reveal it. So clever Selina….and always curious…

His eyes widened when she wrapped her arms around him in a hug, something obviously friendly, but also something Edward had not felt since before his trip. It felt like the puzzle board that kept dancing in front of his thoughts for a moment broke away, and he was merely left as Edward, not a criminal or a god, just a man. A friend? Was she really his friend? He had worked so hard the first few weeks to cut them all off. His arms wrapped around her, landing softly on the small of her back.

Her words certainly confirmed that she knew, but he already determined that. He leaned his cheek against her hair as he stared at the wall behind. “It’s not hard to be taller when everyone is beneath you,” he smirked, and the paint in the wall seemed to move as if becoming the puzzle once more that he needed to solve, but maybe this piece would not be as difficult as he had thought.

“But as always I have to look up to you,” he chuckled softly and teased, “That’s the job of any subject to their queen.” His hands slowly slipped from her body, finding her closeness a bit too distracting for his liking. The question snapped his focus to the plan at hand.

“I was curious if you might spend the day with me,” he asked, his eyes turning away from her as if he might actually be nervous, “I haven’t had a day off in sometime, and I wondered if I could take the time with you….there is a new exhibit open at the Gotham’s Art Museum.”

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He responeded like she knew he would. And even at her height jibes, he didn't say anything, but she could feel the slight muscle tension that his face, nor his words were giving away. He had something done, and she was almost, almost close to finding it out. As he teased her, she had to wiggle her finger at him, allowing him his personal space. Most men could only take so much of her, well, let's call it charm. Even if she were in workout attire, her charms were apparent.

Almost balking at Edward's tease, she flushed slightly at his compliment. "I'm no queen, and you know it. Unless it's of the night, but no one has presented me with my crown yet." She retorted, grinning as she only did in the moonlight. As he broke their connection, she went to lean against the desk, her eyes flicking to the ornately packaged chocolates. Was he wanting her to do something? She'd noticed the focus, and slight unfocus as she had spoken. She'd seen the same respone when he'd been working on a crossword, and helping her decypher some clue. So...why was he kissing ass so much? After she's spread those rumors of him and Jon. And how she'd sided with Nina, as far as he knew, despite her touting her very neutral, fence-walking image, and even her and Batman, and now her and Bruce in the public eye.

He had to want something. Chocolates, and a full day together? Pursing her lips, she knew she'd say yes. He was one of the few that could understand how one went to a museum. How to enjoy it, and experience it. It wasn't just paint slapped on a canvas, tacked to a wall, or some honed chunk of materal. There was so much more history, and so much more beauty behind it all. And even worse, Edward Nigma knew how to creep past her walls and baricades nearly better than she did past cameras.

"That's it? A day at the museum? Nothing else, no ulterior motive?" She paused, fixing him with an intense gaze from her own green irises. "Not that I'd be entirely objecting to an ulterior motive, considering the proposition is coming from you," she smirked, meaning every word she said. Depending on his response, she's shower and change, her eye for fashion noting his grey suit; more a shade of charcoal, and his green tie; canting slightly to the left. She had something in her closet. Hell, maybe he'd even find something for her. He had fantastic taste.

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Edward smirked when he caught Selina’s flushed features. While she came off as an independent woman that didn’t need a man to settle her palate, like any woman, a few choice words can make her melt, and Edward always had a talent of choice words.

His eyes came back to Selina, catching the suspicious look she gave to the chocolates and to him. He recognized her intellect. She had a talent of noticing things out of place, but that was suspected of any thief, especially a thief of her caliber. She could steal a precious item from someone and they would not be aware of its missing until weeks after the incident.

Edward could still be considered bitter over Selina’s actions in relation to him, but he came to a realization after the confrontation at the Iceberg. The fact that Selina, a woman not known for gossip, had become unusually interested in his personal life only gave him some slight belief that she could possibly have more interest than a mere friend. The very thought led to him mapping out a line in his overall goals. It was one more piece to his large puzzle. And something in the back of his mind taunted him that this was finally his chance, but he naturally pushed that thought aside. This was business.

He chuckled as the questions poured from her lips. He stepped closer to her, tapping his hands on the box of chocolates. “I think it’s fairly easy to see what my motive is. I have given quite a few clues, dear,” he said with a smirk, his hand moving up to her chin and tilting to upwards to lock their eyes. “I bought you chocolates, I’m dressed in one of my best suits, and I’m asking you to come to a museum with me. Obviously, my motive is to take you out on a date,” he smirked, holding her eye contact, “Should I have gone with flowers instead?”

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"Your clues are obtuse, sometimes, Edward," Selina murmured, her chin tilting back, keeping her eyes locked to his. A smile broke her faux-serious face as he mentioned flowers, her nose scrunching slightly. "Those are for Pam, you know. I'd rather something more shiny, but I'm guessing that is what we're going to see at the museum. And men in fine suits, gifts...that is my life, Edward. But a date with you, I doubt I'd be able to say no. Why don't you find something for me to wear; no doubt you know where everything is, and I'm going to hop into the shower quick." A quick wink, and she'd be wisking her warm-up jacket off, first, leaving her bare back to him before she shut the bathroom door, the water flicking on as she stood before the mirror, gazing into her own reflection.

What was he thinking? Had she played her cards properly enough? Had he forgiven her, or just was he playing her back after her little comments about Jonathan. Shrugging, she let everything; her Parisian phone call, Bruce, Batman, Lex, and now Edward, in a finely cut suit all roll off her shoulders as she stepped into the warm water.

...it was minutes after she was done, her hair styled loosely, body lotioned, and wrapped in a thick towel, when she cracked the door slightly, and shifted to lightly make up her face. The time under the deluge of water had given her a few ideas on what to wear if he declined. Either way, she already had dress, shoes, proper undergarments, and baubles chosen, the rotating outfits in her mind.

"Ready for me, Mr. Nigma?" She called out warmly from the bathroom.

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He chuckled as she saw her distaste over the flower idea, letting his finger slip from his chin like water between the cracks. He had contemplated something shiny, but where would be the value when it merely would only be one in the many pieces of her jewelry. No, his gifts always had to be one of a kind and tailored specifically for him, for it was not unique, it was average, and there was nothing Edward disliked more than being average.

As she left for the shower, his eyes traveled up and down her figure, following as the jacket left her skin bare. He wondered how easy it would be to remove the rest of it, but suspected that even if he were to leave her bare, she would never let him see what was behind her mask. He wondered if anyone saw it, but Edward was talented, but Edward always had a talent of lower others guards. After all, how could he still something precious if he did not know how to break through the security system protecting it?

Yes, Edward was about to about to attempt his most complicated heist yet.

Stealing the Catwoman’s heart.

He turned away from the door as it closed and moved straight towards her closet. She was correct; he did know where everything was in this apartment, even her hidden area of trinkets, but instead of trying on her cat suit again, he turned his focus to her clothing.

Selina had a natural talent of looking beautiful in anything. His fingers slipped through the fine fabric, until coming across a tight green pencil skirt that obviously hadn’t been worn in sometime. He pulled it out followed by a nice simple white blouse that had a square cut. He saw a thin black belt and threw it over his shoulder and grabbed a pair of red heels. He then went to the bed and carefully laid out the outfit. The blouse underneath the skirt, with the belt that would wrap around her small waist, and leaving the shoes on the ground. He tapped his chin, not seeing the completion yet. He went to her table going through her jewelry and accessories. He grabbed a pair of large black sunglasses and white pearls. He then added it to the items on the bed. Some would say the red heels clash with the outfit, but Edward saw the clash as way to bring out the outfit even more. You always need something to call attention.

He smirked, feeling pleased. He glanced at her dresser. Did she want him to pick out her undergarments as well? She hadn’t said not to. He chuckled and moved to the dresser, opening up the drawer to see her lacy unmentionables. With Edward’s imagination, he started picturing how each must hug her body. He picked up a black pair that seemed to be the most notable color, and rubbed it between his fingers. How would it feel to tear this off her skin….

He heard the door open, his eyes widened and he quickly pocketed the item in his pocket, slamming the drawer shut with his shoulder. He leaned against it, as if he had never been looking in it in the first place. An innocent almost indifferent expression as he kept both his hands in his pocket.

“I am always ready for the unexpected,” he smirked, but he had to admit seeing her in a towel made him question that statement. He shifted off the dresser. “I hope you enjoy my taste even though I left out the leather,” he commented as he nodded to the outfit on the bed.

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Edward was never innocent. So when she stepped from the bathroom, done save for her final outfit, her eyes flicked to what he'd picked, and then to him, his hands shoved in his pockets. He was guilty of something, and she knew it. So did he, but while his acting was magnificent, it wasn't able to fly past her. Walking over to him, she put out her hand, waiting for what he had pilfered from her drawer. Then she would go through her drawers, withdrawing the proper undergarments, and going to slip on the delicate blouse, and the skirt; the gorgeous green color complimenting her perfectly. The belt was a nice finishing touch, the heels bold. As she held the pearls delicately in her hand, she veto'ed that idea, instead going back into her collection, and pulling out a set of dangling emerald earrings, and a matching bracelet instead.

"While your taste is quite good....pearls are not quite my favorite, Eddie. They're more..buttoned up. Not me. More for my personal at work, or...at a gala. Not for this sort of fun." Slipping the bracelet on, and fitting the earrings to her ears, she did a slow spin for him, allowing for his discerning eye to approve of her outfit. "I just need to grab a bag, and my phone, and we should be ready." Smiling, she ran a few fingers through her hair, pushing dark tresses over her shoulder to set off the earrings, the sunglasses atop her head like a crown.

She was ready, donning this costume just as easily as she did for a benefit, or for her own daytime 'job' or even as Catwoman. A date with Edward, with the Riddler? Hell, why not. Bruce hadn't said anything concrete yet with where they were, nor had Batman. But that latter issue was a bit more..complicated. And Edward was a long-standing friend. She couldn't tell him no. Especially to the museum? And she had missed him, more than she would honestly admit to the man, or anyone.

As a sudden idea crossed her mind, she tapped her rouged lips. "Actually, I do have a leather peplum that would look divine with this skirt, if you want that sort of edge..." She mused, noting her own outfit complimented his quite well. "I've never been on a date where a man picked out my outfit, you know. Or bought me an espresso prior to the main event," she teased, a less than blunt tip lingering in the air.

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Her hand stayed in the air like a mother who had caught her child sneaking a cookie, instead of revealing the item, he only pushed it deeper into his pocket. He wasn’t going to accept fault so easily. Instead he took her hand and brought it to his lips, giving it a soft kiss. His eyes followed her in the towel, watching her go through the same drawer his own hands were just buried in. He turned away from her with a smirk, feeling proud that he had gotten a prize with his quick theft. He walked a few steps away, giving her polite space as she changed, but he caught her dismissing the pearls in the corner of his eyes. He didn’t know why, but it bothered him. He had almost had it perfect, and the fact that he hadn’t only rubbed him the wrong way, but Edward had always been a sucker for pearls. He found them far rarer than any diamond, but he supposed she was correct. Pearls were still far too safe for Selina Kyle.

He took in the outfit as she twirled for him, he couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. They did match, and he quite liked that. It was almost a way of claiming hers as his own, even if it was a façade. “The items it takes for a woman to be ready. It surprising they ever leave the house at all,” he chuckled, pulling out his phone and glancing at the time. He was somewhat surprised to see that he had been here for over an hour. Yes, just like a woman to delude his sense of time.

At the mention of the peplum, he smirked, “You hardly need leather to have an edge, dear, but if you would like to stop off at a punk rock concert this evening, I suppose I can bring my ear plugs. Though I can think of a few more entertaining things to do tonight.” He stepped towards her, wrapping his arm around her waist as she teased him, his hand resting on the small of her back as he led her to the door.

“You asked me to pick it out,” he leaned his lips against her hair, speaking it against it as he moved them forward, “And when have I ever been known to say no to a beautiful woman?” He smirked, giving her space again and opening the door for her. “I am only happy that you recognize me as man with good taste. I couldn’t imagine what you’d be wearing now if you asked Wayne, probably that tiny see through black lingerie I noticed earlier.”

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So her pilfered panties were going to stay in his possession. Hm. She'd get them back. They were a rather delicate, lacy pair of low slung boyshorts he'd taken. A pair she'd be wearing if it hadn't been for his curiosity. Demurely turning away as he kissed her hand, she smiled a smile just for him. "I'm sorry about the pearls. Maybe I'll wear them at some point, just not to this event. I've had these earrings, and they're a fantastic shade...and reminded me of you. I thought you'd appreciate the architecture, the illusion of them..." She murmured at him, smirking at his comment on the time. "I could've just thrown something on instead, and we head out, but I do try to look my best, especially for the best."

She guffawed at his comment of punk rock. "Oh, I'd rather we not do that. I do like your other options. Punk doesn't need to always have leather, nor does leather always lend itself to the standard associations, Edward, dear." She gently chided him, allowing his guidance to usher her from her room, en route snagging a small clutch with her phone and other sundries inside. As he started to speak into her hair again, her body gently pirouetted so she was now facing him. Taking him in her arms, her palm coiling about his neck, the other sliding along his side, she smiled, her eyes intently took in the finer details of what he was wearing.

"Well, I could always just take off all the nice things I have put on, Edward," She breathed, her lips going to his neck for a moment, her hand shifting along his hip. "..even though you took such care to pick them out, with how you know me, my taste and your keen eye for detail..." She purred, her hand finally finding purchase and slipping along his body once more.

"I don't think you'd say no, to me, in the same meaning, but you know I don't appreciate it when you take things without my permission." She teased him, stepping back a breath, his pilfered trophy between two fingertips. With a wink, she stuffed the lacy black underthings into her clutch.

"Oh, you know. For later. Just in case..." Selina added, non-nonchalantly as she held the door open for him, no mention of Bruce whatsoever on her lips.

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He smirked as she mentioned her own earrings as if for a moment she was trying to please him. He enjoyed watching her, not vulnerable, but seeking approval, for it was so rare when it ever occurred from her. The riddle brought to mind though, was the cat purring for you or is she purring for the milk in your hand? “A touch of green certainly can make anyone their best,” his finger pressing along the small of her back ever slightly at what that could mean.

He enjoyed having her in his arms, escorting her to their location. Her knew she could slip through his fingers at any moment, but there was some honor in holding for the time he had. He chuckled softly at her rejection to the music. It was neither his taste either. “I do apologize dear, and here I foolishly thought leather only meant a dominatrix whipping men into submission. Miss Kyle, you must be disappointed in Catwoman for spreading such a stereotype. If I ever run into her, I’ll be certain to tell her,” he teased with a coy smile on his face.

Talking to Selina had always been easy. Conversation seemed to slip from their lips as easily as music from a speaker. He never quite understood how their relationship had never moved forward from their ‘friendship’. Like all friends, of course they had fought, but fighting for them was slightly more manipulative and violent than others. They somehow always managed to work through it, rather it was ignoring the other one until enough time had passed or confronting them. They always moved on and back into this easy teasing and alluring conversations. Was it his fault it never progressed or hers? He had always had a crush on Selina, but had never taken action to achieve it before now, but now, was different.

Now, he had a reason to break their friendship and solve the riddle he had avoided for all these years. But while he might have avoided it, he had no doubt he could solve it.

Women are like riddles and once you solve it, what’s the point of it anymore?

He stopped in his steps as he felt her hands, her body press towards him. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, his attention fully captivated by her. He couldn’t deny the slight increase in temperature that seemed to swallow the room. His hands stayed loosely at her sides, as her hands seemed to be feeling every inch of his body. It took immense focus to keep his breathing even as his mind tried not to dance around her words or notice how close her lips were to his skin. He knew this was her talent, but two could play at that game.

Just as quickly as she had been on him, she was gone, holding out the item in his pocket. The lacy clothe trapped between her fingertips like a mouse she had just caught. He couldn’t help the smirk that pulled on his face at being caught. He closed the distance between them, his hand gently moving to caress a small strand of her hair out of her face before he cupped her jaw and brought his lips a breath away from hers, his free hand gripping into her hip. “You should know I don’t ask for permission. I just take what I want,” he whispered, his eyes locked on hers.

He then smiled and pulled away, “But I do say, there is something fun in the challenge. How about a bet?” He grabbed her hand lightly and pulled her out the door and into the hallway, shutting her door behind them. “I bet I get your permission to take your panties by the end of this date?” He chuckled, letting his fingers slip from hers to press the button to the elevator.

[Deleted]

"A touch of green can be poor on the complexion as well, Eddie. And your apology is accepted, no harm done." She responded, enjoying his reaction as she had pilfered her own item back into her possession. "And it's part of the costume. People assume that leather commands respect, dominance. Not always, or you'd expect Batman to wear something other than what he does." She laughed, a lilting sound as he ushered her out the door, and into the elevator.

As he paused, and reacted to her, she smirked; the slow smile spreading on her lips. "And what if what you want doesn't require permission," she volleyed back in retort, her green eyes seeking to meet his. "What then?" She asked innocently.

Hearing the click of the lock behind her, she gripped his hand, hoping she wasn't going to be tugged about the museum the entire day. It was nice to walk at times, but she had a niggling feeling that if they hadn't left at that moment, they'd never have crossed the threshold into the public, and the afternoon would have been wasted in her own home.

Canting her head to the side, she contemplated his so called..bet. Or challenge. "Oh?" Was all she said in response, hoping he wasn't going to douse her in some sort of liquid, and win his bet in a rather unconventional method.

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He couldn’t contain his eye roll at the mention of Batman. “Ah yes, dark and brooding,” he commented as the elevator door closed. He turned to her with a smirk. “Don’t you think he might be insecure? His outfit suggests that could be the answer!” He pointed to his own body as if he were Batman and lowered his voice as if talking about a secret. “He wears all black to slim his figure. He is quite a bulky man. He then covers his face.” His hand moves to cover his own face, only peeking through his fingers to see her. “It must be hideous below! I mean if we look at the other heroes that like to dress up as small animals, they usually only were an eye piece.” He grinned pulling his hand away. “Don’t you see Selina! Batman was rejected from society for his ugliness, so he put on a full fledge costume to go around and beat up poor innocent people like myself,” his hand went to his heart as he pouted out his lip to give an innocent expression, “It’s not my fault he wasn’t born with my attractive good looks.”

He finally broke into a smile as the elevator door opened on the bottom floor. He stepped to side and pointed to the door. “After you,” he said sweetly and followed behind her. He had a driver parked outside unless she wanted to walk. He wasn’t opposed to either. While the summer days had certainly gotten hotter, it wasn’t completely unbearable yet.

He walked up right behind her, his fingers ghosting down her back. “While the thing I want might not require permission, I still want it to beg for me, as if it realizes that I’m only one it could truly give it what it needs” he smirked his hand pulling back to his side as he walked next to her causally. “For example, that newest piece of art I added to my collection. When I took her from the Smithsonian, I could tell she had been mishandled. The piece was asking for my attention. I had to save it.”

He didn’t linger on the mention of the bet any longer. No, that challenge would be solved by the end, and she wouldn’t realize he had won until much later.

The hot air attached to his skin when he stepped outside and he turned to her. “Would you like to walk or drive?” he asked her.