xxxii λ visiting

[assassino]

[So he's not supposed to use the front door: like that's anything new. Ezio can't remember a time in his life where he ever saw a woman who allowed him that, so he is quite used to skulking around back and slipping in where the public doesn't see.

Only he hopes Lana won't end up like every other woman in his life.

Letting himself into the kitchen by the back door, he pokes his head around the corner to see if she's around. Maybe he can sneak up on her, make this visit more of a surprise than it already is.]

Comments

[luthored]

[ Well, it's not like she works all day with super-hearing on, that would just be ridiculous and loud. Kitchens are loud enough, even on the slower nights, which this is.

Not slow enough to keep her out of the kitchen for long, though, since she does make a routine sweep to be sure everything's in order and nobody's cutting corners (only with slightly less enthusiasm than she once did).

Also possibly to stop and sneak a taste of something out out of a frying before the chef notices. Yum food. ]

[assassino]

[All those years of practice lets him slip by the other employees, moving from behind corners when they have their backs turned or are otherwise occupied with cooking. When he spies Lana, he grins, and slips down the hall to where her office door is. Shaded, conveniently, where he is out of sight and can just watch her until she comes his way.]

[luthored]

[ That shouldn't take long, since it's not exactly an exciting night! She's really considering leaving early as she does stroll back to her office, since clearly everyone has it all handled here.

But they usually do. She's definitely more strict than she was at The Talon. ]

[assassino]

[Ezio spots her heading his way, so he steps up against the wall, where she won't see him as she rounds the corner.]

[luthored]

[ Really, this is the kind of thing she's been trained on. The sort of thing Zelman and Wesley both trained her in using their own methods. She knows how to disarm a man blind-folded; should be better than ever at sensing when someone's lurking or sneaking or watching.

But the problem with all her new-found powers is not her increased confidence in her previously earned abilities, but her ego regarding her new instantaneous ones. And in a boring place of comfort like the restaurant or even her house, why should she be wary at all?

So she breezes right on past him without a care, or would anyway. ]

[assassino]

[Ezio falls into step behind her, and chuckles out loud at the same time as he reaches and gooses her.]

[luthored]

[ The chuckle is enough warning for her to at least know who it is, keeping her from elbowing him right in the head for his transgression. Lana is genuinely shocked to find him inside the restaurant, let alone groping her.

She does quickly turn and shove indignantly at him, though, more in the direction of her office than towards the exit. The exit is further away and she's already worried one of her employees could have seen that.

Hissing, even if there's a sheepish smile on her face. She's at least trying to look angry, just not doing so well. The surprise is genuine. ]

Ezio! How long have you been here?!

[assassino]

[He laughs as he's shoved towards the office, and when his shoulder hits the door he reaches for the handle to let himself in, but he doesn't take his eyes off her.]

A while.

[luthored]

Well, don't you look smug. Anyone could have seen that.

[ At least him being a twerp makes it easier to look angry. She'd slam the door while shutting it for effect, but that would just draw even more attention. ]

[assassino]

No one saw me. They would have commented on there being a stranger in your kitchen.

[luthored]

[ Yeah, there probably would have been a potential riot. Chefs and their kitchens.

The mental image is enough to make her half-smile break into a real grin as she steps closer. ]

You better not have touched anything else while you were in there. I have strict health codes.

[assassino]

I touched nothing, I swear! Just your lovely bottom.

[With a grin, he puts his hands out to pull her into his arms.]

[luthored]

[ She drapes one arm over his shoulder, but needs to use her other hand to muffle mouth so she doesn't outright laugh in (okay, under) his face. ]

Wow, with lines like that, I wonder why I wasn't charmed sooner?

[assassino]

[Seeing her muffle that laugh is so endearing to him, and his arms go right around her. One hand strays a little low.]

I haven't the faintest idea! You must answer that yourself.

[luthored]

Maybe stop touching my "lovely bottom" for five minutes straight and I could get some thinking done.

[assassino]

I do not think I can. I enjoy it too much.

[Two hands, hahaha. Gentle knead B)]

[luthored]

[ Nope! Reaching back to grip his wrists and gently guide his hands up to her waist, where she lets go. ]

Too bad I'm required to think while at work. I hope that's not the only reason you dropped by.

[assassino]

Of course not. I also wanted to see your beautiful face... and see if you wanted to go out for dinner with me tonight.

[luthored]

Compliments certainly help your chances. So does convenience, since I was thinking of leaving a little early tonight.

[ Which would still mean awhile yet, of course. ]

But I don't want to go to a bar or tavern.

[assassino]

No? [He runs his fingers up her spine, gently.] Where would you like to go?

[luthored]

Stephanie says I should try your cooking.

[assassino]

Did she? I suppose I could cook for you.

[luthored]

Now that is how you charm me.

[ Even if it was her idea (all the best ones are), he still gets rewarded with a full smooch, which requires her to tug at his collar and make him match her height. The heels can't do all the work! ]

[assassino]

[He chuckles and goes into that kiss, the arms around her sliding a bit tighter to lift her up against him.]

And what shall I treat you with?

[luthored]

[ She'll drape her arms around his neck and hug his waist with her thighs (poor boy) to help with leverage, but she will have to stop kissing to talk. ]

Whatever your favorite food was growing up.