The Beast

Chapter 15

"Are you two dating?" Mr.Night blurted out and I almost choked on my water, sputtering out a bit, looking at him in disbelief.

"No! No." Jay and I exclaimed loudly at the same time, and I felt Mr.Night's intense gaze on me, his eyes apprehensive as they gazed into mine looking for any sign of dishonesty. But it seemed he found none, for soon his eyes were back to the melting silver I was use to.

"I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions." He apologized slowly gauging my reaction and I tried to shoot him a small smile, slightly baffled by his quickly changing moods.

Their food soon arrived and all of us ate in silence, I could feel Mr.Night's intense gaze on me, making me a little fidgety. I couldn't help but want to know what this man was thinking why would somebody like him stare at me, especially in the way he looked at me. I couldn't put my finger on it but there certainly was intrigue, but the thing is I was far from intriguing. I was the most plain Jane anyone would ever meet, so why did it seem as if this powerful dangerous man didn't wish to look away.

Even his gaze held a power to it, a demeaning manner that would make anyone wish to submit to his every whim, this man was powerful and he knew how to use it. He was everything I had to stay away from, but it seemed that's not what fate wanted.

"The-the presentation was incredible." I blurted out to end the uncomfortable silence, my cheeks colouring as all eyes around the table flew to me.

"I'm glad you think so." Mr.Winchester said passing me a small smile, something about it easing my nerves slightly, there was just something very comfortable about the man. He didn't seem like the person to ever fake a smile, and his gratitude seemed earnest, he reminded me of the first time I'd met Jay in the way he looked at me. In a way so platonic it could be considered brotherly, so even though I normally had issues talking to people I didn't know, especially men, it was easy with him.

"That's the first time a professor has requested a visit from our company." Mr.Night said and my eyes darted over to him, and in that moment I could see how the company had so quickly gained success. Mr.Night was the perfect leader, one who regarded his employees as team members, and that was integral in business. Over the years in my business classes I had seen many presentations done by entrepreneurs who were the independent owners of companies, but very few called it "our company." To me that was admirable.

"The marketing techniques are very impressive, I was in awe when I heard about the cause marketing you've been doing. Personally I think that's the best way to promote your products." I said and Mr.Night's eyes seem to brighten as he stares at me, the corners of his lips tilting upwards in what could be an almost smile.

"Any others that you'd recommend?" Mr.Night asked and my eyes widened, he was asking me, a second year student for marketing ideas? It didn't help that every time I was near him I acted as if I didn't know how to make use of my brain.
"Well, I think the use of social media for promotion is a good idea, I couldn't help but notice you don't currently do that Mr.Night." I said hesitantly.

"I'll have my marketing team look into it." Mr. Night said, giving me a nod in gratitude that made a small smile form on my lips.

The rest of the dinner was spent in silence, but now the silence wasn't as uncomfortable, Mr.Night looked to be a lot less tense, although I couldn't help but stiffen when I'd see him looking at me. Although I couldn't say his gaze disgusted me as did most other people's, if made me feel nervous in a way that wasn't all bad.

I felt a slight kick to my shin and I immediately looked up, my eyes connecting with Jay's bright green. The uneasy look on Jay's face sprang me into action, and I stood up unthinkingly. I hadn't been thinking of poor Jay, he looked extremely uncomfortable sitting in between the two powerful men. Mr.Night looked at me questioningly, raising a brow, making my cheeks turn a bright pink.

"I-I have an early shift tomorrow, Jay and I should leave." I said trying to calm down the red staining my cheeks discreetly as I spoke.

"Won't you stay for desert, they have chocolate mousse cake, and it does sound divine." Mr.Night said making me look at him oddly was this man who owned most of North America actually speaking of chocolate mousse cake. Was he as much of a chocoholic as I was? Most people nearly as obsessed with chocolate as me were also as erratic as me, he simply seemed too calm and collected to ever get sugar highs from binge eating cocoa delicacies.

"No, really we should get going. It was very nice dining with the both of you." I said, my voice becoming shaky as I accidentally looked into his hypnotizing eyes. It was only polite to smile at Mr.Winchester as well since I was speaking about the both of them, but I couldn't get myself to look away from Mr.Night long enough. The swirling grey depths of his eyes seeming to pull me in, making me forget what I was saying. A quick glance at those eyes was tempting, but to stare into them, was like willingly entering hypnosis.

"If you insist, but I'll walk you out." Mr.Night said his voice leaving no room for argument and I nodded looking down at my feet, as he finally released me from the gold of his gaze. I tucked a twenty bill into the little black sleeve, as Jay did the same.

"Please let me." Mr.Night said handing me my money back tucking it gently into my hand, and seeming to nearly thrust it into the unsuspecting hands of Jay.

"No please, we can pay for ourselves, thank you though." I said, nodding my head in confirmation to emphasize that we were capable.

"I insist." Mr.Night said taking a step closer to me without me realizing. The heat radiating off of his large form and onto me.

"It's very nice of you to offer, and thank you for that but we can" I cut myself off with a gasp when Mr.Night grabbed ahold of my hand, that was reaching to tuck the money back in. The large warm calloused hand nearly enveloped my own pale smaller one. I looked up at him startled to see him so close, how could a man so large move around so quietly, his melting silver eyes boring into my own, softer then ever. But that wasn't what had made me gasp, it was the little sparks that seemed to ignite as his skin touched mine, like nothing I'd ever felt before.

"No problem amica mea." He said softly as if it were only meant for me to hear, he stood there for a few moments. His eyes falling closed, as if he were just enjoying the moment before he inhaled deeply, opening his eyes, taking a small step away from me. But still not letting go of my hand as he led me towards the door. The heat from his hand slowly heating up my own, which felt nearly frozen after holding onto the cold glass of water during dinner.

I followed helplessly, my eyes still wide, confused about what had just happened, and the bigger part of me refused to even think of why it had happened.

I was knocked out of my thoughts when I felt the rush of the cold fresh winter air, helping to clear my thoughts and lower my inhibitions. To me the winter breeze had always been like alcohol. Forgetting where I was and with who, I inhaled deeply, enjoying the feel of the cold air whipping through my hair. I closed my eyes, simply enjoying the feeling. Delighted by the sweet buzzing of the night wind as it rushed past my ears, the wind stopped for no one, it bent to no ones' will. Simply brushing past you despite how much you wanted to hold onto it, or push it away. There was a beauty in its relentless path.

I felt a gaze on my face, and turned towards it to see Mr.Night looking at me intently, as if he was seeing something he had never seen before, something extraordinary.

He muttered something under his breath, before bringing our still joined hands up, looking at my hand that was pressed into his much larger one. He squeezed it softly before letting go sadly, leaning in towards me he buried his face into my hair as he whispered softly
"Goodnight beautiful."