Chapter 2

Very nice, very nice indeed, thought Patrick when he saw Char paused at the doorway later that night at Giovanni´s. She appeared so alone yet perfectly poised in herself. Confidence and beauty all wrapped up in a black beauty of a dress, not that see need much to make an already beautiful woman even more stunning.

Catching her eye, Patrick stood to meet her at the door with the purpose of escorting her to the table and making introductions. They were two halves that fit perfectly together, both made from the same mould of sorts; they shared the same morals, way of thinking and dark colouring. They complimented each other perfectly, everyone noticed it. As they made their way across the restaurant they were the focus of attention from both sexes.

Arriving at the table, Patrick was unwilling to let her go. His common-sense kicked in then and on went his gentleman´s mode; grinning wickedly to his mates he started the introductions.

"Well you know the old crowd from last time," he said pointing out Joshua, Kyle and Bret and their respective dates who were all part of the old gang.

"This is Shawn Teller, we bumped in to him on the way," he joked while Char greeted the tall blonde who towered over her.

"Jon Silver," came from the red in the corner who looked out of sync with the rest of the group, waved to Char from where he was.

Pointing to a handsome bloke who was walking across from the bar towards them, Patrick nudged Char playfully and whispered into her ear one word that sent shivers up her spine, ”Panther”.

Char knew at that moment that the “panther” who turned out to be Leroy Elrond would be tracking her all night. He was the type of man that women melted over with just a glance their way from him. He was as lethal as his nickname; black hair, bright green eyes, muscled strength that emanated from every part of his body. He sat opposite her the whole night, didn´t say much except for the odd comment here and there. It appeared that his sense of humour was something to be reckoned with by the way he grinned to himself when he thought of something funny but didn’t share it. Probably due to the fact that he was the latest addition to the group through a business deal with Patrick. He had the posture of someone who knew what he wanted in life, set out to get it, and accomplished it.

Leroy spent that night in the diner admiring Chardonnay and wondering how a beauty like that was still single. Was it because of her as she was, as unlikely as that was, or was it something to do with the men she went out with or had yet to meet? Leroy was not interested in a permanent relationship at the moment, he wondered if Char would be up for a little fun with no strings. He was only going to be in town for a couple of weeks before he moved on to his next business.

It was nearly midnight with only several of the group left when Leroy and Char finally managed to sit next to each other and talk. The conversation started on coffee then moved onto chocolate types and other light things. As time ticked by Patrick kept walking back and forth between their table and the table that held the French Dame that had caught his eye before coffee was served.

As lovely as Dame Femme was, all blonde, curvy and very French, Patrick could not help losing track of the topic they were talking about as he kept glancing over at Char and Leroy. He definitely did not like the way the Panther was looking at his girl. His Girl?!? Did he just put a mental claim on Chardonnay? Boy, he was definitely loosing it. He had thought that he was over her by now, sure he still had feelings for her but she was his best friend and all and any bloke in his right mind would feel something for her.

It was on the early side of morning when Patrick finally called a taxi to drive the Dame home and seated himself at the table where Leroy and Char were still at it.

“Can you believe that…um…that Leroy here played for the Saints back in history…..I mean you guys were rivals!” slurred Char to Patrick as he joined in the conversation. Squinting at his wrist watch and not being able to make out the time from so far away, Char grabbed his arm and tried to focus on what the hours were.

“Way past your bedtime, Sugar,” whispered Patrick into her ear, “best we get you home and to bed before Luigi closes up for the night.”

“I can take her home,” suggested Leroy over Chardonnay’s head to Patrick who stared incredulously at him.

“No. You won´t. I invited her and I’ll see her home,” bit out Patrick; the threat audible in his voice, suggesting that Leroy should back off a little.

“No worries boys, I´ll get home….” said Char as she stood up wobbly and tried to make her way to the door, only getting as far as where Luigi was cleaning tables before her knees gave out.

Luigi grabbed her at that particular moment and saved her from making an entire fool of herself as the two men rushed over to lend a hand. In one elegant sweep Patrick had her in his arms and was striding towards the door of the restaurant only to be stopped abruptly when Luigi handed him Char´s handbag and a shoe which had come off in the process. If it had been Leroy who stopped him he would have hurt the guy, business deal or no business deal. That guy definitely had stepped the boundaries.