Stranger Danger

[Baron Tseng]

An invisible thread connects                            

The past few days had been rather . . . eventful, to say the least. An attempt was made on Baron's life. Visiting the city on this part of the world, many believed him to be vulnerable, and perhaps, that was partly true. It was during a business meeting that someone drugged him, kidnapped him, and attempted to extract information from him. An unfamiliar face. No doubt, someone for hire that could not be traced back to the culprit. A rival gang no doubt. But Baron would not let that effect his business. After getting checked out, he was fine -- according to him at least. His men were working on tracking down the person who had kidnapped him, but for right now, life would go on. It was what brought Baron to where he was now: a formal charity event. He had made a donation and among him, were many of the elite. He was mingling, meeting and greeting, reunited with old faces, and it just took a single casual glance, for him to take notice of a particular someone. He paused, though did not overly react so not to draw attention to himself. He smiled at the person he was talking to, waiting for their conversation to reach a natural end before he excused himself. His eyes did not leave the woman. He would not forget her face. And fortunately, she did not seem to yet notice him in the crowd. He nonchalantly made his way up to her, standing behind right her, and spoke in a volume audible enough to hear. "Would you like to dance?" There was a certain . . . sarcasm or teasing charm to his question. While others were enjoying the music and dancing, that was hardly Baron's interest in this woman. Tag Abra

                   those who are destined to meet

[Abra]

So gather ye demons, it seems it's your day

I sin but I've paid more than ten thousand graves

It was much to easy playing the role of socialite; a beautiful dress, smokey eyes and a bold lip, a few well-timed jokes, was all it seemed to take. Abra didn't stand out in the crowd, she wasn't out of place among them or drawing attention to herself, so when a presence approached from behind, standing intimately and dangerously close, it came as a surprise.

That voice though... was one she wouldn't ever have forgotten. His words, the taunting tone, drew a smile to her lips and a dangerous amusement to her cold blue eyes before she turned to face him. Baron Tseng--the one that got away. Abra's track record was almost pristine; she was an efficient killer and very, very few had ever escaped her clutches. Baron was one of those few.

She licked her lips slowly while looking him up and down. "Are you certain? You might not make it out alive this time." Her words were equally as teasing as she offered him a hand. If he wanted to play games... well, she would play to win. 

Tag: Baron Tseng

thanks malin @ adox

[Baron Tseng]

An invisible thread connects                            

Baron didn't know what sort of reaction to expect from the woman. After all, he of course didn't know her well. What he did know however was that she would not make a scene. There was clearly a purpose as to why she was here. And the fact that she managed to kidnpa Baron to begin with, showed that she was quite the professional in . . . whatever field she was in. Assassination. Kidnapping. However she defined her role. Baron's smile remained as he took her hand. "I always do," he stated in response to her words of how he might not make it out alive. He leaned forward, incredibly close to her, his lips near her ear. "You of all people should know that,." Considering the circumstances in which they last met. Drawing back his head, he began to move them towards the designated dance area, assuming position as he placed a hand on her hip. "Are you here alone?" He asked, well aware that he probably wasn't going to get many answers from her regarding her business at this event. Baron was fairly certain however, that they were far from innocent. Tag Abra

                   those who are destined to meet

[Abra]

So gather ye demons, it seems it's your day

I sin but I've paid more than ten thousand graves

His confidence and teasing was delightfully refreshing. There was very few that would have been bold enough to take her hand for a dance after she had attempted to kill them. Perhaps that was what made Baron different from the others. He had survived, he was special. But Abra was not one to shy away from a challenge and his words, his close proximity, his breath on her ear, was a challenge in truest form.

With her hand now entrapped by his, Abra allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, even offered him a coy smile when his other hand became perched upon her hip. But she did not answer him right away. Instead her blue hues locked his his as her free hand found the back of his neck, nails scratching teasingly at his skin, pulling him closer to her until hardly a breath could come between them.

Abra smiled at him, the expression playfully and dangerous. "You're not jealous, are you, Mister Tseng?" It was only when he had taken the lead, whisking her into a familiar routine, that she had replied, answering his question with a question. She kept closer to him, kept her voice low, as to avoid unwanted attention from the couple twirling and dancing around them. "Does the thought of another having my attention heat your blood with rage? Or maybe it fills your heart with concern."

Tag: Baron Tseng

thanks malin @ adox

[Baron Tseng]

An invisible thread connects                            

Baron held a stoic gaze, face moving with her prompting so that there was hardly any space between them, as he felt her nails against the back of his head. He slightly titled his chin upward, eyes locking onto hers, unfazed. Unaffected. While he had men working on finding her whereabouts, this was certainly not the place he'd expect to find her. Let alone, be dancing with her. When she suggested jealousy, Baron withheld a scoff. His face remained unchanged, disallowing her teasing words to get to him. Though, the thought was certainly an amusing one, as she elaborated. A slight smirk reformed on his face. "Neither," he replied nonchalantly. He wasn't about to even suggest that it was jealousy that kept him so close to her. But even then, he was not going to forgo the opportunity to return the tease. He raised his hand a little to spin her and then his hands wrapped around her waist as he dipped her, his lips dangerously close to hers, eyes still fixed onto hers. "But now that I have you in my arms, don't think I'll be so quick to let you go." The words of course, played along with the tease, but how he meant them . . . was of course in an entirely different way that one of intimacy. And he did mean them. Perhaps the words more of an underlying threat than anything else. He slowly raised her upright again so that they could resume each step at the still close distance. "My concern rests with whoever is victim to your company here." Because clearly, she had a purpose for her presence at this event. Tag Abra

                   those who are destined to meet

[Abra]

So gather ye demons, it seems it's your day

I sin but I've paid more than ten thousand graves

Abra expected him to deny the possibility of jealousy, after all, the two of them weren't friends and certainly weren't lovers. And if such feelings were present, she doubted Baron was the type to admit to them so readily. He was suave, hard to rattle, calm in the face of political intrigue and what should have been his death at her hands. Whatever taunt had been playing on her tongue was silenced when he dipped her, she hummed in amusement instead while clinging to his shoulders.

He was hovering over her like a falling shadow. His lips dangerously close to hers, his breath washing against her mouth like a sickly sweet rum, as he spoke. It was almost enough to make her head spin. How easy it would have been to capture his lips in a teasing kiss, to silence the words tumbling from his mouth, doing so was sure to test his calm demeanor--might just disgust and arouse him. It was a tempting thought but one that would do unanswered.

Their dance resumed, the steps effortless and graceful until she stopped. Her hands were still on his shoulders, holding him in place, stopping him from continuing. Abra's eyes were locked with his, her expression confident, taunting, dangerous. “I have no intentions of leaving your arms.” The words were as much a promise as they were a threat. Now that she had him, she would finish what was started.

Abra pushed closer to him, the soft swell of her breasts pressing firm against his chest as she ran her fingers through his hair, cradling the back of his head tenderly. She nudged her mouth against his, as though she was inviting at him to kiss her, as she stared into his eyes. “Don't be concerned for him, Baron. I'm here with you, not with him. “ The hunt wasn't forgotten... just postponed for the moment.

Tag: Baron Tseng

thanks malin @ adox

[Baron Tseng]

An invisible thread connects                            

Her words held that same subtle tone of threat to him, further intrigue to know what she was playing at but . . . he supposed it was clear. His reason for keeping her to ensure that she did not get away. Her reason for keeping him, perhaps to finish the job. Who knew. But there was indeed a promise there, just as there was in his own words. When he brought her up, he felt her body press against him, his back straightening a little more and his chin titling upward slightly. He was well aware of how . . . intentional it was. And just in case that had not been enough, he felt her fingers through his hair; a gesture that could be seen as comforting and intimate. Though in this case . . . the dynamic that existed between them made it anything but. Despite even the close proximity of their lips. Baron's eyes fell to her mouth before returning to her gaze. He let out a slow breath, not about to close the distance but instead, met her gaze in full confidence and certainty. "A blessing then," he stated, his voice low. Barley audible. Heard only due to the incredibly close -- practically non existent -- distance between their lips. "For his sake," he added on. The hand around her slid down her back, fingers splaying over it as he kept her close. He leaned forward, as if to kiss her but swiftly altered direction so that his lips were close to her ear, hardly an inch between her skin and his mouth. Nearly cheek to cheek. And in a whispered voice, spoke directly into her ear. "I won't let you get away this time." Another promise. Another threat. Tag Abra

                   those who are destined to meet

[Abra]

So gather ye demons, it seems it's your day

I sin but I've paid more than ten thousand graves

If they had met under different circumstances, one where she hadn't kidnapped him, interrogated him, tried to kill him, she might had fallen for him. His voice in her ear, his breath on her skin, his fingers against her back, was a dangerous combination; dark, deadly, and addictive. His was charming, mysterious, confident -- all things a woman would love. But Abra was not a woman so easily enthralled and he would not win this game without a fight.

There was a moment, however brief, when the breath became trapped in her lungs. It played out like a scene from a movie... he was leaning closer, the distance between their bodies non-existent, their lips about to meet, except her altered his cause, with earned a laugh from her. "A blessing for all of us." The words came out whispered; calm, confident, mischievous. Abra didn't move to look at him as one might have expected, she just held him as intimately as a lover would, like she cared for him.

The inside of her thigh brushed softly against his as she lifted a leg, letting the dress fall away to reveal creamy skin. With an arm wrapped around his neck, a hand in his hair, she tugged harder on his soft tresses to bring his gaze back to hers. "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it." Baron could rest assured that she wasn't going any where. The game was far from over.

It was her turn to lean in now, like a movie in slow motion. Her eyes lowered to his mouth and there on that dance floor, her draped on him like a love, did their lips meet. Abra's kiss was slow and deliberate, allowing her to chase the taste of him as she waited for his next move. Zugzwang.

Tag: Baron Tseng

thanks malin @ adox

[Baron Tseng]

An invisible thread connects                            

Baron slowly inhaled as she lifted her leg. His eyes stayed fixed to hers, though he knew the position this put them in. Bodies nearly entangled with one another, as if this was more than a dance among two strangers. As if they held some personal, intimate connection to one another. It was far far from the truth and yet . . . Baron did not pull away. His hand went to her thigh to lower her leg back down, but instead of feeling the fabric of her dress, he felt the softness of her skin. The warmth of it. His hand returned to slide up her back, feeling the light tug of his hair, though he made no move to break their contact. Not when she was moving even closer. His mind did not have time to process her words adequately to form a response . . . and soon enough, he was silenced from any words. For he felt her lips against his own. His froze, body stiffening as his eyes remained open. The shock from the embrace flooded him. Kissing was incredibly intimate for Baron, and not something he engaged in without thought . . . considering his position. So this, here, now . . . was unexpected and left Baron unsure how to act. He did not deepen the embrace, lips stilled, eyes open and staring, shoulders squared slightly, movements of swaying ceased. She clearly had more experience with this. Is this how she manipulated others? Lured them? Baron had to admit . . . her lips were far softer than he ever thought they wold be . . . not that he actually thought about it. But there was something in her kiss that sent a chill up his spine. The ease in which she did it. The slowness of it, as if striving to build a need deep within him. One, he would not -- could not -- entertain. Baron was unsure how much time passed until his head started moving back a little, eyes still opened, still on her features, eyes ever so slightly widened. Once their lips swallowed, he remained frozen in place, swallowing as he just looked at her. The seconds that passed suddenly felt like minutes, hours. He did not dare look around to see who may have witnessed this. Perhaps no one. Perhaps everyone. All Baron knew was that there was something . . . unnerving about it. Whether it be the fact that she had done it with such swiftness. Or, the fact that he did not even try to stop it. "I don't think you realize what you've done." His words quiet, but held a seriousness to them. His feet still planted in their spot, his hands still upon her as if he was transfixed and could not move. Not even to dance to the music that still played. Tag Abra

                   those who are destined to meet

[Abra]

So gather ye demons, it seems it's your day

I sin but I've paid more than ten thousand graves

The moment was shockingly tender given the dynamic between them. Abra found it surprising, intoxicating, frightening even. It was like fireworks were exploding all around, like it was the Forth of July. But it wasn't just fireworks. It was lightning and electricity and the entire northern lights had ignited around them. And just as quickly as it sparked to life, it fizzled and died the moment their lips parted.

A moan threatened to crawl up her throat, a betrayal of her emotional state and how she felt about the kiss but she silenced it, refusing to let it be heard. Slowly, as thought waking from a dream, her eyes opened. Abra wasn't sure when she'd closed them, and found that he was... shocked. He was tense, the set of his shoulders rigid, his eyes slightly wide. Abra liked this look on him. It was almost the same one he'd worn when he'd woken up that night... the first time he'd seen her...

"I kissed you. Is that so hard to believe?" She asked with a sickeningly sweet smile. Her eyes drifted down to the mouth again, lingered there for a moment longer then necessary. Abra swiped the pad of her thumb across his lips, wiping away the lipstick the kiss left behind. And then, with her eyes locked onto his, sucked her thumb, slowly, teasingly, tasting the taste of him again. "Did it happen to fast for you... because I can do it again..."

Tag: Baron Tseng

thanks malin @ adox

[Baron Tseng]

An invisible thread connects                            

As unexpected as the kiss was, Baron also didn't know what to expect to see on the woman's face when the kiss reached its inevitable end. Something about her expression, left him silent. Until she commented on it. "Yes," he answered bluntly, aware that it was more of a rhetorical question, but felt the need to speak in this moment. Somehow, silence seemed dangerous. "I didn't think you were in the habit of kissing your escaped would be victims." More talking. Yes. That seemed safer right now. Though he wasn't an overtalker, it was helping the shock to diminish. Enough to regain himself and snap out of whatever trance she had placed him under. But that frozen state re-emerged when she ran her thumb along his lip. Why was he not pulling? Why was he not excusing himself? Why did he feel this strange urge to part his lips. He did nothing. Said nothing. He just watched her as she placed her thumb between her lips, causing him to exhale, slightly clenching his jaw. Were her words a threat or offer? He wasn't even sure he could decipher it, or the desire that went along to which he preferred it to be. "What is it you want from me?" He asked, voice low, eyes locked. Fighting to keep from falling under her spell. Was this the plan? To seduce him and make right what she had failed to do before? Baron had to think logically. Yet, he found he was reminding himself to think logically. It should be natural and yet . . . here she was. And here he was, making no effort to move nor part from her company. Tag Abra

                   those who are destined to meet

[Abra]

So gather ye demons, it seems it's your day

I sin but I've paid more than ten thousand graves

It was true that she wasn't in the business of kissing each of her victims but Baron was different; he was special because he had survived. That might had been was why she did it, perhaps it was to push his buttons, perhaps even to gain the upper hand. Abra couldn't say for certain. What she did know was that she had enjoyed it, more then she was inclined to admit.

His question bought her attention back to the moment, away from the lingering feeling of his lips touching hers. Her answering smile was devilish and far from innocent; did he realize the implication of his words? How easy he was making it to continue teasing him? Abra's teeth tugged on her lower lip as she looked at his features, as though she was admiring him.

And then her palm pressed against his chest, feeling his heart beating, before moving lower, her nails scratching lightly against the fabric of his shirt before curling into the band of his belt. Her intention was there in her eyes; lustful, certainly not an appropriate look for their public position. Abra kept hold of his belt, using it to pull his hips harder against hers. "I think you know the answer to that." Her voice was hardly a whisper, only loud enough for him to hear.

Abra leaned in again, her mouth intimately close to his, close enough for her lips to brush hips as she spoke. She was not yet letting go of the fact that the kiss had shaken him; she intended to play on it for a while longer. Her lips parted slightly, an open invitation, a dare, a challenge. "Remember, you asked me to dance." She reminded him. "I think you want the same thing..."

Tag: Baron Tseng

thanks malin @ adox

[Baron Tseng]

An invisible thread connects                            

Baron stiffened once more, though he wasn't entirely sure he had fully relaxed his shoulders, despite what it looked like to someone watching. He clenched his jaw again, his face for a brief second twisting, letting out a mix of a heavy breath and slight scoff as she tugged his his belt. Her hand on his chest was surprisingly warm, and it just left him even more unnerved. Her nails however . . . well, he didn't have time to dwell on those too long until her slender fingers had reached his belt. His eyes remained locked onto hers, not daring to remove them though part of him wished he had considering the gaze behind her blue hues. Her words processed in his mind, and with her hand where it was, and the look in her eyes . . . well, Baron wasn't oblivious to such suggestive words. He knew he had two options: to remain composed, casual and dance this dance -- literally. Or, to pull away from her company and walk away. He feared the latter may draw attention to an already less than subtle situation. If anyone was watching now, abruptly leaving would only raise more questions. So Baron's hand on her waist, fell to her wrist, gently gripping it in indication to let go of his belt. Her lips were dangerously close to his . . . feeling her breath upon him, the all too recent moment when their lips had touched. He didn't expect the challenge; he couldn't. He was unused to playing games such as these. An assassin seducing him in such a way. "I hope . . . " He began to say, leaning forward to speak near her ear if only to break the all too close contact of their lips. "No one is paying you to think then," he completed. "Because you're wrong." With that, he attempt to tug her hand back so that it would release from his belt . . . another far too intimate area. Drawing his head back he looked at her again, jaw returning to its slightly clenched position. "You're going to have a lot of unwanted attention on you if you continue this," he told her, attempting to regain himself, to maintain his composure though she certainly wasn't making it easy. Though, whether he was saying it as a warning or threat . . . he wasn't entirely certain. "Who are you here for tonight?" He asked, returning to the earlier purpose of him seeking out her company. Of having asked her to dance, as if only to prove his intentions upon her reminder of him being the one to have asked. Tag Abra

                   those who are destined to meet

[Abra]

So gather ye demons, it seems it's your day

I sin but I've paid more than ten thousand graves

His leaning in to speak near her ear enticed a soft scoffing laugh from her lips. It was almost disappointing that he didn't accept the challenge. It would have been all too adrenaline for their lips to meet again, to spend the night in his company again, this time in a far more enjoyable way. Abra released his belt when he tugged on her wrist, but did not allow him to keep her wrist shackled by his fingers.

Her hands went to the back of his neck, pulling him closer against her as she rested her head on his shoulder in an all too comfortable and intimate gesture. Her breath washed over the his neck as she breathed while she started to sway her hips to the music, resuming their dance. To anyone watching there was no tension between them. Abra was comfortable with the man, holding him like a lover, draped on him like she wanted to make love there on the dance floor. And in many ways she was, and did. Abra had unfinished business with him, business of varying natures.

His taunt, or perhaps it was a threat, of unwanted attention made her smile though she did not reply. Abra was not worried about that. She would be out of the country in only a few days and she doubted the paparazzi would travel to the States to find her. Instead she sighed when he asked who she was there for: as if she would tell him just because he had asked. "It doesn't matter." She didn't lift her head, didn't open her eyes.

One of her hands left his neck, sliding down to his chest, touching him just because she could, and because it was likely to get a response from him. "He will be dead before an ambulance can get to him." The even they were at was public, with too many people, making it difficult to get the target alone. So poison had been the solution.  He would have ingested it by now. There was nothing to be done. "Let us just enjoy this moment while it lasts... before I have to kiss you goodbye." And she very much intended to when the night was done.

Tag: Baron Tseng

thanks malin @ adox