Guilty Pleasure

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

Ariel let out a low breath at the feel of Markise's lips on his skin and turned his head slightly. "We shouldn't," he whispered against Markise's ear, though he had a feeling it wouldn't change anything. He could accept a kiss, couldn't he? As long as they didn't have sex, he could live with himself, right? Still, his lips brushed the skin of Markise's ear and his breath made the little flyaway hairs dance.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise made another small sound at the feel of Ariel's breath and lips teasing against his ear. For a moment he could hardly think, let alone try to agree or argue. They shouldn't, he knew it. But his body whispered, why not? It was only physical pleasure, and if it got him through the week, he needed it. His mind tried to interrupt, reminding him why he wasn't with Ariel to begin with, and it hurt, but where else was he going to get this? For now, he couldn't decide, so he didn't push any further, but neither did he retreat.

"I don't know either," Robbie said. "See him around a lot, but that's about it."

[Annabelle Hennessy]

There was nothing Anna had to add so she let the topic drop. She didn't like that Markise was with some unknown guy like that and was worried for him. She knew she couldn't and wouldn't do anything about it though, and just tried to ignore it. They were on a dance floor in the middle of a club anyways, so what more could happen? She closed her eyes to resist the temptation of looking again and tried to concentrate on the music instead. Robbie was completely different then when they'd all danced together before, which was perfectly fine with her.

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

Ariel sighed when Markise didn't say anything, but he didn't pull away either. It was like he was testing himself, to see how much he could do without feeling the need to kiss Markise that he couldn't ignore. Or maybe he was just torturing himself, he deserved it, didn't he? He shifted his hand in Markise's hair and breathed in the light puff of extra scent the motion brought.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise didn't know if he could stand much more of this, but there was no part of him strong enough to pull away. He loved this, he needed it, and he could feel how much Ariel needed it, too. If they just kissed, if they just slipped off to a darkroom, who would it hurt? You. It would hurt you. Markise moved his arm lightly against Ariel's shoulders for the feel of the muscles there, and his bracelet shifted again. You're better than that. Dammit, he didn't want to be better than that! He wanted to take and be taken, to share the unspoken until there was nothing else. He wanted that night again. It couldn't have been a week.

Markise felt the prickling threat of his allergies attacking him, once more at the most inappropriate moment. He was battling himself, tightening his arms around Ariel, burying his hand in the hair at the side of Ariel's head and trying desperately not to just turn his head. Trying desperately not to whisper a suggestion, even as his quickening breaths tried to push him to it. You're better than that.

Robbie accepted Anna's return to silence and refused to look back at Angel and that bloody Aussie again. He wasn't about to start a fight over that, not with his own typical behavior. Not looking would definitely help him stick to that. As long as he didn't see it, he didn't care. He focused on Anna instead, and his hands began to test their boundaries even as he began to test how close he could get.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna had just started getting comfortable with dancing again when she felt the movements, subtle at first, then gradually moving more out of her comfort zone. Her heartbeat was racing harder than explainable by just the dancing. Her nerves were on end, trying to endure what was considered mild compared to the activities around them. When his hand went farther, brushing up near her ribcage, she shook her head and brushed her hand down against Robbie's, bringing him back down near her waist.

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

Ariel's eyes were closed tightly, so even if he had his head turned the right way to see Markise, he wouldn't have noticed the tears beginning, especially with the lights. He threaded Markise's hair through his fingers one more time before trailing his fingers down Markise's soft neck and finally down to join his other arm around Markise's waist. He couldn't accept a kiss.

[Markise Sterling]

The song was ending. It was too soon! He wanted just a few more minutes, another song, a drink, anything to put off the inevitable, but he couldn't. He couldn't forget Annabelle just because he couldn't bear to let go of Ariel, someone he shouldn't hold so close anyway. They'd had their chance. He said he was sorry. And that he wouldn't change. He's so good to me. And so bad, too. You're better than that. The song ended, and for a moment Markise only held Ariel tighter. Then he forced himself to relax his arms and pull back as far as Ariel would let him. Those honey brown eyes pulled him in so easily.

Robbie wasn't at all discouraged by Anna's subtle movement of his hand. It hadn't been a slap, there had been no harsh look, nothing whatsoever to tell him that she was serious, at least not in any physical language he understood. It was exactly what Angel did, minus the teasing smile. His hands moved down without resistance, but rather than stopping at her waist, they continued and moved backward. He didn't particularly care if the song was ending. Another was starting up, and she wasn't staring past him anymore.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna let out a squeak of surprise when Robbie persisted in the other direction. Her hands flew to his, grabbing the backs of them as they reached her bottom. She had seen the other dancers, and the way he'd danced with Markise, but to have it done to her was completely different. The only guy she'd ever danced with before tonight was Markise and he kept his hands to himself, with her anyways. She knew she couldn't hide her flushed cheeks or wide eyes, so she didn't look up at Robbie, afraid to see his reaction. She was so busy trying to cope with Robbie that she didn't notice the change in the music.

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

Ariel loosened his arms, but he kept his head down and shook his hair across his eyes. He wasn't going to let himself convince either of them that they needed another dance. "I'll see you on Monday," he promised, his hands resting lightly on Markise's hips. He had had his dance, even if he knew it wasn't going to be enough. As soon as he left Markise, he was going to try to find someone and leave.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise nodded, though he wanted to argue. Why couldn't Ariel stay? Why couldn't they dance again? The answer flashed into his mind and he shoved it away. This was what he was trying to prevent by offering Ariel that job. How could he let Ariel go knowing what he was going to do? His tongue swept across his lips. He'd told Ariel that he'd provide everything he needed. He'd told him that. Desperation set in again, that need to save Ariel at any cost. He hated himself a little as he leaned close again. "Come back to my shop with me," he whispered. "Wait for me and I'll send Anna home."

You're better than this.

He needs me!

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna battled with Robbie as the next song continued, barely noticing as they changed their movements to fit the new beat. She had stole a quick glace up at him and was puzzled at first that he didn't look to be smirking at her or plotting against her. He was just....dancing, and enjoying it by the looks of it.

Robbie had been slowly moving in on her, and goosebumps went up her arms at the contact of his legs against hers. Her fight to keep his hands in her comfort zone felt like a losing battle. It was nothing if she compared it to the rest of the club, but compared to her experience it was a huge step. She knew she should give up and just enjoy the way she shivered at the contact, but Robbie was still virtually a stranger and it still felt wrong.

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

Ariel's jaw clenched and his hands tightened, then he pulled his hands away and shook his head. "No," he said, more firmly than he had thought himself capable of. Then he stepped in again to speak softly. "I'm going to be careful," he promised. "And I'll see you on Monday just the same as I've seen you the last couple of days. I'll be fine, go have fun." He had made his decision and he wasn't going to go back on it, at least not without a lot of persuasion.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise's brows drew together, and those damned allergies doubled their attack. "I don't want you to go," he said, trying to see Ariel's eyes behind the overlong hair. "Please, just stay with me." He wanted Ariel to stay safe, wanted to help him stop. He'd said it wasn't fun anymore! Markise leaned closer again, his hands settling against Ariel's chest now. "We can both have fun," he tried. And yet there was no seduction in his eyes, only worry and desperation. Always desperation.

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

Ariel took Markise's hands and pushed them away. "Stop, please," he said softly. "Don't do this, you and I both know that if I stopped for you right now, I would just go back." Markise had to know that. Ariel couldn't fathom that he wouldn't. "We can dance again next week." It was all they could have, at least for now.