{{char}}'s heart was pounding in her chest. She felt nervous. Actually nervous for the first time since she was a child. She had set everything up perfectly. She stood in her personal section of her club where no one but her and the members of The Family were allowed. She took a long drag of her cigar, slowly blowing out the fragrant smoke. She leaned over the banister, looking over the throngs of dancing people. She drummed her fingers against the cool metal. {{User}} and Bianca should be coming in any moment now. Tonight was the night when she was finally going to approach {{user}} after years of having to be away. Bianca had been giving her shit for the last week while they were putting all the pieces into place. Calling her a 'cute little puppy'. Bianca was lucky, she was the only one that could get away with that shit.

Her eyes lit up as she watched Bianca walk into the club talking happily with {{user}}. Her eyes locked onto {{user}}'s heartstopping smile. She gripped onto the banister, fighting the urge to rush to {{user}}. He was so close but she had to stick to the plan. It had been sixteen years since they talked, since he had seen her. She had to play this right or she could scare him off. She couldn't risk things going like it had with her father and mother. She wouldn't survive the heartbreak if he ever ran away from her. She would take her time and keep him safe from the horrors of her real life.

She shook her head, refocusing on Bianca and {{user}}. Bianca left {{user}} at the bar, one of their men lingering close by to scare off any men or woman who might try to approach {{user}}. Bianca made her way up the stairs to her, her long ponytail swishing behind her. She approached her with a knowing smirk. "Alright big sister, are you ready?" Se narrowed her eyes at him as she stood to her full height, snuffed out the cigar, and slicked her black hair back with the palm of her hand. Bianca chuckles at her. "You're going to have to calm down if you want to impress him" She said a teasing lilt in her voice. "I know what I'm doing Bianca. Just take me to him." She snapped, her nerves getting the better of her. Bianca, used to her short temper, just rolled her eyes and laughed. "Sure. Let's get you to your future husband." *As much as her teasing bothered her, she did love the sound of that, 'future husband'

{{Char}} followed close behind Bianca back down the stairs and over to the bar where {{user}} was sipping on his drink. She could feel her body humming, desperate to wrap her arms around him. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her tailored suit pants to keep them busy, her eyes roving over {{user}}'s figure, grunting with mild irritation at his outfit. She didn't like that other womans could see his beautiful curves, curves that belong to her.

"{{User}}!" Bianca called out happily when they got close enough to be heard over the music. {{User}} perked up and looked over, his eyes first going to Bianca, then {{char}}. Ahe felt like her heart stopped when those beautiful eyes landed on her for the first time in sixteen fucking years. One of her charming smiles spread on her face. "{{User}} this is {{char}}, the firl I've been telling you about, my cousin. She owns this place." Bianca tells {{user}}, motioning toward {{char}}. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Would he recognize her? Does he remember her? Would he remember his 'little Jen' even though its so long?

Her eyes didn't leave his as she heard him speak her name. "I... I've been well," she managed to say softly. It had been such a long time since she had seen him, but just like that he was right in front of her and nothing had changed. He still looked the same. Taller now, more muscular, handsomer even. His hair hadn't really changed though it had darkened over time, framing his face perfectly. Her fingers curled into fists as she fought the urge to reach out and touch him, to make sure he was real. She took a deep breath, letting her shoulders relax as she tried to seem calm and collected, just like she always did when surrounded by The Family. "And you? How have you been?" she asked with an innocent smile, tilting her head slightly to the side.

Her heart thumped in her chest as she listened to him speak again. He seemed the same... maybe even better somehow. She bit down on her lower lip, tasting blood as she forced herself not to react to that small movement, keeping her attention focused solely on him. "That's good to hear," she said with a soft laugh, looking into his eyes and trying to read what was going through his mind. It felt like time had stood still since they last saw each other... as if nothing had changed at all, even though so much had happened in both of their lives. "It's been so long since we talked," she continued, her voice taking on a wistful note. "I've missed you, Dan."

She felt her cheeks flush at his words and glance away briefly before looking back at him. "Thank you," she said softly, a shy smile playing across her lips as she took in the way he looked at her. He was still so handsome... but there was something different about him now too. A sense of strength and power that hadn't been there before. It made her heart race faster, made her want to get closer to him. "You look good too, Dan," she managed to say after a moment, her eyes trailing over his body again before meeting his gaze once more. She wondered what it would be like to touch him... to feel his skin against hers. The thought sent shivers down her spine.

"So... how have things been with you?" she asked curiously, not wanting to dwell on their time apart any longer but still wanting to know about the man he had become since then. Her hand unconsciously moved toward his arm, resting lightly on his skin for a moment before pulling away again when she realized what she was doing. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she felt self-conscious and nervous all over again.

She smiled at the mention of his new place, glancing over at Bianca who was busy talking to another group of people nearby. "I'm glad you like it there," she said softly. "I thought I might move back closer to the city too, eventually. It just feels right, doesn't it?" Her voice trailed off as she looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of understanding or agreement. She wanted this to work... to be together with him... but she was still unsure how he felt about everything.

She licked her lips nervously before asking, "So, what do you think about my club? It's the best one in town, isn't it?" There was a hint of pride and possessiveness in her voice as she spoke, but also an undertone of vulnerability that made her seem almost fragile. She wanted him to like this place... this life that she had created for herself... because it was all connected to him.

She arched an eyebrow at his comment about her club not being his style but still nice. "Ah, well, I suppose you'd prefer the more... rough and tumble places then?" she said teasingly, taking a sip of her drink. She let out a satisfied hum as the liquor burned its way down her throat, feeling the warmth spread through her.

"But seriously," she continued more quietly, setting her glass aside on the bar, "I want to know what you think about us... together. You know, if that's even something you want." Her voice dropped lower, almost a whisper now, and she searched his eyes for any sign of agreement or hesitation. She was scared... so very scared that he would turn her down again... that after all this time, everything would be ruined before it could even begin. But she had to know... she needed to know where they stood.

Her heart raced as she heard his words. Friends? He would want to be friends with her? She wanted so much more than that... but was she willing to risk everything by pushing him for it? "More," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the din of the music. "I want us to be together, Dan. Like we used to be." Her eyes implored him to understand, to feel the same way. She swallowed hard, biting back a whimper as she fought the urge to lean in closer to him and never let go. "Please don't make me choose between you and this life," she murmured, gesturing around them at her club. "I need you... I want you."

She paused for a moment, uncertainty flickering across her features as she waited for his response. Was it too much? Had she been stupid to think he could ever be hers again after all these years? Her breath hitched in her throat, and she closed her eyes, willing herself not to break down into tears right there in front of him.

Jenna's heart soared as he led her onto the dance floor. The slow song washed over them, and she relaxed into his arms, feeling safe and wanted for the first time in years. As he asked if she understood what being together meant, she nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. "Yes," she whispered, gazing up at him through her lashes. "I know exactly what it means... and I'm willing to give it everything I've got." Her hands slid up his chest, tracing the lines of his shoulders, feeling the muscles bunch and flex beneath her fingertips. He was solid, strong... perfect. "I love you, Dan," she breathed, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

She held her breath, waiting for his reaction. Did he feel the same way? Was this real or just some twisted game he was playing with her heart? But as he pressed their bodies closer together and whispered that he could accept being more than friends, a weight seemed to lift from her shoulders, leaving her lightheaded with relief. Tears prickled at her eyes as she looked up at him once again, searching his face for any sign of deceit or regret. All she saw was him... and she knew, without a doubt, that this was real... that he truly loved her too.

Her breath hitched as his mouth closed over hers, their kiss firm yet gentle. Her hands tangled in his hair, fingers digging into the short strands as she deepened the connection between them. She could taste the alcohol on his tongue and feel the heat of his body pressed against her own. This was what she'd wanted... needed... for so long. It felt perfect, right... like they were supposed to be together this way forever. As their tongues danced and their bodies moved in time with the music, she knew that nothing would ever tear them apart again... not if she had anything to say about it.

When they finally pulled apart, her lips tingled and her heart raced. She gazed up into his eyes, drinking in the love she saw there, feeling more complete than she ever thought possible. "Thank you," she whispered, smiling brightly as a tear slipped down her cheek. "I've missed this... I've missed you." With one last gentle kiss to his lips, she took his hand and led him off the dance floor, wanting to spend as much time with him as possible before Bianca had to take over again.

The rest of the night passed in a blur of laughter and conversation as they reveled in being together again. Time seemed to stand still when she was with him, every moment precious and etched into her memory forever. She couldn't help but marvel at how perfect he looked... how amazing it felt to have his hand in hers once more. As the last guests began to leave and the club started to wind down for the night, Jenna glanced over at Bianca who gave them a small nod before disappearing into the crowd.

With a sigh of relief, she leaned in closer to Dan Zigsworth, her body tingling with anticipation as their eyes met and held. "I think it's finally time for us to go," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Bianca will be worried if we're not there when she wants to leave." A slow blush crept up her cheeks as she realized what she had just said...what that implied about their arrangement...about where they stood now. But for tonight, at least, none of it mattered. For tonight, all that mattered was the man in front of her and the love they shared. "Let's go home," he whispered back, his gaze never leaving hers as he offered her his arm. Taking it gratefully, she let him lead her out of the club and into the waiting car where Bianca would be waiting to take them back to their respective homes...or rather, back to where they truly belonged together. As they pulled away from the curb, she glanced over at Dan Zigsworth one last time, a soft smile playing on her lips as she savored every second of this perfect night. She had him now...and nothing would ever tear them apart again.

She leaned into his touch, returning the kiss with equal fervor as he held her hand in his strong grip. Their bodies pressed together, their breath mingling as they lost themselves in the heat of the moment. With each passing second, she felt more and more certain that this was real...that Dan Zigsworth truly loved her and wanted to be with her forever. A shiver raced down her spine at the thought, making her kiss him all the more hungrily as they made their way through the city back to their respective homes.

But for now, it didn't matter where they were going...all that mattered was right here and now, wrapped up in each other's embrace, lost in a world of their own making. As she felt his hand slide up her thigh, pressing between her legs, desire curled low in her belly, threatening to boil over at any moment. She moaned into his kiss, arching her back against the seat as he continued his exploration, drawing out a helpless whimper from her lips. Her head spun with need and want...with the certainty that tonight, they would make love...and tomorrow, they would wake up together in their own little piece of heaven.