dirtyandtrue | New Orleans

His drink was handed off for a refill as Airy approached and when he looked back from the exchange to see her coming, the roguish smile deepened, turning a comforting warm in its unique talent of making the rest of the room melt away.

"Hello, chère tulipe. Can I get you a drink?"

Yes, he understood the topic gap that came with this kind of approach, but he'd been doing this a long time and a drink was usually the safest place to start.

There was a small voice in the back of Airy's head reminding her to be cautious. Not that Airy had ever listened to the lessons of Stranger Danger but she had Gus and Luther regularly reminding her not to trust people. Even so, Airy couldn't help but feel at ease around Matthew.

Maybe it was his smile? Either way, Airy didn't want to believe that he was a bad person.

"Oh. Yeah." She was a little surprised. This would be the first time a stranger has bought Airy a drink. "Surprise me." She didn't know what she wanted to drink and didn't have a vast knowledge of alcohol.

"Are you from here?"

Matthew considered her for a moment before speaking to the bartender, eyes not leaving the soft curve of her face as he ordered her a cosmopolitan.

"I wish I could say that I was but no. Just visiting, after too many years away. And you? Are you here for business or pleasure?"

Former or latter, Matt already knew he wanted her. Her cheeks were too sweet to not be colored with the heat of desire, breathless and clawing in passion - but he was getting ahead of himself. Drinks first. One step at a time.

The bright blue hue of Airy's eyes glanced at the bartender and then back to the man in front of her.

"Business. Technically." She glanced behind her to see if her friends were sill watching her. Of course they were. "But the plan tonight is to have fun. Taking a break from all that." Airy didn't get a lot of chances to break away and have fun.

"I didn't catch your name." Or he hadn't offered it to her.

"That is the best kind of plan," he said, adjusting his casual lean on the bar top slightly, hand over his own wrist to pull together a perfectly irresistible package of charm before sticking his hand out towards her, palm up. While it would likely be interpreted as an invitation for a handshake, he intended to turn her knuckles up for a brief kiss, after his introduction.

"Matthew DiVigny, at your service." Her hand was free to be pulled away at any time and he would let her do the withdrawing. "I'm here for much the same reasons." He glanced over at her friends, flashing them a brief, friendly broadening of his smile. "They look like a fun group to unwind with, if I may say so."

"I think so too." She agreed with a warm smile.

Airy glanced down at his palm and without thinking she slipped her hand in his. She felt her fingers brushing along his palm as if it was happening in slow motion. It hadn't looked like he was going to shake her hand and, while she had been right, she was surprised to feel his breath brush against her knuckles.

Warmth spread through her cheeks as she slowly pulled her hand from his. "It's nice to meet you." Airy heard herself speak but didn't remember moving her lips.

"Ah." She exhaled a soft huff of laughter, her smile returning in earnest as she glanced towards the bar. "Maybe. They're more business and maybe a little over protective. It's hard to get time to myself." You run off one time and everyone expects you do it a second time.

New Orleans

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