Archive of Our Own ^beta

Piers prided himself on his ability to charm his way into any situation. Perhaps it wasn't a very positive thing to take pride on, but who cared? He surely didn't. With his silver tongue, he could get himself into and out of any situation. He was certain of it. It's how he got into this fancy ball, afterall. He wasn't a rich man, nor was he from an important family, so the only way someone like him could get invited to a place as prestigious as this was by seducing his way in. Or- Alternatively -Simply sneaking inside without anyone noticing. Guards these days were so unaware of their surroundings, it was almost hilarious.

Tonight's target was a dazzling one: Lilith Deroiser, the CEO of one of the big companies. She was stunning, to say the least, with sharp features, high cheekbones, long black hair, and captivating black eyes. She was one of the few beauties in the industry, and Piers found himself captivated by her beauty, if not her skills. His objective: to steal her valuable bracelet. It was apparently made of silver, encrusted white diamonds all around, with one precious 6 carat blue diamond in the very center. 4 million dollars per carat, the thief thought to himself. That would be enough to cover all his debt, and more.

Little did he know that the tables were about to turn on him, much like a game of cat and mouse. 

At a luxurious ball, which was held at one of those high-end, prestigious hotels, Piers found himself in Lilith's orbit, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He approached her with practiced charm, slipping through the people in her circle of conversation easily, voice smooth as silk. "You must be Lilith Deroiser, correct?" he purred in a way that managed to sound both confident and admiring, glancing at her necklace from a distance. Admiring her bracelet would be far more suspicious, it was more out of sight. "I've heard so much about you, madam. And dare I say.. That's such an exquisite piece you're wearing. You have true taste for fine jewelry." He smiled.

Lilith found herself rather bored by the ball. It happened every year, and each year, the theme was unchanging, always following the theme of a 20's masqerade. She had her hands tied in this, metaphorically speaking. She was more or less forced to attend, otherwise the media would simply paint her as a bitch. She had actually observed Piers from the periphery of her vision far before he approached, and even then, only really caught glimpses of him. He moved in a way that could be compared to the grace of a slinking cat. Over the music she couldn't tell, but Lilith was willing to bet that his footsteps did not make any noise.

Lilith's lips curled into a knowing smile, her eyes locking onto Piers'. She hadn't failed to notice the way his eyes lingered on her necklace a little too long. She had to be constantly aware in the business world, after all. People said a woman couldn't possibly run a successful company. And normally she would call security and have people taken away for such obvious thievery attitude, but today she was in a particularly good mood.

"I am. But who might you be?" She purred back, tone filled with intrigue. Her voice had a pleasant French accent to it, her tone smooth as silk and as sultry as a well-aged wine. Piers didn't look like any of her business partners, or any of their assistants. He was new, and therefore intriguing. New people were always such a pleasant experience. Perhaps he was just someone's plus-one, who knows?

Piers' confidence wavered for a moment, taken aback by her directness. Usually it was the other way around. "I'm Piers," he replied, recovering quickly. "Just a man who appreciates a true treasure when he sees one." He said, taking her glove-adorned hand gently, kissing the back of it like a true gentleman, right over one of her rings, which also looked real expensive. How much money did she have??

Lilith raised an eyebrow, her gaze never leaving him, as if she could see into the depths of his mind, into his intentions. "Oh, Piers, you're not just any man, are you?" She pulled her hand away from the thief's, her smile only becoming more and more like a siren's. Her finger, adorned with a delicate black manicure, traced a tantalizing path along the lapel of Piers' suit, each stroke igniting a trail of sensation down his spine. 

"Piers," She let the name roll off her tongue, tasting it like a fine wine. "You are not just a man who appreciates a treasure when he sees one," her dark eyes suddenly flicked up to meet his, and there was that smile again. An innocent smile, that conveyed power. Control.

"I can tell you're a man who enjoys taking risks, no?"

Piers swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. His facade cracked briefly, but he was sure Lilith hadn't noticed, right? He had entered this encounter with confidence, but Lilith's magnetic allure had turned the tables, and he needed to turn them back. Never had he felt this sudden wave of nervousness, especially not during his encounters. He felt a rush of vulnerability that he hadn't experienced in a long while. But oh, Lilith had noticed alright. The bead of sweat forming on his forehead, the slight bob of his throat, a flicker in his gaze. She could tell that he was nervous.

"You're quite perceptive, Ms. Deroiser" he admitted, his voice betraying a hint of admiration amidst his efforts to regain his composure.

Lilith, never one to back down from a challenge, leaned in closer. Her lips, painted a deep crimson shade, hovered dangerously close to his ear, her warm breath sending a jolt of unexpected desire through him. "You know, Piers," she whispered, her voice dripping with temptation as she placed her hand on the man's chest, feeling the way his heart raced against his ribcage even through his clothes. No one else was meant to hear these words, only the mysterious man that decided to make her afternoon a little more interesting.

"I have an affinity for taking risks too." Her words hung in the air like a warm invitation, leaving Piers entangled in a web of want, danger, and a seductive game he couldn't resist playing. The thought of Lilith's bracelet slipped from his mind almost completely. Lilith had him wrapped around her pinky, and he couldn't care less. "And you might just ?be a risk I am interested in. Someone worth indulging in, aren't you?" She leant away again, and her hand slipped towards his arm, down to his elbow. She had gotten him right where she wanted. He looked like a puppy, looking up at her as if he was expecting some sort of praise. For once, Piers Jurkovic seemed to be at a loss for words. She couldn't blame him, either. 

"I-"

"How about we dance, hmm? Let us decide how the night will end afterwards."

As the night wore on, their conversation grew increasingly heated, a battle of wits and seduction, and eventually the two moved away from Lilith's business group to chat between themselves. Lilith's allure left Piers mesmerized, and he was unable to resist her magnetic pull. She led him into an intricate game of temptation and will, her fingers brushing against his arm, her laughter clear and melodic, like a siren's song. And he didn't ever want it to end. 

"You're such an interesting man, Piers" Lilith spoke, running her index finger up the side of the thief's neck, before running it under his chin, lifting his face and his gaze up towards her. She was taller than him as it was, but she was wearing heels. Piers thought she looked.. Mesmerizing.

"Why so, m'lady?" Piers let out a breathy sigh, looking into her eyes. His knees went weak around her, something they didn't do with anything else. Not even around all the handsome men he'd gotten his way with to get out of sticky situations. "I'm no more interesting than a grain of sand on the beach," He laughed, and Lilith's smile only grew.

What an interesting man.  

Lilith tilted her head, lifting Piers' chin and tilting it from side to side, as if she were inspecting for flaws. "Well, you're pretty charming, for one." She laughed, leaning every so slightly closer to Piers, who seemed to shrink in her presence. Like an obedient puppy, and she loved it. She relished in that power dynamic.

"And you're so good for me. We haven't even know each other for two hours, and you're already obeying me. I love that." She whispered. They were away, in a secluded corner of the ballroom, where the music wasn't as loud and the lights weren't as jarring. Where they had more space to themselves, as Lilith swirled her champagne in her flute absentmindedly. You weren't supposed to do that, but she was too into the situation to care,

Piers chuckled at her words, taking two steps closer to her, feeling every little hair on his arms stand on end at her exhilarating touch. It moved from his chin down his chest, and then to his shoulder, just resting her hand over the fabric. Such a gentle touch, and yet it was so unbelievably deadly. "Are you implying that I'm easy?" He asked, his confidence resurging for a moment. He grinned towards Lilith, watching as she rose her eyebrows in mild surprise. She hadn't expected this sudden change in attiatude.

But all of that confidence went down the drain the second Lilith grabbed his tie and pulled him closer. Piers could feel their breaths clashing against one another, the heat of the moment translating into the way their bodies were so close, yet so far away. Piers wanted more. He longed for the feeling of her lips on his, maybe even on his neck.

"Maybe I am, but are you really going to try and deny that you are?" 

He slowly shook his head, his gaze never leaving Lilith's. Slowly, his hands went up towards her curves, her beautiful navy blue velvet dress. It fit her so well, it was clear that it was tailored to fit her and her alone

 And yet, Piers thought that the dress would look much better on the hotel's bedroom floors.

Piers' hand slowly ran up her body, tracing her lines and her body, before stopping at her sides, in a pose that looked like he was worshiping her. It wasn't far from the truth, really. His hands ran over her velvet dress, looking as if he wanted to hold her close. He needed her, the lovestruck look in his eyes said everything that she needed to know. Lilith smirked down at him, before letting go of him entirely. Stepping back and smirking at him, her expression taking on that siren-like aspect once more,

"How about you meet me in this very spot in an hour, Piers? I have some business to attend to, I'm sure you understand." She hummed, slipping away from his touch. After fixing her dress, Lilith glanced back at him expectantly, only to find Piers still half in awe, pupils blown wide and face ever so slightly flushed.

Lilith chuckled, "I knew you'd understand" She winked at him, and just like that she was gone. She had no real business to attend to, of course, but it was fun to leave a very flustered and frustrated Piers waiting. She could see how excited and aroused he was, and it just made it all that more fun.

Piers never thought he'd get roped in by anyone like this, but Lilith.. Oh, she was something else.

He found that he didn't mind giving up a few million dollars for her.