The Scarlet Dove - Issue 16

Issue Sixteen -- A Normal Life

Chapter One

Of course, it was The Summit.

After everything she'd already been through, Starling Chase found herself standing back in the lobby of The Summit hotel. This time for her actual work. She had just finished meeting with the first lady of Warden City in regard to the huge bridal expo she was organizing. Where else could such an event be held, other than the extravagant conference rooms concealing a supervillain's hideout.

It had been almost a week since her encounter with Dominion at the power plant, and until today she had done a fairly good job of not thinking about any of it. Even then she tried to push such thoughts from her mind, but as she crossed the luxurious atrium to have the bellhop call up a cab, she felt as though she could almost hear Dominion and Tom Danvers muttering beneath her very feet.

The redhaired reporter was dressed sharply, as you would to meet the mayor's wife. She wore a dark navy blazer, with a white and blue striped turtleneck. Below that was a respectfully knee-length pencil skirt, the color of butterscotch, under which she was wearing dark navy tights which disappeared into a pair of matching heels. Her crimson locks were pulled up and back, in a meticulously styled bun.

I wonder if mom ever organized anything like this expo? She wondered. The mayor's wife cut a rather dynamic figure, stylish and charismatic, but could she have held a candle to Sara Chase (Kane?) in her prime? I wonder what mom was even like back then? Gosh, I can't believe I've never really checked the archives...always too focused on what happened after...

"Excuse me, miss..." a sudden voice pulled Starling from her thoughts. She paused starting to turn. "...but didn't I see your tits on the internet?" Instantly her high-boned cheeks turned as red as her hair, and a rush of embarrassed anger rolled through her.

"I beg your incredible pardon?" she began, only to have any other words die on her lips as she came face to strikingly-handsome-face with Pierce Ashton.

"I thought it was you," he said, dashing smile playing across his lips. "Sorry, of course, I couldn't resist..."

"Thought it was me?" Starling gasped. "What if it had been someone else?"

"I dunno, don't always think that far ahead," he shrugged.

"Of course not," Starling swallowed, trying not to notice the impeccable cut of his pinstriped suit. "You are something else...nice to see you Pierce." She turned to leave, trying to will the blush from her cheeks.

"Hey wait!" he said, grabbing her forearm.

The reporter snatched away from his grip. "What?"

Pierce recoiled at the ice in her tone. "I, uh, haven't seen you in a while...I just thought..."

"You thought?" she cut him off. "Trying something new then?"

He grinned, couldn't help but to. "I mean, how are you? How have you been?"

"How have I been?" Starling glared at him for a long moment. "You mean since being labeled a gold-digging whore by the media and having naked pictures of myself posted all across the internet?"

"Err," his grin disappeared. "No, that's not exactly what I meant..."

"Oh well, then what exactly did you mean?"

"Uh I mean um..."

"Uh um!" she cut him off. "Because the last time we talked you were intently not giving a fuck about my very public humiliation!"

That last bit came out a bit louder than she intended and Starling realized that everyone in the lobby was beginning to notice them.

"Yeah, kind of a jerk move," Pierce admitted. "Look I guess I'm just used to that kind of thing."

"Don't sweat it, Pierce," she replied. "But then why would you? Wasn't your tits... have a great life!"

Again, Starling turned and headed towards the bellhop. A little thrill tickled through her stomach, had she really just told off Pierce Ashton? In the lobby of his own hotel?

Gawd that felt good! She thought to herself and signaled the bellhop. He turned to face her.

"I need a cab, plea..."

"Mr. Ashton, your car will be right here," the bellhop said looking right past her. "Can I get you a beverage while you wait?"

"No, no, I'm fine," Pierce said as he came up beside Starling. "Uh, do you need a ride?"

"Not from you," she replied, scanning the drive for a cab.

Seeing one near the end, she started to wave for it. Pierce grabbed her arm again, and this time clamped down when she tried to pull away.

"Alright, hold on just a damn minute," he said, locking her emerald eyes with a stern gaze. "Maybe I deserved that back in there, I can be insensitive and self-centered...and you may not be a gold-digger, but do you have any idea how many people look at me with dollar signs in their eyes? I have to keep my guard up at all times!"

"I never saw a single cent when I looked at you, Pierce," Starling said. "And I don't want to break through your guard anymore, I just want a cab so I can get back to work...now let go of my arm."

"I know all that...now," his grip tightened just slightly. "And now I just want to make up for being such an asshole." He let go and Starling snatched her arm away. "Don't get in a dirty cab you'll have to overpay for, come with me and let me give you a luxury ride back to your office. It's the least I can do."

On cue, a long black Towncar rolled up the drive, gleaming like it had just come through the wash. The bellhop rushed over and opened the back door.

"Sir, your car!"

Pierce held up a hand, as a smile, somewhere between smug and sincere, spread across his face. "Please?"

Starling looked from the dingy yellow cab, to the gleaming sedan and back to Pierce. "Fine."

She strut past him and climbed into the car, making sure to slide all the way across to the far side. Pierce gave a few quick instructions to the bellhop, before getting in, Starling couldn't make them out. The Towncar was not quite a limo but it wasn't an ordinary car either. The back seats faced each other, and there was a divider between them and the driver. Pierce climbed in, taking the seat diagonal from her, letting the bellhop shut the door. Starling stared out the window as the car pulled away.

"You look good," Pierce said after a very brief silence. "Got kind of a sexy secretary thing going on."

"Golly gee, Pierce, thanks..." she smarmed, not looking over.

"Ok, no compliments then," Pierce murmured.

"Oh I'm sorry, is that what passes for a compliment at Ashtoncorp?" Starling turned towards him, crossing her arms under her breasts. "Cuz where I work it's borderline sexual harassment."

"Good thing you don't work for me then."

"I could never work for you, Pierce, I have a college degree and three digits in my IQ!"

"Goddam you're sharp," Pierce smirked. "Makes me remember why I liked you so much...look my bad, I honestly didn't mean to offend you."

I guess he's not the only one who keeps a guard up, Starling realized, turning back to the window. I wonder if he meant that about liking me? ...Or if he's just thinking about giving me more than just a ride? Now her mind flashed back to the two nights they'd spent together, and Starling couldn't help but remember how good he was in bed.

"So how did that article come out?" Pierce asked. "I'm usually notified about anything like that concerning me or the family, I don't remember ever seeing it come across my desk..."

"Oh, right, um," Starling murmured, suddenly reminded she hadn't been entirely honest with him in their earlier meetings either. "I ended up getting reassigned," she lied. "I've been doing women's interest pieces instead."

"I see," he nodded. "I don't get notified about stuff like that."

"No, I guess you wouldn't," she replied, failing to stifle a chuckle.

He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "So, you must have been at the hotel covering preparations for the mayor's wife's thing?"

"Yes, the bridal expo," Starling nodded. "It's a big deal, I'm hoping to get a Pulitzer nomination for it."

Now they both chuckled.

"Okay look, I'm just going to say one more thing," Pierce began. "Then we can ride in silence all the way to your office if you like?"

"Alright."

"Now I'm not saying I shouldn't have been more understanding to how it affected you," he started. "But I was kinda right, wasn't I?"

Starling scowled. "How so?"

"It all blew over pretty quickly, right?" he said cautiously. "I mean if we had launched some big legal battle over those pictures and the articles, it just would have kept it in the news longer...as it was, we ignored it and it blew over."

"Yes, Pierce, you were right," she admitted, even as the memory brought a slight flush to her cheeks. "But do you have any idea how violated I felt having those pictures go out world wide!? How humiliating it was to be just another one of Pierce Ashton's bimbos on the cover of that rag the Whole Truth?" She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. "I didn't need you to be right...I needed you to care...to care that I was being humiliated that way for you! I needed you to have my back in some kinda way, any kinda way, so I knew that I was more to you than what the tabloids were accusing me of. So yeah, it all blew over pretty quick, but not as quick as you were to blow me off!"

Pierce was quiet for a moment, chewing the inside of his lip. Starling turned back to the window, trying to nonchalantly brush away the single tear gliding down her cheek.

"Shit," Pierce sighed at last. "I didn't know...I-I didn't even..."

"I know you didn't," she interjected. "I guess I just thought...I hoped I was going to be more than a one-night stand...that happened twice..."

"Oh, hey..."

"No, it's fine... that wasn't me fishing."

"But I don't even think about it that way..."

"No, you just thought I was sleeping with you to get to your money...like every other girl."

"Alright, alright, I give!" Pierce held up his hands. "You win! I'll be king douche of the world, whatever..."

"Well, let's not be too hard on yourself," she said quickly. "Maybe just of Warden City." Starling flashed him a slight smile.

Pierce grinned. "Douche King of Warden City then."

About that time the car pulled to a stop and Starling looked out the window. They were at Ashtoncorp headquarters. She looked back to Pierce quizzically.

"Sorry, I didn't get a chance to mention I have to make a real quick stop first," Pierce said guiltily. "Gimme just a minute and we'll get you over to your office."

An attendant came sprinting from the building to open the car door, Pierce began to slide out then paused.

"You wanna come up?" he offered. "Best view in the city..."

"Better than the view from your penthouse?"

Pierce grinned. "My penthouse office is twenty stories higher than my place at the Summit."

Starling sighed, but nodded and followed him out of the car. Regardless of how she felt about Pierce, it was tough to pass up the opportunity to see more of the opulent building.

She had been in the main lobby more than once, but now Pierce led Starling through to a private elevator. The receptionist at the desk even gave her a polite nod. The attendant rushed ahead of them, producing a keycard to operate the elevator. The doors slid open, allowing Pierce and Starling to step on without so much as breaking stride. Pierce produced his own card then, swiped it and the doors closed, leaving them alone.

As the elevator began its ascent, Starling glanced over at Pierce. He stood easily, pinstriped suit perfectly fit to his lean, angular frame. His hair was a bit longer than she remembered, neatly styled back from his sharp featured face.

Am I being too hard on him? She wondered, as the floors pinged by slowly. I knew what we were, or rather weren't, but am I still acting like the jilted girlfriend? It's not like he had those pictures taken, he was in them too after all...

"Okay, I have to say something else now," he spoke up suddenly.

"It's your elevator..."

"You were never just a bimbo or just a one-night stand," he said. "I knew there was something special about you the first moment I met you...sure your fashion sense has never been great, but you're smart, and self-assured, I think back on our conversations just as much as...er, as um..."

"As much as the sex?" Starling said with a slight blush. "Funny, I remember feeling like a total idiot anytime we tried to talk."

"No!" Pierce assured her. "I mean I tend to ramble on about business stuff you probably didn't understand, but I'll tell you a secret...nobody understands that nonsense, I'm just good at pretending to!"

An unexpected giggle crawled up from Starling's chest and she looked down at the floor. "Well if you're half as slick in a boardroom as you are in the bedroom..."

"Oh yeah, I've been super slick today," he smacked himself on the forehead. "I just want to apologize but I can't even seem to accomplish that right."

Now Starling looked him directly in the eyes. "Well, you know...you haven't."

Their eyes stayed locked for a long moment, as Pierce seemed to consider her words. "You're absolutely right," he conceded. "Starling, I am really sorry."

Just then the door slid back open, saving the redhaired reporter from having to reply. Pierce stepped out, leading her into a long atrium. There was a fountain running down the center of it, surrounded by lush greenery, and clearly exotic plants. Just to her left was an all glass reception desk which no one was sitting at. Directly overhead, the noon sun shone down through the glass ceiling.

"I know, right?" Pierce said, taking her by the wrist.

"It's beautiful," Starling tried to play it cool.

"Wait till you see my office," he grinned. "This way."

He led her through to the other side of the atrium, as the fountain's jets sprayed and splashed in time to the soft music playing throughout. There were no walls on this floor, only windows. They passed an all glass conference room. His office was at the other end.

She followed him in, almost freezing at the sight of her city spread out beneath them. Every other skyscraper in downtown reached up towards them enviously. The high sun glinted off each one, throwing light and shadows in ways you could not see from the ground. Beyond that she could see residential areas and suburbs stretching out in a green and beige mosaic. All of it then wrapped in the calm embrace of the Mighty Montgomery river.

I've battled criminals, mutants and supervillains down there, and yet the sight of this city can still take my breath away, she thought.

Of course, as the Scarlet Dove she'd flown higher than this even...but never in the middle of the day, and never with time to just appreciate the view, always on some mission.

"You look so beautiful right now," Pierce's voice pulled Starling from her awed state.

"What?" she turned to face him.

Pierce took in the sight for a moment, the sun gleaming off her crimson hair and the city spread out behind her. "I forget what it's like to be in 'awe' sometimes," he said walking over to her. "To see you this way, pretty green eyes big as dinner plates, those soft little lips hanging open in stunned silence...I could...I could just..."

He came at her in a rush, wrapping his arm behind her and pulling her against his chest. Starling barely had time to gasp before his lips had covered hers in a hungry kiss. His tongue thrust hotly into her mouth and Starling pressed her hands against his shoulders, feeling them flex under his suit. She intended to push him away but instead found herself kissing him back, feeling her heart start to hammer in her chest. His hand slid down her back, encircling her narrow waist and pulling her closer.

His assertiveness sent a powerful tingle of desire dancing up her spine but before she could fall into it, Pierce released her and pulled away.

Starling stepped back too, covering her mouth with one hand and blushing furiously. I thought I was supposed to be mad at this jerk?

"I'm sorry," Pierce said, his own cheeks showing a little red. "I probably shouldn't have done that..."

"I mean..." Starling stammered. "I guess it's a really good thing I don't work for you..."

They laughed.

"Do you need to hurry back?" Pierce asked, an edge of uncertainty in his voice. "I could have them send up lunch first, we could...talk a little bit longer."

Starling bit her lip demurely. "I guess that'd be okay, maybe, I mean it's the least you could do, really."

"The very least," Pierce agreed. "And no business talk I promise!"

He moved over to his desk, dialing up whoever was responsible for bringing him lunch.

Starling turned back to Warden City, lightly chewing her thumb.

What am I thinking? She wondered, awestruck once again by the view. I'm thinking he's the best sex I've ever had! She responded to herself. And it'd be really nice to get laid and actually consent to it...

Pierce moved back up beside her, keeping a respectful distance. "It'll be up in about twenty minutes."

"Perfect," Starling said turning to face him, her emerald eyes gleaming. "That should be just enough time!"

Chapter Two

Throwing her arms around his neck, Starling kissed Pierce again. He seemed surprised at first but did not hesitate in returning the kiss. Her hands ran up over his shoulders, pushing his suit jacket back and off. He quickly did the same, tugging the blazer off her shoulders. Keeping their lips locked, Starling grabbed his tie, pulling it loose and beginning to unbutton his shirt.

Reaching down, Pierce gathered the hem of her butterscotch skirt and pulled it up around her shapely hips. Then grabbing handfuls of her full round booty, lifted the redhead easily into his arms. Starling immediately wrapped her legs around his waist, as he carried her across the room to his desk and set her down on it.

Starling felt a rush of nervous excitement, as he wrestled his shirt off. Her dainty fingers reached out, tracing the sculpted edges of his naked chest. She had almost forgotten how beautiful his body was. He returned to their kiss, a rush of warmth flooded her chest feeling his muscles flex beneath her hands.

She squirmed slightly, as his own hands began sliding up her torso, then grabbed her boobs over the thin material of her striped turtleneck. Starling arched her back, pushing her chest more firmly into his grasp. He squeezed, kneading her plump, round breasts firmly and making the girl moan into his mouth. Eagerly the redhead peeled off her top, revealing the flesh colored bra beneath. Reaching back, she fumbled to unhook it, but Pierce grabbed the cups where they met between her breasts and effortlessly snapped the bra open! Starling gasped and let it fall from her shoulders.

His aggressiveness sent a tendril of warmth curling through her torso, despite ruining the garment. That warmth spread through her hips, sending a slight tremor down her legs and making her wet.

Starling pulled away from their kiss, gasping for breath. "Wait, wait, wait," she giggled. "Can we do this? Here, I mean...?"

"Little late for that isn't it?" Pierce laughed as his hands closed around her naked tits.

"I just mmmMMMMMmuh-meant..." she moaned as he squeezed, sending tingles dancing through her chest. "I mean is there any-any one else...oh!" Starling trailed off as her rosy nipples tingled and hardened under his palms.

"There's nobody else on this floor," he said, toying with her little pink top hats. "Just you, me and the city..."

It sounded like romance, but Starling knew better. Still she moaned as her sensitive nubs rolled between his fingers, sending a needy quiver through her pussy.

He pulled her back in for more kissing, and she returned his affection eagerly. Then he grabbed a handful of hair, yanking her head to the side as he moved from her lips, planting a string of hot wet kisses down her swanlike neck, and across her bare shoulder. Feeling his lips on her neck sent a shiver all the way down her spine, making her even wetter.