A black tie adventure with doesntsing

[allbedestroyed]

For a man whose perfect day involves hiking out into the wilderness alone to track a rare animal, an evening at a fancy party is not something to look forward to. The only consolation is in having good company to share it with. Making sure his friend has a good time is a much better goal than schmoozing the other guests.

After going through the ordeal of renting a tuxedo, and a car, he's around to pick Miriam up at the address she provided. Muldoon is uncomfortable in the unfamiliar clothing, and apprehensive about surviving an upper class dinner, but at least he knows he'll be in some good company. Worst comes to worst, Miriam will have some extra material to work with for her shows.

Ringing the doorbell, Muldoon tries not to look as awkward as he feels.

Comments

[doesntsing]

Midge is curious what sort of woman usually gives him attention, though she won’t ask for now. At least he’s used to getting some attention. “I’m not looking for a man to dazzle me with gifts, although-“ She raises her pointer finger. “-I do enjoy and appreciate gifts. Attraction and feelings don’t always make sense, or at least not in an obvious way.”

She pauses to take a deep breath. “You’re… solid. You know exactly the type of man that you are and you don’t apologize for it. You’ve been a gentleman to me all night, very willing to fight for my honor. That kind of loyalty is something that I’m looking for.” Midge doesn’t want to tell him about Joel cheating on her, at least not right now. This is about him.

“I’m glad to hear that you think all that about me,” Midge continues, “but I think you have some of those qualities as well. You’re worried about how you look compared to me, but a person only becomes more physically attractive the more you get to like them, and I’ve liked you ever since you stopped to talk with me at the zoo.”

[allbedestroyed]

The descriptor of 'solid' get raised eyebrows, and Muldoon is ready to make a dry comment before Midge continues on. It's really not the sort of thing he would expect Midge to be worrying about, loyalty. Any partner who isn't loyal to her is an idiot, that much Muldoon is sure of.

Muldoon eyes her thoughtfully, propping up his chin with a hand as he considers her and everything she's said. It deserves a moment to take in, after all.

"My work tends to be a problem for people, for partners," he says finally. "I really like you, Midge, and I don't want to accidentally hurt you."

[doesntsing]

“I know,” she replies. It’s not as if she hasn’t considered that. She’d just hoped she wouldn’t have to think about it for a little while. “How long are you in New York?”

Midge knows she wouldn’t be able to go with him to Kenya or Costa Rica on a permanent basis. She has her kids and her career to think of.

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon would never ask her to come with him, the same way he hopes she understands why he can't stay.

"I've got the rest of the week and then I have to head back." He offers a small smile. "If it's any consolation, the only ladies I pay attention to over there are the animals."

[doesntsing]

“Hopefully it doesn’t get that lonely out in the savanna,” Midge says with a wry smile.

She does understand. His work is important to him in the same way that hers is important to her.

Midge is quiet for a moment, mulling everything over.

“I guess that means we ought to take advantage of the time we have.”

That’s how she feels, though he might disagree.

[allbedestroyed]

That small smile widens just a touch at her conclusion. "I agree completely."

He takes this as his cue to cup her face and kiss her. Properly, this time. Slow and deep, savouring the moment between them.

[doesntsing]

Midge is glad that he’s in agreement. She puts a hand on his chest when he leans into kiss her. Her lips part against his when they press against hers. It’s a deeper kiss than the one he gave her at the party and she can taste the whiskey on his mouth.

“I guess this turned into a date after all,” she says once her mouth is unoccupied.

[allbedestroyed]

If she'd let him, he would fall utterly and completely into that kiss, but when she takes a break to breathe he can't help but smile.

"I'm sorry about that. If I'd known, I wouldn't have brought you there. I would have taken you somewhere more interesting. Don't hold it against me?"

[doesntsing]

“It was a nice party,” Midge replies, “just not your idea of a good time.” She cups his cheek briefly, then takes another sip of the whiskey.

“Where would you have taken me, if it was a date?” she asks, out of curiosity.

[allbedestroyed]

The notion that that was a nice party gets a raised eyebrow, but she knows his opinion on the whole thing. It's not his idea of fun, just like she said. The fact that she could enjoy it is a marvel to him.

He focuses instead on her question, leaning on the table as he considers. "I'm not sure."

"Maybe to a shooting range, to show you something very different to what I expect you're used to. Lunch and a walk in the park would be a safer bet."

[doesntsing]

Midge raises her eyebrows. “I’ve never been to a shooting range.” She pauses. “I don’t know if I’ve ever shot a gun. We still have a few days.”

She’s not opposed to it. Midge is open to new experiences. Plus, she’d kind of like to see him shoot.

[allbedestroyed]

"That's the point. It might not be the fanciest thing to do, but you'd remember it." He offers a smile then. "But I'd never make you do anything you're not comfortable with. I'd have more ideas for outside the city, but that's not for a first date."

Though to be honest, he feels like it wouldn't hurt for a woman in a city like this to know how to use a weapon. It's unlikely Midge would end up in that sort of situation, but he's someone who plans for the worst as a matter of course.

[doesntsing]

“Let’s do it,” she tells him, “the next day we’re both free.”

Midge is curious what Robert is thinking of that might not be suitable for a first date, but chances are it’s not as dirty as whatever she might be thinking of. Plus, she’s fairly sure they don’t have to leave the city to do any of that.

“Perhaps if you come back sometime I can take you out to the Catskills,” Midge continues, her voice low and sensual. “Some parts are very remote and private. You and I could get up to all sorts of things, I’m sure.”

[allbedestroyed]

He can't hide that he's pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm. His words might be minimal, but his tone is clearly pleased in his, "Alright."

Her own suggestion has Muldoon's brow furrowing for a moment as he tries to recall where he's heard that name from. It takes him a second for the recognition to sink in and he's surprised all over again.

"Aren't they the mountains near here?" He raises a curious eyebrow. "You like going to the mountains?"

[doesntsing]

He’s a man of few words, but that’s okay. Midge is a woman of too many words.

The only thing he seems to pick up on in her tone is the mountains, and not her sexual innuendo, and honestly it makes Midge smile wryly. “My family goes to a camp in the Catskills every summer,” Midge tells him. “As long as I’m camping in a cabin, it’s enjoyable.”

There’s a resort vibe to the camp she and her family go to. It’s not roughing it. Tent camping doesn’t really hold any appeal for her.

[allbedestroyed]

Unlike Midge, the idea of camping in a tent in the remote, mountain wilderness is very enticing. And also more common than a pretty lady flirting with him. Hopefully she'll excuse his distractedness. Only when she mentions the kind of holiday she likes does he snap back into the present and remember who he's talking to.

"Camping in a cabin isn't really camping, you know," he teases. "But I won't lie, I'm impressed you like to go out every summer. That's commitment."

[doesntsing]

Maybe you can get her there someday, Robert. She just hates the idea of looking less than her best. There’s no room for curlers and hair dryers and creams and makeup in a tent.

“Do you mean because there’s a salon on the camp grounds?” She asks with faux innocence. “There’s swimming and boating and tennis and archery, things like that. It’s nice to get out of the hot city for a while in the summer.”

[allbedestroyed]

He'll start with a big tent.

"There isn't," he says in disbelief. The more she talks the more he smiles, until he's trying to cover the grin with his hand. It's the least camp-like camping he's ever heard about.

After a second all he can think to do is clarify, "And this is for adults?"

[doesntsing]

It’s the least camping-like camping ever, but it’s the only type of camping that Midge has ever done.

“What’s so funny?” she asks playfully. If describing her summer camp is what gets him to laugh, she’s going to feel disappointed in her abilities as a comedian. “It’s for adults and kids. It’s leisure in the woods, okay?”

She rolls her eyes and sips her whiskey. “Not all of us are rugged outdoorsmen who have punched wildlife.”

Midge isn’t offended. She’s sure her camp is practically civilization compared to what Robert is used to.

[allbedestroyed]

In her defence, it takes a lot to get Muldoon to relax. The kissing and the whiskey definitely helps, though.

It is becoming difficult for him not to smile.

"You're really stuck on that, aren't you? I've done that maybe twice in my life. I don't recommend it." Taking another sip he concedes, "But then again, I don't think you'd be excited by my idea of camping either. It's usually the lack of a mattress that gets people. There's definitely not been a salon anywhere I've ever camped."

[doesntsing]

“That’s twice more than most people have done it,” she says. Midge leans in and puts her lips to his ear in order to whisper to him. “I’m stuck on it because I think it’s very sexy.”

If he needs it spelled out for him, then she can do that.

Sleeping on the hard ground isn’t really her idea of a good time. It’s something she’s done after a night of drinking a few times in her life.

[allbedestroyed]

That whisper sends a pleasant shiver down his spine, as he goes red behind his ears.

"Careful," he warns, voice low. "Talking like that will give me notions."

He'll hide behind his whiskey glass as he takes a sip, watching her carefully.

[doesntsing]

“That’s exactly what I want though,” she murmurs. “Notions. Actions.”

They have such little time. Obviously, Midge will not push him to take advantage of it if he doesn’t want to, but she wants him to know where she stands.

She leans against her arm propped up on the table and gazes at him.

“Is there something else I should do to show you that I’m attracted to you?”

[allbedestroyed]

"No, I think the next move is with me." She's being refreshingly honest and he feels it's only fair to return the favour. Though usually that gets him into trouble, and he'd rather not offend her.

So he debates between politeness and bluntness and makes a go at something between the two. "I want to invite you back to my hotel room. Would that be alright?"

[doesntsing]

A grin slowly spreads across her face. “Did you think I’d say no?”

In case that isn’t direct enough, Midge leans back against the booth, her body pressed to Robert’s side. “Yes. I’d like that.”