Wolves on the Prowl

Stacy pushed open the door and smiled at the woman behind the counter. “Mornin', Katiecat.”

Katie rolled her eyes and smiled. “You can't stay away even on your day off.”

Stacy laughed and shook her head. “Nope, and I brought you a new regular.” She looked to Ethan.

“Could always use those,” Katie said, then paused. “How's Winter?”

Stacy frowned. “Oh, you know. Turns out Amanda Sachs took out a full-page ad to make it look like a Page Six article. Troy's helping her though. Did you read the paper last night? Summer descended with a vengeance, took that bitch down by her hair.” Stacy said gleefully, then looked to Ethan. “How you want your coffee?” She asked as she slipped behind the counter.

Ethan followed Stacy inside the Bean Nirvana, looking around. _{“This looks way better than Costa…”} The exchange between her and Katie wafted over his head, the words effectively going in one ear and out the other. The name 'Winter' caught in his mind as being the polar opposite of 'Summer' without registering they were sisters. It would take a few moments to realize they were even mentioned in the same sentence.

'How do you want your coffee' Beat. Yes, dumbass, you… “Oh. Venti, sugar-free, non-fat, vanilla soy, double shot, decaf, no foam, extra hot, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with light whip and extra syrup…” The longer his order went on, the wider his smile got, the more his eyes twinkled. He got to the end of the order and broke down in laughter, doubling over.

“Oooohhhh, you should see your face.” He firmed up, a smirk still on his lips but the twinkle still in his eyes. “A latte with a double shot, something to help me focus, please.”

Stacy went to work immediately on the drink as he started running down the list, then her eyes shot wide as he revealed himself to be joking. She looked at the half made beverage. _{“Well. Shit.”} She said while Katie chuckled and went into the back. “Alright hot-shot. Double shot latte.” She chuckled.

When it was done, she handed him the cup and a scone, then poured herself another cup, adding some cream and sugar. She emerged from behind the counter and sat in a booth, yawning again. “God. Wake up, Stacy.”

Ethan pulled out his wallet and a mixture of British and American coinage from his pocket, still not used to being in another country. Every time he went abroad, he did this for the first couple of days. Even pulled some Sterling notes from his wallet as well as the American bills as he tried to pay Katie for the drink Stacy had made him.

He took the cup and the scone (with a napkin) from the counter and followed Stacy to the booth, sitting opposite. It seemed appropriate to stick with her, given she was the first person who'd shown him any kindness here.

“So… Do you know Kaine?” He wanted to ask what he was like. He hadn't spoken to him in almost 8 years. Last he knew, his brother was struggling with being dragged into the corporate life, then… Nothing. Cut off as if he didn't exist. He only realized when the publishing company had a picture on the wall of their CEO. He'd started making inquiries at that point, filling in pieces of the puzzle, finally coming up with the plan to try and find him.

Katie had re-emerged, shaking her head. “First one's on the house.” She said. “You look like you need it.” She waved him off with a friendly smile, watching as Ethan joined Stacy.

“Well, I haven't really met him. Winter says he's nice enough once you get to know him. He tolerates her spamming him with horrible puns so he can't be all that bad. And…I've never asked Summer what he's like. They seem to have a very private life together, but Winter speaks good of him, so I mean he can't be a total asshole, right?”

Ethan nodded, the words taking moments to make their way from his ears to his cerebellum and processing them. It meant there was a beat after everything she said before he answered. Getting shorter every time he had some of the coffee in front of him and a bite from the scone.

“It's been a while since I last spoke to him. I heard he was taken away into some corporate dynasty, he just disappeared from my life eight years ago.”

With his back to the windows, Ethan didn't see Kaine's limo arriving outside and the man himself stepping out.

Stacy saw it and she stiffened. “Shit.” She looked to Ethan. “Chug that. Now. You need to be on your A-game. I think he just pulled up…with Summer. Shit. Shitshitshit.” She hissed, chugging her own coffee and sitting straighter. “Summer's always been nice to me but she was straight up She-Wolf this morning. Be alert, okay?”

Ethan frowned as Stacy's attitude shifted suddenly. What? A-game? Who… Oh god, not now! Too jet-lagged, there is no A-game! He downed the remains of his coffee as quickly as he could, the caffeine slowly working its way into his system. Not fast enough. He did everything he could think of to try and wake up, rubbed his eyes, pinched his nose, smacked his cheeks a couple of times. Still not enough.

Kaine paused to help Summer out of the limo, then held the door of Bean Nirvana open to allow her to enter. The sound of his brown brogues soft on the floor were in contrast to her clicking heels, but the blue suit, polka dot tie, and stern look showed the mood he was in.

Ethan turned and rose from the booth, seeing his brother for the first time in eight years. Not the same person he knew, but there was a glimmer. He opened his arms as if to hug the man, then bailed out, holding his hand out. “Brother. It's been a while.”

“Cousin.” Cold, sterile, nothing behind it. No, was there a glimmer of recognition? It was more than a greeting he would have for another business person, but barely. Summer had softened him, allowed him to open up, but that was mostly behind closed doors.

Stacy stood. “Hey! HEY. Hi Summer. 'Scuse me. Mister Hayden? Dude here's jet-lagged. Can you like… I dunno. Come back later? This is like a moment that's not really supposed to happen in the middle of a coffee shop when people aren't expecting it. Seriously. He's just come to America. I'm sure you and Miss Caldwell remember arriving. Can you like… I dunno. Can y'all do dinner or something tomorrow night?” She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Hello, Stacy.” Summer said quietly, looping her arm through Kaine's and nodding to Ethan. She squeezed Kaine's forearm. Stacy had a point. “I remember.” She said, detached.

Kaine would shake Ethan's hand, but he didn't want to disturb Summer from where she was. She was what was keeping him stable as his world tilted from the one it was now, back towards the scared little boy he was when dragged into this world. “Miss Jenson. You know I take every advantage I can.” He turned back to Ethan. “Eight years. Why now?”

Ethan felt a little awkward with his hand out, prepared to shake, but it wasn't taken. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he understood that Kaine was keeping his arm back for Summer to hold onto, so he folded his arms across his chest, the leather of his jacket creaking under the strain. His right hand squeezed his bicep where it wrapped around his arm. “I thought you were dead, Kaine. I missed my little brother. I finally found you and this is how you greet me?”

“Advantage, schmantage, Hayden. Cram it. This really isn't the time.” Stacy scratched at her upper arm and looked to Summer. “Come on, Summer. You know I'm right. Guy just got in. He's lagging. This isn't about advantages, it's about reunion. Family.” She said sternly. “Y'all're lucky to have it and you're gonna boil it down to advantage.” She looked disgusted.

Summer sighed and lightly tugged Kaine's arm, whispering in his ear. _{“Kaine. You're stressed. Let's go home, let me help you work it out. And then we reconvene for dinner tomorrow. He'll be well rested and you're…”} She paused. _{“This has to be jarring for you. Let's go home and we'll work out the feelings, okay?”}

Kaine tilted his head, looking over at Stacy, his breathing deeper than usual. He went to speak as Summer spoke in his ear. Paused. Listened. He turned his head towards her. _{“Blame that scandalmonger who took a shot at your sister.”} He extracted his arm from Her and offered it to Ethan. “Very well. Tomorrow. I'll send Giles to collect you and bring you to the Porter House Bar and Grill.”

Ethan unfolded his arms and reached out cautiously to shake Kaine's hand. “That… Sounds… A little out of my league at the moment. Thank you for the opportunity.” The handshake was firm, a single shake, before pulling away. “You'll need to know where to pick me up.”

Summer looked to Stacy and put on her best smile. “You have a valid point, Miss Jenson. Mister Hayden and I are still coming off dealing with Sachs for what she did to Winter. We will see you tomorrow at dinner.” She said flatly, not really leaving any room for Stacy to argue.

“That's understandable. I know how you get with her.” She seemed relaxed now that the situation had been…defused? Delayed? Wait, what? “Wait, what? I'm not family, why do I have to come?”

“Because you're level headed.” Summer replied simply, waiting for the brothers/cousins to sort it out.

Kaine looked down at his cousin's hand as he shook. Firm, not too long, that's a good sign. Not a wet blanket, even in his jet-lagged state. He was afraid the man would hug him. “I'd guess you're not at the rich end of town. Here.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, one with his real number. There were few who got those, Summer was one. “Text me the details.”

Ethan took a look at the card as he took it. _{“Now that makes sense.} I'm… Sorry for your loss. I realize I'm late to the party, but I didn't know. Thank you, Kaine.”

Kaine twitched slightly, looked down at the recognition of his father's death and the hell he went through. He didn't even mind being called Kaine. If this man was really his cousin, he could let him in. With Summer's help. He took her hand, slipping it back through his arm and using it to reground himself. “Tomorrow. I look forward to catching up with you.” With that, he turned around and walked the Alpha Wolf couple back out to his limo.

“Wow. Those two are like…something….aren't they…” She said, then dipped behind the bar to make him another latte.

Ethan let out a long breath. “Yeah, he's…” He paused for a moment, following her to the counter. “From everything I've read, he's intense. Kinda ruthless. But he wasn't the same man I've read about. I'm surprised he even came out here.” He folded his arms and grasped his left bicep again. _{“I think she might be good for him.”}

“Behind every strong man is a stronger woman, yadda yadda. Anyways, I know that wasn't what you expected but hey it's better'n nothing, yeah?” She asked, sliding him another latte. Her eyes met his and she flashed him a brilliant smile. “So you have to wake up and get your bearings. What are you doing when you leave here?”

Ethan looked at the latte with wide eyes. “I should be paying for this one, right? That's what she said.” He waved towards Katie as he reached out and took a sip from it anyway, still feeling the edges of the lag in his mind. The meeting with Kaine had kinda focused him, and now it was like he was seeing Stacy for the first time. “I didn't have any plans. Hell, I went to the club on the off chance Kaine might be there and I could get some good coffee. That's kinda ticked off my whole 'to do' list for the day. What about you?” He finally grinned, a smile that showed his top teeth and made his eyes close halfway, lines crinkling at the edges.

Stacy “Nah, I got it. Keep your money.” She replied softly. “I sometimes meet Winter there. I think she's trying to get her guy to put a collar on her neck or something.” She shrugged. “My day was supposed to be spent studying back at the apartment. Finals are coming up and I've been super stressed over it.” She admitted. She still had her smile, big, warm, playful. “New York's got plenty of babes for you to pick from if you're into that sort of thing. Never really been up my alley, but I know the city's elite like to make the streets their playground.”

“Thank you.” Collar. Button. Push. He hadn't even realized that was what the club was all about until she mentioned that word, he'd only gone with the knowledge that Kaine and Summer were seen leaving and that he'd been back at times. That was why it felt right. “I hope it lasts for them. Never had anyone want mine.” Slip. Whoops. Now it was out there. He stared down at the coffee between his hands, hiding his face. “Kinda hard as a model to find someone who wants to be with you for you, you know? Even a struggling model.”

Stacy “They don't strike me as they sort to come together and drift apart. People like that…like those two, they deal in commitment. I wish more would.” She said. “It's why I don't date. Guys just want to motorboat my breasts and move on. No one wants to ever stay.” She shrugged. “So I can kind of relate to what you're saying.”

Ethan lifted his head, snorted air through his nose, and shook his head. “I can understand that.” His humor had been a little pale, but it was slowly starting to come online properly. “If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?” He cringed as he spoke the last few words. “Sorry! It just seemed appropriate.”

Stacy let out one of those vivacious belly laughs, then looked at him. “Can't know unless you try.” She retorted. “But I might have to keep you if I did that.” She chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee and eyeing him a moment. Good lord, he was handsome. “So…you're looking for someone to collar, hm? What do you look for?”

Ethan separated his hands, leaning on the counter, looking at them where he set them. He leaned forward, bringing his head up to look into her eyes with his baby blues. She'd given him a better response than he'd expected. Keep. He was so used to women just wanting him for his body, or to say they'd dated a model. Maybe she'd be different. Maybe.

“I… Stopped looking. Too many players, not enough into it for the real thing.” He considered his response given the public place. “In public, someone with a sense of humor, a kickass personality who won't take any shit, and, shallow as it sounds, someone who will complement my look when they're hanging from my arm at whatever event we're at.” He pushed himself back upright and took a sip from his coffee. “Privately? Well, how about I tell you somewhere private.”

Stacy didn't flinch away, she held his gaze and looked right back at him. “Ever think women jump you for your body because they're hot like you?” She asked with an eyebrow arched. “Beautiful people who…” She shook her head. “Nevermind. I'm not jumping on the super judgy bandwagon today. I'll keep my eye out for a gorgeous, witty, funny lady who'll look good on your arm though.” She shook her head. “No way. I'm not going anywhere private with you. I'll either throw my morals to the wind and sleep with you, just to know what it's like, or I'll kick you out and be sad that I can't keep you.”

Ethan shrugged slightly, returning his gaze to her face despite her shaking her head. “I know they do. They're just vapid husks who aren't worth my time. Not anymore, at least.” Sip. “There's one I'm looking at right now who is totally oblivious to her charms.” Stare. Pointed stare. It was unlikely she'd pick it up, but he did it anyway. “I'm not offering to sleep with you. Just talk. Share. Get to know you. I could do with a friend, especially now.” He considered a moment.

“I can promise I will not sleep with you. I'm looking for someone to keep. Not someone for a little fun. I want all the fun, for the rest of our lives. How does that sound?” Some promise. Also some offer. How would she take it?

Stacy laid a hand lightly over her chest. “Me? Charming?” She laughed. “That's a new one. But alright. If you're looking for keeps and I'm looking for the same, yeah. We can go back to my apartment. And talk. If you're lucky I'll give you a kiss.” She said with a saucy wink, then pointed her finger at him. “But no funny stuff. If I wind up getting to sleep with you, I want it to be because we're in it for keeps. Capiche? I like fun. I want all the fun. I could use a friend too. And in my love life? I sure could use a gentleman, if you get my drift.” She laughed, then came from behind the counter. “Alright then. To my apartment. Not too far from here.”

“Cross my heart and… Yeah, I'd rather not. I already promised. My word is my bond.” If that meant nothing, there could be nothing more.

He held out his arm for her, taking his cue from how Kaine held his arm for Summer and held the door with his other hand. “A gentleman, you say? I can be one of those.”

“Word as bond is good. You've done nothing to make me distrust you.” She said with a gentle smile. She slipped her arm through his and actually blushed a little.

“You two look good together,” Katie remarked as she came out and wiped down the counter. She met Ethan's eyes and gave him a wink and a thumbs up where Stacy couldn't see it. Stacy turned a little redder at the comment but led Ethan out and down the street. “It's about four blocks down.” She said quietly. “So. You're looking for forever too?”

He smiled with Katie's comment, flashing her his upper row of teeth and those eyes with the laugh lines and after stepping through the door, he patted her arm where Stacy placed it through his arm, then settled his hand down.

“Yeah, I'm done with the one-night stands, the dalliances, and the flings. I had a two-month relationship, that's the longest I've ever stuck with anyone but…” He paused for a few moments. “Turns out I prefer the other side of the paddle.”

“You're doing better than me. One month.” She said as they walked down the sidewalk together. “They uh. I'm too ambitious I guess. They see the chest and think dumb bimbo. Jokes on them I'm a senior at NYU. Business law.” She paused as well. “Apparently liking the paddle makes me a freak. Good for a night but not for keeps.” She laughed.

“Law? It must take a shrewd mind to study that. Probably beyond me. I just look pretty.” He laughed. “You're more than just a pretty… Chest. And liking the paddle doesn't make you a freak, although… That's probably why I don't get more jobs. Rumors, conjecture.”

The cogs in his mind started turning. Model. Kinky. “Maybe I should get into fetish modeling? What do you think?”

“I think you're more than just a pretty face and a ridiculously hot body.” She shrugged lightly. “But rumors wouldn't really affect a modeling career. I mean, look at Kate Moss. Or more recently, Kendall Jenner. But if you wanted to get into fetish modeling, sure. I think you're limiting your options though.” She said. “Oh, here's my building.”

Next: Stacy's got it Going On