All That Remains (Nolee Lacroix)

"Nolee. That business isn't all it's cracked up to be. I get drunks like tonight more than I care for and it makes it hard for me to keep my boys safe." He grinned as he planted a kiss to the back of her neck. "Mama always said it would take a woman to make a man see the light. I just never thought the light would find me." He chuckled a bit. "I will however think on it if it will ease your mind and I will even put it to a vote in front of the boys. But for right now lets put this behind us for the evening. There is dancing and socializing to be done. Care to join me?"

Nolee shivered at the kiss to the back of her neck and smiled at him as she got off of his lap. "Of course I'll go socialize and dance with you. I enjoy spending time with you Paul. My brother...wherever he is...always said that I work to much and that it would take a special guy to make me realize there's more to life than work. And I didn't realize that until you..."

Paul smiled and tucked her hand into his elbow. "Well then I guess we're a pair that took time to meet then Ms. Lacroix. You are my light and I'm your playful salvation it seems."

He lead them back out the front and after stopping a few times to inquire from patrons whether or not they were enjoying the night he whisked Nolee off for a dance; twirling her around the floor for a couple songs before leading her to the bar for a drink. A couple of the boys stopped by and smiled as they welcomed her to the family; obviously thinking that she was the newest member to the team and eager to make her feel at home.

"Well, looks like they like you." Paul teased as he nudged her elbow gently.

Nolee smiled as she once again twirled around the floor like a princess thanks to the larger man and even wider when they went to sit down for a drink. When the boys welcomed her she brushed them off from thinking she was a prostitute. "So tell me a bit about you Paul. We can play the 20 questions game if you like. You tell me something, I tell you something." she said after taking a sip of her beer.

Paul thought for a moment, trying to think of something interesting to tell about himself. He smiled as he looked down. "I once took dance lessons. I was told that it would help with my balance. Since I'm so tall I tend to be rather clumsy." He took a sip of his drink and motioned to her. "Your turn Ms. Lacroix."

Nolee smiled, "I could tell by the way you twirled me around the dance floor. You seem to have a comfortable air about you. You know what you're doing out there." She took a drink of her beer before continuing, "I knit some of my own clothing. My nana taught me when I lived back in Nashville and I just did it. Saves me a fortune on sweaters. I can make them look cute without making them look to old.'

"Knitting is a useful skill. My mama tried to teach me when I was younger so that I could stay out of trouble, but y'see where that lead." He laughed as he took another sip of his drink. He thought for a moment, trying to think of something else he could let go. With a grin he leaned close and whispered in Nolee's ear. "I like to watch chick flicks when I go to the movies. I'm a romantic at heart."

"That is something that couldn't be ore different between the two of us. I cannot stand chick flicks. I enjoy a good action movie or a good horror movie," she nodded with a smile. Running a hand through her hair she thought, "I'm a scuba diver. It was something tat a few frends and I joked about at the academy and a few of us actually did it."

"Hmm, a scuba diver huh. Meaning you can hold your breath under the water for a long period of time?" He joked with a small chuckle. "Let's see. There's really nothing more I can think of telling. Other than the fact that I have read the entire Kama Sutra from cover to cover twice and I probably know more about being a gentle and considerate lover. But everything else is pretty much you get what you see." He chewed the inside of his lip for a moment before nodding. "Yup, no other little secrets from me Ms. Lacroix, I'm sorry to disappoint you."

Nolee blushed. "I've...I've never tested the holding my breath without an oxygen tank. And I've never...I've never really had a lover..." she was unashamed to talk about her purity. It was something that she didn't think much about.

It was his turn to look surprised. "Really? No lovers. I find that hard to believe Ms. Lacroix. With someone as lovely as you, I was sure that you'd have suitors lined up around the block just begging to court you..among other things." He gave her a shyish smile as he looked down at his hands. "I wish I could say that same, but I have had lovers in the past, some brutal, some gentle, some male some female...but each one never had any complaints....not that I'm trying to pressure you into anything, I admire your decision to remain untouched--as it were."

He could hear himself babbling so he clamped his mouth shut and looked around the club; watching his boys ply their trade in different ways. In truth there really were only a couple that made use of the upstairs rooms, the others seemed to prefer to be eye candy for the guests and often put up with some light groping.

"So-uh, Ms. Lacroix, other than this, how many undercovers have you done in the past?" He asked bringing his attention back to her and trying to push the awkwardness away.

Nolee blushed, "Oh I didn't mean to imply that you were pressuring me into anything. I just...I've never met a guy who could get my attention for more than a few minutes. A lot of guys here in New York City are a dime a dozen. They're almost all the same. You? You're not like them. I see something in you that sets you apart from the pack. And I like that."

She was silent as he was for a few moments. She knew she was supposed to be to work early in the morning but she didn't want to leave so she wasn't going to.

"Undercover assignements are my specialty. I took a few acting classes aside from the academy and I put them to good use. I can't count the number of guys I've taken down. For instance, I was the cop who went undercover in the Brisco family and took them down," Nolee shrugged.

Paul nodded in appreciation. "Nice work. I heard about that the moment I set foot here in this town. They said that a blonde temptress had wormed her way in and took them down." He smiled as he reached out and touched her cheek. "Seems as if you're an expert at getting to the 'heart' of a matter Ms. Lacroix."

He picked up his drink, waving away the bartender whom was buzzing around waiting orders from Paul. He looked over at the clock on the way and smiled as he reached back and picked up her hand to bring it to his lips.

"The hour grows late Ms. Lacroix and I'm sure that you have to work in the morning. Would you like one of my boys to see you home?"

Nolee smiled, "I like to think I did a good job with that. After all, they were a tough family to get into."

She took another drink and when he asked about someone walking her home she nodded, "Yes, I'd like you to walk me home."

Paul laughed and stood, leaving orders for the boy behind the bar and then offered Nolee his arm.

"If want me to walk you home then Ms. Lacroix then I'll be happy to oblige you. Or if you'd rather not walk we can always take the limo back." He grinned as he started towards the door.

Nolee smiled and looked at him, wide eyed. "I'd never ever been in a limo before Paulie. If you don't mind...I'd rather go in the limo..." she blushed when she realized that she called him Paulie.

"Then the limo it is Ms. Lacroix." At the blush he laughed gently and murmured lowly, "You can call me whatever you wish too Nolee. I won't mind in the slightest."

He kissed her cheek and then lead Nolee out through the back to the parking lot where the limo was located, stopping and telling Kane that he had a job to do before finishing the way out to the limo. With a flourish he opened the door, bowing to Nolee with a large grin.

"Your chariot awaits my Lady. All that we'll need is directions and we'll be on our way."

Nolee smiled and cuddle close to Paul as they sat in the limo. "I live over on Oak street. I can give directions but it's only a few blocks away. I just...I didn't want to walk when I could sit and have some silence with you. After all..." she was silent for a moment, "but...but if you rather...then we could always go to your place."

Paul arched an eyebrow at Nolee but smiled as he tightened his arm around her shoulder a bit.

"My place you say? If you're sure, it's nothing special just the average bachelor pad I fear there might even be some dirty clothes on the floor." He said with a slight laugh.

He tapped on the glass that separated them from the driver twice to get his attention and when it rolled down a fraction of an inch he gave the instructions to head to his apartment.

Nolee smiled, "We can cuddle or watch a movie. I mean...nothing to serious. I just want to get to know you better Paul before I get involved with someone that I don't know as well as I'd like to."

She smiled and looked around, "I like the limo by the way. It's very nice."

Paul held his hands up in a jokingly defensive manner. "You can count on me to be gentleman. I won't put my hands anywhere they don't belong until you put them there yourself." He grinned as he put his arm back around her shoulder and looked around the limo. "Yeah, I always wanted one growing up, nothing fancy; just a regular limo. So when I had the money I splurged and bought it. My one mistake however was letting my boys decorate it."

Around the trim on the ceiling were rope lights that had been put on a dimmer so as to help set the mood if he wanted too and the plush seat covers were a dark wine color with back trimming. The windows along the sides were mirrored inside to give those a chance to do makeup, or adjust clothing and it bounced the warm light from the rope lights off and helped light about every nook and cranny of the limo.

The engine was quiet as it ghosted through the streets and it wasn't long before he was escorting Nolee up the stairs to the apartment building and then to the elevators that led up to his floor. The quiet between them wasn't stressed and Paul took the time to notice Nolee's reflection in the shiny metals doors.

Nolee smiled as she looked around the beautiful limo, relaxing against Paul. Something just felt right as she cuddled against them. The limo was beautiful, something that she made sure to tell Paul before he took her hand and led her to his apartment. She was stunned at the beauty of the doors, let alone wondering what was awaiting her inside this gentlemans apartment. Gently she looked at him, feeling ashamed about how dingy her own aparment was. "It's so nice..."

"Thank you Nolee. But let me assure you, this is nothing. And please consider this a place you can come too if you need anything, anything at all. I'll leave word with the door man to let you in if you need it. There are house boys here every hour of every day and they'll get you anything that you desire."

The doors slid open into a foyer and Paul paled as Kane peeked around the corner; his chest bare and Paul was certain that he was wearing only the leather boy shorts that he favored when he didn't have to go anywhere. He cleared his throat and called out, his face ten shades of red.

"Kane, clothes. We have guests!"

A distinct pouting grumble could be heard but the heavy footfalls signaled that the large man was heading towards his quarters.

"I apologize Nolee. We don't get much company here and he's practically king of the help here. He's harmless though...a right teddy bear once you get to know him."

Paul chuckled a bit and took a step away, holding an arm out and turning slowly. "So, what do you think? Is it passable for a bachelors pad?"

Heavy furniture adorned all the walls, bookshelves and a large entertainment center the focal point of the room while comfy chairs and over stuffed couches lay as if a giant had tossed them like dice. Two hallways split off, one leading to a large kitchen with gleaming appliances and the others towards the bedrooms.

Nolee chuckled at Kane, "Trust me Paul he doesn't bother me. You forget what kind of guys I usually work with." She looked around the apartment. It was definitly nicer than the dingy place where she lived. Though she had to admit that it could use a womans touch.

"I like it here," she looked around, "And your boys won't need to do a thing. I may be a cop but I can cook my own foods and clean up after myself."

Paul waved his hand dismissively. "If you tell them that they'll be offended. They believe it's their duty to take care of anyone that comes in this house."

He chuckled as Kane came back out in jeans, still no shirt but carrying two cold beers. He took his and shook his head at the curly haired giant.

"Kane, this is Nolee Lacroix. She might be coming around some. Make her feel at home."

Kane grinned and bowed, taking Nolee's hand and kissing the back. "But of course. If it's one thing that is needed here is Lady. Dirk and I can only do so much Mr. Wight. Ms. Lacroix it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Paul rolled his eyes and shook his head. "And Kane is a drama king in the extreme. Don't let him fool you any."

Kane glared as he looked at Paul but it was a soft glare. "And you're a dick Paul." He flipped his hair and turned, grabbing another beer and heading back to his room.

Paul laughed as he looked over at Nolee. "Kane always hoped that we'd get together some day, however I don't prefer my own kind...if you catch my drift."