Chapter Text
You had an idea. A plan. You just weren’t quite sure how to put it in action.
Corbeau was standing in his kitchen, making you both dinner and looking better than any one man had the right to. The sleeves of his button-down were rolled up to his elbows, showing off the colorful tattoos trailing up and down his forearms. You weren’t sure what he was making, but he was stirring some kind of sauce that smelled amazing.
You slowly started making your way around the edge of the kitchen island towards him, patiently waiting for an opening. “Can I help with anything?”
“Don’t you dare.” He pointed the spoon at you, stopping you in your tracks. He shooed you back towards your seat, where the drink he so kindly made you was sitting. “Go sit down, I’ve got it.”
You pouted, going back to the living room side of the island. You leaned down onto your elbows, finger trailing over the edge of your glass. You nursed a sip of the drink before strategically filling the void with small-talk. “Forgot to tell you, Lida booked her first big dancing gig. The hotel is going to be so quiet without her there.”
“Did she? ‘Bout time.” You watched as he lifted the spoon to taste. Seemingly satisfied, he put the utensil to the side and moved to join you on the other side of the island. He leaned back against it, crossing his arms as he continued, “Although, that means less help for you around that huge place. When are you gonna hire someone to help?”
“You say that as though we have enough guests to justify that.” You moved to stand in front of him, leaning purposefully into his space.
He smirked, tilting his head. “It’s justified if it gives you more time for me.” He looked so relaxed, leaning in with the obvious expectation of a kiss.
This was your chance.
Not letting it slip away, you bent down, looped your arms around his legs, and lifted.
His hands flew to your shoulders. “What the fuck are you..? H-hey!” His shocked protests devolved into laughter as you used all of your strength to heft him upwards. He had to laugh, it all felt too ridiculous as you ungracefully scooted him up until he was sat on the edge of the counter. He shook his head as his laughter calmed, incredulous. “You’re insane, kid.”
“Damn, you’re heavy.” Out of breath, you let your head fall onto his lap. His dress pants smelled like the rest of him; cigarettes and expensive cologne.
“What were you expecting?” You could hear the smile in his voice.
Your head shot up to look at his smirking face. “You don’t look that heavy! You’re dense, Corbeau.”
“Rude.”
“You should be proud of me.”
A quiet chuckle rumbled through him as his left hand went to the back of your head, fingers threading through your hair. He used it as leverage to lift your face up to his, brushing his lips against yours. His voice was low, and teasing, “Look at you, so strong. You want a reward or something?” He didn’t even let you nod before he tugged you into a kiss.
You melted against him, wrapping your arms around his back. The angle was slightly awkward, your neck craned back as you leaned up to kiss him, but that didn’t matter when his tongue slid past your lips. There was still a faint taste of cigarettes and whiskey, his poison of choice.
Both of your eyes shot open when the sound of a pot boiling over ruined the moment. Corbeau scrambled to hop off of the counter, dashing for the stove as curse after curse fell from his now unoccupied lips. All you could do was laugh and grab a towel. That was worth a little clean-up.