Mad Men

Looking around the bar, Katie wondered why she'd set foot in the place to begin with. She was given a sudden reminder as the first few bars of Pour Some Sugar On Me were belted out by her friend. Felicity stood in the centre of the small wooden stage set at the back of the bar. The one bright white spotlight focused on her, catching the legs and guitar of her band mate Sam off to the side. Her black poker straight hair stopped at her shoulders, bright red lipstick and smoky eyes only added to her sultry persona. She had the guys eating out of her hand.

There may have been only fifty or so patrons, but that didn't stop Felicity from giving it her all. If she had to perform in a million scummy bars before she got her big break, she'd do it.

Sitting towards the side of the bar, Katie wanted to keep her distance but support her friend. She wished she had brought someone else with her though. Not all that familiar with the reputation of the place, part of her feared that it would be filled with a few less than nice people, especially if they had been drinking.

Casting a long gaze across the room, Katie stopped to look at a group of men. In their mid-thirties - she guessed - and looking far too well dressed to hang around in a place like this. One man caught her eye. The distinctive set of his nose, jet black hair sleeked back into place and thin lips curved into a smirk. She couldn't tell what colour his eyes were from the distance, but they were dark and intense.

He cracked a hefty laugh at something one of his friends said. His large hand curled around a beer bottle, and his head tipped back slightly in amusement. Katie wondered what was so funny.

Almost forgetting her friend was on stage signing, she drew her attention back to where it should have been. Curiosity piqued. Brushing her long blonde hair over her shoulder, again she looked towards the man. Startled and breath catching in her throat, she ducked her head in embarrassment. He stared back at her. No longer smirking but looking more displeased that she had so leisurely been gazing at him.

She could feel him watching. Her skin tingled and tightened, unable to do anything but stare at Felicity still doing her best to win the crowd over. She was pinned to her seat and now she was more than intrigued.

Brought out of her thoughts, the song had finished and people - especially the men - were clapping and shouting for more. Katie smiled, her thoughts now focused on Felicity and what a good job she'd done. More than good. Her voice was amazing and her stage presence spoke volumes, even on the tiny stage.

"You did amazing!" Katie greeted as Felicity sat down at the empty chair. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes bright and a smile stretched across her face. "Do you want a drink?"

"Please." Felicity said on a laugh. The place was hot, and no doubt from all of the signing she was parched. "Just water, I'm driving home."

"Coming right up." Katie smiled and gently pushed her chair back. She gripped onto her bag, holding it tightly on her shoulder. Smoothing her hands over the draped red skirt that clung to her curves and stopped just below her knees, Katie couldn't hide from the man staring straight at her. She wasn't conceited but she knew she didn't look too bad. The black draped top tucked into the skirt showed a little cleavage and the black pumps on her feet added a few extra inches to her height.

Making her way straight to the quiet bar, she quickly ordered a water. The bartender raised an eyebrow looking like he was about to start questioning why she wasn't buying beer. After explaining about Felicity performing - much to her surprise - the drink and whatever she wanted was on the house.

Taking another look to where the man stood, he no longer had his gaze set on her. Instead he had moved towards the entrance of the bar, leaning against the wall as an old man held his attention.

Making her way back to the table, she gave the drinks to Felicity and Sam. "Thank the bartender."

"He's nice." Felicity smiled and took the water. "Who are you looking at?"

Katie didn't know she had been looking, but apparently she had as both Sam and Felicity caught on. Again colour crept to her cheeks, unable to offer an explanation to why she was drawn to the dark, handsome stranger.

"No one." Katie smiled, "I'm getting tired, so I think I'll call it a night."

"I'll walk you out. We're only doing another song then we're finished."

"Stay, I'll just call a cab outside. I could use the fresh air." Felicity finally agreed, and now Katie was nearing the exit.

The cool breeze that swept over her once she was outside was welcomed. The man had still been stood leant against the wall; he oozed dominance and sex appeal. It was a raw energy than she sensed from a mile off.

Pulling her phone out of her bag, she quickly dialled for a local cab all whilst she stared at the man through the entrance way. He looked up, lips tilting into a small smirk. Maybe he wasn't so intimidating after all.

With a cab on its way, all Katie had to do was wait. That was a torturous thing with the amount of images and scenarios running through her head. Maybe she should be bold, take a chance for a change. Maybe she could give him her number?

She laughed to herself, knowing how completely out of character she was being. She jumped slightly as she heard the door open, startled even more when she saw who it was.

He was huge. Intimidating. No longer was he smiling, more snarling as his gaze wandered across her, lingering at her hips for a moment before casting back up to her face.

Turning on the spot, Katie quickly walked away from him. Her instincts were off. He'd lured her in when she should have been running. She felt stupid when she dashed away from the bar, she should have gone back into the bar. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a black car with blacked out windows zoom by. The heavy footsteps of the man behind her sounded loud in her ears, but she could only just hear it above the beating of her heart.

Rounding the corner she tripped on the pavement, sending her skidding to the floor. Her hands burned as they grazed the harsh floor.

Katie clambered to her feet only to be pushed up against the nearest wall. She just managed to catch a closer glimpse of the man in the dim light. Startling green eyes bore into her, slicked back hair still in place and strong jaw tense. He looked more intimidating than earlier.

"Tell me who you're working for?" The gruff voice was loud as his lips pressed firmly against her ear, thick fingers holding her wrists in place behind her back. She gasped as she felt the barrel of a gun at the base of her back.

"I don't know what you're on about." He heard her whimper under his hold, but he couldn't let her go. Not if she was spying on him, relaying information back to the men that wanted him dead.

"You were watching me." As soon as he spoke those words she shook her head.

"I wasn't doing anything." Katie felt her cheek grazing the cold brick wall, her heart pounding harder than she'd ever felt it before. Adrenaline was soaring through her body, but she was too frightened to do anything. She felt tears stinging at the corner of her eyes. Trying to hold herself together wasn't working. "Please don't hurt me."

He heard the fear in her voice and immediately let go of her wrists but his body held her in place. He shoved his gun into the waistband of his jeans knowing he'd need it again, sooner rather than later. "What's your name?"

"Katie." She managed to blurt out, now able to breathe a little easier now she couldn't feel the gun. She jumped as she felt his large hand grip her waist. Wanting to be free she knew that wasn't going to happen until this man got his questions answered.

"Why were you watching me?" Katie felt her body burning, mainly with embarrassment. He was the first man in a while she'd plucked up the courage to give her number to - he'd turned out to be crazy. She sure knew how to pick them.

"I thought you were hot." Katie spoke through gritted teeth. "I was going to try and talk to you." She didn't mind spilling her guts if that meant he'd let her go.

His warm breath fanned across her cheek as he laughed. "You're funny, now tell me the truth."

"I am telling you the truth, I have no idea who you are." Katie stammered, feeling her body shake.

Finally he took a step back, but instead of letting her go he turned her around, keeping a firm grip on her upper arm. He was finally able to get a good look at her instead of small glances as she had tried to get away from him.

Just as he was about to ask another question, he heard a gunshot. Instinct took over. He ran, taking Katie with him. Shooting around the corner of the street, he heard Katie swear. He looked over his shoulder for a second, seeing she had lost one of her high heeled pumps. He stopped and gripped her other foot, taking her shoe off and chucking it to the side. Knowing exactly where he was going, he took hold of her hand.

He pulled her down an alleyway, but lifted her into his arms. Her bare feet were going to slow them down as she scanned the ground, not wanting to step on anything. Katie yelped but wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging on for dear life. He set her back down on her feet in the doorway of to what she didn't know. His hard body pushed her backwards, his hands flat against the wall either side of her.

"Shhh..." He wanted her to keep quiet, but fear was still rendering her speechless. Her arms were straight at her sides, hands curled into fists.

They both stood in silence for what seemed like forever. Katie's laboured breaths the only sound breaking that silence. She felt his stubble graze her cheek and his warm breath ghost across her skin. "You alright?"

Katie's eyes widened at his question. Was he having a fucking joke? She pushed at his chest, all intentions on running back down the alleyway and as far away from this lunatic as possible. "Get away from me."

"Whoa." He gritted his teeth as she kicked her feet and flung her arms as he tried to keep her still. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Right, you don't even believe that I don't know you." Katie stopped struggling, feeling short for breath. Adrenaline was wearing off, taking toll on her body.

"I would have killed you already if I didn't believe you, honey." He hissed, knowing his actions at first were those of a mad man. But he had seen in her eyes she was clueless to who he was.

His grip softened, and he half expected her to run but she didn't. "I'm sorry, I thought you were working for Farrelly."

"Who's Farrelly?" Katie asked, bewildered as to who he was referring to.

"The man trying to kill me." His voice was gruff, not liking the fact he had to say those words out loud. "I've already said too much and I need to get out of here."

"You can't just leave me here." Katie pleaded, a strange change in circumstance. Once begging to be left alone, now wanting anything but.

"I won't." Katie jumped as his arm snaked around her back, tugging her closer to him. "But you have to listen to me."

Katie nodded, letting him know she was all ears. She'd do whatever she had to, just to be back safe in her own home. "We're going to wait here for a little while. My buddy has a place just down the street, his girlfriend probably has some shoes you can borrow."

Katie pouted. She'd forgotten about her trusty black pumps that were long gone. He brushed his thumb along her bottom lip, knuckles grazing her cheek. "Okay. You never told me your name..." Katie whispered.

"Stu. That's all you need to know right now." Katie was about to say something else but Stu pressed a finger to her lips.

"I owe you an explanation I know." He mumbled against her ear. "Later."