I own nothing.

"Stay" is courtesy of Sugarland off their 2007 release 'Enjoy the Ride'

Josef got the gist of the voicemail. A very lucrative deal had just gone sour. It wasn't as if he needed the money, but he did take great pride in his corporation, and because of this it would take a hit. He needed to get some air.
He had walked about 3 blocks when the gentle strains of jazz drew him to a small bar. He made himself comfortable in a back corner table and given the waitress a subtle suggestion to bring his cognac and not return to pester him.
A few moments later, he was disappointed as the song ended. It was at this point a young woman stepped up to the stage, and she stood behind an old fashioned microphone. Wearing a blue chiffon dress that ended a bit below her knees, her amber hair was in loose waves down her back, and her blue eyes smoldered.
The music that began to resonate was all acoustic, but Josef hadn't even noticed the guitar player.

I've been sitting her staring at the clock on the wall
And I've been laying here praying, praying she won't call
It's just another call from home you'll get it and be gone and I'll be crying
What do I have to do to make you see She can't love you like me
Why don't you stay I'm down on my knees
I'm so tired of being lonely Don't I give you what you need
When she calls you to go, there is one thing you should know
We don't have to live this way, why don't you stay.

It was during the last line that he felt her staring at him under her fringe of eyelashes. Then her eyes immediately went back to surveying the room. It seemed to Josef this performance was mostly for him.

I can't take it any longer My will is getting stronger

And I think I know just what I have to do

I can't waste another minute After all that I've put in it

I've given you my best Why does she get the best of you?

So the next time you find You want to leave her bed for mine

Why don't you stay? I'm up off my knees

I'm so tired of being lonely You can't give me what I need

When she begs you not to go, there is one thing you should know

I don't have to live this way Why don't you stay

Unknown to the singer or the patrons of the bar, a shadowy figure moved toward the stage. Josef was unsure why he cared but he was unwilling to allow this man to harm the siren in the blue dress. He moved quickly to her. As she began her descent toward the floor, Josef swept in. He reached for her hand and easily twirled her toward the dance floor. She hummed to the song, "Baby Come Back," that was playing.
Her eyes were slightly dazed as he whispered, "The man in grey, do you know him?" He quickly turned them on the dance floor so she could see toward the man.
"I've never seen him before in my life," she whispered low and throaty.
He knew she was frightened, but he also knew that she wasn't lying when she said she'd never met the man in grey. "Can I give you a ride home?" he asked without thinking.
She looked a bit incredulous, "No offense, but you don't know me, why so interested?"
"Well," he smirked, "if that man harms you, you won't be here to sing again, and that would kill my day. Then I'd have to kill him and I'm really busy these days."
She laughed out loud. "Well I'll give you that you're funny. I guess you'd have to be to wear a mint green shirt," she smirked.
"Hey, I happen to like this shirt, it brings out my blue eyes," he said pretending to be offended.
"And, modest too." As she gazed away from his face, she realized that they had danced right out of the bar. Wow, she thought guardedly, I guess you really could lose yourself in those eyes.
He rearranged himself so that she was holding on to the bend of his elbow, "It's easier to walk like this, you really should let me lead you know," he smiled, "I've been dancing for a long time."
"I bet I've got you beat, I was dancing when I was 2 and a half. Mom was a ballerina. I'm a real disappointment," she grinned.
"Nope, I've still been dancing longer," he retorted.
"Since you were what? in the womb?" she joked.
"Practically, besides I'm a lot older than you are."
"Yeah, cause 2-5 years makes such a difference."
He raised one eyebrow and replied, "That would make you between 22-25."
She winked and he wondered why.
"Allow me," he said opening her door, as he opened his own door and got in, she said, "Nice car."
"Thanks, I like it. Now where to?"
"1203 Atlasta. You know, I must be awfully trusting. I don't even know your name."
"Either that or I have a very honest face."
Again she laughed, "no I'm trusting... maybe too trusting," she looked at him sideways in mock suspicion. "I do have one question though, what's the worst pick up line anyone has ever used on you?"
He looked at her in confusion, "Girls don't really try to use pick up lines on me."
"No I guess not," she said thoughtfully, "you are rather imposing."
"That or I don't get out enough. I must know, why do you ask?"
"I just happen to be a connoisseur of pick up lines. Drunk people are hilarious."
"Really, what's the worst you've ever heard?"
"To myself or someone else?" "Yourself."
"Can I check you for ticks?"
He laughed hysterically, "what the hell?"
"It's a country song, and when Brad Paisley says it, it's pretty sexy in an aweshucks sort of way, but this guy was no Brad Paisley," she said smirking.
She smiled at his continued laughter. "You were going to ask me something."
"How did you know?" he asked.
"You had that look."
Amazed that she could read him so effortlessly, he asked the question puzzling him, "Why did you wink when I said you were between 22 and 25?"
She chuckled, "it's a backwards way of getting you to say how old you are, if I say 2 to 5 years, a person will automatically use that frame of reference for their response. If they don't respond, I got nothing but, it works a lot. Like in your case, I can guess with moderate accuracy that you are 27."
"You're slick, Minx."
"Thank you. Minx?" she asked.
God, this generation has no concept of the English language, he grumbled to himself. "Minx, he said, a woman with gumption. I would have told you outright."
"It looks like we're here," he said getting out of the car to open her door. As he helped her out of the car, he said, "One more question, can I see you again?"
She blushed shyly, "you know where I live." With that, she squeezed his hand and walked up the steps, as she let herself in, she smiled at him once more.
He shook himself mentally, he had not moved from the spot where she had left him. As he walked back to the car he realized that besides her address, he knew nothing about her. He smiled, and dialed Riley. This wouldn't even cause him to break a sweat.
"Hey, Riley, I need you to find someone for me. She lives at 1203 Atlasta here in LA and she's about 23 years old."

"Hey, Josef, this is Riley. You're girl is 24 actually, and she owns a jazz club in town, Frankie Blues. Apparently named after Sinatra. She has lived in LA for 4 years, before that, she lived with her dad in a tiny one horse town in Texas after her dad and mom split. Her mom lived in NY, as a prima ballerina, she's now an administrator at Juilliard. Her father is an elementary school principal, he still lives in Texas. If you want more details, give me a buzz."

I swear to God, how does he forget to tell me her name? If he wasn't so brilliant I'd snap his neck. Okay, maybe that's a bit harsh, Josef thoughtfully licked his fangs. Dinner time, he smiled wickedly.

After Josef had a bite, he called Riley. "Yeah, Riles, could you let me know her name and maybe her phone number. I swear, I thought the Patriot Act would do you such a favor."

That Minx is trouble, he thought to himself smiling.

Meanwhile, his Minx, was also deep in thought. She had considered going back to Blues but, she figured if Dmitry's goons were there, a hot bath sounded much better. After lounging in the tub, she curled up with a glass of wine and her computer. She organized the financial records of Blues, but her mind kept wondering back to the knight in the black Benz. She wondered vaguely if she'd ever see him again. Well, he had to hear me sing, that's probably a no, she thought self deprecatingly.

The next night, she was talking to the bartender before the 10 o'clock rush, when someone put their hands over her eyes. The person in question leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You aren't singing tonight, are you?"

Muahahahahaha! cough. BTW: I don't actually have a name for my OC. The chapters I have written Josef just refers to her as Minx. So if anyone has a good idea for a name let me know.