Hey everyone, it was meant to be a one shot, but who knows? Anyway, Mac and Stella forever! No spoilers, really. Characters may be a bit OOC, but isn't this the purpose of fan-fiction? Speaking of which, it's just for fun, sadly no money for me out of this fluffy piece. Okay, enough, on with the story… by the way, mistakes are all mine, English is not my native language. Sorry.

YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR BET ON

Stella sighed. She should have never agreed to that stupid bet to begin with, but what caused her to feel stupid the most was the fact that she'd been hiding from Mac all day long now. What was even scarier, though, was that she'd have to meet him, in his office, in about five minutes

The reason why she'd avoided Mac all day, or any other male person on the 35th floor for that matter, was simple: she feared the comments on her current attire, which consisted of a dark straight skirt that hugged her forms (barely reaching her knees, if she was forced to add, 'cause there really was no point in underlying it since she was already feeling foolish enough for it) and a white silk blouse.

The reason why she'd chosen those particular clothes was a tad more difficult to explain. The day before, she'd been approached by Lindsay near the end of the shift; the younger woman had been sent from "the guys" to collect her for drinks.

-What about Mac?-, she had wondered. Lindsay had shaken her head sadly.

-I passed by his office while coming here. He's still on the phone with the Major, and I don't think he'll be left alone anytime soon. They seemed both pissed off, I could hear the Major's voice from the other end of the line!-

Trying to conceal her disappointment, Stella had let the other woman drag her to the bar where they were meeting with Danny, Sheldon and Don… that had been her first mistake, the second one being the medium sized bottle of beer she had drowned before getting something solid in her stomach.

Her real downfall, though, started preparing the moment Mac's name was mentioned.

-Hey, Stella, Mac's been more fidgety and elusive that usual. Think he's gotten himself a girlfriend?-, Danny suddenly piped up, bringing up the delicate, at least in Stella's mind, topic with his usual exuberance. Everyone around her grew quiet, as if waiting for her answer, and that pissed her off.

-I'm not his babysitter, ya know? Why would…?-, she started, but Don stopped her mid rant with a short bark of laughter.

-Babysitter? I was thinking along the lines of… girlfriend?-, he offered cheekily, causing Danny and Sheldon to burst out laughing. Stella, from her part, looked in despair at Lindsay. It made sense she'd be the only one to whom she'd dare to confess that she actually was in love with Mac Taylor, the younger woman being quiet and reserved and almost as motherly as Stella herself. This time, however, Lindsay had no brilliant advice to offer, not with her eyes only at least, and Stella was left hanging by herself.

-You, Donald Flack, are one of those people who don't believe that a man and a woman can be friends?-, as usual the curly haired Detective opted for the attack, but as much as Don hated to be addressed with his complete name, he managed to remain cool and collected, because after so long, he had a pretty good idea of how Bonasera's mind worked, at least while dealing problems.

-You got that right, Stella, and the longer I watch you and Mac, the more I'm convinced of it. I bet…-

Oh, she should have seen that one coming a mile away, but she kept silent, implicitly allowing Don to lure her in his trap.

-… that with five minutes worth of flirting and a nice dress you could have him kissing you with passion. –

As soon as the words were out of Flack's mouth, Stella immediately drowned a shot of vodka. She supposed that was what had made her agree to that stupid bet, that and the excuse to flirt with Mac and possibly get a kiss out of it.

The terms of the bet were fairly simple. She was allowed to dress however she wanted, and had five minutes to sweet talk Mac into kissing her, full on the mouth, since setting foot into her office. She'd get to swap tasks with Danny whenever she pleased if she managed to win (Messer didn't think she could corrupt Taylor while on the clock), and if she didn't… well, eternal embarrassment ought to cover it.

Time to get going, she mentally told herself, raising from the chair in her office and smoothing down her skirt. It was getting close to the end of shift, and although she knew it was highly improbable that Mac would go home on time, she didn't want to chance that possibility, not after having spent a whole day without being able to cross her legs (yep, her skirt was that tight).

Mac won't know what's hit him!, she mused with a smirk, the tension gradually leaving her shoulders as she schooled her hips to sway extra seductively. Just for ya, Mac.

She found him in his office, engrossed in paperwork. Scolding herself for having been silly, she tapped on the glass door lightly before letting herself in, adrenaline suddenly kicking in. From that moment on she had only five minutes to get over with it.

Mac raised his head painstakingly slowly for Stella's liking, but what she found more offending was the fact that he didn't comment on her attire. Nothing, nada, not even a small and casual: -You look nice. -; he kept silent, waiting for her to do the first move. So help her God, she did.

-My report for the day. -, she announced, tossing the manila folder in her hands carelessly on the man's desk. He raised one dark eyebrow at her, silently questioning her act before actually doing so verbally.

-Anything else?-, he wondered. Stella smirked to herself. Perfect.

-Actually… yes. -, she purred, voice dropping seductively as she circled his desk, making sure to show off her shapely naked legs as much as she could. Mac lazily maneuvered his leather chair to maintain the eye contact, spinning it to his left as Stella approached him.

Totally unaware!, she mentally applauded herself. With a sharp movement, she lowered her torso above Mac's, hands gripping the armrests for support and for better effect. She wanted him to feel trapped, to feel her hot breath on his neck. Literally.

-Mac…-, she drawled, touching his chest lightly. –I was wondering if you'd do something for me?-, she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes at him. He chuckled softly. Mmm, he's taking it better than I thought. He isn't even flustered!

-And what might that be?-, he growled, voice dropping to a husky whisper. Stella had to control the shudder that threatened to overcome her as he blew his hot breath on her face, close to her mouth. Wait, shouldn't I be to one to…? Oh, who cares! That makes it easier…

-Kiss me, Mac…-, she pleaded, almost whined. She was way past caring, she had even forgotten the stupid bet, all that mattered were him, and her, and the concrete possibility that he might feel the same way…

Until he crushed it with his sharp: -No. –

Stella blinked. –What? Why?-, she cried indignantly as Mac raised from the chair, taking her wrist to help her straighten as well. He didn't step back; they remained close, with Stella pressed almost painfully against the former Marine's desk as he kept holding her hands in his.

-You see, Stella… I know about the bet. -, he confessed as the woman's eyes threatened to boggle out from their sockets at the realization. –Lindsay told me. -, Mac went on, leaning towards his pretty colleague. –Don't be afraid, I'm not mad. -, he assured her, stroking her delicate fingers with his rough ones. She could have laughed at his words, had the moment not been that tense and her knees that wobbly: scared of Mac? That was totally unheard off. He could never scare her, not really. She trusted him too much, she knew he'd never hurt her… Right! So why was he refusing her, dammit?

-You know, there's another pool going on… well, technically it's the same pool, but… a different deal? Anyway, I convinced Lindsay to place her own bet. If I manage to resist to your… tempting offer…-, as he said the words, he casually brushed his pelvis against Stella's, making sure to let her know exactly how tempting her offering herself to him like that really was. This time, she trembled in his arms, and he placed a protective arm on her hip to steady her.

-… Lindsay'll be two hundred dollars richer, and I will be enabled to treat you to a fancy dinner. I'm not so mean as to let your perfect outfit go to waste. -, he finished on a lighter note, causing Stella's cheeks to redden as she gave a throaty laugh.

-Say yes. -, he begged, suddenly very serious and impatient. Understanding his need for reassurance, she placed a hand on his cheek and lightly kissed the other.

-Yes. –

They smiled at each other, then Mac casually glanced at his watch. –The five minutes are up, you can go now. I'll pick you up at eight? This way you'll get to freshen up, touch up your make-up or… whatever you beautiful women do before a date. –

Stella beamed at his words, then turned mischievous. –How thoughtful of you, Mr. Taylor. -, she teased her friend-turned-date, turning around with a flourish and swaying hips.

-You inspire me, Miss Bonasera. -, he declared, swatting her not quite on the butt, more like on the hip, but damn close to it.

TBC?

Okay, please, please, please, leave a little review to let me know what you think and if adding a second chapter would be worth the time?