Okay this story is pouring out of me like you can't believe and this chapter contains definite slash. I'm just saying. I hadn't planned on that quite this soon. But I have a sinus/cold thing going on and I can't sleep so I'm writing. My wonderful beta Meikela is probably going to shoot me for working so fast but we're sticking to the once a week posting so ya'll just have to wait. I love the reviews and can't wait to hear from you.

All things Twilight belong to S. Meyers, but I thank my lucky stars everyday she lets me play with them.

Staying Focused

I didn't like Mike Newton very much. However, it wasn't fair to keep him on my short list of suspects just because he had interrupted a moment that I would have dearly liked to continue. I could already tell that he was going to get on my nerves. After Mike's comment, Edward froze up, sneered at Mike and left me standing there with him. I left before I could say something that would jeopardize my position my very first day on the job.

The rest of the work week flew by; I was kept busy every fucking minute of the day. I didn't leave until eight or nine o'clock at night. I usually went home, ate something simple, and fell dead asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Mornings were another thing altogether thanks to Edward Cullen and that stupid wink.

At five, I would get the coffee started then hit the shower. Every time I closed my eyes in the shower there he was. I'd start off with shaving and I'd do okay there, since I had to concentrate. Next up was the shampoo, a cucumber mint that always seemed to help wake me up. As soon as I closed my eyes to work up the lather, Edward appeared. Those damn smoldering eyes looking at me. His hair, even damp was unruly, and it was a requirement that my fingers run through it. Those damn lips, soft, plump, and crimson from the heat of the shower and his tongue, oh my God, the thought of his tongue sliding slowly across that bottom lip as he looked me over. Shit! Once those images filled my mind I was done for. I'd rinse the lather from my hair so I could grab the body wash, the same mint/cucumber combination. Then the torture would begin, as I washed over my body I imagined that it was Edward touching me, rubbing me softly, fucking moaning as he took his time. He made sure to touch every inch of my torso, except my cock. He'd whisper something in that velvet voice, lather his hands, and gently wash my stomach, then move his hands lower and lower. The those same soft lathered hands would suddenly grab my engorged cock and squeeze tightly nearly making me jump straight up in the tiny confines of the shower. Slowly, ever so fucking slowly, his hand would begin to slide up and down the length of my cock. The rhythm would increase and the whole time those eyes would be staring into mine, getting darker with unadulterated lust. As my fantasy continued, I could feel the tightness that started low in the pit of my stomach gather in my balls and then course through my cock. Just when I didn't think I could stand it a moment longer, fantasy Edward's mouth would open, his pink tongue running across his lower lip. He'd fucking wink at me and whisper huskily, "Come for me, Jasper." And I fucking would, all over the damn shower wall.

When I'd come back to reality the water was usually fucking cold and I'd be trembling from the aftershocks of my orgasm. By Friday I was exhausted and ecstatic that I wasn't required to work this weekend. Sitting across from my fantasy shower partner in this morning's staff meeting was going to be hell. If he winked at me again, I couldn't be held responsible for my actions. Hell, I'd probably come right on the spot.

Luckily, Edward was absent from the meeting. I hated to think it but after our encounter on Monday, I got the feeling he was avoiding me. I really hadn't seen much of him all week. Of course, the new client he mentioned earlier in the week was also taking up a lot of his time. Evidently Mr. Jenks was considering a transfer of a considerably large amount of money to OWF from overseas so he could begin a new business in the states. He'd heard of Aro Volturi and was very interested in what he had heard about OWF. I did overhear Edward telling Mike that he could be funding up to six business equity loans for Mr. Jenks if the deal went through. That conversation took place inside the break room early on Thursday morning and as soon as I entered the room, Edward left.

I had spent a good deal of the week with Ben and Eric getting to know them and the computer systems that OWF currently used. Neither of the systems the bank used was foreign to me so I caught on pretty quickly. I figured in another week, I'd be able to get around the entire network without much help. Then the digging would begin.

I planned to leave work at five on Friday so I could start of my weekend on time. I entered Carlisle's office through our adjoining doors about 4:30 to wish him a nice weekend. I had learned earlier in the week that Carlisle kept an apartment on the fourth floor of this building but only stayed there during the week. He typically left at noon on Fridays to drive a couple of hours away to little town called Forks where his home and family were located. His wife Esme stayed there during the week. He also tried to leave early on Wednesday barring any meetings, so he could spend the night in Forks and return in time for work on Thursday afternoon. Apparently being the CEO did have some perks.

"So are you off to Forks this weekend Carlisle?" I called out as I entered his office to check in before I left. I came to a halt just inside his office when I realized Edward was there and they were having a quiet but heated discussion.

"Yes, Carlisle, have a nice weekend and please tell Esme I'm sorry that I can't come out this time," Edward said before he strode past me and out of the office. He didn't even look my way once and I couldn't help but feel slighted and hurt.

"Carlisle?" I asked hesitantly. "Have I done something to cause Edward to dislike me?"

Carlisle gave me a sympathetic smile and replied, "Jasper, I'm not really sure what is wrong with him. To be honest, I've never seen him quite like this," he continued as he shut down his computer and began gathering work to take with him. "Normally, he comes home for the weekend with me. Or if he has plans on Friday, he usually drives down and joins us on Saturday. He's had something on his mind this week and doesn't seem to be able to talk to me about it. He'll come around when he's ready I suppose," he sighed, as he rose from behind his desk and walked to the door, his suit jacket and briefcase in one hand.

"How about you come down to Forks with me next weekend? I'd love for you to meet Esme and the kids – at least whichever ones are still there. They come and go so fast sometimes that I don't really get a chance to know them," he noted sadly, lost in his thoughts. I followed him out of the office and into the lobby.

"Well, I appreciate the offer but I don't want to inconvenience you or Esme," I responded.

"It's not a problem Jasper. There's plenty of room and Esme would love to meet you," he smiled back at me reassuringly just as we reached the elevator. The car arrived and Carlisle strode in, holding the door open so he could give me some final advice.

"Have a nice weekend Jasper. Go out meet some people, enjoy the city. It has a lot to offer." In a hushed tone he added, "Try not to think about what you are here to do. You need to relax and just live some of the time. Catching the bad guy can't be your whole life." He smiled at me again and waved as the elevator doors closed.

I went back to my office, looked at the stack of papers I was going to take home with me tonight and plopped down in my chair. My chair, in my office, sitting at my desk, all of those phrases I had gotten very used to saying and thinking this week, thanks to Carlisle Cullen.

He was the kind of business man my dad had been and would still be if an embezzler had not taken everything he had worked for. My dad lost his business, his family, and eventually died an early death all because someone had taken it away. I knew that his experience was what motivated me to do this job. It was why I cringed every time I saw a headline about someone who had managed to take money that wasn't theirs.

True, Aro Volturi was so wealthy that he would not miss the money that had been taken here. However, it was still his and he had a right to stop whoever is taking it. Not to mention, if the case was made public, the reputation of the bank was at stake. Unfortunately, it was never just the institution or the criminal that was hurt by embezzlement. Actual people were often caught up in the web of deceit and destruction wrecked by this type of crime. If Carlisle was true to his word, and I believed he was, he would take the fall too. Would Aro blame him and make him pay too? I couldn't really say that he wouldn't because Aro didn't care about anything accept that someone had taken what was his. The thought of what Aro could do to Carlisle, made my blood run cold and I shivered. I had to find out who was doing this and I had to be sure that those not responsible (like Angela and Carlisle) were not collateral damage.

It was well after five and I buzzed Angela to tell her she could go. I knew she would not leave until I left or told her to go on home. She was an amazing woman. Her husband was in Iraq and she was living at home with her folks and her two old year son, Seth Jr. while he was away. She had kept her maiden name when they married because she wanted to carry on her family name as she was an only child. Her husband, Seth Clearwater, was a second lieutenant on his second tour. When he came home in six months, his time would be up. Angela was counting down the days. I had learned quite a lot about her and the goings on of a two-year-old over lunch a couple of times this week.

Angela departed and I decided I would take Carlisle's advice and leave the work here. I knew of several museums in the area that I could visit and maybe tonight I'd even check out that club around the corner from my apartment. I could see what kind of atmosphere it had and have a quiet drink. I was actually smiling to myself when I locked my office door behind me and headed for the elevator. Passing Lauren's empty work station I smirked. I'd noticed this week that as soon as the clock hit five, she was out the door.

Edward was just leaving his office when the elevator door opened. He looked at me and somehow, I could see he was waging some sort of internal debate. He must have made a decision, because his eyes lightened and he called out for me to hold the elevator for him.

He stepped inside and pushed the first floor button. He didn't say a word, but just as we hit the second floor, he reached across and hit the stop button on the elevator. He turned to look at me.

"I've wanted to do this since Monday morning," he said just before he pushed me against the wall of the elevator and kissed me hard.

I've been around the block a few times and come across some good kissers in my day. But I had never been kissed like this. His lips were hard and possessive and he claimed me with them - ruined me really - I would forever judge every future kiss against this one. His lips were urgent one moment, tender the next. When his tongue, that fucking tongue that held center stage in my shower fantasies, sought entrance, I opened my lips to take him in – unable to stop myself. He touch resonated through every fiber of my being. I melted against him as he used that luscious tongue to explore, taste, and claim every bit of my mouth. As I sank into the kiss, I became dizzy. He broke away and rested his forehead against mine. He chuckled softly and said, "Breath, Jasper, I don't want you to pass out in the elevator."

He pulled away then, adjusted his evident erection, and released the stop button on the elevator. I don't know how long we were stopped but evidently it wasn't long enough for anyone to worry because when we hit the main lobby floor, no one seemed to take notice of us at all. We stepped into the lobby and headed for the front doors. The bank was open for business to the public until 6:00 so there was still quite a crowd.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I took a deep breath and I heard him chuckle again. What the fuck was with the chuckling anyway? I turned to give him a piece of my mind when he softly said my name.

"Jasper," he stopped and looked at me, "Can I see you tonight?"

Shit! Apparently my ability to speak malfunctioned when I was in the presence of this man. This incredibly good looking, hot, sexy man who had moments before literally fucked my mouth in the elevator.

"Edward – I thought you didn't like me," I stuttered out, confused by the mixed signals he'd been sending all week. I felt like a teenage girl, shy and unsure.

"I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do about you this week," he said and smiled that crooked smile that made my cock twitch. "I didn't even know if my gaydar was working right." He laughed and the sound of it warmed my soul.

"Kissing you back there was a spur of the moment decision. I figured if you sucker punched me, then I'd know I was way off base," he stopped and looked deeper into my eyes, "I knew either decision would complicate our working relationship. You'd either tell me to fuck off, in which case I was screwed; or you'd kiss me back, like you did and hopefully we'd both get screwed." He chuckled again nervously, ducking his head in embarrassment. He was afraid I would reject him. Oh my God, the boy was fucking perfect. He had an amazing body, fuck hot smile, all with a dash of insecurity to keep him from becoming an egotistical monster. I definitely could work with that.

"What time and where?" I asked, my self-confidence kicking in at the realization that he was just as nervous about this as I was. Now that I knew the attraction was mutual, the real Jasper was about to come out and play.

"There's a club around the block from your apartment, called 'Somewhere'. Have you been there yet?" he inquired.

"No, but I had thought about going this evening to check it out. It didn't appear to be a gay club though," I told him. Wait a minute, how the fuck did he know where my apartment was?

"Edward, how do you know where my apartment is?" I had to know if my cover was blown. There would be hell to pay for that.

"When you walked in on Carlisle and I this afternoon, we were discussing whether or not I should ask you out. He didn't think I should get involved with you," he noted with a smirk. Observing the hurt expression that crossed my face, he rushed to explain. "Not because he doesn't approve of you. He really likes you a lot. Trusts you somehow, even though you just started working for him. He just didn't want to see me get hurt again. My big brother can be a bit overprotective at times." He was running his hand through his hair nervously.

"Did he say why he thought I'd hurt you?" I needed to know just how much Carlisle had told him.

"No. Just that you might not stay with OWF for a long - he didn't want me to get hurt if you left. Why would he think you weren't going to stick around?" Edward questioned, his deep green eyes were penetrating as he awaited my answer. I didn't want to lie to him but I had a job to do.

"I've been doing some job hopping the last couple of years and maybe he thinks I won't stick around because of that," I explained, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly.

"Oh. Well what about tonight?" he asked again, his smile returning when mine did.

"Sure. What time? And how should I dress for the place?" I asked as we started walking again.

"How about nine? And the place is pretty casual, you know, jeans and such. It's your typical neighborhood bar. I know the guy who owns the place - he's pretty nice."

I nodded. We came up to the parking garage where he kept his car. My apartment was only a couple of blocks further up the street.

"Would you like a lift?" he asked.

"No, I like the walk actually. Gives me time to think." I hadn't meant to say that last part out loud, but he just nodded his understanding.

"I'll be there, Edward. I promise." I didn't know how he felt about public displays of affection, so I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. My reward was a beaming smile.

"Tonight," was all he said and turned to enter the garage and retrieve his car.

I finished the walk home, feeling lighter than I had in weeks – as if my world had just righted after being slightly off. I hadn't felt like this in a long time. Hell, I don't think I'd ever felt like this. Fucking beautiful Edward and I had a date tonight. Life just couldn't get any better than this. My cell phone went off and I glanced at the screen, quickly reading the text message that arrived.

Jasper…could you please give me a call at 1-456-123-7890. I'd like to see how your first week went - Caius

I thought we weren't supposed to be in contact? Aro had said I was not to contact him directly. Maybe Caius is going to be checking up on me for Aro? Well, whatever the case, I was entitled to a private life after hours and I'd planned on informing Caius of that very fact when I talked to him, tomorrow. My phone chimed again with another incoming text.

Jasper, enough is enough. We have to talk. Call me! - Rose

Fuck! I had hoped that she would give me another week before forcing me to return her call. She must have reached her limit. Well, I'd go home, kick off my shoes and return my overbearing and loudmouthed sister's call. At least I would get it out of the way before my date with Edward. I wouldn't have to think about it for the rest of the night.

EPOV

I don't know what the fuck had gotten into me. I don't go around kissing men in elevators. I don't pine after someone for a whole damn week. Carlisle and Bella both had nearly strangled me for not paying attention to what I was doing and accused me of losing focus. In truth, my mind was completely focused; it was just focused on the inhabitant of the office two doors to the right of mine. In my mind, I had Jasper bent over the huge desk in his office as I pounded into him. Damn, I had to quit thinking about that. I'd had to lock the door to my office twice this week and relieve the tension. I never acted liked this, even when I was a teenager with raging hormones.

But this man – Jasper - was driving me fucking insane. Everything about him drew me in - his face, his hair, that damn cucumber and mint smell, the way his body moved, and that fucking amazing ass. I've got to stop thinking about that or I'll be rubbing one out again before I see him tonight.

How the fuck was I going to sit across the table from him and pretend that I didn't want to take him back to my place and fuck him senseless? That kiss - that amazing kiss would stay with me forever. At first he held back, probably shocked by my advance. I practically attacked him so I couldn't blame him there. But then his body relaxed and those hard muscles melted against my body and I was lost. Nothing else mattered, everything stopped for just that moment in time. I couldn't keep my hands out of those honey wheat curls, feeling the silkiness between my fingers. Couldn't stop tasting every part of his mouth that he opened up to me… it was the hottest thing I had ever experienced.

It was moving way to fast. Whatever the fuck it was. Tonight, we'd have a few drinks. Talk about ourselves. Get to know one another. See if this really might be going anywhere. I would keep my hands to myself. I wouldn't kiss him again, well except maybe to say goodnight. I would not be going back to his apartment. Well not unless he insisted. And I would not be taking him to bed and f…………. Yea, that's right you won't. Just keep telling yourself that Edward and maybe, just maybe, you'll actually believe it. Shit!

Well, what did you think? Let me know if you think Edward will stay true to keeping it just friendly on their date? As you can see I couldn't stay on the once a week thing. I just had to get this one out there for you to read. Thanks to Meikela for the quick turn around on this one. Reviews are love and even give me ideas. Thanks for reading.