Chapter 4 – Back and Forth

Click, click, click, click. Jen had given up trying to speak to Carlos; an over eccentric lover of all colours blinding. Her heals hitting the concrete and the passing traffic made for a comfortable silence. He laced his arm with Jen's as they walked down towards 'Issue', a club in downtown Tampa that Carlos worked at. Karen and Carlos had met when they had both taken a course in mixology. The party for Dean was taking place at a lounge bar opposite Issue.

"Oh god." Jen groaned and slowed down.

"What?" She couldn't get away from the guy if she tried. She contemplated crossing the road, avoiding him completely but she didn't want him to know she cared that much. Stu was stood leant against the hood of his car. The lounge bar for Dean's party in clear view at the bottom on the street.

"Stu, fancy seeing you here." Jen held her head high, staring him dead in the eye. He was wearing his suit again, the first few buttons of his white shirt undone revealing a mouth watering slice of his tanned skin.

"Jen. This your boyfriend?" Stu looked over the man and prayed to God she said no.

"No, this is my friend Carlos." Stu let his eyes travel down Carlos, blinded as he did so. "You go, I'll see you tomorrow." Carlos narrowed his beady brown eyes at Stu before kissing Jen on the cheek and setting off down the road.

"Why are you here?" Stu gripped onto her arm and pulled her a few meters away into an alley.

"Why am I here? Why are youhere?" Jen snapped back clearly irritated.

"I told you to stay away."

"And you couldn't help yourself could you? You don't have any leads on this guy, apart from what I know do you?" She smirked, getting under Stu's skin with her brash statement. "So what, you preach to me about not getting any information and then take the freakin' evidence anyway? Is that it? God you're pathetic." She shook her head and started walking away from him. He reached for her, not allowing her to go just yet.

"Jen! I'm just looking out for you and doing my job. And what's with the attire?" Jen smoothed down her black v-neck dress with her free hand. "You know Matrianou's a sleaze right?"

She scoffed and pulled her arm back. "We're just going around in circles now, Stu. So if you don't mind, leave me the hell alone."

He backed her into the wall before she could move around him. His large hands pressed against the cool brick, wide shoulders and big arms trapping her against the wall. He ran his tongue across his lips. "What do I have to do to get through to you?"

Jen narrowed her eyes and tried to push at his chest. Nothing but solid muscle. She pulled her hands away quickly, trying to physically shake the tingling sensation running through her. He moved closer to her, eyes burning into her like he was trying to read her mind.

"I have to go to work." She tried to protest but he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his badge showing it to her.

"You can go when I let you go." He shoved his badge back in his pocket, holding her gaze.

"I know whatever I say to you right now, you're going to ignore and go into that building anyway." He waited a second before continuing. "So have this." He grabbed hold of her hand and placed a small card in her palm. "My cell number is on there, so is my number at the office. If anything happens tonight you give me a call, alright?"

Jen stared down at the card then back up to Stu. "I'm not going to do anything stupid."

"I don't believe you. You're a smart woman, think before you do anything tonight."

"Thank you." She slipped his card into her purse and looked up at him. "I'm just trying to help."

"Can I ask you something?" Stu dragged his hand from the wall to her shoulder. She shivered and crossed her arms under her bust. "You cold?"

"That's what you want to ask? Let's hope you never get three wishes." He rubbed his hands up and down her bare arms before stopping on her shoulders.

"Has something happened between you and Paul?" Jen pulled his hands from her shoulders and shook her head.

"Nothing." Stu smirked as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, chewing gently. He cradled her face gently and ran his thumb across her bottom lip. He heard her stifled moan and tipped her head back so she looked at him.

"I know when you're lying, sweetheart." Her hands moved to cover his but he didn't let go. "Wanna talk to me?"

"No." Breathless she tried to convey her words with confidence but she failed. She gripped tighter onto his hands.

"What time are you leaving this party?"

"I don't know." She managed to answer, her breathing shallow and choppy. He knew he was having this effect on her.

"I want to meet you for a drink."

"Stu I dont-"

"Please, one drink then you can tell me to fuck off." Jen laughed as he smiled down at her.

"Okay, I'll be out by 9. Meet me at The Garden." She pulled his hands away from her and quickly put some distance between them.

"The sports bar?" She glanced over her shoulder as she walked out of the alley and nodded.

Another hour had passed, Tiffany her co-worker strode past her. Champagne was flowing, canapé's leaving the kitchen to keep the guests happy. She glanced over to where Dean was sat with a few people. The small area provided a small bit of privacy from the other guests. She figured it was now or never.

"You're not allowed to go up there." Jen looked to her left and rolled her eyes.

"Are you serious? God you really are a bitch."

"Paul's words not mine, he doesn't trust you." That didn't surprise her; she wasn't allowed to do anything in the business.

"He doesn't trust me doing what?"

"He didn't want you working this party for a reason, Jen. You can leave now." Jen held her breath, she didn't want to cause a scene. She glanced to where Dean had been sat but had now disappeared.

"No, I'm staying." Blinking a few times she tried to take a deep breath. Tiffany stepped in front of her, a smug look plastered on her face.

"Jen I suggest you leave now and I'll make sure Paul hears about this tomorrow." Jen gritted her teeth, she had never liked Tiffany.

"You and Paul are awfully close." Jen placed her hands on her hips, staring down the woman opposite. She would be damned if she let her get the upper hand.

"Jealous?" She scoffed and laughed. It surprised her how she hadn't figured it out sooner. He was always inviting her into his office for "meetings".

"I said no and he went after an easytarget instead. Enjoy the party." Jen turned on her heel and left for the staff room to pick up her handbag. Once feeling optimistic about having a little chat with Dean, her mood had since dwindled. Maybe Stu was right. She had no clue what she was doing and she there were a lot of people who wanted to stop her from trying to do anything in the first place. She glanced down at her watch; just after 8pm, she would head down to The Garden and let off some steam. That's what best friends were for.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were at Dean's party. Are you okay?" Karen asked with concern as Jen sat on one of the bar stools.

"Yeah, I'm meeting Stu for a drink."

"Really, that's interesting." Karen pursed her lips and tapped her nails on the counter.

"Why? Why is that so interesting?"

"No reason." Jen narrowed her eyes at her best friend then glanced over her shoulder.

"What?" She turned to the door where Karen was looking.

"Is that the guy?" Jen turned back to her friend and smiled.

"It certainly is." Jen sucked in a breath. He had changed since she saw him in the alley. His crisp suit long gone. He strode over to her, dark blue jeans covering his long legs and white shirt stretching across his huge chest.

"Hey, I thought you would've stood me up."

"I'm not that cruel. You're early though."

"I was going to get something to eat. Mind if we go somewhere quieter?"

"Yeah, there's a few booths in the back away from the TV's." Jen slipped off the stool and grinned at Karen.

"Drinks are on the house. What do you guys want?"

"The usual please." Jen wanted to order a few shots of vodka after her night but not in front of Stu.

"And for you?" Karen turned her attention to the extremely large man standing next to Jen. His hand had settled on Jen's back as he glanced around the bar. She sensed he was in FBI mode, scanning for danger and any threat.

"Coors, thank you." He pushed at Jen's back slightly getting her to move. He couldn't help but let his gaze wander down her body as she moved in the tight black dress she wore, her hair brushing her back as she moved.

"How was the party?" He asked, trying to keep his focus on the back of her head rather than her backside.

"I wasn't there to party, I was there to work." She slid into one side of the booth and he took a seat opposite her.

"And working consists of?"

"Making sure everything runs smoothly. And did you enjoy your night?"

"Clocked off at seven then hit the gym. The usual." One of the waitresses brought their drinks over. Jen grabbed her apple martini and took a big gulp.

"So why did you want to meet for drinks?" Jen wanted to get down to business; the small talk could wait until later.

"I'm concerned for you." Stu's voice was low, his gaze intense and serious.

"Yeah? Well you shouldn't be."

"Paul, what's your deal with him?" Jen sighed, she didn't think he would go straight into asking her such personal questions. She thought for a moment that maybe he didn't have much experience with women, but then her eyes wandered over the t-shirt stretched over tight firm muscles and that thought soon dissolved.

"He's my boss."

"And that's all?" Jen directed her gaze to the TV at the other end of the bar. "Jen, answer me."

"He tried it on with me a few times." She turned to face him again and took another sip of her drink. She wanted to yell over to Karen to send over a few more but decided against it.

"And?"

"And I've always said no. Why are you interrogating me?"

"Trying to find the motive you have to prove Paul is guilty of something."

"I wouldn't sleep with him when I first got the job, so instead of firing me I'm left planning ridiculous parties for children."

"Why haven't you quit?"

"I didn't want him to think he could crack me."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"What is there to tell? He didn't do anything and I'd rather not talk about this anymore." Jen downed the last of her drink, hoping it would numb her a little.

"I'm sorry." He placed his hand on hers and squeezed gently.

"Did you get whatever you needed to tonight?" It was her turn to ask some questions.

"I didn't go to get any evidence, I went to see you."

"Why?"

"Because-" Because I haven't been able to get you out of my mind since I ran my hands over every glorious curve of your body. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

"Right, and I'm not wearing any panties."

"I'm going to have to verify that." Jen smacked his arm and he laughed. "You come here often?"

"Every day." Jen suppressed a laugh at his shocked expression. "Don't worry, I'm not an alcoholic. My best friend owns this place."

"Did you speak to Dean?"

Jen shook her head, trying to hide the disappointment glazing her eyes. "No, I wasn't allowed."

"What do you mean?"

"Tiffany, one of the girls I work with told me I couldn't go and speak to Dean. And she's fucking Paul." Stu remained silent for a moment, staring at the glass of beer in his hand. "What?"

He leant closer to her across the table and glanced around before returning his gaze to her. "I wish I could tell you, I can't discuss this case with you."

"But Paul has something to do with it?"

"I'm going to suggest something you might not want to hear."

"And what's that?"

"I think you should leave your job." Stu tried to hold her gaze but she looked away.

"Why?"

"You're not happy there are you? You're a smart, young woman with a good degree. Yet you're stuck working for some asshole doing a job you hate. It doesn't add up Jen."

"And I'm about to tell you to fuck off." She pushed herself out of the booth as quick as possible. Mind racing she glanced at Karen stood behind the bar before going to one of the back room away from the hustle and bustle of the bar. Karen had her eyes firmly set on Stu who hadn't moved. He locked eyes with her but he quickly averted them. Karen shook her head; she wasn't going to let him walk out of her bar without a few choice words first.

Stu groaned and ran a hand over his face. This was what he did for a living; questioning suspects. Asking questions and probing for answers. Usually carefully and with caution, but with Jen all that had slipped from his mind. He'd hit a nerve, her defences had shot up as soon as he'd opened his big mouth.

"Do you always do that?" Stu looked up to see the Jen's friend staring back at him.

"Do what? Act like an idiot? No." Stu rested his elbow on the table, his big hands clasped together.

Karen smiled, it was clear he didn't mean to act like such a douche. "There's more to Jen than she let's on, she puts on a good front but trust me, she's not that strong on the inside."

"Do you think I can go see her and apologise?"

"Answer me one thing, do you like her?" Stu's eyebrows shot up and his thin lips curled into a smile. Karen didn't need him to say another word.

A/N – Thank you WhitneySheree, ThatGirl54, kimcooperx, VIXXY VAMPRE, miamitravel, xSamiliciousx, celticfighter, WWE-Slash-Luvee, xFindTheEnigmaWithinx, DefinitelyProbablyMaybe, nefertina-shanf and DeansTrueGirl for all the reviews! I love hearing what everyone thinks is going on, especially since I have no clue either! Keep up the feedback guys :). Lou x