A/N – Thanks for the comments! So glad you're all excited about the dinner! It will be a roller coaster ride for these two.

A/N – Thanks for the comments! So glad you're all excited about the dinner! It will be a roller coaster ride for these two. * Toyshellme, Guest – Patience. Jason triggers something for Liz. You'll find out soon (actual details chapter 6).

Chapter 4 - Tension

Jason was running late so he had texted Liz to meet him there, but when he arrived, she was running late so she told him to just go up to the bar.

He headed upstairs and saw Audrey and Sarah dining and nodded at them. Johnny joined him since Skye was running a little behind too.

When Liz got out of the car, she was stunned to see reporters everywhere.

Jax pushed through them and was shocked. "Elizabeth, you look stunning."

Liz smiled. "Thank you."

"Let me assist you inside."

She put her hand in the crook up his arm and Francis stood on her other side as they pushed their way through the crowd. When they finally made it into the lobby Liz breathed a sigh of relief.

"I don't know if I'll ever get used that." She said softly.

Jax smiled. "I'm sure after a few weeks the fervor will die down. I'll walk you upstairs."

She smiled and got onto the elevator.

"You look a little nervous." Jax said.

"Let's just say that my husband hasn't ever seen me dolled up like this. I'm not sure if he'll like it."

Jax made a face. "If he doesn't, he's a damn fool."

Liz chuckled and then held her breath as they got off the elevator.

Jason was at the bar and looked up and his mouth dropped opened. Johnny chuckled. This was going to be good. She walked ahead of Jax and he whispered something and then he went to get the elevator and when she turned around Jason licked his lips.

"She looks smokin' hot tonight." Johnny said.

Kate grinned at the look on Sam and Carly's faces. Their mouths were hanging open. Liz looked drop dead gorgeous—so much for mousy.

Jason walked towards her. "You look beautiful."

She smiled. "Thanks."

Jason actually couldn't stop looking at her. The blue of the dress brought out her eyes and he thought she was the sexiest woman he had ever seen. If he could make her only wear that color he would.

The waitress showed them to a table.

"I hope you don't mind but Johnny and Skye are joining us."

"I don't mind at all."

The truth was that it would be a relief that she didn't have to try and make small talk with Jason all evening.

Johnny walked over and sat down. "Elizabeth you look gorgeous."

Liz blushed. "Thanks."

Skye hurried off the elevator and Johnny stood up and pulled out her chair for her. She took the seat next to Elizabeth. "I love that dress."

"Thank you." Liz said a little uncomfortable with all the attention.

The waitress interrupted and then they resumed their conversation.

"So, how's married life treating you?" Skye asked Elizabeth.

"It's good. Jason made me dinner last night."

Skye smiled at her brother. "He's a very good cook. Few people know that about him."

Johnny looked over at Jason. "I never thought you'd be domesticated so fast."

Jason rolled his eyes and ignored him. His telephone vibrated and he groaned. "I have to take this."

Liz watched him walk away and then turned back to the other two. "What?"

"You were checking out his butt." Johnny said grinning.

Liz blushed. "I was not."

Skye chuckled. "It's alright Elizabeth, he's your husband. I may be his sister but Jason is a good looking man."

Liz fought her need to roll her eyes. There was no way in hell Jason was drawing her in. She didn't care how good looking he was.

While Jason stood off to the side of the bar, Courtney stomped up to him and stood with her hands on her hips while he finished his call.

Skye smirked. "Slut alert."

Elizabeth turned around and groaned. "Please tell me that he didn't sleep with her."

Skye chuckled. "Only in Courtney's mind—or what's left of it. I'm going to share a little secret with you. Jason's manwhore reputation is mainly a marketing ploy to keep ELQ front and center. He's not even close to being as bad as he tries to make everyone think he is."

"Don't be telling all of my bro's secrets." Johnny said.

"Hush. Elizabeth needs to know the score." Skye said playfully.

Liz was looking at her skeptically which made Skye laugh.

"My brother is a very complicated man."

Jason put his phone in his pocket. "What do you want Courtney?"

"I thought we had a date tonight."

Jason squinted. "Where did you get that impression?"

"I got a phone call. She said she was your secretary and that I was to meet you here. But I see that you brought her." She said making a face.

Since Courtney's mouth was so big, they had no problem hearing her at the table.

"Excuse me one moment." Elizabeth said standing up.

"Courtney, my secretary did not call you. I think someone is playing a prank on you."

Courtney pouted. "But Jase," she said running her hand down his arm, "I was so looking forward to it. I got waxed and everything. So, ditch the ball and chain and let's go get a room."

Jason rolled his eyes and then noticed Elizabeth and tilted his head, curious as to what she was going to do.

"Hey, I missed you." She said before slipping her arm around his waist.

Courtney glared at her. "Excuse me but we were having a conversation."

Jason looked at her like she was crazy.

"My husband is hungry, and not for you I might add, so why don't you go down to Courtland Street and walk around. I'm sure someone will pick you up in no time. After all, it was probably named after you." Liz said with a smile.

Skye choked on her champagne and Johnny grinned as he patted her back.

"How dare you talk to me like that." Courtney said loudly.

"Frankly Courtney, I'm surprised you understood. But just in case the air between your ears is a little thin, stay away from my husband." She said firmly before looking up at Jason and smiling. "Let's go eat."

Jason smiled. "Only if you're my dessert." He said low enough for only Courtney and Elizabeth to hear.

Liz winked at Jason and then led him back to the table as a fuming Courtney looked on.

She wasn't the only one mad.

"Damn her." Carly muttered.

Sam shook her head and leaned over to Carly and whispered, "Clearly, your idea sucked. Why don't you let me handle the next one?"

"Fine. Muffin is going down one way or another." Carly muttered so Kate couldn't hear.

Liz sat down and Skye gave her a big smile.

"Nice work."

Liz rolled her eyes. "It's not like it was hard. You just have to use little words."

Johnny chuckled.

Jason groaned. "Incoming." He muttered.

"Well hello." Carly said sweetly. "I hope you're having a nice dinner."

"We were." Skye muttered under her breath.

"Huh?"

"We are." She said smiling.

"Well, I just wanted to say hi. Have a nice evening." She said walking away.

"Jason really, no wonder you have a bad reputation."

"I didn't hire her Skye and for the record, I've never touched her."

Skye sighed. "Why don't you ask your wife to dance? The food should be here in a minute. I ordered you a steak."

Jason nodded. "Elizabeth, would you like to dance?"

"Sure."

They went over to the dance floor and Jason pulled her into him.

"Do we have to stand so close?" Liz asked trying to quell the butterflies in her stomach.

"Elizabeth, we're newlyweds."

"How could I forget?" She muttered.

"Did you have fun spending my money today?" He asked with a smirk.

"You mean our money don't you?" She said through clenched teeth as she faked a smile. He was rubbing little circles on her back with his thumb and it was torturous. She was ready to grab it and break it.

"There's a big meeting tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. I left a file on your desk so you can read up on the account when you get in. We're actually presenting some advertising ideas."

"Okay."

The music began to fade and Jason slid his cheek against hers and said, "Don't fight it Elizabeth. We both know that you like me."

She watched a cheeky grin light up his face. "Really? You're such a dork."

Jason laughed. "You're so easy to tease. Come on, our food is ready."

Liz shook her head as Jason grabbed her hand and led her back to the table.

They ate dinner and chatted for a while.

"I still can't believe someone was murdered in the parking garage." Skye said pushing her plate away from her.

"Do the police have any leads?" Johnny asked.

"Not that I know of." Jason said.

"If someone wasn't off eloping maybe you'd have more details." Skye said smiling.

"I thought Edward would be mad but he was quite happy about it." Jason said.

"That's because it took the focus off the murder. I hope you know that he'll probably throw a party. There's no way you're going to avoid that."

"Just make sure he doesn't go overboard." Jason would talk to Edward about not going there.

"Like he listens to me." Skye said making a face. "Just grin and bear it."

They had dessert and then left. The reporters swarmed them on the way out. They slipped into the car and it took Francis forever to get out of there and not run over someone.

"Did you ever sleep with Sam?" Liz asked curiously.

Jason looked over at her. "Sam McCall?"

"Is there another Sam that both of us know?"

"Hell no."

"But she wanted too didn't she?" Liz asked.

Jason shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"I guess not. I'm just trying to figure you out."

Jason smirked. "Don't hurt yourself."

She smacked his arm. "You're such a brat."

"And you aren't? Elizabeth, do you really believe that I run around this town screwing everything that walks?"

"Maybe." She said suddenly feeling uncomfortable. She really wasn't in any hurry to change her perception of him. It was easier to hate him. Jason Quartermaine had represented everything she hated about men. She had built this huge story up in her mind based on his seemingly endlessly string of dates; that he used women and was arrogant and selfish just like the men who had hurt her.

"Then you don't really know me at all." He said completely frustrated.

"Why act like a slut if you aren't one?" She asked incredulously.

"Just because I went out on a lot of dates doesn't mean that I slept with them all." He said starting to get annoyed. Usually it didn't bother him what people thought of his lifestyle but for some reason her judgment always had bugged him.

"You clearly prefer casual over a long term relationship. Why is that?" She asked curiously.

"Look, I don't believe in marriage. I haven't found anyone in a very long time that I would even consider that with." He said almost angrily.

"So, someone burned you and you flipped the opposite way and became a serial dater." She said crossing her arms across her chest.

Jason didn't say anything but Elizabeth knew she was on to something.

He cleared his throat. "What about you Elizabeth? Why don't you date?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "You're totally trying to change the subject."

"And you're totally deflecting."

"Whatever." She said turning to look out the window. When she first met Jason, she had a huge crush on him that she never admitted to anyone. But after watching him go through women, her anger started to simmer because it reminded her of some very bad times in her life and it just kept building over time. She knew it had gotten to the point where it was irrational but at this point it was hard to stop because then she'd have to face things she really didn't want to face.

They both were quiet for several minutes. The car came to a stop and Francis opened the door. Thankfully, they were in the parking garage and could avoid the press. They got into the private elevator.

"I got a text from Edward. He wants us to come over for dinner Saturday night."

"Fine."

They got off the elevator and went into the penthouse.

"I'm going to go lay down. I'll see you in the morning."

"We can ride in together. Be ready to leave by 7:00 a.m." Jason said.

Elizabeth went upstairs. She was nervous about the next day. Not only was it her first day working in the marketing department, but being thrown into a meeting with a major potential client was a little daunting. But, she'd just have to work hard to stay up to speed and hopefully, no one would give her a hard time.

Jason was really hoping that the other employees didn't ride Elizabeth too much. She was already under pressure with everything else going on. He didn't want this to add to it. They need to keep up their guise and he needed Elizabeth on her game.