A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you like this version of Liaison and Jhorgie

Chapter 10

The beer is placed before Jason and a glass of wine in front of Elizabeth to her surprise.

Menus are left and they eagerly peruse them.

"The drinking age is eighteen here but if you don't like it, don't drink it."

"Okay." She has had wine and beer before since she certainly was no angel when she was younger.

Once they made their choices and the food was ordered, Elizabeth took the time to eye him. The soft lighting makes his eyes sparkle and she wonders what he's thinking.

"Have you gambled before?"

"No. Isn't it a waste of money?"

He smiled. "Unless you get lucky…"

She shrugged. "I try to save as much as I can. You never know when something will happen. My tips are good at Kelly's. I swear the Corinthos organization is trying to pay for my college. Your tips are ridiculous."

Jason smiled. The other guys had noted his interest and went out of the way to make sure Liz was taken care of. "We appreciate hard work."

"Uh-huh. Can we go to the outdoor market tomorrow?"

"I have some meetings in the afternoon, so we can go in the morning. It's probably better because it's not as hot."

"Okay."

"What are you going to do in the afternoon?"

She smiled. "I'll probably read and just enjoy my surroundings."

"The butler will be there to get you drinks or anything else you want. His name is Carl."

"Okay."

They pretty much ate in silence, neither needing to idly chit chat. He enjoyed watching her eat and then they ventured to the casino floor where he pointed out a few people. As they moved forward, they are being tracked by several people, some with good intentions and others not.

Surprising her, he turned her around and pulled her against him before whispering in her ear. "Enrique is the one near the cashier with dark hair and the blue suit. Chris's hair is dyed blonde and he's near the tables."

She nodded and then they began to walk again only stopping when Liz turns to face him again. He leans down and she says, "Enrique is talking to one of the guys who averted his gaze."

He smirked. "Thanks." He had noticed. Pulling out his phone, he called Enzo who is in the vicinity. Several people of interest need to be taken and Enzo will handle it. Before the night is over, Enrique and Chris will be dead. Stealing from a mobster is a sure way to get buried six feet under. If they tolerate this kind of behavior, then anyone will think they can take what they want.

"Have you played roulette before?"

She shook her head.

"Come on."

Jason bought some chips and several stacks are pushed towards Liz.

"Wow."

"They are worth a dollar apiece. Pick some numbers. You can put more than one chip on a number."

As Liz played, Jason explained. She lost at first but then hit a winning streak that had several people gathering around them which Jason didn't like. The only thing that stopped him from leaving was that she is having a lot of fun.

About forty minutes later, she was up several thousand dollars. Jason was holding her chips.

"How much do I have?"

"Don't worry about it. You can keep playing."

She chewed on her lip. "I don't want to lose all your money."

"You won't. Everything you've won is yours."

Her eyes grew wide. "Jason!"

"That's fair and square."

She knew he'd never back down. "In that case, I don't want to lose all my winnings."

"Okay."

He made a slicing motion with his hand and nodded, and then Liz was given the balance of what was owed, so they headed toward the cashier and Jason emptied his pockets.

When she realized she had won almost three thousand dollars, he had to steady her.

"Seriously?"

Jason smirked. "Yes."

The woman smiled as she gave Liz the money.

"Wow."

"You happy?"

She put it into her purse. "Yes!"

They moved away and Jason took her outside and they were seated at a table. Festive music is playing, and Liz is enthralled by some of the people dancing.

"They are so good."

Jason smiled as he took a sip of his beer.

"What's this?"

"It's some fruity drink. I don't remember the name."

Liz took a sip as her eyes grew big. "This is delicious."

When she drank some more, he chuckled.

"Be careful, it's got hard alcohol in it."

"Okay." She is starting to feel warm which is nice.

A slow song came on.

"You want to dance?"

She smiled. "Sure."

Instead of taking her where everyone else is, he moves to the side and pulls her against him.

She sighed as she laid her head against his chest and they gently swayed. The last time they had danced, it had been about her grief, but this time, she is acutely aware of his body and that his heartbeat is quickening.

Jason is feeling it too. While he hadn't been looking for it, the woman he is holding has come to mean the world to him. Words can't describe what he feels for her. She had saved him in so many ways, and she'll always be special to him.

When it finished, he kissed the top of her head and they sat.

"What?" he asked as she stared with a slight smile on her face.

"One day, I'm going to get you to fast dance."

"No way…"

She laughed. "Jason, if you haven't done it, then how do you know if you can't?"

"I'm a lover, not a fighter." Johnny joked like that all the time. Usually, Jason just rolls his eyes, but the slogan works since he likes to tease her.

She laughed so hard she turned red and then whispered, "News flash, you are an enforcer."

He grinned. "Alleged…"

She shook her head as she sighed. "You're too much."

"Are you having fun, Elizabeth?"

She moved forward and leaned on her hands. "Yes. It beats working at Kelly's."

"True…"

"Part of me wishes we could just stay here. I could gamble all day with your money while you end some goombahs."

Jason laughed. "Where do you come up with this stuff?"

She smiled. "I made you laugh."

"Yes, you did."

He chuckled again and her smile widened. "Want some dessert?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

As soon as she took a bite of it, she felt him tense as he gazed around the room. He nodded and then stood.

"I have to take care of something. Enzo will take you back."

"Okay."

"Thank you for being understanding."

She tracks him until she can no longer see him and then takes a bite of chocolate hoping that he'll be okay.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason moved into the basement of a nearby building to come face to face with Enrique and Chris who are tied to a chair. The dealer was in a different location. They wanted to see how much he'll sing. Without saying a word, he slipped on some gloves and then turned to face them.

The men tried not to show their fear, but they know Jason's eyes are probably the last thing they'll see.

"You know what you did," Jason said.

The men gulped and then Jason systematically began to pummel them. The only words spoken were their pleas for mercy. By the time Jason was done, they were bleeding and broken.

"Finish it," he told the other guard before moving into a small bathroom and showering. Their bodies will be found eventually and then the message will be delivered. Mess with the organization, you die.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth's gaze shot to the door.

"Hey," he said before moving into the room.

"Hi. You okay?"

He nodded. "I'm sorry I had to leave."

"I understand."

He sat on the corner of the couch. "It truly doesn't bother you?"

She shrugged. "It is what it is. I don't like you being in danger, but it's not like you're a serial killer. You do what is necessary to protect the business." When he's quiet. She speaks up again. "What are you thinking about?"

"I—it's hard for me to believe that it doesn't matter to you."

"You matter to me; the business not so much, but if that makes you happy, then I'll support you. That's how important you are to me."

"I don't deserve—"

"Don't finish that. Who told you that you don't deserve to be happy?"

"I do bad things, Elizabeth."

She smirked. "I put Nair in Sarah's face products and she had to paint on her eyebrows for months."

He grinned. "That's pretty bad."

"I know, but you still love me, right?"

"Yes." There is more truth to those words than he cares to admit.

"Well, despite your glare and your big gun, I still love ya too."

"You're too much, Webber."

"So, they tell me. Are we good?"

"Yes."

"You look tired."

"I am." He stood and held out his hand and then tugged her up and never let go of her as they went upstairs. There are two bedrooms, so and they stop in the hallway.

"I think we both have a king, so take your pick."

His brow rose. "You're used to me already?" He figured she'd want her own space.

"You grew on me, like a fungus."

"Disgusting…"

She giggled. "I need my pillow," she said patting his chest. "Do you know how hard it is to find a good one?"

"They are pretty much the same."

Her head tilted. "I think you're one of kind. Let's go."

"I'll go change."

She went into her room and grabbed something to sleep in and then slipped under the covers. He joins her wearing a t-shirt and shorts, turning off the light before moving next to her.

Her yawn pierces the silence, and she pats his chest a few times like she's making an adjustment. "Perfect..."

"You're too much."

"I'm just enough."

He sighs, tuning into her breathing rhythm right away. Unsure of when it started, he realizes that she has his heart.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Johnny is pushed into a seat across from Mac in an interrogation room. Of course, the commissioner had picked Kelly's as the spot to have his minion demand Johnny either be arrested or come on his own volition.

For the longest moment, they just stared at each other until Mac broke the silence.

"How much danger do you think she's in?"

Johnny frowned. "What?"

"I can't let anything happen to her. What does your gut say?"

"Honestly?"

Mac nodded.

"I think it was Dillon or Lulu."

Mac sighed.

"Something is seriously wrong with Lulu or she has started letting her Carly DNA take over. Dillon might be riding in the caboose of the crazy train, but he's still on it and I don't think we know what he's capable of. He was angry that Georgie didn't fall into line. Lulu thinks he's hers."

"We would have to catch them in the act." Mac had already checked the duo out and they have alibis.

"We?"

"Yes. I have to go by the book. However, you don't. I just need to know if you have any intentions of taking this beyond friends." He'll do anything to protect his girls.

Johnny was just about to reply when the door burst open and there was Georgia in all her fury. She looks stunning and he had to suck in a breath.

"How dare you!"

"Georgie…"

"No! There is no way I will allow you to harass him. He saved me and he's a good man, Uncle Mac. You need to back off."

Mac's eyes narrowed. "What does he mean to you?"

"I'll show you what he means to me," she muttered before moving in front of Johnny as he stared, wondering what the hell she is up to. Before he could say her name, she plopped onto his lap, grabbed his face, and laid a scorching kiss on him which he couldn't help but respond to because he's not as much of a gentleman as she probably thinks.

When his tongue slid against hers, she had to fight a moan because Johnny O'Brian is the best kisser she has ever met and is swoon-worthy.

"Enough!" Mac said before standing.

Georgie jumped and then quickly retreated, shaken by the hotness of the kiss.

"I need to talk to Johnny." He knows Johnny was shocked by the kiss, but he certainly returned it.

"No."

"Georgie, don't push me right now. Please…"

Her eyes locked on Johnny. At first, she said nothing, wondering if he was mad, but he smiled.

"It's okay."

She tries to calm her breathing, her lips still tingling. "I'll be right outside."

After one more glare directed at her uncle, she left.

"Before you start, I didn't know she was going to kiss me, and we had never done that before."

"You kissed her back!" He pounded his fist on the desk. "She is too good for you. Not only is she brilliant, but she is beautiful and compassionate to her core. I love her more than I love myself." Georgie can hear him, and tears prick her eyes. "If you hurt her, I will stalk you for the rest of your existence. Am I clear?"

"May I talk now?"

Mac collapsed against the back of his chair.

"I respect your niece. Don't you think I know I'm not good enough for her?"

Georgie cringed.

"Then walk away."

"No. I won't take away her choice."

Georgie smiled.

"I'm going to protect her and try to be worthy enough to be in her life—friend or more than that." After the kiss, there is no way in hell he's willing to back away. "I will do whatever I can to put a stop to whatever is going on with dumb and dumber."

Mac leaned forward and clasped his hands together. "I can't control her, but the threat still applies. I need your help to spy, but you can't take the law into your own hands and hurt teenagers."

"They shouldn't have messed with her."

"Johnny…" Mac's tone is full of warning.

Johnny held his hands up. "Fine, I will try to stay above board—for the most part." Some of the men have younger brothers who won't mind teaching Dillon a lesson.

"You can go."

Georgie carefully shut the door and stepped away from it as Ronnie shook his head. She put her finger to her lips and then plopped onto a chair as the door swung open.

Johnny strode to her and held out his hand. His intensity almost makes Georgie shudder. "Let's go."

She allows him to pull her from her seat and lead her outside where to her surprise, a car is waiting.

Francis unlocked the door and then threw Johnny the keys. "I'll ride back with Milo."

Johnny held the door open for Georgie and then closed it when she got in. The ride back to his place was silent. Her brain was on overload, wondering what he is thinking and then trying to figure out a way to explain why the kiss got carried away, but she is coming up with nothing. A smirk edges onto her face. Maybe she'll surprise him and be unapologetic instead of acting like a schoolgirl.

He catches the smirk and wonders what the hell she is up to. Parking, he told her to stay and then opened her door and Georgie smiled as their gaze met.

"Thank you."

They got on an elevator and he stopped it between floors.

"Hey—" She is pushed against the wall.

His cheek slid against hers until his breath skipped across her ear as his hand moved up her arm. "Don't use me again to punish Mac." She trembled and he almost smiled. "Next time you want to kiss me, you better mean it."

She gasped as he retreated to stare into her eyes. When he licked his lips, she almost whimpered.

"Are we clear?"

"Crystal…"

He went to turn, and she grabbed his suit lapels and jerked him against her, and stood on her toes to kiss his mouth. It was carnal and Georgie felt like she was going to explode. It was nothing like being with Dillon. He was passionate, but Johnny is scorching her like a brand. She's lifted and pressed against the wall as he grips her ass, and she throws her arms around him. His kisses are wild, and she starts to feel his arousal.

"Johnny…"

He slightly pulls back as he pants. His hazel eyes have darkened, and she didn't think he could look any hotter.

"I guess we should take a step back. I just—you're so hot." His tone is husky and for some reason, his accent is a little stronger than normal.

"You think I'm hot?"

He chuckled. "Oh, Georgie, never doubt that. Why do think Dillon is freaking?"

"Because he can't control me?"

"That may be part of it, but baby, he knows he screwed up. Lulu's big mouth might have been able to please him for a few minutes, but can you imagine that shrew in bed? She probably barks directions and whines a lot."

Georgie giggled.

"After sleeping with that cold fish, it's probably killing him that he let you go. You are fire, Georgie, you just need the right incendiary device to stoke it."

She almost groaned. "And you think you're it?"

"I know I am, but you're not ready yet."

She started to protest.

"Part of you still loves him even though you want to throttle him. When nothing is standing in between us, if you want to go several rounds, I'm your man."

"Just several?" she said wickedly. He makes her feel sexy and she likes how empowering it is.

"Georgie, when it comes to you, I'll be up for anything."

He lets her go and then pushes the button before straightening his clothes.

You couldn't wipe the smile off her face.