Part 2
Two weeks into Chicago and AJ was getting into the swing of things. Nothing seemed right to her but she was adapting and her options were to either adapt or perish. She was working five nights a week at the bar but wanted to do more. She didn't have TV, it was hot and she didn't have an AC so she wanted to be around people and not feel like she was in prison.
AJ came down her night off but in her uniform which was shorts and a tee-shirt with the bar logo in the corner. She saw the place was crazy busy as it was an away game night and grabbed an apron to tie around her waist.
"Nadine, I told you that you're off." Jeff said pouring beers.
"Yea you did but I wanted to work anyway." AJ told him anxiously. "I'll just take tips you don't even have to pay me let me just help."
"I'm going pay you." He sighed. "I thought maybe you'd want to leave this building for a few hours."
"No that's ok. I feel safe here." She admitted and gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Alright." Jeff said to her. "Cassie is off tonight she got called into the hospital so you can cover her section."
"Great." She said grabbing the I-Pad she used to take orders.
AJ saw the familiar table in the middle of the bar and it was always Punk, Dean and a few people from their work. She walked over to them and Dean looked up.
"Thank god! I've been here twenty minutes and not a beer in my hand." Dean said half seriously.
"We're short staffed tonight. I'm sorry." She said to him.
"You're too pretty to stay mad at." Dean assured her. "We'll take a pitcher of beer."
"And I'll have a water." Punk told her. "This is our coworker Kofi." He introduced to AJ and shook the man's hand.
"It's nice to meet you." AJ said to him.
"It's really nice to meet you." Kofi grinned. "If I wasn't married I'd ask you out." He told her bluntly causing AJ to blush and Punk to eye him.
"She's too young for you." Punk told Kofi.
"Who said that?" AJ asked with a huff. "I'm super old I'm going to be 29." And the three older men eyed her annoyed. "Oh, don't worry you gentlemen don't look a day over 40."
"I don't like her." Kofi teased to the group.
"Can I get you guys some food?" She asked.
"Just beer." Dean said to her.
"And peanuts." Punk requested and AJ grabbed the empty peanut dish.
"Coming right up." She said walking away.
"That's your sisters friends?" Kofi asked. "The woman in hiding."
"I don't think she's in hiding exactly." Punk said to him. "I just don't think her name is Nadine."
"You said she had like six deadbolts on her door." Dean said to him.
"I think she's scared." Punk reasoned eyeing her from across the bar.
"Husband?" Kofi asked and Punk shook his head.
"Nah she said she wasn't married and I believe her." Punk told them.
"Maybe she really did commit crime." Kofi suggested.
"That girl?" Dean asked with a laugh.
"Yea she doesn't seem like a criminal mastermind to me." Punk said. "It's annoying because I want to know."
"Run her prints from a glass." Kofi shrugged.
"I have no reason to do that." Punk scoffed.
"Or you're scared she's really wanted and you'll have to arrest your new eye candy." Dean teased.
"She's not my eye candy." Punk remarked.
"You've bought her up almost every day since you met her." Dean insisted.
"Because I'm worried for her." Punk said to them. "She's sweet and seems scared and in case you have forgotten it is our job to protect people."
"Can't protect the people who don't want it." Kofi argued.
"I don't know about that." Punk said glancing back at AJ again.
A few hours later the bar was starting to empty. The Cubs won so people stayed to celebrate a bit later than usual but it was finally nearly over.
"I'm taking the cash down to the safe." Jeff told AJ who nodded.
"Hey." A male voice behind AJ greeted.
"Oh, I'm sorry we called last call an hour ago." AJ told the man.
"That sucks." The larger man sighed sitting at the bar now.
"Yea. Do you need a cab?" She asked smelling his breath and trying not to gag.
"Nah, sweetheart." He said eyeing her up and down.
"You have to go than." AJ said putting her dishrag down and placing her hand on her hip.
"You're very pretty." The man insisted standing up and towering over her.
"You think I'm pretty?" A voice from behind the man questioned and he turned around and saw Punk.
"Not so much." The man drunkingly slurred.
"How about you get lost or I'll throw you out myself?" Punk asked calmly.
"I'm going." The man said backing out of the bar.
"You alright?" Punk asked her and pulled AJ from her thought.
"Yea." She said to him quietly and was now a bit pale. "You think he's going to come back?"
"No." Punk laughed a bit. "Why would he?"
"I don't know." AJ said shaking her head and walking over to the door and locking it as he was the last man besides Punk and Jeff in the bar. Punk watched as she peered out the window to make sure the man left.
"You sure you're ok?" Punk asked her.
"Yea." She said shaking it off a bit. "He was just weird."
"Where's Jeff?" Punk asked looking around.
"He just ran down to the safe." She said to him.
"I'll wait until he comes back up." Punk offered.
"You don't have to." AJ said but was a bit relieved.
"It's not a problem. I actually left my keys here." He told her.
"I think I found keys earlier." She said walking behind the bar as he took a seat and she pulled out the lost and found. "These yours?" She asked holding up a set of keys with a bright pink pom pom ball attached.
"No." He had to laugh and looked over to where he was sitting. "I see them." He said jogging over to the table and grabbing them. "I feel like you've been working here every night."
"That says more about you than it does me, Phil." She teased a bit. "You're the one at the bar every night and don't even drink."
"That's true." Punk had to agree. "But my TV is too small for games I like big screens." He said motioning to the bar TV's.
"I don't know much about sports but I'll take your word for it that it's better." She shrugged as she wiped down the bar.
"Have you been anywhere in Chicago that wasn't on this block?" He asked her.
"No, but I will." AJ assured him. "I just don't know anything about Chicago."
"Ouch." Punk mocked causing her to smile. "Is that why you're working every night?"
"Actually my place doesn't have AC and a small window so this is heaven." She said to him.
"Your place doesn't have much of anything." He added and she instantly frowned. "I didn't mean that as a dig." He added again quickly. "How about tomorrow night I take you around town?"
"Oh, I don't know about that." AJ said as her cheeks blushed a bit. She wanted to go go but she knew it wouldn't be a good idea.
"Why?" He asked.
"I have to work." She told him.
"You can have the night off!" Jeff yelled from the back.
"If you're friends with Jeff and Cass you know that they know I'm a good guy. I just want to show you around and maybe get you a real dinner that isn't bar food and peanuts." He said to her.
"I feel like you just want to pry into my life." AJ said to him.
"That's awfully presumptuous." Punk remarked. "You're new to town just want to show you around. Friendly gesture."
"I have baggage, even being my friend." AJ warned.
"I live a boring life so I can use some excitement." Punk shrugged. "I just want to show you my first love." He told her and she eyed him. "Which is Chicago and really you'd be doing me the favor." He said trying a different angle and she raised her brows.
"I haven't done anything fun around the City since I was married. My wife hated it here and we moved right outside of the City and I feel like I missed a lot."
"Oh." AJ said thinking about it and that said a lot to Punk. She didn't want to go for herself but if he mentioned she'd be helping him she was more willing. "I guess."
"Good." He said to her. "I get off work at 6."
"Ok." AJ said walking him to the door. "Could you make sure that guy is gone?"
"Yea." He said with a bit sadness. "You're in a busy city though there's going to be creeps around but for the most part they are harmless."
"And what about the guys who aren't harmless?" She asked him.
"Then it's good a thing you're friend with a man who has license to carry a gun." He assured her with a wink. "You're safe here." he told her and that was the first time someone said it to her and she believed it.
"I'll see you tomorrow." She said as he walked outside. She locked the door and again peered outside and did see Punk inspect the area before leaving.
"He's a good guy." Jeff said appearing at the bar. "We used to be good friends."
"And what happened?" AJ asked.
"I started dating his sister." Jeff smirked. "He'll get over it. I know he misses me."
"It just seems stupid." AJ said to Jeff.
"Look, I know this isn't easy for you but if you're going to spend time with someone let it be Punk who is a literal FBI agent and a decent guy." Jeff told her.
"He's going to dig into my life." AJ told him.
"So? You have nothing to hide from. You did nothing wrong, you're not a prisoner." Jeff reminded her.
"I feel like one." She said grabbing some empty dirty glasses to clean. "And this guy is divorced the last thing he needs is my drama."
"Please." Jeff laughed. "Amy is a loony tune. That marriage wasn't made to last. He was too good for her and he's still too good for her. She had like split personalities and really tortured him. And yet she lives in his home while he pays the mortgage and all her bills."
"I don't need that drama." AJ sighed.
"You're not marrying the guy you're just making a new friend." Jeff shrugged. "I think you two will get along well. Maybe put in a good word for me?" He asked hopefully and AJ laughed.
"Him and Cass are really close huh?" AJ asked and Jeff nodded.
"Yup." Jeff nodded cleaning as well.
"Why didn't you tell him if he's such a good guy?" AJ asked him. "Why risk your friendship?"
"Cassie didn't want to tell him right away because he scares off all her boyfriends. She is worth the risk." Jeff smirked. "He doesn't hate me, he still comes around. He'll warm up to me again."
"Yea." AJ said as Jeff handed her an envelope.
"Your tips for tonight by the way." He said to her and she nodded.
"Thanks." She grinned seeing all the money.
"It's not what you're used to making I'm sure." He remarked.
"It's money and I'm happy to have it." She said to him with a smile.
"Good. Take it and enjoy it tomorrow night." Jeff encouraged.
The next day in the office Punk was in his button down dress shirt and dress pants in his office looking over his computer when Kofi walked in.
"Layla told me to have you over for dinner tonight. She thinks since the divorce that you live off bar food." Kofi said to Punk who smirked but kept his eyes on the screen.
"I love your wife." Punk admitted freely and Kofi glared at him. "I should have married your wife instead of my wife."
"Yea, yea." Kofi mocked. "7 sharp."
"I can't I have plans." Punk told him.
"We're working?" Kofi asked.
"No." Punk remarked "I'm taking that waitress out."
"Nadine?" Kofi asked.
"That is not her name." Punk said eyeing his screen and Kofi looked over.
"What's that?" Kofi asked.
"Cassie told me that she who calls herself Nadine was a childhood friend of Jeff's sister." Punk told him. "His sister Celeste still lives in the same town as they grew up in some I'm looking into recent crime."
"I thought you didn't think she was a criminal." Kofi noted.
"I don't. I think she's a victim." Punk corrected.
"Why don't you just ask her?" Kofi asked him.
"What fun is that?" Punk said to him seriously. "But there's nothing matching my mystery girl in these files."
"Huh." Kofi said to him.
"What?" Punk asked.
"It sounds unreported to me." Kofi said to him. "You know what that means and is that what you need in your life?"
"What do you mean?" Punk asked.
"I mean she's running from a guy a boyfriend or a husband." Kofi explained. "And you are going through your own divorce at the moment do you need that drama? Do you need some jealous ex showing up?"
"Please." Punk scoffed. "But it can't be a jealous boyfriend with the way she's acting. She left in the middle of the night, she doesn't have any marks."
"That you can see." Kofi said to him. "And again, is this something you want to get involved in?"
"If I can help her I plan on helping her." Punk told Kofi bluntly.
"Don't let her be your rebound." Kofi warned. "The girl has clearly gone through it and so have you for that matter."
"Technically Amanda was my rebound." Punk reminded him of the coworker.
"Yea and how did that work out?" Kofi shot back.
"I just want to get to know her and if I can help her in the meantime and learn her real name than cool." Punk said simply.
"You and this hero complex." Kofi said shaking his head.
"Just mind your own business." Punk said to his friend. "I'll worry about me."
"Fine. Just don't say I didn't warn you." Kofi remarked before leaving his office.
AJ was looking into the reflection of her small window since she didn't have a real mirror in her apartment, not even in her bathroom. She knew it wasn't a date but she would be lying if she said she wasn't excited. She was wearing jeans and a tank top, her hair was down for the first time in weeks and light makeup. It was steaming hot in Chicago and her apartment was boiling so she was happy to leave for a bit.
"It's Punk." A voice said rather than knock. AJ peeked to make sure then unlocked the door and let him in. He was in relax clothing as well just jeans and an MMA t-shirt. He really did have a lot of tattoos.
"You're right on time." AJ said grabbing her small purse.
"I'm good like that." He said eyeing her figure as she turned around. "You look relaxed. I've never seen you out of your uniform."
"Yea it would be weird if I went out in it I guess." She said turning her light on which he narrowed his eyes at. "Ready?" She asked.
"Yea." He said opening the door for her. "How is it cooler outside then in your apartment?"
"It's unpleasant but liveable." She said locking each lock from the outside. "Where are you taking me first?"
"First you're going to have a real meal because I realized today I haven't had a real meal in years myself." He told her and nodded for her to walk ahead of him.
At dinner Punk and AJ were seated and she peered around.
"I feel underdressed." AJ said hiding her face behind the menu.
"You're not." Punk shrugged. "My family owns this place."
"What?" AJ asked stunned.
"Don't worry they're not here tonight but we can wear whatever." He assured her. "So get anything off the menu."
"I haven't eaten anything other than fries and peanuts for weeks." AJ said eyeing the menu with excited eyed.
"I had a feeling." Punk said to her.
"What is really good here?" She asked.
"Prime Rib." He told her and her eyes widened. "Go for it I am." He encouraged.
The waiter came over and took their order and that left them in an awkward spot.
"I can't get over how pretty this place is." She said looking around.
"Yea. My dad and uncle opened this place together 50 years ago." He told her. "My dad took off and so my uncle kept it going."
"I'm sorry about your dad." AJ frowned.
"It's fine. My Uncle was a good stand in." Punk told her and she nodded. "So can I ask one question and I promise I won't pry after that." AJ sighed and eyed him. "I just want to know your real name because I don't want to call you Nadine all night."
"It's AJ." She confided and he smiled.
"AJ." He repeated. "You are definitely more of an AJ than a Nadine."
"I'm not in trouble with the law." She again told him.
"I get that." He said to her and she looked around. "No one here is going to hurt you."
"I just don't want to talk about it." She confided and he nodded.
"You need a day away to forget all your problems, I get that I need it too." He said to her. "That's what tonight is going to be about."
"Is your wife going to be mad you're out with me?" AJ asked subtly and he smirked.
"So I can't know about you but you want to know about me?" He asked amused. "I'm divorced I think I mentioned that."
"Yea but that's a strong bond to forget." She noted.
"We were married for four years and the last year we were separated and the good times were never really good." He told her bluntly.
"Why did you marry her?" AJ asked.
"We met and were crazy about each other and eloped four weeks after meeting." He told her. "I didn't know her as well as I should have. I won't ever make that mistake again."
"Wow. At least you're spontaneous." AJ said to him.
"That's a nice word for it." He laughed a bit. "Can I know anything about you?"
"You know my nickname." She shrugged and he eyed her. "I write."
"Write what?" He asked intrigued.
"I used to have a blog. I'd write about anything and everything. Movies, social issues, my favorite coffee. It sounds awful but people really liked it. I made a good living off of it." She told him.
"Why did you stop? You can write from Chicago." He said to her.
"I closed my blog a year ago." She said to him. "And that's all I want to say about that."
"Anything else?" He asked.
"I thought you weren't going pry." AJ frowned.
"I won't ask why you're here just more of the person you are." He said to her.
"I love dogs." AJ said to him and he smiled. "I wish I could have a dog here."
"I have a dog. Well had, my ex took him." Punk said to her. "I suppose he's better off in a big house then an apartment."
"I would have taken the dog with me." AJ said to him. "Give her the house and take the dog." She said seriously and he laughed.
"You had a dog?" He asked.
"Yea." She said shifting. "I had a mix breed. Doxy was her name but she died a few months ago." She said looking away.
"I'm sorry." He offered.
"You know Jeff speaks very highly of you." AJ told him and he glared at her.
"Did he ask you to ass kiss for him?" Punk asked her and she laughed. "I had a feeling."
"He really is a nice guy and really loves your sister." AJ said to him.
"I know he's a good guy which is why I haven't killed him yet." Punk said to her. "I'll forgive him eventually."
"Your sister is sweet too." AJ said to him.
"That she is." Punk agreed. "Do you have any siblings?" He quizzed.
"No. I don't." She said knowing he was still fishing. "Celeste, Jeff's sister, was more of a sister to me though."
"I think I met her once." Punk said trying to think back. "I've known him a long time."
"He's been really good to me." She said to him.
"Yea he can try to get you some air conditioning though." Punk said to her.
"He's done more than enough." AJ told him.
Punk and AJ had dinner, he drove her around to all the sights and then took her back home.
"It's a really hot night." Punk noted walking her up to her apartment. "Like really hot."
"I know." She said to him opening her door and he followed her in.
"You want to open the window?" he asked.
"No." She said quickly and he noticed it was locked.
"I can't just leave you up here to sweat to death." He said to her. "Jeff has to have a fan down there-"
"It's ok it's nothing I can't handle." She said putting her purse down. "And thank you for tonight because I really just needed a night to be out and not over think."
"Me too. I mean I say we should do it again." He suggested and she eyed him. "I could take you to a place with AC."
"I'm working tomorrow." She told him.
"Friday night then?" He asked.
"Ok." She said with a light smile.
AJ hadn't gone out on a date in a year or even looked a man for a year. Punk was attractive, polite, protective and as far as she could see there wasn't a flaw and even though she had her reservations she also had her needs. It had been lonely in Chicago.
"You're sweating." AJ frowned reaching into the mini fridge and grabbing him a cold water.
"You should keep that for yourself." Punk said but she placed it on his forehead.
"I don't need an FBI agent fainting in my room." She said to him and he noted that she was a nurturer.
"It's alright I'll survive." He said gently pushing her hand down and when there eyes met it was over.
Punk leaned down and AJ met him halfway and they began an intense kiss. He cupped her face as she was low to him in height and he lifted her so her legs were wrapped his waist and he pushed her into the wall and the kissing intensified. His lips moved to her neck and as she gasped for breath after their kissing. He stopped moving and looked at her.
"I'm sorry that was-" He began but she grabbed his face and kissing him deeply again and that was the approval he needed.
AJ initiated the entire night together. She grind against his lower half to signal what she wanted from him, she removed his shirt first and when she asked him if he had a condom he knew he was going to have one of the best nights of his life.
The room she was in was small, there was no bed but a small couch so most of the night was up against the wall and it was brutally hot but it didn't slow either of them down. Both had a want and were both pent up for a while. Punk felt like he could have went all night with her but the setting wasn't ideal. They made their way to the floor as AJ clawed into his back and moaned against his lips the entire night. He wanted to explore her body more but space was limited and he was enjoying wrestling her tongue as he gave her every inch he had. He had noted that the next time this happens it will be in a place he would be able to give her what she deserved.
They were on and off for two hours and when they finally each reached their final release AJ let out a scream that could have made him hard again but he did his best to contain himself. She had to be uncomfortable on the floor the way she was. Her carpeting looked unforgiving and her hot back was rubbing against it for hours. He sat up and looked down at the beautiful naked woman underneath as the moonlight and street lights is what lit up the small space and realized he was hooked. He watched her bare chest rise and fall as she caught her breath and saw a slight smile on her face.
"What? Did I hurt you?" She asked amused and he licked his lips.
"No. Not yet anyway." He said to her and she just grinned watching him stand up.
AJ watched as he grabbed his clothing and sat up and pulled her legs to her chest as she still came down off her high. He looked over and saw her body drenched from sweat and leaned down and kissed her still swollen lips for one more passionate time for the evening.
"Come home with me." He said to her.
"I don't think I can go one more time." She smirked taking his hands so he could help her stand up.
"No not for that." He said to her. "So you're in a cool place. It's too hot in here."
"I like it hot. I'll take a cold shower." She said still fully naked and he was trying to keep his eyes on hers but it was difficult.
"AJ-" He began but she cut him off.
"I'll see you on Friday." She said grabbing a light robe and tying it around her body and walking him to the door. "I'd offer you to stay but you won't fit on my couch or floor for that matter." She teased.
"I didn't want this." He told her and she frowned. "Not what I meant." He added quickly. "I just wanted to have fun I didn't want to push you into anything."
"That's ok. I needed this." She said to him relief. "Thank you for everything tonight."
"I just don't want you to think-" He began.
"You were a perfect gentleman." She assured him and nipped his lips. "Get home safe"
"I'll see you Friday, same time?" He asked and she nodded then he walked out her door.
He waited to hear her lock all her locks and had a look of shock on his face.
"Holy shit." He said still in awe of what just happened.
Punk headed down stairs and the bar was still open but pretty empty.
"Dean and Kofi aren't here." Jeff said to him.
"I'm looking for you." Punk said to him. "Did you know AJ doesn't have AC up there?"
"What? She didn't mention-" He stopped and looked at Punk. "What did you call her?"
"She told me her name." Punk said to him. "She's going to get sick up there because she won't open her window."
"I'll have my guy come in tomorrow and look at it." Jeff assured him. "Is she still up? I'll bring her a fan."
"Yea." Punk said to him and eyed him.
"I can't tell you." Jeff said and Punk sighed.
"What am I getting myself into?" Punk asked him seriously.
"AJ is a great girl." Jeff assured him.
"I know that. I just want to know if she's in trouble and suddenly going to be gone." Punk said to him.
"She seems to like it here." Jeff shrugged.
"Is someone going to hurt her?" Punk asked bluntly.
"It's not my place to say anything. If she told you her name she'll tell you more just give her time. It's not something that's going to scare you off." Jeff told him.
"I don't scare easily anyway." Punk retorted. "Go bring her a fan or something. Its like 100 up there."
"Got it." Jeff said to him. "That it?"
"You're still an asshole for sleeping with my sister." Punk said childishly then left.
Punk walked out of the bar and headed to his truck when he felt someone bump his shoulder.
"Sorry, man." The man mumbled to Punk but not even that guy was going to bring Punk down who had the most unexpected best night of his life.
He jumped in his truck and drove off as the man who bumped him looked up at the apartments on top of the bars.
A/N: You guys...you still read my stories and it means so much to me thanks for the reviews! They were a happy surprise and always a motivation for me. You all rock so much, THANK YOU! :)