For the most part, she was able to get past the fact that she was sitting next to possibly the sexiest man she'd ever seen. But then he would ask for the pasta, or the garlic bread, and their finger tips would brush. For her, it was electric, perfect, and oh so dangerous.
For him, it was better than nothing. He could see her trepidation, and decided to cool off, let her get used to him. He could do that, for now.
After Sonny cleared the table, they all sat around it, talking about Port Charles, pointing out things Elizabeth should see and do. Places to get a good cup of coffee. Luke's, the best blues bar in town. The best bar period.
Somehow the conversation drifted towards the hospital, and the annual Nurse's Ball, which was taking place in just a few days.
Elizabeth asked about the Ball, why it was held, what it was about.
Sonny looked over her head at Jason, who was watching Elizabeth, a content smile on his lips. "The Nurse's Ball benefits AIDS research. People who work, even people who don't work at the hospital perform skits. There's an orchestra to fill time in between the sketches." He shifted in his chair, scooting closer to Carly so he could pull her to him. "People buy tables to sit at, and all the money goes to AIDS research." He wrapped his arm around Carly's shoulders, and she reached up to lace her fingers with his. He pressed a kiss to her temple. His eyes focused on Elizabeth's, "You know, you should come with us. It's the perfect place to meet everybody in Port Charles, because everybody's there."
She smiled from ear to ear, "Of course I'll come. It sounds like fun."
"Good." He turned to Jason, "Now you have a date." His cocoa tinted eyes glinted in satisfaction.
Elizabeth's head jerked in Jason's direction. "What? Wait a second."
Jason's eyebrow arched, "Is there a problem Elizabeth? A reason you can't be seen with me?" It took every last ounce of self control to stop the smile from spreading across his face. Instead he looked hurt, insulted, and rejected.
"Well, I- I-" she sighed, swayed by the wounded look on his face. "No, there's no reason. I would love to go." Her eyes locked on Jason's, and something flickered in them, something Elizabeth couldn't decipher.
Sonny clapped his hands, jolting the two out of their trance. "Great. You do have something to wear, right? It's a formal, evening gown type shin-dig. If you don't, Carly can take you to Wyndham's, right Carly?" he nudged his wife, unaware that she was getting sleepy.
At the mention of shopping though, Carly perked right up. "Sure I can help. We'll go tomorrow, right after you get off of work, ok? Maybe even go out to dinner, just us girls." She winked at Elizabeth, the questions already forming in her mind. Carly yawned then, the drowsiness swiftly returning. "I'm sorry guys, but if you'll excuse me, I have a business meeting for Deception tomorrow." She stood up, rounding the table to give Elizabeth a hug. "It was nice to meet you sweetie. Don't forget, tomorrow after work."
She leaned past Elizabeth to hug Jason and give him a kiss on the cheek. "Say Jason, why don't you walk Elizabeth back to her apartment?" She winked at Elizabeth again, causing the younger woman to blush.
"That's alright Carly, I only live a short elevator ride down." She moved away from Jason towards the door, but Sonny caught her elbow.
"If you don't let Jason walk you, I'll send Johnny with you." His eyes challenged her, yet remained warm and friendly.
She sighed again, asking herself for the millionth time why she agreed to come here tonight. "Jason it is." She waited by the door, watching him and Sonny talk in low voices for a moment before he approached her, placing his hand on her back while he opened the door.
It didn't take long for the elevator to arrive, and once they were on, Elizabeth made sure to keep a gap of space between them while her eyes studied the floor.
She lifted her head up, a small smile on her face. "Tell me something."
He looked at her. "Yes?"
"Why socks?"
He laughed out loud, wriggling his toes. "I only have two pairs of shoes. My motorcycle boots, and the shoes I use when I wear a tuxedo. Neither was quite appropriate to wear tonight."
She nodded in agreement, "Two pairs of shoes huh? Mr. Fashion Plate you are not."
They both chuckled as the elevator doors opened. His hand returned to the small of her back, and he noticed just how thin the material of her dress was.
She could barely feel his hand on her back, yet the air around them slowly started to sizzle. Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief when they reached her door. Before she could slip the key into the lock, she felt his hands fall on her shoulders and turn her around. Her eyes fluttered, focusing on his bellybutton so she wouldn't be forced to look at his beautiful face.
Jason was having none of it. He cupped her chin, gently pushing it up, not quite forcing her to look at him, but not releasing the pressure either. "I'm glad you came tonight. It was nice to finally meet you, get to know you." His eyes glistened, his voice low and rich. "Did you have a good time?" His hand drifted to her forehead to push a stray hair out of her eyes. He let his finger tips trail down the side of her face, feather light.
Her eyes closed against the sensation, her mind swirling. "Yes, I had a wonderful time." Her head leaned slightly to the left, reacting instinctually to his touch.
"Did you? Really?" He let his hand cup her face, his thumb stroking just below her lips.
"Yes Jason, I-" Her voice caught when his thumb brushed her lip. She could feel his breath, warm and wet on her face, and she was afraid to open her eyes.
He leaned in further, his cheek brushing hers as he whispered into her ear. "Open your eyes, Elizabeth." His hand had moved from her face to her hair, combing it back from her face. He pulled back slightly to look at her, a slow smile forming when her eyes finally opened.
Her breath caught when her eyes locked onto his, so close, so utterly blue. "Jason I- I can't." Her words said I can't, yet her eyes and body said differently. Her hand went up to his face, to his cheek.
He could feel the electricity pulse through her, through him. "You can't what?" He watched her tongue dart out to wet her lips, and it nearly broke his self restraint. He hadn't noticed her left hand behind her, hadn't heard the key slide into the lock, the tumblers click until she turned the knob.
She pressed a kiss to her fingers, then touched her hand to his cheek. "Good night, Jason." Her eyes never left his as she backed into her apartment and closed the door.
He straightened, a cocky smile gracing his lips. He knew she wanted him, and he could wait.
Until the Nurse's Ball.