Author's Note: This ends in the middle of a scene, but I'm setting up for something.
1423 Words
Chapter Six
Matt and Emily wandered into Ops, holding hands. Jess was diligently at work, alone at the ADD.
"No Becker?" asked Matt. "He's been glued to you."
Jess gave him a dirty look.
"What was that for?"
Jess ignored him.
"Is there a problem Jess?" asked Emily.
"No. Becker and I were reprimanded by Lester, that's all."
"Why?"
Jess blushed. "Never mind."
Matt laughed. "I take it you were caught engaging in some…friendly behavior?"
Jess grunted. "Now Becker wants to stay professional at work."
"Don't worry, Jess," said Matt. "He'll change his mind."
Jess frowned. "You think ?"
"Indeed," said Emily. "He is a man. He is weak when it comes to the female charms."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Emily smirked. "Becker will be…affectionate at work very soon. Do not fear." She winked at Jess, then gave Matt a teasing look.
"You women are going to kill me," said Matt.
Jess smiled. "Good."
"You are grumpy," said Matt.
Jess stuck her tongue out at him.
"What are you doing to my woman?" asked Becker, walking in.
"Now I'm your woman?" asked Jess. "I thought you wanted to keep your distance from me at the ARC?"
Becker smirked, bending down beside her. "I tried. Thirty whole minutes, Jess and I can't take it anymore."
Jess giggled. Becker pulled her gently to him and kissed her.
"He succumbed faster than I believed," said Emily.
"You're a sorry excuse for a male, Becker," said Matt.
Becker kept kissing Jess waving Matt to go away.
"Ah, I see the day is ending as it began," said Lester, locking his office, "with my head of security locked to my field coordinator's lips. Charming. You two are going to give me an ulcer."
Jess pulled away from Becker's kiss. "Sorry."
"I'm not," said Becker.
Lester rolled his eyes. "Good night. Try not to spoil my breakfast in the morning by pawing on each other, will you?"
"Can't make any promises," said Becker.
Lester shook his head, and strolled out of Ops.
"Is it safe to let him go?" asked Jess. "What about Stella? You know she isn't giving up."
"What do you suggest?" asked Matt. "I'm not giving up my evening to be with Lester. You?"
Jess looked at Becker. "No," she said, blushing. "Lester will just have to fend off her advances himself."
Becker chuckled. "I second that."
Lester was strolling through the car park when he heard a scream. He ran toward it, and found Stella lying on the concrete. "Good lord! What happened? Are you alright?"
"Yes. Thank you! Oh, Mr. Lester, you saved me!"
"I did? From what?"
"That prehistoric creature!"
Abby just happened to be strolling by. "Oh, did Rex get out again?" she asked with a smirk.
Stella stared hostilely at her. "It was not your pet! This thing was huge and menacing!"
"I didn't see anything," said Lester.
"Me either," said Abby, "I didn't hear anything either. There aren't any alarms. Do you hear any Stella?" Abby smiled, daring her to continue with this trick. "Anyway, it's safe now. Right?"
Stella stared at Abby's playful eyes. She wouldn't give up so easily. "Yes, you're right Abby. I'm safe, now that Lesty is here."
"Lesty?" asked Abby and Lester in unison.
"Please don't address me in such a manner."
"Oh, I think it's a cute pet name for us to have."
Abby raised her eyebrows. "Pet names. Really?"
Lester began to tremble. "Uh. No. Pet names are inappropriate for the work place. Let's stick to Mr. and Miss, shall we? Now, excuse me, Ladies. I must dash." He made a quick escape, before Stella could say a thing.
Stella grimaced as her prey eluded her. For the moment.
Abby stared at her. "Word of advice, Stella. I'd back off Lester. He's the boss. He could make your life very uncomfortable."
Stella glared. "I don't need advice," she said coldly, and left.
Abby shook her head, heading back into the ARC when she caught a glimpse of black hair darting out from behind a car. "Connor?"
"Abby. Is she gone?" he asked.
She laughed. "It's all clear."
He sighed. "Sorry. I hate running into that woman alone. She's terrifying."
"Well, she's gone. I'll protect you anyway," she said, holding out her hand.
Connor took it, and let her pull him up. He hugged her. "Thanks Abby."
"You didn't see any creature, did you?"
"No. You're right. Stella made it up. Of course, she'd pretend to faint in terror from the sight of a chameleon if there was a cute enough bloke around."
Abby laughed. "True, Connor. Very true."
"Poor Lester. How is he going to get out of this? Becker had Jess, I had you, who's Lester got?" asked Connor.
"His wife."
"She's not aware of the Barracuda's wiles. Think she'd believe us?"
"Don't know, Conn. But that's who else Lester has: us: you me, Becker, Jess, Emily and Matt."
"Yeah. We'll save him."
She smiled at her brave boyfriend who had just been hiding. "We will."
Lester took a sip of brandy, kicked off his shoes, and leaned the recliner back. He sighed. "Alone and relaxing in my castle," he said aloud. The grandfather clock chimed the arrival of evening. He began to fall asleep in his study.
Then the peace was shattered by the doorbell. Lester grumbled, slipped on his shoes, and made way to the front door. "Yes, what is it?" he asked grumpily, as he opened the door.
His mouth dropped open. "Miss Blanch?" he whispered.
Stella stood in his doorway, wearing the famous trench coat. "Hello, Mr. Lester. May I come in?"
"I…uh…what? You're….coat…Come in?"
Stella obviously had not heard the last part as a question. She smiled and wiggled inside.
"What a lovely evening," she said. "Don't you think?"
Lester stared. Finally, he found his voice. "Why are you here?"
Stella smiled, throwing her hair back. "I'm a bit warm," she said, opening the coat slowly. It revealed a deep burgundy bra and panty set. She wore nothing else but high-heeled shoes.
Lester stared in stunned disbelief.
"That's better," she said, slowing easing the coat down her back, and onto the floor.
"You're…practically…naked," he whispered hoarsely.
"Do you like?" she asked, seductively. "Why don't you join me?"
Lester's eyes bugged out and he was frozen still. Stella took advantage of his shock to move closer. She reached out for his tie and began to loosen it.
"I…beg…your pardon!" he cried, finally waking up. He swatted her hands away. "How dare you!"
Stella only giggled. "Loosen up Lesty. You're so stuffy," she said, reaching for the buttons on his shirt.
"Don't do that!" He cried, taking several steps back.
"Come on Lesty. I think you know what I want. Let's stop pretending. I know you want it too."
"I what? No, I don't…I am married."
She giggled. "So?"
"I…uh…" he began. Suddenly he composed himself. "Leave, please!"
"Do you really want me to? Are you very, very sure?"
Lester took a moment. She was lovely, and young. Her golden hair was shiny and presumably soft. Her skin, and there was a lot of it to see, was probably just as soft. Lester felt a slight stirring inside. Then he said to himself, 'Now this is a temptation.'
"Well?" asked the barracuda.
"Just a moment," he said. "I need a drink. Would you care for one?"
Stella smiled. She had him. "I'd love one. Thank you."
He nodded, motioned her to follow him into the study. He poured her a brandy, while she made herself cozy by lounging seductively on the sofa.
"Thank you," she said as he handed the drink to her.
"Not at all," he said. "My wife is due back."
"I know, but she'll be a while. There is a massive sale she can't afford to miss. I know because I emailed her the information."
Lester sat in his recliner. "Did you? That was clever."
She smiled.
"So…how much time to you suppose we have?"
"Oh, enough," she said, drawing her finger around the top of the glass.
He smiled. "Good." They stared at each other over their glasses. "As you said, I am rather stuffy. Mind if I do a quick change?"
"That's not necessary."
"I'm a gentleman Miss Blanch. I dress for…occasions."
Stella smiled. "Ooh. Now I'm curious. What did you have in mind to change into?"
Lester smiled. "You'll see. I shan't be a moment," he said, leaving Stella sipping and lying nearly naked in his study.
End of Chapter Six