CABARET GIRLS, BARTENDERS, AND COFFEE
BY: COVER GIRL

Chapter Four

    "Flowers for Ms. Dauphine," the bellhop presented to Chuckles at the door.

    "Thanks kid...I'll see to it she gets them," noticing the outstretched palm of the young man Chuckles grinned. "Didn't I just tip you an hour ago?" He saw him flinch. "Look... kid the guy sending these is gonna take me broke if I have to keep tipping you all day." Chuckles looked side to side and pulled him closer to whisper "I'll let you in on a little secret...he's the owner's grandson. If I were you I'd keep this quiet and wouldn't push my luck. The last kid that did...we'll I heard he's bagging groceries. Hate to see you lose out on making such a good impression. I'll be sure to mention you to Jack when I see him." He closed the door leaving the bellhop babbling, "Yes sir...thank you sir....I'll..."

    "Works every time," Chuckles smugly opened the card before reaching for the phone.

    Flint was going over a stack Intel reports when Chuckles walked past. "What the hell...another one?" He slammed the stack down.

    "Yep...isn't she awake yet?" Chuckles' eyes went to the bedroom door.

    "Let her sleep," Flint grumbled, lifting a box in his hands.

    "Hey...give me that. No fair peeking till she gets up," Chuckles snatched it from him just as she walked out of the bedroom.

    "What the?" She walked to the table.

    "You seemed to have made an impression," Chuckles grinned watching her pick up a card. Her eyes narrowed on the handwriting. "I already accepted for you."

    "Accepted what?" Flint reached for the card.

    "Dinner," Lady Jaye closed her eyes. "Why did-"

    "She's not going," Flint glared at Chuckles.

    "Yes, she is," Chuckles handing her another box. He strained to see the contents. "Yumm...my fav," he snatched a chocolate.

    "Flint, I'll be fine. You have the listening device on me at all times," she sighed shoving the box into Chuckles greedy hands. "Chuckles, can you run down to the newsstand and get me a magazine?"

    "Sure...God these are good..." Chuckles grinned, popping a chocolate in his mouth and walking out the door.

    She waited to make sure he was gone before speaking. "Dash? What's really bothering you? Is it last night?" She sat down on the sofa, looking up at him near the window. He stood shaking his head.

    "Last night was...I don't know. Maybe it was for the best...."

    "Maybe but I don't think it was," she walked to him, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "I have to finish this mission. I have to get inside his place if necessary." She felt him tense. "I wasn't playing a game last night. I've wanted that for a while...I guess I was scared too." He turned to face her; taking his hand he caressed her cheek.

    "I-ah..."

    "Lady Jaye...oops...I didn't interrupt something did I?" Chuckles grinned, watching them jump apart. "You didn't say which magazine you wanted."

    Flint had spent the day fine tuning his plans to make sure she was safe before he watched her leave for her *date * with Tony dressed in a red silk strapless that fell to her knees with a wrap over her shoulders. He snapped at Chuckles immediately after she left sending him off to make sure Roadblock was in place before getting ready for his first appearance as Michael Stevens.

    Grabbing a towel he headed for the shower lost in his thoughts. He wiped a hand over his face. Flint shook his head and let the water run over his back and shoulders unable to shake the memories of last night. He sighed heavily turning the temperature down. He couldn't shake the memories haunting him.

    They had been arguing over her assignment. Neither giving an inch when he told her she wasn't to go near Tony again. He had called him dangerous. She took him off guard, tracing her fingertips along his jaw and telling him he was the one who was dangerous. He couldn't get his thoughts together, trying to get back to the argument when she kissed him. It was a light kiss...tentative, uncertain yet he couldn't help himself. He found his hands on her shoulders pulling her closer to him. She was loosening the buttons from his shirt as his mouth descended over hers. He heard a soft growl from her before she deepened the kiss, her fingers weaving through the hairs on his chest sending him over the edge. He wasn't turning back. He told her he couldn't. He gave her a chance to say no but she pushed him back to the sofa. He tripped pulling her down on top of him, and into another kiss. Her hands against his chest, she tried to move back but couldn't. He stopped her, taking her shoulders and pulling her closer. He reached to her back, and slowly tugging zipper lower before slipping the shoulder straps down to her waist. He heard her gasp and call his name when he nuzzled her neck. The next thing he knew the cell phone started to ring.

    Her voice was husky as she whispered in his ear, "Ignore it, they'll go away." He was all set to do just that when he heard room phone ring next to him.

    He sighed heavily.

    "Dash?" She rolled her eyes watching him reach for the room phone. "Go on I'm going to bed," she stood up letting the rest of the dress fall pooling around her feet.

    "What the hell is your fucking problem?" He hissed into the phone watching her step out of the dress and walk off. He zoned out for a moment oblivious to the other person on the line. She was looking back from the door motioning with a crooked finger for him to follow her. "Ah...NO HAWK!" His eyes went wide. He stood holding the phone a few inches away from his ear listening the general ream him for not answering the other line, and told him to call him back ASAP on the secure line.

    He spent the better half of an hour listening to Hawk before walking towards the bedroom. He was about to go inside when he heard someone pounding on the door. He grabbed her dress and heels quickly setting them just inside the bedroom door before answering the other. It was Chuckles.

    Chuckles waltzed right in and told him they had to go over plans for tomorrow night before reaching for the room phone and ordering two large pots of coffee and something to eat.

    He grabbed his towel, and headed for the bedroom.

    "I'm telling you Roadblock the man's out of his damn mind. He's arguing with me over what she can do. Talk about control freak," Chuckles waved down the bartender. "Never seen a man so uptight...makes you wonder if he's getting any."

    Roadblock's coke went down the wrong way causing him to choke. He was coughing uncontrollably when Chuckles slapped him on the back.

    "You know something don't you?" Chuckles grinned.

    "I know a certain Joe you best not make your foe." He rhymed gaining control. "Now my man Flint's never been hurtin' with the ladies. Then along comes this lady who's got him babblin' like a baby. Hell... we even got a pool on that lovesick fool."

    "Really," Chuckles eyes lit up. "Would that lady be a certain green eyed beauty we know?"

    Roadblock glared at him.

    "So...tell me who threw them together on this?" Chuckles leaned on his elbow, playing with a soda stick, tracing patterns from a water ring on the bar.

    "Duke thought he was sly. Why?"

    "Duke's a rookie if he thinks he can manipulate Flint and Lady Jaye. I say leave it to a pro you know." Chuckles mimicked Roadblock's rhymes.

    "I say you're insane. Flint's gonna make you feel some serious pain," Roadblock snickered listening to Chuckles plan.

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To Be Continued
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