"Welcome." Ryan stood as Jax and Keesha came to the table.

"Thank you for inviting us." Jax smiled, pulling Keesha's chair out for her. "Stacey. You look wonderful as always." he flashed her a smile.

Stacey stopped sizing up Keesha, turning her attention to Jax. "Pleasure." she held out her hand. Jax took it, placing a kiss upon it. "So...how long have you two been an item. You don't really look like Jax's type." she finished to Keesha.

Keesha smiled. "Is that true?" she glanced over to Jax. Before Jax could respond Keesha looked over at Stacey once more. "Perhaps that is just one of the many reasons our relationship seems so wonderfully different from any other...relationship seems like the wrong word now...what would you say, Jax?"

"Fling. I think fling is a correct word to describe any past relationship I have had." he rested his arm around Keesha. "This is infinitely better." He leaned over, whispering softly in Keesha's ear, "Very good."

Keesha's eyes sparkled. This dinner may be much more enjoyable than she thought.

Ryan looked over at Stacey. Jax had better be careful. He needed Stacey over him...not feeling completely scorned.

The dinner continued, and Stacey's anger grew as Jax and Keesha seemed to become less and less aware of either her or Ryan.

"You have to try this," Jax whispered. He held up his fork and Keesha took a small bite of his quiche.

"Mmm. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Jax reached up wiping away the food from Keesha's mouth...

That was never there to begin with.

"So Jax..." Ryan cleared his throat.

Jax continued gazing into Keesha's eyes, tracing his fingers across her lips. "Hm...Let's dance." he decided.

Keesha glanced over at Stacey and Ryan. "Jax..." she sung. "There are two other people here." she warned, trying to remind him.

Wasn't the whole purpose of the dinner to get Stacey to agree to sell? Sure, it was fun driving her crazy for awhile with their public displays of affection...

Even more so, it was wonderful to be able to gaze at Jax adoringly, to be able to hold his hand, and play with his fingers...and whisper words into his ear...

All of the things, Keesha was realizing more and more, that she wanted to do anyway.

But looking into Stacey's eyes as they darkened further with anger...Keesha suddenly remembered.

This was not the purpose of the dinner.

Jax shrugged. "They don't mind." he forced himself to tear away from Keesha momentarily and looked over at Ryan. "Do you?"

Before Ryan could answer, Jax was standing, pulling Keesha's chair out from under her.

"Excuse us." Keesha stood, and Jax led her to the dance floor in the middle of the room. "I think..."

Jax wrapped his arms tightly around Keesha and she closed her eyes. His scent washed over her...his body was so warm...she sighed, resting her head against his shoulder as they began to move.

"What?" Jax mumbled as he nuzzeled against her, burying his face into her hair. He took in a slow breath, closing his eyes.

Tonight had been perfect.

All evening all Jax did was stare into Keesha's eyes...and touch Keesha's skin...and listen to the softness of Keesha's voice...

He was able to do most of what he wanted to do.

Everything was perfect.

Keesha managed a thought. "I think we're ruining this deal."

"Who cares..." Jax tightened his hold. She felt so wonderful in his arms.

Keesha stroked his back slowly...if Jax didn't care, why should she?

"I've had enough." Stacey stood, tossing her napkin on the table. Ryan watched as she left the room. He shook his head...Jax was going to regret this. Ryan had to smile as he looked at Keesha and Jax on the dance floor...as if no one else in the world was there.

He had to admit, he had seen Jax with plenty of women however he had never seen anything like this.

Maybe Jax would regret blowing the deal. But Ryan was starting to doubt it.

Keesha walked inside and Jax closed their hotel room door behind them. "I didn't expect for her to leave."

"Had it been me, I would have left." Keesha shrugged. She moved over to the bar, pouring a glass of wine.

"Yeah I know...you seem to like to run." Jax grinned.

"No, not really." Keesha looked at Jax. "Not anymore in any event. Running means I have to leave you behind."

Jax glanced down at Keesha's admittance.

She was right.

She was on the run, and she would leave him behind.

But spending the entire evening with her...he had come thisclose to forgetting.

Keesha took a sip of the wine and then placed it on the bar. She wished she had not said that...

But now it was out there, hanging over her head like a dark cloud, raining on the wonderful evening she had just shared with Jax.

The evening that in the long run did not matter-she was going to have to leave Jax behind.

Despite how wrong it was going to feel...

And Keesha could not think of anything more wrong than having Jax in her life...and then leaving him behind.

"I'm going to bed." she decided. "Sorry things didn't work out."

"Yeah...me too," Jax stated. He looked at Keesha once more.

And Keesha realized, Jax was not talking about their dinner. He was talking about the entire situation they found themselves in.

Without another word, Keesha walked into the bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind her. She leaned up against it.

In the den area, Jax stared out the window, looking at the city lights.

Suddenly he heard a soft knocking. He glanced over at the clock. It was 1:00 AM.

Cautiously Keesha opened the door. "I guess I didn't wake you." she noted as she realized he still had on his suit from this evening.

Jax shook his head. "I didn't realize I had been standing here this long. I see you didn't bother going to bed either."

Keesha closed the door. She took off her heels, reaching up and letting her hair down. "No." she walked over to the window, standing next to Jax. Staring out into the horizon as well.

They did not say anything, each deep into their own thoughts...though they were both thinking the exact same thing.

They did not want to be apart.

After a long while, Keesha finally spoke, saying quietly. "I am really going to miss you."

Jax did not answer, yet...

Keesha looked down as he slowly reached his hand to her. She looked up at Jax and he stopped staring out the window, turning to her. Their eyes locked and they gazed at each other. She took his hand and he pulled her closer.

He knew he shouldn't...letting Keesha go would be impossible enough as it was...he knew he shouldn't.

But...

Jax bent brushing his lips across hers. Keesha opened her mouth to his and they kissed slowly.

Gently Jax pulled away. He stared into her eyes, touching her cheek. Keesha tilted her head, resting against his palm.

And at that moment, Jax knew.

He was not going to let her go anywhere.

He lifted Keesha into his arms, carrying her silently into the bedroom.

Keesha stared up at Jax, her mind and heart racing as he laid her carefully down in the bed. She knew she should remind him...remind herself, that if she was going to leave, she could not do so after she had made love to...

Keesha blinked.

Make love?

She couldn't be...she sat up in the bed. She only knew him for two days...she couldn't be falling in love with Jax.

Jax closed the door, taking off his dinner jacket and loosening his tie.

She couldn't be....

Kicking off his shoes, Jax climbed into the bed, reclining. Keesha looked at him.

...but she was.

Jax reached for her and Keesha laid down next to him. He enclosed her in his arms, and she closed her eyes, resting her head against his shoulder.

Jax shut his eyes as well, holding her close.

And they stayed like that.

Keesha wondering how she was going to let Jax go.

And Jax wondering the best way to stop Keesha from leaving.