Disclaimers: This is an adaptation of Lori Foster's Annie Get Your Guy. Also, and very obviously, I do not own OUAT. No copyright infringement intended. I encourage readers to look up Lori Foster's works if they liked this story.

He eyed her with great scrutiny. He crossed his arms, making his sinewy arms bulge even bigger. He stood almost a yard away from her but his presence loomed over her. He refrained from saying anything, using silence to scare her into submission. Eerily, it was working.

Mary Margaret's intimidated, and a little turned on. And how can she not? He's all hot and bothered, glowering at her menacingly. Oh the things he can do to her… Her imagination is running amok and his undivided attention made her feel giddy.

"What I do and who I do it with is my own business, David." As she spoke, she began gathering the books littered on her coffee table. One thin book fell open to a particularly graphic image of a couple intimately. The woman was straddling the man against the wall and wearing nothing but a lecherous grin. Then her mind went into overdrive. David can easily lift her like that and do more...

She scooped the book up and peeked at h. He definitely saw the picture. A strained expression took over his scowl. Like he sucked on a lemon.

She cleared her throat, "Why are you here, David?"

He shook his head as if to clear it. "We can talk about it later."

"No, we can talk about it now," she said decisively. She really should not talk to him about her plans for seduction lest she blurts something incriminating.

David tilted his head, and closed his hand on her shoulder when she started past. Her heartbeat skipped at the tender touch.

It's not as if she's starved for affection. She knew she was loved. Her father, while always preoccupied with the family advertising business, made sure that she never asked for anything. Robin filled both positions as a parental figure and a big brother. He was steadfast and reliable, always throwing a hundred percent of himself in all his endeavors. He also excelled in academia. Killian, however, is the embodiment of a middle child. He's difficult and had always been. She never doubted his love but he's more prone to teasing her than declaring his affection towards her. He's a self-professed bad boy. It worked for him though. Killian does have a pretty mug of a face and he certainly knows how to use it.

So to sum it up, Robin's the smart cookie, Killian is the pretty one and she's just plain awkward. Story of her life.

David gently shook her out of her musings. "Just promise me one thing, Mags. Before you decide to do anything, talk to me about it. Okay?"

Mary Margaret nodded slightly. She can at least concede that a little discussion is necessary before she could seduce him. Honestly, she would have agreed to anything just to drop the subject. She's still very ill-prepared for any assault. Then they can finally move on to a bigger elephant in the room. David's impeding proposal to Kathryn would undermine any of her seduction plans.

Her heart punched against her ribs with a heavy throb of panic. If he can only see her, see how much she loves him…

"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?" David asked in concern.

"It really won't help."

"You know I'd help anyway I can." He patted her shoulder.

"Really?" Maybe if she told him that she's on the brink of madness with sexual frustration… that she just wanted to sate her desires with his body…

No. She didn't want just sexual satisfaction. Not just his body. She wanted his heart, his love.

She wanted it all.

She shook her head in despair. David inched closer to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. Mary Margaret found her nose pressed firmly against his firm chest. She took a deep breath and inhaled his scent. Boy, does he smell good.

Maybe it's his warm body against her, maybe it's his intoxicating aftershave or maybe she'd gone crazy when she hastily said, "I have needs."

He froze instantly. She can feel the accelerated thumping of his heartbeat. "Money?" he croaked out desperately. "I would gladly give you-"

"Personal needs." She felt a sudden surge of confidence. "Intimate needs."

He dropped his arms around her abruptly like he got scalded by boiling water. "What the hell do you mean, talking like that?"

Innocently, she asked, "Like what?"

He ruffled hair with his hand in frustration. "About… needs and all that!"

This is not how she should proceed. If Emma and Regina were here, they'd wave a giant banner that says she's mucking it up. But damn it, she's very tired of waiting for him to notice that she's a woman. In the past, David had a keen sense of knowing if she's feeling sad. He was always there to cheer her up. Even before he came to live with them, he never seemed to mind if she's around. To a timid girl who didn't make friends easily, he was a godsend.

Being around David and her brothers had given her instant popularity at school, especially with the girls vying for their attention. All three men had always been known in the community as eligible bachelors. While Killian had strayed from the traditional academic path, opting for service with the US Navy, they became accomplished in their respective fields. But throughout their journey, they always let her tag along.

Somewhere along the way, she fell hopelessly in love with David Nolan.

Summoning a saucy grin, she asked, "We've always discussed things, haven't we, David?"

His gaze moved over her face, calculating, then he spoke very slowly, "Yeah. Most of the times, we do. I wouldn't have it any other way, Mary Margaret."

"Then you should know that, despite how you see me, I am a woman."

His face reddened. "I have never said otherwise!"

"And as a woman, I do have fantasies. Which, according to Regina, is perfectly normal."

"Good God!"

"Do you want to hear my fantasies, David?"

He swallowed hard. "Okay. Yeah. We can…uh, we can talk about that," he answered as he led her to the couch. He forced her to sit down next to him. "Fantasies are…fine." He made a slight croaking sound but seemed to take that in stride. "But acting on it? I just don't think that you're ready to do the seducing. Especially not on that idiot, Whale."

She felt like she got slapped in the face. "You don't think I can do it."

"I never said that!"

"Oh but you implied it! You don't think I have what it takes. You don't think I'm sexy enough to pull it off."

"I think you're plenty sexy."

She blinked. "Really?" Then she scooted closer to him, pleased at his admission. She welcomed all forms of progress at this point.

David stared at her green eyes then her plump, red lips. He was mesmerized for a second before he leapt from the couch with a growl. He stalked around her living room like a caged lion.

Even in his agitated form, he still managed to look enticing to her.

He finally stopped, looking much calmer now. "Not to change the subject-"

"Ha!"

"But I came here to tell you something."

"Oh, sounds serious." Dread filled her. She wound her hands together delicately to cover up the slight tremble.

"I suppose it is. Not bad though. But… well, I'm going to ask Kathryn to marry me."

She knew what he was going to declare. But it still didn't soften the blow. And to actually hear it coming from him, it's like a shot to the heart. "Is that so?"

"I know it's unexpected. I've known her forever. She'd be perfect from me. Even Leo agreed."

"Dad?" What in the world did her father do? Sure, he is fond of David for following his footsteps with the advertising business. After all, neither Robin nor Killian took the mantle of the family business. And David did really well with the company. So much so that he's being groomed to be the next CEO. All the Blanchard siblings approved of the choice.

She briefly considered hitting him in the head with a book to knock some sense in him. But with the huge difference in their heights, she'll only reach up to his chin. Hit his charming face and risk leaving a scar? Not a chance!

"Your father informed me, very blatantly, that it was time I had a wife. He really changed a lot since Robin and Killian's marriage."

Leopold Blanchard had changed. He used to be so driven with the company, throwing all his life into creating an empire. His grief from his wife's death had sealed him away to the point that he avoided reminders of the love he'd lost, including his family. Only on special occasions did they see their father.

Eva Blanchard, her mother, passed a few minutes after she had given birth to her. Mary Margaret only saw pictures of her, never even having the chance to be held by her. But she overheard Robin mentioning that he'd lost both parents on that day. Robin, being six years older, took on the responsibility of a parent to both younger siblings until Killian wised up. After Killian got over his rebellious phase during his early teenage years, he took on the mantle of a second father to her. Although, one could argue if really got over his rebellious phase. From then, it was the three of them with an absentee father. Now that Mary Margaret is older, she can truly appreciate David's role in the family. He had been a great friend to both Robin and Killian as they tried to bear the brunt of familial burdens.

"Your father suggested she be someone smart, savvy, independent, a woman who could make a man comfortable-"

She gave an unladylike snort. "There you go. He clearly wasn't talking about Kathryn."

He gave her a familiar reprimanding look. "I know that you had your differences. But Kathryn understands business. Besides, she's the only woman I've been seeing. Of course, that's who Leo meant."

She scowled. "But Kathryn? She's rigid and mean… and a bully!" And skanky.

David smirked. "Look, I know that you've had some spats with her before, brat," he said affectionately. "Just because you don't like her doesn't mean that she's lacking qualities that appeal to a man."

She had another urge to hit him in the face. She balled her hands and counted to ten internally to prevent an outburst. Seeing her distress, he pulled her hands and gently caressed it with his.

"Contrary to what your brothers think, it's not the end of the world."

Mary Margaret bit her lips to regain composure. It's really difficult what with David touching her. "And what did my brothers think?"

"That I'm being seduced by the idea of marriage, not by the bride."

"Robin?"

"Who else? But get this, Killian said that marriage is a sacred sanctity that should not be entered lightly. There should, at the very least, be strong emotions involve."

She raised her eyebrows. A year ago, Killian would have told David to run away from any forms of commitment. After Emma, he's worse than a priest during a sermon. Nevertheless, she wholeheartedly agrees with him on this one. "He's right, you know."

"You want me to take advice from him? He almost lost her before he realized that he was madly in love with her. And don't get me started with Robin! He planned to sue Regina for all her worth before the trip to the woods."

"Okay…Do you…I mean, are you…" She couldn't quite force the words out.

"Are you asking if I'm in love with Kathryn?"

She's frightened of his answer. If he is then what else can she do? She can't hinder his happiness. "Are you, David?"

He looked incredibly masculine standing there, staring at her with such intensity. His blue eyes darkened, if that was even possible. He clenched his jaw. She noticed that he didn't shave this morning, giving him a subtle shadow that made him appear fiercer.

David is kind, strong and proud. And loyal to a fault. He worked hard for her father, perhaps to repay his kindness for taking him in his time of need. He valued her family as his very own. He never tolerated injustice and he went out of his way to help others.

He is gorgeous and exceedingly charming. And, damn, he can really kiss.

It's no wonder she fell head over heels with him.

David jerked off his leather jacket and tossed it carelessly on the couch. The scowl that he wore can quail people into apprehension. People that do not know him well.

"Do you?" she probed, with a bolder voice this time.

"No." He sounded disgusted with himself. "Not the romantic, sappy love that you talk about. But I suppose I respect her-"

"You suppose? David, if I were Kathryn I wouldn't want to be married to a man that supposes he-"

"Dammit Mags! You're as stubborn as your brothers I think we'll be great together. I'm thirty-one, and it's time for me to start my own family."

Mary Margaret knew that he still felt at odds with his role in the family. While they had embraced him wholeheartedly, he was not a Blanchard. She had a feeling that he feels like he was still an orphan that got really lucky. "We're family."

He avoided her sincere gaze. "It's time I settled down. While I haven't found the perfect woman, I might as well settle with Kathryn. We get along well. And I know that she's going to find our union mutually beneficial."

"She wants a promotion, not a husband," she scoffed at him. It was not a secret that Kathryn is sleeping her way to the top of the chain.

"She's not immune to my physique either, brat."

Her hands itched for the thick, leather bound book on the table. Maybe just a smack won't leave a mark on his stupidly beautiful face.

"We have the same interests. I can talk to her about business and such."

She promptly rolled her eyes. Kathryn is the kind of woman who makes the most out of her life. Be it fun, men or money. David is the exact opposite. He genuinely cares for people and would give the shirt off his back to help out.

"You should be happy for me."

"I should be happy that you're making the worst decision of your life?" Marrying the wrong woman when I'm right here in front of you!

"Actually, I'm trying to avoid a few mistakes."

Mary Margaret had no idea what he's talking about, and David didn't explain further. She collected her wits. "What you need is time, somewhere far away, to think things over. To decide if this is really what you want."

"I've made up my mind, Mags."

"Do you even hear yourself? You're taking advice from Dad! Relationship advice! Do you see how ridiculous that is?"

David laughed out loud. She always loved his laugh. He always had one or a ready smile around her.

She continued on, "He's just upset that Robin and Killian refused to take part of the company. The way he'd acted, you'd think that they'd disowned him. He's been on a very complaining mood ever since."

"Leo enjoys complaining, and you know it. That's why he grumble so much when you decided to take up teaching instead of business. That's his hobby. Let him grouse." David took a sweeping glance at the books and magazines that littered Mary Margaret's living room. "Although, he's going straight into cardiac arrest when he finds out about all your shenanigans."

"Evidently, his other hobby is matchmaking."

"He made a suggestion. Which I took."

"I love him but he's old and not as astute as he was. That's why you're running the business for him."

"He needed help. With all his children having their own careers, he needed someone."

"So you felt obligated to be there for him?"

"Not obligated," he quickly denied. "Leo would never pressure me."

"He just did!"

"It was a suggestion."

"That you were obligated to follow!"

"Stop putting words in my mouth. I respect Leo. A lot. He took me in before I got passed around in the foster care system and treated me like one of the family."

Mary Margaret reached and touched his arm, bared below his rolled-up sleeves. It was a curious contrast of smooth skin and dense muscle. She stopped the urge to squeeze his arm. She can almost hear Emma's impish giggle and Regina's haughty voice. There is a distinct line between admiring and manhandling.

She cleared her throat. "You haven't mentioned marriage to Kathryn yet?"

"I was waiting for the right moment. Soon."

She felt invigorated with renewed hope. There's still time to steer things around. Kathryn would never be interested in giving David a family he deserves. Her entire focus is her career. She wouldn't want to be dragged down with diapers and midnight feedings. She'd never prioritize David and worst of all, she'd never love him the way that Mary Margaret does.

In a way, Mary Margaret would be saving him from a bitter divorce. And she could do it by seducing him.

With an idea forming in her head, she asked him eagerly, "You feel like eating pizza? My treat. Sort of an I-hope-you-come-to-your-senses pizza party."

David chuckled, relaxing on the couch. "That could go both ways, you know. I could convince you to get over jumping some guy's bones."

She flashed him a cheeky smile. "It was suggested that I take the subtle approach but if you think that a more direct one would work better, then maybe I should-"

"No!" he bellowed out. "Bone jumping is not the way to go."

She snickered. "Then stay here and give me pointers. I need a man's perspective anyway."

His face turned a mottled shade of red. He snarled, "Now, how can I refuse a wonderful opportunity?"

She wouldn't pounce on him tonight, she decided. She haven't read the books yet, aside from peeking at the illustrations. And since David is the only man that she desired, she has zero ideas on how to turn a man on. But it doesn't mean she can't test the waters. If she can get him to open up, she might find information that she can use to her advantage. As Robin once said to her, a hunter does not catch his prey with blunt tools. Or Killian's words of wisdom, reconnaissance will make or break a mission.

A few months ago, when she confided to Emma and Regina that she wanted David, they had given her several suggestions on how to find out if he was interested in her. She found out that he hated it when she flirted with other men, when she went to a singles bar with Ruby, or when she wore clothes that show off more skin than she's usually comfortable showing. But then again, so did her brothers. The results were deemed inconclusive.

Maybe now's a good time to conduct a second experiment. Her body tingled with anticipation. "Call and order the pizza. Make yourself comfortable. I have a few quick things to do."

He appeared apprehensive at her bright smile. He nodded, nonetheless, and dialed on the phone. She darted into her room. Her heart hammered out in anxiety. This is her chance.

A chance to show him that she's a woman, not a younger sister nor a dear friend. And then he could make his choice.

...

...

...

On the next chapter:

He was busy reading a small book on sensitive parts of the female body, nodding in recognition of most and raising an eyebrow over those he doubted when Mary Margaret walked in. He glanced up, and the book fell from his hand, landing ungracefully on the carpet floor.

Every single cell in his body jumped into overdrive, sending his relaxed state straight to hell.

You guys, this had been pretty hard to write. I've been very distracted by my other ships. Don't fret because I'm fully committed into finishing this fic. I will need more motivation during the season hiatus though. Also, I'm sure no one noticed that I changed the rating for this into Explicit. Yes, there will be smut. Bear with me because it's uncharted territory for me. Please let me know what you think, complaints or compliments. I welcome them.