Hi everyone. Thanks again for all the reviews and follows.. since I'm slow with writing these days, but end up with huge chapters, I decided to cut it again and just give you another chapter to make the wait a little bit more bareable. So this still isn't the end and I'm not gonna predict which chapter it will be anymore.. though the ending is close. Anyway, here's now chapter 7. I hope you like it and as always, I'd love to know what you think. X - M
CHICAGO
PART VII: THE CHARITY EVENT
He watches her for a moment. She's talking to a man two maybe three years his age and he has no clue as to whom he is, but she seems to know the guy. He wonders if it's the owner of the venue, the caterer or maybe the person in charge of the music and for the first time that weird feeling he was never able to place (he didn't do jealousy, he knew it was though) wasn't there. Or not really, not in the same ways it had been before, he does, however, continue his path towards the two.
Balancing the two cups of coffee and the bag of bagels he brought in one hand he walks over to her, announcing himself with a hello and he notices both heads turn in his direction, but it's her reaction that means everything. He feels her hand move over his back and her lips press a kiss against his cheek before she introduces him to the other man. He thinks the guy's name is Frank, but it could be anything that sounds remotely the same as he tuned out when he heard her call him her boyfriend.
He nods and shakes the man's hand. Mumbles something of a greeting and adds a comment about the upcoming event for good measure, but it's only when he's left alone with her that he can focus again. "Hey," he says, looking at her now and he lifts his one hand. "I got you lunch."
"Coffee," she beams, instantly reaching for the cardboard cup with her name. She takes a large sip, her eyes closing when it's a coffee exactly how she likes it and she hums in appreciation. "Just what I needed," she adds, trying to stifle a yawn and he shakes his head at her reaction. "Come," she signals then, making him follow her to the little park behind the building.
He watches her take another sip from her coffee and he grins, nudging her arm with his. "I'd almost say you're tired."
She rolls her eyes at his comment, coming to a halt in front of a bench and she sits down. "That's your fault," she counters, taking another large sip.
"Well, I didn't hear you complain this morning." He counters with a laugh and he sits down next to her, immediately feeling her body turn towards him and her right hand lands on his knee.
"Well," she starts now, looking up at him. Her fingers tapping against his leg. "I got to spend the morning in bed with my handsome boyfriend, so you don't hear me complaining."
He grins once more and leans towards her. "You called me your boyfriend. Twice."
"So?" She shrugs, her grip on his knee increasing just a little bit. She turns away again, letting her back rest against his side when he wraps his left arm around her. "You called yourself my boyfriend first, mister."
He hums, he did. He places his own coffee down then and lets the paper bag dangle in front of her. "A bagel for my girlfriend."
She takes the bag from his hand and looks at him again. Her gaze meets his and she bites her tongue, her lips twitching regardless. She notices that sparkle in his eyes, followed by the way his lips curl up in a grin just like hers before both of them laugh and it makes her feel relieved in way. "God this is weird," she mutters, with a shake of her head before she looks him in the eye again. "Not us," she adds, already knowing he got what she was hinting at but she also knows both of them should learn to explain things regardless. Not take answers for granted. "The nicknames, I'm going to have to get used to that."
He nods pulling her closer again with his left arm until her head leans against his. "Okay, babe."
"You're impossible." She rolls her eyes and focuses on the paper bag in her hands again, now opening it, she hands him the bagel with cream cheese, keeping the one with sesame seeds for herself and both eat their food in silence for a moment.
"I think Rachel knows about us," he states after his last bite. His hand reaching for his cup of coffee again and he can feel her gaze burn his skin once more. "I didn't say anything." He takes a sip from his now lukewarm beverage. "But I ran into her at the hotel, she asked for you and mentioned lunch and –"
"Mike must know too," she interrupts him, letting her head lean back against his shoulder. "The way I reacted this morning when he asked if I'd seen you and you were literally in my bed, I…"
He listens to her explanation, tilting his head the slightest so his cheek rests against her temple. "Would that be such a bad thing though?" he asks then. "Them knowing… About us."
"No," she whispers. "It wouldn't. I want them to know. I do," she admits then squeezing his hand that's draped over her shoulder. "It's just… " She lets out a breath, trying to find the words. "If we had been in New York right now, we'd have the weekend completely for ourselves. Just us, I don't know…"
"Hey," he whispers pressing his lips on top of her head. "We won't tell anyone else yet. It's just you and me and if we have to we'll hide in your hotel room for the rest of the day."
She chuckles and lets her elbow poke his side. "You just want more sex."
"We were kind of having a moment here," he teases her, fingers of his right hand sliding over her elbow to stop her from repeating her motion. "Now you ruined it." She looks up then, quirking an eyebrow at his remark. "Fine," he gives in. "I wouldn't say no to sex, but –"
She leans forward and brushes her lips against his, shutting him up once more and she brings her hand to his jaw. Holding him close as she feels his lips starting to part and she lets him deepen the kiss for just a moment before she forces herself to pull away. Her eyes open slowly and she looks at him. "I love you."
"I know."
She chuckles, shakes her head and almost rolls her eyes. Her free hand falling playfully against his chest, she uses her index finger to softly poke his chest with every word that follows. "That is my line, mister."
He catches her finger with his right hand, faking a hurt look and he moves closer again. "I know," he whispers in her ear regardless of her previous warning and he grins when she laughs again. Her head thrown back in the process he places a kiss on her jaw. Lips ghosting over her porcelain skin to her mouth, he tells her he loves her too before he kisses her now.
She lets her hand slide down his chest a couple of seconds later. A soft sigh escapes her lips and she shifts over the bench first before she opens her eyes to look at him again. "I should get back in there."
He nods and mumbles: "Okay, let me help you." Words barely pronounced he already gets up from the bench, extending his left hand towards her and he waits for her to take it. She quirks an eyebrow at his actions, still having to get used to how this is their normal now. He smiles and signals for her to get up with a bob of his head.
She gives in then, reaching for the empty paper bag beside her, she stuffs both their coffee cups inside followed by reaching for his and she pushes herself back on her feet when his digits slip between hers. She smiles again, reaching for the paper bag with her free hand. "Tell me when you spot a bin."
He laughs now, the words make perfect sense given their situation but he hadn't expected her to say that. "You're so romantic, Paulsen."
She moves the paper bag in front of him, pressing it against his chest until he takes it from her hand. "Shut up or I won't let you help me."
He doesn't comment, takes it as a win. This morning she told him he couldn't be there and now she sort of accepted his help. He also knows that the moment they'll set foot inside the venue again she'll tell him it's okay if he wants to go and that she won't have much to do anyway. He asks for a task regardless.
She looks at him then, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth and her brows knit together for a second. She turns around, taking in the venue. The way it's coming together, decorations are done. Catering staff will arrive in an hour, lighting is getting fixed at this very moment. "There isn't much left to do." She turns back to face him, bringing her hand to his chest. "You don't have to stay, really. It will be like an hour."
He pouts and thinks how well he knows her. A thought that makes him grin, he brings his hands to her hips, just holding her in place. "But I want to," he counters.
"You'd spend an hour watching me."
"I like watching you."
She lets her hands run down his arms, fingers tracing his muscles through two layers of clothing. Her thumb comes to rest on his pulse point. "Okay," she gives in then, lifting herself on her toes to give him a quick kiss. "It won't be long. I promise."
She steps out of his embrace then and immediately fishes her phone out of the pocket of her pants, going through the messages and she walks over to the table to get her checklist again. Walking back through the room she spots him now, sitting on a chair near the wall. Arms crossed in front of his chest, his head slightly tilted and smile on his face. She shakes her head and bites her tongue. She thinks she can't possibly love him more.
.
.
Katrina brings her hand to her head, her eyes slowly closing as she's trying to suppress a sigh. Gretchen looks to the younger blonde woman on her left as both of them follow the lawyer in front of them. The lobby of the hotel empty enough for them to still hear him mutter his complaints.
"What was that clown even doing here?"
Gretchen subtly shakes her head now, looking down at the flyer from the ballet company they just returned from. She looks up again and smiles when Katrina recalls one of her favourite parts.
"Not even in New York City and I still have to run into him. The ballet of all places."
Katrina looks ahead. Her lips parting as she wants to comment, it's Gretchen's hand on her arm that stops her from doing so. "Mr. Litt," the legal secretary increases her pace and now walks beside her boss. "I'm sure Mr. Gunderson didn't mean to ruin your day," she continues, her hand now patting the lawyer's arm as they all stall. "Why don't we go to the restaurant and enjoy a drink?"
"Fine," Louis sighs, still not able to place the annoyance behind him he does let the two women escort him to the restaurant on the right side of the lobby while both of them try to lighten the lawyer's mood by bringing up the ballerinas again.
"Hello. Table for three?"
Katrina smiles at the waiter and just as she's about the answer Louis looks around. "Ooh our friends are over there," he states. "We can join them."
Gretchen follows the man's gaze, her sight now landing on the managing partner and the redhead who seem to be laughing about something. "Mr. Litt I don't …" She has to swallow in the rest of her sentence when Louis already makes his way down the floor towards the others. Gretchen glances at Katrina from the corner of her eye who just motions they should at least follow him.
Donna laughs, leaning to the side, she ignores his questioning face and she reaches for her drink instead. Bringing the straw to her lips, she just raises one eyebrow as she drinks her milkshake.
"You can't possibly be serious."
Still drinking, she grins now and she merely shrugs as a response. Her left hand settling on his knee as she places the glass back on the table in front of them and she bites her tongue. Letting him sweat it out a little longer if she was indeed serious or not.
"Don..."
"What," she whispers, letting the fingers of her left-hand flex over his leg. "I'm not –"
"Donna. Harvey."
Her grip on his leg increases a tad at the sudden appearance of Louis' voice and she forgets to finish her sentence as both of them now look up at the lawyer. "Louis," she mumbles, forming a smile on her lips. "Hi," she adds, now pushing herself up and she leans half over the table to give her friend a hug.
Harvey watches the little exchange between the two, his gaze then falling on the two women behind Louis. He doesn't even manage to formulate any verbal protest when Donna signals for him to sit down with them, an "Ooh god," is all that leaves his lips when Gretchen's gaze meets his for a moment.
"Mr. Specter."
He presses his lips into a thin smile and nods at both women as they join them at the table, trying his best to not sigh loudly as he has no clue where to look now. The redhead's words from that morning about how his former secretary found out the only thing he can think of now.
Katrina bites the inside of her cheek, pulling back the chair next to the managing partner who's expression changed from a bright smile to as if he'd seen a ghost all in less than a minute. Gretchen smiles softly at the redhead, both reassuring that she didn't tell anyone as well as an apology for letting Louis interrupt their moment.
She signals for a waiter, letting the rest order their drinks as she looks at the man right next to her and she brings her hand back to his knee. Her hand softly caressing his leg to soothe him, she gives him a small smile when he visibly relaxes a bit more. She also knows that even though she was the one hoping to have kept them quiet a little longer, it's him who'll find moments like these challenging. She lets her gaze trail back over the table, letting it fall on a flyer now. "You guys went to the ballet?"
"Yes," Katrina nods.
"How was it?"
"Breath taking," the blonde woman continues, but Louis scoffs loudly at her words and shakes his head.
"It could have been breath taking if that clown hadn't been there."
Harvey frowns now, not knowing much of ballet but even he knew clowns weren't supposed to be part of that. "What? Why was there a clown on stage?"
"Not on stage," Louis counters. "In the freaking seat in front of me."
"I don't understand. Are you saying there was an actual clown in the audience?"
The three women smile softly at the confused looks on both name partner's faces. One genuinely confused about the entire conversation, the other wondering why his colleague has no knowledge about the fine arts at all. It's Gretchen who clears things up at last. "Mr. Litt means we ran into Mr. Gunderson at the ballet."
Harvey's eyebrows knit even further together. "Who?"
"Harold Gunderson."
"I don't know who that is, Louis."
"How are you managing partner?"
"Hon—Harvey, come on," Donna looks at Harvey again, her hand briefly landing on his arm as she speaks. "Harold. He used to work at the firm. Had the cubicle next to Mike in the bullpen. You guys even helped him when Eric Woodall brought Mike in for questioning."
"Ooh," Harvey mutters now, an image finally coming to mind with the name. "The blonde kid that acted as a witness in your cat mock trial."
Donna looks down as her phone buzzes on the table, the name of the caterer displayed on her screen.
"Of course," Louis shakes his head, throwing his hands in the air. "You remember that."
"Sorry," Donna announces, reaching for her phone as she pushes her chair back in the same moment. "I got to take this," she adds, turning around. Her right hand momentarily landing on Harvey's shoulder as she excuses herself from the table.
"Ooh come on Louis," Harvey continues, shifting in his chair a little. "I was just messing with you. Look, I promise one of my first acts as managing partner will be hiring him back."
Donna ends the call soon after, holding onto the device with both her hands she makes her way back to her friends. Coming to a halt half behind Harvey's chair as all eyes turn towards her. She lets the fingers of her left-hand brush over his back. "I'm sorry. I have to leave for the event, but I'll see you all in a few hours."
Harvey tilts his head a bit further looking up at the redhead. "Do you need help or anything?"
She shakes her head. "No, I'll be fine," she answers, her hand now squeezing his shoulder. He keeps looking at her until her eyes finally meet his, just making sure she really means it. She smiles then, finally lifting her hand from his shoulder. "See you tonight."
.
.
It's a quarter past eight when he enters the building again, he would have been there earlier if it hadn't been for the two younger lawyers right beside him. He rented a fancy car to drive Donna to the event, but it ended being just himself after she was called in early and she demanded him to stay at the hotel and talk to Louis of all people. When he finally found a moment to escape he ran into Mike and Rachel who had been gawking at the car just outside their hotel.
The two had more or less begged him to drive them and he doesn't even know exactly why but he agreed. He figures it's because he is in a far too good mood to say no anyway, he did tell them they will have to catch their own ride back as he wasn't going to play cab driver for the rest of the evening. The comments the happy couple threw in his direction the way over only confirming that decision.
"You look happy."
A statement from Rachel, one that could be very generic. He knows better though, knows what's she's trying to work out. He also knows the redhead wants to tell the woman in question herself so he just answers with the truth. "I am." It inevitably leads to more questions.
"Any particular reason?"
"Why would I need a reason to be happy?" He rolls his eyes at Mike's remark and mutters something about this being the Spanish Inquisition. His threats about setting them out of the car not pronounced as he pulls up in front of their destination at that very moment. He wonders if he can escape them by making his way inside before them, but he doesn't manage to do so. He watches Rachel hold on to her fiancé for a moment and he hopes it will break the interrogation altogether, but he realises he's out of luck when Rachel steps aside to greet Gretchen and Mike takes two large steps to catch up with him.
"How was lunch with Donna?"
He looks to his right, faking annoyance.
Mike sees right through it though. "And by lunch I mean breakfast and by breakfast I mean …" He swallows in the word sex when Harvey's gaze narrows in on him. "When is the wedding? What did you tell her? Did you cry? What did she say? Do you need my help to plan a proposal?"
"What are you twelve years old?"
"Ha-ha. Very funny," Mike rolls his eyes. "Now can I congratulate you both or what?"
Harvey catches a glimpse of her red hair in the distance then and his lips twitch back into a smile, he turns to face the junior partner again and he knows he promised not to tell, but the younger man clearly already knows and he determines then that that doesn't count. He answers at last: "Lunch was great and so was breakfast."
Mike grins then, patting Harvey on the back but he doesn't comment. Instead, he takes a step away and starts making his way over to the rest of the group.
"So no congrats then? No?" Harvey asks, more to himself than to the younger man, but he doesn't dwell on the thought all too much. Instead, he sees this as an opportunity to make his way over to Donna without the rest paying all that much attention to him.
She spots him coming over in an instant and she can feel her heart skip a beat and her stomach turn. She always thought to have your breath been taken away was something for the first meeting or at least something that would only happen before two people got together. The past twenty-eight hours having proved her wrong more than once.
"Hey."
She swallows, slowly lifting her gaze. She lets it trail over his jacket to his bowtie, from his chin to the smile on his lips and finally his eyes. "Hey," she answers softly in return and she doesn't know what to do for a moment. She blames it on the tuxedo, the one kind of suit she saw so rarely it was the only type that she ever allowed to slip into her daydreams.
She has to look away then, his presence alone causing goose bumps to form on her arms. Her gaze lands on the clipboard in her hand again and she reaches for the pen attached to it. "Mr. Specter," she states then, ticking off his name.
He cracks up at her serious tone, not missing the way she can't even look at him. "Really?"
She lets out a breath and looks back up. "Just making sure you're on the guest list," she teases him and she feels the clipboard being taking from her hands then. The motion followed by him stepping closer, his left hand sliding to her waist. She brings her hands to his chest, following the line of the lapels to his bowtie. She can't help but fix the piece of fabric.
"If I wasn't I'd have been you're plus one," he reasons and he looks down, trying to watch her hands move over the piece of clothing. He realises she's faster at tying these things than he is and he wonders if she'll do this every morning now.
"There."
He smiles. "The others are right behind me," he announces then, both just a statement and an explanation as to why he hasn't kissed her yet. She moves one-step to the left, trying to look over his shoulder and he leans in further. Now bringing his lips to her ear he whispers, "You look beautiful."
She feels his lips press against her jaw and she blushes at his words, quickly moving back to face him. She holds onto his arm, her gaze meets him again and she stays quiet for a moment. When the tension becomes too much she gives him one little squeeze. "Please go and say hello to Jessica."
He grins.
"Harv."
He mouths a fine, finally stepping aside. His hand brushing past her arm in the process, she can't help but look over her shoulder in his direction when he does. "Come with me," he pleads crooking his head in the direction of the adjacent room. "There must be someone else to greet the guests? You are a guest too."
She shakes her head. "I'll just welcome the rest and find someone to take over okay?"
He presses his lips together in a thin line and pulls briefly on her hand before letting go and making his way inside the room. It now looking even better than this afternoon and he can only think that she lied when she told him it was just an hour work left. He turns around, taking in the rest of the room. That one chair where he sat that afternoon now replaced by tables of food and he spots his own mentor then.
"Jessica Pearson. Is that you?"
Jessica turns around on her spot, a smile forming on her lips when she takes in her mentee. She steps towards him and greets him with a quick embrace. When she moves back, she takes one look at his face and the smile he sports is enough for her to know. "I take your secret mission here went well." He can't help but smile even brighter now and he doesn't have to say anything else before the congratulations, I'm happy for you two follows.
He continues talking to Jessica for a couple of minutes, comments on the venue and the event in general. They talk about a recent case from her and he tells her about the things coming up at the firm. He also invites her back in case she wants to, under the condition that he stays managing partner. They both know he'd give his position up in a heartbeat, they also both know it won't be necessary as she won't be coming back at all.
He greets Jeff now when the man joins them on the floor and he notices how the other lawyer wants to ask what Jessica could assume by just looking at him. He also notices how the latter stops the man from doing so and Harvey just grins. Not commenting or acknowledging anything, he lets his gaze drift off through the crowd in search for his redhead.
He spots her fifteen feet further down the room, surrounded by the other five from Pearson Specter Litt (Specter Litt he corrects himself, Jessica just having told him it's okay to take her name off the wall), his gaze locks with hers in an instant and for a moment it is just him and her in an empty room. He notices how she stands a little taller, her head crooking to the left and he feels her gaze drop over his body.
He has to swallow himself, the dress she was wearing a distraction, but the way she looks at him and subconsciously, he hopes it is indeed subconsciously, because otherwise the woman will be the end of him even sooner than he could imagine, wets her lips is sending shivers down his spine.
He should really listen to whatever it is that Jeff or the other man that joined their little group is saying, but he can't. His focus is on her and he can't stop the movement from happening even if he wanted to but he winks at her. It's such a simple gesture, one he has done umpteenth times before with her and only her, but never ever did it result in what he witnesses now.
He watches her visibly stiffen on her spot and anyone else would say it's the lighting, the result of spending a few hours out in the sun today, but that blush creeping up on her face is all him and he thinks this is one of the hottest things he has ever seen and he can't help but grin knowing that he has this effect on her.
He feels his phone buzz and it's only then that he tears his gaze away from her auburn manes and all the people in the crowd separating them, with their corresponding chattering, returns to his view and hearing. He pulls his phone from the pocket of his pants and quickly unlocks the screen.
Stop looking at me like that – x
He smirks, wants to text her back like what or only if you stop looking at me in return, but doesn't get the chance to do so when Jessica's hand lands on his shoulder and his attention is directed elsewhere. He acknowledges the woman excuse herself with a nod and he considers the moment lost now. Instead of texting her back he excuses himself from Jeff and the man whose name he never learned to make his way over to the rest, but mainly her.
She hums and nods at Rachel's words, briefly glancing to her left to the woman in question as she rocks back and forth on her feet. She's surprised the brunette hasn't made any comment yet but she knows that it won't be long before remarks will come her way. Especially if she can't control herself just being near him.
She looks back up, catching his gaze again. This time he's much closer and she swallows, wondering if he'll round the group and stop right next to her. She fears nervous chuckles will escape her if he does, worse if he were to touch her. She thinks she might combust.
He seems to catch on the message she's trying to send him with her looks as he stalls in front of the group exactly opposite of her. He looks to his right, hand falling onto the other name partner's back as he greets the man. "Louis."
She watches him talk to Louis and Katrina for a second, noticing how he's still trying to avoid Gretchen's gaze as much as possible and her mind brings her right back to that very morning. Her in just his dress shirt, initials oh so prominent on the cuff and her lips twitch at the memory. It's then that she feels Rachel's hand touch her arm and she realizes she completely tuned out on the conversation they were having.
She turns to look at her friend again and apologetic smile now gracing her lips. Rachel just grins in return, already having forgotten what she was talking about herself. "Donna," she moves a little further towards the redhead, shielding the two of them from the group.
"Rach," she whispers and she feels herself gasp for air.
The brunette reaches for the redhead's wrist, softly pulling on her friend's arm. "I want to say hi to Jessica, come?" she says just loud enough for the rest to hear. The signalling movement with her head and the look in her eyes enough for Donna to see through the lie.
She hooks her arm around Rachel's regardless, following her through the crowd and only when she's sure they're not in direct ear sight anymore it's when she contradicts Rachel's words. "That's not why you pulled me aside."
Rachel smirks the redhead's words already enough of an answer. She turns both of them around until she manages to spot the man in question in the distance again. "So," she starts glancing at the woman next to her. "How was yoga?"
Drawing her bottom lip between her teeth she swallows once and then tears her gaze away from him again. She now smiles at her friend as she speaks. "Amazing."
.
.
He hands over his business card and shakes the woman's hand. He really wasn't looking for business deals but the woman hadn't stopped talking about her son, a New York City-based baseball prodigy, needing a good lawyer and if that hadn't been enticing enough already the woman then proceeded to tell him how Jessica had referred to him. He nods again, waiting for the older woman to leave and he finally allows himself to look for her again.
His gaze roaming over the crowd in search for her red hair, he finally spots her at the table with a wide arrange of appetizers and he quietly sneaks up next to her. His hand brushes over the small of her back for just a second when he does so and his name automatically leaves her lips in a whisper before she can even look at him.
"You bailed on me earlier."
She looks to her left and shakes her head. "No, I didn't," she answers. "Rachel wanted to talk."
He hums, letting her answer sink it and he smiles slightly, already knowing what both women must have discussed. He doesn't comment on it yet. He moves closer, his right hand sliding over the small of her back again as he leans towards her. "We just landed ourselves a new client," he announces instead.
Still half in his embrace, she turns on her heel, head crooked and an eyebrow raised because she hadn't known anything about this and usually she knew his every move. She moves her left hand over his arm and watches him for a moment but smiles at last. "Who?"
"This twenty-year-old kid that got signed by the Yankees last week," he answers with a smirk. His enthusiasm clear in his tone of voice. "Had been wanting to look into getting him to sign with us, but hadn't had the chance to do so yet and just now his mother stops by because Jessica referred to us."
Her gaze meets his and she smiles even brighter now, fingers flexing over his arm as a small gesture of affection. "That's great. I'm happy for you."
He grins at her words and touch, thinks he likes the way she has always been enthusiastic and supportive of his career even more now. The can opener and its ritual a thing on its own, but just a simple smile and touch of her hand on his means so much more. He takes a step back then and walks behind her. The hand resting on the small of her back changing and he brings his lips near her ear as he comes to a halt on the other side. "So you talked to Rachel," he whispers. "I feel like I was the subject of that conversation."
She chuckles once, prolonging her neck and she focuses back on the plate in her hand instead of looking at him. "Not everything is about you, Reginald," she says then and he looks surprised for a second. "But your name might have come up once or twice."
He smirks again, dropping his hand to his side now and his fingers brush past the silk fabric of her dress. "Twice," he repeats. "That's generous." Harvey watches her frown at him now and he can't even pretend to be offended. "I told Mike," he admits then and when her frown doesn't turn into a disapproving look but a simple nod he looks down at the table in front of them again. A laugh escapes his lips when he spots the particular food on display. She looks up at him and back to the table, now smiling too, she nudges his arm with her elbow until he looks at her again. "Promise me one thing," he asks and she raises an eyebrow in anticipation. "That you won't make shrimps when we tell your mom."
Her mouth drops a little in surprise and she hears a nervous chuckle escape her lips. He looks at her again, seeing the slightly panicked look on her face and he shifts a little closer, his left hand reaching for her hand. "Hey," he squeezes her hand. "I… I didn't mean we have to do so today or tomorrow… I mean… If you want to then of course, but –" He pauses his sentence when she pulls on his hand now and he gives her a questioning look for a moment.
"Okay," she whispers then, letting her thumb run over his knuckles and she looks down at his hand in hers for a moment, now glancing back up at him. She bites her bottom lip and shakes her head, but still looks him in the eye. "You really have to stop looking at me like that."
He raises one eyebrow and his signature smirk graces his lips. "Like what?"
She swallows, her gaze dropping to his lips. "Like this," she whispers focusing on his hand again. "Your eyebrows quirked."
"My eyebrows?"
"Your smile," she adds and she can just see his lips twitch from the corner of her eye. She subconsciously wets her lips, her thumb coming to a halt, she just holds his hand. "And that tux. You shouldn't –"
"You want me to take it off?"
Her gaze flickers back up again and she slowly lets go of his hand. "Don't you even dare."
He grins even brighter now.
"Harv, please," she whispers, bringing her hands to her side. She fidgets with the fabric of her dress. "How… How do you do this?"
"Do what?"
She looks to her side. "I… It's just… I can't even have a conversation with anyone," she mutters giving him this pleading look. "I… I only have to catch a glimpse of you and I lose my focus… But you. You… You are talking –"
"Don," he reaches for her hand again. "Come here," he pulls her closer, briefly wrapping his free arm around her and he presses a kiss against her temple. He lets go of her to reach for two glasses and he steals a bottle of champagne from the table. He can hear her whisper his name but he just signals with his head for her to walk along and he brings the hand with the bottle to the small of her back.
She lets him guide her through the crowd and they make their way to the back of the room. He signals the couch and waits for her to sit down before he joins her. His shoulder bumping into hers, he just grins and holds the two glasses in front of her. She slowly takes them from his hand and lets him fill both of them with champagne.
They cling their glasses together and he scoots a little closer to her. Taking her hand in his, he leans his head near hers. "You see that guy there," he mumbles. "He's an astronaut."
She laughs then, her head falling against his shoulder and she turns her hand over beneath his. Letting his fingers slip between hers as he continues telling her about how he just came back from the moon and she closes her eyes, knowing exactly why he's doing this and she thinks back to the very first time they did this.
It was the Christmas party back at the D.A.'s office and he tried his very best to avoid the entire deal but showed up because she more or less demanded his presence. She had then taken it upon herself to at least make sure he was having fun, so she started making up stories about their colleagues. From Cameron Dennis to Big Bertha, everyone who came in their sight and by hearing his laugh she could determine which stories were most successful. Three drinks in they were taking turns until the only story-less people in the room left were themselves. She turned to face him and slowly asked, "What story would others make up about us?"
He looked at her for a moment, the way his brows knitted together showing he was deep in thought, but it was the way his lips curled up in that familiar grin that she could already predict the nature of his answer. He never stopped trying, she should give him credit for that. "Two complete strangers," he started then and his answer surprised her more than she let on. "Both just looking to hook up, but it is love at first sight."
She laughed, never ever having heard him talk about love. "And let me guess," she countered stealing the glass of scotch from his hand. She took a big sip. "They live happily ever after?"
"Could be."
She quirked an eyebrow now. "You think?"
"It's not about what I think," he shot back, taking his glass back from her hand. "It's their story."
The game stayed, a tradition for business related events, but his answers to her last question never went there again after the other time. He had once made up she was a famous Hollywood actress and he was her bodyguard. Another time he claimed they were CIA operatives undercover in a law firm, it had been a week after he had learned she knew how to fire a gun.
She opens her eyes again when she feels his lips press against her temple, she shifts now. Sitting back up, she looks at him and asks him that one question again. "What would others say about us?"
He thinks for two seconds before he speaks. "Happily married couple," he answers turning to face her and flashes her his signature grin. "With two kids." He catches a sparkle in her eyes. "And a dog."
"Really?"
He nods and lifts their intertwined hands, pressing a kiss against the back of her hand. "Ooh, definitely. I'm sure."
She smiles now, the last two days an absolute roller coaster ride. From barely talking about their personal lives to picturing their future together. They're going way to fast and at the same time, she wonders if after more than twelve years anything is too fast. Everything both amazing and terrifying at the same time and it scares her to her core, but she couldn't stop even if she wanted to. She doesn't, she doesn't ever want to stop being this happy. "I'm not sure about the dog though," she comments then.
"I hate cats."
"I don't like fish."
He chuckles nudging her shoulder again. "See, a dog it is," he reasons and he takes a moment to study her again. "You okay?"
"Yes. I am."
.
.
He places his empty champagne glass on the coffee table in front of them, repeating the gesture when he takes the empty glass from her hand. He pushes himself to his feet and extends his hand towards her. She quietly accepts and follows him two-step to the left, until he spins her around and catches her in his embrace.
She looks at him questioningly when he sways her over the background. "Nobody is dancing."
"So," he whispers, holding their hands against his chest, his other hand sliding over the small of her back. He lets his head lean against hers and he takes in the scent of her shampoo. "We're in the back of the room, no one will see us," he whispers in her ear. "And most importantly, I want to dance with you."
She lets her fingers flex over his chest, feeling his heartbeat slightly increasing and she thinks it's funny how being near him makes her calmer than when they were both on opposite sides of the room. She pulls back then, the tip of her nose brushing over his cheek until she looks him in the eye again. "I thought you didn't like to dance."
He grins, lets his head lean against hers as he moves them around on the music. "True, but you're an exception," he admits, his breath warm against her lips. He does think that she was the only person he ever liked dancing with. "And it's a great excuse to hold you close now."
She thinks he doesn't ever need an excuse to hold her close, but she knows what he's referring to. The very thing she asked for that afternoon, to keep things quiet just a little longer. She slips her fingers through the hair in the back of his neck, letting her head rest in the crook of his neck again.
.
.
Ending a conversation with the major, Jessica looks around the room. Letting her gaze search for the next familiar face, noticing Jeff is still talking to someone she decides to make her way to the bar instead, in hope to run into some of her other friends along the way.
Two glasses of champagne in hand Jessica makes her way further down the room towards the brunette who seems to have separated herself from the rest. "Rachel," Jessica greets the woman she mentored a few short months, handing over a glass of champagne. They toast, both taking a sip from the sparkling alcohol and she wants to ask why the young lawyer is standing here apart from the group, but her question is already answered when she follows Rachel's gaze through the room. It lands on a sight that removed any doubt either might have had about the recent developments between their friends.
"I don't think I've ever seen them this happy before," Jessica states softly, tearing her gaze away from the dancing couple she slowly turns around and Rachel follows her movement until they face each other again.
"Me neither."
The two women smile and both raise their glass again in celebration, downing the remainder of champagne in one go. "About goddamn time," Jessica mutters when she finishes her glass and she finds herself facing the young blonde lawyer now. Katrina stares at her former boss with wide eyes. "I'm sorry," Jessica continues now. "I didn't mean you."
"Ooh, I know," Katrina grins knowingly. "You meant Harvey and Donna," the blonde adds and she notices Jessica's confused expression. "I always wondered," she clarifies then. "There were a lot of rumours going around in the D.A.'s office."
.
.
He winds a strand of her hair around his finger, listening to her hum along with the music. "About before," he starts then, letting her hair untangle again, he moves a lock between his index finger and thumb and he feels her shift a little in his embrace. "About me talking to the rest… That… That was just to stop myself from..."
Her hand slips back to his shoulder and she lifts her chin from his shoulder. "Stop what?" she whispers, her lips ghosting over his jaw to the corner of his mouth. She can feel his pulse increase under her fingertips.
"You know what."
His breath is warm against her skin and his hand on the small of her back presses a little firmer against her skin. She hums and he's so close her chest moves up and down with every breath he takes and she only realizes now that they stopped dancing a while ago. A shiver runs down her spine and she can feel her knees starting to give in. "Harv."
"God," he near sighs, his nose brushing past hers. He lets his forehead lean against the side of her head. "I want to kiss you so bad right now, you have no idea."
She smirks and thinks she does, she can feel it in every move he makes and every word he says. She moves back to look him in the eye, her hands sliding down his arms. "I do," she answers drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, she slowly takes a step back and gently pulls on his hand before letting go altogether. She takes another step back and mouths take me home.
It takes him three seconds to compose himself and his eyes light up when he fully realises what she's hinting at. He is certain that no one from the firm can see them right now, but even if they did, he couldn't possibly care less. He takes three large steps forward then to catch up with her and his hand finds hers in an instant.
She giggles and walks next to him, both trying their best to keep their faces straight, but anyone who would pay a little bit attention would see what's going on. His heart starts to beat faster with every step they take, he suddenly feels nervous and giddy and he wishes they were out of the room already.
She catches a glimpse of a look from an older woman she has never seen before on their way out and she just knows what the woman was thinking. She grins then, thinking how she never imagined this to happen. To hold his hand and practically run out of an event just so she could kiss him. Okay, do more than kiss him, but she meant the not so secretively sneaking out.
His pace increases, but only a little because he wants to make sure she can still follow him on those incredibly high heels. He shouldn't have looked cause what for her might be the tux, for him it where those red bottomed four-inch heels that made her legs look even more perfect than they already were. He lets his gaze trail up over her body then until he meets her gaze then.
She finds herself smile at the look he gives her and it's this incredibly random thought but the only thing she can think about is that if either of them would have shared this 'running-out-of-a-room-to-hook-up'-story with the other back in the day when they still shared those kinds of details, the other would have laughed and said something about how they weren't teenagers anymore.
On the other hand, she finds it typically them, different in every way and only they can share these kinds of moments with the other. She turns in front of him when he slows down and her body would have been trapped between the door and his chest if he hadn't managed to push it open. The chilly Chicago air greets them, but neither seems to notice as he pulls her closer the second they're outside. His lips crash on hers in an instant and she wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him back.
His grins through their kiss, opening his mouth to her when her tongue teases his lips and he thinks he doesn't have enough hands. Wants to cup her face, touch her hair, hold her hands and draw her body closer all in one. He settles on the last, hands moving from her waist down her hips and over her butt.
She squeals, accidentally biting down on his lip and her hands settle on either side of his face as she pulls back just to catch her breath. But his lips cover her lips mere seconds later. "We. Need. To. Get. A. Cab," she tries to tell him in between kisses, pulling back again once more she tries to look him in the eye.
He shakes his head once, lips turning into a smile as he keeps looking at her "Got a…" he pauses, pressing his lips against hers in another chaste kiss. "Car," he adds now trying to catch his breath and he only remembers to guide her there when her hand catches his again. He steps forward now, softly pulling on her hand as he walks them through the parking lot, stealing another kiss every now and then.
He turns them to the left, walking over the gravel path alongside the building. He pulls her closer when one of her heels slip between the small pebbles and she clings onto his frame soon after. Both grinning at their reactions. She brings her hand to his face. "My hero."
He smiles brighter now, his lips pressing a kiss against her temple as they keep walking. "Please, you don't need a hero. You saved my ass more times than I can count."
She chuckles once, her eyes closing for a moment as she brings her head to lean against his chest. She knows his words are true, but he did the same for her in return when needed. He guides them further towards the car, now stepping in between his car and another. "But only because it's such a pretty ass."
He laughs now, turning her around as they near the vehicle and his hands settle on her hips while he presses her against the door. His own body leaning towards her, he brings his lips to her ear. "So you checked me out, Ms. Paulsen?"
She bites on her bottom lip, closing her eyes once more as he places kisses from the corner of her jaw down her neck. Her hands round his chest towards his back and she moves them lower, towards his butt, pulling his body against hers. "If I say yes, will that get us back to the hotel sooner?"
He grins against her skin, thumb pressing against her hipbone as he pushes back to create a little bit more distance between them. Taking a step back, he looks to the front of the car, his face instantly falling into a frown. "What the hell?"
She looks to her left now too, eyeing the grey minivan that's parked directly in front of his car.
"Who even drives that?"
She lets her gaze drift back to the man in front of her and she returns her hands to his chest, letting her fingers trail along the lapels of his tuxedo jacket. "Probably someone with kids," she laughs then, lifting herself on her toes. Her lips brushing against his the second he turns back to face her and he doesn't get the chance to comment on her statement, tell her they'll never get a minivan even when they do have kids. The words 'and a dog' not even thought of, her hands moving down his chest proving to be a distraction in itself.
He almost squirms now because her hands reach his hips and he curses under his breath for how easily she gets to him. "Donn..." His breath heavy, his nose brushes against the tip of her nose as he leans his forehead against hers. "Maybe…" He brings his hands to her waist, her face, moving her hair aside. A hiss almost escapes him then at her movements. "We should get a cab after all."
She bites her lip, trying to stop herself from grinning. She changes her position a little, hips angling backward to create a little more distance between them. She keeps her eyes locked with his as she shakes her head, her hand slipping into the pocket of his tuxedo trousers.
Helplessly he freezes on the spot, mouth left agape when he hears the sound of the doors unlocking. He rocks back and forth on his feet for a moment, one hand slipping from her waist to the car behind her and he increases the space between them to really look her in the eye.
She smirks proudly, his car keys dangling from her index finger and she suggestively raises one eyebrow.
"God woman." He catches the keys again.
She giggles in response. "As if you can wait."
His jaw clenches and he swallows, just stepping aside without a word. His hand on her waist guiding her with him, he reaches for the handle and opens the door for her. A big grin now gracing his lips, he merely bobs his head in the direction of the car as he waits for her to get in first.
She laughs louder now, shaking her head at the silly face he makes and she reaches for his hand while sliding over the backseat of the car. The little pull she gives on his hand making him follow her. He pulls the door shut behind him, knee sliding over the seating towards her and his free hand now trails along her curves until it lands on the backseat too to catch himself from crushing her. He kisses her then, so slowly and long that there can be absolutely no doubt left that she's the only thing in the world that matters to him now. Another chaste kiss follows and he opens his eyes as he speaks. "Where to miss?"
She stares at him for a moment, taking in his words and wondering where she heard them before. She pulls on one end of his bowtie, the knot coming undone and the fabric slips between her fingers as she moves to reach for the top button of his shirt. "You're quoting Titanic right now?" she asks when she connects the dots.
He grins. "You love that movie."
"Yeah," she smiles, letting her hands slide down and open another button of his shirt. "I do, but –"
The rest of her sentence left unspoken when he kisses her again. His left-hand moving to cup her face, fingers sliding through her auburn locks and she moves her hands to his shoulders. Her lips escaping his again as she tries to push the black jacket aside.
"To the stars," she finishes the quote in a whisper on his lips. He sits back up for a moment, bringing his own hands to the back to help her. He pulls on his own sleeves, shrugging the fabric off his shoulders and he grins as he tosses the brand new suit jacket on one of the front seats.
"It's going to wrinkle."
"I don't care," he answers, leaning forward to kiss her again. He moves his right-hand to her shoulder now, trying to push the strap of her dress over her shoulder as he sneaks his left arm around her. That hand blindly searching for the zipper of her dress.
She arches her back, giving him a little bit more room to find the zipper, pulling herself up by clinging onto his shirt. Her hands moving further down she undoes the last two buttons before she reaches for his pants, undoing that button with the same ease. She now moves on to the zipper of his pants making his leg jolt back.
"Shit." He grunts, his grip on her body increasing ever so slightly in the moment.
"What?" She mumbles in a breath, her lips near his ear.
"Nothing," he answers instantly pressing his lips against her neck again, but he already knows she won't accept his answer. "Hit. My. Foot," he answers kissing his way up. From her jaw to her ear, his tongue darting out against her skin, resulting in his name leaving her lips and her eyes falling shut again.
"Hmmm." She murmurs, struggling to find the words, she uses her hands. Pushing them up over his chest, she creates a little bit more distance between them and when he finally lifts his head from her shoulder she just whispers, "Turn."
She pushes him further back until he's sitting down on the backseat of the car and he stares at her for a few seconds. Wondering why she made him do this, but she just pulls on the skirt of her dress. Hoisting the fabric up as she moves to sit, sliding one knee over his leg. "It's easier this way."
He nods, his hands instantly finding their place back on her waist, guiding her to sit down. "I'd almost say you've done this before."
She laughs, shakes head but doesn't answer his question. Instead, she brings her hands to his shoulders and leans back in. Her lips almost reaching his. "Less. Talking. And. More. Canoodling. Specter."
.
.
He lets himself fall back against the backrest of the seating, his chest moving up and down with every heavy breath he takes. His eyes still closed, a tired smile spread across his face, he wraps his left arm around her back. "Wow."
Donna grins and cuddles even closer to him, her legs still spread out over his lap, she lets her head rest against his chest and reaches for his free hand, their digits soon intertwining with one another.
He lets out another breath, his head now tilting to the left until it leans against hers and he takes a few seconds before he speaks, it's just her name. "Donn..."
She hums, trying to look up to him from this position but she doesn't let him say more than this, already knows the question that's on his mind. "I thought the first rule of being a lawyer was to not ask questions you don't want answers to."
He swallows once, taking in her words while he nods. Knows her remark is true, it's the very thing he said to Mike himself. He also realises that in a way he got his answer already, but it also drives his mind into overdrive. Picturing things he can't possibly know, nor really wants to know. He opens his mouth regardless but words fail him.
Her hand slips from his when she turns to face him a little bit more, the palm of her now free hand falling flat against his stomach and she feels his muscles flex under her touch. Her gaze drops to her fingers for a second before she looks back up at him, her eyes locking and she bites on her lower lip. She's trying to read the unspoken questions in his eyes, she knows what's on his mind, she just isn't entirely sure if she should answer them anyway.
He swallows then, his right hand covering the one on his stomach and he brings it to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles. "I don't need to know," he whispers then.
She presses her lips into a soft smile. "Okay," she answers then, "But if you do want to know anything, all you have to do is ask. Okay?" She pauses looking at him and she sees the confusion starting to form on his face. "I mean ... We both have our pasts and I just want to -"
He bobs his head up and down in understanding, they have twelve years of history behind them and while a very large part of that is about them, there are also things he never told her and things she never shared with him, maybe both in their own ways trying to protect the other. "Focus on us," he finishes her sentence for her with a smile then.
"Yes," she nods now. "Because none of them were you."
He smiles, whispers her words in return and he closes his eyes now. Pulling her closer to his chest, he buries his nose in her hair and takes in her scent.
.
.
He stares at the little clock on the dashboard, blinking twice. He can't exactly remember what time it was when they ran out of the venue or how much time they actually spent on the backseat of his car. He looks back at the woman in his arms, her eyes are closed but he knows she isn't asleep at all, it's just what she does. It's how she likes to cuddle him and smiles softly at the sight.
"Our car is still blocked in."
He lets his hand run down her back, hearing her hum and he chuckles softly when her lack of answers shows how little she cares about the car. He lets his chin rest on top of her head then. "We could get a cab," he suggests now. "Or get back inside if you want."
She shakes her head at his last suggestion. "Let's walk."
He frowns shortly but nods anyway. "Okay," he agrees then and he shifts over the backseat towards the door. Opening it again, he helps her out of the car. Reaching back in for his jacket from the front seat, he shuts the door again and turns to face her. Hanging his jacket over her shoulders he gives her a bright smile when she questions him for a moment.
"You're cold." He crooks his head before she can object and wraps his right arm around her shoulder next, now walking both of them back to their hotel. "I know you too."
"Harvey."
He hums, squeezes her shoulder.
"What are you going to do about the car?" she asks now, her right hand reaching up to cover his draped over her shoulder.
"I'll fix it with the rental company tomorrow morning."
She sneaks her left arm around his back as they walk, bringing her body even closer to his. Her head leaning against his chest by the time they reach her hotel room on the fifteenth floor. She looks down at the clutch in her hands, opening it up she hands him the key card.
Once inside her room, he takes his tuxedo jacket from her shoulders. Hanging it aside, he takes two steps to stand behind her, one hand sliding over her waist. He kisses the top of her shoulder in the process and she squirms in his embrace. He moves her hair aside with his left-hand and kisses her neck now.
She kicks off her four-inch heels, turning around in front of him. Letting her hands move down his chest as the height difference increases. He smiles at her, brings his hand to her face, twirling a strand of hair around his finger and he leans in to kiss her and she moves closer to kiss him back but a yawn escapes her.
Her eyes widen immediately after, a hand covering her mouth and he half snickers, more because of her reaction than her yawning. "Oh God. I'm so sorry." She buries her face in her hands and leans against his chest. He just grins, holding her close at the waist.
"I didn't think you'd be tired of kissing me already," he teases her pressing a kiss against her head hearing her yawn again. He smiles softly, pushing her back just a little bit to be able to look her in the eye. He can see she feels embarrassed, he just feels loved and merely smiles at her. Another yawn escapes her and he chuckles this time, not being able to hide his laugh.
She shakes her head. "I'm not and it's not funny." She taps her hand against his chest, trying to muffle another yawn. "How are you not tired?"
He frowns now.
"We had so much sex last night," she reasons. "I'm kind of offended you're not almost falling asleep."
He quirks an eyebrow and bites his tongue, not sure how to respond. "I am tired," he answers at last, but she shakes her head not believing him. "You just had a busy day," he reasons then, placing a kiss on her cheek and he let's go of her. "Come let's get to bed."
Making his way over to the bed he sits down on the edge, hands first landing on his knees before he leans forward to take off his shoes. She leans against the bathroom wall, her gaze not having left him and she stares at him for a moment, this certainly new. She brings her hand to her mouth once more to cover another yawn.
He looks up, just smiling at her. Moving onto his other shoe when she finally comes into action herself, pushing herself off the wall she disappears in the bathroom. Placing his shoes neatly to the side, he moves to his suitcase, squatting down in front of it, he searches through the layers of new clothes for a t-shirt and he places the black cotton item on the bed behind him.
He grins then, realising he's never actually just slept with a woman before, there has been sex. A lot of it, in fact, almost all of it with nameless faces. Ones he managed to get out of his apartment after it happened. Some stayed the night, just because he couldn't be bothered to send them away, but he has never ever done this before.
He wonders if he should tell her this, that she will be the first and last woman he'll ever share a bed with just to sleep. He thinks it would make her smile, but he also knows, not knows because he doesn't know, but he realises there's a very big possibility she won't be able to say the same in return. He pictures her face now, knowing she would not want to hurt him with the truth and he decides then to keep this to himself.
There are a lot of other firsts still left for both them anyway, he would know if she had been proposed to before. He changes his thought to engaged, because of that he's absolutely certain. He has never ever seen her sport a diamond on her ring finger. He also thinks she will know anyway, that this is all new for him.
He undoes the button of his trousers next, emptying his pockets and he places his phone and wallet on the nightstand. Moving the heavy fabric down his thighs, stepping out of each leg, he folds the suit pants and places it on top of his suitcase. Moving on to his dress shirt he hears her call something that resembles his name then and he makes his way over to the bathroom, hands still working their way down to undo the buttons. He pushes the ajar door further open with his elbow and takes two small steps inside until he comes to a halt, watching her brush her teeth for a second.
"Whelllooow," she mutters looking at him in the mirror above the sink. "Cooould yuuu undooo tfe zippferr." She tries to communicate with him, toothbrush almost hanging from the corner of her mouth as she uses her hands to signal over her shoulder just to make it clearer.
He chuckles and shakes his head, pushing himself back on his feet and he walks towards her. One hand sliding over her waist as she continues brushing her teeth. His free hand moving to the zipper, he slowly pulls the metal hanger down the full length of her back and he can't help but let his fingers slide over her delicate skin for a moment.
She leans forward, opening up the tab and she finishes her routine before she turns to face him. A bright smile gracing her lips, teeth flashing in the process. She thinks she looks like one of her nieces when they show her sister they indeed brushed their teeth, but she's just really happy. She gently places her hands on his side, arms sliding under his dress shirt to his back as she lifts herself on her toes to press a quick kiss on his lips.
He near sighs when she pulls back and lowers herself back to the ground, but he keeps her close in his arms, his chin now resting on top of her head and he watches them in the reflection of the mirror. He lets out another breath, his hands moving over her sides to her face. Pulling back, he brushes his hands through her hair, knowing that if they stay like this she might fall asleep in his arms.
"I'll be there soon."
Running his hand through his hair he returns from the bathroom and he stalls in front of the bed. Gaze searching the spot he placed the black t-shirt, he mutters something to himself and looks up when he hears her giggle. She's leaning on her right elbow. Eyes barely open, but the grin on her lips says it all.
He pulls the sleeves down his arms, this time just letting the fabric slide back and pool into a pile of fabric near his feet. He pushes the sheets aside and a warm smile spreads across his face as the sight confirms his suspicions. Crawling into bed, he throws the sheet back over him scooting a little closer towards her, his right hand blindly finding her waist and he fidgets with the edge of his shirt.
"I was looking for that," he states then, hand slipping under the fabric and his palm flattens against her stomach.
She grins, nods and mumbles something about how it looks like he found it. He snickers once and his breathing turns into a long yawn. She closes her eyes and turns in his embrace, her own arm folding over his she keeps his hand close to her chest.
"Goodnight Harvey."
