Author's Note: I wanted to say thank you to those who have reviewed it really means os much to me and makes me want to continue this story. The next chapter has already been finished and I'm just waiting for my wonderful Beta to send it back. So review and I'll get the next one up as quick as I can. Flashbacks are in Italics. Enjoy!
Chapter Seven "Emotional Hangover"
"The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart."
Saint Jerome
Haley James slowly opened her door that led to her suite hoping for a hot bath and a long night's sleep when a voice greeted her on the other side.
"Haley there you are, I've missed you" Lucas Scott confessed as he wrapped his arms around his fiancé and held onto her tight.
"I'm so sorry we got separated for so long. " he apologized while cupping her gorgeous face in his hands and just staring at her.
"Is something wrong you looked kind of surprised to see me?" he laughed
Haley quickly plastered a smile on her face. "Oh no it's nothing I guess all that champagne I had just has me a little tired."
"Well, I know of one way to wake you up" he smirked as he began kissing down her neck.
Haley moaned as she felt Lucas mouth continue lower and she tried to lose herself in his ministrations. He was her fiancé who she loved deeply and nothing could change that she told herself as Lucas undid the only clasp that held her dress together allowing it to fall to her feet in a shimmering puddle leaving her in nothing but her Manolo Blaniks and her jewels.
Lucas grabbed her hand leading her up the three stairs that allowed her to lie upon her one of a kind raised bed. He lowered her on her back and just stepped back admiring her beauty. Even the thought of her could harden him and seeing her like this could get him close to explosion without even one touch.
Haley watched as he proceeded to undo his tuxedo shirt and slip of his pants and boxer briefs. She smiled invitingly to him as he climbed on top of her and kissed her with everything he had. He massaged her breasts for a few minutes before replacing his hands with his mouth causing her to squirm beneath him. He knew she was ready with one touch of his hand and with one thrust they were one moving in the familiar rhythm they had developed. They lost themselves in the feel of one another. A half hour later, Haley wrapped her legs around him and dug her nails into his back as she felt the ultimate pleasure coarse through her body that induced Lucas to his own Euphoria at the sounds of Haley falling over the edge.
They lay there for a while wrapped in each other's arms till Lucas removed himself from Haley and they settled in underneath the covers. Haley faced the balcony as she always did and felt Lucas wrap his arms around her from behind and soon she heard his breathing become regular signaling he was asleep.
She tried to close her eyes and succumb to the tiredness that ached in her bones, but her mind would not let her. The guilt and the uncertainty of tonight's events seemed to invade her every fiber. Every time she closed her eyes she saw it.
Haley stared into his eyes not knowing what to expect. She saw a mixture of emotions playing in his eyes. There was fear, uncertainty, danger, and finally lust. Just when she thought he was going to pull away from her he closed the gap between them and kissed her with such force it nearly knocked her over.
His left arm wrapped around her waist to steady her as the right undid her clip releasing her waves of dark blonde hair down her back He ran his fingers through her luscious hair and then gripped the back of her head in place as he forcefully slipped his tongue into her only slightly reluctant mouth. She remained stoic against him until she felt his tongue play against hers then she lost what little control she had left and fought back matching his intensity. Their tongues batted for dominance and she pushed him back against the gazebo wall causing him to pause in surprise at her eagerness for a mere second. He grinned at her and dove back in capturing her lower lip with his teeth and causing her push her body into him harder due to the mixture of pleasure and pain he had caused her.
She felt his hands fall to her back and roam her exposed area. She moaned into his mouth as she felt his hands slide beneath the material of her dress and cup her backside. She could feel his obvious want for her straining against the material of his pants as she rubbed her lower half into his. Her body ached for his as she lost herself in the embrace.
The minutes seemed to stretch into hours as their bodies and mouths melted together. Only when breathing became a necessity did they both pull back and reality sank in.
Haley stared at Nathan blankly and backed away from him. She felt him reach out to her, but she couldn't look into his eyes again for fear she would lose herself once again. So instead she ran and never looked back at him once.
Haley sighed reliving what happened for the millionth time or so it seemed. She slowly lifted Lucas's arm from around her waist and slipped out of the bed. She grabbed her robe from a near by chair and slipped it on before quietly opening a French door that led to her balcony. She felt relief wash over her as she closed the door and lay down on chaise lounge chair that adorned her balcony. She looked up at the star lit sky and wondered what she was doing. She had everything she thought she had ever wanted and yet she risked destroying it all with a few minutes of pleasure.
She felt such guilt, but what was really eating her up was the fear. She could deal with an innocent kiss that could be written off as a drunken mistake, but what she couldn't deal with was the feelings that seemed to be attached with this alleged drunken mistake.
She had had many drunken encounters with guys over the course of her life, but none had left her with such a lasting impression. As soon as she felt his lips hit hers it was like an out of body experience. He sparked something in her she hadn't even felt with Lucas. The kiss was raw and passionate and awakened something in her she hadn't known existed. She actually felt longing and need. It was like her entire being ached for him and it terrified her. She was always the one in control in her relationships and even with Lucas she still felt she held all the cards. When she kissed Nathan she wasn't thinking of her next move she was just living in the moment. It was like it was just natural. Their bodies seemed to anticipate the others actions before they even made a move. They sunk into each other and Haley had never felt such a craving for another in her entire life and it scared the hell out of her. Even when she felt Lucas thrusting inside of her tonight bringing her to climax it was Nathan's face she saw not Lucas's. If she was honest with herself she would admit the last few times her and Lucas had been together Nathan's face had popped into her mind's eye here and there, but nothing like tonight.
This could not happen though. She truly loved Lucas and hopefully whatever she had with Nathan was just a passing feeling probably brought on by pre-wedding jitters. After all, it was pure lust and she'd be a fool to entertain thoughts that was anything more. She would wake up tomorrow and act like nothing had happened and get back to life as she knew it to be and wanted it to be.
With that last thought floating in her head she closed her eyes and let sleep finally take over her while she still lay under the stars.
Nathan let the cold water wash over him as he sat on the marble bench in his large shower with his head in his hands.
He couldn't believe what he did tonight. He had every intention of walking away from her but when he took that last look in her eyes he was goner and the only thing that mattered was being with her in that moment. All he saw was her, not his loyalty to Lucas or what the family would think he just saw her and nothing else mattered to him as he gazed into her eyes.
He had lain awake many nights imagining what kissing her and touching her would feel like, but no fantasy held a candle to the real thing. Part of him had been banking on that once he gave in the effect would wear off, but giving in to his temptation only strengthened his longing and desire for her. No girl had ever made him feel so many emotions. It wasn't just lust for him he craved just being near her in any form whether it be just gazing across from her at the dinner table or sitting next to her on the couch fighting her over the remote while she gave him the play by play on what was happening in the fictional town of Port Charles. Nathan chuckled at the memory of first discovering her Soap Opera obsession.
Nathan walked out from the main kitchen after sucking down a bottle of Gatorade and was making his way to the main staircase when he caught sight of light flickering in down the hall behind the staircase. He followed and determined it was the glow of the large plasma TV set up in the large "lounge" room as his mother called it. He figured someone just left it on seeing as it was close 3 am, but when he reached the entrance- way he was shocked to see Haley sitting there in an oversized Duke sweatshirt and a pair of men's boxers. She had her hair up in a high ponytail and not a drop of make up on and she still took his breath away.
"Hey" he greeted her as he made his way to the massive Corinthian leather sofa she was curled up on.
She looked up startled for a minute before a warm smile spread across her face.
"Hey there you want to join me" she patted the area next to her. "I'll even share my blanket with you since it seems it's like 50 degrees in here and only one blanket to be found." she explained with a laugh.
Nathan sat down by the arm of the coach on the other side of her and she curled her body next to his spreading the blanket on top of him. She rolled her eyes at his obvious discomfort and manually put his arm around her shoulders so she could get more cozy and warm. Nathan finally relaxed as he felt her head fit perfectly against his chest as he held her close. Over the last couple weeks they had grown more comfortable and she and Jake sat like this all the time so he knew to her this was normal and totally platonic even if he wished it wasn't.
"So what are we watching" he finally broke the silence as a detergent commercial was playing across the screen.
"Oh my all time favorite soaps General Hospital which showcases the fabulous citizens of Port Charles"
Nathan made a move to get up. "No way am I sitting her watching some chick show" he exclaimed.
Haley quickly moved and spread out across his lap blocking him from getting up. "No way mister your stuck now and trust me if you give it a chance you will love it and I'll explain all to you." she smiled up at him from her spot on his lap. She shifted some so that her legs were still spread across him and he automatically put his arm around her lower back this time as she leaned back against the couch with him while her bare feet poked out from the blanket across his lap.
She wiggled her toes and pouted signaling to him they were cold so he stretched out the blanket over her feet and he absentmindedly rubbed her feet to warm them up.
"Mm, it took me 2 months to train Jake to do that," she giggled at his actions.
Nathan just laughed and shook his head as a hospital setting with people running around came into view on the screen.
"Ok so there's this virus that is spreading all over Port Charles and they only have a limited number of vaccines. That's Jax, who is such a hottie obviously, saying goodbye to Courtney and confessing he switched the paternity results of the baby she just had and that Nicolas is really the father of baby John. Courtney still wants Jax be in baby John's life to keep it from the clutches of the Cassedines who I will tell you about later. Oh now there's Sonny the hot Mob boss, but he's a good bad guy not a bad, bad guy. That's Emily, Nicholas's ex wife who is in love with Sonny and they just had sex. Everyone is against them though including Carly, Sonny's ex-wife who wants him and apparently Jason too which is Sonny's right hand man and she may want Jax too, but we'll find out later…" she continued to ramble throughout the entire hour and Nathan had to admit with Haley so dramatically giving him the play by play with her shocked expression, big grins, and waving arms it was definitely entertaining.
He got so involved in her descriptions he stayed and watched the Tuesday thru Friday's episodes with her as well since apparently it was Sunday and they replay all the previous week's episodes as she also told him. They laughed and joked till sunrise when she gave him a big hug and kiss on the cheek for being such a sport and keeping her company. He didn't have the courage to tell her that it had been one of the most enjoyable nights he'd had in a long time.
He stood up trying to clear his head of the images of her that flashed through his head. He didn't know how he was going to do it, but he knew he couldn't let himself give in again. He couldn't do it to Lucas or Haley. He knew by kissing her he was not only hurting Lucas, but also hurting her and that thought hit him harder than anything. It was obvious she loved Lucas and causing her any confusion or pain was something he didn't want for her.
Still he couldn't stop his mind from going places his body couldn't as he let the vision of her body pressed into his flash into his head again. All the cold water in the world couldn't dampen the surges he felt when thinking of her. So instead of denying his body the one thing it desired when Haley James came into thought he gave into it hoping the release he felt just imagining being with her would sustain him when the real thing was within reach.
The sun beamed down onto a sleeping Haley rousing her from her peaceful slumber. She awoke trying to remember why she was outside. Then it hit her and she snuck back in hoping it was all a horrific yet amazingly erotic dream.
"Babe what the hell are you doing out here" Lucas laughed at his sprawled out fiancé.
"Ugh, I have no idea I think I wanted some fresh air and then just passed out."
"Well, let's go meet everyone down by the pool for brunch and then we can spend the whole day together." he promised her.
"That sounds wonderful Lucas" and she meant it.
She followed him back into the room and decided she needed a long shower.
"Hey I'll meet you down there I'm going to take a quick shower" she kissed his cheek.
"Oh Haley before I forget Chris left me a message last night and said they would be here this upcoming weekend and be staying for a full week to get their fittings and just visit basically."
Haley jumped up and threw her arms around Lucas. "Oh I can't wait to see Peyton and Chris again, it's been like a year since I've seen then either of them."
"Yeah I haven't seen Chris in forever and hell we went to the same boarding school for most our entire academic life." Lucas reminded her.
"It is such a small world one of my good friends from college and one of yours from Kindergarten through High School meet and fell in love." Haley grinned at the thought.
"Thank God I didn't have to witness it first hand like you did seeing as they both met at NYU. Also, it's that much of a small world when our families have as much money as we do. We were all bound to bump into each other one day"
"God I remember the day when Peyton came storming into mine and Jake's apartment ranting and raving about this stuck up asshole she met by the name of Chris Keller. I knew right then and there she had met her match. No man had ever made her so angry or so happy in her life even if it took her forever to admit the happy part. God and the insane part is after a quickie wedding in Vegas a month after they met they are still going strong. Even though on the phone with me she says she threatens divorce at least every other day," she laughed
"Well, I just wish Chris and I had gone to the same college and I could have met you a hell of a lot sooner." Lucas confessed sweetly while leaving a lingering kiss on her lips.
"I don't know if you could have handled me in my college days mister" she teased with a wicked grin.
"I would have had a hell of a time trying though." he assured her with another kiss on her lips
"Ok, ok I need to get ready…" she giggled and got out in between kisses.
"Ugh Fine, but hurry up" he slapped her ass and grinned as he left the room.
Haley smiled at his retreating figure just praying she could get through today and enjoy her time with Lucas without any forbidden thoughts invading her consciousness. Though with her and Nathan sharing the same house, no matter how large, she doubted that would happen, but she would get through it she decided as she climbed into her steaming shower to get ready for the day.
"Lucas! Where the hell is my girl?" Brooke yelled from her perch on the side of the pool nearly causes him to drop the Bloody Mary he'd just poured himself. Irritated he slammed the pitcher of Bloody Mary mix back down on the marble table located under the shade of the house.
"Damn it Brooke, could you keep down the volume this early"
Brooke rolled her eyes. "Boo hoo did I make Little Lukey's ears hurt? Besides it's not early it's noon." she proudly stated as she motioned for him to refill her empty glass.
He did as she requested and plopped down beside her letting his feet dangle in the water along with hers.
"So you never answered my question. Where is my love Hales?"
"She was freshening up and will be down soon. Lord knows we wouldn't want to upset Queen Brooke by making her wait too long."
"Damn straight and the sooner you make that your daily slogan you'll be amazed at how much easier your life will be." she grinned big and clinked glasses with him.
Suddenly out of nowhere something flashed in the corner of Luke's eye and Brooke and him were drenched by a huge wave of water that was produced, that they discovered once they refocused their eyes, from a grinning Jake who was laughing away.
"Jake!" Brooke screeched.
"What you're in your bathing suit" he got out once he stopped laughing.
"I don't give a shit about getting wet, but my poor drink is watered down now you ass" she pouted.
Jake smirked and swam towards her and situated himself in between her legs and smiled up at her. "Do you forgive me?"
She grinned down and gave him a big smack on the lips. "Anything for you Jake the Snake" she giggled as he grabbed her and pulled her into the pool drink and all with her laughing out for all to hear.
Lucas rolled his eyes at the display and got up to remove his wet shirt and grab a fresh drink when he noticed Nathan come through one of the many doors leading outside.
"Hey Nate, you want a drink?" Lucas questioned his obviously tired looking brother.
"Oh yeah I guess." Nathan responded trying to act as nonchalant as possible.
The two brothers settled down into two matching chairs and stared out at the water and the skyline while casually sipping their drinks.
"So?"
"So?" Nathan repeated.
"Did you at least end the night with a hottie?" Lucas finally thought to ask him.
Nathan being caught off guard by the question proceeded to choke on his drink and spill some of his contents all over his bare chest.
"Shit Nathan was she that good" Lucas cackled.
"Was who that good" Haley voice questioned from behind them.
"Nathan's girl from last night." Lucas explained and Haley had to fight with all her power not to show any reaction.
"Lucas, I never said there was a girl in fact all I did was get shit faced and crash." Nathan snapped while wiping at his chest with a near by towel and looking anywhere but at Haley.
"Damn Nathan, excuse me for asking" Lucas shot back and pulled Haley on his lap…
"Haley! Come jump in girl and bring those asses known as the Scott brothers along with you" Brooke instructed her as she dunked and unsuspecting Jake.
"Well, what do you say boys?" Haley inquired while climbing off Lucas's lap and taking off her cover up.
Nathan reluctantly looked her way and regretted it the second he caught site of her in metallic silver string bikini leaving little to the imagination. Haley met his eyes once they had reached her face and smiled shyly at him and extended her hand to pull him up.
He got to his feet and sat his drink down and watched as Lucas grabbed Haley by the waist and tossed her into the pool with her screaming and laughing the entire way.
He dove in after them and for a while just sat back as the apparent couples of the group splashed and held on tight to one another as they battled it out in a game of chicken. Just a week ago that was he in Lucas's spot being so carefree with laughing Haley on his shoulders. After last night's episode he wasn't sure if they'd ever have that comfort level with each other again.
Haley stole glances at Nathan here and there and she ached for the normalcy her and Nathan had shared before last night. She wanted to be close to him again and for none of this obvious awkwardness to exist between them. She decided she was going to settle this.
She slid of Lucas's shoulders and gave him a quick kiss and whispered that she was going to refill the now empty Bloody Mary pitcher.
She made her way over to the steps and grabbed Nathan's arm taking him up with her.
"May I help you?" Nathan smiled at her eagerness.
"Yes you may help me get more drinks," she stated in a matter of fact tone while handing him the empty pitcher to carry in for her.
They both quietly went about gathering the ingredients from the main inside bar located to the right of the kitchen. The outside pool bar was useless since last night's party had left it bone dry.
"Nathan I think we need to talk." Haley said as she hopped onto the marble counter top so that she was eye level with him.
Nathan sighed and contemplated turning away but instead looked into her big pleading eyes and nodded his head.
"I don't want last night to change anything between us." she seemed to beg. "I mean it was a one time lapse of judgment and we should just chalk it up to champagne and hormones" she tried to laugh but it sounded more weak than convincing.
Nathan looked in her eyes and knew she was fighting an inner battle with herself as well, but he also saw she seemed to be pleading with him to agree that last night meant nothing even if it was a total lie on both their parts. For the first time he thought he might not be so alone in the connection he felt between them, but he also knew she loved his brother so he looked away from her and gave her what she needed for fear that if he looked straight at her his eyes would betray him.
"Yeah you're right. I like hanging out with you and you're going to be family soon. It would be stupid to lose what we have over something that was obviously a mistake," he confirmed for her.
She didn't know why it bothered her seeing as though she had said the same thing, but hearing him call it a mistake had stung her. She shook it off and smiled at him brightly
"Ok so great then it's settled we go back to being just us BTT," she proclaimed
"BTT?" he quirked his eyebrow at her.
"Before The Thing" she clarified as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You never cease to amaze me Hales"
"Well, of course because I am just that fabulous" she grinned.
Nathan finished mixing the Bloody Mary and laughed at her. "So we better get these drinks out there before the alchies get angry."
"Not before a Movie Star hug." she crossed her arms across her chest to show him she would not move till he obliged.
"Ugh, but if I throw my back out you owe me a massage." he winked as he closed the gap between then.
She placed her arms around his neck as he lifted her off the counter and wrapped his arms around her back holding her tightly to him. Once they were a safe distance from any objects in their path he began to swing her around the kitchen as she let her legs fly freely and held onto to him for dear life. Nathan looked down at her smiling face as he swung her around the kitchen and knew in that moment nothing would ever be more beautiful to him than a Haley James genuine smile.
With a few more turns he securely placed a giggling Haley back on the ground and she seemed to cling to him even tighter in that moment. Finally she unwrapped her arms from around his neck and gave him a big smack on the cheek.
"Now that is what I call a Movie Star hug" Haley clapped her hands pleased with Nathan's performance.
"Well, after you made me practice for an hour last week I think I'm getting the hang of it."
"Blah, blah, you loved it. Now are we on for out Sunday night ritual? Haley looked up at him with puppy dog eyes and full on pout.
Nathan laughed at her antics and hugged her one more time. "You know I wouldn't miss it for the world. Plus, just between us, I really want to see if Carly finds out Sonny and Emily are getting it on." he revealed quietly just in case someone could over hear.
"I knew I would get you hooked" she squealed with delight.
"Yeah, yeah now grab the pitcher woman." Nathan ordered while trying to avoid the arm Haley had aimed to slap him.
Dan watched them walk back outside from his spot in the butler's pantry hidden from view. He didn't intend to listen in, but when the opportunity presented itself he decided it would do no harm. He had been noticing the closeness of his son and Miss James for a couple weeks now, hoping that what he was witnessing was only a growing friendship at least on Haley's part. Now he could see the spark between them wasn't as one sided as he had hoped.
He had grown to love Haley in the short time he had known her. She had awoken memories in him he had long ago buried and on some nights wished had never resurfaced. He didn't blame Haley for what was obviously developing between her and Nathan. He knew without a doubt she loved Lucas and that she would fight with everything she had to stop whatever was happening with her fiancé's brother. The thing Dan had long since realized is that you can't fight destiny no matter how hard you try, but that destiny also provides you choices along the way. If you ignore what your heart truly desires and choose to turn your back on your destiny than you will be sentenced to a life of longing and regret. No matter how noble you may feel your choice was you should not confuse nobility with courage because if you really had courage you'd have a lot more than nobility to comfort you in your darkest hours. He prayed that Lucas was Haley's destiny and the solution would be simple, but in the back of his mind he feared Haley could possibly be betrothed to the wrong brother. He was scared for not only for Lucas and Nathan, but also Haley. He knew all to well this could tear her apart.
Dan rubbed his tired eyes and retreated to his office. He pulled back the painting that hung in between his two massive bookshelves and revealed the safe not even his wife knew about. He had placed the safe and respective painting in this location because he could see it at all times from any spot in his massive office. The painting wasn't valuable by any monetary means. Just a beautiful portrait of a coastline where a quaint white beach house with blue shudders sat in the distance. The portrait was of night with only a single light in the second story far right window of the house shining out to all that gazed at the portrait. It was the only thing in the house he forbids Deb to touch. She could replace or get rid of anything else in the house she desired, but she was never to remove this painting.
He punched in the familiar number and finally heard the click allowing him to open the steel door to the safe. He reached in and grabbed the lock box within. He walked back to his desk and retrieved the key taped to the underside of the desk. Finally, he unlocked the box and with shaky hands opened it to reveal its contents.
He picked up a handful of photos and gazed at his two sons. Each picture was of the two of them hamming it up for the camera. Next he grabbed a stack of letters tied with a ribbon he still couldn't bare to read. Finally he got to it, the single photograph of the one thing that would haunt him until the die he died. It was his destiny the one thing he had turned his back so that he could be thought of as the noble man, the man that did what was his circle thought was right. He made a choice 28 years ago and in doing so lost a part of his soul he could never regain. He ran his fingers over the photograph and stared into the bright vibrant laughing eyes that seemed to still gaze into his very soul. She was his destiny, she was the love of his life, and she was Karen Roe.
