AN: An update within a week? Shocking, I know.
I never really considered the ending of the last chapter to be seen as a cliffhanger but reading it again, I see why people got that impression. I was suppose to leave the ending of the previous chapter as it is and continue on with the story as intended. I wasn't planning on describing in detail what happened next but for some reason, the 'what-comes-after' scene was just itching to be written so here we are with a chapter that was never planned. I started writing the Troyella scene and the rest just pretty much wrote itself. Meaning, its back to the drawing board since this unplanned chapter screwed up my plans. Oh well. One more chapter to go.
Umm, rating for this story just went up. And as the title suggest, things between Troy and Gabriella get steamy…but not too steamy, I think. Its very suggestive but I think I succeeded in giving enough without actually going into detail. I hope this makes up for all the angst and darker tones in the last few chapters. Troyella fluff abounds... and its my first try at sexual fluff so please, tell me how I do.
Enjoy.
And special thanks to Mckenzie for beta reading this for me. Also, to those who still read this story and leave reviews despite my very sporadic and lengthy updates.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
As Lovers Go
Something in them ignited the moment his lips touched hers.
She stilled. She's been watching and waiting, skittish the moment he stood up but she had not anticipated such a direct attack.
He didn't immediately take her in his arms, but boy did he have an insane urge to do so, instead, he simply kissed her thoroughly, his lips on hers and waited for a signal. And when she parted her lips and let him in, he reached for her, drew her to him. Without hesitation, her hands had risen to rest against his shoulder, fingertips unconsciously playing with the ends of his hair.
His hands on her back, strong fingers splayed over her spine and inching lower and lower, urging her closer.
He broke the kiss, although grudgingly and takes a deep breath.
She too, drew breath. Her lashes fluttered up and for an instant, blue eyes met brown, and the air around them shimmered.
She sucked in a quick, shallow breath; in the same instant, he tightened his arms around her. Before she could say more - what, she didn't know since she hadn't thought that far ahead, he raised his hand, set one fingertip on her nape and traced it slowly. He then lowered his head and nibbled on her neck.
Her breath caught and breathing took an effort. Before she knows it, his lips are on hers again, demanding, devouring, addicting. He angled his head and drew her nearer, if it is even possible. His arm locked around her, lifting her against him and backing her against the fridge for extra support, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. Locked in their kiss, she barely seemed to notice; pushing her hands up, over his shoulders, she slid her fingers into his hair and grabbed tight.
Their kiss deepened and left them both dizzy with longing.
He eased his fingers from the delicate curve of her neck before traveling lower, lightly caressing until it reached her chest. She moaned when he closed his hands about her breast through the thin fabric of her shirt.
When she wriggled impatiently on his thighs, he reached between them, found the hem of her shirt and slid his hand beneath. In reaction, her fingers clenched on his skull.
Slowly, gradually, Troy eased back into the kiss and released her lips. Her questing fingers already unbuttoning his shirt. Fingers clutching onto the fine linen, chest rising and falling dramatically, her lips swollen and parted.
Gabriella opened her eyes and looked straight into his.
Desire. Longing. Hunger. Love.
All the emotions that are surely mirrored in his.
Both their breathing were unsteady and it took a moment or two before they fully regained their wits. After a long moment, Gabriella's gaze fixed on his face and caressed his jaw. She looked back at him and licked her lips, an action that re-ignited Troy's already boiling desire for her, glanced at their disheveled appearance before shaking her head in disbelief.
"You still love me," she murmured in a pitch so low it was barely more than a whisper.
Sensing the lingering and unspoken question laced in her statement, he inwardly frowned. "I never stopped. Not when you left like a thief in the night."
His heart caught at the pain he glimpsed in her eyes. Then, just as quickly as it came, it vanished and she turns her gaze away from him. Troy gently grabs hold of her chin and captured her eyes.
"I tried to forget about you. Believe me, I tried but no matter what I did, my feelings for you just won't go away. You're mine and I'm never letting you go again. And don't you dare forget that."
"I don't deserve you" was her muted response.
"No one's perfect. Not you. Not me. But don't you think that its high time for us to move forward and let go of the past. One day at a time. We can take things slow. Don't you want this family to be whole again?"
Overcome with emotion, Gabriella could only nod in agreement before launching herself back into Troy's arms.
She blinked her eyes wide as his arms closed around her again and his lips found hers. He kissed her gently and despite their aroused state, it was a soothing kiss. One that was meant to reassure and comfort.
The kiss turns heated.
"Bed." He moans into her neck.
He tightened his hold on her as he carried her, leaving the kitchen and heading towards the hallway. A few minor mishaps occurred on their way but with Gabriella's directions, they managed to reach her bedroom without waking the rest of the household. Opening the door with one hand, and holding Gabriella securely with the other, Troy doesn't even pay heed to his surroundings, just zoning in on the bed and disregarding the rest. Using his leg to close the door, he turns his attention on her neck, nibbling, biting that will surely leave marks. They reach the bed and he laid her down gently, freeing her hair, spreading it over the pillows, her ebony locks a stark contrast to the beige bed sheets. Then, taking his shirt off, and helping her out of hers, he covered her.
"We really shouldn't rush into this," Gabriella said, yet her fingers were busy with the buttons on his jeans.
"We should take things slow," Troy reiterated as his hands caressed the curve of her back and lower.
Pure unbridled passion ripped through their veins and as he slid his hands into her hair and kissed her deeply, the last vestige of control leaves them.
"Promise me. Promise me you'll never leave me again."
Her chest had grown so tight that the words came hard. "Never", she assured him, "From now on, you're stuck with me forever, Bolton."
That was precisely what he needed to hear before he finally came to her, the heat of his bare skin against her, shocking them, leaving them wanting for more.
There was no going back.
Hours later, when both their desires are sated and Troy collapsed upon her, his last thought, before sleep finally claims him was: at long last, he finally found where he belonged.
As Ryan Evans crossed the park, the morning sunlight warmed his shoulders through the brand new shirt he is wearing, a birthday gift from his sister. Normally, a weather like this, sunny and warm that is uncharacteristic for the month of March would have lifted his spirits, but it wasn't doing the trick this year. Ever since Troy Bolton stormed his apartment that fateful night two days ago, he'd been feeling slightly depressed. He's never regretted keeping Gabriella's secret. In the times that he has babysat for Tyler when he was a mere baby, there was a lingering doubt that always seemed to resurface. But as time passed by, Ryan began to understand Gabriella's reasoning on why she hasn't told Troy about his son. And in time, he has come to accept her decision. But seeing the rage and pain in Troy's eyes that night made him rethink his choices these past couple of years with regards to Gabriella and Tyler.
Granted, the decision to keep Tyler a secret started innocently enough, as contradictory as it sounds. The threat of another departure from Gabriella prompted him to accept his friend's conditions. He fought tooth and nail with her in the beginning. Trying to make her see reason. Convincing her that Troy needed to know. But all his efforts were in vain. If anyone thought Sharpay, while in pursuit of Troy back in high school was stubborn, they haven't met Gabriella Montez. Unfortunately, as much as Ryan hated lying to Troy and the others, he couldn't see any other way to keep Gabriella in New York. At least this way, he can watch over Gabriella. His decision was sort of picking the lesser of two evils.
He'd hate to lose Troy's friendship, especially after everything they've been through. But he can never regret keeping Gabriella's secret. Now, he's just hoping that Troy can see that and understand. And seeing as the conversation that took place last night when Troy called for Gabriella's address was civil enough, even bordering friendly at times gives Ryan hope that he can still patch things with Troy.
Speaking of Gabriella's apartment, Ryan sees an elderly woman at the far end of the street, across Gabi's home, about to cross. Quickening his pace, he reached over and tried to help the old lady, only to get a swat and an indignant "What the hell are you doing, young man?". After explaining that he was only trying to help, she glared at him and said, "What do I look like, an invalid?" before she walked away.
"Sorry," Ryan muttered, "I was just trying to help."
He was still muttering under his breath about grumpy old ladies when he reached Gabi's front door. His mood promptly got better when he sees the chaos Tyler has made in the kitchen.
Getting the boy's attention, who at the moment is trying to pour milk over the pancake batter and failing miserably, he asks, "Shouldn't you wait for your mommy to help you with that, Ty?"
Tyler, still dressed in his pajamas and wearing Gabi's apron that was three times bigger than him, adorably shrugs his shoulders and slowly gets down from the chair. He gives Ryan a hug before explaining that he was trying to surprise 'them' with breakfast. Thinking that he was just referring to Gabriella and Bubba, Ryan lets the 'them' comment slide and opts to wake Gabi instead to alert her of his son's actions. He makes sure that Tyler is safe in the kitchen before heading to the doorway.
Rounding the corner, Bubba emerges from Tyler's room, barking upon seeing him before sniffing the air and barreling towards the kitchen.
He hears Tyler's giggles and a bowl falling on the floor. Wincing, he can just imagine the mess that has been added to the kitchen.
Ryan nears Gabi's bedroom but half way there, the door opened. Only to reveal the back of man, wearing Gabriella's pink towel. To the side of the mystery man, was Gabriella in nothing but her blanket.
A gasp escaped his lips.
The occupants of the room turns around.
And in the back of his mind, Ryan thinks, "This is shaping up to be a very interesting morning."
Six hours later, Gabriella stood by Troy's side, wrapped in a blanket - not that he was any better, clad only in her pink towel, hair still wet from his shower, as they stood in front of Ryan Evans.
She awoke slowly that morning, her body feeling soft and full. She blushed, recalling the events that transpired last night, each time more passionate and demanding than the first. They couldn't seem to get enough of each other, as if six years of repressed emotions had been released.
Gabriella stretched, wincing at the soreness, then reached for Troy…only to find him gone. Frowning, she sat upright, tossing her hair out of her eyes.
A soft click on her side drew her attention.
She finds him standing in the mast bathroom, water glistening on his well-sculpted chest. A familiar flutter of desire runs through her and she tightens her grip on the blanket. Obviously sensing some movement in the bed, Troy looks up and stares at her, devouring her with the same hunger that had kept them awake most of the night.
Gabriella blushed. "I thought, for a moment there, that last night was just a figment of my imagination."
Leaning on the door frame and raising an eyebrow, Troy smirks. "What a great dream it must have been."
She grinned and slid to the edge of the bed, slightly wincing when she moved her legs.
"Are you sore?"
Gabriella sent him a humorous gaze. "Only a little. But it's a pleasurable sort of pain."
He laughed.
She tried to find her robe and then, remembering that she didn't get the chance to don it on last night, she just tugged on the blanket and left the bed.
And straight into Troy's arms.
"I don't think I properly said good morning yet, Miss Montez?"
Before she could form a response, he kissed her. Hard and passionately. Lifting her of her feet and making the blanket slip of her. But Gabriella didn't notice for she was too busy kissing him back.
In a distance, a door opens and closes. Noise, in the form of barking and Tyler's exuberant giggles, ensues. It took all of his self-control but Troy finally ended the kiss and slid Gabriella back to her feet.
"Good morning," he said huskily.
Breathless, she could only smile and sway gently, as if trying to get her bearings, her eyes still cloudy with desire. Troy laughed, just as the ruckus in the hallway increased. Gabriella glanced a the door and grinned while she wrapped the blanket around her more tightly.
Smiling at Troy, she explains, "Now that would be your son's way of telling me he is hungry."
"Well, what are we waiting for? If he's anything like Dad and I, we need to hurry."
"Wait, I have to get -", Gabriella starts to say but Troy ignores her and goes straight for the door. Following him, she says again, "Troy, we need to get -".
He opens the door and they hear a gasp. Troy and Gabriella turn around and see none other than Ryan Evans standing in the hallway, mouth agape.
"…dressed," Gabriella lamely ends.
For a long moment that seemed like an eternity, an awkward silence envelopes the three of them, only to be interrupted by the racket Tyler and Bubba are making in the kitchen.
Gabriella kept her gaze steady on Ryan's face. He, in turn, studied them for an instant longer before he closed his mouth and smiled. Brightly.
"I guess you don't need me to drop Ty off school today." Slowly moving backwards, he continues, with a smirk on his face, "Just going to let myself out."
"Rya-"
The front door closes.
Sending Troy an exasperated look, Gabriella goes to her closet to get some clothes and hastily puts it on.
A confused expression is seen in Troy's face and seeing this, Gabriella just mutters, "You know he's going to say something to Sharpay."
"So?" came the bewildered reply.
Sighing, "You better hope that Sharpay doesn't come barging in here asking for details."
Mirroring Gabriella's actions, Troy starts putting his clothes on - much to Gabriella's dismay, and says, "Hold up, I still can't see the problem. Did you want to keep us a secret or something?"
Gabriella fervently shakes her head. "Gawd no, Troy. Its just I don't know what to tell Sharpay. Sorry, maybe I'm just overreacting here."
Coming to stand in front of her, Troy takes Gabriella's hand in his and laces their fingers. He rubs his nose with hers - an Eskimo kiss that always put a smile on her face, he lovingly proclaims, "Its going to be okay, Gabi. You here me? Everything's going to be fine." Tugging at her, he leads her to the kitchen before stopping and kissing her, as if to reassure any doubts still lingering in her mind.
"What are you doing, Mama?"
Troy jumped and he and Gabriella sprang apart like guilty teenagers.
"Tyler!" she said, breathlessly, a blush gracing her cheeks. "You startled me."
Their child, holding onto a spatula dripping with what Troy assumed to be pancake batter, squinted his blue eyes. "Were you guys kissing?"
Gabriella straightened her shirt and played with the ends of her hair. "We um -" she laughed nervously and looking at Troy for help who only grinned, she continued, "Heavens, no."
No? Troy sends Gabriella a cocky smirk and wondered how she was going to get herself out of this one.
Tyler, obviously taking after his mother in the intelligence department looked suspiciously at his mother before turning his doubtful eyes towards him. "What were you doing then, Daddy?"
Unlike Gabriella, he was going to take the straightforward approach. "Well, you see, kid, when two -"
"Daddy was just helping me with my hair, baby." Gabriella replies quickly, interrupting Troy's answer.
"Oh." Tyler still seemed unconvinced by his mother's response. "But nothing's wrong with your hair, Mama."
Troy laughs at this. And receives a glare from Gabriella.
"Umm, that's because Daddy already fixed it from Mama. Now, what do you say about finishing those pancakes that you're making huh?"
At the mention of food, Tyler completely forgets his questions and nods his head eagerly. He takes his father's hand, who in turn grabs onto Gabriella, and leads him into the kitchen where flour is everywhere and milk splatters are seen on the kitchen counter. On the floor, Bubba's paws are outlined thanks to the mess their son has made. Beside him, Gabriella sighs in resignation, as if this is commonplace in the Montez household and goes about fixing them breakfast, a feat that seemed impossible to Troy when he sees how much "help" his son is actually contributing. But Gabriella doesn't seem to mind and joining them, Troy can't help but feel that everything is right in the world.
He and Gabriella share a glance, both thinking the same thought, before their attention is directed to their son, who is making more mess despite the fact that the only thing Tyler is doing is holding onto the cook book.
Our family's whole again.
Ryan Evans was still smiling when he walked backed home from Gabriella's apartment. A fact that left many New Yorkers that he encountered on his way back befuddled and somewhat scared at a sight of a lone grinning young man walking, with a slight bounce to his steps. But he barely notices. The sight of Troy and Gabriella, in nothing but blankets and towels which obviously hints at a reconciliation, just warms Ryan's heart. After all the pain and misery he's seen in his friend's faces throughout the last six years, he couldn't be more ecstatic over a happily-ever-after for those two. For a moment there, the very thought that things might not be resolved between Troy and Gabriella left Ryan nervous. Not only because he believed that Troy and Gabriella deserved their happy ending given that they are meant for each other but because of a certain blue eyed boy that would be devastated if things ended badly for the two ex-lovers. But given what he'd seen, there's not going to be a problem on that corner.
Upon entering his apartment, the sounds of an argument reach his ears.
"What the hell is your problem Sharpay? Should I go up to her and say 'Thank you' when she is at wrong here?"
Entering the kitchen, Ryan stops and surveys the scene before him. Sharpay, in all her pink glory, stood head to head with Chad, a nasty frown marring her lips. And from the looks of it, Sharpay is seriously considering hitting Chad where it hurts the most.
"I never said that," she bit out.
Chad clicked his tongue. "My, my, my, you really are pissed. A tad hypocritical wouldn't you say? From what I've heard, you were royally annoyed with her when you first found out."
Sharpay hissed air through her teeth and started poking Chad's chest. He didn't even bat an eye.
"Yes, I was righteously angry at first but after the heard the whole story, I could sort of understand why she did it. And why are we even arguing about this?"
"Because you fucking implied that I should at least take some responsibility in this mess, that's why."
Brows creasing in confusing, Ryan makes his presence known and halts the argument.
"Please tell me that you guys aren't arguing about Troy and Gabriella."
Two pairs of eyes stare dumbfounded at him.
Sharpay speaks first. "Troy and Gabriella?"
"What are you talking about now, Evans?"
Staring right back at them, Ryan explains, "Your argument. I'm only assuming its about Troy and Gabi."
"Wha- why? We were arguing about this stubborn jackass and Taylor here," was Sharpay's angry retort.
"Oh, well carry on then." he said as goes to the cupboard to grab a mug. After pouring some coffee, he heads to his home office, only to peer over his shoulder and announce nonchalantly, "Before I forget, Troy is at Gabi's apartment, wearing nothing but a pink towel."
At that, he exit the kitchen, leaving a smirking Chad and speechless Sharpay in his wake.
"Atta boy, Troy."
"Oooh, I need details. Where's my phone?"
Rolling his eyes at his sister's gossipmonger tendencies, Ryan calmly sips his coffee and eagerly starts to work. In the kitchen, he hears Chad chastising Sharpay for trying to disturb the couple.
"Fine, I'll call later. But don't deny it, you're itching to hear the details of their reunion too."
"Whatever you say, Sharpay. Whatever you say," was Chad's response.
A very interesting morning indeed.
For the rest of the day, Troy and Gabriella spent their every waking moment with each other. Shortly after dropping Tyler off school, they headed to Gabriella's work where Troy, mesmerized, just watched his girlfriend work, much to her chagrin since she couldn't exactly get any work done with Troy's piercing gaze.
He couldn't help it. He couldn't look at her without remembering how fabulous it felt to be back in her arms, to have her lush body pressed against him. And every time she looked at him, her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink, a sign that she too, was thinking of it, which only ignited Troy's desire more. Despite the six years that has elapsed, it feels like nothing has changed between them. And for that, Troy was thankful.
Throughout the day, they caught up with each other's lives, describing in detail what has happened and then planning for their future. They talked about Troy's schooling and his prominent status as an up-and-comer businessman in New Mexico. They discussed how best to tell Troy's parents which lead to more somber conversation about Maria's death. They talked about what happens next, for the two of them, and for Tyler too. Should they move back to New Mexico? Should they stay? What about Troy's job? Gabriella's position as co-owner of Forester's Bookstore? The more they talked, the more worried Gabriella became. She had a separate life from his now, a job and responsibilities. They were living and working in different towns.
"Come on, turn that frown upside down. Everything is going to be fine in the end, Gabi."
"But your work is in Albuquerque…"
"I can get a transfer."
But Gabriella doesn't seem to hear, instead she continues listing out all the possible problems that they might encounter, "And then, there's your parents. And Taylor. There's the bookstore. And if you do move to New York, we'll have to tend to the business of selling your house. The mortgage payments. Insurance. But what if you don't want to sell it? I mean, I can easily give up the apartment here but there's Tyler to think about. His school. His friends. There's your coaching job too in -"
Her rambling dies on her lips when Troy kisses her senseless.
Still giddy from desire, she could only say, "You know, you can't just keep kissing me just to -"
His lips are back to working their magic on Gabriella's body, leaving her breathless and feeling clueless when it comes to her surroundings. Ending the kiss, Troy says, "We'll figure this out, one problem at a time." He brought his face close to hers. "There's no way in hell that I'm spending another day away from you and Tyler. Gerard's been badgering me about moving here to start up the New York division so we have no problems there. I can always keep the house in Albuquerque, sort of a vacation house for when we visit those people back home so that's settled. Now, Miss Montez, anything else?"
Gabriella smiled dreamingly at Troy before starting again.
"Okay, so should we find a new apartment? Or do you want to come live with us? I can move around some stuff in my office so you can have some space. Or do you want to -"
"Shut up, Montez. Just shut up." For the umpteenth time that day, his lips come crashing down on hers and this time, but Gabriella didn't protest anymore. Because at the end of the day, she knew that she could trust Troy with the rest of her life.
Reviews are much appreciated.
