Author's note: I have to send a note of recognition to "angelonyourshoulder" who pointed out something fairly significant in the last chapter that I had maybe not given enough credence to, even in my own mind. Anyhow, it caused me to rewrite this chapter a little to reflect what she perceived in Gabriella's comment to Troy after she broke off the kiss. So, I have tried to give a little more window into both their minds so you guys aren't thinking that they are both just sex crazed for each other but that there is a hint of something more significant happening to them.
Chapter 10
Gabriella arrived at The Oasis the next morning after her early hot yoga session. After last night's encounter with Troy, she could not keep from mentally beating herself up for losing grip on her actions. How could she let herself kiss him like that?
What almost bothered her more was that his kiss had stirred something deep in her. How could that be? She had never felt anything significant with any man she had been with. It was always about the sex and nothing else; fuck 'em and forget 'em were her words to live by. That was how she maintained control. Ironic for a girl with a passion for romantic literature. Perhaps her standards were set so high that it was better to keep her personal encounters on a more primal level. So many men had kissed her body and while their kisses had managed to ignite her sexual fire, there was never any deeper connection that was made. At this point she couldn't explain it and it was definitely a problem for her. She had hinted at it with the words she spoke to Troy after they kissed. There was no way she could allow herself to be a one night stand to him. She refused to be on the same level as his other liaisons. And when she really let herself think about it, it wasn't just for professional reasons alone. It was about more than just respect. But what was the reason? What else was she afraid of if she gave in to her desire?
The feel of Troy's lips on hers was both tender and velvety soft but sensually lustful at the same time. She had felt his desire as their lips met. He had touched her so gently on her shoulder and down her arm and up her thigh and she had shivered under this fingers. It was almost as though he revered her and dare not touch her other than with the most careful and delicate skill. Such a contrast to the harshness of what she had witnessed minutes before in the bathroom. Was there a sweet, sensitive guy lurking beneath that roguish exterior that he presented to the world? "Don't let yourself get sucked in, Gabriella," she tried to convince herself. "You will not be manipulated by him. He is only about getting what he wants."
All rational arguments aside, throughout her yoga session, her thoughts had been plagued with lustful thoughts Troy. Her body felt strong and limber and with every pose and she imagined it as a sex position. The heat in the studio was only intensified as she thought of what he would be like in bed. Just from the few inches of skin she had seen, particularly the rather large flash of flesh that was revealed the previous night, it didn't take much for Gabriella to deduce that Troy was in excellent shape physically and this was making her crazy. Clearly, yoga was not having the desired effect of easing her tension. Maybe she needed to take up kick boxing. She had heard that did wonders for getting rid of stress.
Regardless, she came into The Oasis, still feeling hot and bothered from everything that had happened in the last 48 hours, including her own wandering fantasies during yoga. She planned on taking a shower in the staff changing area at the bar and get back to looking over more files like her father had requested. The shower was a nice luxury that the previous owners had afforded their employees but it was rarely used. She let herself in the back door, punched in the security code, quickly checked the kitchen to see if the cook was there and found no one.
She entered the shower area and turned on the water to let it heat up. She sat down on the cedar bench, untied her running shoes and slipped them off. Next off came her yoga pants and hoodie. She stretched up high as the cool air nipped at her skin, which was still slightly sticky. She still had on the skimpiest shorts and sports bra. Minimal clothing was a must for hot yoga and Gabriella had the perfect body to model it.
Had Gabriella been able to hear the front door of the bar open and close, she might have thought to click the lock on the door leading into the shower room. The sound of the water hitting the tile floor and the glass wall of the shower drowned out the noise that would have alerted her otherwise. She imagined that she would be alone in the bar for at least another 2 hours before the cook would be in to start preparations for the evening so it didn't occur to her that anyone else would come in so early. She was so incorrect in that assumption.
Troy had come to the bar early, earlier than normal. He had had a rather restless sleep after going home from the bar last night. It had taken Troy awhile to move from his chair in the office after Gabriella had left. Her presence stayed with him long after her physical body had disappeared and Troy tried to sort out why.
First, she had remained on his lips. As soon as her full luscious ones had touched his, he was undone like he had never been before. He almost had drawn back at the surge he felt when their lips met but instead allowed his senses to be captivated by the softness and taste. What was that flavor? Any trace of lip gloss had long disappeared from Gabriella's lips by that time of night and yet her lips had the sweetest, faintly rose petal-ish taste.
Next the feeling of her skin on his fingertips had lingered. As he had allowed his fingers to wander down her arms and up her legs, he could not believe the way touching her almost took the life out of him. His knees had started to buckle slightly and he desperately wanted to toss her back on the desk so he could collapse on her and remove the weight from his legs. He resisted that temptation because he knew if he had any hope of being with her, he could not push her too hard or too fast.
This was the final and most haunting way she had stayed with him: in his thoughts. What was this need to be with her, this one woman, so badly? He had his pick of countless women. Was it just that she offered up a challenge? Troy felt that it went well beyond that and this was uncharted territory for him. She was so far above any woman he had ever encountered. She was exquisite in beauty and the strength of her personality had gripped him right from the start. Yes, he wanted to sleep with her but he also wanted to know her. Troy had to admit to himself that he was somewhat spellbound. What was it she had said about not wanting to be a trinket if they had sex? Those words were also playing tag with his mind. Was she subconsciously admitting something about her feelings for him? Or was he making too much out of what she said?
Whatever had brought him to The Oasis so soon before his shift, providence was surely in his favor today. His senses were pricked by, first of all, not needing to disarm the security system and second of all, a curious sound coming from the back of the bar. He stealthily crept his way back, not wanting to alert the intruder. His heart was pounding in his chest and he felt the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck prick with anxiety. As he got closer, he recognized the sound as the water running in the shower room. Still unsure of what to make of it, he remained quiet and snuck forward. He inched his way closer until he could make out the shape of a person who was inside through the slightly ajar door. He sucked in his breath at the sight before him and although this was no dangerous intruder, his heart rate wasn't about to slow down anytime soon.
There stood Gabriella, her back to him, in the last remnants of her yoga wear. Her tiny black shorts revealed the slightest curve of her butt cheeks peeking out from underneath. He watched as she slipped her bra off and let it fall to the floor on top of the heap of clothes already formed. She was standing slightly sideways so he was able to just make out the side curvature of one breast. Her nipples hardened at the feeling of cooler air on them and to his amazement, Gabriella reached up and ran her hands over her perfectly pert mounds, letting out the quietest purr of a moan. He knew this was so wrong to be watching but he couldn't tear his eyes off of her.
Her lovely long fingers curled under the waistband of her shorts and loosened them over her hips and peeled them down her slender legs. She bent down slightly as she kicked them off. Troy's tongue was forced into the back of his teeth as he tried to steady his breathing. He was doing his best not to make a move that would cause her to look back and stop everything in its tracks. He didn't want to do anything to jeopardize this incredible fortuitous moment. Was he being a pervert? Maybe; but he wasn't thinking with the gentlemanly side of his brain right now.
Troy's eyes drank in the luscious figure that was before him. Her skin was golden and perfect. Her back curved gracefully into her round behind which was firm but filled out enough to give her that soft feminine figure. Her breasts were incredible; he never really took himself as a guy that would appreciate smaller breasts but Troy could see that they were all her own and he was incredibly turned on by them. The straining against his trousers was most uncomfortable but he didn't move an inch. He was completely transfixed in his spot.
Gabriella reached into the shower to check the temperature and found that it was just right. She grabbed her shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel and stepped into the steamy stall. She stood with her face to the spray and let the water pour over her, shaking her head and letting her hair become saturated. The water running down her body was titillating her nerve endings as her mind was still wrapped around Troy and she imagined his fully nude body, showering with her. Her tongue languidly ran over her lips.
She took her shower gel and squeezed some out into her palm. She began lathering her body and was becoming more and more aroused as her hands ran over her breasts, stomach and down her legs. She closed her eyes let out another gentle moan as she increased the pressure of her touch on her own skin. Her sexual fantasies had gotten the better of her and she needed to release some tension. Her hand found its way to her folds and she began to caress herself as her other hand massaged her breasts, giving careful attention to each taut nipple. She continued like this for a short while. "Mmmm, like that; Ohhh god," she breathed out. Her mind was completely entranced with the thought of Troy's body pressed up against hers and his fingers working utter magic on her erotic zones.
Troy could not believe what he was witnessing but he knew he was well beyond the point of turning away. It was taking everything in him not to reach down and take hold of his own manhood, to match the pleasure that Gabriella was giving herself. He watched as she carried on her motions of self pleasuring.
Gabriella was fully enveloped in her fantasy by this time, completely unaware of her surroundings. She increased the pressure of her fingers on her clit and her breathing was rapid and wanton. She had now braced one arm on the glass shower wall and her head was back. She envisioned Troy's muscular frame and his erect cock fully ready for her. She took hold of it and guided him into her. "Give it to me. Oh…god. Fuck me. Fuck me hard," she quietly chanted out between husky breaths. It was only her own good fortune that she did not call out his name.
Troy was pretty sure he was going to spurt his load any minute at this unfolding scene. Small beads of sweat had collected on his brow and upper lip. His heart was thumping wildly and he ran his stealth tongue over his lips in anticipation of Gabriella's climax. With all the feelings that had been toying with his brain for the last dozen or so hours since they had kissed, seeing this incredible woman freely explore her sexuality, Troy was overcome with painful desire. God, he wanted her so badly but he would be putty in her hands rather than the other way around.
Gabriella was at her peak already and she slowed her movements to draw out her orgasm as long as possible. A low guttural moan escaped her throat and lips in between strained breaths as she released. The amazing tingling sensation radiated down her legs and up from her warms folds through her torso. "Ooooh godddd," she panted, her knees feeling slightly weak.
A smile curved onto Troy's lips as he watched Gabriella enjoy the remaining moments of her pleasure. This was definitely the hottest thing he had ever seen and he didn't think this vision was going to be escaping his thoughts any time soon.
Gabriella started regaining her composure as her breathing returned to a steadier pace. She returned to the business of showering. She finished washing her hair and conditioning it. Troy knew he was going to have to leave and enter the bar again because he didn't want Gabriella to have any idea that he had voyeured her private ecstasy. While the noise of the pounding water spray could still mask his steps, he tiptoed away and exited the out the front door of the bar, locking the door behind him. He pulled out his shirt from his pants and let it hang down in front of his crotch, disguising his still straining erection.
He walked down the sidewalk and spotted a café that sold grilled sandwiches. He decided to pick up some lunch for himself and Gabriella and bring it back to the bar. This would help kill some time for him because he didn't exactly want to come back and find she was still drying off or just barely dressed. As much as he thoroughly enjoyed the situation that he was so lucky to stumble upon, he felt guilty enough that he didn't want to embarrass Gabriella. He knew she would be feeling more vulnerable after what had happened the night before.
Gabriella stepped out of the shower and wrapped the fluffy terry towel around her. She actually felt invigorated and refreshed, not just in her body but her mind as well. Maybe that's all she needed was a good old fashioned fantasy session like that to wipe all lusty thoughts about Troy Bolton from her mind. She unzipped her bag and took out her fresh clothes: a comfy pair of low slung jeans, white tank and sandals. She would go home later to change for the evening. Tonight was going to be special because her father was coming to visit the bar and bringing a couple of associates with him.
Once she was changed, she went back into the private office and grabbed the files she was looking at the night before. She decided to take them out front; bad karma in here. She settled in at the bar counter because there was room to spread out all the papers. She rested her chin in her palms and sighed a bit in frustration. All these spreadsheets and tables might as well be in a foreign language. Numbers and graphs were never her thing. She blew out a long breath of air. The sound of keys rattling diverted her attention behind her.
She turned and looked to see Troy coming in with two white plastic bags. She immediately felt her heart leap up and nervous anxiety started to overtake her. How was she going to act after last night? Should she just act bitchy and cold or confront him about it plainly and without emotion? She opted for the latter. "Hey Troy, what brings you in so early?" she asked, lightly clearing her throat.
Troy felt his mouth go dry as he took in Gabriella's beauty. She looked incredibly hot dressed down in her jeans and tank top. Her damp hair hung over her shoulders.
"Well, seeing as you left in a hurry last night and I left shortly after, there were a few things I didn't finish that I normally do before I close up," Troy responded, trying to not to look guilty.
Quite honestly, he was having a hard time looking her in the eye. Now that Gabriella was sitting in front of him as his boss again, he was slightly angry at himself for allowing his rabid lust for her body not prevent him from watching her earlier. He had somehow been able to detach the fact that she was who she was at that moment and just let his senses reel with all that he was seeing. Now she was a real person again; a real person who was desperately trying to have him view her in a professional way.
"Um, about my quick exit last night Troy. We should talk about that," Gabriella began, her voice straight and strong.
"You know, Gabriella. It's okay. Really. We can just forget about it like you said," Troy said, lying. He looked up and caught her gaze briefly. No, he wouldn't be able to forget it.
"Troy, we're adults. We can be honest and that's what I want to do," she said, softening a bit. If she had any idea why Troy was avoiding her gaze, this conversation would be happening with much more complicated emotions. "Look, you're an extremely attractive man. If I didn't admit that, I'd have to have my eyes examined," she started explaining, blushing a little as she spoke.
Troy put his hand up in the air as if he didn't want her to say anymore but she continued.
"It's alright, Troy. I don't mind saying so." She went on, "Anyhow, after I found you in the bathroom with, uh, what's her name, I was pretty upset. I did not expect to see that and then when you came in the office, the intensity of the emotions I was feeling turned on me a bit unexpectedly." Gabriella was trying her best to be as matter of fact as possible and was doing a pretty good job of it.
"I mean, you are pretty shameless in your flirting, Troy," Gabriella added, a bit scoldingly. "Anyhow, I'll take responsibility for my actions since I kissed you first. I acted badly and very unprofessionally and I apologize."
Troy inwardly smirked at how hard she was trying to build this professional bridge between them. What was he supposed to say to her? Oh, don't apologize for the kiss, Gabriella. I've just seen your incredibly desirable body totally naked and watched you getting yourself off in the shower. I had the hugest, most uncomfortable hard on of my entire life thanks to you. So, I wouldn't worry about that kiss if I were you.
Troy looked at her and smiled innocently. "Apology accepted, boss." Looking to change the subject quickly, he held up the plastic bags. "I brought lunch for two," he said, sending a quick wink her way.
"How did you know I was here?" she queried, shifting a little on her seat.
Troy had already worked out his masterful response. "I came a bit earlier but noticed your car out back so before I came in, I decided to grab us some food."
"Well, your timing was perfect because I am absolutely famished. Let's see what you got master bartender," Gabriella said, wildly gesturing for him to bring the bags over. She was relieved the conversation had gone fairly smoothly but a bit surprised that Troy hadn't come back with some smart assed remark. He had let her off the hook too easily. She had no idea the battle he was fighting in his body and mind at the moment.
Troy strode over and plopped down the bags on the counter. "Oh, I see you were trying to still get in touch with your inner accountant again looking over all these numbers," he playfully teased.
Gabriella laughed, "Its all gibberish to me Troy. I do really want to understand it but I think you're going to have to walk me through it a bit."
"Well, what would be a lot easier is if you came to my apartment sometime and I could show you the computer programs I use to do all this stuff," Troy blurted out matter of factly, momentarily forgetting that she could read into this idea as a suggestive proposition.
Gabriella raised one eyebrow at him and smirked, "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that one, Troy. I'm sure you try that line with all the girls: Come over to my place and I'll show you my spreadsheets."
They both stifled their laughter with that comment. "No, I don't think that would be the biggest turn on for the women I take home," Troy chuckled and then started feeling a little warm again, "How about that food?"
"Sounds good, Troy. It smells delicious actually. Did I mention I was famished?" joked Gabriella.
"Yeah, you did. What has got your appetite so jazzed up anyhow?" asked Troy, truly interested.
"Oh, I was at a hot yoga class this morning and it really burns a lot of calories," said Gabriella, rummaging through the bag and pulling out the Styrofoam container. "Oooh, paninis. What kind?"
Troy spaced out for a moment. Hot yoga? Oh god, don't think of Gabriella in those sexy skimpy shorts and contorting her body in those wild poses.
"Hmm, what was that?" Troy responded.
"What kind of sandwiches did you get?" Gabriella asked, impatiently. "Hello, earth to Troy."
"Oh," he responded, clearing his throat lightly, "I wasn't sure if you were a meat eater, so I stuck with grilled vegetables."
"Hmmm sounds good. I would have eaten anything at this point. Shall we?" Gabriella looked at him eagerly.
Her whole demeanor toward him was different and Troy didn't know how to react to it. She had turned off the snotty rich bitch act entirely. It was much easier when she was acting that other way because he could act like his usual asshole self and she could fire it back at him pretty well. However, he decided to enjoy this more relaxed side of her because he wasn't sure how long it was going to last.
For her part, Gabriella was trying to keep everything light and easy. She knew if she poured on the tough boss act, Troy would not be able to resist flinging out his sexually charged remarks and those usually got them places that she did not want to be. Plus, he had been very sweet bringing them lunch so she decided to go with his suggestion to "let her hair down" for the time being.
Troy went behind the bar and grabbed a couple of wine glasses and took out a bottle of Riesling, perfect for midday. He gestured the bottle to her and she nodded, her mouth stuffed full of sandwich. He poured two glasses and slid one closer to her and she smiled a thank-you to him.
"So, yoga. How did you get into that?" Troy asked, trying to keep his thoughts pure.
"One of my poetry Profs was into it and she suggested I try it to relieve stress," Gabriella explained, still chewing. "How about you, Troy. What do you do to relieve stress?"
Troy coughed out a roasted red pepper into a napkin at Gabriella's question. His mind had immediately flipped to the inappropriate. Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Ok, besides that!" she exclaimed.
Troy smiled devilishly knowing that she had picked up on his reaction correctly. "Actually, I go for about a 5 mile run along the beach; every day if possible," he responded, taking a big sip of wine from his glass.
"Yeah, I kind of took you for a runner. You've got that lean, lanky physique," she spoke and immediately regretted her choice of words. He was bound to pick up on the fact that she had noticed his body.
Troy went easy on her. He didn't want to turn her back into snappy Gabriella yet. He flipped his bangs from his eyes and flashed a flirtatious grin, letting her know he realized her compliment on his body.
He took a huge bite of his sandwich and let her carry on the conversation. "I've tried running over the years but it has never clicked for me," she went on, trying her best to keep things moving along. She took a big gulp from her wine glass to wash down the bits of bread in her mouth. "So far, yoga has been the winner for me, but I'm actually thinking I might try kick boxing for something new..." She was kind of kidding around with this; just a left over idea from the morning.
This got Troy's motor running. The thought of Gabriella's body arched all over the place doing yoga was very hot but the contrasting thought of her sweaty body kicking the shit out of a training bag was totally scintillating. "Well, I've seen your fiery side Gabriella and I don't think I'd want to be your sparring partner," Troy said, giving her a knowing look.
"I wouldn't take you as someone who would say no to going head to head with a woman, Troy," replied Gabriella. "Oh no. There I go again, setting the trap for him," she thought.
Troy couldn't hold back on that one. "Well usually that's not the type of head to head contact I prefer, Gabriella, but if you're throwing out the gloves, I'll gladly hop in the ring with you."
"Damn," she thought, "he bit."
Gabriella rolled her eyes at him to show her annoyance at his boyish mischief. "I'll let you know if I decide to take it up, Troy," she lightly snorted. She started gathering up the papers that were strewn over the bar. "Thank-you for the lunch, it was delicious." She stood up from the stool.
"You're welcome, boss. You did polish that sandwich off pretty handily. I'm glad I could assist your ravenous appetite," Troy teased. "Wish you could help mine about now," he thought as his eyes wandered over her entire figure.
She glanced down at her watch and realized it was a little later than she thought. "I need to get home and get changed for tonight."
"It's still a couple of hours before we open," Troy responded. He was seriously enjoying this time with Gabriella and feared these kinds of moments were going to be rare.
"Well, it's a big night tonight. My father is coming in with one of his associates and his son so I really want to make a good impression," Gabriella said with a hint of nervousness.
"Gabriella, this bar runs like a clock every night. There's nothing to worry about," Troy said reassuringly.
"My father is not easy to please, Troy; but you are right for the most part," Gabriella stated with more confidence. "And, you better behave yourself tonight. Try and keep your pants on until you leave the bar, hmmm?" she smirked, sending him a wink.