THAT PARIS WEEKEND CHAPTER 10

It hasn't been thirty seconds since they've entered her hotel room and Donna already has him pinned against the door. Harvey is throbbing with excitement, to say the least, but he's also a little surprised. He'd tell her as much but her mouth won't let him.

Donna doesn't realize this, but what she's doing to him, against this door, is straight out of his "Donna" fantasy playbook. So, the fact that Harvey doesn't want to think about sex right now is a bit of a shocker.

Even though he's had rules around sex, he's always been a "yes man" for a beautiful body. For his past rendez-vous, he'd often mix cocktails with a little sweet talk. This would inevitably lead to just enough flirtatious banter to explore whether he could put his naughty words into action. From there, it was all about timing and making the right moves, which Harvey had down to a T.

He was never selfish. Harvey never intentionally led anyone on. In fact, some women found his directness to be a turn on. Engaging in this mutual exchange had always come easy, as long as the expected results didn't require him giving too much of himself.

Harvey has never considered himself to be a player either. He respects women, always has. His mentor is a woman, for God's sake. But if they'd ask him to show vulnerability, to give more, he just wouldn't, no matter how lovely they were. It was nothing personal.

And it's not like Harvey hasn't tried to have a real relationship. He's made the effort with a few. But in truth, he's never really tried that hard. None of them were her, so what was the point?

Now, it's been exactly one hour since he's laid his mouth on hers. The first time, that night long ago, he was consumed by lust. Her pink lip gloss a shiny toy that just had to be played with.

The second time, when Donna dared press hers to his, it blew him wide open. The taste was candy apple then, tempting him away from everything he thought he wanted. He was furious, and she still thinks his relationship was why. But when she reached for him, that was the furthest thing from his mind. That relationship was over the second her lips awakened his.

Now, he's third-time lucky. It was all him this time, tasting the mouth he's known forever. These are the lips that have sung his praises when he's done right, and comforted him when he's lost faith. They've brightened his days with a million smiles and have staunchly defended him when there's been a threat. On more than one occasion, he's also felt their wrath, spitting angry words his way when he's gone too far or has disappointed.

Harvey figures it's some sort of miracle that she's here in his arms. That this very same mouth has just declared she "really loves him". His heart is so full, it's about to explode. He has no playbook for this, and he feels ashamed for even thinking he needs one. All he knows is that screwing this up is not an option.

What Harvey needs tonight, what he craves with Donna is something he never imagined he was capable of – the closeness and intimacy that only comes with truly being in love. He knows it exists because he's witnessed it with Mike and Rachel.

With Donna, it's within reach. He's ready to lay himself bare for her, confess his secrets and show her that he's deserving of the magic she's brought to his life. And this is why sex is secondary right now.

Donna, meanwhile, has other ideas. Even though she feels a little unsteady on her feet, she's fully pressed against him, and she can feel that he's very happy about it. Maybe it's the wine or the mind-blowing hour of his mouth on hers that has made her this way. Whatever it is, she doesn't care. Harvey loves her, and she is so very ready to show him how much of a first choice he's always been.

That's why her teeth are tugging on his bottom lip and her hand is tugging on his necktie.

"Careful," Harvey mumbles into her mouth. "This is my lucky tie."

She giggles as he draws her back to arm's length to look her over.

"And I take it this is your lucky dress now?" His smirking mouth smeared with lip gloss.

Donna leans back in, and seductively bites her lower lip. "Actually, it's my, 'you're-about-to-get-lucky', dress."

Harvey gently pulls her closer, arms around her waist, pupils dancing between her eyes and mouth. "I'm already lucky." And he means it. Then with eyes closed, he delivers the gentlest kiss to her smile.

Donna's hand is still on his tie. Harvey knows she has other ideas, he can see it on her face, but there is an urgency in her kiss that plays on his mind.

Every molecule in his body is screaming to take her to bed, so, even he can't believe it when he utters these words…

"Maybe we should slow down a little."

Donna instantly leans back, her heart sinks and she feels a nervous twinge in her stomach. "You're not sure." She's stating it as fact.

"What? No. I'm very sure, I haven't been this sure about anything in my life," he promises, dropping his hands to hold hers. "The other day you mentioned feeling fragile. I don't want to rush this. I want to do this right, Donna."

Fear washes over Donna's face, the worries she forced down earlier this evening are once again bubbling to the surface. Maybe they got carried away tonight? Maybe he's still not ready?

"I know what you're thinking," he says. His eyes narrowing as his hands firmly hold hers. "Stop."

"Are you worried about me or are you worried about you?" she asks.

"I'm not worried and I'm not going anywhere," he assures her. "But you're… you're different. This is different."

Donna presses her lips together and then with a long exhale, she lets out the anxiousness that's been building.

Her eyes start to water as she thinks back to the first time they found themselves like this. Back then, he was all, "you're into me" and "we could do it with whipped cream" and "what are we waiting for?" They teased and flirted and played, but by morning he was gone.

Now he's putting her first. And he'll wait.

"I did say that, and I did feel that way… " she admits, squeezing his hands. "But Harvey Specter telling me he loves me changes everything." These words set her heart fluttering.

Donna brings her face to his, giving him a gentle kiss of her own that melts his mouth into hers.

Trying to recover, he slowly opens his eyes and takes a breath.

"Well… Donna Paulsen telling me that she loves me also changes everything." Harvey's body shivers at the sound of his own words. "I also don't want to mess this up."

Donna sees the concern on his face. She gazes at him thoughtfully, and with a tiny smile says, "Ok, Harvey."

"Ok?"

Donna nods as she takes in this honourable man in front of her. Once again, he's trying to show her something and this time, she sees it.

"How about tonight…" she offers, her hands gently clasping his. "You just be Harvey and I'll just be Donna, and we can relax about the rest. Let things happen as they're meant to."

Harvey nods, relieved that she trusts him. He's still trying to process the 180-degree turn his life has taken over the last hour.

"So you'll be Donna? What if I want to be Donna?" he teases, the corners of his mouth releasing a slight smile as he wraps his arms around her waist.

She laughs back. "Ok Donna, what do you want to do tonight… Cards? Netflix? Paint your nails?"

Harvey rolls his eyes. "Take off your shoes."

"My shoes?" He's caught her off guard.

"You can be Donna, but you don't get to keep the shoes," she quips.

That earns her a chuckle from Harvey. She quickly steps out of her Louboutins and sets them next to the Oxfords he's just removed.

Donna has dropped a good four inches in height, and Harvey notices how petite she actually is when he steps towards her. Pulling out his phone, he taps open a slow jazz playlist and extends his hand.

"Dance with me."

Donna's smile spreads across her face as she accepts it and steps into his embrace. Harvey gently draws her in, his hand across her bare back, and they begin to sway.

Although he's holding her in his arms, there's a part of him that still can't believe this is happening. He's never experienced this kind of contentment before, and it's a little overwhelming. This is the beginning of the future he's secretly wished for, but never thought possible.

Donna has to catch her breath. The feeling of being in Harvey's arms is intoxicating, and she's going with her heart on this one. Harvey was telling her the truth, the right man has found her and tonight marks the start of her forever relationship.

"Harvey," Donna says, bringing him back down to earth. "You said that you've thought a lot about the night we spent together. What did you mean?"

"You know what I meant," he says, feeling sheepish.

"A lot? Like how often?" She leans in closer, she's curious.

"Enough times a lot. A few times a week a lot." Harvey knows he's never going to hear the end of this.

Donna stops moving, a mischievous smile on her face. "So… we've had sex hundreds of times in your head?" She's giggling. "No wonder you're always tired. I would have brought you more coffees if I'd known I was responsible."

Harvey rolls his eyes and shakes his head, he loves that he can forget himself in her playfulness. Pulling her back in again, they start to move.

This time his cheek is resting on the side of her head. Donna's hand feels soft, delicate, and it fits perfectly into his. Harvey notices it's the same with their bodies. Even as they're swaying, they just fit, like two halves made perfectly whole when they come together.

After a minute, there's a whisper in his ear. "What am I wearing… when you think about that?" She's teasing him again.

"Donna," he sighs at her line of questioning, a blush rising on his face. "You're pretty much naked. Sometimes you're in my dress shirt. And you're beautiful…like now."

Harvey can feel her sink deeper into his hold. Her warm breath tickling his neck.

"What's the best part…?" She's really putting him on the spot now.

Harvey leans back and looks at her with eyebrows raised. "This is not the conversation I imagined having with you tonight." He doesn't fear it though. If anything, it's freeing.

"If you have to know…" his voice is low as he gives her one of his signature smiles. "We're in my bed and we're close."

"That's the best part?" she asks.

Then his features turn solemn. "The best part is you telling me you love me, and that you'll never leave."

Donna can see the vulnerability in his eyes. He's entrusted her with something so personal that it cuts to the core of who he is. He could have confessed a million other things, but he chose to tell her this. Donna touches his face, the confidence in her gaze assures him that she's not going to break his heart.

Harvey pulls her in close, his cheek to her head once again. They sway quietly for several minutes, taking in the soulful trumpet of Miles Davis.

Then he whispers in her ear. "So, all these years, you've never thought about it?"

"Of course I have." They are long past denials and playing games now. "A lot."

Harvey's eyes light up as they move. He never expected to hear that.

"What was I wearing?" he teases back.

"Let's just say naked Harvey pairs very well with naked Donna."

Oh my God, Donna. Just her words arouse him.

"Do you want to know my favourite part?" she asks.

"Yeah," he says in the softest voice. His eyes now closed again as they slowly rock back and forth.

"Waking up with you holding me."

A lump forms in Harvey's throat. Now that his eyes have been opened in Paris, he understands this about her. She might appear fiercely independent, but her heart has been longing for love.

Harvey thinks back to this morning, when she awoke with his arm around her. He realizes now why his reaction hurt her feelings.

"You know, I wasn't really asleep this morning," he admits, letting her in on another secret. Then he pulls away to see her expression. "I knew my arm was around you, but I wasn't sure how you'd react."

Donna tilts her head, a small smile on her lips. "Yeah, you weren't the only one who was awake."

This woman. Harvey shakes his head in disbelief.

"We really are a couple of idiots, aren't we?" Donna giggles as she rolls her eyes.

It's well after midnight when the pair finally decide to call it a night. Donna is already in the bed when Harvey comes out of the bathroom in his Harvard t-shirt and boxers. He notices she's wearing the same champagne-coloured silk nightgown she had on this morning. Just the thought of waking up to her like this every morning excites him.

"Alright, mister, get in and keep your hands to yourself," she smiles. "Honestly, I'm surprised you were able to respect my rule for so long, because I'm having trouble respecting yours, and it's only been a couple of hours."

Harvey lifts the covers and immediately draws her closer to him.

"I've added a kissing clause," he deadpans. "A perk of the job."

Harvey's fingertips touch her face, his thumbs run across her mouth. Then he leans in for a long, slow sensual kiss that sends an electric current along her spine, into her stomach, and down her legs. Just as she comes up for air, he follows with a second and then a third. Tongue, lips, teeth, Deepening his kiss each time.

She's breathless. "I swear to God, Harvey, I've never been kissed like that in my life. "

"Neither have I," he whispers back. Then Harvey leans back on the pillow and smiles.

"What?" She's facing him, her arm under her head.

"Just thinking back to the day I met you," he says. "You told me it was my 'lucky day because I get to meet Donna.'"

"Did I really say that?" She chuckles. "Wow, I was good."

"You were right," he states. "That was my lucky day."

"Mine too." Her smile mirroring his. Then her eyes go wide. "But, tonight… tonight was something else." Although she's lying down, Donna's legs go weak at the memory of Harvey leaning in to her at the Eiffel Tower.

"It was," he agrees. "Best day of my life."

Harvey pulls Donna towards him, wrapping his arm around her as she rests her head on his chest. There's an easy silence between them now. Thirteen years has given them that. The comfort of knowing one another so well that they can just lie quietly together.

Then, Donna remembers. "We didn't open that bottle of wine from the restaurant."

"Let's save it," Harvey suggests.

"For a special occasion?" She throws it out there to see what he'll say.

"Maybe our six-month anniversary?"

"I thought you weren't one of those people who celebrates silly anniversaries," she challenges with a tilt of her head.

"I'm not," he says. "But with you, it's different. Everything is different."

Donna settles her head again onto Harvey's chest. Before closing her eyes, she looks up.

"Harvey, I love you and I'm not leaving."

Her words take his breath away. She loves him and she's "got him" too.

"Thank you, Donna," he whispers.

Gratitude spills from his eyes and he doesn't need to explain. She just knows.

Thank you for not giving up on me.

…and for making me a better man.

…and for giving us this chance.

…and for loving me back.

Donna gives a small nod. Her eyes glistening too, as she feels her own heart swell.

"Goodnight, Harvey"

"Goodnight, my love."