Tess knows that this line of questioning will be brutal. The boys are usually a little too interested in her love life especially since most of them are married with children. Tess' life often serves as a living breathing soap opera especially her adventures with Daphne which has occasionally hit the social section. Several of the boys are big fans of Ms. Daphne.
Harvey, he is a new chapter in the book of Tess' life and now that he has been revealed to the masses. It is only a matter of time before they figure out who he is and what list he happens to appear on. Harvey is a player and Tess acknowledges that Harvey is a player. Tess pushes the door open, walking into the the thunder dome formerly known as the kitchen. "Bring it on you beasties… release the Kracken." Tess thinks to herself as she enters the fray.
Harvey walks back towards the office after his visit with Tess. Harvey has a "date" with Scottie. This time, he needs information and he will do what he needs to do to get the information that he needs. Harvey is going to have to deal with the guilt he is already feeling about doing this to Tess. Harvey likes where things are going with Tess. He is going to have to pull himself together and get back to business. Harvey thoughts are lost on Tess on his walk back.
Tess is different and he doesn't want to screw this up but sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do. This may be a less than honorable approach but has Jessica tells him. "We are lawyers, we are not exactly in the honor business." What Tess doesn't know, can't hurt her, at least that is what Harvey is hoping. He has some major maneuvers to make and unfortunately, he needs Scottie's help to be able to make them. Harvey has to fight a two front war in the Hessington case; Darby on one side and Cameron on the other. A flash of All is Quiet on the Western Front flashes through his mind. He is beginning to realize what combat is like. Well at least combat from a cushy corner office.
A couple of weeks pass of Harvey pulling off a juggling act. He is bouncing between Scottie, Tess, Ava, Cameron, Jessica, Mike and Darby… oh my. He has met Tess for lunches, the occasional dinner and morning coffee. To his relief, the Hessington case is beginning to show signs of conclusion. This lifestyle is beginning to take a toll on him.
Harvey acknowledges that he is spending a bit too much time with Scottie and not enough with Tess. He is beginning to miss Tesla. Scottie seems fairly confident that she has pulled Harvey back into their usually arrangement which is playing into his favor at this moment and Harvey could use a little luck. Harvey has some maneuvers to make with Cameron. Harvey's gut tells him to play the man and that is exactly what he is going to do. He knows that he and Cameron are a lot alike. He could have gone down the same path so easily. Harvey knows Cameron still has a moral code. He still has a line that he won't cross… and offering Stephen up as the alternative will seal the deal.
After Cameron's agreement, Harvey is in the mood to celebrate. He has missed Tess. He wants to make it up to her. He calls her with a plan go for drinks and to see a show. By now Harvey knows Tess' schedule and knows she has nowhere to be for the next 24 hours.
With each and every date, Harvey enjoys his time with Tess more and more. She is his escape from his world and the troubles in it. Harvey decides that he is not quite ready for this date to end. He wants to spend some time alone with Tess. Tess has been so patient with him. She has not asked for anything from him. Tess has not asked for an explanation for his time away from her. She has not pressed him for any information. The situation fascinates Harvey since this is most definitely out of his normal experience. Harvey figures that Tess must be a hell of a poker player. Harvey invites Tess back to his penthouse for a nightcap after their date. Tess has been curious to see Harvey in his own habitat and agrees to the drink. Tess had a certain vision as to what it would look like. She has a devoted a significant about mental real estate to what Harvey's world must be like.
Tess is surprised as she crosses the threshold into Harvey's inner sanctum. She pictured the posh interior of an old world mansion and not the post-modern minimalism that is the home of Harvey Specter. Her opinions of the world that Harvey lives in has been formed through the periscope of Daphne. Tess made some assumptions that Harvey is proving wrong. He is as gracious and charming as ever and it is his charms that Tess is having a harder and harder time resisting. Harvey puts on some music and sashays up to the couch where Tess is sitting. He offers a hand and pulls Tess from the couch for a dance. In one quick motion, Tess goes from the couch to Harvey's arms. The one thing his father taught him about women is if you want them close offer the lady a dance.
Tess loves the way she feels in Harvey's arms. Harvey is every woman's fantasy when he is dancing. Tess is acutely aware that is the player in Harvey manifesting before her and she really doesn't care. The way it feels tells her to play on player, it simply feels too good to resist. As they dance, he pulls her closer and closer into a passionate kiss. Harvey loves the way that Tess kisses. It is not the rip your clothes off passion of the kisses he has shared with Scottie. Tess' kisses are soft and warm. They linger on his lips and they always taste like peppermint. Harvey has learned that Tess is an absolute addict for Burt's Bees lip balm and that has become part of the experience that he loves.
At this moment, they are alone and the kisses linger longer and longer. The kisses continue to the couch where the moment between them begins, to Harvey's delight, to accelerate. In a breathless moment Harvey decides to say what has been on his mind for some time. "Tess, stay. Stay the night." Tess looks at him. Inside she wants to knock boots with Harvey nine ways to Sunday but the slow approach has worked so far. "Harvey, I…" Harvey can hear the hesitation and takes appropriate counter measures. "Believe me Tess, I want to make love to you but that is not why I want you to stay. Stay because I want to spend time with you. Stay because I don't want this night to end…or at least not yet." Harvey's words are spoken with sincerity.
Tess takes in the look on Harvey's face. She would be foolish to resist it. She nods that she will stay… the smile on Harvey's face made the answer worthwhile. She could get quite used to that smile.
