Quote of the Day:

Simon: We put a few toaster waffles aside for winter.
Alvin: And we're not sharing!

Chapter 20

It's Only Love

Nathan sat at his desk looking blankly at his computer screen. This is how he spent most of his day –doing nothing, just moping around. The only productive thing that he did do today was show his mother and Lucas his Clothes over Bro's presentation, which they both loved. In fact his mother had people already working on it. It was a good thing really. Brooke's designs were great and Nathan couldn't wait for the world to see them. Brooke Davis was gonna be a household name, he was sure of it.

He looked down at his wedding ring for the millionth time today and he felt his heart skip a beat.

Picking up the phone on his desk he dialed the number that he knew all to well. She didn't pick up and for some reason he knew that she wouldn't. That or maybe she was back in the studio working. It was actually kind of pointless to call the home phone. She probably wasn't even there. After the way he acted last night and this morning he didn't blame her. He waited for her voicemail to pick up before he left a message.

"Hey it's me…I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for acting like a jackass. I just…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overreact. I mean you were just working. I'll see you when I get home…if you're there…if not it's cool." Hanging up the phone, he stood up and gathered his things. He stayed late enough. He couldn't avoid going home forever.

The ride home was quite, well except for the stupid media following him around. It was ridiculous. It wasn't like he was this huge star, Haley was, and he was only married to her.

Finally making it home, he noticed Bobby.

"Have a goodnight," Nathan said going to walk past him and inside the building.

"How was your day?" Bobby asked as he stood in front of Nathan. Nathan looked at him weird for a second. This so wasn't normal for him to do.

"What's going on?" Nathan questioned.

"Nothing," Bobby added quickly.

"You sure?" Nathan asked again.

"Yes sir," Bobby said nodding his head. Nathan noticed that the old man looked nervous. In fact he had never seen him act this way. Something was definitely up and the old man just didn't want to say.

"I'm gonna head in," Nathan said pointing towards the entryway to the building.

"Cool," Bobby said finally moving out of the way. Nathan walked passed him and looked back at him with confusion before shaking his head and walking inside. Even as he stood in the elevator waiting for it to get to the top floor, he couldn't shake the feeling like Bobby was acting too strange. Something was up, the only question was what? The elevator finally stopped and Nathan made his way inside Haley's penthouse.

Once he walked in he went to hit on the lights but he noticed a candle burning out of the corner of his eye. He took the time to look around and he noticed a few white rose pedals spread out on the floor. He stood there in confusion for a few minutes before closing the door and dropping his briefcase. He loosened his tie as he began to follow what he thought was a trail of flowers and candles. He smiled as he noticed that they led to the living room and once he walked inside he noticed Haley standing there waiting for him. He just stood there looking at her before taking the time to look around the room.

The place looked pretty romantic, so why was she standing there looking all happy? He was gonna say something along those lines but decided against it.

"Surprise," Haley said softly smiling.

"What's this?" Nathan asked bringing his attention back to her. He finally took the time to look at her and what she was wearing. She was in a small black miniskirt and this cute little black and white top. She looked sexy as hell and he had to remind himself to focus on her face.

"I made dinner," Haley said with a nervous laugh. "Well not actually made…because let's face it, I'm not a good cook. I actually ordered in. I figured we could have dinner, you know, like you wanted last night. My girls helped me…I know what your thinking, Peyton doesn't like you but that didn't stop her from helping."

"You didn't have to do this," Nathan said shaking his head. "You don't have to do this."

"I want too," Haley said pointing down towards the coffee table with the food.

"Everything is ready if you're hungry." He simply nodded his head as he took off his jacket and tossed it on one of the sofas. He noticed Haley take a seat on the ground and he sat down on the ground right next to her.

"What are we having?" Nathan questioned.

"Lucas said that your favorite food was Prime rib so," Haley said lifting the tray and moving it to the other side of the coffee table. "And also I was really hungry for Marconi and cheese."

"I still can't get over the fact that your favorite food is Marconi and cheese," Nathan said laughing as she poured them both a glass of wine.

"Dude Marconi and cheese is food of the gods," Haley said laughing with him.

"Yeah if the gods are five year olds," Nathan said laughing.

"Just shut up and eat your food," Haley said turning her attention over to her plate. They started eating in silence and Haley would look over every few seconds just to make sure that he was enjoying himself.

"I don't know if you got my message but –"

"I did," Haley said placing her fork down.

"I shouldn't have acted the way that I did, Hales…I'm sorry," Nathan said mumbled. "I can't be mad at you for other guys wanting you."

"Nathan –"

He just ignored her. "I mean you're superstar Haley James. You're sexy, beautiful, and –"

"Nathan stop…you're embarrassing me," Haley said blushing at his words. Sure she had heard people talk about her that way. They did all the time but having him saying these things to her. She didn't know why it felt different.

"It's the truth…of course all those guys want you. Felix, Chris…I mean look at you," Nathan said in a husky voice. "I can't blame them for wanting you…I want you."

Heat was radiating off her cheeks, she was sure of it. The only thing she could do in that moment was pick up her fork and start eating again.

"Yeah they loved it," Nathan said smiling as he told Haley how it went with his mother and Lucas today.

"That's good," Haley said before taking another sip of her wine.

"Yeah real good," Nathan replied nodding his head. He took another bit of the cheesecake that she had fixed him. It wasn't as good as his mother's but it was second best. He loved the fact that his favorite restaurant not only had his favorite Prime rib in all of New York City but also his favorite dessert. "Are you sure you don't want any? It's really good."

"I'm fine," Haley said shaking her head.

"Just one bite," Nathan said holding out his fork to her with a little piece on it. He watched as she finally caved and opened her mouth. He slowly put the fork in her mouth and took it out seconds later when she had taken the cheesecake off. He only smiled as he watched her eat it. "How was it?"

"Good," Haley said smiling before taking another drink of her wine. "So is this how you thought last night would go?" She looked at him nervously.

"I don't know, maybe. I thought that maybe we could talk. You know get to know each other," Nathan said placing his wine glass down and getting comfortable.

"Let's do it," Haley said getting comfortable herself.

"Really," Nathan asked in disbelief.

"Yep, I mean it's what you wanted right?" Haley questioned. Nathan nodded his head. "It's settled then. We're talking. So what is it that you want to know?"

"Okay, what's your favorite movie?" Nathan questioned. He tried his best not to laugh as she looked at him blankly.

"Boondock Saints," Haley said laughing as his face dropped.

"Seriously," Nathan questioned.

"No, it's Jakes," Haley said smiling. "I'm gonna go with Casablanca. Yep…that's my favorite movie of all time."

"I thought you were going to go with the Notebook," Nathan mumbled before taking another sip of his wine. He thought that was every girl's favorite movie. Well everyone except Rachel. Kristen and his mother were the ones that made him watch it. It was such a big deal to them.

"That one's second best," Haley replied. "Your turn."

"Okay let me think about it," Nathan said thinking really hard. He wasn't all that into movies but he had a few that he really liked. "Scarface."

"That's a shocker," Haley said rolling her eyes.

"What?" Nathan laughed out.

"It's like every guys favorite movie. What is it with that?" Haley questioned.

"I don't know. It's –"

"Kind of a big deal, yeah –yeah," Haley said shaking her head.

"It's just a badass movie," Nathan replied.

"So I've heard," Haley said.

"Wait you've never watched it?" Nathan questioned dumbfound. This was just one of those movies that everyone should have seen at least once. It was a must see.

"Never," Haley said shaking her head. Jake had tried to make her watch it once but she had far more important things to worry about. That physics assignment wasn't going to finish itself and she just didn't have time to run off with Jake and watch it.

"Now we have to watch it," Nathan said putting his wine glass back down. "I'll pick it up from my mom's. We can watch it this weekend."

"Oh yeah…well what are you gonna do for me?" Haley questioned.

"Whatever you want me to do," Nathan said as their eyes locked.

"This is gonna take a lot of thinking," Haley said not moving her eyes away from his.

"It's settled then," Nathan repeated her words from earlier. "And you just let me know…what it is that you want from me."

"I will," Haley replied.

"Okay on to my next question," Nathan said resting his head on the edge of the sofa.

"Shoot."

"Favorite holiday of all time?"

"I'm gonna go with Christmas."

"Me too," Nathan said smiling. "Now why is it your favorite?"

She looked at him for a second wondering if she really wanted to say. It was something that she never told anyone about and it was one of her most private memories. She had never even told Brooke or Peyton. It was just one of those moments in her life that was so special and private she didn't want to share it with anyone else. But the way Nathan was looking at her now, she couldn't stop herself from telling him.

"You don't have to tell me," Nathan quickly said when he noticed the obvious conflict that she was having in her head.

"No, it's okay," Haley said softly. "When I was five, Christmas had rolled around and I was just so excited about it. I mean I was a kid and that meant lots of presents…So one day my brother and I had just gotten off the bus from school and we walked home. Once we were inside it was like a completely different place. Our parents had just decorated the whole house with Christmas lights and there was this huge prefect Christmas tree set up. They just created this whole different world and I don't know…it somehow seemed so safe. We all went into the kitchen and made these cute little Christmas tree cookies…and then dad let us each open one of our presents…I know it sounds stupid…"

"Hey," Nathan said bringing his hand under her chin and making her look at him. "It doesn't sound stupid, okay."

Their eyes locked and she could only nod her head. "It was just perfect and it was the last time that I remember feeling like a kid."

Their eyes stayed locked and a million questions popped up in his head. He wanted to know so many things. Like why she told that story like it was the last Christmas that she ever had, or why it looked like she was about to cry. These questions plagued his mind but he knew that if he asked her anyone of those things she would probably run away. So he said the next thing that came to his mind.

"You know…that's the first time you ever mentioned them."

"Who?"

"Your family," Nathan said softly as he watched her come to the realization of what she just told him.

"Oh…I guess it is," Haley said softly.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room as they just sat there. Haley couldn't believe that she had just told him that story. But more importantly she couldn't understand what made her tell him. Now matter how hard she tired she couldn't figure it out.

Nathan searched her face and he knew all his questions would be left unanswered. Those scars that she obviously had beyond the surface, he wasn't even close to figuring out yet. She was hiding something from her past, he was sure of it. But the only question was what? It's not like he could just come out and ask her. She would run away because that's what she does. She was hiding from her past and for the moment the only thing he could do was let her. The closer they got the more comfortable she would be around him. Then maybe she would tell him the truth about her.

He didn't know if she was scared to tell him the truth or if she just didn't want him to know. He wanted more than anything for her to be able to tell him anything but they were a long way from being in that place with each other. She just wasn't ready.

He wasn't sure if this would help her but he knew that he was more than enough comfortable with her to tell her this. It was something that he never talked about with anyone, not even Rachel.

"You know when I was twelve my dad had a heart attack and died. It was really hard to deal with because I was so mad at him…when he was alive all he did was work. He was never there for my mom or Luke and me. I mean I knew he loved us but he was just never there…never…and I was so pissed at him for not being there."

She noticed how his face changed and how tense he seemed talking about his dad. "It must have been hard."

"Yeah it was but it changed me. I grew up and that was the moment that I last remembered feeling like a kid. From that moment on, I was a different person. It was like I wasn't me anymore you know…all I did was work. I've been that guy ever since…well until now. I don't want to be that guy that thinks that his job and money are the most important things to him. I refuse to be that guy. So thanks to him for letting me know exactly what kind of person I want to be."

"I don't think that you'll ever be that guy," Haley said honestly.

Nathan gave her a small smile. "You know there's one thing that I had planned for last night that I thought we could do."

"Sure…what is it?" Haley questioned as he stood up. He held out his hand for her.

"Will you dance with me?"

Instead of answering him with her words she just took his hand. Once she was on her feet he put one of his hands on the small of her back pushing her more into him. One of her hands went over his shoulder as both their other hands held each other and they started rotating in slow circles.

Neither let the fact that there was no music bother them.

Their eyes locked and no matter how much she wanted to look away she couldn't. He had some kind of hold on her.

"You're shaking," Haley said softly.

"My hearts racing too," Nathan said with a smile as he took their locked hands and brought it over to his heart. "That's what happens when I'm around you."

She felt her heart pounding in her chest at his words. He pulled her closer to him and she placed her head on his shoulder. They continued to rotate in slow circles and everything else just faded away. Nathan found it funny that the last time they danced he had confessed that he loved her, now here they were a she was his wife.

She tried to make sense of what she was feeling but her mind was completely blank. Something was changing and she couldn't figure out what it was. It actually terrified her and she felt her grip on his hand tighten. Her eyes closed and she tried to forget about everything else. Somehow that didn't work. There was a part of her that needed control and with him she didn't have any. He didn't have any idea the hold he had on her. As much as she tried to fight it, it was there.

She felt lost –like she wasn't really there. It was like an out of body experience for her. The kind where you're watching yourself and it doesn't really feel like you. Tonight was supposed to make Nathan happy which it looked like she accomplished. It wasn't supposed to confuse her. That part of her that needed to be in control of everything took over.

"Nathan…what's happening?" Her voice came out barely above a whisper and she wasn't even sure if he heard her. But then just like that he pulled her closer. His hand let hers go and it wrapped around her waist joining the other one. Her hand went around his neck but she didn't dare move her head off his shoulder.

She heard him clear his throat. "I think you know."

She felt goose bumps form all over her body at the sound of his voice. She felt the heat in the room rise and she knew if they didn't stop dancing soon she would do something embarrassing. The last time they were this close, she begged him for sex. That wasn't gonna happen again.

She pulled away and made sure that her body was fully away from his.

"I should clean up," Haley said quickly as she bent down and picked up their two plates.

"Yeah, let me help," Nathan said coming out of his haze.

Shaking her head she turned to look at him. "No, I've got it."

"You sure?" Nathan questioned. He didn't want this night to be over.

"Oh yeah…I'm fine," Haley said nodding her head before walking out of the living room.

He stood there smiling as he watched her go. Something was changing, he could feel it. She was different, he didn't know what happened but he liked it. Tonight was perfect and he never imagined that things would go this good. They talked, danced, and most importantly Haley really looked like she enjoyed herself. Tonight was very much a huge step for them.

He knew that he should just go back to his room but something wasn't letting him. A huge part of him wanted something more and as he took off in the direction that she went in, he let that feeling take over. He was back in his Haley-daze and nothing was going to stop him. He needed to feel her, even if it was just for a second. Once he reached the kitchen, he stood there watching her saving dishes. She must have not noticed him because she made no move to turn around.

He watched her and the way she moved. He felt all his blood pull south as his eyes stayed glued to her ass. It was one of his favorite parts of her body and he could just stand there and watch it for hours. She had no idea the effect she had on him and as he watched her bend down to save something, he just snapped. He took off walking fast towards her. He was like a man on a mission. Once he reached her he pulled on her elbow forcing her whole body to turn to him. Before she could say anything his lips crashed on hers and he kissed her forcefully. Within seconds she was kissing him back and he felt her arms wrap around his neck.

He held onto her tighter as he shoved his tongue in her mouth. Then something amazing happened. He watched as she caved and her eyes finally shut tight. It was the first time that she ever kissed him like this. Even on their wedding night she hadn't been this way with him. His eyes snapped shut as his tongue explored her mouth.

Finally he pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. She didn't open her eyes and he had the biggest smile on his face as he watched her trying to catch her breath.

"Tonight was amazing," Nathan whispered. "I'll see you in the morning."

With that he walked out of the room leaving her standing there with a hand over her mouth where his lips just were. She watched him leave and for the second time in her life, Nathan Scott had taken her breath away.

AN: Please review! I bet you guys are wondering when was the first time he took her breath away, huh? Well it's a secret. And like Alvin would say "I'm not sharing,"…well not yet anyway. You'll find out in good time and I promise it will be good.