Chapter 26- Last Night?

Lucy's whole body ached. Her head pounded and body throbbed. Lord, what happened last night? It was a Saturday, a workday. She'd gone to the club and had a few drinks?

Lucy cracked open her eyes, gradually allowing light to seep into her consciousness. The sun was bright, too bright. After a few seconds she was able to make out lots and lots of bronzed, bruised, and bitten skin. And it wasn't hers..

"What the fu–" A sharp pain tore through her head. How much had she drank? She stared down at the man she'd obviously slept with. Pictures flashed through her head, an image of her new boss, naked and pounding into her.

Sweet Baby Jesus!

She'd slept with NATSU!!

Natsu Dragneel!

Her Boss AND Partner!

How was she supposed to handle this?! Handle him?!

Now every time she was in his presence she'd think of his penis pumping inside her. She'd never look at him the same!

"Hey, wake up." Her voice groggy.

"Five more minutes." He groaned.

His voice husky with a slight Alvarez accent. Last night that voice had worshipped her. What would say now?

He looked so peaceful, even the devil sleeps, apparently.

Natsu was draped across her couch on his stomach, his head turned to the side, his back lined with scratches. Both of his arms were thrown over his head of messy hair.

His hot scent drenched her, already fused with her skin. Oh this was a going to be trouble.

Lucy jolted to her feet away from him. Her feet trembled and stomach rolled. She dashed to the bathroom and gagged. Brushing her teeth, she studied her reflection.

"Dear God..." She rasped out. Her hair was a mass of blonde tangles, her lips were swollen. She was naked except her boots. There were bruises and bite marks all over her skin. Just like him!

"I'll never drink again.." She mumbled. Apparently when she did, she jumped good looking men and let them do all kinds of kinkery. Seriously, how could she have slept with Natsu?Her sworn enemy.

Her eyes glimpsed, one, two, three, four.. FIVE condoms! Proof that all her wild fantasies from the night before weren't just incredible dreams. With an unsteady hand she grabbed her bathrobe and tied it around herself. She washed her face, but the cold water did nothing to cool her overheated skin.

Never had she experienced as many intense orgasms as she had last night. And Natsu had been the one to give them to her. "You hate him." She reminded herself.

But Natsu had actually been nice last night. She'd actually had fun with him. For the first time in years, Lucy had actually laughed with a man.

What's a women's biggest mistake on a first date? I want to make sure I do it.

Putting out.

If you were nice, I would ..no I can't.

No! I can be nice..

You can't be nice.

Let me prove it.. While we're having sex, I'll be so nice you'll think I'm pumping you full of sugar.

The conversation played through her mind. He'd had a wicked twinkle in his eyes.

Won't this break your rules?

I say forget the rules, they're foolish. I'm the boss and I'm feeling nice!

And you'll leave afterwards?

Without cuddling.

Promise?

Double or nothing.

Okay, let's go to my place.

He should have left, instead he lured her into the warmth of his arms and she let him! She even wrapped her arms around him and drifted into the best sleep of her life.

Had it been five minutes yet? Had he woken up yet? What was he thinking? What if he was spiraling in regret? What if he hated himself for being with her? What about rule three?

The very same"what if" feelings she should be feeling but doesn't..

Lucy strode into the living room and he was already up and pulling on his briefs and jeans. She caught a flash of his ass, then he was zipped.

Acting nonchalant, she leaned against the wall and crossed her arms over her middle. Her cheeks heated when she saw pillows scattered across the floor, her torn pair of bra, panties and dress crumpled on the floor.

Oh God, what should she say?

"We probably shouldn't talk about this." She found herself saying.

He flicked her a quick glance over his shoulder. His eyes a dark onyx and a red circle under his left eye. His expression hard, impenetrable, bitter.

"Is that what you really want, Lucy?"

"Yes." No.

Talking about what they'd done would be too embarrassing. She couldn't handle the judgement or rejection. It would make things too raw, too real.

"So be it."

"What about my job? Am I fired?"

He didn't speak, only silently buttoned up what's left of his shirt.

"You don't want to quit?" He looked almost expectant but also nervous?

"No." She said as neutral as possible.

"You're not fired. I broke the rule too and I'm certainly not firing myself." He sighed.

Her eyes narrowed at the tone of his voice. She heard the unspoken words .. This was punishment enough.

"After this, I'm sure I'll have to see a specialist."

"Don't try to tell me you didn't have a good time." His eyes flared. "I've got the marks to prove it!"

Yes she did, she savored every unrestrained, passionate, delicious moment in his arms. She even begged him for more. Fuck me like you hate me already, Dragneel!

"Obviously, the alcohol was a huge part of our lapse in judgement, right?"

"Right.." Relief poured through her, the only emotion she'd admit to. Because harboring any feelings for him besides hatred would be even more embarrassing..Well, if he liked her then that'd be a different story. Maybe? But they decided not to talk about this.

So be it..

He plopped onto the couch and anchored his elbows on his knees. He dropped his head into his upraised palms.

"Our first time, the first round.. you do remember I didn't wear protection, right?"

Her body blazed, she closed her eyes. How could she be so reckless! She always insisted on a condom, Always!

"Lucy, I .."

"I'm on the pill, but what about the other thing?"

"I'm clean. You?"

"Likewise." He expelled a heavy breath.

She took a moment to breathe as well, No condom?! They seem to have remembered the other five later! but had she really gotten so wrapped up into temptation? Into him..

"Lucy?" He called out, then paused. His face softened yet appeared conflicted.

"Look, we're both on edge right now. No need to make things more complicated." She imputed.

He tugged his shoes on and stood. "I'll–I'd say I'd call you, but I think we both agree that's not ideal. I'll see you at the office." With that he strode to the front door.

"I'll never be the same again." She let her head fall in shame and sorrow? Life at work was definitely going to be awkward, plus the sexual tension was going to be off the charts!

"Where's my car?" Natsu was suddenly back inside her living room.

She jumped at his intrusion. "Pardon?"

"Both of our cars are missing from your driveway."

Lucy was starting to panic until she remembered the cab ride. "I'll call a cab, we can go back to the club and get them."

"I can call the cab." He nodded.

"Okay, I'll get cleaned up." She sped into the bathroom to quickly shower. The water blasted free from the shower head. Her gaze lingered on the marks Natsu gave her. She stayed under, praying the water cleansed her completely from the devils touch she couldn't stop thinking about. He's my enemy, one night of incredible sex can't change that. Shouldn't change that..

Why, why had he been the one to bring out her most primal instincts? Why couldn't it have been someone else? Better yet, why did she give into him? She had a plan! Now, she just wanted him all the more. Now, she wanted to know what it'd be like sober. Now, she was ruined for any man.

But he made it very clear he wants nothing to do with her.

Clean, she dressed in white pants and a pink T-Shirt with a trendy scarf. There wasn't time to dry her hair, so she brushed it down. She finished putting on her sandals when Natsu hollered. "Cabs here!"

She grabbed her purse and keys and headed outside. Natsu stood at the front door, holding it open. She didn't meet his gaze when she stepped onto the porch.

Mrs. Spetto, the old classic neighbor who lived on her right was sitting on her porch rocker. Mrs. Spetto would call Lucy's grandma, and her grandma would call her mom and the family would know all about Natsu by the bbq. Fantastic!

Mrs. Spetto was staring at Lucy as if she'd been waiting for an answer.

"Your car isn't in the drive way, Lucy? I thought you were partying all night." Natsu snickered.

"Hello Mrs. Spetto," Lucy replied, she wanted to kick Natsu back inside. "I left my car .. at a friends house, I'm not a party girl."

Unfortunately, Natsu didn't have any patience and needed to make his presence known..

"Hello Mrs. Spetto, it's nice to meet you!"

The old woman's lips curled into a sly smile. "Who's your friend, Lucy?"

"Nobody, goodbye Mrs. Spetto!" She grabbed Natsu and raced to the cab.

Natsu didn't hold open the door for her this time, nooo, he waved goodbye to Mrs. Spetto and flashed her a cheeky smile. Then, he slid into the back seat! Lucy climbed in beside him and slammed the door.

"You could have ignored her." She muttered.

After telling the cabbie where to go, he answered.

"That would've been rude of me and as you've pointed out.. numerous times, you don't like it when I'm rude." He smirked.

"That's never stopped you before." She snapped back.

"One more insult from you and I'll show your neighbor what you did to my back, party girl."

The cabdriver guffawed. Lucy shot him then Natsu a glare.

"Bastard" She growled.

He rolled his eyes and muttered some curses she didn't quite catch.

"What is this really about Natsu?" His expression was playful, but she'd suspected his ego was wounded?

"It's about respect." He stated.

"Respect?"

"Precisely."

"Please, Enlighten me about respect, Dragneel." She demanded.

"..I..I'm your boss."

"You didn't act like it last night." She retorted.

"I thought we weren't going to talk about this. I thought we were going to pretend it didn't happen." His jaw clenched.

"Right, consider it forgotten. Just like that." She snapped her fingers.

Dammit Lucy! Why does she have to be a petty bitch sometimes. He's your boss and despite everything that's happened, he does deserve respect. Not once has he judged her.

"I'm sorry.. you're right. I owe you an apology and mutual respect." She sighed. "Just because I made a mistake last night–"

"We."

"We, what?"

"We made a mistake last night."

"Still, that doesn't justify my disrespecting you." She paused. "After all you're as uncomfortable as I am about this. Aren't you?"

A part of her hoped he'd deny it and tell her he didn't regret it. A part of her hoped he was still eager for more. But she wouldn't voice it.

He didn't speak for a while, finally he said. "Right, thank you for the apology."

Something inside her chest plummeted..

"Sure."

He had her in knots! One moment she hated him, the next she wanted him, and now she was possibly feeling more?

God help her..

End of Chapter 26