A/N: This is the longest chapter yet and I feel I should give fair warning that there is definitely some MATURE content. I hope you all feel the intensity I was trying to deliver. Steph and Heather, I lean on you two every single day and you always find the time and care to be just what I need. Nat, I value your opinion so much, and I always appreciate the open and honest talks we share. Sarah, thanks for finding time in your busy schedule for me.
A special thanks, as well, to my dear friend Kinga for giving me the exact advice I needed at the exact time I needed it! Love you so much.
Chapter 17 - Jealousy
Harvey sighs when he hears Donna's recorded voice on the other end of the line instead of her live one. Figuring she must be mingling backstage, he leaves her a message about meeting up when she's done. He decides to accept the offer for a celebratory drink with his dad and brother, who drove down for the game, and invites Mike and Rachel to join them.
When they climb into the Lexus and Harvey suggests Belemans, which is quickly becoming tradition, Gordon immediately agrees, hoping to see his old friend Earl. Harvey texts Mike to let him know where to meet and then he texts Donna.
H: Headed to Belemans with my dad and Marcus. Mike and Rachel are meeting us there.
I'll send Ray to pick you up.
Before they've even climbed into the booth, Gordon orders a round of Macallan and within minutes the group is toasting to Harvey's triumphant return.
As the first sip of Scotch warms his throat, Harvey's eyes drift to the doorway. As grateful as he is to be surrounded by four people he loves, the absence of Donna dilutes the experience. The amber liquid, not mixing well with the taste in his mouth, has him picking up his water instead. Silently cursing himself for continually checking his phone, he decides a distraction is in order.
"Dad, should we go see Earl?"
As the three men catch up between songs, Harvey feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. The anticipatory smile on his face quickly fades as he reads the message on his screen.
R: She's not here, Boss. Want me to come back to the bar?
Harvey reads the message twice as his brows pull together. Not there? The hair on the back of his neck stands on end as his mind starts racing for answers.
"Everything okay, Harv?" Gordon reads the concern on his son's face.
"What?" Harvey looks up. "Yeah. Uh… yeah." He looks back to his phone and answers Ray.
H: That's okay, Ray. You can head home.
What had started out as mild disappointment slowly morphs into something bordering between concern and irritation. This is not like her at all. She had left him that message and she sounded so excited to talk to him and then, poof, nothing? It just doesn't make any sense.
"Excuse me." He nods toward Earl and Gordon. "I need to make a call."
Harvey heads out to the back entrance and tries Donna again.
…
When Donna and Thomas walk into the small cafe it's nearly empty. They sit across from each other at a small round table and a young waitress comes right over with a pot of coffee.
Donna sees the way her eyes widen at the sight of Thomas, but everyone plays it off well.
"So, Donna." He smiles as the waitress disappears behind the counter. "I know that your time is valuable, and you have two more shows tomorrow, so I will make this brief."
Donna sips on her coffee, it's not the same without her usual splash of vanilla, and she's fairly certain caffeine is the last thing her nerves need at the moment, yet it feels like it's the logical thing to do.
"The four show weekends can definitely be challenging." Her smile is sheepish. She still hasn't been able to get a grip on what is happening here.
"I read the review Ben Brantley wrote about you. He and I go way back and I value his opinion greatly." Thomas sets his coffee down and intertwines his fingers on the table. "And after seeing you tonight, everything he told me about you over the phone was confirmed."
Donna smiles nervously and takes another drink of the unwanted coffee. God forbid she try to find words to respond to that.
"You have something really special, Donna."
He tilts his head just slightly, as if he's asking her something more than telling. He purses his lips thoughtfully before continuing, and Donna thinks absently that she might pass out.
"I've started producing my own work and I have a few projects coming up that I'd like you to consider. Nothing is set in stone at this point, but I know you're closing night is coming up and I wanted to reach out to you before you accept any other job offers."
He smiles then and raises his eyebrows, signaling politely that it's her turn to say something.
Before she finds the ability to speak, her purse begins to vibrate on her lap. Normally, she would ignore her phone in the middle of a conversation, but since she's speechless at the moment, she welcomes the interruption.
It's not until she sees Harvey's name on the screen that she remembers about the game. About his big night.
"I'm so sorry, Thomas. I need to take this."
She pushes her chair back and accepts the call just as she steps outside.
"Harvey! Oh my God, great game!"
"Donna, where are you?"
There is a hint of something in his voice that straightens her spine. Is he… mad?
"I'm just having a quick coffee, you'll never believe who—"
"A coffee? Now? Didn't you get my voicemail? Or my text?"
Donna looks at her phone and indeed sees she had missed both. Quickly skimming his message she responds apologetically.
"I didn't. I'm sorry, Harvey, my phone was still on silent." She bites her bottom lip and looks through the glass window at the man waiting inside. "This is a work thing, and I'm almost done. Meet up with you guys in a few?"
"Shit, Donna," Harvey exhales into the phone. "I was really getting worried."
He doesn't sound mad anymore, but he doesn't sound happy either. It makes her already woozy stomach turn.
"Should I send, Ray?" he adds after neither speaks for a moment.
"No, no. I'm not far. I'll catch a cab." She feels bad that his big moment had slipped her mind. "And Harvey, I was following the game on the app you downloaded for me. Five pitches! You were amazing."
She hears him chuckle softly on the other end of the line and it soothes her just a bit. "Thanks, Donna. Hurry up, okay?"
"Okay. I will."
She sighs after disconnecting the call. She had hurt his feelings, but she would make it up to him. Plus, he'd understand once he knew the whole story.
…
Harvey feels a shift in the air around him and he knows Donna is there without needing to turn around. And if he hadn't sensed her presence, the grin on Gordon's face would have given it away.
"Well, there's my favorite redhead." Gordon scoots off the edge of the booth to give her a hug. Harvey follows his father's lead and stands up behind him.
"Sorry I'm late." She smiles and kisses Gordon on the cheek.
When his father steps aside, Harvey moves in for a hug of his own. He can't quite shake the feeling in the pit of his stomach but he tries his best to ignore it. He knows Donna is his biggest supporter and he's a grown ass man. Just because she had some work stuff to take care of, was no reason to get his panties in a wad.
"Harvey!" Donna lays her hands on his cheeks and plants a loud smacking kiss right on his lips. "What a comeback performance!"
He can't help but smile. Her sparkling eyes, her beautiful face, he was such an idiot to let this get under his skin.
"I wish you had been there," he says softly, but there is no sign of guilt or malice in his tone, only longing.
"So do I," she whispers back.
She wraps her fingers tightly between his and squeezes into the booth, sandwiching herself between Marcus and Harvey.
Donna asks for a play by play recount of Harvey's save as she sips on the Scotch they had waiting for her. The group has already heard it, and watched it live, but nobody seemed to mind going through it again.
"Harvey mentioned you had a work thing holding you up?" Rachel asks when Harvey finishes his story. "Everything go okay tonight?"
Harvey notices something flash across Donna's face as she shifts slightly on the bench next to him.
"Actually," she smiles and sits up straighter, "you'll never believe who I met tonight."
Harvey lifts his drink to his lips with one hand while caressing Donna's thigh under the table with the other.
"Thomas Kessler!"
She doesn't hide the giddy excitement in her voice and she actually brings both hands up to cover her mouth as if she can't believe those words just came out of it.
Harvey almost chokes on his Scotch and he struggles not to spit it across the table.
"As in... the Thomas Kessler?" Rachel gasps. "The actor! He was at your show?"
Harvey pulls his hand slowly from Donna's knee as the wheels in his head start to spin. That feeling from earlier swirling again in his stomach.
"He wasn't just at the show," Donna continues looking at all her wide eyed friends, seemingly oblivious to Harvey's discomfort. "He stayed afterward and asked to buy me coffee!" She's practically beaming now and Harvey is not a fan of the way it makes him feel.
"No way!" Marcus shakes his head. "Thomas fucking Kessler took you out for coffee? That guy won like an Oscar or something for that secret agent flick last year."
Harvey shoots daggers from his eyes at his brother, but it seems he's become invisible to everyone at the table.
He is well aware of who Thomas Kessler is. He's your prototypical tall, dark, and handsome Hollywood type and although he never disliked him before he suddenly finds him unequivocally irritating.
"It was a Golden Globe, actually," Mike chimes in.
"Golden Globe, Oscar, all I know is that man is a tall drink of… something way better than water." Rachel's doe-eyed expression earns her an elbow from Mike.
"He wanted to talk about my future career plans!" Donna adds stifling a laugh at Rachel's comment.
This time Harvey does choke, and every eye at the table turns to him.
He wants to lash out. He feels his heart rate quickening as he clenches his fists below the table. He fights the urge to blurt out, That's the work thing you had to do? Have fucking coffee with Thomas Kessler?
But as he looks around the table at the expressions of his closest friends and family, he thinks about his sessions with Lipschitz. He takes in a deep breath instead and holds it.
Keep it together, Specter. He clears his throat and guzzles from his water glass.
He's fairly certain that Mike sees right through him when he takes the attention off of him by asking a question of his own.
"That's amazing, Donna." Mike glances at Harvey from the corner of his eye but keeps his main focus on her. "Is he coming back to New York? Returning to stage acting or something?"
Donna hesitates momentarily, most certainly picking up on the tension now emanating from Harvey.
"Possibly." She smiles tentatively. "We didn't talk long, but he explained that he's shifting his career toward producing, and that he wanted me to consider some of his projects before deciding on my next move." She takes a drink from her glass, feeling the need for the alcohol all of a sudden.
"That's amazing Donna! Holy shit!" Rachel exclaims.
If one more person fucking gushes about this guy, Harvey's going to hurl right there on the table. He wants to be happy for her. Correction, he knows he should be happy for her. But the weight on his chest doesn't feel anything like joy. And if he doesn't get some fresh air soon, he's either going to say something he will surely regret, or implode from trying to hold it in.
"Can you excuse me for one second?" He plasters on a forced smile that doesn't fool anyone and practically pushes Donna off the end of the booth to get out.
Donna is visibly shaken by Harvey's abrupt exit but when she turns to follow him, Gordon reaches for her wrist.
"Let me?" He phrases it as a question and she just nods in response.
Harvey is standing outside the hotel bar with his back and one foot propped against the brick wall. If he smoked, now would be the time for a cigarette. Or better yet, a joint.
"You okay, Son?"
He hears his father's voice and looks up from the spot on the pavement he was analyzing too closely. He's relieved, actually, that it's him and not Donna who came to check up on him.
"Just needed some air," Harvey says without making eye contact.
"You're jealous."
That snaps Harvey's head up and he meets his father's eyes with a dangerous glare. His jaw clenched tight enough to chip teeth.
"I'm just not sure if it's of Donna's potential success or of the man who's offering it to her?"
Harvey feels like he could spit nails, and whatever calming effect the cool air had provided is replaced with the need to stomp his foot and pout.
"I'm not jealous!"
"Listen, Harvey." Gordon steps closer and puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not sure you've ever had much cause to be jealous of anyone in the past, so you may not recognize it for what it is. But I'm telling you, if you plan to spend your life with a woman as beautiful and successful as the one inside, it won't be the last time you battle with it."
Harvey looks back to his father with understanding in his eyes and swallows. He hates that he feels this way but he's not sure how to stop it.
"I'm not threatened by her career," he says with a huff.
"I know."
"It's got nothing to do with her potential success."
"I know," Gordon says again, resulting in Harvey giving him a slanted look.
"Donna loves you, Harvey." He squeezes his son's shoulder. "This… opportunity, doesn't change that in any way."
Harvey looks out toward the street and lets out a deep breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Now how about you get back in there and congratulate her? The same way she congratulated you."
Gordon raises his brows, questioning his son without actual words.
"Thanks, Dad." Harvey wipes his eye with the back of his hand and takes his father's advice.
….
As Donna stares up at her bedroom ceiling she wonders where the past few months have gone. Tonight she will take the stage as Roxie for the last time and the feeling is more bitter than sweet.
The sun starts to shine in her eyes as a beam of light creeps through the gap in her drapes. She turns on her side, away from the window, and stares thoughtfully at the empty pillow next to her.
Harvey had decided not to stay last night. He blamed it on the fact they were playing a day game today and he'd have to get in early for treatment. But she wasn't so sure that was the real reason.
Ever since she'd had coffee with Thomas Kessler, his name had been a sore spot with Harvey. They hadn't fought, exactly, and he said he was excited for her, but something was definitely off. She had seen it that night at Belemans and every time she brought him up since.
She had only spoken on the phone with Thomas a couple times since that night and he hadn't made any formal offers. She had explained to him that she wanted to take some time off after the close of the show. She wasn't ready to jump right into another full time project and he'd said he understood.
She and Harvey plan to take a short vacation during the All Star break he has coming up, and she's thinking it might be fun to follow along with him on his next road trip. She could stay in the hotels with him and go to all his games. Maybe she'd get a jersey with his name on it like one of his real fans. The thought makes her smile, but it doesn't stick.
Last night Donna had mentioned to Harvey that Thomas was planning to attend the closing show and that she was hoping to introduce them. She had put off telling him for several days, because she was nervous about how he would react. Turned out her instincts had been spot on. While he played it off fairly well, something dark flashed in his eyes and he decided to call it a night shortly afterward. Donna knows how to read people, and she certainly knew Harvey well enough to see through his facade. She just wished she knew if it was Thomas who bothered him, or the opportunities he represented. Either way, it made her stomach turn.
She eventually throws the covers off and gets up to take a shower. This is a big night for her, she thinks, looking in the mirror. And if she can deal with Harvey's fame and the thousands of girls pining after him every single night, then he should be able to handle her getting a little attention for once. In fact, maybe a small part of her wants him to be the jealous one for a change.
…
Harvey picks up his 20th save of the season which puts him only 2 behind the MLB leader, the Dodger righty, Kenley Jansen. Considering his injury, it is quite an accomplishment and puts him on pace for his goal of being the best closer in the game.
The minute he finishes his post game interviews, he showers and changes as quickly as possible. He needs to pick up some flowers and meet Mike for a drink before Donna's show. And he could really use a drink. Make that a double.
Ray anticipated Harvey's needs and picked up the bouquet Harvey had ordered before coming to the ballpark. When Harvey sees them in the back seat, he squeezes Ray's shoulder.
"You are a good man, Ray. What would I ever do without you?"
"It's really nothing Mr. Specter. I knew you were running behind schedule when I listened to the post game show on the radio." He smiles at Harvey in the mirror as he pulls away from the back tunnel. "You had already ordered them, all I had to do was pick them up."
"A good man, Ray. Don't argue with your boss."
"Yes, sir." Ray chuckles. "They say you are a shoo-in for the All-Star closer. The selection show is this Sunday night, right?"
If Harvey had a dollar for every time he'd been asked about the All-Star game he could retire early. But Ray had just done him a favor, so he plays nice.
"Sunday night. Yep. I guess we'll see." Harvey looks out the window and tries to downplay how much the selection would actually mean to him. To his father. "These things don't always go the way you expect. Chapman throws a lot harder than me, so you never know."
Ray drops Harvey at the bar and agrees to pick up Donna and him when Harvey texts that they are ready.
"I hope she steals the show!" he calls as Harvey climbs out.
"Oh, you can count on that, my friend. You can count on that."
The text from Mike had indicated that he was sitting in a booth near the back and Harvey kept his head down as he made his way through the bar. Luckily, if anyone noticed him, they didn't make a thing of it.
"Double shot of Macallan 18." Harevy nods at the glass already awaiting him on the table. "I really do have good friends."
Mike smiles and raises his glass to Harvey's.
"To save number 20." He nods.
Harvey clinks his glass to Mike's and returns the nod before shooting more than half of it down in one gulp.
"Woah! Easy man." Mike raises his brows and sits up in his seat. "What was that about?"
"I'll tell you what it's about," Harvey says as he downs the remaining liquid with a second swig. "Thomas fucking Kessler."
Harvey raises his hand to indicate the need for another drink.
….
She's magnificent. Absolutely breathtaking. He had known she would be, and he'd seen the show several times, but somehow he finds himself in awe of her anyway. Maybe it's because he's still a little buzzed from earlier, but he swears she sparkles up there like an angel. And as the noise of the crowd rings in his ears, and the lights shine brightly on the stage, a strange feeling resonantes through his entire body. That's the moment when he knows for certain, she's going to be a star.
The crowd is relentless in their applause and he watches as her cast showers her in hugs and flowers from the audience. Benjamin brings her a bouquet of his own and he watches as the tears spill from her eyes. She had prepared him for this, but still he's the slightest bit jealous that he's not up there with her. But he'd had his moment, and she had asked weeks ago if he'd be okay with it, and he is. At least it's not Kessler.
It takes even longer than usual for the final bows and for the crowd to make their way from the theater. Rachel and Mike are waiting with Harvey to head backstage, but when Rachel runs into an old friend from Yale, they agree to catch up with him later.
He makes his way backstage, flowers in hand, and one eye scanning for Kessler. He hasn't seen him yet, but he's sure the man is here somewhere. The moment his eyes find Donna on the opposite side of the crowded room, he finds Kessler as well. The two of them huddled a little too close for his liking, and Donna seemingly laughing at whatever Kessler has to say.
"It's crazy isn't it?" Benjamin appears out of nowhere at Harvey's side and follows his gaze across the room. "I mean, Thomas Kessler? There isn't a bigger name right now in Hollywood than his. And the way Donna has had a crush on him since as long as I've known her…" He tsks and shakes his head. "It's like a scene straight out of a romance novel."
Harvey feels the tightness in his chest first. It's become the go-to indicator of his stress level spiraling. It's generally followed with him locking his jaw and clenching his hand into a fist. He fights the urge to drop the flowers right there and ring this guy's scrawny neck, but he knows that Benjamin is just trying to get his goat so he exhales a slow breath of air instead. Harvey had spent hours in therapy the past two weeks talking through his jealousy with Lipschitz, but at the moment, he's scrambling to remember the reason the doc had told him he had nothing to fear.
"You want me to put those in her dressing room with all the others?" Benjamin says with a disinterested wave of his hand.
And when he gets no response, he reaches for them, but Harvey pulls them away and pushes past him.
As Harvey makes his way across the room he uses the breathing exercises that have become second nature. By the time Donna's eyes meet his, his heart rate is back to normal and his ego… maybe slightly inflated. His facade, firmly in place.
"Harvey!"
She smiles and starts to say something else, but he steps right between them and places a firm kiss on her lips. With his back purposefully to Kessler, he wraps his hand around the side of her neck as his fingers slide through the back of her hair.
"You were incredible." His eyes bore holes into hers as he is filled with a rush of adrenaline. Suddenly tampering down the desire to beat his chest and claim her as his woman to everyone in the room.
Donna looks back at him breathlessly as her cheeks flush. Feeling he'd accomplished his first task he turns to Thomas.
"Harvey Specter." He extends his hand toward Kessler and flashes his million dollar smile.
"Of course." Thomas clears his throat and shakes Harvey's hand. "Thomas Kessler."
His smile seems sincere, as do his eyes, but Harvey has his mind made up. This guy was up to something shady and he wouldn't be played for a fool.
Harvey slides his way next to Donna and wraps his arm around her waist.
"Tell me, what were you two talking about that had my girl here in stitches?" Harvey pulls Donna's hip tighter against his.
"Oh." Donna raises her brow at both his gesture and his question.
"I was just telling Donna about my closing night as the Phantom, it was—"
"Hey!" Harvey cuts him off. "There's Mike and Rachel." Harvey waves and gestures for them to join them.
"Mike, Rachel this is Thomas Kessler." Harvey introduces them, his voice still dripping with fake friendliness.
"Nice to meet you." Mike offers a firm handshake. "Mike Ross. And this is my wife, Rachel."
Before Thomas has a chance to respond, Rachel speaks up, making Harvey regret the fact that he's waved them over.
"I am such a huge fan!" Rachel says wrapping both her hands around his. "I saw you as the Phantom and it changed my life."
Harvey coughs and actually vomits a bit in his mouth.
"Can I get you a drink?" he asks Donna. "I need a drink." And he walks off before Donna even has a chance to answer him. Once he chases down a beer and takes a long slow pull from it, he grabs a glass of champagne for Donna and rejoins the group.
They talk all about how amazing Donna had been and Thomas asks Mike about life as a sports agent. He doesn't seem interested in life as an athlete, because he doesn't ask Harvey a single thing.
A while later, in the middle of Thomas answering Rachel's question about the main differences he found between Hollywood and Broadway, Harvey interrupts with a question of his own. One that's been burning a hole in his brain for two weeks.
"Speaking of Hollywood, when will you be going back?"
Thomas opened and then shut his mouth as the entire group fell into an awkward silence. Donna slipped her hand from Harveys and moved a half step away from him. Indicating, most likely, that she didn't appreciate his line of questioning.
"I only mean that a man as successful as you must be very busy," Harvey tries to recover. "I'm guessing someone is anxiously awaiting your return?"
Although harmless on the surface, Thomas's eyes flash with understanding.
"No one in particular, actually." Thomas stands up straighter, exaggerating the height difference between the two men. "In fact, I'm in no hurry to return to L.A." His eyes shift slowly and deliberately from Harvey to Donna and back again. "I'm quite enjoying my time here."
"I'm going to change. It's been a long night." Donna smiles but it doesn't fool any of them. "Good night. Mike, Rachel, Thomas." She nods at her two friends but reaches for Thomas's hand, letting her fingers linger in his palm for an extra beat or two before casting her eyes toward Harvey and walking away.
Leaving Harvey with that pressure in his chest, his jaw locked, and his fists clenching at his sides.
…..
Donna walks into her dressing room and shuts the door with a little extra force.
That was more than a little awkward and she's pretty sure it may have ruined any shot she had for a job offer from Thomas. Harvey had acted like a spoiled child and he is going to hear about it just as soon as she calms down.
Not the mad part of her. She wants to hang on to all of that anger so she can hurl it at him the minute they are alone. What she needs is a cold glass of water, or better yet, a cold shower.
Donna looks in the mirror at her reflection and shakes her head. Whatever she was going to say to Harvey, she needed to make damn sure he couldn't tell that his jealousy had downright turned her on. She was pissed at the way he had acted, and she expected far better from him than that, but something about him spreading his feathers like a peacock, and clearly staking his claim on her with that kiss and his comments made her panties damp. And the flirty move she made at the end… letting her hand linger in Thomas's, it hadn't been one of her proudest moments. But she liked the way Harvey's body had stiffened, and she felt he'd had it coming.
By the time she makes her way from the dressing room, the backstage area has completely cleared out. With her arms full of flowers, she pushes her way through the back door and finds Harvey leaning against the Lexus.
Neither of them say a word the entire ride and by the time they walk in Donna's door, her temper is simmering dangerously close to the surface.
"You want to explain what the hell is wrong with you?" She raises her voice the minute the door to her apartment closes.
"Oh I'm sorry!" He matches her volume. "Did I interrupt your little date?" Harvey strides across the room until his face is inches from hers. "Admit it, you've been lusting after the man for years." His voice is full of disdain as he tilts his head and looks down at her.
"What the hell are you even talking about?" She is caught off guard by his comment, but even more so by the dangerous look in his eyes.
"Benjamin told me." He scoffs. "You've been pining after him ever since you moved to Manhattan." Harvey raises his chin as if he's challenging her to deny it.
She can hardly believe the words coming out his mouth. Is he serious right now? Benjamin told him? Pining after him? Donna laughs out loud in exasperation.
"Benjamin's always had it out for you." She shakes her head mockingly and leans in even closer. "He'd say anything he could to get a rise out of you. Looks like it worked."
She rolls her eyes and turns to walk away from him, but Harvey grabs her wrist. Donna's heart lurches in her chest as heat courses through her veins like electricity through a live wire. Purposefully, she keeps her back to him trying to catch her breath, but Harvey tugs on her arm and pulls her back into him.
They stand there, face to face, chest to chest, as his eyes search hers for the truth. Neither of them speaks for several beats.
"Are you saying it isn't true?" His voice is hoarse. "I saw the way you ran your fingers across his palm."
The way he tightens his grip on her wrist ever so slightly, and presses up his chest tighter against hers, makes her weak in the knees. They are treading on dangerous ground, and it makes her breathless. She stands her ground and pushes him even further.
"Did it make you jealous?" She looks up at him through her long lashes, a teasing glint in her eyes.
His brows draw together and she sees the twitch in his clenched jaw which only turns her on more.
"Donna…" he rasps. There is a warning there. His control is slipping.
"You're the only one I want, Harvey." She licks her lips as she lets her eyes drift down to his. "You want me all to yourself?" Her eyes drift back up to his and his irises are black and full of need.
She takes a finger from the hand he's not gripping and runs it slowly over his bottom lip.
"Show me."
The hand Harvey has clenched at his side is around the back of her neck before she takes her next breath while the one holding her wrist, pins it behind her back. His tongue is down her throat and he pulls her into him with an aggressive jerk, simultaneously grinding his protruding crotch into her abdomen.
Donna's drowning in his kiss. Growing dizzy from the lack of oxygen as his tongue ravages the inside of her mouth. And just when she's ready to give in and let her legs buckle beneath her, he tears his mouth from hers and she gasps for air.
"You're mine." The gravel in his tone combined with the heat of his breath on her lips only stokes the fire in her core.
"Prove it."
She was messing with the bull and she knew it. She wanted it. Knowing she could drive him crazy and test his control made her feel powerful, but he was about to take the reins. And she was all for it.
Harvey spins her around and presses her firmly against the wall in the hallway. He releases her wrist and she braces herself with both palms against the cool textured surface. He ravishes her neck and thrusts into her backside repeatedly. He could make her come without removing a single layer of clothing if he wanted to.
But that's not what he wants. That becomes very clear.
She feels his hands come up and under her dress, lifting it above her hips as he continues to suck on her neck and growl words she can't quite make out. Hooking his fingers in her thong at the base of her tailbone he tears them off with a frenzied yank, causing a yelp from her she didn't see coming.
Harvey's hands wrap around the front of her thighs and his long fingers slide just to the edge on her soaking folds. She wants him so bad she nearly draws blood biting on her lower lip. She pushes her exposed ass back into him, urging him to touch her, to take her, but he doesn't.
Harvey grips the front of her thighs, meeting her backward motion with his forward pressure, but he doesn't move his fingers. He doesn't touch her. Not yet.
Instead he brings his right hand around to her firm ass cheek and caresses it. With every glide of his hand, he increases the pressure. Donna's breathing is erratic, to put it mildly, and when she glances back at him over her shoulder she sees that his eyes are fixed downward. He's watching intently as he rubs her warm pale flesh.
"Harvey. Harvey, please." The coiling in her abdomen is nothing compared to the throbbing between her legs. The way she wants him. Needs him. It's as though she's never felt him inside of her before. Like she's been waiting for him her entire life.
"You want me to prove it?" He reaches up and takes a handful of Donna's long, red hair. Wrapping it around his fingers he pulls down, slowly, deliberately, causing her neck to lift and exposing her throat. "I'll make you come so hard you'll never think of fucking anyone but me."
He tilts her head toward him with another tug on her hair and invades her mouth again with his tongue. It's as though he wants to devour every whimper that escapes from her wanting mouth. As though each time she moans, she feeds the fire. Donna has never been this turned on. Not. Ever. She knows, without a doubt, she would do anything he asked.
Harvey keeps her pressed up against him. His rock hard erection secured firmly between them as he guides her toward the bedroom. All the while, his hands are roaming her body possessively. Whatever skin he can reach, considering her dress is still on, touching her everywhere except where she wants him to the most.
When they reach the bed, she starts to climb on but he stops her. He steps between her legs and pushes them further apart with his knees.
"Bend over."
It's not a request and she complies without hesitation. Her elbows landing on the mattress in front of her, her ass angling upward toward him. He doesn't touch her for a moment or two and she dares to look at him over her shoulder. His eyes are locked on her body. Just staring at her, taking her in. The desire emanating from him takes her need to another level.
His gaze shifts to meet hers and her first instinct is to look away. As if she's been caught watching something she shouldn't be. But when he reaches for the hem of his sweater, she knows he wants her to watch. She wants to watch.
Harvey pulls the sweater and the t-shirt under it off with ease, quickly exposing the chest and biceps that make Donna drool. But when he reaches for the zipper of his pants, he gives his next command.
"Close your eyes."
When she doesn't react right away, and lets her eyes drift to the protruding bulge he's about to set free, he gives her a sharp spank on the ass.
"Hey! I know you want to watch but you can't. Close your eyes."
This time she does as he says and he caresses the reddening spot with one hand as he pushes his pants down with the other. The next thing she knows, both his hands are gripping her and spreading her cheeks apart.
Just as the thrill this brings courses through her, she feels him. His length between her cheeks as he slowly glides up and down. She is so wet, that he slides between them easily and she hears his breathing start to stagger. He runs his hands across the backs of her thighs, along the small of her back. She has never wanted anything more than she wants him inside of her at this very moment.
She hears him hiss as he pulls his body from hers, and just as she's about to whimper from the loss of contact, she feels him kneel behind her and she holds her breath in anticipation. He applies the slightest outward pressure on each side of her cheeks, and wanting to grant him as much access as possible, she lifts her knees onto the bed, sliding them even further apart. Despite doing this without his instruction, he doesn't complain. Instead, he buries his tongue inside her. Gripping her possessively, he dives deeper just as he had done into her mouth when she first dared him to.
The orgasm is immediate and all consuming, she bucks and shakes and cries out, and all the while his mouth stays on her. Lapping up and taking in everything she has to give. When the orgasm finally subsides she collapses onto the mattress, but only for a moment. Because he's not done with her yet.
Harvey lifts her hips and brings her back onto her knees. He reaches for her hair and wraps his hand around it, the same way he had done in the hallway. He had never pulled her hair this way, before tonight, but Donna would make sure he knew how much she liked it.
With a firm grip of her hair, and his knees braced against the side of the bed, he enters her. One long hard thrust and he's as deep inside her as her body will allow. The sound he lets out is primal and hungry, and with every thrust in and out, with every pump of his hips into hers, he takes her right back to climax in a matter of seconds. Only this time, they fall from the cliff together.
Moments later, she has her head on his naked chest as they lay side by side. Her dress finally discarded, and a light sheet draped over them.
"Harvey?" she asks while running her fingers through his chest hair.
"Hmm?"
"That was... wow."
Harvey doesn't respond but he pulls her a little tighter against him and before she knows it, she's sleeping like a well swaddled baby.
…...
Harvey sits in Stan's waiting room the following morning, drumming his fingers on his knee nervously. He'd called and asked for a last minute appointment and Stan had agreed. He doesn't usually get nervous before their sessions. He's grown to enjoy them, actually. But today is different.
"Harvey!" Stan's voice breaks through the silence. "Come on in."
Stan's warm smile makes Harvey feel both better and worse, somehow. How the fuck is he going to talk about this?
"Stan." Harvey nods when he stands. "Thanks for seeing me last minute."
"Of course, Harvey. I'm just glad my schedule allowed for it."
The two men sit down in their usual spots and Harvey's knee drumming picks right up where he left off. Stan waits patiently for Harvey to begin. He's the one who asked to see him, afterall.
"So, something happened last night. With Donna and me… and I'm having trouble processing it."
Stan looks up at Harvey, thoughtfully. "Well, I'm glad you called, Harvey. It shows how much you value your relationship with Donna."
Harvey coughs nervously, and breaks eye contact, running his hand over his face. He may as well start with the easy part.
"You know how I've been having trouble with… feeling jealous."
"I do. Is this about that? About Thomas Kessler?"
"Yes. And… yes." Harvey pauses and contemplates how to continue without making it completely awkward for both of them. Finally admitting to himself that that isn't possible, he decides to just get it over with.
"He was at Donna's closing show last night. I watched them together from across the room, and I let her pipsqueak of an assistant get in my head."
"I see," Stan responds. "And what, may I ask, did he put in your head when you let him in there?"
Harvey stares at Stan momentarily, dreading how stupid this is going to sound when he says it aloud.
"That Donna has a thing for this guy. That she always has." He looks down at the rug below his feet. "That I should be worried."
Lipschitz raises his eyebrows. "He said all that?"
"Well, not those exact words." Harvey runs a hand through his hair. "He got to me. Watching them got to me. And needless to say, I handled it poorly. I embarrassed her."
Stan just sits back and looks at him thoughtfully. Waiting for Harvey to continue.
"But this isn't even about that. Not really." Harvey shoos the topic away like a fly. "It's about what happened once we got back to Donna's place."
"You had a fight." It's phrased as a statement.
"You'd think, right?" Harvey fixes his eyes on Stan. "A fight would make sense. But what we had was… sex." He purses his lips thoughtfully and lets out a stream of air. "We had sex." Harvey looks away from the therapist like he's confessed to some terrible crime.
"And you see that as a problem. Not a solution?" Stan works his usual magic. No judgement. No opinions, just another question.
"Isn't it? I mean, we didn't even talk about it. Not really. Instead of addressing the real issue, she turned it into some kind of sex game. She dared me to take control and I…" Harvey stops himself. He hadn't meant to say quite that much. His neck feels a little warm and he's guessing the doc can see he's embarrassed.
"Harvey. I heard you say you didn't address the real issue." Stan steers the conversation in a different direction. "What do you see as the real issue here? Are you worried that Donna has feelings for Thomas? Do you think she will leave you for him?"
"What? No! Well, not really." He shifts around in his seat and runs his hands down his thighs, it's his tell that's he's getting uncomfortable with the waters they are treading in. He takes in a deep breath, holds it, and let's it out. He's become quite dependent on that strategy of self-calming.
"Maybe I was at first. The idea of Donna being touched by another man… it makes me crazy. Seeing her across the room smiling at him, laughing, and then having Benjamin whispering in my ear." He clenches and relaxes his fists before looking back up at Stan. "It made me boil inside. And I acted like an ass."
Stand just nods at him before offering, "Jealousy is a dangerous emotion. But it's also natural. We want to hold onto the things and the people whom we love."
"But, Donna wasn't even mad about the way I acted. I think she liked it." He shakes his head. "How am I supposed to make sense of that?"
"Do you want my opinion, Harvey?"
"That's why I'm here."
"Maybe the reason she wasn't angry is because she's confident in how she feels about you. How you feel about her. I think she knows that Thomas is not a threat to what the two of you share." Stan waits for Harvey to look back at him. "And it's natural for a woman to want to feel wanted by a man. Jealousy, when it doesn't get out of hand, can let others know how much you value them. Need them. Maybe that feeling is what Donna needed from you."
Show me.
Prove it.
Harvey thinks back to the night before. To the things Donna said and the hunger and need in her eyes. Maybe Lipschitz had a point. Harvey feels some of the tension in his shoulders relax. He takes another deep breath.
"That makes sense, I guess. Honestly, I was feeling a little uneasy about the way I…" He looks away and clenches his jaw.
"Harvey, was Donna upset at all with what happened between the two of you? Afterward, I mean. Did you cross any lines that might be hard to come back from?"
"No. No, she was fine. Better than fine, actually."
"Then I think you have no reason to regret what happened. Quite the opposite."
When Harvey looks at Stan and tilts his head, he clarifies his meaning.
"I think the two of you communicated more than you think last night. Sometimes we share how we feel more clearly without any words at all." Stan smiles and adds, "Maybe now you can both move on? Put this issue with Thomas Kessler behind you?"
"That's just it, Doc." Harvey hesitates, bringing his eyes back to Stan's. "I don't think it's really Thomas that's got me worried, afterall."
….
Donna and Harvey arrive at Mike and Rachel's around 6:00 pm on Sunday, armed with 2 bottles of wine. Tonight at 7:00 is the MLB All-Star show where they reveal all the players who were voted on the team. Even though Harvey is a lock to make the team, she can tell he's a bit nervous. Imagine attending a party in your honor and then not getting selected.
She wraps her fingers through his as Mike answers the door with a much louder than necessary greeting.
"There he is, Ladies and Gentlemen. My best friend, and my biggest client, the soon to be All-Star, Harrrvey Specterrrr." He waves his hands in the air and makes fake crowd cheering noises.
"Wow. Somebody knocked a few back already." Donna laughs at Mike's introduction. "Where's your wife? Shouldn't she be babysitting you?"
"I'm right here." Rachel walks up to greet them. "And I'm busy hosting a party, so he's on his own."
The men head to the oversized family room where the large flat screen TV is already tuned to ESPN and the women head to the kitchen to pour Donna some wine.
Within a few minutes Scottie and Tanner arrive and the three of them catch up and gossip about their husbands.
"Speaking of Harvey," Rachel segues, "did you two have it out the other night after your show?"
"This sounds juicy." Scottie raises her brow. "Have it out about what?"
Rachel starts at the beginning and explains how Thomas Kessler burst into Donna's life and how Harvey wasn't exactly welcoming him with open arms. Donna is careful not to let the conversation get too carried away and eventually puts an end to it by saying Harvey was fine, and that she'd assured him he had nothing to worry about with Thomas or any other man for that matter.
"But, it's Thomas Kessler," Rachel teases.
"Yeah, Donna says. And he's Harrrrvey Specterrrrrr," she draws out his name like Mike had earlier and the other two girls burst into laughter. Donna smiles into her wine glass, but it's mostly for show. There is a small part of her that worries the issue isn't as cut and dry as she made it out.
By the time the selection show starts, everyone is gathered in the room with the TV. Most everyone has a pretty good buzz going and the room is loud with chatter.
"Okay! Shut up, shut up! It's starting."
Donna is seated next to Harvey on the couch, one of her legs draped over his casually. He's playing it off well, but he's nervous. She can tell. His hand is on her knee and she lays her palm on top of it. When he looks at her from the corner of his eye, she mouths I love you. He smiles and squeezes her knee before casting his gaze back at the TV. The sports broadcasters hosting the show announce that they will begin with the American League, and everyone breaks into applause.
This is it.
They begin with what they call the starting line up of position players, which excludes pitchers. These players are voted on by the fans and to the delight of everyone at the party they hear the name Travis Tanner come through the surround speakers Mike has splashed around the room.
Donna watches as Harvey's grin spreads from ear to ear, and Scottie jumps into her husband's arms despite the now visible baby bump. Donna slides her fingers through Harvey's as they watch their friends celebrate. While Harvey was considered a favorite for the closer role by most sports stations, Tanner had been more of a long shot.
A few minutes later they move on to the pitchers, who instead of being selected by fans, are chosen by their fellow players, making some feel it's an even higher honor.
The hosts start by naming the starting pitchers that were selected. Moments later, the entire room goes silent with anticipation as the word closer leaves the lips of the one of the men on the screen.
Donna can feel her heart beating in her chest, pounding loudly as she holds her breath.
"Harvey Specter!"
His name comes from the TV and every speaker surrounding them and the room erupts for a second time. Since they are already seated, and she can't jump into his arms, Donna improvises and swings herself around to straddle Harvey on the couch. She lays a kiss on him that she's sure tastes of wine and he chuckles right into her mouth.
"Congratulations, Harvey Specter."
He smiles up at her and she can see the pride swelling in his eyes. She slides off of him and helps pull him to his feet so he can shake every hand and slap every back of the friends who came here tonight to support him. None of them more excited than Mike.
"Donna, Donna," Mike whispers and waves for her to follow him. "I got you something."
She follows the now very drunk Mike down the hall with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
"Shhhhhh!" He spits a raspberry at her with his finger on his lips, even though she hadn't made a sound. "It's a thurprise."
Donna giggles as Mike grabs a bag from his bedroom closet. But the moment she pulls out what's inside, the giggles turn to a gasp. She drops the bag and uses both hands to hold Mike's gift up in front of her eyes that are now welling in gracious tears.
"Mike!" She looks back and forth between him and the jersey in front of her. "It's perfect!"
Mike's thurprise was a custom American League All-Star jersey, embroidered with the number 42, and SPECTER written in large bold script.
She wraps her dear friend in a bear hug as he encourages her wildly to put it on.
And when the two of them walk proudly back into the crowded living room, the look on Harvey's face is priceless.