So, I know this one is short, but I figured it was appropriate to post today. Hope you enjoy, and that there are better days ahead with 2021!
««« ×ǁ CAN OPENER CHRONICLES ǁ× »»»
It's nearing midnight and not for the first time, Harvey is wondering why he even bothered showing up tonight.
Yeah, Jessica probably would've been annoyed if he hadn't, but if he's being honest, he knows the real reason has nothing to do with that.
It's because he knew she was going to be here – because she spent a solid ten minutes describing, in great detail, the gown she planned to wear, and he really wanted to see her in it.
Of course, it did not disappoint – the metallic shade of mauve complimenting her hazel eyes and pale skin, the fitted silhouette flattering her delicious curves, the bateau neckline highlighting her cleavage, and the small slit giving him a peek at her creamy legs.
He's had to try really hard not to stare too much.
Still, his eyes always seem to find her, no matter where she is in the room, her fiery red hair never ceasing to attract his attention.
He can tell she's well on her way past tipsy – the smirk twisting across her mouth and the way she's swaying her hips to the music as she animatedly chats with some guy he doesn't recognize.
He's trying not to fixate, but they've been talking for a while and he's struggling to tear his eyes away.
It's clear what he wants – the way his gaze keeps drifting to her chest and the subtle touches here and there.
Obviously, he's angling to kiss her at midnight, and probably beyond.
It's not like he can blame him – it's nothing he hasn't thought about himself. In fact, the idea's been percolating in the back of his head all night – before that, even.
Harvey hasn't thought this much about a New Year's Eve kiss since college. He doesn't usually dwell on the tradition, never having difficulty finding a woman who's interested in kissing him at any time of night.
Even now, there's a particular blonde who keeps hanging around, smiling and flirting and finding excuses to touch him. He's sure he could kiss her as soon as the ball drops, and he's willing to bet he could take her home afterwards, too.
The thing is, there's only one woman he wants to kiss tonight – not just tonight, either.
He wants to kiss her pretty much all the time.
It's pretty new that he can actually admit it to himself.
After his break up with Paula, after the way Donna surprised him with her lips on his in the middle of her office, after spinning her around the dance floor at Mike & Rachel's wedding – he can no longer pretend otherwise.
Long gone are the days where he could convince himself that he's unaffected by her.
He is, he knows it.
He's been consumed by their most recent kiss, wanting so badly to do it again.
For weeks, he's been hoping to work up the courage, trying to find an opportunity, but nothing ever seems to pan out.
But, tonight – tonight, he feels like he might actually have a chance, if he plays his cards right.
And if this other guy doesn't get in the way.
(→→ ←←)
As the year dwindles down, inching closer and closer to midnight, he feels his nerves creeping up on him.
He's been psyching himself up all evening, his inner monologue telling him again and again that he can't let this opportunity pass – that he can't let another year go by without making his feeling known.
Still, he becomes more anxious with every thought of her, his mind whirling around how he's actually going to go about doing this. He hasn't been this nervous is a long time, requiring more liquid courage than usual to quell his racing thoughts.
He's almost talked himself out of this at least five different times over the course of the evening – it's just such a big risk. She could reject him, it could ruin everything they have, he could lose her – the list goes on and on.
But as the Macallan warms his throat and the year comes to a close, he knows he can't chicken out.
He has to try.
He can't keep putting this off. As big of a risk as it is, he can't keep waiting, assuming that they'll have time, that she'll always be available, because he knows that isn't true.
With the decision made, he makes a serious effort to stop thinking and just watches, waiting for his moment.
It's five minutes to midnight when he notices the other guy head towards the bar, probably going to get the two of them a refill.
It's his last chance, and he takes it, without hesitation, waltzing over to Donna with a glass of champagne in each hand.
"Champagne?" He asks, lifting up the glass.
"Thanks," she smiles, her fingers gracefully brushing against his as she accepts the flute.
"You look beautiful," he tells her, a genuine smile settling on his lips.
A momentary flash of surprise etches into her features, before it vanishes, leaving a slight curve of a smile in its wake. "Thank you," she responds, her cheeks flushing with pink.
Harvey simply bobs his head in response before taking a sip of his champagne, needing to calm his nerves.
"You know uh…" he begins, clearing his throat. "I heard there's a spectacular view of the fireworks from the balcony," he mentions, hoping it sounded more casual to her than it did to him.
"Harvey, it's thirty degrees out," she reminds him, looking horrified by the suggestion.
"We'll stop and get our coats," he reasons, trying not to appear as eager as he feels. It's not that he's opposed to kissing her in front of everyone else – he's not opposed to that at all. It just feels like the moment he's hoping for won't happen around a bunch of prying eyes. Plus, the other guy is surely on his way back and Harvey just can't leave this up to chance
No, his best bet is to get her alone so he can feel her out, see if she might be receptive to what he has in mind.
So, he waits, studying her features, watching as she clearly considers the proposal.
"C'mon," he encourages, hoping to persuade her. "You love fireworks," he points out, remembering the fondness in her eyes as she conveyed how her father always went all out on the fireworks display at her family's annual 4th of July party. It was one of their many late nights at the office, her heels tossed aside as she sat on the couch, her feet underneath her, as they took a break from document review to enjoy a drink. He's not sure how they got on the subject, but he'll never forget the way Donna's eyes lit up when she spoke about the memories she had of the event.
The comment seems to do the trick because suddenly, she's nodding her head. "Alright, fine," she gives in, a ghost of a smile sneaking across her lips.
He tries real hard not to grin too bright as he ushers her away before the other guy comes looking for her. They stop at the coat check and he helps her into hers before leading her out to the balcony.
By the time they're outside, the countdown has already begun. She's leaning against the railing and he settles right beside her, elbows grazing as they look out at the city.
Harvey can barely focus on what's happening inside, unsure how many seconds are left until midnight, because he's too focused on the glow of her skin and her wonderous smile.
She seems to sense his eyes on her because she turns to glance at him, clearly taken aback by the intensity in his gaze.
The moment their eyes meet, he can feel the shift in the air. There is an obvious charge between them as he searches for evidence that she could want this even half as much as he does.
When it comes to Donna, he's always struggled to trust his judgment, always worried that he's only seeing what he wants to see. Still, she hasn't turned away, so he figures that's as good a sign as any.
Taking a chance, his palm reaches out for her cheek, stroking her soft skin, as the gesture causes her eyes to burn with surprise.
He waits a moment, looking for any signals that she doesn't like where this is headed, but he finds none and decides to keep going.
As he wets his lips in anticipation, his hands land on her waist and he leans in until there is only a couple inches separating them. Inside, he hears the crowd shout "six!" and his heartrate starts to climb as they near midnight.
Meanwhile, Donna is practically holding her breath as they remaining standing, their lips within reach, as the noise from the countdown fills the balcony. He doesn't tear his eyes off her while he tucks a lock of hair behind her ear as the seconds tick by. And when it's three seconds to midnight, he decides that he's done waiting and instead cups her jaw with one hand and leans in to kiss her.
The moment their lips touch, it's as if nothing else in the world exists. He doesn't hear the cheering going on in the other room, he doesn't hear the fireworks erupting in the sky – all he can hear is the sound of her quiet whimpers against his lips.
Time continues ticking and he knows he should pull away, but instead he tightens his grip on her, pulling her closer. And when she doesn't seem to mind, he ends up coaxing her mouth open and stroking her tongue with his. And she's definitely kissing him back and even making a little bit more noise.
He lets his hands wander a little, one sliding dangerously low on her back while the other ends up tangled in her hair. All he wants to do is lead her out of this place, peel off her clothes, and get her into bed, but somehow he's able to maintain his cool, even when she sighs against his lips in this way that makes his dick twitch in his pants. He knows he really needs to stop soon, but he just wants to enjoy it for a few more seconds.
Eventually, he pulls away and just looks at her for a moment, reading her eyes to make sure she's not annoyed or regretful or something. And she isn't. She's a little out of breath, but she's actually smiling, so he figures he's not in trouble.
"I've been wanting to do that all night," he admits, unable to contain the grin escaping his lips.
"Yeah?" She asks, beaming up at him.
"Yeah," he nods, seriously. "It's all I could think about," he reveals, his fingers toying with her copper locks. "Plus, some other things I've been wanting to do all night," he adds, cheekily.
She smiles big, at that. "Mmm… tell me more," she flirts, as her hands slid down his lapels.
"I'd rather show you," he retorts, his eyes darkening, as his hands begin to wander down her body, taking full advantage of finally being able to do so.
Donna lets out a laugh, but she doesn't dissuade him. Quite the opposite, actually.
Reaching to grab his left hand, their fingers intertwine and once again, she meets his eyes.
"Lead the way."
««« ×ǁ CAN OPENER CHRONICLES ǁ× »»»
So, this definitely was not my best, but I found it on my computer yesterday and had to hurry to finish it so I could post today. Hopefully, it brought some enjoyment.
Also, I plan to post the next chapter of Milestones soon– with the holidays and all of the secret Santa fics taking up so much of my time, I have been behind on my posts, but I hope to get back on track in the new year.
Anyway, please don't forget to leave a review.
Happy New Year everyone!