(A/N: Sooooo...I decided to just post the next chapter because I've received so many death threats after that one! Hahaha, kidding! But I wanted to update, like say, next month, but I figured I still want to be alive to watch season 3, so yes...although this is a bit short, NEW CHAPTER UP NOW *yay*.

Again, thank you for reading, making it a favorite, following, and taking time out to send a review and PMs. I'll do my best to keep this interesting. Thank you again!)

Arya shivered. Whether it was from the night chill or the physical closeness with Gendry, she didn't know. All she knew then was that she was in a Jacuzzi with Gendry Baratheon.

He was sitting directly across her, their eye-fucking from earlier was back and in full force. Only their legs underwater were touching, but Arya felt as if a hundred pins were pricking her skin. Like everything was ice and fire, coolness and warmth, hot and cold. She was aware of everything Gendry and the intensity shocked her.

When she felt Gendry's hand on her knee, she was gone. Arya couldn't remember exactly how it happened, but she suddenly found herself straddling his lap, her arms around his neck. She snaked her hands through his hair and held on for dear life.

She was kissing Gendry.

Or maybe it was the other way around.

When Gendry pulled her onto his lap, he cupped the back of her head with his other hand while the other was gripping her hip. He lost all logical thought when Arya eagerly started kissing him back. She tasted like strawberries and cream, and he wondered if she had ice cream or milkshake before she hopped in the tub. But her mouth tasted sweeter than he imagine it would be, and Gendry wondered if he would ever get drunk from purely kissing her.

Arya Stark's tongue is the sweetest thing he's ever tasted.

He pulled back a bit, looking into her startling gray Stark eyes and smiled. She smiled in return before nipping kisses from his lips, to the side of his mouth, to his jaw.

Good Lord, he was addicting.

She heard a soft moan, and she wondered if the sound came from her or from him. She couldn't tell. Actually, she doesn't care even. What mattered was Gendry and his kisses and how he made her weak and strong at the same time.

"Your tongue is sinfully addicting," Gendry murmured into her ear, nipping the lobe a bit and hearing her laugh.

"Hmm…tickles…" she sighed.

He went back to kissing her, making sure he's had his fill before pulling back again. He swears he heard Arya whimper when he eased back a bit, and he found the sound to be so arousing he could cry.

At one point, Arya tipped her head back and he seized the moment to place soft, nipping kisses on her neck, but making sure he doesn't leave marks. At times, he gave small bites and light licks and he tightens his hold on her hips and waist when he hears her gasp.

"We should stop," Gendry said. His actions contradicted his words, though, because he placed each hand on her thighs and pulled her even closer. Arya gasped when she felt it…felt him…and she clung to him as if she didn't want to let go.

"We have to stop," Gendry said again, more to himself than to her.

"Yes," Arya whispered, but the feeling of him on her was unbelievably good that she ground her hips to that part of him a little more.

Gendry groaned in frustration before finally, finally, putting a little distance between them. He set her back to where she first sat, and prepared to get out of the tub. He tried not to look at her because she was sitting there, staring up at him, her eyes wide with wonder and awe and arousal that he tried his hardest not to look again.

"Your brothers might be home soon and we can't lose our heads like we just did," he said, drying himself with the towel he discarded earlier. "And as much as I'd like to keep kissing you, I still want to live a long life."

"Why do you have to be the logical one?" she asked, finally getting out of the tub too.

Gendry laughed. "Oh, trust me, I'm not. But I'm trying to keep the last strand of my sanity here and I can't put you in an awkward situation if and when your brothers walk in on us."

"Is it wrong to kiss a friend's little sister?"

Her voice was soft and full of curiosity, and Gendry couldn't resist placing another kiss on her lips.

"No," he said, running his thumb on her lower lip that's now swollen from his kisses. "But your mouth can drive a saint to madness if we don't stop right now."

"I'm no saint, Gendry," Arya said, slowly walking away. She paused to look ever her shoulder before moving on. "And neither are you."

It was a long and arduous trek back to the house. Gendry watched as Arya walked up the stairs and disappeared into her room, the door closing softly. It took all his self-control to not follow her in there and resume that wondrous activity they'd been playing at earlier.

Walk away, Gendry. Walk away.

He dragged his feet to the direction of his room (at the far side of the house, much to his annoyance), and shut the door. He plopped unceremoniously on the bed and dragged his hands over his face.

What are you doing?

That little voice inside Gendry's head started nagging again. Just the other day, it was reprimanding him for thinking improper thoughts about his friends' little sister. Tonight, it's back with a vengeance, telling him off for making out with her while her brothers were not in sight. He felt slightly guilty; but then again she was kissing him back something fierce and he found himself grinning again.

What the hell are you doing, Gendry Baratheon?

Maybe that stupid voice in his head was right. Arya had only been here a few weeks, and she's not going to be here forever. Just for a year, he reminded himself. He didn't want to start something that he knows would not last for long. And as much as this felt so good and so tempting, starting something with Arya might not be the best idea.

Gendry fell asleep worrying about that little wolf girl.

Arya couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned most of the night, and Gendry Baratheon was to blame.

Okay, she's as much to blame as he is because she remembered that she was a very willing participant in that make out session earlier. And now that her mind's no longer clouded with Gendry and everything that he was making her feel, she felt a bit guilty for luring him in the water (at least that's what she thinks) and a bit ashamed of herself for reacting so boldly. If Catelyn Stark could see her now, she was sure she'd be ordered to take the last flight out to Storm's End.

If she would listen to that annoying voice in her head (in addition to her mother's nagging voice in there), she'd admit that this was a bad idea. For now, at least. She's not sure how or when or if in the future Gendry would still eventually pop into her life, but a temporary arrangement to live here is reason enough to put everything on hold.

But damn his kisses.

She glanced at the digital clock on her bedside table and groaned. 2:15, it read. She tried closing her eyes again but opened them again when a sudden realization making her gasp at the same time.

Stupid! Stupid, stupid Arya!

She lay there thinking about Gendry and Jeyne.

"You look like crap." Jon said, taking a drink of his orange juice. "What did you do last night?"

Arya had to clear her throat before answering. "Merlin season 5 marathon," she mumbled in reply.

Arya took a bagel from the bread basket and cut it in half. She was aware of Jon staring at her, studying her movements. She tried to act more naturally this time, careful not to pique his interest. She took one half of the bagel and spread some cream cheese over it.

"Whoa," Theon said as he came into the kitchen. "Did you even sleep at all?"

Arya rolled her eyes. "And why is it that you guys were at a party till the wee hours in the morning but it's me who looks like hell?"

"Must be the naturally good Greyjoy looks," Theon answered with a grin.

"Don't make me vomit the bagel I just ate," Arya said, gulping down half a glass of orange juice. "Where's Robb?"

"Oh, he's incredible," Jon said with a laugh. "He's incredibly plastered."

Arya had to laugh at that.

"So," Theon said, grabbing a box of cereals from the pantry and some milk from the fridge. "Anybody got plans today?"

"I'm sleeping the day away," Arya said.

"When did you become such a lazy ass?" Theon asked. Turning to Jon, "And you, Grumpy?"

Jon glared. "I promised Tommen I'd take him to the mall."

Just then, the reason for Arya's sleepless night walked into the kitchen. He went straight to the fridge, taking out a bottle of water and picking up an apple from the fruit basket. Arya noticed that he was freshly showered, his black hair was still damp. He was wearing a simple white shirt, dark gray shorts and black worn out sneaks.

Arya found it hard to swallow the last bite of her bagel. She thought she heard Jon chuckle, but she wasn't too sure.

"Looks like someone's up early," Theon said as he continued devouring his bowl of cereals.

Gendry leaned his left hip on the island, his elbow resting on the counter. He took a bite of his apple, wiping some of the juice with the back of his hand.

Arya stopped chewing altogether.

"I went to the gym early. I feel a bit…tense," Gendry answered a while later after eating almost half of the apple. He took another apple and tossed it over to Jon.

Arya was wondering if he's going to start giving him the cold shoulder now. She noticed that he was looking everywhere except her, although she was more hurt than angry.

Theon stood after finishing his breakfast, drinking the last of his water. "Adios, amigos! Ramsay and I are meeting up. Gotta go shag more ladies!"

Arya looked horrified. "It's only 8:30 am, Theon. Have you no shame?"

"That was a joke, little cousin," Theon said as he retreated from the room.

Jon got up from his seat as well. "Tommen and I are leaving in a couple of hours, so I might as well get ready. I don't know if I can borrow Joff's car since your brother's still probably wasted, but can I borrow your car for now? Mine's still at Tobho's for repair, and it's going to be another week before I get it back. Unless you need it…"

"No, it's fine. Take it," Gendry replied, waving a hand in dismissal. "I'm just going to be here all day anyway." He fished the keys from his pocket and tossed it to Jon.

"Thanks, man," Jon said before turning to his sister. "I'll see you later then."

"Have fun." Arya said.

And then, it was just them two. Again.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

The tension in the air was so thick, Arya swears she could slice it with a knife. Half of her wanted to get out of there, but the other half has her glued to the stool she was sitting on.

"Arya…" Gendry said softly, seeking her attention.

Arya looked up and noticed that he hasn't moved an inch. Putting distance…how nice, she thought disappointedly.

"Yes?" she replied.

She heard him clear his throat. At least I'm not the only one who's dying of nerves, Arya thought.

"Last night…"

He seemed to have trouble finishing his sentences. She wanted to scream, "WHAT DO YOU WANT, GENDRY?!" but the thinking part of her brain refrained from doing so.

"Never happened?" Arya finished for him.

Gendry exhaled a deep breath. "As much as I want to keep…ahem…kissing you…I don't think it's a good idea to jump into this right now."

Oh.

"So you want to pretend it never happened?"

"No! Not pretend it never happened," Gendry explained quickly. He walked over to where she was sitting, taking the stool next to hers. "I could never pretend anything like that ever happened. It was too good, Arya," he said, giving her a shy smile.

Arya felt her face heat up. "So…what do we do about it?"

Gendry tipped his head back, closed his eyes and muttered something unintelligible. Arya couldn't make out the words. He looked to be in a great deal of pain.

"Maybe we're rushing into things, I don't know," he said with a sigh. "Let's just take things slow, you know…enjoy each other's company? Getting too…ah…intimate…might not be the best thing to do right now."

Arya only nodded, taking in his words and absorbing the logic behind them. He's right, she thought. It's only been a month since I've been here.

But there was something else she wanted to ask…something she's dying to know but couldn't say until that moment.

"What about Jeyne?" she asked, looking directly at him.

"She's just a friend," he replied without blinking.

It took several minutes of looking into each other's eyes before Arya finally answered,

"Okay."