Okay, rather than continue to bore you all to death with my ranting… I will keep this A/N short. Lol. XD But, just thanks again for all the continued love and support on this fanfic everyone! This chapter picks up the morning after the previous chapter. Hope you enjoy! :)

(Heather's POV)

I slowly craned my neck out in the hall and looked around, hearing nothing but silence.

Feeling a slight sense of relief, I walked out of my room in my workout clothes with my makeup bag and made my way to the bathroom closest to the room I was in.

A room that probably had the most comfortable mattress I've ever slept on and I finally managed to sleep straight through the night for the first time in almost a month.

But, I had no time to think on that now.

Honestly, I was just looking to get my workout in before he woke up since I didn't get to workout last night. This way, I can take the opportunity to get my thoughts together and soothe my nerves so I can deal with whatever the hell happens tonight.

Because I know he's going to try anything he can to get out of doing this my way somehow...

I set my makeup and cleansers out on the counter and started to get myself organized.

After brushing my teeth, I got the hot water running and started on my usual morning routine. I got my facial cleanser on and rubbed it in before ducking my head back down into the skin and splashed water on my face.

Once that was out of the way, I started to pat my face dry like usual until my eyes went wide when I felt something grab my sides gently yet firm before smoothing their way to the front of me. I reacted instinctively and practically threw the towel I was using behind me out of impulse as I immediately furrowed my eyebrows on reflex at who I saw.

Dressed in a red skin tight long sleeve athletic shirt and shorts with a pair of men's thermal compression tights underneath, was him.

"Ugh, seriously?! Will you stop doing that?! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" I said, trying and failing to cover up how flustered I was with rage.

But, all Alejandro did was just turn on his usual charm as he chuckled slightly in amusement before saying, "Lo siento, mi amor. I just saw you as I was walking by and I just couldn't help myself."

I rolled my eyes and decided to just ignore him as I got my toner and started putting it on until he came up behind me again and wrapped his arms around my waist before pressing himself against me from behind. I watched as he craned his neck over in the mirror and simultaneously rested his chin on my shoulder, his eyes were closed but a teasing yet satisfied smirk was stuck to his face, as he kissed the side of my neck.

Trying to repress the flushed feeling running over me, I stopped and put my hands on the vanity, feeling my insides twisting for many different reasons at this point, as I inquired pointedly and annoyed, "Um… do you mind?"

He continued to smirk as he finally opened his eyes and looked at me from the bathroom mirror as he started, "To be completely honest… I don't mind a bit. Truth be told I happen to be enjoying this very much. And can you blame me? Particularly since you look so lovely this morning."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes before retorting, trying to ignore his usual flirting and flattery routine, "You're insufferable."

All he did was smirk in amusement as he took his chin off my shoulder until I felt him rest his forehead on the back of my head as he started, feeling his lips brush against my hair, "So you always say, but as I always point out to you… I think you enjoy having me close more than you admit. I know I most definitely enjoy having you close after how much I missed you this past month… and then some."

I felt him pull me closer from behind, making my eyes go wide as I blushed on contact for a moment when I felt him press into me just below the small of my back.

Crap… Ugh, why does he always have to do this?!

Quickly, I collected myself enough as I started, trying not to let him bait or tease me at all, "Well, I happen to mind right now. Considering you are disrupting part of my morning routine here."

I tried getting along with my routine, especially since I wanted to make sure I didn't make my skin pay for falling asleep in my makeup last night. Considering I was so frustrated and pissed off that I forgot to wash it off completely last night.

He eventually walked around me and leaned next to me against the vanity as he looked down at my makeup and skin care products on the counter before grinning and going on, "Ah, I had no idea you used 'BAR Derma-Cosmos' products? You certainly do have excellent taste. Though why am I not surprised?"

I just gave him an annoyed look as I started, "And why exactly do you say that? I use them because they work with my skin better than anything else."

He just kept grinning as he shrugged and explained, "Well, I say so partially that I also happen to use the same skin care products… and partially due to the fact that these also happen to be from my mother's company."

My eyes went wide as I looked over at him and said, completely thinking out loud, "Wait, seriously? Your mother owns 'BAR Derma-Cosmos'?"

Alejandro just smirked and replied, "Well, you needn't sound quite so shocked… but, yes. She most certainly does. Well, my mother is CEO and co-founder of the company. When she was in university studying business, her flatmate was an English exchange student studying dermatology. Eventually they talked and started combining their knowledge from both science and business… plus mother always had an affinity for makeup, and eventually they were able to start and eventually found their company together to create and distribute top of the line cosmetics and skincare products. And also having the best makeup and facial care products on the market, as you probably very well know already as a loyal customer by the looks of it. Hence why they decided on naming the company 'BAR' since they have the 'highest bar' when it comes to quality and standard in the industry. But, my mother handles most of the business and marketing end of the operation and her friend Gemma handles the research and product development. It wasn't until I was 10 that mother's company really took off though. But myself, my father, and my brothers have all been using these products as well for a good majority of our lives. Partially to support mother, but… even I have to admit they work. The times I had acne in my life have been slim to none. Sure genetics played a role as well since neither of my parents ever had too much trouble with acne in the past, but that combined with the skin care regimen I've grown accustomed to has made me hardly ever have any trouble. They really do work wonders. How long have you been using it?"

Lucky jerk…

I was trying to process everything I was just told, but I couldn't help my internal frustration with him bragging about how much he didn't have to struggle with his skin like I did.

Back in junior high, I was trying and failing miserably to get my acne under control.

And I tried literally everything.

Acne medications, lotions, cleansers, pore detoxes, facials that made my face feel like it was being dissolved by fucking battery acid… you name it; I tried it.

Then 'BAR' hit the Canadian markets around that same time when I was 14 and it was literally my last ditch effort to get rid of my acne.

Sure it came with a price, but my parents could definitely afford it.

And… it worked.

After only using it for a month my skin cleared up more than it ever had in years. Then after another month and with the use of a little concealer when I needed it for minor breakouts, my skin was practically almost flawless.

Their makeup and skin care products never agitated my skin.

Sure, now my skin doesn't break out hardly ever anymore, especially when I started using birth control since I was 16 specifically to help control my acne even more after my dermatologist recommended it once I was 'old enough', but I still refuse to use anything on my skin but BAR products.

I was a pizza faced freak once and I am never going to be that again.

But… UGH! Of course his mom has to run that damn company. Like I can't escape being connected to him somehow in almost every stupid aspect of my life?!

I tried not to make a big deal about it as I finished applying the toner before responding, "Since I was 14 and looking for a skin regimen that suited me. That's when it entered the Canadian markets."

He continued to grin as he responded, "Ah, yes. Mother was looking to expand distribution overseas for a while. Fortunately, Father getting his assignment to work here in Canada when I was 14 before I started High School was a good opportunity for her too. It was such a success here that she has even expanded into the States now. But... this is good to know. I'll be sure to mention to mother how highly you regard her company's products."

I could sense him trying to throw me off as I straightened up and changed the subject to regain control of the situation, "Well, I'm going for a run before breakfast… since I wasn't able to do this yesterday."

I tried to walk past him only for him to catch my arm and link it with his in one swift motion as he started, walking with me to the door, "Oh that's muy bueno. As you can see and by happy coincidence, I was about to go for a run as well. Perhaps we can make an outing of it? I can take you along my usual route and then take you out for a nice breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants here. My treat."

I felt a warm feeling spread through my stomach again as I tried to stomp it down for the sake of my self-control as I ripped my arm away and got in his face, poking my finger into his chest, "Fine… But, don't think this is getting you out of those 2 other dates you owe me."

All he did was smile slightly and bow his head as he put his hand over his heart before responding, "Of course, Heather. You have my word. But… there's no need to be this tense about it. After all, you drove all the way here and it would be a disgrace if I didn't entertain and take care of you properly as my guest. Especially with you being my guest… mi amor."

Before I could react, he grabbed my right hand in both of his and looked directly in my eyes as he kissed the back of my hand.

Ugh, he always has to be such a flirt!

And why does he always have to look at me with those gorgeous green?... UGH, stop it! Get a grip, Heather!

I tried not to make a big deal out of it as I started, keeping my responses concise, "Sure, I'm going to warm up first though." He just continued to grin at me as he replied, "Excellent idea, we can both warm up together."

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms before scoffing, "Do you seriously have to keep emphasizing that we're 'together' every 5 seconds?"

We both walked out the front door as he locked it behind us before looking back at me with a grin.

"Oh yes, I absolutely have to. But can you blame me? What sort of man in his right mind wouldn't be proud of the fact that they get to be with a woman as beautiful and intelligent as you? Besides, I have been looking forward to this for quite awhile. Though I must say, Heather..." He lead on, catching me off guard as he stepped in front of me and pulled me against him in one fluid motion.

I froze up for a second, trying to get a grip, as he brushed a stray strand of my hair behind my ear before continuing, "You were very much 'worth the wait'."

Before I could even react, he leaned in and kissed me, making my eyes go wide for a second before slowly closing as I started leaning into him.

My mind wasn't even responding until we separated.

Well until I felt like I snapped out of it once I felt his lips next to my ear before saying, "If you'd like, we could make a substitution with 'spending time' together this morning…" My eyes went wide as I heard that before he kissed the corner of my jaw.

Ugh, is he serious?! Does he honestly think I'd give into him that easy?! I don't care how subtly or smoothly he says it or how hot he looks right now OR how good of a kisser he is, he is not getting to me THAT easy.

I put a little distance between us as I crossed my arms and said, laying down the line, "A jog and breakfast is fine."

I was expecting him to be put out, but all he did was just give me that grin and motion out in front of us as he said, "As you wish, mi ángel. We'll stretch and then take our leave."

Even though I was showing 'indifference' on the outside...

UGH! Will he just get mad at me already?!

Oh, he is totally up to something. I know it!

He's just trying to wear me down so I forget about making him take me on these dates to make us even by just 'sweet talking' and distracting me into having sex with him again so I just forget it.

And like HELL I will!

I may have told you I love you, Alejandro… but, you are not getting off the hook THAT easily.

Just... you... wait…

Well, Heather's still determined to get even… I'm sure this surprises no one. Lol. XD But, seriously, I know this chapter really didn't do much to progress the story, but I felt a little more exposition was in order this time around. Mainly that I wanted to try to work in more background information on Alejandro's mother Elena. Since Alejandro is just as vain as Heather when it comes to his appearance; though I feel like TDAS made Alejandro into too much of a preener (Sorry again that I keep dissing season 5), but I still think that Alejandro would be very good about taking care of himself and learned that behavior from somewhere. And this is where Elena comes in. No matter how I looked at it, I just kept having this gut feeling that Elena would be this stylish business type and specifically she would be the head of some sort of beauty product company. So eventually I decided to work in the angle of Elena being this CEO of a cosmetics and skin care company that Heather also happens to be a loyal customer for. Particularly since she used to have issues with her complexion in her early teens, I thought it would only be fitting that the one company line of products that worked for her just happened to come from Alejandro's mother… just to make them even more connected than they already were. Well, much to Heather's growing frustration. Haha. XD And it looks like Alejandro is still trying to sweet talk his way into getting Heather to put her guard down with him and perhaps for something else?… good luck to him! Lol. Also, I hope you like what I'm doing with Alejandro and Heather's dynamic as a couple thus far! Despite finally deciding to date each other seriously, I could totally see them having an 'old habits die hard' thing going on… ESPECIALLY in the early stages of their relationship. I mean, come on, they've been messing with and 'one-uping' each other for so long that I could totally see them having a hard time breaking that 'habit'. That's just how I see it though! Haha. XD What do these two have up their sleeves for each other? Find out next time! Thanks again for reading and constructive reviews are always very much appreciated and helpful.

Stay healthy, safe, and well!

Dexter1995