Chapter 9

Over the next few weeks, Trish had begun to get her life back on track. With the help of Ric and Dave, she had started therapy and was beginning to make some progress. The relationship between Trish and Dave remained strictly platonic but they were finding it harder and harder to fight their attraction for one another. They were together pretty much 24/7 but neither one ever crossed that line of friendship. However, today was a new day and after the news that she just received, she knew that this was truly the beginning of her new life.

Trish walked down the hall with an extra spring to her step. She had just gotten back from her session with Dr. Evans and she was on top of the world. Dr. Evans had just given her the green light to start a relationship with Dave. Now normally she would never suggest such a thing but the way that Dave had been there for Trish throughout the whole ordeal, she knew that it would only help her recovery and not hurt it.

Trish smiled to herself as she got to the Evolution locker room. Once she was inside she would be able to tell Dave, or better yet, show him exactly how she feels about him. There was no holding back now. She could finally be happy and in a relationship with a man that truly respected her and possibly even loved her.

Trish walked inside and scanned the room for any sign of Dave. She found him lying on the floor with no shirt on, doing sit-ups, and it had to be the sexiest thing that she had ever seen. The way his face scrunched up and how he grunted whenever he worked out made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Just his simple nuances affected her on so many levels.

Her face became flushed and her heart rate quickened as she watched him from the entrance way. She felt that familiar ache deep down inside and she knew that she had to have him. If she didn't kiss him right this second she was sure that she would be in the nut house. He was literally driving her insane.

Dave could feel her presence as soon as she had entered the locker room. It was always like that with the two of them. They just had this unbreakable connection. Normally she would come running in to the locker room, her mouth moving a mile a minute. But this was different. He could sense that something was up but couldn't tell at the moment if it was bad or good. He could feel her eyes boring into him, scorching his flesh. She really had no clue how hard it was for him not to stand up and take her right there. He tried as hard as he could to fight his desire for her but he was fighting a losing battle. He wanted her to heal before she moved on with someone else but his libido had a mind of it's own.

Trish cleared her throat, letting him know that she was in the room. She would have said something but her voice didn't seem to want to work. He just had that affect on her. Most of the time she was able to deal with the feelings that he woke up inside of her. But at certain times, just like now, she found it hard to concentrate on anything but rolling around in the sheets with him.

Dave locked eyes with her, thankful that she finally broke her silence. She had a mischievous look in her eyes and he knew that she was up to no good. There was no telling what she had done or was about to do. He was pretty sure though that he was going to find out.

"Alright, woman, Spill it. What are you up to," he challenged, trying to be serious but failing miserably.

Trish had him right where she wanted him. This was going to be more fun than she had thought. Watching him squirm was definitely a turn on. She knew that he would try to tickle it out of her and that was her plan. If she could get close enough to him where she couldn't fight it, she would have no choice but to let nature take it's course.

"I don't know what you are talking about David," she said giggling. "I am not up to anything."

Dave had to laugh at her obvious attempt to get him going. She knew that he hated when she kept things from him and she was enjoying every minute of it.

"Come on T," he pouted. "Can't you tell Big Dave what's going on?"

"No can do Tista, she teased. "That is classified information and if I told you, I would have to kill you."

Dave got up from the floor and started walking towards her, knowing that she had no place to go.

"Oh you are so going to get it now diva," he said playfully. "You have unleashed the animal inside of me so I would run and hide if I were you."

Did everything have to be a sexual innuendo with him? His choice of words always seemed to get her going. Either she was just too damned horny for her own good or his words really did have a double meaning. She couldn't wait to unleash the animal...in the bedroom. The thought of that turned her on immensely.

He slowly but surely backed her into the corner, just as she wanted. He thought he was outsmarting her but the fact of the matter was, she was outsmarting him. He was just a pawn in her little game of cat and mouse and she couldn't wait to pounce.

Dave wondered how the two of them always managed to end up in these predicaments and not do anything about it. Their playful banter always turned into some sort of sexual game. Not that he minded but a man could only take so many cold showers in one day. People were going to start talking.

Dave closed the gap between them until there was a mere inch separating them. The mood quickly became very intense. Their eyes locked briefly before Trish turned away, biting on her lip nervously. This was going to be harder than she thought. What if she was misreading him? Could she really risk their friendship?

Dave could sense Trish's uneasiness and knew that he was getting to her. At least he knew that he was reading her signals correctly. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. He figured if he just pushed a bit more she would finally admit how she felt about him. Then he could do the same and they could officially become a couple. He wanted that more than anything. They practically lived the part anyway, other than the sex part.

Dave put an arm on each side of Trish, trapping her in. There was no escape. They locked eyes once again, feeling that all to familiar connection growing. Trish licked her lips in anticipation hoping that he would put her out of her misery but she knew that he wouldn't. He was too much of a gentleman to force himself onto her, even if she did want it. That basically left the ball in her court.

Trish found it hard to breathe with him being so close. They had been in some very uncomfortable situations in the past but this one definitely took the cake. There was no turning back now. It was time to finally give in to her desire.

Trish tentatively wrapped her arms around Dave's neck, pulling him down towards her until their lips were a mere inch apart. She shivered with delight when his hands slid boldly down her sides to rest upon her hips. His gaze was as intense as she had ever seen it, initiating a small whimper. He took mercy on her by making the first move, crushing his lips into her own. The kiss was soft an unhurried at first but quickly growing in intensity.

Dave hoisted Trish up so that she was now pressed up against the wall, her legs wrapped around his middle. He pressed himself up against her, letting her feel his erection. Her breathing became labored, as she through her head back in euphoria. He trailed kisses from her jawline up to her ear, gently nibbling on the lobe. She raked her fingernails across his abs and chest causing his muscles to twitch in delight.

Trish let out another moan when he grabbed hold of her two perfectly rounded globes, squeezing them gently while sliding her up and down his length, causing him to grow painfully hard. He wanted her so badly it hurt. He literally ached for her.

His heated gaze rested upon her beautiful face once again. Her eyes were laced with a sexual hunger that he had never seen before. She was like a lion stalking her prey. He devoured her lips once again stifling another moan. The soon to be lovers were so wrapped up in one another that they didn't notice the door opening and Ric and Hunter walking in.

"Hey big man you in here?"

Trish and Dave quickly pulled away from each other trying to look as innocent as possible. However, they were fighting a losing battle. Trish's swollen lips and Dave's new shade of red lipstick showed them that what they were doing was anything but innocent.

When Ric and Hunter got a look at what was going on they shared a knowing glance.

"I told you Ric," Hunter said proudly. "You owe me 100 bucks."

Ric went deep into his pocket and pulled out a stack of 100 dollar bills, throwing one at Hunter.

"You know Hunter," Ric began. "Sometimes I wonder about you. I swear if you guys are trying to pull a fast one on me, I am going to be pissed."

Dave had to do a double take. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. They actually had a bet going on him and Trish. He had seen low before but that had to be the lowest.

"I cannot believe you guys," he said appalled. "How could you make a bet on us?"

Ric seemed a little embarrassed that they got caught but Hunter didn't seem to care too much.

"Come on Dave," he started. "Lighten up man. It was just a little harmless bet."

Dave was severely pissed but didn't want to say something that he would regret so he went into the other room to grab a drink of water and cool off.

Trish sat back in the corner of the room, feeling a bit offended. She knew that Hunter was blunt and didn't care about who he hurt but Ric, he had always been so good to her.

Ric was ashamed of himself. Normally he didn't care what people thought of him but this was Trish, his Trish. He felt like a complete ass. When he locked eyes with her he felt an ache in his heart. Sure it didn't seem like a big deal to someone like Hunter but after everything Trish had gone through with Christian, making a bet on her was probably not the best idea.

"Aww, I am sorry dollface," he said with remorse. "We really didn't mean any harm."

Ric headed over to where she was standing, hoping she would listen to him.

"I know I can be an ass at times Trish but you know how much I love you."

Trish couldn't help but smile at his words of endearment. He really had been there for her through everything so the least she could do was forgive him. It wasn't as if it was a big deal.

"Is that a smile that I see," he teased.

Her smile turned into laughter as she suddenly found the whole ordeal extremely funny.

"You guys really made a bet on us," she questioned. "I mean were we that obvious?"

"Sweetheart, the entire locker room had a bet going on," Hunter chimed in. "Trust me, I think everyone but the two of you knew that you both had a crush on each other."

Trish had to admit, it was pretty damn funny. Now she only hoped that Dave would see it that way.

"Well, if you boys will excuse me, I think I need to go and tend to my extremely hot-headed boyfriend."

Boyfriend? Did she just say boyfriend? It really did have a nice ring to it. I mean after what had just happened, she would hope that they would get together officially.

Trish opened the door to the changing room, hoping that Dave had calmed down a bit. She hated seeing him angry. He really had a bad temper.

"Dave?"

As soon as he heard her voice, he felt the butterflies in his stomach begin to flutter. He wondered if she had any idea how much she affected him. After the moment that they just shared, he knew that there was no turning back.

"Hey babe," he greeted. "I am sorry I lost my head out there. They just really pissed me off."

"You have to admit Dave," she said smirking. "That was pretty funny when you think about it. I mean really think about it hun. Everyone knew how we felt about each other, except for us."

The frustrated look on his face quickly softened when he thought about what she had said. She was right. He knew that he should probably go apologize to his friends. After all, without them, he would be a nobody.

Dave walked up to Trish, pressing his forehead against hers. "This thing between you and I, we need to finish it later."

With that being said, he kissed her softly on the lips and left the room, leaving her to think about what was going to happen.