CHAPTER 7
"Do we have to watch this movie?"
Robin heard Patrick groan and mumble all the way from the kitchen, where she was preparing two plates of Chinese food they had picked up after paintball, along with some rented movies. She couldn't quite remember who's idea it had been to spend the remainder of their first date in his apartment, yet here they were. And surprisingly, it wasn't strange or awkward in the least.
"Well no one's forcing you Patrick." Robin laughed good-naturedly as she put the plates, silverware, napkins, and sodas onto a tray.
Walking out into the living room with their dinner, Robin was suddenly struck with how domestic this all was. And how right it felt. Almost too right. And it scared her, because nothing ever came this easy. She almost didn't want to trust the sense of security she felt, for fear it would be yanked out from under her, and she would end up as she always did: hurt, angry, and alone.
After her turbulent relationship with Jason, she swore to herself she'd never allow herself to become that vulnerable again. She didn't think her heart could take another shattering, especially since it took so long to fit the pieces together again last time. So she closed off that part of herself, and instead focused all her time and energy into her medical career. And yes, it was a lonely way to live, but at least she was strong. It was better than being in love. After all, love always ended badly. She knew this from experience. And besides, the greatest love of her life – the one man whom she was meant to spend the rest of her life with – had died a decade ago. She honestly didn't believe she would ever fall as madly and completely in love with any other man as she had with Stone.
Sure, she had loved Jason. Even had planned a future with him in her head years ago, back when things had been good between them. But she always knew deep down in her heart that there would be no happy ending. There were too many problems, countless warning signs, and a force between them – much like a brick wall – that could never be knocked down, despite how hard she tried. And in a way, she was glad things had turned out the way they did. They were both content living the lives' they wanted, which they never would have been able to accomplish had they stayed together. Robin seriously doubted she'd be a doctor had they never parted, and she knew Jason wouldn't have been happy knowing how much Robin disapproved of his lifestyle. Which is why Sam was perfect for him. And Carly. He could have Carly.
Robin felt relief that she was no longer tied to that world of mobsters and gang violence, yet she couldn't completely ignore the tiny part of her that missed him.
No. Robin reasoned. She didn't miss him. She missed being in love.
And while she'd always love Stone, the truth was, he was gone. She felt very alone, despite the fact she had family and friends whom she knew cared about her.
Could she add Patrick Drake to that list?
Robin wasn't sure yet.
She knew she cared about him, and she knew she got butterflies in her stomach every time she was in close proximity of him. But could it be something more?
Robin pondered that question as she set the tray down on his coffee table. He was standing near the DVD player, holding two movies, trying to decide which one to put in.
When he heard her walk over to the couch and sit down, he glanced over and smiled.
"I so better be getting major points for watching this, Scorpio." He half-jokingly teased as he popped in the one she wanted to see.
He then sat down next to her as "When Harry Met Sally..." started playing. Robin stifled a giggle when she caught his look of dread.
"Oh, come on. It won't be that bad."
Patrick shot her a 'yeah, right' look before picking up his plate of food.
"My movie is way better." He mumbled as he chewed a fork full of lo mein noodles.
Robin laughed. "Oh yeah, because a mindless Vin Diesel action flick involving guns and bombs really turns a girl on."
Robin suddenly stopped. "Wait. Does he take his shirt off?"
Patrick raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. Probably. It's a Hollywood blockbuster, after all. Why?"
"Well then, by all means, pop it in."
Robin leaned forward, pretending to be incredibly interested in the television. She felt Patrick's glare on her, and bit back a smile.
"Actually, 'When Harry Met Sally...' suddenly seems more interesting." He grumbled, taking a swig of his soda.
Robin grinned victoriously. "Good boy."
"Believe me Scorpio, you won't be saying that by the end of the night."
"Cocky, aren't we?"
"Honest." Patrick shrugged.
"Insufferable."
"...yet you can't seem to stay away."
"Infuriating."
"...that makes two of us."
Robin scoffed. "Unbelievable."
"You know it." He winked.
Robin shook her head in mock-irritation, but her wide smile gave her away. She couldn't help feel like a giddy schoolgirl around him. Actually, he seemed to have that same effect on the entire female staff at the hospital. And Robin couldn't blame them. The man was irresistible. He obviously had his choice of any woman he wanted, yet here he was, with her. Which brought out those old insecurities, the annoying inner voice that told her she wasn't enough for him, and that he was only with her for the novelty of being with an HIV positive woman. Oddly enough, the inner voice sounded an awful lot like Carly.
Robin shook her head, deciding that she wasn't going to let anyone – whether it was other people or herself – ruin a perfectly pleasant evening with Patrick. She looked over at him as Billy Crystal delivered the line about how men and women could never be friends, since sex always got in the way. She wondered where Patrick and her stood.
Were they friends?
Merely colleagues?
Or was their relationship developing into something more profound?
Two hours, three cartons of Chinese food, and four glasses of wine later, Robin was no closer to figuring out that question. In fact, she was even more confused than before. Especially since he kept on making it so incredibly hard to resist him. It dawned on her that Patrick Drake had been turning on the full charm, complete with dimple and all. And she had to admit; she was enjoying it. Usually she felt annoyed by his flirting and teasing, but that was because he used the same tired old lines on anything female and breathing. But there was something about him tonight – something honest and sincere, and dare she say it: caring – that she couldn't help but think perhaps, she was wrong about her first impression of him.
"What?"
Robin blinked. "Huh?"
"You've been staring at me for the past ten minutes." Patrick observed, smirking in a knowing way. "Now, I know I'm quite good-looking, but I never thought you'd be so obvious in your attraction."
Robin made a face, about to rant on how she must have hit her head to think he'd be anything more than the arrogant doctor she argued with at work everyday. But Patrick knew her, and was one step ahead of her.
"...and by that I mean, I never thought you'd be so obvious in your attraction as I am towards you."
Robin raised an eyebrow.
Patrick smiled nervously.
Robin crossed her arms.
A short pause filled the living room.
"...because you're so pretty..." Patrick added, grabbing a flower out of the vase on the coffee table.
Robin laughed, despite her attempt to appear annoyed by his lame lines.
"Nice save." She took the flower from him.
"I thought so." He shrugged.
Robin playfully hit him on the shoulder, and he responded by ticking her sides. She shrieked, trying to squirm away from his reach, and ended up rolling off the couch onto the floor, with him on top of her. All previous laughter died as soon as his body pressed down against hers. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt his hand move up her shirt, both from the coldness against her flush skin, and the burning electricity of his touch. She laid still, spellbound, too afraid to move – too afraid to want something this bad – in case it was merely a dream. It didn't feel real, him being with her... that he could want to be with someone like her. And she couldn't bear it if he left her afterwards.
She forgot about all her insecurities the instant his lips came crashing down upon hers, their tongues' dueling and their hearts' beating furiously against each others'. Hands were everywhere, groping at every part of exposed skin, grinding into each other faster, faster. They couldn't get the barrier known as clothing off quickly enough. Not one single coherent thought would have been able to form in either of their minds', for they could only think about getting closer.
Pound.
Their hearts' went, as she yanked his shirt above his head and threw it carelessly aside.
Pound.
Their hearts' went, as he unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them down her hips as she lifted her torso up.
Pound.
Their hearts' went, as she unzipped his jeans and shamelessly reached inside, feeling how hard he was.
Pound.
Their hearts' went, as they fell into a rhythm of grinding against each other. Yet they weren't close enough – not yet.
Pound.
Pound.
Pound.
"STOP!"
Robin and Patrick jumped, startled by the sudden loud voice that yelled at them. They looked up, and there stood Carly Corinthos, in the middle of Patrick's living room.
At first, nobody moved, all of them too shocked to do so. Robin and Patrick shocked at her appearing seemingly out of nowhere, and Carly shocked at the sight of Little Miss Holier-Than-Thou and the usually intelligent Dr. Drake going at it on the floor like rabbits. She thought he had better taste than that. She concluded he must have been desperate, for she couldn't think of a single reason why Patrick would be with Robin.
The initial shock wore off a few seconds later, and both Robin and Patrick scrambled to find their respective clothing and cover themselves' up. Carly laughed as she turned partially away, enjoying the knowledge of Robin's embarrassment.
"Carly, would you mind telling me exactly what the hell you're doing here?" Patrick barked, frustrated that he didn't get to finish what Robin and him had started.
"Saving you from a big mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life." Carly responded, not even bothering to look at Robin.
"First off, you have no right to insert yourself into a situation between Robin and myself that doesn't in any way involve you. And second, you have no right to insult Robin, especially after everything I've heard about you. And third..." Patrick yelled while walking towards Carly, growing more and more worked up. "...you have no right to come into my home unannounced, and uninvited."
"How quickly you forget." Carly drawled. "Last time I was here, you invited me to come over whenever I pleased. What was it you said? 'Anytime you're in the neighborhood'?"
"A simple formality, one which I take back." Patrick muttered, glancing down in the direction of Robin.
"'Formality'?" Carly repeated tauntingly, glancing towards Robin, making sure she was listening. "Funny, I don't recall there being anything 'formal' between us at all."
Carly leaned closer into Patrick.
Patrick took a step backwards.
"Whatever was between us – or rather, what you think was between us – doesn't give you the right to break into my apartment!"
Carly simply laughed.
"Honey." She said, tossing her jacket and purse onto the table by the door. "I knocked several times. And besides, how could I break in when you gave me a key?"
TO BE CONTINUED...