Title: Sweet Temptation
Author: Steph
Rating: PG
Pairing: Robin/Patrick
Category: Romance/Humor/Drama
Disclaimer: I do this out of a love for this couple. No infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Just that Gwen stuff.
Summary: After deciding to have a purely professional relationship, Robin and Patrick attend a medical conference together in Miami.
Note: Thanks for the feedback on part 2. I really appreciate it and I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Well, since the story was "done" when I started posting it, I've had time to read over it and I just can't stop adding stuff and tinkering. So, guess what? This story is now 5 parts! That is definitely it though. It's not going to be longer than that! I swear! Anyway, hope you enjoy it and please let me know what you thought. Thanks! -Steph
---Sweet Temptation: Part 3/5---
The sunlight peeked through the curtains, gently beckoning Robin to open her eyes. She groaned and squeezed her eyes, before covering her face with her hands. She rubbed at her eyes and then slowly opened them. It took her a moment to realize that she wasn't where she should have been. She looked down at the covers, her brow furrowing, and then turned over. Her eyes widened, as she found Patrick sleeping in her original place. A smile pulled at her lips as she realized he had given up the bed for her. She eyed him, wondering how he had ever fallen asleep. His head was all the way back, his mouth open wide. He was going to have one helluva stiff neck. The chair must have moved while he slept because his feet were barely touching the edge and his body was beginning to sink down in between the chairs.
Robin smiled, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She reached over and placed her hand over the clock radio. She hit the alarm button and set it for exactly one minute from then, as she turned the volume all the way up. She did a silent countdown in her head, her eyes focused on his figure. A minute later, the clock radio blared. Patrick's eyes flew open and his body jerked upward, causing the chair with his feet on it to move forward. He landed on the floor with a loud thud.
Robin covered her hands with her mouth to keep from laughing. Patrick blinked a few times and then ran a hand through his hair. He slowly stood up and met her eyes.
She grinned. "There was a spider crawling on you. I figured the loud noise would scare it."
He offered her a toothless smile. "Well, thank you very much. I think I broke my tailbone."
"Drama queen."
Patrick stretched his arms and arched his back, as he worked out the kinks in his body. Robin's eyes fell upon his face.
"What you did last night...that was very nice of you," she said softly.
He shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, but not quite pulling it off. "You get cranky when you don't have a good night's sleep. The gesture was purely selfish in nature." He paused, hooking his thumb in the direction of the bathroom. "I'm going to jump in the shower." He grinned and then added, "The old Patrick would have mentioned something about you joining him."
She grinned. "And the new Patrick?"
His smile widened. "Is going to take a cold shower."
Robin chuckled, as she watched him disappear into the bathroom.
---
Patrick spotted Robin in the lecture room. He smiled, moving towards her, before his eyes fell on the man sitting next to her. He realized for the first time that they were engaged in conversation. Patrick eyed the man, immediately disliking him. He had short, brown wavy hair and a strong physique. His smile was wide, revealing bright, white teeth. His blue eyes sparkled at Robin. To Patrick, he looked like a Ken doll.
Patrick walked to the row in front of Robin, but sat down a few seats away. He looked over at the woman beside him. She had long, brown flowing hair, smooth, tan skin and full lips.
He turned in his seat to face the woman, putting his arm around the chair and peeking a glimpse at Robin, whose eyes were now focused on him.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Patrick Drake," he said smoothly, flashing her a grin.
The woman turned to him, not even bothering to fake interest. "It's a medical conference. We're all doctors. You really don't need to use the title when introducing yourself. I won't be impressed."
Patrick's eyes widened. He'd never struck out by just introducing himself. In fact, the only time he'd ever struck out before was with Robin. There was obviously something wrong with this woman.
Robin didn't hear what the woman said, but she hated the way Patrick was looking at her.
"A friend of yours?" her companion asked.
"What?" Robin said, as she shook her head and turned back to him.
Bryan Fenmore nodded his head in Patrick's direction. "Him. We were engaged in a perfectly nice conversation. Then he showed up and I might as well have disappeared."
Robin blushed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you."
"So do you know him?"
"We work together."
"I'm sensing there's more to that story."
Robin's brow creased. "What? No, we're just colleagues."
Bryan pursed his lips and nodded. "Okay."
Patrick turned to the woman again. "I think we got off on the wrong foot."
She turned to him. "Look, I'm not interested. I work with guys like you everyday. God's gift to medicine and women."
"So we've met then," he replied with a grin.
The woman rolled her eyes. "You're wasting your time."
"Time's never wasted on a beautiful woman," he said, looking past her head at Robin.
The woman turned and looked over her shoulder, following his gaze. "Unbelievable. Not only are you hitting on me using the lamest come-ons, you're only doing it to make that woman over there jealous."
Patrick moved his eyes back to the woman. "That's ridiculous."
"Yes, it is. We're not in Junior High and this isn't our first dance. I guess some people just outgrow these games sooner than others."
"I'm not playing any games. I'm honestly interested in you."
"You should be, but you're not. And it doesn't matter anyway because I'm not interested in you."
Patrick's eyes widened. "I'm probably going to regret asking this, but why?"
"You mean besides the fact that you're arrogant and smug?"
"Yes, besides that," he said with a sigh.
The woman glanced over at Robin again. "I'm not interested in guys hung up on other women."
"I'm not-..."
The woman interrupted him by standing up and picking up her purse. "You know what? I think I need a little air."
Patrick watched as the woman stood up and moved to another row. He shook his head in amazement. What was the matter with these women in Miami? They were all crazy! First, Lola, who is actually certifiable. And now this woman who is obviously delusional.
Robin couldn't hear a word, but smiled when the woman walked away. She turned to say something to Bryan, but was surprised to find his seat empty. She scanned the room, her lips curving downward when she spotted him sitting a few rows in front of her. Great, she thought. She'd met a perfectly nice man and she'd allowed Patrick Drake to ruin it.
"Where's Dr. Ken doll?" Patrick's smooth voice asked.
Robin turned her head and found herself staring into his eyes. "Oh, he saw some friends and went to sit with them."
"Right."
Robin's brow wrinkled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, I just think he saw you staring at me and got a little upset. But we're just colleagues and friends, so he obviously has nothing to worry about. I'm sure you told him that, right?"
"Of course."
"Hmm, maybe he just wasn't interested then."
"You mean like Exotic Barbie over there wasn't interested in you?"
"Oh, you noticed her, huh? Yeah, I think there may be something wrong with her."
"Why? Because she didn't melt the moment you opened your mouth?"
"Hmm, the old Patrick would say something about you being jealous right now."
"Jealous of what? She couldn't get away from you fast enough."
"Like I said, there was something wrong with her. Maybe she's a patient, not a doctor."
Robin rolled her eyes.
"Why do you care anyway? Is this just concern for a friend?" Patrick asked.
Robin nodded. "Yes, exactly. I'm concerned for my friend."
Patrick smiled. "Sure, you are."
---
Robin and Patrick emerged from their third and final lecture of the day.
She smiled at him. "It's funny how we kept showing up at the same lectures."
"Small world."
"I think I remember saying something about signing up for different lectures."
"But that was before we were pals."
"True, but that's when you signed up...before we were pals. How exactly did you know what I signed up for anyway?"
"Now this is the work of the old Patrick, so don't take it out on the new one."
Robin grinned, as she folded her arms over her chest. "I wouldn't dream of it."
"Your planner."
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. "Unbelievable. What else did 'old Patrick' learn from my planner?"
He smiled. "Well, your menstrual cycle should be starting any day now."
Robin brought her hand up and swatted him on the arm.
Patrick laughed. "Relax, I was kidding."
Robin sighed. "Give old Patrick a message for me. The next time I find out he went snooping through my things, I'm going to make it so he has to perform all future surgeries with his feet."
Patrick smirked. "Old Patrick says he would welcome the challenge."
Robin groaned and rubbed at her eyes. "You know what? I think I'm going to go for a relaxing swim in the ocean. I'll see you later."
"I'd like to go for a relaxing swim in the ocean."
"Feel free. The ocean is very big. But in order for my swim to be relaxing, you and your other personality need to be far, far away."
With that, Robin walked off.
---
Robin walked out of the bathroom, as she tied her bikini top behind her neck. She looked in the mirror and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Patrick sitting on the bed, staring at her. She turned around to face him, noting the way his eyes slowly scanned her slim figure from top to bottom. She felt self-conscious standing there in nothing but her blue tropical print bikini.
"What are you doing here?"
"Big ocean remember? I came to get my suit."
"Oh."
She moved back to the mirror and picked up her sunblock, noting how his eyes never left her and how he didn't make a move to go into the bathroom to change. She applied the sunblock to her chest and arms, then bit her lip as she wondered how she was going to reach her back.
As if reading her mind, he said, "I can help you with that."
Robin laughed and turned around to face him. "Right."
"Hey, that's the kind of stuff friends do for each other." She shook her head at him and he shrugged. "Fine, if you don't think you can handle-..."
Robin sighed, realizing that by refusing she was admitting the temptation was just too great.
"Fine," she replied, as she held out the sunblock.
He smiled, stood up, and took it from her. He took his place behind her. Robin's breath caught in her chest, as he leaned in close, his body pressing into hers, and whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
Patrick squeezed a generous amount of sunblock into his hand, then handed her the bottle. He rubbed his hands together slowly, enjoying the fact that he was making her breathless with anticipation. Finally, he brought his strong hands to her shoulders and began to massage the lotion into her skin. Robin closed her eyes, the feel of his touch driving her insane with desire. He worked agonizingly slow, moving from her shoulders, to her upper back and then down to her lower back. Robin felt herself involuntarily throw her head back and let out a little moan as his hands massaged the lotion into the small of her back.
She was so lost in the sensation of his touch that she didn't realized his fingertips had trailed up her arms and his hands now rested on her shoulders, allowing him to pull her against his chest and bring his lips close to her ear again. His warm breath tickled the sensitive skin.
"I think I could get used to this just friends thing," he said.
Robin was caught off-guard by the sound of his voice in her ear and reacted by squeezing the bottle of sunblock. The lotion squirted upward and flew in all directions, landing on the bedspread, floor, walls...and them.
Robin covered her mouth with her hands, as she turned around to face him. The sunblock was in his hair and on his face. He eyed her, an amused smile playing across his lips. She brought her thumb up and gently wiped away some lotion from his chin.
"Thanks for the help," she said softly, before grabbing her towel and exiting the room.
Patrick shook his head, as he realized she had left him a mess to clean up.
---
The sun was beginning to set, as Robin lay back on the water and allowed herself to float peacefully. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sounds of silence. She'd managed to find a secluded part of the beach and was enjoying the solitude.
"We've got to stop meeting like this," his silky voice said, filling her ears.
Startled, but not disappointed, her eyes flew open and she straightened.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes immediately moving to his glistening chest.
The water was fairly shallow where they were. On her, it still came up to her midsection. His height, however, allowed her to get a full view of his nicely toned upper body. She liked that he wasn't too muscular. It was just enough to drive her crazy. He noted her eyes scanning him and allowed her a few moments to linger.
"I told you I was going for a swim," he finally replied.
She nodded, reluctantly moving her eyes to his face. "Yes, but why here? I found this nice secluded area. You could have any other part of the ocean. Did you follow me?"
"Follow you? No, I just wanted some peace and quiet, too. Great minds think alike, I guess."
Robin watched as Patrick waded farther out. She followed him, until just her shoulders were visible. They watched as the sun continued to set, the sky becoming a canvas of shades of yellow, orange, pink, and purple.
"Beautiful," Robin said softly.
Patrick turned, his eyes falling upon her face. "I couldn't agree more."
Robin met his eyes, as her chest tightened and a lump took up residence in her throat. She ached to reach out and touch him, to feel his strong arms wrap around her body.
He bit at his bottom lip, a mischievous twinkle suddenly appearing in his eyes. Her brow furrowed and she was suddenly aware of movement beneath the water. A moment later, his arm came up out of the water. Robin moved her eyes to his hand and they widened at what she found.
"You took off your bathing suit!"
He smiled, swung it over his head, and threw it on the sand. He licked his lips and grinned at her.
Robin shook her head. "Unbelievable. Back to your old ways, I see."
Patrick laughed. "Don't flatter yourself. I just felt like skinny-dipping. I wasn't going to whether or not you were here. I like the freedom, the way the water feels against my skin," he said, his words slow and seductive. Robin swallowed hard, as he went on. "Feel free to leave."
Robin eyed him for a long moment, then turned her back on him, and began to make her way back to the beach.
"Or join me," he finished.
She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around to face him.
He took a few steps forward, his voice soft and smooth. "You say you can't afford to be spontaneous because you have HIV, but that doesn't have anything to do with day-to-day things. No one's saying have casual sex or skip your meds. Just take a chance. Do something without thinking. See how it feels. You never know. You just might like it."
There was something in his voice, something in his piercing eyes that Robin just couldn't resist. Without saying a word, she reached up behind her neck and untied her bikini top. Patrick's eyes dropped and she could tell he wished the sun was still out and the water was clear enough to see through. She smiled, took the bikini top, and swung it over her head so it landed on the beach. Her eyes never breaking contact with his, she slid her fingers beneath the band of her bikini bottom and slipped it down her legs. She then repeated the action she'd taken with the top.
And there they stood, now surrounded by near darkness, nothing separating them but a few feet of water.
"How does it feel?" he asked.
She smiled and shrugged. "Weird."
"I don't mean the water against your body. I mean how does it feel to just act and not overthink everything?"
Robin lowered her eyes. "It feels nice."
"Yeah, it does," he said, his voice husky and focused on her lips.
He took a step forward and Robin could feel her heart rate quicken. They were entering dangerous territory. He brought his hand up and caressed her cheek, his thumb settling on her chin.
He then brought his face in close and whispered in her ear, "If this is what being friends with a woman is like, then I think I just found myself a new hobby."
He then sidestepped her and made his way to shore. Robin let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. She then turned to watch him emerge from the water, a pang of disappointment coursing through her at the fact that it was too dark to make anything more than the outline of his body out.
---
Part 4 of 5 coming soon
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought. -Steph