WOW that must have been a long wait huh? Gosh guys i really am sorry, i'm still sick and not really up to proof reading the last quarter of the fic and since Anna is sleeping away at home i cant ask her to read it when i sed i'll be posting today!

So without further ado I give you Chapter 7.


Simply Friends

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Chapter 7: Non-existent Control

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"W-we have to stop this," Lily said breathlessly. She couldn't think and though she knew it was wrong of her to melt from his kisses this way, there was no way she could help herself. "Now," she added uselessly.

The man had a raw talent because although she'd been kissed many times before, never had she felt the deep tremble that seemed to well up from deep within her. And never had she craved for a man's touch this way. Her lower muscles ached and throbbed and although his leg was pressing insistently there she needed to feel more. His hand gently kneaded her breast, heightening the need for him to take the aching nubs into his mouth.

Her body reacted without her brain's consent as it arched and rubbed against him wantonly. If she stopped to think she'd be disgusted with herself but the only thing that stopped her was the fact that she seemed to be having the same effect on him.

The insistent prodding that was pressed to her stomach was more than ample evidence that he wasn't in much control as she was. Not that it mattered because where she failed to pull away he was the one who did in the end.

James looked at her, his gaze running over her features. She looked as though she had just been ravished. Her eyes were glazed and her lips were tender and swollen. His mind willingly shied away from what other parts of her body was swollen as well.

"We - um we better go, the hungry gits will be wondering where their food is, we've been gone a little while."

"Right," Lily answered but none of them moved.

Things had changed far too much in the last few minutes and dealing with them in the midst of all their friends would be next to impossible.

Stepping away from Lily and the tree, James gave them both some much needed space. A child screamed and ran past them laughing. She was followed seconds later by three other children.

The startling sound made Lily freeze. If they had stayed like that moments longer the children would have gotten more than an introduction to the birds and the bees.

Gathering her resolve she moved away from the tree while fixing her clothes. Kicking herself for losing control in a public place wouldn't do her much good so as she kept a wide berth from James she headed towards the deli.

I wanted him. If he had wanted to take me against the tree I would have let him. Ah, what kind of idiot am I? What happened to being strong and in control of my hormones? Ha Yeah right.

That's a nonexistent thought now isn't it? Knowing a relationship wouldn't work out with a bloke like him yet still melting when he kisses me.

The words rushed through Lily's head and she sighed. If she could help it she wouldn't talk to him for the rest of the way and back.

That's it I changed my mind. She thought in sudden panic. She didn't want to want to be in a relationship with James. This mixed up confusion in her head was only going to disrupt both their lives.

It was clear he wanted her in a physical sense but for him to love her enough to make the relationship lead to something more permanent was a long shot.

However, even though she was filled with her own thoughts, she did notice that James was quiet too. He also was staring straight ahead and not giving any sort of indication that she was next to him.

Grr, the man made her insanely mad.

If she wasn't pissed off at him one minute she was lusting after him the next. Why couldn't she have normal feelings? Either she liked someone or she didn't. These mixed up emotions were going to literally drive her insane.

Tuh, this was probably why she'd forgotten all about her attraction to the idiot. Her subconscious mostly likely expected that she would go loco trying to understand the man who showed all signs of wanting her yet likes to run whenever a woman mentions she wants a relationship.

What the bloody hell did he think dating was?

A "hanging out" session?

Yeah as if, tuh. Where on this great green planet we call earth does it say that sex is a nonrelationship activity?

And he did sleep with those other women; she didn't have any doubt of that. Was she bothered by that now?

Hell yes.

Was she bothered by it then?

Well technically no.

She never dwelled on it before. How could she not have thought about it? She must've had an opinion to his dating habits. Right?

Ugh.

She wanted to scream.

All of these stupid points and questions were popping up in her head. She did not want them there.

They entered the deli and ordered then took a seat in one of the booths. It was then they finally looked at each other.

"We have to talk about what happened just now," he said, his expression giving away nothing.

"I don't really think we need to right now," Lily said, preferring to forget what happened instead of talking about forgetting what happened. They'll save a step in the process that's all. It'll be quicker.

"No—now isn't the time." He said calmly and Lily almost groaned out her relief until he added. "You'll stay back after the others leave."

"I can't do that, they'll be suspicious." Lily said but she didn't even know if they'd think that.

"They wouldn't be, not really."

And Lily could see the truth in that sentence because for all concerned the two of them were just friends. A hysterical little giggle threatened to make itself known.

How could she have let things reach this far? Gah, her and her stupid hormones. If she hadn't asked James to make love to her none of this wouldn't have happened. But then would she have still wanted him if she hadn't? Erin's taunts would still be in her head and her thoughts about sex would remain unfulfilled.

Why couldn't she have just pretended that nothing really had happened? She could have talked to him today and they'd settle things, then joke around with the others. But no, she had felt something that night—in her soul and not knowing how to deal with it she just didn't talk to him.

Then piling even more confusion on top of everything else, she let him kiss her. It had been more than a kiss, she knew and he'd been right, nothing can come of them being together so why pretend that things needed to be fixed?

They just needed to be forgotten.

James knew is anger was growing. It annoyed him that Lily was shying away from talking with him. And they did need to talk. Things would because too complicated if they didn't.

"Yeah I suppose you're right about that." Lily muttered reluctantly.

Minutes later, food in hand they walked out of the deli and onto the path once more. Neither spoke though James was intent on having it out with her. They needed to settle what was between them now. And then after they were done he'd go out and find someone.

Okay he knew it wouldn't be that simple but there were a couple women near where he worked. It would be easy to find some to go out with.

That would sure to take his mind off the one who was walking next to him.

Her hands brushed his and a spark zinged, arousing him further—or not.

Damn it. They needed to find a way around this. She was regretting making love to him that was for certain; otherwise she would at least look him in the eye like she did earlier but after he messed thing up further by kissing her, her regrets shone like a neon beacon.

He took a sideway glance at her.

Would he be able to forget? She pissed him off like no one else yet counteracted by turning him on like no one else.

He honestly didn't understand women. How they thought was enough to drive any bloke nutty and just thinking about the subtle body beneath set his teeth on edge.

While walking, James tried to twitch into a more comfortable position. He'd never been in a constant state of arousal before. If the effect was cause by another woman his problems would be a whole lot easier to deal with.

He bit back a curse because although he wanted to do a lot more than curse he couldn't and since there was no other thought in his head all his body ached to do was follow nature's course.

They crossed the courtyard and entered the building and though it had occurred to James that their friends would pick up on the tension as soon as they enter the flat he now realized that if they knew something was up, questions were soon to be asked.

Damn, how could they explain things without exposing their entire business out for them to see?

As they walked towards the lift James was aware of Lily more than ever as the doors closed and so by looking at her expressionless face he said the first thing that came to mind.

"You could at least smile," He said somewhat harshly. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd ever been harsh. He gritted his teeth. The woman was making him into a person he didn't even recognize.

"Excuse me?" She asked and wore the most condescending expression on her face.

"Need your ears checked Evans? I said you could smile a little. If anyone saw you they'd think I had something to do with that expression you're wearing on your face."

"What's that supposed to mean, Potter? And you did cause this expression on my face."

"Really now? I think you and I both know that you're so thick-headed that you don't want to find a simple solution to our problem." He accused as they entered the lift.

Lily snorted. "I think I get the picture James and I learned my lesson a few minutes ago. How about this; we not talk about sleeping together ever again and pretend that whatever happened never happened."

Last week if someone had suggested that Lily would be turning him inside and out, he'd have laughed in their faces.

Seeing red, James shot out his hand pressed the emergency stop button, not knowing why. This is what she did to him. Make him act against his personality.

The lift jerked to a stop and when Lily shot forward James caught her. Silently he took the parcels of food out of her grip and rested them on the floor with the others, then pushed her back against he wall of the lift and loomed over her.

"Why is it that when you open your mouth stupid things come out?" James asked and without batting an eye to his stance she responded.

"I beg you pardon?"

"Does it look like either one of us could forget what happened three days ago? Or for that matter what happened a few minutes ago? No it doesn't does it. What makes you think that we can both pretend that we didn't have sex?"

"Nothing makes me think that but we can sure as hell try."

"Uh huh right and what happens when I touch you?" he said and his eyes dropped to the rise and fall of her breasts.

"Nothing because you're not going to touch me and even if you did it wouldn't matter."

"Really now?" James said tempted beyond anything. She should know better than issuing a dare like that.

"Yes, really." She answered defiantly.

"So," he said lifting his hand resting it on her hips. "If I touch you now you're going to ignore it are you?"

"Yes."

Taking his hands James feathered them along the sides of her breasts. She sucked in a breath and held it. He almost laughed because he took it as a sign to continue. Moving his hands again he began circling them then cradled them to test their weight before—through the layer of her clothing—plucking the tight beads her nipples had become.

Lily let out a brief scream and clutched his shoulders as continued his exploration downwards to cup her bottom bringing her hard up against his erection.

Their eyes met and James couldn't not kiss her for anything and clutching his shoulder she brought herself fully into his embrace before responding to his kisses by allowing him access to the inside of her mouth.

Plunging deep, he explored the recesses of her mouth with his tongue. She was so hot, and so slick he felt himself want to see whether or not other parts of her body was hot and slick as well.

He put her against the wall again and using the bars as leverage, hoisted her up so his sex touched her center through their clothing and thrusting gently he made her gasp and cling to him, her legs wrapping themselves around him.

It wasn't the place or the time but he couldn't stop know. Even if he couldn't bury himself inside her he could still feel himself climbing.

His hips thrust again but this time she met it with one of her own and she moaned.

Denim met denim as they continued to rub and touch and kiss each other knowing what they were doing was wrong but couldn't find the will power to stop.

Suddenly the lift started moving again and they both pushed off each other, breathing heavily. Then by the time the doors opened on the second floor each was on the opposite side of the lift both expressionless.

What happened to all the self control they had once claimed to possess?

Minutes later the entered the apartment and was immediately attacked but the hungry wolves that were their friends.

It was hard not to laugh at their antics but it seemed they could still tell something was wrong. That and the fact they both didn't school their features properly showed that they weren't on good terms with each other.

"You didn't make up did you?" Remus said looking a tad regretful.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked a nervous laugh bubbling near her throat.

"Come on Lils, We knew the two of you weren't speaking to each other that much was way obvious." Sirius said as he reached for another container.

Erin nodded, "we figured you must have argued at the Gala thing you went to."

"We thought you'd work things out but it looks like you argued some more." Remus said chuckling.

Lily tried hard not to look in James's direction. "You all should try to think of better things to do with your time instead of butting into the personal lives of others." They had no idea what was really going on.

"I agree stay out of it." James said before taking his own food walking to far end of the room to the window seat.

Gosh that man drove her insane. Lily thought. She so very much needed to scream but couldn't very well do it in front of every single person in the room. Erin looked at her for a moment before turning back to her boyfriend.

Huffing Lily walked to the settee and sat, not bothering to eat anything.

How could she when her appetite was murdered viciously? Who would have thought she'd be sitting here today, mad out of her mind and not eating? Not her for one and by the way the rest of them were surreptitiously sneaking glances at her they hadn't either.

Well, the eating thing anyway.

James, the bastard, was acting as though he hadn't eaten anything in years.

As she fought down the urge chuck something at his stupid head she couldn't help wonder if anything was going to be the same again.

"Well that was a fun meal, thanks mate." Sirius said brightly as he got up and disposed of his thrash.

Fun meal? James thought. What was the git playing at? He'd never used the word meal in his life.

And Thanks? The last time Sirius had thanked him for anything was when he gave him that new broom for his birthday.

"Right," was all he said.

"Yes, that filled me right up." Peter said following suit. And then as thought a switch had been flipped all the meat headed freak that were their friend got up and made a comment.

"Well it about time Matthew and I head on home don't you think Hon? Erin said all smiles at James.

"Sure," Matt replied grinning. "That's for treating us mate. Next time is my turn."

"Yeah, no problem," James returned. Could they been any more subtle. He thought and shook his head as Sirius raced out as well saying he had errands to run.

Remus on the other hand smiled indulgently at the speed their friend put off before saying diplomatically, "I really hope the two of you work out whatever's been going on. You've known each other far too long for something silly to get in the way." Then after a pause he chuckled, "and don't mind the others, they most likely didn't realise they were being that obvious."

After saying those thoughtful words he and Peter left the two of them to their own devices.

And then without any moment to spare Lily spoke.

"Well, you wanted 'to talk', so let's 'talk' already. After the lift incident I'm not sure us being in the same room together for very long is a good thing."

"You're almost certainly right," James said still slightly amused from a few minutes ago.

"You saying 'almost certainly' is annoying. Can we just get this over with?" Lily said anxiousness written in her every movement.

She was probably right. Their being together for very long was a bad thing is he thought she looked sexy just standing there pacing.

Man he was a goner.

What would she think of his plan? Not that it was much of a plan anyway since he only thought about it on the way back from the lift.

Thinking on it now, he wasn't sure if he should tell her. Would she slap him or run in the other direction. She would most likely think he'd have gone over the deep end and honestly he probably had.

Then he stopped. What good is second guessing himself going to do? Thinking about it and rethinking about it wouldn't bring them any kind salvation from what's going on.

"Okay."

Just say it.

"I was thinking we should try going out."

There he said it. Well, he could have maybe said it better. A little better.

It might not have hurt to do so.

"Going out?" she repeated, shock written all over her face. Whatever she was expecting it hadn't been something like that. That much was obvious.

"Yes,"

"As in going out as a couple?" she asked rearranging her stance.

"Yes," he said again.

"A couple in a relationship?" she asked as thought thinking about his sanity.

"Yes,"

"You're bloody mad." She said and laughed slightly…a bit hysterically.

Well if only it was just that.

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I hope you like and i hope it wasn't repetitive. I may have, its just a warning on my part, i dont really know.

Thanks for reading adn i hope you review!