Hey guys!

WOOT, my summer has started and EXAMS are OVER! So as you can see it is time that i updated. Hee hee i know you were all waiting a long time but it couldn't be helped. For now i'm giving you my second to last chapter of Simply Friends and by the end of this week i hope to have Back in His Bed for you.

Anyways guy, i hope you like this chapter. I'm not at all happy with it since i feel its repetitive of what i've written before. Tell be honestly what you think.

PLus if anyone is uncomfortable with sex, i'm sorry then dont continue. I'm sorry but yes, although not explicit it is there.

thanks for reading and please R&R

its not proofed that well so excuse it. I'm too sleepy to fine tune it!

Luv u all

Sasha

P.S--> Thanks for all your amazing reviews, I love them all!


Disclaimer: I own nothing JK related...so there

Simply Friends

Chapter 11—Unfailing Thoughts

Shit.

What the hell am I doing?

Lily thought angrily and almost screamed. She was fidgeting.

Fidgeting for crying out loud and what got her was that it wasn't when she had nothing to do; no she was fidgeting in the shower.

Turning off the nozzle, she climbed out, slipped and almost fell on the tiled floor.

Oh, for heaven's sake. She was being utterly ridiculous.

Of course, she tried to stop, moving things around but she couldn't seem to stop her body's movements. Everything in her flat unconsciously bothered her and the reason why wasn't lost on her.

James Potter.

He had unceremoniously disrupted her life and it will never be the same again. When the time comes for him to leave, nothing will go back to the way it was and no matter what she had hoped for before she wouldn't be able to go back to the friendly camaraderie they once shared.

Hah, she bet he could though. She had no doubt that he probably could because either he was testing the water or she was blowing things out of proportion. Shaking her head, she tried to clear it and cursed at her own weakness.

She had seen him walking with another woman. Her heart knew it meant nothing; they hadn't held hands or gave any gesture other than being acquaintances but her mind had grabbed onto that insignificant scene and tore through it, ripping a number of wild imagery into vast movie like endings where he shreds all hope she has for them to be together.

Of course she had gotten her act together and realised that couldn't happen but when she had time to ponder things …

Get a grip woman. It's been nine days since you saw that and eight since you saw James. You're seeing things that are just not there besides if anything was amiss he'd have broken it off before he had left for his assignment in Japan. Right?

Right.

Because, of course that's the kind of bloke he is. There is no way he had that kind of a character trait.

Exactly.

However, that pep talk alone didn't stop Lily as she moved across her flat, straightening imaginary crooked objects along the way. She was nervous and it had nothing to do with the unknown woman or the fact that James was going to show up at any moment. She was first-date type nervous, which in it self was ridiculous seeing as how she'd already slept with the man. Of course, that thought didn't make her feel any calmer than she had been before.

Lily went into the kitchen and unnecessarily wiped the counter top. It took a few minutes for her to realize that the spot she was rubbing was already clean, and then with a snort of disgust she threw the rag in the sink.

Even though she was appalled at herself, Lily knew that there was no use denying that she felt uneasy about the entire situation. There was no use pretending that her mind wasn't on anything else besides the man she secretly loved.

Then she laughed ruefully remembering; it seemed she exuded tension because she hadn't been able to hide her feelings from Erin. Sure the girl didn't really know that she was suffering from unrequited love but it had been evident that she'd had something on the mind.

Erin had remained quiet though and Lily was thankful. She wasn't sure that she would have been able to answer all if any of the questions Erin had.

Letting out a small scream of frustration Lily gathered the resolve she had gained from a week of thinking. She was not going to be bothered anymore. If James gave the slightest indication that he wanted to break it off, she was going to be the one to lay down the law first. It had been her initial decision when she made the move to sleep with him and it was her final decision now.

No one can accuse her of seeing through rose coloured glasses. She loved him but she would not taint her self respect.

All or nothing right?

Of course she did not want to think about him already finding someone else to move along too but that did stop someone, the other woman's image to flash onto her mind's eye.

I would be the one to end things, Lily reiterated to herself and even though that might have been the hundredth time she had told herself that this week, she had yet to say the words aloud.

No matter what, even if it wasn't three months, she will not be made a fool off.

It was thirty minutes later that Lily answered the knock on her door. Her nerves were fluttering and once again the first-date feeling came over her.

"Hi," she said breathlessly as the door swung open. She drank in the sight of him standing there. Merlin, he was amazing to look at. She really had missed him these past eight days.

Suddenly the fact that she had tried not to pine away for him during his assigned trip seemed totally and irrationally stupid.

His face was intent as he looked at her, his hazel eyes blazing fire as he stepped past her and closed the door behind him. The look heated her blood and made her pulse sing.

Lord, the man exuded sexiness.

Unconsciously she licked the bottom of her lips.

Rapidly her body was beginning to pulse and if she had thought about it she would realise that even if they separated, there was no way she would be see him and not get hot and bothered.

Never mind that she found his mind fascinating but would she really be able to keep a conversation with him without staring at those gorgeously sculpted lips and ache to kiss it?

Okay so maybe her imagination was slightly going haywire and maybe she should contemplate on whether she was a nymphomaniac or not but the number of feelings welling up in her body should have given her pause.

Walking down this road willing end up hurting like hell and then what would she do? She would have no one to turn too since none of her confidants knew.

Sliding an arm around her waist, he pulled her towards him nuzzling her neck, then ear before making his way to her mouth.

"Merlin, I missed you."

How can you say you miss me when you don't love me?

"I missed you too." What else could she say? It was the truth yet wanting it to be more was not part of their deal.

Pushing aside her insecurities once more, Lily grabbed onto his shoulders and anchored herself, she wanted him and for now she'd take him on her own terms.

James hadn't bothered to go home. He didn't know if he was crazy but going to his flat first had held such little appeal. Breathing in her scent, tension coiled in his gut. Letting his hands drop to her waist, he lifted her, prompting a squeal and an exclamation.

"James what are you doing?" she asked even while she wrapped her legs around his waist and held on as he walked.

"I'm a little dirty, so I think a shower is in order." He said dragging his mouth from her neck to fasten wholly on her lips and stopped suddenly to kiss her against the side wall. His patience had gone, a long time ago. Not seeing her for days had depleted what little control he had. He hadn't wanted to go to his flat to shower and change, all he had wanted to do was see her.

However, he still didn't move from his position of holding against the wall. While one of his hands cupped her buttocks to him, the other moved slowly under her top, framing her rib cage before tracing the edge of her swollen areola with his thumb. Her resulting moan of frustration tore away most of the remaining restraint from him.

Wrenching his lips from hers he moved to lift her silk top over her head before claiming her mouth again. Her need seemed to match his own as they kissed and touched and caressed every available part of their bodies.

Still kissing, they finally found themselves in the bathroom. He let Lily slide down the length of him, letting her feel the evidence of his desire before quickly removing the rest of her clothing. When his was dispensed as well, he turned the shower on and stepped into the sluicing water before pulling her in with him.

Bracing her against the wall he slowly made his way past her neck and breasts. Kissing and caressing, licking and suckling. It was then when he reached her center and he felt the evidence of her desire, the need to taste her arose fiercely in him.

He covered her with his mouth and revelled in the intimate taste of her. Her strangled scream drove him on until he had her at the brink of their pleasured plateau. Rising, he lifted one of her legs and pause briefly looking into her eyes for acquiesce before entering her and sending them both into their own private heaven.

They moved from the shower to the bedroom before starting their dance all over again and later fell asleep.

It was close to two hours later that James awoke. The late summer sun had already begun set because the dim orange rays that penetrated the windowgave the bedroom an incandescent glow.

Lily was spooned against him. The smooth curve of her creamy shoulder lay nestled against the crook of his chest.

A well of feelings bubbled up inside him. They'd maintained thier temporary agreement but how is it during this past week he had wanted more. Craved more?

He felt his sex stir involuntarily; he wanted her again. There was no question he wanted her now andwould continue to want her for Merlin knows how long.

Will he ever get his fill of her?

Somehow he doubted it.

In the mean time what was he supposed to do? He was at the half way point of his longest relationship but never once had he felt this way. The need that Lily created in him was so monumental that he couldn't fathom it.

He loved Lily, always had but was he in love with her. Did this mass confusion of feelings mean he was in love?

He didn't know. He had nothing in which to compare it to.

He wanted to swear, curse and hex something, everything. It was frustrating him. He wasn't even sure which frustrated him more; the fact that he was this mixed up about Lily or the fact that it seemed as though Lily wasn't at all mixed up about him.

Did she want things to end between them? She hadn't indicated otherwise. Was she happy at all with their current situation; being all secretive with everyone they knew? Hiding their relationship from people was one thing but having a time limit was another.

How could Lily; honest and fiery Lily, stand to be a causal sex partner to anyone, let alone him? He didn't understand anything at all. Lily is a person who is serious about sexual relationship, yet she's acting at though theirs was a common place.

"James? Is something wrong?" Lily asked. She had been awake for a few minutes now and had felt the tension emanating from his body.

"I didn't know you were awake." He said clearly evading her question.

"What time is it?" she asked instead of questioning him the way she wanted to.

"Just a little before seven."

"Oh, I see. We onlyslept for a little while then. Are you hungry?" God, she hated sounding this polite. Didn't he realise that although they were as close as two people could be their conversation was unnaturally forced?

"Uh no," he said moving slightly. Then after a few seconds he rose and put his foot over the bed leaning his forearms against his knees.

He was acting odd again and she didn't know what to do about it. He showed up at her door and had at once made love to her not stopping for any kind of conversation. He had wanted her. It felt as though he had needed her too, but had that all been in her imagination?

"Something is obviously wrong James," she said again hating the distance that seemed to be growing.

"Nothing's wrong, don't worry about it."

How can I not worry you ass?

Then abruptly he got up.

"I forgot I had something to do," he said going into the bathroom for his clothes. "I should have gone and done it before I came here."

Stilled Lily just watched him move about the room. "Then why didn't you do it?"

"I wanted to see you," he said and stopped. He turned to look at her for a few seconds before turning towards the door. "I mightn't come back tonight so don't wait up. I err, I'll see you tomorrow." He said and then left.

Cold settled at the pit of Lily's stomach as she heard the front door close shut.

Looks like the time has come, she thought dully.

James cursed himself. He wasn't too sure if Lily knew something was wrong. She'd been confused he knew, by his lack of warmth when she had woken up. But in all honesty he couldn't stay there with her anymore.

Not knowing what the future held, not knowing if what he felt for her was real or if it was some lust induced syndrome. In all probability it had to be more than that.

Stopping he looked up at the sign above the door, then pushing it open he made his way past the tables and sat at the bar.

What stunk most about him leaving was that he lied. He may not have had the clearest mindset in the world but he couldn't have tried to come up with a good excuse other than lying through his teeth.

Twenty minutes and two drinks later someone took the seat next to him and ordered a fancy cocktail. In the five seconds it took to recognise the voice and look directly into her eyes James wanted to leave.

Erin sat there next to him with a surprised expression on her face.

Trying for lightness he grinned at her. "Shouldn't you be out with Matthew?"

Erin raised her eyebrows. "How do you know I'm not out with him?" she said then chuckled. "I was waiting for him for dinner and saw you over here. So what's up? I see you're back from your job thing. Shouldn't you be somewhere getting it on with your latest flame?"

His grin faded slightly because though it was forced it took a lot of energy to keep up. "Uh, no, I'm relaxing is all." He said and knew it sounded weak.

"Something's wrong with you," she said glancing at him sideways from her glass.

James forced a laugh. "What makes you say that?"

"You look as though someone kicked your puppy but with just a bit of confusion thrown in there." She said. "Are you confused about something?"

"Don't be silly Erin, you know there is nothing in my life right now for me to look the way you say I look."

Studying him again she asked another question. "Are you in love with her?"

"What?" he asked surprised. "Who are you talking about?" did she know anything. Oh he'd have to go to St. Mungo's after she was through with him.

"I'm talking about you. Your expression says it all. You're confused about a woman in your life." She said then tsked. "And knowing you I bet you're trying to convince yourself into some kind of feeling. Do you love her or not?" She looked at him. "Am I right?"

Staring at her, slightly dumbfounded James didn't know what to say. She was very intuitive when she was ready. But then all of his frustrations were a result—whether directly or indirectly—from her suggestion to Lily.

"You don't know what you're talking about. Things are too complicated."

"Are they really? Or are you making them complicated?"

"I don't know. I've known her for years and for me to be feeling this way is just unimaginable." He said, not thinking of his words clearly.

Squinting Erin looked at him again and this time felt an inkling of something. "If you knew her that long, should your feelings for her be already cemented?"

"I don't know, maybe. Loving her then and being with her now is like wow when I think about it, you know?."

No, now she knew for sure. "Why hadn't I thought of it earlier?" The way they were both acting, she should have guessed something happened. Crap, what happened to all her intuition on love?

"Huh? What are you going on about?"

"Don't take that tone with me James Potter, I know what you've been up to."

"Err…" What else could he say? Nothing else would leave his mouth.

"Why didn't I realise it before was beyond me. You're in love with my best friend."

Shit.


Please R&R