Harvey sat on the wooden bench located in the hotel gardens. His face was tilted towards the clear, black sky and he felt somewhat invigorated as the cool breeze blew against his skin. It was beautiful out tonight and it was so peaceful too. The moon was full and he'd never seen the stars so bright and it reminded him of being back home. The sky was never like this in Boston. Although he hadn't actually sat here like this to find out. He never had a chance to just sit and relax and look at the stars anymore. His work kept him busy and probably far too busy if he was being honest with himself. But of course he had no-one but himself to blame for that predicament. His work had become his entire life and he was the only one who had made it that way.
And at first it had been self-preservation on his part. Absorbing himself in his business had been his only way to try and forget Andrea and her betrayal. Now that business was a habit and a habit he wasn't particularly keen to break. He knew that if he did, he would only be forced to be reminded of how lonely he was and how empty his life had become.
Harvey sighed as he stretched out his legs in front of him and folded his arms across his chest. The leaves rustled and whispered in the trees beside him. It was the nights that were the worst for him. Lying in bed alone made him realise just how lonely he was. It was the thing he missed most about being with Andrea. He had loved holding her at night. He loved the feel of her warm body lying next to him. It had made him feel secure and loved and he would give anything to feel that way again. He didn't enjoy being single. In fact, he hated it. He felt a rush of envy every time he saw a couple walk down the street or share an intimate glance or embrace. And he had felt that same rush of envy tonight every time he watched Andrea and Nick together. Fucking Andrea!
Harvey bit down thoughtfully on the inside of his lip as he stared into space. To say tonight had been awkward would be a massive understatement. In fact, it had surpassed awkward especially after Andrea had followed him to the bathroom. He just wondered what the hell the bitch was playing at. She was fucking with his head once again. Then again, he wasn't surprised. She practically had it down to an art form. She had proved that again tonight when her blue eyes had glistened with unshed tears as she had claimed that she still loved him. That she had been foolish and stupid for letting him go. It wasn't the first time he'd heard her sob story. She'd told him the exact same thing when she had begged for his forgiveness. Several times in fact. But he hadn't bought it then and he wasn't buying it now. He knew what made Andrea tick. She only wanted him now because she thought someone else had him. He'd seen the glances she'd thrown Donna's way across the table and he had to admit he got a smug sense of satisfaction knowing that she hated the fact he was with another woman, an extremely beautiful woman at that. But then again, he had known she would which, if he was honest with himself, was the main reason why he had brought a date. He wanted to see Andrea try to deal with the fact that she was no longer the love of his life. That he had moved on and was happy with someone else. Even if it was a lie and that someone else was a girl he hardly knew and had set him back five thousand dollars.
Harvey shifted uncomfortably against the seat and his body was slumped as he let out a slow breath. The truth was Donna was nothing more than a business transaction, a business transaction that he couldn't stop feeling increasingly guilty about. He hated lying to his parents especially when they were so happy for him. His mother hadn't stopped gushing about Donna. His father had congratulated him on finding such a smart and beautiful young lady. They liked her and hell, so did he. He had from the moment he had met her. There was just something about her that made him feel at ease and it had surprised him how well they got along. Every time he held her hand it felt natural and things didn't feel forced between them. In fact, on more than a few occasions tonight he had been so focused on her that he had forgotten all about Andrea at the other end of the table. Well, temporarily for a few moments at least.
"Here's where you escaped to."
Her voice caught his attention and Harvey pushed himself up the bench as he saw Donna walk towards him. Her face was clear in the bright moonlight and she was smiling at him as she walked gingerly towards him across the gravel. He couldn't help but admire her body in her figure hugging dress.
"I was just getting some air." he told her, clearing his throat and returning her smile.
"Well I guess I'm just returning the favour from earlier and checking to see you're okay."
Harvey nodded and smiled as she sat down beside him on the bench. As he turned towards her, he couldn't help but notice her bottom lip quivering slightly. He frowned as he instantly wrapped his arm around her, his hand rubbing her shoulder gently. He could feel the small goose bumps that prickled on her soft, chilled skin. "You're freezing. We should get you inside."
"Yeah well that would be a great idea if I thought I could actually walk again." Donna sighed.
Harvey looked at her curiously. "You can't walk?"
She quickly shook her head causing her soft hair to brush across her shoulders. "My heels are officially killing me. I don't think I can walk another step."
"Well why don't you just take them off then?" he suggested.
Harvey chuckled with amusement as Donna threw him a glare. A glare that practically told him he was stupid for even making that suggestion.
"Hello? Have you seen the gravel all the way to the hotel entrance? Those stones are lethal. They will rip your feet to shreds."
"I didn't have you pegged for a drama queen."
"I am not a drama queen." Donna replied as she jabbed at his chest with her finger. Her eyes were wide as she pushed herself up from the bench. She hissed through her teeth as she got to her feet.
"Are you okay?" asked Harvey as he stood up next to her, his concerned brown eyes watching her carefully.
"Yeah. Just remind me never to wear these things again."
Donna hobbled forward on her burning feet. However she screamed in surprise as she felt herself being lifted up from the ground and Harvey adjusted her weight in his arms. One arm was wrapped loosely around her waist while the other rested under her legs. She smiled gratefully as his brown eyes twinkled back at her.
"I thought you could use a little help getting back inside."
Her grin widened as her arms slid loosely around his neck. "Well thank you kind sir."
"You're welcome." Harvey replied, winking at her.
Donna let her head fall against his shoulder as he carried her back to the hotel. She was more than aware of the heat that rushed through her body at the simple contact. Her eyes closed as she relished the feel of being in his arms. Harvey felt so lovely and warm. His body was firm too and she could only imagine how his skin felt. If it was anything like his hands, it would be so soft and smooth and wonderful.
Donna swallowed thickly at that thought and turning her head she inhaled the fresh scent of his hair. God, it smelled so good. It was taking everything she had not to run her fingers through the longer bits, slightly blowing in the wind. Harvey was just beautiful. So beautiful in fact that she got tingles up and down her spine every single time she looked at him. Donna let out a contented sigh as she buried her head into the crook of his neck. He quite literally took her breath away.
"You're not falling asleep on me now, are you?"
Donna slowly shook her head in response and felt Harvey's shoulders shake with his silent laughter. She instantly felt her face flush with the heat of the lobby as they entered the hotel.
"There you are. Your father and I were just heading to bed."
Donna's eyes popped open and she lifted her head at the sound of Lily's voice. She looked round to see her smiling warmly at them at the bottom of the staircase and she tried to quash her own disappointment when she felt Harvey lower her to the ground. A pain instantly shot through her burning soles.
"We're going to head to bed too. If Donna can make it that far, that is." Harvey said looking over and smiling at her. Her stomach fluttered as he slid his arm around her waist. "Her feet are sore."
Lily smiled. "You should have a nice long soak in the bath, dear."
She leant across and kissed her son's cheek. "Goodnight honey."
She smiled at Donna before kissing her cheek also. "Goodnight Donna. And I believe this is yours."
Donna smiled at her bashfully as she took her purse from Lily's hand. "Goodnight and thank you."
Lily slapped her husband across the back. "Come on. Let's get upstairs."
"Yes, my sweet." he said playfully rolling his eyes and he lifted his hand in a wave as he followed his wife up the carpeted steps.
"Think you can make it up the stairs?" Harvey asked as he turned towards her.
Donna nodded as she stepped away from him. "Hold this."
She handed him her purse and gripped his arm with one hand to balance herself while she removed her shoes with the other. She smiled at him as her bare feet settled into the carpet and she dangled her sandals from her finger tips. "Now I can."
"Then come on then, Miss Paulsen. Let's go to bed."
Donna bit down on her lip as she followed him up the stairs, his hand holding onto hers loosely. For some reason, his words made her want to grin like an idiot. She was going to bed with Harvey Specter. Well, not literally, but they would be sleeping in the same room together. Of course it could have even been the same bed if she hadn't completely freaked out about the sleeping arrangements. And as she walked with him along the hotel corridor, Donna kicked herself for even mentioning it. Because right now, she knew she wanted nothing more than to sleep next to him. To feel his warm body as it lay next to her. To know what it felt like to have his arm brush up against her in bed. Donna shook her head slightly as they approached their room. Christ, now she knew she definitely had it bad thinking about it lying next to him. She could blame it on the alcohol currently flowing through her veins but she knew she would only be kidding herself. The truth was she was absolutely smitten with Harvey and she just wanted to be as close to him as possible.
"Did I give you the key?"
Donna nodded her head as Harvey dropped her hand. She leant against the wall and pointed to her purse still clutched in his hand. "It's in there."
He smiled as he handed her the purse and watched with amusement as Donna began to rummage through. "What the hell have you got in there, anyway? It weighs a tonne."
Donna smirked as she produced the key card and held it out to him. "Rach gave me an array of small weapons in case I have to kill you in your sleep."
Her reply caused him to snort with laughter as he swiped the card. "Now why doesn't that surprise me?" He opened the door and stepped aside to let her pass through. "After you, Madame."
"Why thank you sir." she replied smiling at him, her tongue poking slightly through her teeth. She walked into the room and threw her shoes down next to the small chair absently rubbing her arms as she felt the cool breeze blowing through the open window.
"Here. Let me close that for you."
Donna smiled as she stood aside. "You really are a gentleman, huh?"
Harvey winked as he closed over the window and drew the curtains. "Was there ever any doubt?"
She shrugged her shoulders and heard him chuckle as she wandered across to the bed. She rummaged through her open suitcase that still sat on top of it and pulled out her black silk pyjamas. She lifted her head just in time to see Harvey pull his shirt over his head. She swallowed thickly as she admired his muscular chest and toned stomach for the second time that day.
"Thank you for tonight." said Harvey.
His words lifted her from her haze and Donna quickly glanced away as she pretended to still be looking through her case. The last thing she wanted was for Harvey to know she was practically drooling over him.
"You're welcome. I had a nice time."
She looked up again. This time Harvey was looking at her and his eyebrows were raised in her direction.
"You did?" he asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
Donna couldn't help but roll her eyes dryly and return the smile. "Yes I did minus that bitchy ex-fiancée of yours of course."
"Of course." he replied and glanced away but not before she saw his brilliant smile falter.
Donna silently cursed as she watched him walk towards the bathroom. Why the hell had she mentioned Andrea? Now she'd gone and put her foot in it. The alcohol had obviously loosened her tongue and she'd hurt Harvey's feelings even although in her opinion, she was only telling the truth. Andrea was a bitch and that was putting it mildly. But it pained her to know that Harvey was upset about it. It was clear he was still hurting and a hell of a lot more than he was letting on. She shook her head as she heard the water running behind the open door.
"Well done, Donna." she muttered to herself as she decided she had to talk to him. She was the one that had stepped out of line and she needed to apologise. Harvey had paid her to do a job. He hadn't paid her for her opinion.
She knocked tentatively on the wooden door. As she walked into the bathroom, Harvey was brushing his teeth. She sat down on the toilet seat and sighed as she clasped her hands in her lap and stretched her long, bare legs out in front of her. The cool tiled floor chilled her feet.
"I'm sorry." she told him.
As she looked up, she caught Harvey's reflection in the mirror. He was watching her and she was relieved to see his brown eyes were gentle. She watched him slowly look away and spit into the sink. She glanced at her hands nervously as he rinsed out his mouth. The room became silent as the water stopped running and she began to bite down on her lip anxiously.
"You've got nothing to apologise for."
Donna slowly looked up. Harvey was leaning against the sink and his hair was everywhere. His arms were folded across his bare chest and she noticed the top button was undone on his jeans which hung loosely around his hips. She swallowed hard as she felt her stomach knot with her desire for him and eventually she found her voice.
"I do, Harvey. I stepped out of line. I should have never said what I did."
"Why not? It's the truth."
"Maybe but it wasn't my place to say anything." she admitted, licking her lips. "I obviously upset you and that's the last thing I want to do."
Harvey shook his head as he glanced down at the floor, shifting his feet on the tiles. "You didn't upset me."
His words caused Donna to frown knowingly. Who on earth was he trying to kid? Even his inability to look her in the eye spoke volumes.
"Yes, I did." she said softly. "It's obvious you still care about Andrea."
Harvey quickly raised his head and his brown eyes glared at her, causing her to flinch. "That's where you're wrong. I don't care about Andrea. I haven't cared about her in a long time."
He pushed himself off the sink and didn't look in Donna's direction as he briskly walked past her.
"It's late. I'm going to bed." he muttered as he left the bathroom.
Donna sighed heavily and shook her head as she sat there listening to him move around in the bedroom. Great! Now she had really put her foot in it with him. Why the hell didn't she just keep her big mouth shut? She pushed back her hair and sighed as she got up from the toilet seat. She walked into the bedroom just in time to see Harvey kick his denim jeans from his feet. Her breath instantly hitched in her throat and she swore she forgot to breathe as she stood frozen to the spot. Her blue eyes were transfixed and wide until Harvey turned around and caught her attention. Donna brought her hand to her mouth as she struggled to maintain her composure. God knows those tight black shorts left very little to the imagination and his body was simply amazing.
"Are you okay?" asked Harvey, his mouth twitching at the corners.
Donna quickly nodded as her hand dropped to her side. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks and she was unable to look at him as she quickly brushed past him and grabbed her pyjamas that still sat on top of her suitcase.
"You know if you don't mind me saying so, you're looking a little flustered about something."
Donna bit down on her lip and closed her eyes in embarrassment. Now the bastard was teasing her. She could hear the playful tone in his voice and it was obvious Harvey knew damn well how she was feeling. He could probably feel the heat radiating from her face too. Donna still refused to look at him as she pushed past him with her pyjamas in her hand and practically jumped out of her skin as she felt his arm brush against hers.
"I'm going to get ready for bed." she managed to mumble as she escaped to the bathroom.
Donna collapsed against the door as she shut it quickly behind her. She let out a slow, calming breath as her heart pounded wildly in her chest. This was becoming ridiculous! She really had to get a grip and stop acting like a stupid teenager with a crush. It was only Harvey through there and she had to remember that he was her employer; an employer and a guy who had paid her an obscene amount of money to be here with him. And the guy that definitely had the hottest body she had ever seen in her life.
Donna sighed with her dismay as she walked towards the mirror and looked at the red, flushed face staring back at her. God, she wanted him. She wanted him more than she had ever wanted anyone in her life, even Thomas.
Donna felt the knot of guilt in her chest as she glanced away and leant her hands on the sink. She finally allowed herself to think about the boy she had left behind in Boston. The boy she was in love with or so she had thought until she had met a man who had totally blown her world apart. Harvey had made her forget Thomas so much so that up until now she had allowed herself to pretend he didn't exist. It was so easy especially when she was spending every single minute with Harvey. He was the man who had, without warning, crept into her heart. He was the man who she was falling in love with. And he was the man whose heart seemed to belong with someone else.
Donna sighed sadly at that thought and pushed herself away from off the sink. She slowly began to get ready for bed. She yawned as she felt the tiredness creep into her body. It had been a long day. She would be glad to get some sleep. That's if she could sleep with Harvey being in such close proximity to her. She bundled her clothes in her arm as she opened the door. As she made her way into the bedroom, she noticed the covers were turned down on the bed. Her suitcase was in the corner on the floor. As she looked to the left, she saw Harvey sitting up on the sofa with a blanket across his legs. She smiled at him tentatively as she passed him.
"I hope you don't mind but I pinched a pillow from the bed."
Donna placed her dirty clothes on the top of the case and adjusted the thin strap on her pyjama top. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as she looked across the room at Harvey. She instantly frowned seeing how massive he looked on the tiny sofa. There was no chance in hell he could sleep on that thing. She swallowed thickly and her stomach fluttered as she gestured towards the bed. "Well you should put it right back where you got it."
She saw his brow instantly furrow in confusion and smiled as she wrapped her arms around herself. "You're sleeping in the bed, Harvey. I can take the sofa."
Harvey shook his head. "Absolutely not. You're not sleeping on this."
"Well neither are you." Her smile widened. "Look at the size of you compared to it. Your legs will be practically wrapped around your neck."
"Well I'll admit it's not exactly the most comfortable thing I've ever slept on. In fact, I think it's even worse than the bed I had when I went on the camping trip from hell."
Donna raised her eyebrows intrigued by his comment. Harvey immediately shook his head.
"Oh trust me. You don't want to know."
"It was that traumatic, huh?"
"Yep. Just the word camping gives me a shiver down my spine."
Donna burst into laughter. "Then I can't make you relive that trauma. Get in the bed." she instructed pointing at it.
Harvey looked at her for a moment, chewed his lip in silent contemplation.
"I will but only on one condition. We share it."
He stood up taking the blanket with him and lifted his shoulder in an explanatory shrug.
"The bed is big enough for both of us. It makes sense."
Donna ignored the mad fluttering in her chest as she agreed. "I guess so."
She licked her lips as she glanced towards the bed.
"Which side is yours?"
"Whatever side isn't yours."
She nodded and crawled into the left hand side of the bed. Harvey dropped the blanket on the bottom of the covers as he climbed in next to her and she could feel the bed shift underneath his weight.
"You should be warned though I may hog the bed." Harvey said flashing her a grin as he pulled the covers around him. "I haven't shared in a while. You may need to give me a kick."
Donna smiled as she rested her head on the soft pillows. She had a feeling that if Harvey accidentally rolled on top of her, the last thing she would be doing was kicking him off. As he switched off the light, she settled down underneath the covers. Her eyes tried to adjust to the darkness as she lay on her side watching him. Her stomach was in tiny knots at the simple act of lying beside him and she knew she probably wouldn't get a wink of sleep tonight. Harvey's soft sigh echoed around the four walls as he settled down in bed. He was lying facing her and she could detect the faint trace of mint on his breath. She could faintly make out his handsome face in the shadows.
"So, it's the barbecue tomorrow." he said softly.
Donna pressed her lips together in a sympathetic smile. She instinctively reached out and touched his arm. "Will you be okay?"
"Yeah."
She rolled her lips together thoughtfully and her hand remained on his arm reluctant to remove it. "Harvey, I'm sorry about earlier. You know, in the bathroom…"
Her voice trailed away as her hand fell to the covers in a soft thud.
"It's okay. I over-reacted. I guess just seeing them together brings it all back, you know."
Donna was silent as she listened to Harvey's light breathing and waited patiently for him to continue. She wasn't going to push it. God knows, she'd said enough tonight as it was.
"I haven't seen Nick or Andrea since….well, since the night I found them together. I'll admit it was harder than I thought it would be but you know what? It wasn't as devastating as I thought either."
"But that's a good thing, right?"
"Yeah. It definitely is." he agreed as he shifted beside her.
Donna could feel his warm breath on her face now which meant he was closer. She just wondered if it was close enough for Harvey to hear her heart beating wildly in her chest.
"I want to thank you." he said unexpectedly.
She swallowed thickly as she felt his hand rest gently on top of hers on the covers. "What for?"
"For making this so much easier than I thought it would be."
A small smile tugged at her lips. "You're welcome."
She noticed her hand felt cold as he lifted his away and almost stopped breathing when his fingers lightly brushed through her hair.
"Goodnight Donna." he whispered.
She had opened her mouth to say those words right back but before she could, Harvey had silenced her when his lips found hers in the darkness. They brushed against hers ever so softly and lingered for a second before he pulled away, the mattress shifting underneath her as he rolled onto his back. Donna's tongue flicked out to taste his kiss as she lay next to him, stunned yet pleasantly surprised. He had kissed her. Harvey had actually gone and kissed her.
As she lifted her fingers to trace her lips, Donna closed her eyes and smiled. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe Harvey's heart didn't entirely belong to Andrea. Maybe it was just having trouble letting go of the past, a past she could help him forget. A warm feeling encompassed her as her heavy eyes surprisingly began to gently close.
"Goodnight Harvey." she hushed as she began to drift off to sleep.
Her soft, even breathing gently filled the room as Harvey lay still, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Inside he was trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. He had kissed Donna and he had kissed her for no apparent reason. They were all alone right now. They weren't putting on a show for anyone. He had overstepped the line big time and he was probably lucky Donna didn't smack him right in the face. Fuck! He had to get control of himself. He couldn't let anything like this happen again.
But as Harvey turned his head to look at her through the dark shadows, he realised that he wasn't sure how easy it would be. He had enjoyed the kiss. He had also enjoyed their kiss outside the restaurant so much so he was lying here right now thinking about kissing her again.
Sighing softly, Harvey looked away and stared at the ceiling again as he tried not to think about what it meant. God knows he was already becoming confused about his feelings for Andrea. The least thing he needed was to develop feelings for Donna and confuse his life even further. After all, she was strictly a business arrangement. It would never be anything more.
But as Harvey lay there listening to the soothing lull of Donna's breathing, he knew he was kidding himself. His heart was racing right now and he was acutely aware of her overwhelming presence in the bed next to him. His stomach was also churning oddly. There was definitely something more than a business arrangement happening between them, at least on his part anyway. The only trouble was he wasn't so sure he wanted there to be. He was scared, scared of these weird feelings and scared of what Donna could do to him if God help him, he ever let her in.
