Apologies for the long wait!
"Thank God that is over with."
Harvey looked in the rear view mirror and smiled at his sister's reflection. Her head leant wearily against her husband's shoulder and sounded totally worn out. He wasn't surprised. It had been a long day for everyone. The barbecue had extended into dinner at the insistence of his Aunt Jane. Of course she was tipsy and enjoying herself and had been looking for any excuse to continue the party. His mother hadn't protested either. She had seemed quite keen to drink another glass of wine or two.
"But I can't believe we have to go to those stupid bachelor and bachelorette parties tomorrow." groaned Lynn. "Fucking lace and tiaras. Who the hell does she think she is?"
Harvey pressed his lips together tightly. His fingers gripped the leather steering wheel as he stared straight ahead. He wasn't exactly enamoured with the idea himself but he hadn't been able to refuse, not when his father had joined his uncle in pleading with him to come. They were going to a club with Nick's family and friends. With any luck he'd be able to drink himself stupid and forget that he was attending a party for the man who had slept with his fiancé. But then again Nick was welcome to Andrea. The guy had done him a favour especially now he knew wanted nothing more to do with the vindictive bitch. Not to mention that she had proved what a mind fuck she was this afternoon. He couldn't believe Andrea had offered not to go through with the wedding and then have the audacity to kiss him. She'd caught him off guard but thankfully he had managed to come to his senses. Still, for a brief moment, he'd let her get into his head. It was a mistake he would never make again.
"Is Donna sleeping?"
Harvey glanced over to his right. The streetlights shone through the glass illuminating her face. He smiled to himself as he turned his attention back to the road. "Yeah, she's asleep."
"Poor thing. God knows how she feels about tomorrow."
Harvey sighed as he turned left into the road leading to the hotel. Donna hadn't said much about it but he knew she had only agreed because his mother had asked her to go. Afterwards he had taken her aside and told her no-one would think anything of it if she did refuse to attend. But she had flashed that brilliant smile of hers his way and told him she was quite happy to go to the party. He had left it at that. He knew that Lynn would make sure she was okay. And if Andrea even dared to go near her, God help her. He would tear her limb from limb. That's if there was anything left of her after Lynn had finished with her. Not only did she hate Andrea but she really had taken a shine to Donna. They seemed to really get along. He had watched them chat and laugh with one another all day. He had to admit it had made him smile. However, it had also made him feel a little guilty. He hated deceiving his family, especially his sister. Despite their constant bickering they were actually pretty tight.
Licking his lips thoughtfully, Harvey swung the Expedition into the hotel car park. The tyres crunched against the gravel. He switched off the engine and sat back in the seat with a heavy sigh. His big hand lifted to rub at his tired eyes.
"I see your parents are back." said Adam.
Harvey glanced to his left and looked out the window, his hand falling to his lap. He smiled to himself as he saw the pale blue Buick. His mother would probably be dead to the world already. She always did flake out after a tipple or two. No doubt it wouldn't be long before his father would be fast asleep beside her. He'd yawned his head before they had left Jane's.
"Harvey, we're going to bed. Will you be okay with Donna?"
He turned round and smiled at his family in the back. The leather seat creaked underneath him. "Sure. I'll probably just carry her inside."
"Aw, my little brother is getting chivalrous in his old age."
Harvey made a face at his sister and she laughed as she leaned forward in her seat and ruffled his hair.
"Goodnight, bro. See you at breakfast."
"Night!" he called out as he watched Adam take his sister's hand and help her out the car. The door shut softly behind her and he watched them disappear towards the hotel before he turned towards Donna.
Her head leant back against the headrest and her lips were slightly parted. Her long full lashes rested softly against her cheeks. Harvey couldn't resist touching her and his hand lifted to allow his fingers to sweep her hair across her forehead. Donna looked beautiful with the soft lights from the hotel falling across her face so much so he swore he felt a hitch in his chest every time he looked at her. He couldn't deny he was physically attracted to this woman and if he was honest, he had been from the moment he had met her. There had just been something about Donna. Her sparkling big eyes had captivated him and he loved her glittering smile. But the more he had gotten to know the young woman behind the eyes and the smile, the more he had realised he liked her. So much so, he was now developing genuine feelings for Donna. He couldn't deny it to himself any longer. She was slowly but surely creeping her way into his heart. In fact at times the way he felt about her overwhelmed him. It had overwhelmed him so much so that he had finally given in and admitted he wanted to kiss her this afternoon. He hadn't planned to. It had just happened. And he had been pleasantly surprised when Donna had told him she wanted him to kiss her too.
Just then she moaned softly as she shifted in her sleep. Harvey smiled gently as he moved his hand to her shoulder and shook her.
"Donna?"
She mumbled incoherently as her head rolled to the side. Suddenly a shrill ringing filled the silent car. Her eyes snapped open as Harvey cursed then looked at her apologetically.
"Sorry."
She gave him a tired smile as the phone continued to ring out. "It's okay." She pushed herself up the chair and bent forward. "My bag is on the floor."
Harvey watched her retrieve the red leather bag and rummage through it. As she handed him the cell phone, it stopped ringing. He smiled his thanks and frowned as he took it from her manicured hand and checked it.
"Would it have been important?" asked Donna.
He glanced up at her and shrugged. "I don't recognise the number. It could have been work." He sighed. "I was waiting on a call."
"I was right. You are a workaholic." she teased. "It's what? Eleven o'clock at night?"
Harvey's brown eyes sparkled with amusement as he reached across and playfully tweaked her nose. "Stop being a smartass."
Donna grinned but began to yawn and lifted her hand to cover her mouth.
"Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Let's get you to bed." said Harvey as he opened the door to the car.
She followed him and stepped out into the car park. The light breeze blew through her hair and she tucked the stray strands behind her ear as she walked around the car to meet Harvey. Her feet crunched in the gravel watching the lights flash as he locked the vehicle. "I think I'll have a long soak in the tub first. I feel pretty grubby." she said.
Harvey nudged her playfully as they began to walk to the hotel. "Well I didn't want to say anything."
Donna stopped in her tracks and glared at him. She slapped his arm as she tried not to grin. "Are you saying I smell?"
"Would I say such a thing?" said Harvey grinning as he feigned innocence.
"Not in so many words but I can read between the lines, you know."
Harvey chuckled as he pulled her towards him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He side-glanced her as they began to walk. "You can read? Who would have guessed?"
Donna poked her finger in his side causing him to jump. "You're walking on thin ice mister."
Their laughter rang out across the hotel gardens and the moon appeared behind a thin blanket of clouds as they disappeared into the building.
Donna hummed a tune softly to herself as she ran the brush through her damp red locks. The thin strap from her ivory silk nightgown fell from her shoulder and her freshly washed skin tingled where she had rubbed in her body lotion. She could hear the faint sound of the television coming from the bedroom. A slow smile traced her lips. Harvey was just next door. Harvey. A guy who, less than five hours ago, had literally stolen her breath away.
Donna's smile instantly widened as she remembered the kiss they had shared. It had been an amazing kiss. It had been even more amazing than the kisses they had already shared the last day or so. It had felt different somehow, almost like it had truly meant something between them. It had also been the most beautiful kiss she had ever experienced in her life. Tingles had shot down her spine and she forgot everything around her as she let herself get lost in him. God even now she could still feel his embrace. His soft lips pressed firmly against hers, his stubble lightly grazing her skin. The kiss had been so sweet yet filled with such passion. Her heart had raced and her knees had almost crumpled the second his tongue had brushed against hers. She had never felt so much from one kiss before. She had also never wanted anyone so much in her life.
Sighing softly, Donna placed down the brush on the porcelain hand basin. She raised her head and shyly looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her nose was tinged with pink, burnt from the sun. Her eyes were wide and sparkling and her skin was glowing but it wasn't from the steam in the bathroom. It was because she was happy. So deliriously happy she felt like she could burst. Harvey had feelings towards her. And although she wasn't entirely sure what those feelings were or how deeply they ran, she knew they were far from platonic. It was more than she could have imagined because never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined he would ever feel that way about her. God, he was such an amazing guy. A guy that she knew she was falling hopelessly in love with and a guy that had made her realise that the feelings she had for Thomas weren't as strong or true as she believed them to be.
Her smile immediately faltered and Donna sighed heavily as she stepped away from the basin. She didn't want to think about Thomas. Every time she did she felt a stab of guilt right in the pit of her stomach. She knew she wasn't being fair to him. After all, she was constantly thinking of another man so much so that in all honesty, Thomas had been the furthest thing from her mind ever since she had left Boston. And the scary thing was it had been so easy to do. So easy in fact that even if she never saw Harvey again after this wedding was over, things could never be the same between her and Thomas. The relationship was over. It had to be. How on earth could she be with him, lying to him, knowing her heart lay somewhere else?
Feeling another pang of guilt, Donna deliberately ended that particular train of thought and adjusting the strap of her nightdress, she unlocked the bathroom door. As she walked into the bedroom, she frowned curiously noticing Harvey wasn't there. The covers were crumpled on the bed where he had been sitting when she had left him only half an hour ago but he hadn't mentioned going anywhere. And as she wandered across to the bed, Donna spotted his shoes scattered on the floor. He had been wearing them when she had gone to the bathroom. Where the hell could he have gone without them?
Donna absently picked up the remote from the bed and switched off the television. As the room went quiet, she heard the distinct sound of Harvey's voice filter through the door. Her nose wrinkled in confusion as she stood in the middle of the floor feeling the light breeze on her skin from the open window. He was talking to someone in the corridor. She couldn't help but wonder who it was. Then again, she couldn't hear any other voices which meant he had to be on the phone. She wondered who had called that he had gone out of the room. Not that she wanted to pry of course. It was obviously private. She was just curious that's all. It was almost midnight and it wasn't the most convenient time to call someone. Sighing, she absently rubbed the goose bumps that had appeared on her arms. She pulled back the covers on the bed and as she was about to climb in, she heard the knock at the door.
"Donna, are you there?"
Donna chuckled lightly as she made her way to the door, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. Harvey had obviously locked himself out of the room. Maybe she would ask for a kiss as an incentive to let him back in. He hadn't kissed her since their walk by the river. She was desperate to know that he hadn't felt it was a mistake. He hadn't said much about it. In fact, he hadn't really said anything at all.
"Donna?"
Her hand turned the shiny knob as she opened the door just a little and peered through the crack. She couldn't help the smile that traced her lips when she saw him. He was grinning at her sheepishly, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. He was bare footed just as she suspected. His white shirt was untucked and hung loosely over the waistband of his denim jeans. Sweet Jesus, the guy was absolutely gorgeous.
"Are you going to let me in?" he asked, as he stood in front of the door.
"Well that all depends." she said, teasingly.
"On what?"
"On you and whether you'll admit why you were out there in the first place."
Harvey licked his lips as he leant against the doorframe. The sound of a door closing echoed down the corridor. He folded his huge arms across his chest. "I went for a walk."
"Uh huh." Donna raised her eyebrows slightly. "You do know you have no shoes on."
Harvey glanced down briefly at his feet. He wore a lop-sided smile on his face. "That's just a minor technicality."
"But quite an important one if you ask me."
Harvey's brown eyes sparkled as he moved his face closer towards her. Donna swallowed thickly. She could smell the faint scent of his cologne.
"If you must know, I was taking a call."
"You could have taken it in the room."
"True but you could have walked in at any time and busted me."
Donna smiled knowingly at that admission. "It was work, wasn't it? You were calling work."
"Actually work called me. It was the client I missed earlier. He's from California. San Fransisco actually."
Donna's eyes stared at him intently mesmerised by his voice. She had loved listening to Harvey on the phone. When he had been calling her regularly before this trip, she had found herself closing her eyes at times when he talked. His voice was so deep and smooth. It was sexy as hell.
"So, now I've told you the truth, can I come back in?" asked Harvey.
She smiled, nodding her head and stepped back as she opened the door. His arm brushed against her as he passed her and Donna shivered slightly at the contact. As the door clicked shut, she turned and lifted her head. Harvey was standing in front of her and she inhaled his scent once again. She couldn't help herself. He smelled incredible.
"I think your shoulders are burnt. They're looking a bit red." he commented.
Donna felt her body tingle as Harvey's fingers gently stroked her skin. His brow was furrowed as he continued to examine her in the dim light of the hotel bedroom.
"You did remember to use sun cream didn't you?"
She giggled as his hand fell away from her arm. "Yes I did." She paused for a second and stuck out her tongue. "Dad!"
Harvey narrowed his eyes and glared at her. They twinkled despite the stern look he pretended to wear upon his face. "I'm only showing a bit of concern here. There's no need for you to be so damn rude."
"Aww." Donna playfully ruffled his hair messing up his soft brown strands. "I'm sorry."
She burst into another fit of giggles as she wandered across to the bed. She slipped between the covers and they rested across her waist as she leant back against the pillows. She watched Harvey as he took his cell phone from his back pocket and placed it down on the small table. His thick fingers unclipped the gold watch from his wrist and he put it down it on the nightstand. She felt the mattress shift underneath her as he flopped down on the bed. His hands rested on his stomach as he stared up at the ceiling. His long legs were crossed over as they stretched out across the blankets.
"I had a really nice time today." she said.
Harvey turned his head in her direction and she smiled at him.
"Thank you."
He raised his eyebrows fractionally. "And can I ask exactly what you are thanking me for?"
She grinned. "Well today was a momentous occasion. Do you know it was the first time I've ever won a ball game in my life?"
"I didn't know that."
"Well it's true. It's my brother's fault by the way. He never let me play with him and his friends. Apparently it wasn't cool to play with his annoying younger sister."
"I didn't know you had a brother." said Harvey as he uncrossed his legs and pushed himself up to lean on his arms.
"I didn't mention him?"
He shook his head.
"Well I guess there are a lot of things you won't know about me. Well except the fact I love strawberry ice cream and get drunk way too easily on wine."
Harvey laughed as he punched the pillows behind him and leant back against them. He shifted onto his side to face her and his face rested against the crisp cotton. "Well maybe you can tell me about the rest some time."
Donna nodded her head as she turned towards him. "Maybe I will." She moved down the bed until her face was level with his. He was so close she could feel his warm breath on her lips. His beautiful eyes were watching her. The expression on his face was gentle.
"I'm sorry about what Andrea said to you earlier."
Donna pressed her lips together in a tight smile of acknowledgment. She tried not to feel annoyed at the topic of conversation knowing that the last thing she wanted was to talk about his bitch of an ex while she was lying here beside him wanting nothing more in the world for him to kiss her again.
"I've warned her to stay away from you."
Her brow instantly furrowed. She hadn't known Harvey had talked to her. He certainly hadn't mentioned it. But then again, he said precious little when it came to Andrea. Sometimes Donna felt she was a taboo subject and she had to admit, his reluctance to talk about her sometimes made her feel slightly uncomfortable. It just enforced her fears that deep down he still loved her. That he still wanted to be with her.
"She had no right to attack you like that."
Donna shrugged her shoulders. She brought her hand to rest beside her on the pillow. "It doesn't matter. Not really." She gave him a lop-sided smile. "I mean, it's not like we're actually a couple. Our relationship, well it's just pretend. It's nothing more than a business arrangement is it?"
Harvey looked at her thoughtfully for a second. His face wore a slight frown. "I'm not so sure anymore."
Her lips parted in surprise while she felt her heart give a nervous flip.
"Donna, I can't stop thinking about you." he whispered.
She swallowed thickly as his hand reached out and tucked her damp hair behind her ear. His thumb lightly grazed her cheek before trailing it down her face and brushing it across her bottom lip. Her blood was beating in her ears. Her body felt like it was trembling. She felt like pinching herself just to make sure this was real, that this wasn't all a dream. This was really happening. It felt too good to be true.
"When I kissed you today, it just felt so right." Harvey's brown eyes scanned her face. "Does that sound crazy?"
Donna shook her head against the pillow. "No." she said softly. "It doesn't sound crazy at all."
"All I can think about is kissing you again."
Donna licked her lips. Her dark eyes stared deeply into his as her heart beat wildly in her chest. "Me too." she whispered.
Harvey reached out to curl his hand around her cheek tilting her face up to his. His gaze was intense as his mouth moved towards her. She swore her heart almost stopped as his lips brushed against hers ever so softly. Her breath caught in her throat. She placed her hand on his thick bicep as she closed her eyes and felt herself melt into his kiss. This was it. The second kiss. God, it felt just as amazing as the first.
Harvey's stubble was rough against her face as his mouth opened hers. His fingertips moved slowly down her arm tickling her slightly. Her heart raced in her chest. He tasted so good and she never wanted him to stop. Harvey's arm crept around her body. His big hand rested on her back. She could feel the heat of his palm through the light material of her nightgown. His hand slowly drifted lower. He was kissing her thoroughly and passionately in a way she'd never been kissed before. God knows Harvey was like nothing she'd ever experienced in her life. No-one had elicited such feelings in her especially from a kiss.
A wave of heat rushed through Donna as she responded to his touch. Suddenly his mouth left hers and she let out a silent gasp. As she opened her eyes to search for him, his hot mouth began to trail soft, wet kisses along the column of her throat. She closed her eyes once more and squeezed her legs together as she felt her desire for him grow. She felt light headed and giddy and honestly, she had never been so turned on in her life. She had never wanted anyone so much.
Donna lifted her hand and ran her fingers through his hhair. Harvey's palm drifted lower and rested on her thigh. Her body throbbed with desire as he pushed up the bottom of silk nightgown and lightly squeezed her soft flesh. His mouth trailed upwards and along her jaw. Her throat hot and sticky, Donna turned her head slightly halting his kiss. Her ribcage rose and fell with her heavy breathing. Their noses brushed together as she slowly opened her eyes. Harvey's brown orbs were darkened with desire and the way he was looking at her sent a rush of heat through her body. She knew right there and then he wanted her every bit as much as she wanted him. That knowledge made her bold as she moved her mouth closer. Her lips hovered over his.
"I want you, Harvey." she admitted.
She heard him swallow hard. She could feel his hot breath on her lips. The look in his eyes was intense.
"I want you too." Their lips grazed together lightly. Their eyes closed simultaneously. "So fucking badly." he whispered into her mouth.
Donna let out a soft moan as Harvey began to kiss her hard, his tongue sliding deliciously over hers as he explored her mouth. Her skin burned where his hand still rested firmly against her thigh and he squeezed it gently once more. She wriggled impatiently, suddenly desperate for him to touch her everywhere, her body crying out for him. He was physically driving her insane.
Just then his mouth left hers again and their laboured breaths filled the room as they looked intently at one another. Donna felt her desire for him pool in the pit of her stomach. Her mouth was still wet from his kiss.
"Maybe we should take a break." he said huskily.
It was the last thing she was expecting to hear and her eyes searched his face in confusion. She slowly shook her head and tried to control the tears that she felt caught in the back of her throat. He was rejecting her. Why?!
"Don't you want me?" she asked him.
Harvey's brown eyes were tender as his hand swept her hair across her forehead offering her some reassurance. "Of course I want you. I just….I just think we're moving too fast. Maybe….maybe we should think about this."
"I know what I'm doing Harvey. I want this to happen. I really do." she replied. Her hand rested softly on his cheek, his light stubble tickling her palm.
Harvey sighed heavily. His brow was furrowed. His hand covered hers.
"I mean I'm not the habit of jumping into bed with a man but this is different."
"Different how?"
"Different because of the way I feel about you." Donna paused letting out a slow breath and she drew on her courage to make her admission. "See I know for a fact that I am falling for you."
Harvey swallowed hard, feeling completely stunned. His eyes searched her face as he struggled with what to say to her admission. He liked Donna. In fact, he liked her one hell of a lot. He just hadn't let himself think about what it meant or how deeply those feelings went. In a way he was scared to but God knows he knew he wanted her. The woman was breath taking especially now. Her face was flushed and her damp hair was tousled across the pillow. The top of her chest spilled over her nightgown as her teeth pulled on her lip. She looked sexy as hell and it would be so easy to let all logic and reason leave his head.
Harvey brought her face to his and rested his forehead against hers. "I do care about you, Donna. I really do. And I want this to happen. I just…" His voice trailed off as his brown eyes pleaded with her to try and understand.
Donna smiled as she ran her hand through his rumpled hair. "I'm a big girl, Harvey. Whatever happens, I can take it." Her hand moved to cup the back of his head.
Her smile slowly faded as she rolled her lips together. "I trust this, Harvey. I mean, how can it be wrong when it feels so right?"
Her lips brushed against his gently before she murmured into his mouth. "No regrets."
"No regrets." Harvey repeated as he closed his eyes and let himself get lost in her kiss.
