Chapter 7.
"Danger."
Friday.
They had walked directly out of the building and got into his black Lexus.
Ray greeted Donna cheerfully but still professionally.
The rest of the car ride had been excruciatingly silent. Not a single word had been said since he dropped a bomb on her.
The city lights passing over them in quick flicks. As they drove past buildings the only sound a quiet shush each time a car drove by.
She snuck a look at Harvey. His shoulders back. Chest out. Jaw clenched. Hands unmoving as one was propped beneath his chin and the other on his lap.
He had this annoying way of looking beautiful even in worst of situations. The sharp cut glass jaw. The sallow skin. Long thick lashes. Even his hands were attractive. And the way he wore a suit, no wonder he'd bedded nearly every women in New York.
He was looking out the window as she had been. And all of sudden his head turns towards her and she quickly turns her own. Useless as she knows he'd caught her staring. She chastised herself for letting her thoughts go there.
It was so different after all these years. Sure sometimes she snuck a look at him. But this was just different.They'd been friends and colleagues for over a decade, each staying on their side of the line. What they were had changed in an instant. Neither saw it coming. It was unexpected or truth be told not entirely.
Years of fighting, comfort, banter, drinks and late night calls or visits were bound to build up and erupt into something.
They weren't the same young and naive people they had once been. Thinking that they could sweep it under the rug was their first mistake. And all the following mistakes had spawned from every moment they had pushed aside.
He smiled to himself as he turned his head back. He had felt her eyes burning a hole through his skull.
They were on opposite sides of the car. Neither daring to look at the other long enough to make eye contact.
He had shifted his eyes slighty so he could look at her undetected. Unlike her very own unsubtle way.
Her skin gold tinged as the light from street lamps hit and bounced off it. Her hair fiery. Her hands clasped on her lap in that uncertain way. He might not be able to read her like she could him, but over the years he'd caught her doing this. Narrowing it down to her being nervous.
He very rarely admitted to himself how beautiful she was. Along with her rule he had made one of his own to himself. To try and not look at her that way. Easier said than done.
He had pushed the attraction away and he was pretty good at it. It had kept him at bay for a long time. He had dated/slept with some of the most beautiful women and yet she was somehow always very close to the top of the list. Him downplaying her beauty to himself made it easier to not look at her that way.
xxxxxxx
The car came to a halt.
She looked past Harvey and saw what it was. Familiar ground.
The place they'd shared almost every big achievement at, including him getting her to work for him.
He slid out of the leather seat and walked around the back before opening her door.
She took his outreached hand. And he let it go the moment she had stepped out.
But walking into Dèl Posto he had yet again let his hand rest at the bottom of her spine. Low enough to cause a shiver and high enough to not get slapped or be indecent.
And then her mind ran back to that fitting. Her dress slightly gaping open. His light touches down her bare spine. And those melting, darkened eyes he'd set on her after bringing him back from wherever he had gone.
She bit the inside of her lip. Banishing the memory. It only brought back other things. A chill ran up and down her spine by merely thinking about it.
Harvey had been unsure of his intended action. Not knowing what to expect. But he'd done it nonetheless. Putting his hand on her lower back, he was hesitant yet again around her. He could scare her off if he moved too fast. Also after what he'd done a month or so ago, it felt forbidden to touch her like this. Like if he touched her more than this everything would unravel.
They were seated by their waiter. Given menus and the left only in the company of each other. Somehow even this seemed different. More personal. The lights seemed more dimmed. The small light highlighting his every jagged edge. But she knew this was just her head playing tricks.
The only reason for it doing that was because her mind wasn't, couldn't focus on anything else, but him. As hard as she tried.
He saw her eyeing him from beneath his lashes. It was slightly unsettling. His palms unnaturally moist. His tie feeling off and yet too tight. His mouth dry. He'd never been this nervous about a date. Let alone with someone he'd known for that long. Maybe that was exactly why he felt like a teenager. Dumbstruck as to how to handle this.
He ordered wine when the waiter had returned. Their shared favourite.
His gaze turned towards her then.
"How was your day ?" He cringed as he realized how idiotic it sounded.
After what happened at the office and them officially being on a date. That thing where you have dinner with someone and it's not platonic. That was the best he could come up with.
"Good, then weird." She admitted slowly.
This was unlike them. They usually fell into conversation easily and could talk for hours and yet they couldn't form a decent one at this very moment.
"Weird ?" He questions.
"This." She indicicated to their unusual predicament.
"This." He repeated nodding.
Of course it was weird. If it wasn't then something would have been wrong. Nobody could go from years of a seeming platonic friendship to fighting like hell over a kiss or two only to fight again and then find themselves going on a date without ever having resolved said fight. So weird was the only conclusion.
"We've had dinner before you know." He says then sensing her unease.
"Not like this." She almost chuckles to herself.
There was always a hidden lining behind those previous dinners. Like the hidden compartment in the lining of a suitcase that couldn't be found unless you knew where to look. But they hadn't taken that much consideration before right this second.
"You mean the date ?" He eyes her.
"Yes I mean the date." She answers sarcasm brushing her voice.
He smiles then.
"You're nervous ?" He quirks his brow his voice taken a similar tone as the time he'd said that she was into him.
"You're nervous." Not a question but a statement. A very true one at that.
Was this them flirting ? It had seemed the most alien thing after the past few months. They had fought not flirted and somehow in the backs of their minds they knew it came easily. Never before had they concentrated on it or given it any attention, but now it was like a spotlight blinding them.
"Well our talks haven't really ended well lately." He says honestly.
"No they have not." She agrees.
A sliver of confidence had wedged itself into that chasm making both of them a little more comfortable.
The waiter had come up and asked the food order. They both knew the menu by heart after so many dinners and knew what they wanted. A small irony in that.
"How was your day ?" She asked knowing that if they continued they'd end up having an argument in this very public place.
"Good, then weird." He said, reciting her words.
And then she smiled at him and he couldn't believe how he'd missed it. He'd been the cause of her crying and getting angry so many times especially recently, but that shy smile made his chest swell a little.
He was looking at her and she re-crossed her legs her heel accidently brushing against his leg and when he looked at her she blushed. It was an accident but he'd obviously noticed.
"Sorry." She said quietly.
"I don't mind." He had a smug look about him just then.
She was taken aback at his momentary boldness.
He then winked and smiled at her again. Damn that smile, she could get used to it. You'd think that after years and years you'd already be but that seemed far away lately and she had a chance to appreciate it all over again.
She kept noticing how his eyes darted to her. Frequently. He had honestly never been this way. Not since they first met.
The atmosphere was intimate and warm.The wine had mixed with their blood giving them both a relaxing tinge.
Their food arrived and as always it looked delicious. She took her first bite and a small quiet sigh escaped her lips and her eyes closed. She opened them and found Harvey almost rigid and staring directly at her. He had probably witnessed the whole thing.
And yet again he had her blushing. He didn't need to say anything or even touch her. That dark look was all it took.
He had heard her and his head shot up. The scene had made him hot under the collar.
"Did you know that Mike and Louis went mudding once ?" Harvey asked trying to distract himself from the moment.
Humour, a good way to get things flowing and take away from other things.
"I've gone mudding with Louis." She laughed then.
"You have ?" He asked curiously.
"It's actually not that bad if you count out the fact that he's naked under all that mud."
"I could've gone my whole life without that." He chuckled.
"So is it mandatory to go in naked ?" He wondered, a curious, mischievous gleam in his eyes.
She immediately caught onto the reason behind his question and suddenly all the blood drained from her face.
"No, but it just feels better that way." She decided that he wouldn't leave her flustered if she could help it.
And it did as she saw him shift in his seat and change the subject.
After that their conversation turned into something resembling old times.
Weeks, months even of battling weren't nearly resolved and they both knew that somewhere it would bubble to the surface, but for now this is what they were going to concentrate on.
They'd have to get to that before they could really move forward or anywhere for that matter but tonight they'd set it aside.
xxxxxxx
They were walking up to her apartment. The door a beacon. A permanent reminder of what they've been what they've done and how different they'd become.
She turned to him before opening the door.
"Would you like to come in ?" She asked not entirely looking at him.
He opened his mouth then put his hands in his pockets.
Shy and nervous was even a little endearing on him.
She wasn't going to let her walls down just yet, but he had this little way of making her melt just a fraction.
The truth was she wasn't ready to let him leave yet, they were finally talking and not yelling and she had missed him.
He was nervous about this not sure if it was the best idea. But he couldn't seem to tear himself away from her.
It was strange how they'd fallen apart but got to this just as quickly.
He knew that they couldn't push away what had transpired between them in the last few months, but they could try and enjoy the serenity till they could get to that point.
"Yes." He answered then.
She seemed relieved and he took in a breath.
He sat down and she went to make coffee. She came back and handed him a mug.
He took his first sip and nearly groaned at how good it tasted. She just made it differently, it always tasted so much better.
Accepting the invitation was the best decision he'd made all night. The date was a close second.
They talked for hours. Sitting closer and closer each time she seemed to get up and sit back down. Not necessarily on purpose but maybe subconsciously.
She was so close. She could smell him.
He could see the green and brown twisted together in her eyes. He could touch her but decided against it.
After all hasty unexpected and raw physical contact had gotten them into this mess.
She had that look in her eyes. The same she had that night after he saved her. Blinking slowly.
His dark and intense eyes flicked between her eyes and then mouth.
The longer he stared the more she could feel the heat climbing up her spine.
Before either of them could even think about it he decided that it would be better to not cross that line tonight. Both aware that if one of them dared to just dip a toe, they'd dive in head first. Making a move would be the wrong choice considering it being a first date an all.
"It's late." He said looking at his phone.
It was well past midnight and he was struggling to find a way to tell her he had to go without it having sound like the last time they were in a similiar situation.
"Yeah." She agreed knowing that going there wouldn't help them right now.
It could be easy to just let go and give in, but they were them and it wouldn't be that easy. If they just let it go they would potentially ruin this whole thing. They would've ended before they even started. They had 12 years worth of shit to get through. But doing it this way, trying to would shift them, unable to ever fit fully together. There would always be a middle piece missing or an edge piece that had no where to go.
They stood up and walked to the door. He turned around before he was completely out.
"Thank you Harvey, for tonight." She said then.
He stepped towards her and leaned in.
Thinking, anticipating a kiss had her cheeks grow hot. The memory of the last time their lips touched still fresh in her mind.
He was close, but right at the last second he passed her mouth. Gently placing a soft kiss to her blushed cheek.
She wanted to make a comment about him acting like a 13 year old on his very first date. But she decided not to tease him.
He was being awfully sweet and so unlike himself. Slow wasn't his pace neither was patience, but here he was not jumping the gun and it affected her more than any rough kiss could.
He pulled back.
"Goodnight." He whispered and then walked away.
He'd left her completely speechless. She closed the door and smiled. Leaning against it. Her heart fluttered when his lips touched her skin.
He'd been shy and nervous all night and it was unexpected in the best way possible.
xxxxxxx
He had walked out of the building and onto the sidewalk.
He wasn't sure how she would've reacted to him and the date suggestion or that kiss. It had gone better than he thought.
He had this stupid smile on his face when he climbed into the car.
He saw Ray give him a look. He shrugged it off and told him to drive.
xxxxxxx
Saturday.
Donna was leaning against her kitchen counter phone in hand. Hovering over Rachel's number.
She pressed the screen then and put the phone to her ear.
"Hi." The voice said.
"Hi." Donna replied.
"Harvey and I went on a date." Donna blurted out before she could stop herself.
"What ?" Rachel sounded confused and surprised.
"Last night, he said he was jealous and then asked me out and I said yes." Donna bit her lip.
"He told you that he was jealous and then he asked you out ? Wow." Was all Rachel could muster up to say.
"I know." Donna then ran a hand through her hair.
"And ? How did it go ?" Rachel was starting to get excited.
"It went well, better then well actually." She admitted smiling to herself.
"Well you're calling me at nine in the morning so probably not that well." Rachel joked.
"Rachel !" Donna laughed.
And now Rachel's comment knocked her back to thirteen years ago and then a few months ago. The vivid memory of his touch, his taste, his teeth scraping against her flesh had a million butterflies erupt into a frenzy. She idly crossed one leg over the other as all the butterflies melted like butter as her blood was boiling. It started to pool low.
"I'm just kidding. I'm happy that you went on a date with him." She chimed from the other side of the line. Ripping Donna from her reverie.
"I am too." Donna said.
"And did you talk about ?" Rachel said referring to their recent falling out.
Actually it was more than just one.
"Yes we did, but not about that. Not yet." Donna said looking down at the floor.
"Well you're talking not fighting so that's a start."
"Yeah." Donna said still not entirely used to the idea that she and Harvey had a date.
"So when's the next date ?" Rachel asked suggestively.
"I have no idea." Donna said smiling again.
The idea of a next date making her heart beat faster.
"On Monday I want all the details." Rachel said then, and knowing her friend she meant all the details.
Not that there was much to tell, if you take away the cheek kiss, the almost...and him flirting and her reciprocating it.
"Of course." Donna replied rolling her eyes playfully at how excited her friend sounded to hear about the date.
She wanted to tell her everything, someone had to know and who better than her best friend.
"I've got to go I have some work I need to do." Donna said.
The previous night had taken a huge chunk of her time diverting her from work.
"Of course. And call me when you go on your next date." Rachel said again that suggestive tone hovering in her voice.
"I will. Bye." She said and ended the call.
It was great to have a best friend like Rachel to talk to especially in this case.
As she put her phone down it dinged.
Speak of the devil and you step on his tail.
A text message.
Harvey: It was nice, we should do it more often. ;)
She was chewing on her lip. He'd sent a winky face as well. He was being confident. Cheeky even.
Her fingers hovering over the key pad.
Her response.
Donna:We'll see. ;)
xxxxxxx
Rachel walked back into the living room a look of disbelief all over her face.
"What ?" Mike asked as he looked at her.
"That was Donna, Harvey apparently told her that he was jealous and then asked her out." She said almost not believing it herself.
"He did what ?" Mike asked now sitting forward.
"And it went well." Rachel said.
He gave her a look.
"Not that well." She laughed at him.
"But they had a date ? That's progress." He said wanting to pat himself on the back.
They had given Harvey advice the night before and from the sound of it he took it to heart.
xxxxxxx
Monday.
Monday came rolling around and for the first time in a while Donna didn't absolutely dread the thought of bumping into Harvey.
She walked out of the elevator a smile plastered on her face. Sure there were about a billion things they had to talk about and they'd get there. Eventually.
She was on her way to her office when suddenly Harvey appeared next to her.
"Good morning." He greeted also with a smile.
"Good morning." She repeated.
"How was your weekend ?" He asked trying to act all coy.
"It was alright, had another date." She said nonchalantly.
"And how did that go ?" He asked as they stepped into her office.
"Not bad. The guy wasn't a complete ass." She said.
"Good to know." He replied and walked out heading to his own office.
They were definitely flirting. Just innocent and fun. No hidden meaning behind it. Although to be honest, there was always a hidden meaning.
xxxxxxx
Mike eagerly walked into Harvey's office. He sat down and looked at Harvey. Waiting for him to notice.
"So I heard that you and Donna went on a what do they call it again ?" He clicked his fingers together. Emphasizing the absurd notion. "...a date ?" He chimed.
Harvey put his pen down and looked up at him.
"Yes and ?" Harvey said.
"You and Donna went on a date." He repeated.
"Okay Mike what you are getting at ?" Harvey folded his hands together.
This was what he was dreading. The follow up questions. He wanted to figure this out on his own. He'd taken their advice and it worked, but from that point on it had to be all him.
"I'm just saying." Mike said.
"It went well okay. There are you happy ?" He asked a little sarcastically.
He wasn't trying to be mean he was just a little touchy about it.
"Very." Mike replied a huge grin on his face as he walked out.
Harvey just sat back. Thinking about Friday again and that he was actually the one who was happy.
xxxxxxx
The day had gone by quickly. Both parties had been working. It was all shy smiles and even a wink from Harvey.
Mike and Rachel seemed to notice, but were wise enough to not bring it up. They knew that prodding this early could have Donna and Harvey turn back and head straight for those uncomfortable tense times when they had screaming matches.
xxxxxxx
Donna heard a knock on the door and this time secretly hoped that it was Harvey.
She opened it and instead of sexy intense brown eyes she was looking into piercing blue ones.
David.
"Hey." He said and kissed her quickly before walking through the door.
"Hey." She said.
David ? How could she not have thought of that. She was Donna. He'd completely slipped her mind. The only thing occupying it was tall, dark eyed and grey silk ties.
He sat down on her couch then.
"I'm sorry for just showing up but I wanted to surprise you." He said.
She bit the inside of her cheek. As nice and attractive and sweet as he was, he wasn't the one she wanted to see. He wasn't the one she really wanted. So she decided to rip the bandaid off.
"Listen David I...I don't think it's going to work." She said taking a seat next to him.
They only had one date, but he seemed to want more.
"Why not ? We had a great time the other night." He was frowning.
"We did and you're a great guy and everything..." She said.
"But I'm not the guy for you." He had said.
"No, I'm sorry." She said trying to make the blow softer.
Seconds, minute, hours it felt had passed before he spoke.
"Right well then I better go." He said standing up.
He looked deflated as he walked out, he was a gentlemen through and through even now and she respected him for it.
It was a relief. Not that she had even remembered him. Which sounded horrible, but she wasn't going to lie to herself.
She sat back then shaking her head. He really had nothing on Harvey. It was easy to let go of David although compared to Harvey they always were.
xxxxxxx
Harvey was sitting at his desk. Reading through some documents when his phone rang.
He picked it up and swiped.
"Hey mom." He answered as he swivled his chair towards the windows.
"Hey how are you doing ? I haven't heard from you in a while." She said.
"Yeah sorry things have been crazy at work I haven't really had the time." He said feeling a little guilty that it had taken this long for him to talk to his mother.
"I get it. Running a law firm and all." She said with pride.
"And how are things there ?" He asked.
"Good. The art kids have been doing so well. And the kids are too. They're just busy with soccer and school. And Marcus and Katie are also good." She said then.
After so long it still sometimes felt odd that he and his mother were on good terms. But he was grateful for it. He had a family outside his work family. Although they had become his real family over the years. But it was good, great even to know that he had his mother.
"That's great mom."
"So how are you and Paula ?" She asked.
He froze. He hadn't even gotten around to telling her that they were over. And that had happened a few months ago. Drilling the fact of not having time to talk to his own mother home. He felt slightly guilty. And he may have avoided the whole awkward situation of having to explain why he and the woman he'd introduced to his mother broke up.
"We...it's over. It has been for a while." He said slowly.
"I'm sorry to hear that. She seemed so nice. What happened ? Ohhh I hope I didn't have anything to do with it." She said afraid that her comment had been the cause.
"She was, but no mom of course not. It just wasn't working."
"But it does have something to do with that someone very special ?"
Uncanny how his mom hit the head right on the nail. Proving that she did know him.
"It's complicated." He admitted. He wasn't lying.
"It always is. What's her name ?" His mom asked seemingly out of the blue.
"Donna." He hesitated before answering.
"I like it." He could hear her smile.
I do too he thought.
"Well mom it's late and I still have some work to do." He said trying to lightly move on before being bombarded with questions.
"Of course. Don't be such a stranger okay." She jokingly warned.
"I won't " He said.
"Goodnight Harvey." And the phone call ended.
Leave it to his mom to know exactly why things hadn't worked out with him and Paula.
He stayed staring out the glass at the city. It had been one if the best days in months. No awkward or uncomfortable atmospheres whenever they were in the same place. Instead it was light and he seemed to have a pep in his step. Which wasn't like him, but then again she wasn't just anyone.
xxxxxxx
Friday.
The week flew by. Work had taken over completely.
Cliënts, meetings, court and all the other little things in between. Meaning that Donna and Harvey hadn't really talked all week. Or when they did it was work related. But he'd surprised her with coffee one morning and she returned the favor the next day. They'd done this this the whole week. Coffee another constant between them.
She strolled into his office.
"Hey." She said taking a seat.
"Hi." He'd smiled the second he heard her voice.
"So are we...dating now ?" She asked shyly fiddling with her hands.
It had been on her mind all day and she decided that the best thing would be to ask.
"We've only had one date." He said.
"I know but just for future reference."
"Maybe." And he said.
He was definitely flirting.
"Well what would you say to shitty Thai food at my place ?" She asked nervously.
"I could go for some shitty Thai." He said.
"Good. So you done yet or ?" She said gesturing to his paperwork.
He nodded and started to gather the files. Neatly piling them off to the side before putting everything else away.
He was OCD. Everything always had a place. He liked oredered. Being in control of every situation. Very Harvey like.
She sat smiling at him. One of the things she really liked and sometimes hated all the same was his need for control.
"What ?" He looked up then and saw that she was staring.
"Nothing." She said getting up.
He was grabbing his jacket and followed her out of his office. He had gotten into the habit of putting his hand against her lower back.
And as innocent as the gesture seemed she had actually wished he wouldn't. All it did was make her think of things that she probably shouldn't be at this stage and idly wondered if he was feeling it too.
He had to though. Otherwise he wouldn't keep doing it.
Touching had always been something strange to them. Barely here and there for over a decade. And in just a few short months they had completely well almost completely crossed that border. Sometimes full on barreling over the line with a raw uncontrolled kiss then sometimes months later sneaking past it with a hand against a lower back.
And they had learned why they didn't touch very quickly.
xxxxxxx
Donna was reaching for some plates. They had stopped by the shitty Thai place before coming to her apartment and now they were in her kitchen.
She got them and put them down on the counter. Harvey was looking at her with a hand propped under his chin. He had something between a goofy smile and a smirk plastered all over his face.
He had been staring openly at her as she moved around. Stretching, beding over, walking. It all seemed graceful. But then that was part of her charm as much as him being cocky was part of his.
"What ?" She asked then her eyes narrowed.
"Nothing." He answered.
Realizing that they'd had a similar back and forth earlier.
"It doesn't look like nothing." She quirked a brow gesturing to his smile.
"So are we ever going to eat or ?" He asked then still smiling but diverting from her questioning gaze.
They had split the food. Her taking what she ordered he did the same. They were eating and as he was about a fork a piece she reached over and stole the very same piece of pork he was headed for.
"You know you always do that." He looked at her in a playfully annoyed way.
"And ?" She challenged him.
"And it's not fair." He sounded like an 8 year old who's favorite toy had been taken and was refused to get it back.
"You never play fair." She replied without fully thinking about her answer.
And there it was. A big red sign had appeared and it read danger.
"You don't either." He said then.
They had to somehow turn back before a gun went off and set another attack in place.
"You want some, take it." She said, another challenge.
So he reached over and took some of her food. He then put it in his mouth and chewed. He grimaced.
"Yeah this really is shitty." He said afterwards making her laugh.
The question. If it's shitty then why go back. Well it's the same with a tooth, it hurts but you keep pressing your tongue against it. A habit.
"So Mike cornered me about our.." He cleared his throat, the words seeming foreign."...date."
"Rachel did the same with me, actually I told her and then the interrogation started." She laughed.
"So do you tell Rachel everything ?" He inquired.
"Well yeah, she's my best friend. You don't tell Mike everything ?" She asked in turn then.
"No I don't. That's what Rachel is for. She tells him."
"Right." She agreed nodding.
"They're probably having a field day with this." He gestured between them.
"Probably." She said then with a smile.
"So we're dating..." She rolled it around in her mouth again.
"You consider this a date ?" He raised a brow.
"Well what else would it be ?" She asked.
"Yes." He said then a hint of a tease behind that voice.
"Good." She replied.
"Good." He repeated.
And it was true. They weren't fighting, they were flirting. Openly and admittedly flirting and dating. It was still strange. The accusations and yelling and crying was just beneath this fragile surface. And it would stay there until one or both of them had enough guts to crack it.
In a dream world they'd ignore and move on from it. But the wounds were too deep and the history was too long to do that.
For now, for a second, for one moment they would pretend that it didn't happen. He asked for a chance and she was going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He seemed to want to and mean it and hell knows she wanted a chance to see if they could possibly work.
She loved him she knew that. She'd spent nights crying. Her heart aching. And right when she was about to move on he had reeled her back in and she let him. His timing was always horrificly perfect.
Now they were both sitting in her apartment. Across from each other in the kitchen laughing and agreeing that they were indeed dating.
"So you going to help me with dishes then ?" She asked eyeing him.
"Is this how all your second dates go ? Dinner and dishes ?" He asked her.
"Not all of them." She this time winking at him already on her way to the sink.
He stood up. Took off his vest, he'd taken off his jacket earlier. And he rolled up his sleeves and unbuttoned two buttons on his crisp white shirt. Unware that Donna was watching.
Lip caught between teeth as she took in the scene in front of her. She turned around quickly before he could catch her.
He walked up and stood beside her then. Noticing how short she was without her heels. She had quickly changed into black pants and a black shirt when they arrived.
He smiled secretly. She wasn't as indimidating as she was when she had them on. He didn't know what he liked more. Her all casual and playful or dressed in power. Both had their charms.
She had started washing the dishes and handed him a plate. Their fingers brushed briefly and they had looked at the other for a split second.
They had finished in no time. It was only two plates and some cutlery. They had left the wine glasses knowing they'd just keep on until he left.
She had walked back to the counter and had poured more wine while Harvey dried off his hands.
She was about to turn to hand him his and didn't see him walk up. Resulting in the glass being knocked and it spilled all over his white shirt.
"Shit !" She gasped and set the glass down before running to the sink to grab a kitchen cloth.
She came back and he was just smiling at her as she started dabbing and rubbing his shirt.
"You enjoying yourself there ?" He had a mischievous tint in his voice.
She looked up at him and glared.
"It's going to stain anyway." She said, her hands still on his body.
Giving up on cleaning the mess she made. Irony is they couldn't clean up the mess they made themselves without creating a bigger one.
"It's just a shirt." He reasoned.
"I know but still I'm sorry." She hadn't removed her hands yet.
She was looking straight into his eyes. Him being a bit taller made her feel vulnerable. His eyes had turned liquid and she swallowed. Her hands were firmly placed against him.
He couldn't stop staring at her mouth. The feel and taste of it had taunted him ever since he made that fatal mistake that had left them spinning in an endless spiral of rage. The fuel to their war.
He wanted to lean that fraction forward. His heart was beating so fast that for a second he thought she could feel it.
Her head was spinning, his scent had flooded her brain and the feel of his body under her hands had her breathing slow and speed up at the same time.
He cleared his throat and it made her take a step back.
"I'm sorry again." She said gesturing to his shirt.
The only thing she could say as her brain had momentarily shut down.
He shrugged it off.
"I am going home and getting out of this and I'll see you tomorrow." He said walking back to collect his vest and jacket.
"Tomorrow ?" She asked bewildered.
"Ray's picking you up at 3 for our third date." He said it like she knew exactly what he meant.
"Okay...what should I wear ?" She asked still unsure of what was going on.
"Anything." He said.
"But is it formal, casual ?" She asked waiting for him to clarify.
"Casual." He replied.
"Okay..." She followed him to the door.
"Thank you for dinner and the wine." He tried to wind her up by putting emphasis on the wine.
"I'm starting to feel less guilty about that." She said looking at his shirt now tainted red.
"Hmmmm." He hummed.
He was about to walk out when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He stopped and turned towards her.
She stepped close and rose on her toes. She put one hand on his chest. Her fingers seemed to have control over his heartbeat. She was closing in on him. He closed his eyes as he felt her breath on his face. He then felt those soft lips touch the corner of his mouth. He thought the vein in his forhead would burst from his heart thundering against it.
She pulled back and his eyes locked onto hers. He clenched his jaw. Trying to tamper down the heat that had spread when she had touched him earlier and now returned with a vengeance.
She was about to step back when his hand shot around her waist. Keeping her in place. Which was snug against him. Her soft body caged against his rock hard one.
He'd caught her by surprise. And his eyes bore into hers. He had dropped his vest and jacket between the little kiss and grabbing her.
"You're playing with fire Donna." He almost growled.
She saw the danger sign before she almost kissed him. She had ignored it and went through it head on.
Him looking at her in that dangerous way like the night he had kissed her was the result. The consequence of her action. She was playing with fire, but hell she couldn't stop herself. She wanted him to make him feel like she was feeling. Knowing full well that she could get burned.
His voice was rough and deep. She could almost feel it. It seeped into her veins and it pooled low in her abdomen.
She couldn't decide where to look. Those hungry almost carnal eyes. Or his lips.
He let his hand drift lower and grabbed her tighter against him. She was playing with fire but he had lit the fuse.
"Harvey." She breathed as she slid her other hand onto his arm.
Her pupils were dilated. The green and hazel barely visible anymore. Her mouth agape. He felt his blood rushing south. Things were moving too fast, but not fast enough.
He then did something he knew he shouldn't have. But then again who would he be if he didn't make bold moves despite the warnings.
He leaned in and gently tugged her lower lip between his teeth. It slipped out and she moaned. He looked back up at her.
Her eyes were closed, but shot open as she felt him staring. She tilted her head and bit her lip. Her teeth exactly where his had been a few seconds ago.
They were having a staring contest now. One trying to up the other, the challenge passing between them.
He dared another bold move and slide his hand from her lower back and onto her ass making her gasp as he tugged her lower half to his. Groins clashing.
She in turn starting drawing patterns on his chest where his shirt was opened. His eyes narrowed. The slightly wet material of his shirt long forgotten.
They weren't thinking anymore, at least not with their brains. And it felt good.
He let his free hand drift to her ribcage. His thumb swirling in place.
They were definitely crossing those borders. The one thing they were so afraid of was the only thing they wanted in this moment. Borders no longer matching up with the heat scorching through them.
Fear was definitely not on their minds now.
"Donna..." His voice low.
"I know." She breathed back.
"We shouldn't." In him saying this he still held her close.
"I know." She moved her hand from his opened collar and it landed on his heart.
She knew full well that they shouldn't go there just yet. It would further complicate things. Her mind was screaming No but her heart was screaming Yes. As did her body, it was tingling all over. He was the only guy who could pin her down by just looking at her.
She watched those eyes. Blue was beautiful, but his brown liquid ones made her shiver. She could also tell that he was struggling. Trying to choose between walking away or staying.
She had put herself in this position, but tonight it was up to him. She wouldn't be responsible if they lost this time. She didn't want to get blamed again. It was his desicion. She couldn't force him to choose her tonight.
He couldn't look away. Her eyes were magnetic. Her hands on his chest made his skin erupt into goosebumps. And the way he had her pressed against him did nothing to help him make a call that could make or break them.
He almost ran. He almost let himself walk away. But leaving never helped. The longer they put it out the harder and more tense it got. The biggest visible elephant in the room was always present. Emotions tucked away deep and maybe this would help them get somewhere.
She wasn't pleading with him to stay. She'd let him go if he chose it. If he wanted to run then it was purely his decision.
He looked down at her mouth again. Tantalizing, taunting, pulling him forward.
He looked at her eyes next. If he thought her lips were tempting he couldn't have imagined what her eyes would do.
Her every soft curve caressed every hard corner of him and he was losing his mind.
He moved then.
His lips touched hers.
xxxxxxx
Thank you, thank you to all readers and reviewers who've supported me through this I'm grateful and I keep repeating it, but I am ! I really really hope I didn't disappoint and that you enjoyed it.
PLEASE REVIEW if you can it keeps me going.
I honestly struggled with the last few chapters but people have gotten me through it. They motivate and support and inspire me.
My beta for one ! I cannot thank her enough. Thank you DonnaRSpecter for EVERYTHING !!! I've appreciated every minute you've spent on looking for errors and helping me !
ashadesofblue who's constant support and reassurance means so much so thank you too ! Also for helping me create tension in this chapter as I honestly struggled.
Finally got around to writing again