Chapter 8.
Kiss Me Sunshine
His lips touched hers. Firm and yet unsure. Like he didn't know if this was what she wanted. So he stayed frozen for half a second until he felt her come alive.
She teased his lips. Nipping and tugging on his lower one. He never missed a beat, matching it until she bit down on his lower one again. She knew it would make his head spin right round.
She the ran her tongue against the seam of his lips and he opened his mouth only to have her run her tongue deliciousy across his. She heard a rumble in his throat at the contact and entwined her tongue with his. He had a tinge of alcohol on his tongue and so had she, making for a tipsy feeling to come into affect. Both knew that it wasn't the wine that had made them addicted to the others taste.
He was dominating her mouth and she let him but not for long. In one particular moment she sucked his tongue into her mouth and it led to him spinning and pushing her up the hard wood of her door.
He was just looking at her and for the briefest of moments she saw that want being questioned. He was silently asking for permission. He hadn't done anything else after he pushed her against the door. He just stared, his head sligtly tilted.
So she in turn answered by starting to unbotton his shirt. A bold and unexpected move on her part.
He looked down at her hands. Her dark maroon nails looking bright against the sharp, crisp shirt.
She watched him watching her and a small smile creeped over her lips. When she opened the last one she ran her hands from his waistband up and over his shoulders. He let go of her and she kept going down his arms until the white material fell heavily with expectation.
He almost groaned at the way her hands ran over his torso. White skin and dark painted nails against his sallow skin was something to behold.
His head shifted to meet her eyes again and he knew that they couldn't go back. He wouldn't even if he could.
She was biting her lip and looking at him like she wanted to devour him. Her hands glued to his skin. Making him very aware of her.
He stepped forward until there wasn't an inch left between her and the door or himself and her.
Harvey leaned forward and she anticipated a kiss when he surprised her by starting at the edge of her jaw. Trailing them down her neck. He pinched a piece of skin between his teeth before he rolled his tongue over the same spot. The action making her head tilt to the side.
Her hands fell down between them, going in search of his pants. She grazed her fingertips against it and his movements came to a halt. She grinned to herself. Something so small was enough to stop him in his tracks.
Suddenly it was a game. To see who could drive who to brink of begging or breaking first. Every move made with purpose. The need to get as close as possible. The match that ignited this.
She skated her hands back up to his neck, pulling slightly to take his lips in a spine tingling kiss.
He growled when she swirled her tongue in a way he couldn't seem to figure out. It drove him nuts. He knew he was good, but she was good too and she knew that as well.
She tangled her fingers into his hair, the short strands gliding through her fingers.
Harvey yet again slid his hands down her spine and lower. This time grabbing her ass with both his hands. It made her squeal slightly. He then ran his hand from her butt along her outter thigh and hooked it at the back of her knee. Picking it up and wrapping her leg around his waist. Groins heavier against the other. He rolled his hips into her and she thought she'd unravel just there. He left her lips and went on a path to leave his mark on the other side of her slender neck.
The position they were in made sure she felt what he intended to do her tonight.
He did it again and his name left her lips for the second time that night in a gaspy tone. And he had a feeling that it wouldn't be the last. He knew that he was winning. The unspoken challenge was going in his favour until she somehow found enough space between them to lightly dance her fingers over his growing need.
He closed his eyes in her neck and clenched his jaw. If she kept doing what she was doing with the added small tilt of his hips against hers he wasn't gonna be able to do what he'd imagined doing to her so many times.
"Donna." He breathed, a warning and invitation all the same.
And bingo. She knew she'd won this round. He moved his head to face her again and she had the audacity to have a smile skim her mouth. She had removed her hand from his groin and it was placed on his shoulder again.
He smiled back making her think that she was the victor. He dug his fingers into her leg the other hand against the door to keep them steady. He looked her straight in the eye as he pulled back and pushed his hips back into hers. Grinding harder, both clothed for the most part. Her smile dissapeared and was replaced by her head falling back against the door.
The friction he was causing was driving her crazy. Making them both realise that whatever they were doing, trying to accomplish by making the other break first wasn't nearly enough. The dry humping only making the frustration worse.
He soon stopped his movements, knowing it might all come to a premature ending. Her head tilted back towards his, face flushed, lips bruized, hair ruffled and eyes dilated.
It was then that he knew the game was over and neither had won, for the first time in a really long time he was glad he lost or even came to a draw.
He slid his other hand lower and onto her thigh and picked her up. Her long legs wrapped around his waist. She looked into those eyes and dipped her head down to catch his lips again.
He carried her right to her bedroom, apparently remembering it's exact location.
He swiftly put her down. Lips disconnected and clothes went flying. Her shirt, his pants then hers.
Everything after that was moans, grunts, lips connecting, disconnecting, hips pushing and pulling and pure bliss. That's what happens when you barely touch for over a decade and then finally get touch and taste and do whatever else to your hearts content.
xxxxxxx
Saturday.
Donna woke up. Her body feeling loose and warm and relaxed. She reached across the bed expecting to find him there but it was empty. She sat up immediately the sheet covering her naked body. She looked around the room and his things were neatly folded on a chair and hers were put on top.
She heard her bathroom door open and he came out, a towel hung low on his hips. Her eyes raked over him and that hunger returned. They didn't really take the time to admire, the singular end goal the only thing to think about the night before.
He smirked at her as if knowing what she was thinking.
Her eyes seductivly turned into slits. Droplets of water were running over every crevice, and suddenly she had the urge to do the same with her mouth.
He smiled at her. That amazing, genuine chesire cat smile.
She laid back and watched him as he was picking his shirt up. The muscles in his back rippling. He wasn't a body builder or anything, but boxing had made sure for a really appealing sight.
She sunk her teeth into her lower lip. Remembering how those muscles had felt under her fingertips. The way they moved, the smooth skin. She might have damaged his skin a little as she dug her nails in as he was setting a punishing rhythm inside her. Taking her to the brink with every push.
He turned back around as he covered up his upper body with his shirt. He caught her blatantly staring, her eyes running over him like her lips had the night before.
"Like what you see ?" He winked at her.
She stood up the sheet now wrapped around her frame. She walked across the room right to him.
"Where do you think your going mister ?" She said and started buttoning up his shirt. The opposite of what she actually wanted to do.
"I've got to get into something more comfortable for our date or did you forget ?" He quirked and eyebrow as his hand wound around her waist.
"I'm Donna I don't forget anything. But I can think of something more comfortable." She said voice dripping honey.
"As much as I'd like to spend the whole day in bed with you. I've been planning this all week. After that you can have your way with me." He said and let his eyes drop shamelessly to her chest.
And then back up her neck, a small hickey or two. He had gotten carried away more than a few times. Who could blame him. The next destination her lips and then those eyes.
"Fine.." she signed and started walking past him towards the bathroom.
He grabbed her arm then and pulled her into him. He leaned in.
"Good morning." He mumbled against her lips.
"Well good morning." She smiled against his lips as she felt his need for her through the towel.
He kissed her then. Intending for it to be a chaste morning kiss, but it quickly turned into something more as he brought his hand up to tilt her head back and snake his tongue into her mouth.
Now this she could without a doubt could get used to. Him being half naked kissing her every morning. Yep definitely a new requirement from now on.
He released her lips after a few minutes. Both a little breathless and both wanting to go back to bed and catch up on twelve years of not being able to do just this.
"If I don't go now, then I'll never leave." He smiled at her.
"I'm not opposed to that counsellor." She playfully said her hands on the collar of his shirt.
He was still in a towel and she could easily think of a few things to convince him to stay. But he had said he planned the date all week and hell knows he seemed excited and sincere.
"Alright then, now if you'll excuse me I have to go take a shower." She said releasing him and stepping out of his embrace.
"You know I can spare a few minutes and join you." Harvey smirked devilishly at her.
"No you said you had to go, besides you already had one." She gestured to his bottom half covered with one of her towels.
She was almost out of his reach when he playfully swatted her behind. It came out of nowhere.
"Harvey !" She squealed.
"Looking good." He laughed.
She rolled her eyes and went in and closed the door, but not before she let the sheet fall giving him an ample view of what he would be missing when he left.
He swallowed when the sun hit every curve. He committed the feel of her skin last night and his hands itched to trace every line and freckle now highlighted by the sun.
He shook his head then. Got dressed and waited for her to come out before he left.
xxxxxxx
He was leaning against the back of her grey couch when she came around the corner. She was beautiful and now he could actually do something about it. He stood up and grabbed her face again, kissing her like he wouldn't get the chance to again. In those moments he convinced himself that he couldn't leave. The urge to be with her stronger then it had ever been.
The scent of flowers and warm vanilla seeped into his senses. He always could tell her apart from anyone else, by sheer smell. It was sweet and seductive. Warm and sexy. Suiting her to a T.
"I thought you had to go." She pulled away.
"I'm rethinking it." He said in a soft tone.
"Ohhh no, you got out of bed, took a shower and said you had to leave. So you're leaving." She smiled her arms still around his neck.
"Are you kicking me out ?" He asked.
"No, I'm just helping you out the door. You said you had a date planned." Donna said.
"I did." He said.
"So I'll see you then." She was circling her fingers at the back of his head.
He nodded and suddenly she seemed a little off.
"Hey is everything okay, I can see those gears turning." He frowned.
"Yeah it's just, this is different." She admitted shyly looking away from him.
"I know." He said, because as great as this was, it was unknown territory.
Them being openly non platonic. There had always been something beneath the surface. Both of them too scared to realize it or admit it. The fights, the crying, yelling, late nights working, having dinners. It was driven somewhat by this underlining tension that seemed to never get resolved.
And now after so long denying and ignoring things they were dating, sleeping together and it was something they especially would have to be careful about. They'd known each other for a very long time. They knew the ins and outs of the other ones behavior. She more than he but still. Although this side of them wasn't something either one had experience with.
She knew his habits, he was a love 'em leave 'em type. He only had something resembling a relationship every once in a blue moon. Zoe, Scottie, Scottie again and Paula. But this Harvey was a mystery.
He was sweet, thoughtful and didn't really try anything with her before she made the first move. He was being a true gentleman. Although she could argue that with what he'd done last night but then again who didn't love a bad boy who was actually a good man.
"A good different. I mean a really good different, but..." She said playing nervously with his untied tie.
"No need to explain, I get it." He softly smiled at her trying to make eye contact again.
She then looked at him. Smiling too.
"So you're not gonna tell me what this date is ?" She asked.
"I thought you were supposed to know everything." He shot back.
"Isn't it a little early to be a smartass ?" She asked faking an annoyed look.
"It's past ten so no."
"Go.." She said laughing and pointed to the door.
"Yes ma'am." He smirked at her.
He then moved to the door and opened it pausing in the doorway, and suddenly last night hit him again. The kiss, the teases, the inevitable conclusion they were always going to end up getting either way. He'd done things he'd only dreamed of doing to her. And when his name left her lips he felt it knock the inside of ribcage like an iron fist.
This was Donna, not some girl he picked up in a bar or something. This was the woman who'd spent thirteen years at his side. Helping, guiding him and calling him out on his shit like nobody else. She knew him better than anyone.
He woke up that morning to flaming disheveled hair, and long, smooth enticing limbs all wrapped up in soft sheets. And it was all he could do but drag himself out of bed to get ready. He'd thought about waking her up, but knew that if he did they wouldn't leave that bed until Monday. He wanted to take her out on a date, he'd spent a while on careful planning to make sure it would be the best third date yet.
"I'll see you later." He said and turned back to casually kiss her cheek.
Somehow it felt right, like they'd been doing it for as long as they'd known each other. It made her smile from ear to ear.
The door closed and she still felt her heart flutter. She could still feel his lips on hers. Soft, supple one minute then hungry and unforgiving the next. Like he couldn't get enough. He made her head spin and back arch with every lick, bite, suck and push of his hips and she matched every move perfectly. It was slightly messy, quick and slow but everything they had to do. And she wouldn't have changed a thing.
Donna was normally a patient person but hell knows she stared at the time willing it to pass so it would hit three. But staring down a clock was not gonna help so she just pushed on and tried to not think of him and the previous night, but that was hard considering she could still feel him everywhere.
xxxxxxx
Harvey walked out of the building with a stride. Ray was waiting as per usual right on time.
Harvey opened his door and got in. Looking up to find his driver with a smile on his face.
"Not a word Ray." He warned, knowing what his driver was thinking.
The engine started and his black Lexus rolled into the New York traffic.
xxxxxxx
Donna opened the door to a bouquet of flowers. Her favorite. Of course. He was always pretty damn smooth when the mood struck him.
"They're beautiful, thank you." Her voice chipper as she took the flowers.
"Are you ready ?" He asked leaning against the door frame, similar to thirteen years ago.
Except this time he was wearing another casual outfit. Grey sweater, chino's and a jacket. And if she thought the sharp cut suits were to fantasize about then she was in for it.
"Yeah just let me put these in a vase. "
She returned after a few minutes and found him where she had left him. He was looking at her with a huge smile on his face and this soft yet unrecognizable look in his eye. It made her heart hitch a little.
He stepped aside letting her pass and shut the door. She turned back to him and suddenly he caught her lips in his.
He'd been thinking and waiting to do it all day. It was intended to be just a "Hey" kind of kiss but turned into something else entirely. He walked her back until she was against the wall next to her door. Eliciting a llittle moan as he traced the contours of her mouth with his tongue.
Her mind swirled back into the previous night and how he did this exact thing but just somewhere else and it made her want to drag him back into her apartment and pin him down against the nearest surface.
The door of apartment 205 opened and a woman came out and looked in their direction causing their lips to part with a plop.
"Hi Misses Carp." Donna blushed.
"Hmmmmmm." Mrs Carp said disapprovingly as she looked them over, Harvey still almost pressed up against Donna.
She walked away then, down the hall and dissapeared around the wall.
She looked back at Harvey then and they both laughed.
"Well that was uhmmm awkward." Harvey said a huge smile tugging the corners of mouth wide and making his dimples show.
"You think ?" Donna quirked a sarcastic brow but was betrayed by her smile and rosey cheeks.
He just stared at her then. A goofy look on his face. Like he was amused at the situation they'd just found themselves in.
She rolled her eyes.
"So you ready to go hotshot ?" She eyed him then.
Curious as to what this date could be. He usually lacked a certain finesse when it came to surprises. That was until lately. So hopefully he'd pull it out of the hat again tonight.
"Yes...prepare to have your mind blown red." He cheekily winked at her.
"Red ?" Donna asked.
"Had a nice ring to it." A shit eating grin on his face.
He started walking and she followed until she was next to him.
He caught her completely off guard when he slid his hand into hers. Intertwining his fingers through hers.
She could've sworn that her cheeks turned crimson. This was a far cry from what they had done the previous night. That was lust, the need to feel each other, that was releasing twelve years of built up issues.
But this was simple, pure and innocent. Her hand in his, like it always belonged there. A perfect fit. Two worlds finally collided. And he was no longer afraid to risk it.
He'd been nervous, which was ridiculous cause just the previous night he touched her everywhere else using his hands, teeth, tongue and lips. And yet it felt as foreign as it did right. The moment they locked fingers he knew that he had made the right decision for once.
They strolled down the hall and into the elevator hand in hand. No one said anything, but both had small smiles on their face.
The elevator ride was done in silence. He stole a quick glance at the fiery red head standing next to him and she looked up just in time to catch his eyes.
Their smiles grew wider. He leaned in and kissed her cheek again. For someone who supposedly seemed rigid when it came to affection he was doing a pretty good job.
xxxxxxx
After making it outside Donna spotted the black vintage car. And for a moment she remembered that this was the car he had taken Paula out with. Not knowing that it was her at the time. And she felt a pang of pain in her chest. He must have noticed cause he tilted her head up and his eyes were shining.
"You are going to love this." He said self assured.
"We'll see." She tried to fake a flirt.
He let it go and opened the car door for her.
She had no idea where they were going. She knew him, but lately he surprised her. Around ever bend there was something so new and unexpected.
And yet old wounds were reopened when she saw the car. He was doing what he always did. The same old tricks. He'd used this exact tactic to bed who knows how many women and it felt like she was just another conquest.
But then he got in next to her and gave her a look. It was soft and sweet, and whoever thought Harvey would have a twinkle in his eye.
He started the car and the classic roar of the engine sparked excitement in her. She pushed away the doubt that had unsettled her.
Harvey pulled the car out and onto the bust streets of New York.
They were both silent throughout the ride.
At about the third turn he took she knew exactly where they were headed.
xxxxxxx
They pulled up right in front of his apartment building. Where his home seemed to touch the sky.
"Harvey ?" Donna questioned him.
"Donna ?" He quipped back in the same tone.
"Did you forget something ?" She searched his face.
"No. Look will you just trust me ?" He asked.
"Okay..." Donna said very unsure.
He got out, walked around and opened her door.
She stood up out of the car and came face to face with Harvey.
He had a wicked grin on his face now. He looked at her lips before leaning in and kissing her.
For a moment all of her reservations melted away. A pool started to gather at her center as he seduced her with every delicious push and pull and swirl of his tongue.
He pulled away then and his eyes had glazed over and she could tell he was trying to keep himself in check.
Donna swallowed hard. Feeling exactly what he seemed to be.
"Ready to have your mind blown Paulsen ?" He flirted.
"Someone's cocky." She raised a brow.
"I have every right to be." He said knowing she's catch the innuendo.
She smiled and rolled her eyes before he took her hand and led her into the building.
The elevator ride was something in between wanting to jump each other and sweet excitement.
xxxxxxx
"Close your eyes." He whispered as they walked right to his door.
"Uhmm Harvey..." She started.
"Donna just do it." He stopped her.
She sighed and did as she was asked. She heard the key slide into the lock and turned it. Clicking as it led them in.
She walked cautiously into the apartment not knowing what to expect.
"Okay open them." She heard his voice.
She opened her eyes to him standing at his recod players and seemingly a thousand candles lining his apartment. Flickering lights of whimsy.
For a moment she couldn't think.
"You called Rachel didn't you ?" She asked when she found her voice.
"Maybe, or I relied on my very vast expanse of knowledge of you." He said dramatically.
"Yeah I don't believe that one." Donna laughed.
"Are you impressed or not ?" He asked eyebrows raised.
"Maybe." She winked at him.
"We both know you are Donna." He swung back.
"What if I am ?" She questioned with a smile.
"Then it means I finally got one over on The Donna Paulsen." He said in a I won kind of tone.
"I mean I've seen better." She shrugged.
"No you haven't." He said shaking his head with a sly smile.
"So are we going to eat or what ?" She said before giving in to his ego.
"How does shitty Thai food sound ?"
"Not bad." A smile tweaked at her lips.
When he put his mind to it he could really out do himself. Sure Thai wasn't her favorite, but it was one of the things they'd always shared when they were at the office working late and despite what he said she knew he secretly liked it.
He reached out his hand and when she put hers in his. He led her outside where a table was lit by candles on his terrace. He had definitely out done himeself.
They sat down, the night sky clear, the stars obstructed by New York's glistening and restless lights.
Harvey looked over at Donna after she sat down and she had turned her head to look at the world she was seemingly towering over.
In that moment he felt lucky. He was finally doing this with her and looking at her. He didn't regret anything.
They got to talking straight away. Laughing and giggling between gulps of wine and bites of food. Neither Harvey nor Donna could remember the last time they were so happy.
But in some way Donna was still unsure about what was actually happening between them. The sex was great, amazing, mind blowing, the best she'd ever had. The flirting and shyness and boldness was something so different with them, yet achingly familiar.
She was looking, searching for the one thing she'd always wanted from him. He wasn't ready back then, but he seemed ready now. Harvey was always great with the physical, the flirting, but emotions is where he lacked. He could kick ass in a court room, settle a whole case and piss someone off all before lunch. He was used to getting what he wanted.
But you could pin him down with one word. Love. That's what scared him. That's what made him run. She'd told him once that she loved him and she walked away. He didn't stop her. He stood there in his office, frozen.
And yes he asked her on a date and yes they had an amazing night. And of course he had done all of this for her. But Harvey was good at the chase when he needed and wanted to be. But the follow through...That's where he always screwed up. Scottie, Paula, and countless others. He was bad at relationships. Good at sex and impressing someone, good at getting his way. But emotionally, he was unavailable. Simple as that.
She knew he cared about her. Everything he'd done for her proved it. But even after all that she found herself wondering what she actually meant to him. The thing is reading Harvey was easy. Reading his heart, a completely different and almost impossible story. That's where he guarded himself the most.
It had taken 13 years to get here, she wasn't about to wait another decade to hear him say it. If he could.
She knew that she would be pushing him, but the ball was in his court. He'd played the game well, very well, but now he had to step up. Do what he needed to or risk losing forever.
She took a breath...They'd both just finished dinner and Harvey was looking out over the balcony.
Catching glimpses of her ever so often when he let his eyes drift to her. This was different. This wasn't like any other relationship he'd had. She wasn't just some woman. She was every fantasy and dream.
"Harvey what is this ? What are we doing ?" Donna asked, her voice caught in her throat.
She didn't want to ruin this night, but enough was enough. She had to know what she was and what they were. She was tired of playing in the grey area of their relationship. Tired of crossing lines and boundries just to be pushed back behind the walls that kept them apart. Tired of waiting and asking.
Harvey turned his head towards her. Frowning.
"Donna..." He said, voice sounding confused.
He thought by doing all this she'd understand. He never had to explain anything to her and yet here she was asking for one. He never needed to sat anything, she just always knew.
But they wouldn't have taken 13 years if she had known.
xxxxxxx
Soooooo after months and months of struggling to finish I finally got this chapter done. I'm not sure how it stand up to the other chapters but I tried.
I want to thank everyone for their support even when I struggled. The fandom is truly an amazing place ! and the people are beyond amazing !
Thank you to everyone who reviews and actually reads this. Thank you.
PLEASE REVIEW if you can. I'd love to hear what you thought. ( And if there are any spelling errors, I will only notice them when this is already posted so sorry in advance if I missed anything. )
I would like to dedicate this chapter to DonnaRSpecter for being the best beta ever ! For her support and help through everything !!