THAT PARIS WEEKEND CHAPTER 11 - The chapter is close to an M category, mature audiences only!
Wrapped in a crisp white bedsheet, Donna slowly opens her eyes to find a pair of deep brown ones inches away from hers. She can't help but smile.
Seeing she's awake, Harvey leans in for a kiss. She can tell he's also smiling.
"I love you." His first words.
"Wow, a kiss, and an 'I love you' first thing in the morning." Her voice is still sleepy.
"Making up for lost time," he says, as the sun peaks through the curtains.
"Well then, good morning, beautiful," Donna replies, still trying to get used to this new-found closeness they have. These overt romantic gestures from Harvey are quite a surprise.
Was he this way with the others or is it really different between us?
This is also quite a change for Harvey. They haven't even had sex yet, and he's never felt this kind of intimacy before.
As badly as Harvey wanted to be with her last night, he's relieved they didn't go too far. There's been a lot for both of them to take in this weekend, and he's determined to not make any more mistakes with Donna.
Propping his head up on his elbow, Harvey asks, "So… are you my girlfriend?"
"I'm pretty sure I'm something after the way you kissed me last night," she teases, her red hair messy across the pillow.
"Girlfriend doesn't feel quite right. Lady friend, maybe?" A sly grin on his face.
"Ewww, that's a booty call name," she says, scrunching up her nose.
"Girl Friday?"
"Been there, done that."
"Companion?"
"I'm not a Golden Retriever."
Harvey chuckles and continues.
"Partner?"
"Too corporate."
"Best friend?"
"Too platonic."
"Lover?"
"Do you want everyone picturing us having sex, Harvey?'
Harvey cocks his head trying picture it, and earns himself a smack to the shoulder.
"Partner in crime?"
"Bad idea. You're a lawyer."
"Better-half?"
"Completely true, but it makes us sound old."
"Sweetheart?"
"We're not twelve, Harvey."
"The love of my life?"
Silence.
Just hearing Harvey say those words overwhelms Donna, and her eyes begin to water. In her heart of hearts, he has always been hers. But to hear it from him, about her?
Love. Of. My. Life.
This is more than an "I love you". He's set her apart. He always has. This really is different.
Donna is rarely at a loss for words, but she is now. Her eyes trace Harvey's face, intent on capturing this special moment between them. She smiles at the sight of his dimples and laugh lines, high cheekbones and strong jaw, those cute moles on his temple and the sincerity in his chocolate brown eyes.
She pictures him in his fine suits with that mischievous smile. Teasing and cursing and pouting and yelling.
She reflects on his admirable work ethic, the risks he takes, his principles and generosity. And she considers his fearlessness despite those insecurities, which, at times, have nearly crippled him.
This is Harvey. Her Harvey.
"You ok with that?" He asks, not wanting to push.
"More than ok." Donna agrees, instantly pressing her face to his. Harvey doesn't ask what's going through her mind. But something tells him it's good.
"Harvey?" she whispers.
"You really love me." he guesses.
"How did you know I was going to say that?"
"Donna… am I that to you?" he asks. Old insecurities die hard.
"The love of my life?" Her smile showing through her eyes, she nods.
"Are you ok with that?" she asks.
"More than ok." he whispers back.
xxx
Donna and Harvey have the better part of the day before their flight. Harvey heads for the bathroom and Donna calls the front desk to request a late-check out.
When Harvey returns, he sits along the edge of the bed.
"You sure you don't want to keep me company in here?" Her tone a little playful and her eyes a lot seductive as she pats the empty spot next to her.
"I won't keep my hands to myself if I do. You don't make it easy." he warns. "I haven't even asked you out on a proper date yet."
Donna shuffles across the bed and sits next to him. Adjusting the falling strap of her nightgown, she turns to him. Her hand on his leg.
"On our first date, you took me to this cute little café for dinner. I wasn't the best company, but you stuck with me anyway. Walked me right to my door that night, but not before asking me out again."
A curious grin forms on Harvey's face.
"Our second date…," she continues. "Well, I was impressed. Like a perfect boyfriend, you spent the entire morning shopping with me. Never complained once and then you carried all of my things."
Harvey chuckles at the memory of their fun visit to Hermès.
"Our third date was pretty sweet," she says, looking at him through thick lashes. "We had this amazing picnic, and you gave me your sweater and a hug when I needed it. Then, we spent the afternoon talking and laughing... at the top of the Eiffel Tower, no less."
"We've been dating this entire time?" Harvey asks sarcastically, his eyes wide. "How come no one tells me these things?"
Donna giggles and continues.
"You made a day of it on our fourth date. First, to the museum and then to a little bookshop I wanted to visit. I have to say… I kind of knew I liked you then," she says playfully. There's a sly smile on her face, both of them knowing full well what it's taken to get them here.
Harvey takes her hand, links his fingers with hers and holds on tight.
"Like a gentleman, you showed up for our fifth date in your best suit, for a dinner that I will never forget… and then… you told me you loved me." Donna's eyes are twinkling.
"I did," Harvey whispers.
"And if that wasn't enough…" she adds. "you just had to remind me that you're a great dancer and an even better kisser… "
The tug in Harvey's chest makes its way down to his boxers. He presses his lips together and swallows. His pupils, intense and wanting, darken as his eyes fixate on hers. Donna feels the heat of his gaze straight through to her core. And he can feel hers… heart thumping, blood rushing, veins throbbing… he's not fighting it this time.
Without saying a word, Harvey cradles her head with his hand, fingers weaving through her wavy red locks. He draws her in for a kiss that continues for at least three good heartbeats. Then he pulls away and searches her face, his hungry eyes asking.
Donna nods. A small gesture instantly marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Harvey reaches for the thin strap of Donna's nightgown and slowly slides it back down her arm. Bringing his mouth to the spot where the silk once lay, he delivers the first of a dozen gentle kisses across her shoulder and along her neck. Her porcelain skin is cool and delicate, just like he's imagined and just like he remembers.
With every carefully placed kiss, her hot breath urges him on. In turn, Harvey breathes her in, inhaling the exhilarating trace of last night's perfume and the scent that is uniquely her.
Donna can't help but close her eyes at his touch, so she leans her head to the side, encouraging his exploration. With every shift of his tongue, her skin tingles hot then cold, until his mouth is on her again. The sensation leaves her knotting her fists in his t-shirt, firmly grasping it and wanting it gone. Harvey can tell that she's losing herself with him, and he deliberately holds back, but gives her just enough, until she can't take it anymore.
When she pulls away for a breath, he obliges. It's as much for him as it is for her. There's nothing gentle about the way she tugs at the fabric and he likes it. Within seconds she casts it away, and he flinches as her fingertips take hold of his bare skin.
There are still no words between them. Just eyes. Hers… trusting, seducing, loving. His… certain, wanting, adoring.
Seeing him shirtless, his shoulders strong from nights spent in the ring, Donna has to catch her breath. This feels both familiar and new. Harvey is as physically attractive as ever, but the man he is today is far sexier than she remembers.
It's a sexiness that comes from experience. From mistakes made and the self-awareness that follows. There's a confidence, an honesty and readiness about Harvey now that excites her. There will be no handling him with kid gloves. This morning, with her heart and her body, he's going to feel the full force of her love.
Taking him back to that night long ago, Donna brings her lips to linger on a very special spot at the centre of his chest. It's a gift of sorts and Harvey knows exactly what she's doing. He watches as the wetness of her tongue caresses his chest and her hands graze his nipples. She's barely touched him, but the rush leaves him thirsty and panting for more.
Now, she's kissing his neck. Her delicate fingers mapping the muscles across his back, red nails gently forging a trail. As her lips travel up to meet his, her hands, once again, find his front, and Harvey's eyes roll back into his head. Her warm tongue claiming him over and over again, while tender pads tickle his chest and ribcage… caressing, massaging, exploring all the way down to his boxers.
When Donna's fingertips tease the elastic, he's lightheaded. With every touch, he deepens their kiss. His hands holding her head just so, as he sets a rhythm with his mouth. Her palms are all over him now and they're unrelenting. Then, she gently brushes the front of his boxers, and he can barely hold himself back.
Without breaking their kiss, Harvey pulls her towards him with an intensity that surprises them both. She can feel his heart pounding against her chest, and like that familiar knock on her door, she's ready to let him in.
Hands running circles in his hair, swollen lips urgent across his jaw. In his dreams, this is about the time when he takes her. But he won't. All he can think about is her. Pleasing her, satisfying her, making her happy.
Harvey slides his hands along her thighs to rest at her waist. Donna gives an approving moan as intentional fingers glide over silk, tingling their way up and down and back and forth. Lower back, inner thighs, stomach and breasts. When his warm hand finally strokes her nipple, she trembles.
Seconds later, her nightgown meets his t-shirt. Skin to skin, Harvey holds her so tightly she can barely breathe. They're both pulsating now at the need to be closer, to make whole what has been fractured for so long.
With a breath, Harvey slowly opens his eyes. They worship her.
Pushing away from the edge, Donna shuffles back to the centre of the bed. Her lace bikinis and the heat of her gaze calling him over.
"You're beautiful." He's breathless as he kicks off his boxers and reaches for her.
"So are you," she whispers, her arms drawing him in.
"I brought protection." he says, a slight grin on his face. "I was hopeful."
"Then we're both prepared." Her sultry eyes possessing him. "But some of this… there's no protecting you from."
He understands her words. Sex, he can handle. This? This is something else.
First, his lips meet hers, then his body follows. There's a familiar warmth when his abdomen touches hers, heat where her pink nipples catch his firm chest and sparks as their tongues continue to taste one another.
Shivers run down Harvey's spine as Donna trails her fingers along his back. His weight is heavy on her, so he leans on his elbows. As he brushes her hair from her face, her gaze reaches deep inside of him.
This is a first for Harvey. This is what it feels like to make love and it consumes him. He and Donna have seen one another at their best and at their worst, and they're still here, loving each other.
"Donna, before we go any further, you need to know," he confesses. "This is it for me."
"I know, Harvey," adoration pooling in her eyes. "It's always been you, too."
And with that, they both let go, giving all of themselves and giving in to the love they've known forever.
xxx
"I have to say…" Donna's hand is on his bare chest, her skin still glowing from their lovemaking. "I do love this Naked Harvey. Even better than the one in my dreams."
"Good, You'll be seeing him more often," he deadpans as he slowly pulls the sheet around them. His body still recovering from all the ways she had him.
"Will I also be seeing that fireworks display again?" she asks playfully, her hand traveling along the nape of his neck.
"Three fireworks displays, if I recall." He grins, feeling quite satisfied with himself. Harvey had never imagined that sex with Donna could feel even better than that first time, years ago, but it does.
It's midday, and their Paris adventure is nearly over. Despite their many declarations of love, Donna can't help but feel a twinge of nervousness.
She presses closer to Harvey, secretly hoping the bubble they've been in doesn't burst when they get back home.
"It's going to be ok," he assures her, sensing that she's unsettled. "This is right."
"What if it doesn't work?" Her voice is laced with insecurity.
"We'll always have Paris?" He jokes. Donna rolls her eyes.
Then, his voice is confident. "It will. When I got here I told you I wasn't leaving and I won't, ever."
Donna takes a deep breath. "I'm just nervous about how things are going to be when we get home. This is a big change."
"We'll figure it out. Besides, we're going to be busy."
Donna leans back, expecting to hear something naughty from his mouth, but he surprises her again.
"Our six-month anniversary." He kisses her palm.
"Christmases and Thanksgivings." His thumb caresses her cheek.
"Birthdays and vacations." A reassuring kiss to her lips.
"Little league and ballet recitals?" he asks, his eyes hopeful.
"Everything." She can't help but smile.
Harvey takes a deep breath.
"Everything," he agrees.
xxx
"SNAP!"
The sound of their seatbelts locking into place signals a new beginning that's been thirteen years in the making. As the flight attendants prepare for take-off, Harvey turns to Donna.
"Want to have one last bit of fun in Paris?" he asks, a mischievous smile on his face.
"There will be no mile-high club," she warns. "Those bathrooms can barely fit one person let alone two."
Harvey laughs, and rolls his eyes at her as he pulls out his cellphone.
"Kiss me," he says.
Donna is not sure what he's up to but she obliges. With eyes closed, she locks her lips to his. Harvey moans at the sweet taste of her lip gloss. In that second, she hears the click of his phone…a perfect picture of Donna kissing Harvey.
"Now watch," he says as he types a text to Mike and Rachel.
"Greetings from Paris, wish you were here…..not!"
With the picture attached, he hits send and then promptly turns off his phone.
"Harvey, it's a seven-hour flight, you're going to kill them!" she teases.
"I think our phones are going to blow up when we turn them back on again," he giggles.
Taking her hand, Harvey links his fingers with hers. Then he turns to her.
"Donna, we've spent a lot of time together over the years, but this has been, by far, the best weekend of my life," His eyes filled with love for her.
"And this is just the beginning," she says with a raise of an eyebrow. "I have plans."
"I think I'm scared," he quips. There's a smile on Harvey's face that reaches all the way to his eyes. He can't wait to find out.