The Risk

Rating: M

Love doesn't make the world go 'round.
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
Franklin P. Jones

Chapter 17

"You look stunning tonight, Hales," He winked softly. They shared an intimate booth in the corner of an upscale New York eatery.

"Thank you." Thoughts of the exhibit owner were pushed to the back of Haley's mind. If Nathan wanted Peyton, he wouldn't have asked her to come be with him in NY. He would be with the other woman right now.

Over the past five years, they had been through a lot together. His career had become his serenity. He was by far the best in his field, a recognizable name. While his work had been applauded, his personal life suffered dearly. Monetary compensation didn't cover the distance from the girl of his dreams. During their estrangement, he had used other women to ease his sexual desires. However, they only left him unsatisfied, wanting what only Haley provided. He didn't like to think about that emotionally crippling time when she had shut him out of her life. Now they were together again, lovers as well as friends.

"I can't believe I spent all that time sleeping in your guest room. "Nathan chuckled. "We…I wasted so much time. Isn't that right, Beautiful?"

"It's water under the bridge. We're going to make up for it during the next couple of weeks. We going to be attached at the hip." She giggled after taking a sip of her water. "Did I thank you for inviting me visit you here? That means a lot to me, Sweetheart." She was so close her breast brushed his sleeve.

"Yes, but I love you being indebted to me." Nathan smirked. "How's your appetizer?"

"Mmm, delicious." She moaned throwing her head back and licking her lips after sampling the spinach dip again. Nathan close his eyes, completely turned on by her innocent admiration for the food. "The hors d'oeuvres at the showing weren't half as good, but I'm sure Peyton had other things on her mind." Haley said absently, noticing Nathan frown.

"I apologize for the way she treated you, Hales. It was inappropriate and rude……. I called her on it while she was traipsing me off to meet every Tom, Dick and Harry."

"It's not big deal. You're good friends. I'm sure she just missed you….wanted a little of your attention. What woman wouldn't want that?" Haley said casually. Hoping to appear unaffected by Ms. Sawyer's previous antics, she sipped her wine. Suddenly, she felt the weight of Nathan's stare.

"You want to know if I dated Peyton, don't you? If we had sex?" He dared. Haley couldn't tell if he was amused or irritated by the wrinkle in his brow.

"It's really none of my business. She's a very beautiful woman. Besides, I don't have any claims on you, Nathan." She smiled tightly, noticing his face was now downcast. Was he disappointed that she wasn't putting any restraints on their new love affair?

"I hope you don't really believe that? Because even as childish and bitchy as Peyton is, she knows you're….we're more than that. I was hoping you two would become friends, but she just refuses to stop hating you…. and I for one am sick of it!." Nathan broke a bread stick in half, holding it so tightly it crumbled into pieces.

" She hates me?" Haley asked confused. "I don't even know her."

"It's a long story." Nathan sighed and Haley just sat there looking puzzled. "I thought she would end telling you all this, becoming your friend. If not tonight in the near future."

He had hoped to discuss this back at home on a lazy evening or relaxing Saturday afternoon, but that wasn't going to happen. "I met Peyton during junior year of college when I had to take this stupid art appreciation class. We were partnered for a whole semester project. Often we had to work at Luke and my apartment."

"Nathan, you don't have to tell me-" She was starting to feel uncomfortable, nibbling at a breadstick. "So that's how you became great friends? That's great, Nate." She finished trying end the conversation.

"Friends my ass! I pretty much hated her…… She didn't consider photography "real" art. She was moody and brash."

"Please don't tell me this is one of those opposites attract stories?" Sipping her water as the entrées were served.

"Actually it is." He admitted and Haley choked on her water. Patting heron the back, he realized the implication. "Oh, no! That's how she met Lucas, since she was at our place a lot. They fell in love."

Haley was speechless. Her brother had found love before his early departure. How could that not be a good things. "Why didn't I ever meet her?" A wave of hurt and regret showering the blonde.

"Remember how I came to your house for Thanksgiving that junior year, but Luke supposedly went to a journalism convention. He was actually in Seattle with Peyton…... The photo of the girl passing out flyers on Lucas's roll of film? That was during his visit……She wasn't homeless, Haley. It was just Peyton during her starving artist stage. They became a couple and dated until we graduated."

"But she never met the family and he didn't talk about her….. Why not, Nathan?" Haley said almost angry.

"The truth. Her jealousy and selfishness destroyed them……..Peyton's an only child who's father was away working on an oil rig most of time. Her wealthy mother spoiled her rotten to make up for his absences. She hated that it only took a phone call from you for Lucas to be on the next plane to wherever you needed or wanted him……… She would ditch us when you came to visit. She refused to tag along on our vacations or trips to the James home, intimidated by your sibling bond. When Lucas wasn't talking about you or calling you or making school break and holiday plans with you, I was. Since I was his best friend and liked you a hell of a lot more than her, she knew he would eventually join in our upcoming events…….. He constantly asked her to participate, but she would make up excuses on why she couldn't come or say he didn't love her because he would rather be with you. She had no idea how much she was missing out on, not meeting you…… Lucas or I never felt we have to explain our love or connection to you, so we let her believe what she wanted."

"Were they still together when he…" She still had a tough time saying it.

Nathan clutched her hand. "She was living in Paris. They hooked up every couple of months after college ended………… His last Christmas, Lucas insisted she come home with him to at least meet your folks….. We lied that you were going on a ski trip with me. He was going to propose. ………..Peyton agreed to go to Florida with him, until she heard a message you left on our answering machine insisting we be there by December 20th because you didn't want us buying you any crappy last minute gifts…… She said Lucas betrayed her and she demand he spend a whole year including holidays and time off with her instead of you, no exception. Luke refused her ultimatum and broke up with her. But he didn't date any one else after that, he loved that girl."

Haley didn't like this story. She couldn't believe she had been intimidated by this woman. "So now she's treating you like she Lucas?" Haley snapped.

"No! Hell no!" Nathan whispered loudly, " Luke and I made a vow to each other long before he died that if either of us was killed that the other would take care of his loved ones. So when I saw Peyton on a connecting flight a few days after his memorial service, I offered to get some of my fellow photographers and artist to show in the new gallery she was building and she offered to show my work exclusively. Honestly, she's great at her job. Professionally, I love her…… However, throughout the years, I tried to set up an opportunity for you two to meet, but our schedules always seemed to conflict. But now I think that was done on purpose….. Peyton learned nothing from Lucas death. Our friendship is based on our prior relationships with your brother. It will never go beyond that and if she soon doesn't realize how important you are to me, I may not be able to keep my promise to Lucas."

Haley reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "You always keep your promises…..Peyton and I don't have to become friends or anything. It's just really great to know that Lucas was in love with something besides his career. He deserved that." She said softly.

That's when Haley realized she should be far more jealous of Nathan's job than Ms. Sawyer. It would eventually take him away from her. He would become immerse in it soon, so that soon after she would only be a passing thought. Time wasn't on her side. How long did they have left two weeks… a month? She wondered if his mention of marriage during their fight about them becoming intimate was a serious notions on his part. She was going ask him about it, when the waiter interrupted with the dessert menu.

Nathan asked. "Haley."

"I'm stuffed. No thanks." She didn't even open the menu, returning it to the waiter.

Nathan order an after dinner cocktail for each of them. They drank the libations, taking in the South American ambience.

"That music is beautiful." Haley exclaimed, closing her eyes and swaying to the Latin beat.

"It doesn't have a thing on you, Hales." Lifting their still held hands, Nathan kissed her palm. "Did I satisfy you this afternoon?" He seduced.

"Nathan!" She whispered sheepishly.

He chuckled. "Did I , Beautiful?"

"Yes…" She hissed shyly.

"You're glowing. I hope I'm the reason for that."

"Only you, My Love."

Nathan grinned broadly, examining her pretty mouth, her eyes, her hair. " I bet you were the prettiest senior at Harvard. "There were so many times I was tempted to fly up there, if I only got to see you for a day, a few hours…and then."

Eyes wide with surprise and regret. "You were working overseas. There was nothing you could do about it, Sweetheart….and then I…..It's okay, we're here now." She perked and he agreed with a big smile.

"Nathan Scott, you should smile more often. It's hot."

"I plan on doing a lot more of it. How about we hit the night club next door and really get a feel for this music. I've been wanting to hold you all night." The timber in his voice was think and blatantly sexual.

The light in his eyes as he stood and held out his hand for her would have melted any hesitation she had away. Being held by him was something she definitely cherished. She rose and Nathan led her through the other room, where candle lit tables encircled a huge dance floor and stage with a live band.

Finally, Nathan had the pleasure of wrapping her in his arms. He could feel her pressed against his entire length. With her head pressed against his collarbone, Haley relaxed, her curves melting into the lean lines of his body. She heard him sigh softly as her breast pushed further into his chest. His temperature rose at the thought of her, above him and below him as she had been…. in his bed earlier that day.

"I love being in your arms like this." She whispered, her palm tracing circles along his vest.

He tightened his embrace as their hips and feet moved to the sultry beat. The sound was exciting, stimulating, and erotically sexually….. strictly Latin. However, not as heated as the fire coursing through his veins, Nathan decided. His special parts throbbed for hers. Yes, he had always had a strong libido, but not to this magnitude. His appetite for Haley was insatiable. No matter how many times they made love, he hungered for more and more. He had been without a woman for a long time, manly because he couldn't have the one he wanted. He'd left her sore from his unstoppable need the first night, and tonight would be the same. If he didn't share in her honey soon, he feared he would break into a hundred greedy slices. Wining and dining was great, but he needed her. His control was fading.

He wavered even further as she moved between his legs, letting one hand continuously brush along his firm hip. She sang his name, caught up in her serenity. They had been intimate only a few hours prior, but her breast seem to heave with longing, begging for his attention. Her secret garden pulsing to be filled by Nathan.

"What was I thinking." He groaned roughly in her ear. Unable to stop himself he kissed her right below the earlobe, sucking lightly. One hand lay against the small of her back and the other at the curve between her full bottom and her smooth thigh. "This is crazy. We're in a room full of people and I'm acting as if we're in the privacy of my penthouse. I would take you right now, Beautiful. I want to make love to you soooo bad….. With my lips…..with my tongue…..with my cock. I want to slide this lovely dress off you and see what sexiness you have underneath. Let's go home, Hales…..now."

Haley's entire body was a shaking mass of electricity, but before she could answer him he moaned. "Tell me you'll let me have my way with you. I want hear how deep inside your sweetness you want me, stroking you….loving you as desperately as I want and need to be there." He fought the urged to sway his erection across her heavenly heat.

"Nathan…" was all she could breathe, it turned out to be a heady note filled with lust.

He stepped back, cupping her elbow as the crowded parted as they left the floor. He urged her ahead of him so he could admire her graceful movements and glorious backside. They stopped only long enough for him to shove several large bills in the very appreciative waiter's hand and to grab her wrap from the cloak room.

"Your answer was yes….you are going my faithful mistress tonight?" Nathan tempted while waiting for the valet to bring the car around, his big arms shielding her diminutive frame from the cold night. Even the frigid weather couldn't bring down his arousal. He had been wired like a powder keg since the dance floor, ready to blow if he hadn't have gotten them out of there.

"Gosh, I thought you would never ask," Haley giggled, her laughter like silver bells on the decorated streets.

"Comfortable" Nathan whispered in Haley's ear as the danced to the romantic words of Ray Charles's version of "You Are So Beautiful" as it filled the room with it's bewitching power.

A soft light from a single lamp was the only means of illumination in the room. Haley's heels sat close to the door. Nathan's jacket and vest were placed neatly on the armchair in the corner. Underneath, his slippers had been placed.

"Very." She planted butterfly kisses along the column of his throat, pleased as his body tingled to her smooth caress. Their delicious body heat hardened the tips of her aching breast as she sweep them over his wide chest. Her tiny hands slid over his shoulders and she locked her fingers behind his neck. She arched her back and allowed her body to sway with his, shifting one leg to another, her sex nestle against the firmness of his thigh.

The fire blazed in the gave the room a crisp warmness that couldn't compare to the one flaming inside of Haley. She wanted to do him right now. What was he waiting for? At the restaurant, he had practically stripped her and made love to her on the dance floor. Now, he calm demeanor had returned. Ugh, he was so frustrating some times!

His art showing and the delicious and romantic meal had been a treat, but she didn't need those things. Nathan was what she desired. "The evening you planned was perfect, Sweetheart. Thank you……. But I'm so glad were home, alone." She pressed herself closer to him.

Nathan licked his lips, loving the feel of her body. It was easy to sense she wanted him. Yet he hesitated….hoping she would take the lead for a little while and show him just how much she wanted him. His male pride willing it so. He was thirsty for her, but it would have to wait to be quenched. He had been the initiator of their lovemaking the first night and that afternoon. Now it was time for her to step up and show her longing for him was just as intense. The problem, he wasn't sure how long he could wait. He was so hard and ready it was downright painful.

She traced his jaw line and then his full lips, first with her tongue and then with tender kisses. Nathan shivered, lowering his head so she could get better access to his mouth. With parted lips, Haley kissed his mouth. Her tongue performing soft and silky strokes that titillate and taunt.

The gruff groan emitted deep from his throat sent her heart soaring. She sucked his bottom lip, knowing it made his heart beat like a jack hammer. By the time she tugged his shirt out of his pants and quickly worked the buttons to open it, he was a quivering mass. His hands were barely useful as his found the hidden zipper at the back of her dress and released it, letting the expensive material pool at her feet.

"Beautiful." was his rough and sexy cry as he lifted her off the ground as she eagerly wrapped her shapely legs around his middle, digging her hips into his ridged arousal. Vaguely he wondered if he could literally exploded from being too damn hard. "Eight years, I was without you this way. How the hell did I survive?" His bewilderment was clearly evident as was his raw masculine strength. He was the epitome of a real man….a good man…..her man.

He hadn't felt so alive in years …..a necessary part of her life. Even years of separation had not allowed him to forget how magnificent it felt to be inside her, filling up her soul, swimming in her hot, wet silkiness. He had tried to do without her- tried fiercely. But he wasn't capable of not wanting her or loving her.

"Oh, God!….."

"Hales…" Just the sound of his woman's name sent echoes of pleasure resounding inside his mind.

"You know what I want, Nathan." She panted, her breast almost spilling from the low cut black lace she was left wearing.

She was so tasty and ripe. Effortlessly, she made him forget all his worries. An accidental swipe of her hand over his exposed skin and a glowing grin that was second nature to her, could start a fire in him nearly impossible to extinguish.

"Tell me, Beautiful…..tell me what you need." He growled past the lump in his esophagus.

"You need to be inside of me, Sweetheart…….so deep I can feel you in my throat…stroking me….. loving me." This was no time for misunderstandings.

Nathan held her as their lips shared in another kiss while she worked on the snap of his trousers, soon releasing them so they could join her gown on the living room floor.

"How do you want me to satisfy you?" He eagerly moaned against her long hair, as he press his lips there and then at her temple, something Haley found extremely erotic when Nathan did it.

"Feel me…. I want you hands all over me, you mouth kissing me every where." She whined barely able to construct the words, let alone think coherently. Why was he teasing her this way? He knew exactly how to please her. He had proven that this afternoon, giving her several mind blowing climaxes.

"Shit, Hales," He ogled her in the skimpy teddy that fit her body like a glove. "You are so fine…so hott." His plump lips kissed down her neck and across the top of her heaving cleavage. "Such creamy skin… like satin." He bathed her skin with his tongue.

"Gah….you're too sexy." She gasped, unable to catch her breath.

"So damn beautiful," he coaxed, streaming his hand down the lacy material. He let his thumb trace the valley between her breast before going back up her chest and bring down the straps of the lingerie. His busy hands waiting impatiently to cup and knead her softness. His mouth was hot and heavy on hers, his tongue forceful, demanding she fully surrender. He worried the pebble like peaks, using his finger tips to roll and squeezed her nipples as her breath quickened.

Haley's hand wandered his nude chiseled chest, feeling the fine planes and rippling muscles of warm flesh. Her hands went to his trim waist while Nathan smoothed over her concave stomach, pushing the undergarment even more away from her petit figure. He didn't consider stopping as he reached her womanly hips and releasing the cloth from her body. He cupped the tenderness and lifted her against the hard evidence of his passion. His fingers trailed along the honey folds at the center of her thighs, playing there briefly.

"Oh." She panted

Haley tingled in every spot he touched, no matter how short his motions were. Her eyes were closed as she felt the warmth of his palm and his hungry mouth on her breast. He followed the perimeter, cradling the fullness of her perfect tits in his hands.

"I've wanted you this way all evening." Opening his mouth to fill it again with a rose colored nipple, circling it with his hot tongue and scraping his teeth against it before sucking it again. He was persistent when it came to pleasing her, knowing she truly wanted him just as much. Whimpers escaped her throat and she was crippled with desire. He was both the source of her pleasure and torment and it was driving her insane with unfulfilled yearnings.

He continued his assault and she wasn't sure of anything but her overwhelming love for him. It reached from the ends of her hair to the tips of her toes and encompassed her entire being, settling between her thighs. She held her legs together hoping to alleviate some of the ache raging inside of her.

They continued to kiss, he relished her sweetness. With all that is holy, how could he leave this wonderful woman behind? How could he make it without her? She was his spirit….his solace.

"Please, My Love…" She pleaded, when he freed his lips to work his way down her luscious skin.

She pushed at his boxer briefs. Why was he still dressed? She needed to touch him… caress his ever growing length. However, he took his time loving her stomach and her hip bone and the sensitive area around her navel. She was ready to scream. Haley had never felt so alert, beautiful or desired.

Her fingers dug into his back as his legs started to give and he lowered her to the plush African Tribal rug that covered the floor. She watch as he ripped the underwear from his body. His eyes admiring her loveliness as he peeled off his socks.

She was in awe of the primal brawn in his long tan frame. Would she ever get use to him being so handsome? It didn't seem possible for Haley was just as needy for him as he was for her. She had to touch him, hold him, satisfy him. On her knees, she ran her hands up his defined thighs and tight ass.

"You're amazing!" She admitted. He was tall, dark and buff, like a Greek god or an Aztec warrior. She lovingly kissed the bullet wounds against the rock hard flesh of his stomach. Her lips were like a magical homeopathic remedy to the delicate skin.

He hadn't had time to prepare for the way she ran her velvety tongue down his body. Even if he had been, he doubted he would have been prepared for the waves of pleasure that washed over him with hurricane force, as she slowly caresses his heavy male sex from the crown to the base.

He growled out her name, unable to hold back the ecstasy she gave him as his pulse raced with uncontrollable excitement. He was only a couple of strokes from completion when he carefully pushed her back and started kissing her mouth. "Do you know what you've done to me?"

She shook her head from left to right, her eyes large with uncertainty. "You didn't like it?"

Realizing his mistake, he lifted her chin making eye contact with his girl, "Of course I did, Beautiful… don't think differently…...If I liked it any more, I would have exploded."

All the adoration he had difficulty wording he put into kisses, one steamy lip lock after the other. Love that lay dormant inside him for years was bubbling to the surface, spewing forth…..all for Haley. Finally he was able to show her exactly how he felt.

His fingers moved slowly through the dark gold curls that covered her mound, enjoying the lushness. Eventually, his fingers found her middle, pumping and teasing the moist heat he waiting there for him. Her moans of enjoyment and want seem to raise his own arousal. He loved everything about her from how she had an yummy aroma that was distinctly Haley to her damp heat as his fingers probed her womanly center. She clung to him, her eyes in the back of her head as she spiraled in to euphoria from his deep strokes until she couldn't take anymore of his sweet torment.

"No more, Nathan…..no more."

"Yes, Beautiful….lots more." His tongue replacing his digits. He thoroughly enjoyed her honey.

"Nathan!" She called out but he refused to be rushed. He focused only on giving her the utmost blissfulness. She was falling and Nathan held her steady, lavishing her with silver tongue and full mouth until she reached a heart-stopping climax.

Haley had barely gained her composure when he only took time to cover himself with a condom, then repositioning himself behind her as he plunged deep inside her, filling her to the brim with masculine strength. It was a long time coming, but finally they were one. They claimed each other with long hard strokes. He brought her body back against his chest. One hand fondling her breast and the other molesting her clit as they creating a perfect friction. No man could love or need her more than he did. No woman could love him so accurately. She leaned her head back giving him access to a lustful kiss as he continued to ride her hard.

They both cried out when he slowly withdrew all the way before thrusting back into her again and again. His mouth moved to her ear and he told her just how bad he wanted her……..how she turned him on….how thrilling it was to be inside of her, taking her. He voice thick and scratchy with desire.

They were two spirits, two souls sharing a very special love. While Nathan claim he as his own, Haley was almost in tears as she climaxed once again. She felt as if she was going to burst into a million colored crystals and scatter like a broken prism as her body convulsed in his arms. His hands moved down to her hips, rocking them as his thrust continued. Suddenly, he lost it and crumbled, tipping over the edge of paradise as he came in steady spurts- his guttural shout the only sound in the room as kept their bodies locked…….

Pamela