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Chapter 2

I don't know how long I lay there, staring at the back of my eye lids as I tried to fall asleep. It was futile though. My mind was completely abuzz with what had happened not two hours earlier. My lips still tingled and the warm glow that had settled in my belly refused to go away. Though, if not for those things I probably would have had a hard time believing it had happened.

By now I was sure that Natsu had found out that I'd known he wasn't drunk. I wonder what his reaction was. Was he embarrassed? Was he trying to figure out why I had gone along with it? Those were the questions that kept me awake until well past midnight until I finally fell asleep and was awoken early the next day by a cheerful Levy poking me on the shoulder.

"Time to get up!" she announces with a smile and leaves me alone to grumble my way out of bed. Everyone else was up already and I had to hurry to get all my things together so that we could check out and be on our way. It was going to be a long journey to get back to Magnolia and then another trip to the tournament.

I close the door behind me as I exit the room, my back facing the hallway and my bag hanging off my shoulder. As I turn to start heading down the hallway, I run into a solid figure and I hear a familiar grunt as I straighten myself up. My face instantly flames up, my stomach starts to churn and my hands are shaking by my sides.

"N-Natsu!" I exclaim wide eyed as he turns and looks at me.

"Lucy!" Happy hollers from Natsu's shoulder and I wave nervously at him. Not that I was nervous being around Happy but the other presence in front of me was a bit unsettling.

"Ah, hey Lucy," Natsu finally says and I feel a slight disappointment at the lack of enthusiasm behind the greeting. His eyes, for some reason, were glued to the floor and his hand was scratching the back of his head, his other hand holding his luggage.

We head down the hallway together, the only words spoken are the ones between Happy and I as we chat about who we thought would get picked to compete in the tournament. By the time we meet up with the rest of the group, Natsu still hasn't said a single word besides the few in his greeting to me and I am starting to get worried. It was definitely not like him.

All the questions that had kept me up the night before come tumbling back into my head, a throb starting to build in my temples. What if we lost our close friendship because of last night? The thought makes me sick to my stomach. No… I could never let that happen. Our bond was just too precious to break over something silly like that. Besides, it had just been a game on both of our parts… right? He'd been pretending to be drunk and I'd been pretending that I didn't know he wasn't. Neither of us had been serious.

I told myself this but even in my own mind I knew it was a futile attempt to lighten what had occurred. Regardless of what happens from here on out, I know without a doubt that I had wanted that kiss. My body had responded with so much intensity that even now just thinking about it makes me breathless and shaky. But, despite this, I can never let it get in the way of our friendship and if I needed to forget that this ever happened then so be it.

Luckily, and with a sigh of relief on my part, being around other people seemed to change Natsu's mood and as usual, him and Gray got into it almost the moment they saw each other. It didn't last long since we were heading out, making our way back to our guild but just seeing him his usual self made me happy and I started up a casual conversation with Levy to distract my thoughts as we headed home.

Nearly a full week had gone by and things had returned to normal. Natsu and I were once again best friends and not a hint of romance had flared up between us. It was like that night had happened only in my wonderful memories.

It was evening now and I just lost my battle verse that wigged out looking girl from Raven Tail. I was surprised by how much my attitude had changed since my defeat. I had been devastated, utterly depressed that I'd let the guild down but just seeing Natsu's hand outstretched towards me and hearing his comforting words had completely turned me around. For the briefest of moments a vaguely familiar warmth had ignited low in my belly at the contact between our hands as well as the intensity behind his eyes as he stared down at me but the feeling passed quickly as we returned to our friends in the stadium.

Now, as I walk outside of the bar where most of the guild was gathered, my thoughts inevitably returned to our time on the beach. It had been like this ever since it had happened. Whenever I found myself alone my thoughts would return to that night without hesitation; the feel of his arms around me, his lips pressing against mine and his warm tongue sliding over my own, it still left me hot just thinking about it.

I turned down a side street and slowed my pace slightly. The city was beautiful, flowers cascading from nearly every window and pots filled with them scattered everywhere. I smiled as I remembered Natsu letting me drape a necklace of flowers around his neck on the day we'd arrived. He'd been simply adorable with his huge smile and expressive dark eyes. Not many guys could sport pink hair and a necklace of flowers and still look hot. Yes, I said hot. I'm not in complete denial. Even if what had occurred between us had never happened I could still appreciate his attractiveness. He had a boyish charm to him that was infectious and in random moments he could sometimes be insanely cute.

Continuing my short walk, I turn once again so that I'm starting to make a circle around the neighborhood and I can feel a chill creeping in the air. It was going to be a cold night apparently and I shivered just thinking about tucking myself into the thin blankets that the Inn supplied. I wish I was going home to my own warm bed instead. By the time I made it back to our room, Natsu, Gray and Wendy were already there, asleep in their beds but Erza was no where to be found. I wondered if she was out with Jellal again and smiled to myself.

I grabbed my PJ's and made my way into the bathroom to change and when I came out, everyone was still deeply asleep. I crawled into the bed and snuggled deep under the covers but as I expected, the thin blankets did little to warm me up. On the bed to the right of me was Wendy, snuggling closely with Carla and directly across from me was Gray who apparently didn't need any covers at all, preferring to sleep nearly nude. When I turned to the other side, Natsu was snoring quietly in the other bed and Happy was curled up by his head. I slightly envied Happy at the moment. I knew from experience just how warm the bed got when Natsu was in it. For a brief second I pondered the idea of crawling into bed with him but I quickly shook my head and turned over to face the opposite direction. My muscles were sore from the battle earlier and a few bruises made it uncomfortable to lye down on certain parts of my body. Eventually I found a good position and I soon found myself falling asleep.

When I woke up, the room was still dark and when I lifted myself up slightly from the bed I could see Erza lying curled up in her bed on the other side of the room. I stretched my arms out, smiling happily that I was able to get a bit more sleep. Hopefully Erza's late night would allow me to sleep in a bit since usually she was waking us all up at the crack of dawn. It seemed to have warmed up significantly since I'd initially gotten in bed and it felt incredibly wonderful as I pulled the blanket back up to my neck and snuggled inside. Mmm… even warmer in this position.

Within minutes I was back asleep, snuggling in the cocoon of warmth and dreaming about dragons and fairy princesses. When I woke back up it took me a moment to register the weight pressing against my side. My arms which were tucked against my chest were pressed against something solid and incredibly warm and I shifted closer to that warmth to try and press my entire body to it.

I slowly open my eyes, my brain not functioning well enough to figure out what was going on and I instantly jolt to alertness when I see Natsu's face just a few inches away from mine. He was lying on his side, facing me, and his arm was flung over my body, resting in the dip of my waist while the other rested underneath the pillow his head was lying on. His breathing was even and deep and I now knew what the solid warmth was that my arms were pressed against… his chest.

What was he doing here, in my bed?

Wait, this was my bed right? I quickly turn my head to see who was sleeping in the bed beside me and I could make out the blue strands of Wendy's hair lying over her pillow. Ok, yes this was my bed…

A slight movement of Natsu's hand on my waist makes my brain freeze in thought. His eyelids flutter and suddenly his dark eyes are staring into mine. I could see the shock that registers in his gaze and the mattress shifts slightly as his body stiffens. His eyes quickly scan the room and he must have realized that it was my bed he was lying in because he starts to lift himself up but I reach my hand out and grabbed him before he can move, fisting my hands in the fabric of his shirt. I pull him closer to me and close my eyes, my hands still holding tightly to his shirt. His body once again goes stiff but the next moment he seems to relax and he wraps his arm back around my side till his hand is pressed against the small of my back.

I sigh contentedly and snuggle closer, allowing my body to relax and within seconds I'm falling back to sleep.

The next thing I know, I'm waking up to the feel of fingers tracing over my face. The touch was gentle and slow, making my blood heat up in my veins and I moan quietly as they move to my lips. They take their time as they make their way around my mouth and my breath hitches in my throat.

Slowly, I open my eyes and find Natsu staring at my mouth, his own mouth slightly parted as he explores my overly sensitive lips. My stomach does a somersault when his face starts dipping towards mine and every fiber of my body craves contact with his. My heart is racing and my throat is constricting with anticipation. I couldn't keep my eyes off of his as he moved closer. I remembered how tantalizingly soft his lips were, how warm and erotic his tongue was as it slid over mine. I wanted it all again.

His eyes were hooded as he looked at me and his hand starts to tremble where it now rests on the side of my face, his thumb absently stroking my cheek. We are so close now that our noses brush together and I can feel his breath against my lips, the feeling sending licks of molten fire coursing through my veins.

The sound of someone's mattress creaking startles both of us and Natsu quickly pulls the blankets over our heads. We both lay there silently, our bodies stiff as we listen to whoever it was get up from the bed and pad quietly to the other side of the room and close the door to the bathroom behind them. We stare at each other for a moment, cocooned in the warmth of the blanket surrounding us and his thumb lightly strokes over my lips. I can't help the disappointment that creeps into my mind when Natsu cautiously peaks out from the blankets and then jumps out of my bed and into his own bed.

My body, which was still pulsing with excitement, rebels at the loss of his nearness and a strange tightening in my groin makes me wiggle uncomfortably on the mattress. I lie there for a while, trying to calm my senses and when I hear whoever it was that had gotten up a few minutes ago return from the bathroom I push the blankets off of me and sit up.

"Good morning Lucy," Wendy said in her cute little girl voice and as much as I wanted to be mad at her since she was the one that had interrupted us, I just couldn't be.

"Mornin' Wendy, Carla."

I glanced over at Natsu's bed as I stand up and I can only see his pink hair poking out of the top of his blanket and Happy is curled up in the same place as when I'd seen him before I'd gone to bed.

As I grab my clothes and walk into the bathroom I have to fight the frustration that is weighing down my body. I wanted nothing more than to walk back across the room and pounce on Natsu's hot body and crush my lips to his. Back at the Beach Resort I could pass what happened off as a fluke, a momentary lapse of judgment… but this time, no this definitely wasn't an accident. More than likely his crawling into bed with me during the dark hours of the night had been something done out of habit, his preference for my bed at home quite obvious and maybe he'd just subconsciously done it. But this morning, when I'd woken up with him touching my face like it was a precious object… no, that couldn't be a mistake. He had to feel something for me even if it was just curiosity. And I couldn't deny that I felt something as well. What it was, well… I'm not sure I'm ready to figure out yet. I certainly was curious as well, that much was apparent and what that curiosity could lead to was quite enticing.

I hurriedly finish my shower and start getting dressed. When I walk back out to the main room everyone is awake and things were just as they normally were.

The pub is lively as usual as the majority of the members of Fairy Tail gather together to celebrate the day's events. I'm sitting with Levy and we're both enjoying ourselves as we watch the rest of the gang wrestle over whatever the latest insult was. It was dark out, the sun setting a few hours ago and as I watch Natsu get tackled to the floor I can't help but start thinking about this morning. It was easy enough during the day to distract myself, the events of the tournament keeping us all on edge but right now, when there was no stress and the mood is jovial, it's easy to let my mind wander.

And wander it does…

My eyes travel over the length of Natsu's body, his muscular arms flexing as he fends off another attack from Gray. I wonder if he'll join me in bed again tonight.

A little bit later, when a few people have already started making their way to bed, I wave good night to Levy and then I walk across the room to where Natsu was sitting with a few other guild members.

"I'm going to bed," I whisper to him as I lean forward so only he could hear.

His eyes widen and I smile shyly at him as I back away. I think I made my intent quite obvious and I make my way up the stairs to our room. Erza and Wendy are already there lying in bed and it doesn't take me long to change into my pajamas and crawl into my own bed. My fingers nervously clutch the blanket to my neck and my teeth are nibbling on my lower lip as I wait to see if Natsu is going to come soon. After a few minutes I hear several sets of feet walking into the room and I peak open my eyes to see Natsu along with Happy and Gray walking inside. Gray doesn't bother to use the bathroom as he strips off his clothes and climbs into his bed and Natsu gets into his own with Happy.

I wait, anxious to see if he will join me once again. Several minutes go by and there's not a sound in the room. I start to think he's not coming and then I hear a quiet rustling in the bed next to me and the next thing I know I feel a hand gently nudging my shoulder and I quickly push aside the blankets for him to crawl underneath with me.

I'm inwardly screaming with excitement… he came!

We're both lying on our sides, facing each other and it seems that neither of us know what to do at this point so we just sit there, staring at each other as the tension grows between us. I hear him take a deep breath and in the next instant, his lips are on mine. It feels like a firecracker just exploded in my belly and I struggle to hold back the whimper that threatens to escape my constricting throat.

His lips are hesitant and soft, gently exploring mine and soon I feel his tongue probing my lips for entrance. I open immediately for him and meet his tongue with my own. I know what to expect this time but it doesn't lessen the experience in the least. Our tongues slide together and his lips become more demanding, his mouth slanting over mine to deepen the contact. My body is on fire, my fingers tingling with a need to touch him. My innocence rears its ugly head once again and I fight with myself, wanting something that I'm unsure of. Instead, since it just seems easier, I press my body closer to his and practically jump when his fingers touch my side and then slide around to rub over my back through my thin white tank top. My hands are caught between our bodies and I turn them over so that my palms are resting flat against his muscular chest. I can feel his heart beating rapidly, nearly matching my own and his mouth becomes more insistent, making us both gasp for breath as our tongues battled. His fingers start to dig into the skin on my back, pulling my body closer to his till our bellies touch and I groan erotically into his mouth, thankful that the sound doesn't travel far. My reaction seems to enflame him and suddenly he's pushing against me till I fall and I'm lying flat on my back. His body is half covering mine, his lips still hungrily devouring my own and now my hands are finally free to roam… and I do, my innocence completely forgotten.

I lift my hand and tentatively touch his shoulder, his skin smooth and surprisingly soft beneath my questing fingers. I love the way he feels, the banded muscles toned to near perfection. His lips start to slow against mine and become slightly teasing, his tongue prodding and licking my mouth as if testing my reactions. He quickly licks inside my mouth and then retracts his tongue, making me follow his mouth with my own to prolong the contact. He does it again and this time I groan in frustration when I can't reclaim his mouth and he seems to be startled for a moment, surprised by reaction. I take the opportunity to grab him and pull him against me, locking my lips to his and forcefully pushing my tongue inside his mouth. My arms wrap around his neck and his torso is now flush with mine. I like the weight on top of me, his body pushing mine into the mattress but the bed squeaks from the movement and we both go completely silent and still as we wait to see if anyone wakes up.

After several breathless moments we both sigh in relief and I can't help but smile at the situation. This had to be the worst place to do this.

"Maybe we should uh… lie back on our sides so people can't look over and see both of us," I suggest in a hushed whisper.

Natsu silently nods his head and slides off my body. His eyes are mischievously alive as he looks back at me and moves his hand back to the curve of my hip. My body stiffens when his fingers start to make tiny circles over the exposed skin between my shirt and shorts and a strange warmth starts to accumulate low in my belly. His thumb slides beneath my shirt and slowly his other fingers follow, continuing their tortuous rhythm against my skin and my chest is starting to rise and fall rapidly. I love how his hand feels on me, the places he touches turning to flame and my mind completely concentrates on his fingers and what they were making me feel. I barely notice his lips moving towards me but when they touch the side of my neck I almost… almost scream out at the feeling. Instead my breath hisses out and my hands wrap back around his shoulders and I arch my neck back to allow him better access.

His fingers are still slowly moving up my side beneath my shirt and his lips and tongue are alternating between tiny licks and quick sucks against my neck. The tips of his fingers are getting dangerously close to the underside of my breast and I'm surprised by how much my body wants him to touch me there. I feel him touch my ribs, skimming over the ridges and then he just barely brushes against the underside of my breast. His mouth moves back over mine and I forget for a moment what his hand was doing, entranced by the feel of his tongue once again sliding over mine. When his fingers touch me again my whole body ignites and my mouth devours his, my tongue stroking his till I could suck it between my lips. He groans into my mouth and my body reacts to the sensual noise, increasing the grip I had on his shoulders and arching into his touch.

His fingertips slowly slide up, nearing the area that was aching for him to touch and then we both go still, our ears attuned to some noise in the room. Someone had just gotten up and was walking across the room. When the door to the bathroom closes we both breathe a sigh of relief and I giggle nervously when he smiles at me.

"Maybe this isn't the best place to be doing this," I say and I feel slightly disappointed when he nods his head in agreement.

"But, can we do it… again?" he asks shyly and my chest constricts at his timid tone. Natsu unsure of himself… that's a first.

I nod my head in answer and smile slightly while I ask, "Will you stay for a while?"

"I'd like to," he answers and I turn in his arms till my backside is pressed against his front. He curves his body around mine, wrapping his strong arms around my body and holding me closely. Mmm… yes, I can get used to this.

To be continued

So what do you think? Should they keep going or are they done for the night?

Thanks for reading and please leave me a review and let me know what you would like to see happen.