Thank you to everyone still reviewing, you're a small group but I love you all :)

In case anyone had forgotten (lol), the theme for the ZAAngels writing competition has been set and is 'It Never Rains but it Pours'. Get thinking of one-shot ideas people, I want to read your stories!

One has been completed already by Miss Romance Lover- called Lost & Found and it's a fab story so go check it out and get competitive!

Thank you!

CHAPTER 14

Classes were over for the day and as the students tumbled out of their last lecture, one of them cupped Troy's shoulder.

"You coming out tonight? To Jericho's?" Ryan Evans asked.

"Tonight?" Troy frowned, wondering if he had forgotten something.

"For my birthday," Ryan reminded him and he pursed his lips.

Damn.

"My girl is coming tomorrow," Troy vocalized his thoughts softly.

"So what?" Ryan argued. "I'm talking about tonight…"

"Not if you plan to get me drunk…" Troy mused.

Ryan shrugged. "Everyone else is coming, don't be a party-pooper…"

Troy nodded. He had agreed to go. Albeit before he'd considered Gabi's imminent arrival, but his friend was right, he would still get to meet her tomorrow, he'd just have to go easy on the alcohol.

"Okay, I'll be there," he promised.

"Jericho's?" Jared checked as he came up to find Ryan and Troy parting.

"Yep," Troy nodded.

"Please don't get drunk again," his friend begged.

Troy rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to…"

"Good," Jared grinned. "Let's go get ready for partying!"

/

Knock knock.

Troy looked up at his room door with a frown. Who could that be? Ryan checking he was getting ready?

He looked down on himself, deciding his jeans and bare chest were decent enough in a dorm full of guys. He got up and opened the door casually.

"Gabi?" He startled, taking in her dark green dress; belted and a fur shrug over her shoulders. She looked simply stunning- and way out of his league he mused.

"Hi," she smiled. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything…" She led as her eyes flicked down his chest, landing on his belly which made him feel warm him in every place- especially his crotch.

"No!" He denied quickly. "I'm just getting ready to go out…what are you doing here?" He wondered.

She made an embarrassed face. "I came early…I hope you don't mind…"

"No, of course not," he stepped forward to hug her, then drew back to gaze at her before he leaned down to kiss her; a long, heart-felt kiss to her lips that he utilized while wrapping his arms tight around her.

"Hey, where are you…?" Jared's voice sounded behind them before the door opened to reveal him. "Oh…there you are…."

Gabi pressed against Troy's arms to be released while she quickly hugged her son.

"Hi Jared," she smiled.

"Mom, you're early," he observed.

"I get the feeling this was a bad idea," she broached at their surprise- they were happy, but something was off.

"Uh, no…we just have a party to go to…" Jared explained. "You should come."

Troy smiled at this idea. "He's right. It's Ryan's birthday but you're more than welcome to come with us."

"Oh, I'm not sure," she blushed. "You go out with your friends and have fun…"

Troy made a face. "I have fun with you," he posed.

"I just mean…you've planned this without me so…you should go ahead without me. I'll just go back to the hotel and meet you for breakfast…"

"Mom," Jared frowned, "that's insane. We're not going to leave you at the hotel alone when you could be out partying with us…"

"You young guys don't want some old woman hanging around, making you uncool…" she excused.

"Tell me when I see an old woman and I'll tell you when it's uncool," Jared challenged.

Gabi rolled her eyes, feeling Troy's fingers link through hers.

"I'd love for you to meet my friends," he added earnestly.

"What if they-" She took a breath, meeting his gaze as Jared busied himself dressing. "What if they don't want me there?"

Troy arched a brow. "You even think I would have friends like that?"

"Well…they might…be expecting…"

Troy kissed her mouth. "You don't have to go if you don't want to."

She darted him a look.

"I understand that it might be uncomfortable for you," he added gently, lifting her hand to kiss the palm of it.

"You do?" She doubted.

"Yeah," he shrugged. "I would probably feel the same at a party with your friends…"

"Well, at least they would all envy me for my handsome lover," she twinkled.

He smiled. "I'm sure every man envies me my beautiful lady."

She swallowed. "A guy at work actually asked me out for dinner tonight."

"He did, huh?" Troy squinted, leaning back to look into her face. "Are you thinking you should've gone?" He wondered.

"No," she smiled amusedly. "I was just telling you…"

"Keeping me on my toes, huh?" He grinned lop-sidedly. "Good for you…"

"So, mom, you coming?" Jared came back over, fully dressed.

She looked at Jared, then Troy, both their faces hopeful. Could they really want her there, with their friends, celebrating a birthday? Could she get past how weird it might be? Sooner or later, she guessed she had to…at least if she and Troy had any hope of surviving.

"Okay," she nodded, albeit unsurely. "Just for a bit…"

Troy grinned and turned to put his shirt on while Jared and Gabi caught up.

"Let's go, people," he said once he was ready.

/

"Happy Birthday, man," Troy hugged Ryan as they met up with him later in Jericho's American Bar & Club.

"You made it then, Bolton," he teased.

"Yeah, there's someone I want you to meet, too…" He reached behind him to take Gabi's hand and bring her through the throng of students.

Ryan smiled as Troy brought forward a beautiful Latina woman.

"Ryan, this is Gabi, my lady-friend," Troy introduced. "Gabi, meet the birthday-boy, Ryan …"

"Hi, nice to meet you," Gabi smiled, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. "Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you!" Ryan yelled back over the music. "You look amazing, by the way!"

"Oh, really?" She blushed. "Thank you…"

"It's nice to meet you, Troy's been talking about you," Ryan added with a kind smile.

"He has, huh?" She smiled across at Troy, their hands linked in a show of solidarity.

"Good things," Troy inserted and she giggled.

"I'll catch up with you both later," Ryan excused himself as more well-wishers arrived.

Troy turned to Gabi with a boyish smile. "Shall we dance, then?"

She smiled back. "Sounds good to me…"

/

The last time they had danced had been at the formal dance they'd met at and tonight's music was a little different but Gabi found Troy's dancing was just as accomplished. It didn't surprise her, but it did endear her to him even more.

There was something undeniably attractive about a man who could dance. And okay, he did it with a sort of self-depreciative air about him, but he couldn't ever say he couldn't dance. She watched him with a fond smile, glad she at least fitted in here, on the dance floor. All those times Jared took her out dancing obviously counted for something now.

She smiled as she saw her son dancing his way over to them.

"You're still here?" He mused.

Gabi gave him a look. "Yes…"

He shrugged. "Just thought you might be tired out by now…"

"Jared!" Troy chided his friend.

"I have more energy than you!" Gabi retorted to her son.

"That's true; I'm heading out in a bit…"

"What!" Troy laughed. "We only got here a couple of hours ago!"

"What can I say?" Jared shrugged. "Short attention span…"

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Gabi checked.

"Sure, I'll call you when I'm up," he offered with a cheeky wink.

"That'll be about 3pm," she teased.

"I'm glad you came," he hugged her. "See you tomorrow!"

Gabi looked up at Troy, "Now he's going can we go, too?"

"Have you had enough?" He wrapped his arms around her caringly, bringing her close.

She smiled mischievously. "I just thought we could…try out the hotel Jacuzzi…" She posed.

"Jacuzzi?" His brow arched. "How much do you earn?"

She smirked. "I'm not gonna be your sugar-mommy if that's what you're thinking…"

"Damn," he teased, grinning.

He leaned toward her, with that smile, the one that told her exactly what he was thinking about and she felt her tummy turn as his soap smell accosted her.

"Troy-" She put her hands to his chest, intending to pause him but she blinked at his intense blue-eyed look and let her hands travel all the way up his solid chest to cup his neck; allowing him the public display of affection he was instigating.

It was the first time she'd let him kiss her outside of the zoo visit in public, let alone around people they knew so when Gabi let his lips press against hers tenderly, he knew exactly what this kiss meant. It meant acceptance, finally, of him and their relationship.

She blinked dark eyes open as he pulled away a moment later.

"Phew, you're burning up the dance floor!" Ryan called to the pair.

Troy grinned and cuddled Gabi as she hid her face in his shoulder.

"Having a good birthday?" Troy checked.

"Yeah!" Ryan cheered. "I guess you're off now?" He winked knowingly.

Troy gave his friend a smile. "Yeah, I'm whacked…"

"I bet you are!" Ryan laughed. "Have a good night, my man," he high fived him, then bid a more traditional parting to Gabi. "It was great to meet you," he extended.

"You, too, Ryan," she assured. "Have a good night…"

Troy led her from the dance floor and towards the exit. She looked up at him with bright eyes.

"They really didn't mind," she commented as they came outside and she put her furry shrug back on.

Troy shrugged. "I knew it."

He turned to her as they flagged a taxi, Troy opening the door for her when one arrived.

"Are you glad you came?"

"Yeah," she leaned her head against his shoulder as they settled.

He curved his hand around her knee, and then tilted his palm up as she put her hand on his for connection.

"I'm glad you surprised us," he added warmly with a husk in his voice. A husk that pre-empted what he wanted to do to her.

The fact Gabi knew that only made her want him more. She nuzzled his neck.

"I thought an extra night would be beneficial…"

He chuckled. "Beneficial, huh? That's one word for it…"

"What word would you use?" She wondered playfully.

He swallowed at her flirting, feeling his body react to her already- his blood pounded around his veins; tightness stretched down his belly and dipped into his pants and his breathing shallowed.

"Amazing?" He offered.

Her hand slipped from his and ran up his thigh; which he stopped with a self-conscious glance up to the cab driver. Luckily, he was discreetly driving without watching them, but Troy knew if he let Gabi's hand roam where she aimed to roam; he'd be in trouble.

"I missed this," she murmured.

"You know what?" He murmured back. "Me, too…but we're almost there…"

She reached up and turned his face to kiss him, her distraction allowing her to slip her hand in between his thighs to complete the foreplay she was intending all along.

Troy pulled away with a startled jolt.

"Gabi," he cupped his hand over hers; more to hide his arousal than stop her caress.

"The Roosevelt Hotel," the cabbie called and Gabi went into her purse to provide bills to pay him, following Troy out of the car.

He stared at her as she tugged him toward the hotel.

"You're…Jesus," He sighed.

"What?" She looked over her shoulder with a bold smile. "Am I scaring you?"

He waited for her to open her hotel room door before taking her around the waist and pulling her into his body, to feel the effect she had on him.

"Not scaring me…turning me on," he graveled before taking her lips and kissing her in a way they couldn't at the party; or in the taxi and that better evidenced how he felt about her demonstrative affection.

Gabi sighed as he broke their kiss to trail his lips down her throat; his fingers looking for the zipper to her dress; deciding to peel off her shrug when he didn't find one.

"It's here," she showed him the zipper and waited for him to drag it down, his intense eyes flicking down her face; then her body as he gently cast the item off.

"I'd quite like to turn you on, too," a small smile played about his lips.

"Troy," she warned, his gaze upon her turning her on enough without his silent threat.

He started kissing her again, letting his hands run over her body, just lightly, but thoroughly until he felt ready to remove her bra and then he walked her backwards to the bed where he climbed upon its surface with her; kissing the mounds of her breasts.

Gabi grasped his head, her fingers threading into his hair as she moaned out loud when he suckled her tip; thumbing her other gently and creating the ultimate pleasure for her.

"Troy…take off your clothes," she panted, clawing at his shirt and successfully heaving the item off his torso despite his intent to please her.

He dipped down before she could reach his trousers, soft lips touching her belly; then her hip, then lowering to her thighs where he pressed continuing kisses while Gabi thrashed on the bed.

"Troy!" She demanded of his teasing ways; ways that had her wet already and needy for him and she knew deep down that he wasn't done yet. She loved that he put her pleasure first but she hated the fact she couldn't reciprocate the feeling.

Troy's tongue flicked into her; just like that first night they came together, affording her a deep, hot pleasure before his body did and she gave herself up to the quick orgasm that rose within her body. She shuddered against her pinnacle, covering her stomach with her hands almost self-consciously as he looked up; his satisfied smile very telling.

"You're beautiful," he told her as he unbelted his trousers and kicked them down, followed by his boxers. He crawled up her body, his arousal evidently tight against his body with need.

But instead of filling her, he took her hands away from her body and kissed her belly assuringly.

"Beautiful," he said again and she knew it. She'd known it before, but just in case something had changed, she'd still shielded her hated body part, but now it didn't seem to matter. His lips were worshipping her and sending her insane with desire.

"Troy," she begged for him, reaching for a condom from her bedside table drawer.

"Organised, huh?" He whispered, but no humour glinted in his darkened eyes.

She met them, only dropping her gaze to apply his protection. She held his length in her hand for a moment and smiled felinely as she felt her insides burn with want.

Troy sucked in a breath at the connection they made with their eyes and what he saw there in hers. She wanted him. Only him. Now.

He shifted, parting her thighs gently with his hand as he curved one up the expanse of flesh he enjoyed wordlessly. He kissed her, a strong, meaningful union of their lips that lasted seconds until he could hold back no more and then he sank deep into her waiting body; her slick, welcoming body. He felt her tighten around his heat; taking him deep, as deep as he could go; a feeling he would never fed of and never forget. She took him into her body but he also connected with her soul when he looked right into her eyes; the deep brown gaze of hers unwavering as they moved together, slow and intense.

There was no speech; no grand gestures or moves to boast about. Just the two of them, riding waves together with unhurried enjoyment; indulging in their desire and speaking their love another way- through pants and cries of pleasure.

Troy felt the rising tide coming; his tummy tensed in readiness and he checked Gabi's face, slowing for her to catch up. She didn't need to, she goaded him on by closing her eyes and panting his name, something that brought him over the edge as her fingers dug into his back and her hips arched and arched to take his long, deep thrusts.

"Gabi," he whispered her name as he came; spilling his seed into his sheath as he filled her completely, one final time.

He felt her convulse around him as she met her peak too and then he tried to move, to save her small body the weight of his.

He rolled onto his back and carefully removed his condom; glancing at Gabi as he did so and she was already on her side, propped on her elbow watching him. He smiled slowly.

"What?" He wondered shyly.

"I like watching you…"

"Really?" He arched a brow.

She blinked, her own smile curving her lips.

He moved to mirror her pose, looking her right in the face.

"Wanna try the Jacuzzi?" She posed.

"You don't want to rest for a while?" He wondered, caringly, stroking her arm.

She rolled off the bed and walked boldly across the room; completely naked and unembarrassed. She came up to Troy's side of the bed where he rolled over; having watched her keenly as she passed by.

"Are you coming?" She put out her hand.

He couldn't help his grin. "Try and stop me…"

/

"Okay, that Jacuzzi officially rocks," Troy curled Gabi into his arms as they snuggled on the bed together to sleep.

She giggled softly. "I'm glad I went for the upgrade, now."

"We should get some sleep," he held back a yawn. "You have to call Jared tomorrow."

"Hmm," she rubbed her cheek against his chest. "I prefer not to think about reality."

He smirked. "What's this? Fantasy?"

"It kinda is," she grinned to herself, rubbing his belly.

"Hey!" He laughed, hugging her closer. "I resent that."

"Of course we're real," she assured.

"Hm, sure," he mumbled. "Goodnight then." He added pointedly.

She cuddled closer. "Goodnight, Troy."