Chapter 2
He'd arrived at the firm this morning with a profound anticipation to see her. Unfortunately the pressing day ahead didn't allow much interaction between the two of them , the first encounter brief , words exchanged merely with their eyes before they went into a meeting with an external client. But their eyes have always had the ability to communicate what their words couldn't , surfacing in each others eyes they see intent , and they see hope.
He has a moment alone to recompose his thoughts in his office , he can't shake the fact that he is taking her out tonight. After everything they've been through the last few months they are finally accessing what is available to the both of them.
He should immerse himself in case files , files insistent of his attention but he can't stop fidgeting , he's thinking about her , thinking about tonight. He's nervous which he can't remember the last time he'd felt that way before he took a woman out. But she's not like other women that he knows.
She approaches his office , glaring through the glass wall , finding him sat staring blankly at the screen of his laptop , his fingers repeatedly tapping against his desk.
"Everything okay?" she asked , leaning against the doorway , arms crossed in front of her frame.
His head snapped up , meeting her eyes and he clears his throat , gently pulling the collar of shirt away from him.
"I'm okay." He retorts , the corners of his mouth curve , reaching his eyes. Seeing his expression , her breath catches in her throat slightly. Prior to last night , she felt it'd been a lifetime since she'd seen an expression so genuine apparent on his face.
She nodded, opening her mouth to say something else when the ringing of his phone cut through the silence.
"I should-," she gestured towards the door, walking briskly back towards her desk.
"Donna." He inhales sharply, she turns back and looks at him expectantly , awaiting his words to follow.
"I'm looking forward to tonight." He tilts his head , showing the sincerity in his words.
She smirks at him and turns , hiding the blush building on her cheeks the moment those words had left his mouths.
She's not giving it all away. Not yet , she still is uncertain of his intentions. Caught off guard by the process in which lead him to ask her out tonight. Everything has happened between them , but nothing has happened all the same. It's a lot to process , but tonight will enable some clarity if nothing else.
But she realises after tonight , whichever outcome follows suit. He will leave the next day for Chicago to assist Jessica in a lawsuit. Subconsciously or consciously , her thoughts are directed into the possibility in which when he returns back to New York , he will be returning to her and not the city alone.
She retracts her thoughts , a reminder that she shouldn't get ahead of herself. Uncertainty is often associated with her relationship with Harvey , unpredictability too. But the two aren't usually followed in the form of a date , they usually result in half admissions , later retracted and put below the surface.
By early evening , his focus is reduced even further. He reads the same lines on the same file repeatedly trying to regain his focus but failing miserably. Pouring himself a whiskey in admission of failure , and of his inability to draw any relatively logical conclusions from the files whilst his head remained firmly with her. He finishes his drink , and heads out of the firm but not before rounding her office. To which he finds empty , he figures that she left already and that her own doubt and uncertainty have a role in that. To which he understands , but intends to provide closure of both of those tonight.
He leaves the confides of the firm , climbs into the limousine , the sounds of his fathers records reaching his ears by request.
Later that evening.
——
He paces the pavement outside her apartment , regaining his composure. Checking his phone persistently for a time that appears appropriate for him to approach and knock on her door.
He inwardly laughs at his behaviour. No one but her could , he thought.
His hand knocks against the hardwood , and he takes a step back. He clears his throat before he can breathe again. fuck. He thinks , he isn't even certain he didn't utter it out loud. "Donna you look-"
"I know." she replies , quick off the tongue. If he couldn't think clearly before , he sure as hell can't now.
The intent of her words betrayed by the blush transversing across her cheeks . A subtle sign of the effects of his words , or lack there of. Smiles meet their eyes , It's a moment of vulnerability neither are accustomed to , of stark contrast to their previous dynamic. Standing between her door , they could feel the weight of the moment , as if it was a metaphorical expression of the precipice of a profound shift in their relationship. They stepped through the door , in both senses.
She's the one that has abilities to decipher his every thought , emotion , and intents. With the exception of the relationship between them , he senses that there's a trace of uncertainty she has left in him. However , he is certain they are capable of transcending any of those doubts or uncertainties.
He gestures towards the black limousine , faint sounds of his father's saxophone emanating out. As he approaches the car , he reaches out to grasp the handle and pulls it towards him. Without hesitation , he extends his hand towards her , a silent invitation.
With a single step , she enters the car. He closes it behind her , following suit. In the intimate setting of the limousine , Harvey's hand found it's resting place on her thigh. The subtle touch conveyed a sense of reassurance, a silent promise that transcended the need for words.
As they arrived at the bar , Harvey opened the door for Donna and offered her his hand , guiding her out of the car. The bar was dimly lit , the sounds of jazz that filled the room resonating with his father's records , which they had listened to moments prior.
They're show to their table , and as they settle in , the waiter approaches to take their drink orders. Harvey glanced at the wine list briefly , before looking up at the waiter. "We'll have a bottle of Pinot Noir , please."
A faint smile apparent on his features as he thought about the significance of this particular wine.
The bottle seeing them through countless dinners at Del Posto , or shared over shitty Thai in his office , as Harvey's contribution to "make up for the standard of the food."
Donna's perspective instincts captured the direction of his eyes , leaving her with an unwavering understanding of his intentions.
The waiter returned with the bottle , uncorking it and pouring the rich , ruby liquid into their glasses.
The tension is palpable between them.
He searches her for eyes , hoping to find some solace there. He could see the same mixture of apprehension and anticipation reflected in her own , a mirror of his. Only a handful of times that they've been at loss for words around each-other , but this feels different. This feels important.
As the soft jazz continued around them , Harvey couldn't help but steal glances at the saxophone player in the corner of the bar. His appearance subtly resembled his father , it felt like a sign. Harvey's throat tightened.
Donna followed the direction of his eyes , seeing the source of his emotion. She reached out and placed her hand on his thigh , fingers grazing the fabric of his tailored suit. Her touch causes their eyes to meet.
Taking a deep breath , he felt the desire to share a story of his father. "We would spend hours going through his record collection , those moments shaped my taste in music. But I never appreciated them enough , not until he was gone at-least." He pauses a moment.
"You know , one day while we were going through the records , my dad , he introduced me to Ritchie Valens. And there was this song 'Donna.' I just figured that it's always reminded me of you , and not only because of the obvious."
She leans in closer to him , she could feel the weight and the vulnerability in his voice , and the intimacy of this moment.
"I'd nurse a glass of scotch or multiple and listen to the record , usually when I felt the distance between us was evident. I admit that I've listened to that record more the last few months , than I have the last 12 years."
"When you kissed me , even in the face of infidelity, I wanted nothing more than you. For the time in my life , I felt an understanding towards my mother's infidelity and that was something I wasn't prepared for. Every part of me that wanted you that night , was concealed with the past. Following that , granted I've made numerous mistakes. But now , now everything is clear."
He reaches for her hand , "Donna this is it. You're it for me."
Donna looks intently at him , the certainty laced in voice matched in his eyes.
"I've made my fair share of mistakes , to which I can't say that I'd take back given the chance. Because , ultimately we might not be here without them." She almost whispers , vulnerability evident in her tone.
"Listen," he takes a steadying breath. "I know that I'm leaving tomorrow for Chicago. I know it's short term , but I'm not certain of when I'll get back. And we'll figure all of that out. But I couldn't wait for the next opportunity to by-pass without telling you how I feel about you."
Pausing briefly , a hint of moisture in her eyes , she inhaled audibly. A subtle , breathy laugh issued from her throat , followed by a whispered "Who are you?" Amusement evident in her tone.
He mimics her amused countenance , the corners of his mouth upturning. While exchanging a knowing glance.
Harvey leaned in , his body hovering over the table as he closed the distance between them. The anticipation was palpable as he whispered against her mouth "I couldn't wait anymore." laced with a mixture of longing and desire. He felt her smile against him, then reluctantly she pulled away mindful of where they were.
The rest of the night consisted of the rest of the wine bottle , throaty laughs , the discovery of the subtle nuances and intricate details of each-other , and indulging in small, intimate touches.
As they left the restaurant , hand in hand walking towards the awaiting limousine. Harvey pulled Donna close , wrapping his arms around her. "How did it take us this long?" He whispers against her ear.
Donna turned into him , placing her hands on his chest and quirking her brow. "How did it take you this long?" She teases.
She sees his features noticeably shift , it's evident in his eyes that he holds a deep resentment towards himself. She consoles him by reaching out , delicately tracing the contours of his face with her fingertips.
"Hey," she pauses a moment , waiting for his attention to be directed towards her. "We're here now, that's what matters."
She feels the subtle movement of his head against her hands. The breath he releases , is like a release of tension he'd been holding excessively.
They settled into the limousine , subtly adjusting their positions and putting a distance between them. Both of them acutely aware of Ray's presence , and conscious of the potential embarrassment they may cause to themselves or their driver without it.
Self restraint beginning to falter , they both appreciate reaching her apartment. Harvey quickly settles the payment with Ray , before rounding the limousine and opening the door on her side.
He follows closely behind her , accompanying her to her door. Watching anxiously as she unlocks it , waiting for her lead.
She turns towards him , her hesitance palpable , adding to his own uncertainty. He can see the flicker of conflict evident in her eyes. He holds his breath before , "Thank you for tonight , Harvey."
He smiles faintly and nods.
"Call when you land in Chicago."
"Of course."
Her eyes fall to his lips and it's all the incentive he needs to lean in and kiss her , chaste and slow. It's when she involuntarily moans against his mouth , that his self control almost snaps.
He pulls back reluctantly. Because if he hears another noise like that come from her throat while they're doing this , his lack of control will become evident physically.
Releasing her grasp on his suit lapel , she steps back slightly. "Harvey I think we should take it slow." she says with slight hesitancy , to which he can't tell if that hesitancy is fuelled by doubt in him or in herself.
"I want this." She signals between them reassuringly, "But you are leaving tomorrow , and I don't want that be a determining factor in this. We know where we are headed, I just need- ."
He stops her , "I know." He pauses momentarily , his features soft. "And that's okay." He holds her waist firmly , thumbs lightly brushing against her hip.
"We know where we are headed." He repeats her words. Leaning in , he presses his lips against hers. She nods against his mouth , and then he turns away. Each consoled in the fact certainty , has replaced uncertainty.
But she can't help herself.
"Stay."
He turns , she's cocking her head , lips fused together tightly. It just fell out of her mouth , and she's certainly not taking it back.
"Stay the night."