Almost There and Back Again

by Nancy

Chapter 33

Haley was beginning to get annoyed, another long sigh escaped as she continued to drum her fingers on her leg. He was with her, why couldn’t people just back the hell up. The man next to her had been carrying on with Nathan about the Bobcats since they sat down. It had only taken the guy one look to figure out who his famous table mate was, and he hadn’t shut up since. And the fact that she was sandwiched between their conversation was only adding to her growing aggravation.

“Thank god,” she mumbled when their food started to arrive. Maybe the intruder would be too busy shoveling food in his mouth to keep up his yapping. She leaned up to the table so she was blocking him from getting a good view of Nathan. She couldn’t stop the heavy sigh or eye roll when she caught the blonde out of the corner of her eye standing there grinning at Nathan asking for an autograph. The third one he’d signed in the thirty minutes they’d been there.

Nathan handed her back her signed paper with a small smile, turning back to Haley when he heard her sighing beside him.

“Something wrong?”

“Wrong? Why would there be something wrong? This…guy over here won’t shut up about basketball, that’s the third autograph you’ve signed since we got here. You can’t even eat because people won’t leave you alone. Why can’t they just let you eat? I mean really…I just don’t know why they…and that blonde that was just here…could she have dipped down juuust a little lower so you’d be sure to see allll of her cleavage. Not obvious or anything honey,” she said with a raised voice waving over at the blonde who was actually smiling at Nathan – she turned her head away when she saw Haley wave at her.

On top of the fact - she wanted to say - I didn’t spend an extra hour getting ready just so you could spend the night accommodating all of Charlotte! I wore my tightest shirt – and the bra that digs into me, but makes my boobs all perky, and my best fitting skirt, not to mention the heels on these shoes are killing my feet – but they make my legs look good – so you’d sit there oblivious to it all! Guys could be so dumb!

“It’s okay Haley,” he said with a light laugh. “I’m used to it. They don’t mean to intrude. I can eat just fine,” he smiled pushing a big forkful into his mouth, smiling at her again. “See.”

“You’re a goofball,” she smiled back nudging his arm.

“So how’s this work again?” Nathan asked reading over the flyer that was laying in the middle of their table summing up the story.

Haley leaned against him, her hand absently laid across his arm as she read the summary again with him. Nathan was gritting his teeth at her touch, the way her hair was tickling his cheek and her perfume wafting around had him on edge. He felt the strain beginning in his pants at the mere brush of her breast against his arm. The way her breasts were bubbling up out of that shirt…god – could he feel anymore like a seventh grader!

He wanted to reach his arm around her and pull her in closer so badly he could barely think straight. Just dip down and nuzzle his nose in her hair, leave a few kisses on her neck…and down her chest, her stomach…the way she would sometimes giggle and twitch when his lips would tickle across her stomach... He suddenly cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his chair, blowing out a light breath, trying to shake himself of the thoughts.

Haley eyes drifted to his face at his movements, realizing how uncomfortable he was with her nearness she shifted back from him. Don’t touch…yeah I get it - she frowned grumbling inwardly, biting back the annoyed sigh she felt trying to get out.

“So…I think some of these people sitting at the tables looking all innocent are actually some of the actors…I think…do you think?” she asked trying to create some comfort again.

“That’s the way it looks to me too. But who?” he asked as both of them carefully eyed the group at their table.

“I definitely don’t think it’s old blabbermouth here?” she mumbled nodding at the guy next to her, Nathan chuckled in agreement.

They both sat back surprised when shouting started from the back of the room. The whole room seemed to be bustling with people and activity and loud conversations all of a sudden. They looked at each other perplexed as to which person or group or conversation they should be concentrating on. One looked one way, one the other.

Nathan looked up to find the blonde that had asked for his autograph earlier standing next to him again running her fingers around the back of his hair smiling coyly at him. “Umm,” he stammered trying to get hold of her hand, she began to giggle at the way she kept eluding his attempts.

Haley turned back at the noise, her mouth flew open at the way the woman was so blatantly hitting on him. Her whole face twisted in horror and disgust when the woman shoved Nathan’s chair back and dropped heavily onto his lap, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, smiling and talking loudly to him, holding his head firmly with her hands as she tried to push her chest into his face.

Nathan was trying to hold his head back, pulling on her hands; she seemed to have a death grip on him. She was now laughing wildly, talking ever louder about how he should stop fighting it…how she knew he wanted her…saw how he’d been watching her all night. Nathan was sweating bullets. What the hell was this insane woman talking about? He couldn’t shake her no matter what he tried.

“Haley…help,” he tried to say before the blondes mouth landed roughly on his, rubbing it firmly against his, pulling back leaving a swath of red lipstick across his mouth.

Haley was as dumbstruck as Nathan. Her eyes couldn’t get any wider if she tried…and then it hit her…she’s an actor! Oh hell! She suddenly relaxed back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest with a bemused look on her face as she watched the woman continue to paw at Nathan. The entire room’s eyes were turned toward them.

“Get off!” Nathan finally bit out, attempting to stand just when a man came rushing from the back of the room carrying on about what was he doing with his wife as he jerked the woman unceremoniously from his lap, continually yelling at Nathan. The two of them got into a heated argument in the middle of the room, both of them gesturing wildly at Nathan before the woman stormed away…suddenly the lights flashed off and a loud bang rang out…

“What the hell?” Nathan snapped under his breath.

The lights came on to find the woman’s husband lying on the floor in a pool of blood. And so it began…

“Guess you shouldn’t have signed that autograph for her,” Haley shrugged unable to stop the giggling. “Umm…you have some lipstick…,” pointing to his mouth, laughing as she watched Nathan fiercely rub his napkin over his mouth.

“Did I get it all?” he asked completely irritated, once more wiping at his mouth.

“Yes,” she giggled again. “Be a good boy now,” she whispered rubbing his arm trying to help calm his frazzled nerves. She turned back trying to concentrate once again on what was going on around her, she knew Nathan was so unnerved he was going to be useless to help figure out this little mystery.

“I knew it was the slutty chambermaid,” Nathan mumbled to Haley while they continued to applaud.

“Oh whatever…you should have said so if you knew so much,” she mumbled back rolling her eyes at his proclamation.

“I didn’t want to show everybody up. Besides, you were all just so sure it was the tennis coach I just let it go.”

She quirked her eyebrow at him trying to look annoyed, but was unable to hold it, breaking out in laughter at his smug expression.

The buxom blonde had finished introducing her costars. She once again approached Nathan. “I’d just like to thank our unwitting costar. I don’t think I have to tell you he was totally unaware of what was going to happen to him…that was pretty obvious,” she laughed draping her arm around Nathan’s shoulders, “but he was so nice about it all – I’ve had many a reaction not quite so nice believe me,” she laughed. “It’s not very often we get to pick on a celebrity. I think most of you recognize our victim…Charlotte Bobcat Nathan Scott…thank you Nathan for being such a good sport. And thank you to your girlfriend too. I appreciate her not whacking me with her purse. Hey…it’s happened before,” she said with feigned annoyance when everyone laughed. “Thanks to both of you,” she smiled giving them both hugs. “Hope everyone had a good time…goodnight!”

Haley couldn’t stop laughing. Nathan finally gave in and laughed too at what a fool he must have looked.

“Well at least you got a cheap thrill with the boob rub,” Haley giggled again.

“God whatever…I didn’t feel a thing. My mind was so frantic trying to figure out what the hell she was doing, what she was carrying on about I barely remember anything.”

“Yeah right…tell it to somebody that believes it,” she smiled rolling her eyes at him.

“That was definitely one of those times it did not pay to be publicly known. Crap! That was some craziness,” he laughed again shaking his head in dismay.

“See, now you have something to talk about on your trip to Atlanta tomorrow. All your teammates will be wanting to go.”

“They better go in disguise.”

He walked her to her door both of them still laughing about the night. Haley got her keys out, her mind was still having the same debate it had been having the whole way home. Ask him to come in…don’t ask him to come in…jump him right there at the door – that option definitely had the most appeal.

“Thanks for inviting me Haley. Despite been publicly humiliated - it really was a lot of fun. I haven’t had fun like that in a long time thank you. I’m glad you asked me to go,” he said quietly with a light smile.

“I’m glad you had fun. I did too. It was a lot more fun than I even thought it would be. I’ll definitely have to send my client a thank you card,” smiling back at him. She was trying not to chew on her lip…he’d know how nervous she really was then…like he didn’t know already. She slipped the key in and turned the lock.

“Well…goodnight Hales, thanks again,” he smiled giving her arm a little squeeze, turning to go.

“Nathan…,” she said quickly, “do you…umm…do you want to come in…for coffee or a drink or something?” she asked softly, the hope in her voice tugging at him.

He took a short breath…he knew what would happen if he got inside that door. It wouldn’t take him two seconds inside that apartment, and he’d totally lose control he knew it. She just wanted to talk…just company he told himself. Just being nice…go home Nathan he yelled at himself.

“You know Hales…I really should go. I need to get my stuff together for the trip, and I really should get some sleep. This night kind of sapped me,” he chuckled looking away from her eyes that held his, knowing sleep wasn’t going to come easy tonight.

“Okay…sure I understand,” she shrugged with a small smile.

“Okay…goodnight then.”

“Nathan,” she said quickly, grabbing onto his arms to hold him in place. She pushed up on her tiptoes to leave a soft lingering kiss on his cheek. She closed her eyes soaking up the feel of his cheek against hers, the intoxicating scent of him, before moving down to leave another light kiss at the edge of his mouth. “Are you sure?” she whispered, her eyes fluttering open to meet his.

He closed his eyes briefly releasing a light sigh; he could still feel her soft cheek on his, her tantalizing perfume, the night air cool against the dampness her lips left on him. “Goodnight Haley,” he whispered back.

She’d been chasing her tail all morning. If Barbara brought her one more case file she was going to fire her on the spot. Okay, so she didn’t have authority to fire anybody, but she was definitely going to give her a dirty look.

She couldn’t wait to get away from this family law crap. It was just too gut wrenching. Too many divorces, and custody squabbles, and just family…crap - so much of it amounted to nothing more than people trying to shit on each other, it made her crazy.

She’d decided in law school she wanted to concentrate on trusts, estates, and wills. Dan decided she needed a little exposure to everything before she settled into being a trust attorney. It couldn’t get here soon enough she grumbled flipping open the next file. Moore vs Moore - another divorce…great.

She heard the light rap on her door glancing up to see who the intruder was. Peyton…thank god it wasn’t Barbara with more work.

“Hey Peyt, come in,” she smiled waving her in.

“Nice digs Hales. Dan must like you,” she smirked plopping into the soft leather chair in front of her desk.

“Oh yeah…that’s why he’s torturing the hell out of me making me work family law. All the attorney’s have offices like this Peyton. The ones on this floor are actually a little smaller than most. So, what brings you down here?”

“Deb called. Sent me on an errand to pick up some spice stuff she can only seem to find at this store in Charlotte. They were on their last can at Karen’s so she called in a panic. I went and got a case of it this time. I’m running it up to Dan so he can take it back with him tonight. So…how’d it go?” she grinned sitting on the edge of her seat waiting anxiously for a blow by blow replay.

“How’d what go?”

“I swear…I don’t know who’s denser, you or Nathan. The theater thing you guys went to.”

“Oh…it was a lot of fun. We had fun. Nathan got dragged into being part of it…it was hysterical. Oh my god you would have been laughing your ass off. He was speechless. It was so great!”

“He had fun too?”

“Oh yeah. He seemed to really enjoy it, even though they really put him through it. God it was funny!”

“And…”

“And…?”

“And how was the sex?”

“Sex…there was no sex Peyton,” she huffed, turning back to the folder on her desk hoping against hope she’d change the subject.

“Why? God you two…nothing happened…nothing?”

“Nothing Peyton…sorry to disappoint you,” she said with an exaggerated eye roll, trying to hide her own disappointment.

“No kiss?”

“Nope…what is your deal Peyton? We’re not...dating…or whatever Peyton. We’re just…nothing. God. Back off.”

“You’re as hardheaded as Nathan! I just don’t get you two. You want him, he wants you…what’s the problem?” They were frustrating her to no end.

“Oh for god’s sake Peyton! We’re just…I don’t know, trying to be friends I guess. There’s been way too much water run under our bridge Peyton. He’s over me alright. I’m not going to chase after him. Friend’s is good enough for me. I like being his friend. We make good friends. It’s a lot simpler that way,” she shrugged going back to the folder once again, tapping her pen agitatedly on the desk.

Peyton watched her, the frustration ebbed out of her. Friends were enough huh…what a bunch of bull that was. “Okay…okay…you guys have it your way then…you stay at home and pine after him, and he can stay at his place and pine after you, and you can both sleep alone in your cold beds,” she groused to her. “I’ll call you later Haley,” shaking her head annoyed with the whole situation.

Peyton paced agitatedly in front of his closed office door. His secretary must have gone to the bathroom and fallen in or something she’d been gone so long she thought glaring at her watch again. Well screw this, if he’s busy that’s too bad, she told herself rapping firmly on his door, pushing it open without waiting for his response. He was just putting the phone down when he heard the knock looking up to see Peyton moving through his door.

“Well hey Peyton, this is certainly a surprise, come on in,” Dan smiled waving her over to a chair.

“Hi. Deb called; she’s in grave need of this spice so I got her a case of it this time. Please, please, please make sure you take it home with you tonight so she doesn’t totally freak. Apparently this stuff is the secret ingredient in half of Karen’s dishes,” Peyton said dropping the box on his desk with a thud and an irritated sigh.

“Alright, I promise I won’t forget,” he replied hesitantly. “Something wrong Peyton…I’ll just tell Deb to call me next time she needs something…”

“No, it’s not that. Really, I don’t mind – it’s no problem at all. I’m just aggravated at…never mind - I’m just being a nosy busybody,” she grumbled folding her arms across her chest with another sigh.

“A nosy busybody? About…spices?” Dan asked totally confused as to how those two things could possibly be connected.

“No,” Peyton said with a small laugh. “It’s your son and the woman he loves,” she complained.

“Haley?”

“See…I didn’t even have to say her name and you knew. You know, I know, hell probably half of Charlotte knows, but them. Oh who am I kidding - they know too, but won’t admit it. They just frustrate the crap out of me! Why don’t they just get back together already?”

“Well you know how hardheaded Nathan is. He’ll come around and ask her out sooner or later.”

“They already went out. Haley invited him to this dinner theater thing last night. She said they had a lot of fun, but he didn’t even kiss her! Can you believe that? I know he’s into her. I mean he’s realllly into her, but he’s so…scared or…I don’t know. He’s so sure she doesn’t want him. Somebody needs to give him a big shove or something to wake his ass up. They belong together Dan…she’s so good for him…I just don’t get it,” she blew out frustrated.

“A shove huh?” he repeated as the wheels turned in his head. “A shove…,” he mumbled again.

“Dan…” Peyton asked concerned with the intensely spacey look that had taken over Dan’s face.

“Hmm?”

“What are you thinking?” she asked the curiosity getting to her.

“I’m not quite sure…a shove…what do you think would wake him up Peyton?”

“I wish I knew,” she huffed annoyed at the thought of how stubborn Nathan was being.

“Let’s think about this a minute…Haley…Nathan…Is it that he wants her, but doesn’t know how to go about getting her? Maybe it’s what you said, he thinks she doesn’t want him. You say he wants her, and I couldn’t agree more – I mean I’ve seen the way he looks at her too. I’m old, but I’m not blind – I recognize that look.” A smile started across his face at the revelations he was having, his fingers tapped across his mouth as he thought it out further. “What would he do if he thought he couldn’t have her, not because of Haley necessarily, but because of something else…another man perhaps? You think that would give him a shove?” he asked the smile growing broader.

“Hunh? I’m not following,” Peyton’s mind scrambled to follow Dan’s wandering logic.

“Another man. I’d say Nathan’s the jealous type wouldn’t you Peyton?”

“Oh my god yes. Believe me; I’ve seen his jealousy in action. It’s not pretty.”

“I’m sure not,” Dan chuckled. “Haley with another man might be just what it would take for him to snap out of it…make him take a stance. You think?”

“A jealous Nathan can be pretty volatile Dan. I’d hate for him to blow up at Haley or worse yet take up with another string of ‘ho bags trying to drown his sorrows. I don’t think she could take that.”

“Either way it’ll cause an explosion on one of their parts which will lead to some sort of dialog. Deb and mine’s last attempt landed with a giant thud. Hopefully this time it’ll fall out the right direction.”

“So what do you have in mind?” Peyton asked uncertain, Dan interfering in Nathan’s love life could lead to a disaster of enormous proportions – especially if Nathan found out.

“Oh…I have an idea let’s just leave it at that. I’m pretty sure you’ll find out if it works or not,” he laughed lightly.

Haley was pacing in front of the gate. Glancing up once again to make sure she was in front of the correct one…gate ten…she was certain that was the one Dan told her. She took another look at the tickets, even they said gate ten. Gate ten it was, now where the hell was this Mike person.

She’d met him briefly in Dan’s office over a month ago, but she was pretty sure she’d recognize him again. She remembered noticing how good looking he was – even if he was a good ten years older than her, she’d know him…if he ever got there.

“Haley?” she heard the man coming up on her right question with a small smile.

“Mike. Hi,” she smiled back reaching out to shake his hand.

“Sorry I’m late. Too many kids going too many directions today, I had to drop a group here while my wife dropped a group there so…again – sorry I’m late.”

“Oh it’s no problem at all. I’m just glad you could come. So are you a big basketball fan?” she asked with a big smile and feigned interest moving through the turnstile.

She was on her last nerve. It was her first time to actually see Nathan play in the flesh since he’d turned pro, and she had to go with someone she barely knew. An important client as Dan had put it – great, just great.

“Oh I love it, just absolutely love it. I’m always thrilled when Dan calls to invite me along – his seats are excellent. I keep saying I’m going to get season tickets, but I just haven’t done it yet. Some day,” he smiled. “Would you like a beer?” he asked getting into what he hoped was the shortest line.

“No thanks, but a diet soda would be great,” Haley smiled, folding her arms across her chest as she waited impatiently.

A wistful smile crossed her lips as she watched all the people passing by wearing Scott jerseys. She had one of those too, only hers was used mostly for sleeping – only half the time when she woke up, it was still lying in a heap on the floor where Nathan had tossed it when he…don’t go there she warned herself.

The teams were already on the courts warming up when they came into the arena. Mike led the way since he’d been in these seats several times. He wasn’t kidding about them being excellent seats Haley thought as they kept moving further toward the court. They couldn’t have been more than ten rows up and right behind the Bobcat bench. She almost giggled at the thought of how annoyed Nathan probably was when he looked up game after game and saw Dan sitting there. That went over great she was certain.

She glanced up to see Nathan out there shooting. To see him on a court again was…it was bittersweet; biting at her lip she repeatedly swallowed down the lump that wouldn’t stop forming in her throat.

She’d avoided watching his games. She’d stolen a look a few times when she’d flipped through the channels and saw the Celtics playing. It was painful to watch him play, and not get to share it with him like she’d done in the past. Listen to him animatedly retell the highlights even though she’d been right there to see it herself. He’d tell her things that had gone wrong, he should have done this or not done that…she had no clue what he was talking about half the time, but she listened anyway throwing out an “un huh” every so often. He usually wound up laughing at her when her distracted “un huh’s” showed up in places they didn’t make sense. That was his clue he’d lost her, giving up the play by play he’d smile and thank her for listening, before the clothes would fly and the lips would meet.

He was smiling and cutting up with a teammate, giving him a little shove at something he’d just said. He looked so relaxed, so happy, so much like the Nathan she loved looked every time he took the court. It was the one place he felt completely at home, comfortable, relaxed, in total control.

She was so busy talking to Mike as she they moved down the stairs that she didn’t notice. Nathan was looking toward the bench waiting on a wayward ball to be thrown to him when he saw her coming down the stairs…saw him…with her. She was there at his game…with him – whoever he was…talking to him, smiling at him, laughing with him. He was with her…his Haley…he was at his fucking game with her. He turned his back on them taking in a deep breath before launching one more shot as the buzzer sounded. It didn’t even hit the rim.

She couldn’t believe what an ass he was being! He’d already been warned by the referee for pushing. One more time, and he was going to get a technical, even she could read the ref’s lips from where she was. She must have misread Nathan’s lips because it looked like he said ‘go ahead’…oh dear - that must have been exactly what he said because the referee just gave him the big ‘T’, motioning to the table twenty-three with his hand. Nathan’s teammates held him back shoving him into a chair; she was certain those were expletives flying out of his mouth.

“I guess the honeymoon’s over,” Mike chuckled watching Nathan being manhandled into his chair by his teammates.

“The honeymoon?” Haley questioned trying to keep the scowl off her face.

“Nathan. He’d become quite infamous in Boston for his temper. I think he was the most T’d up player in the Eastern conference last year. He wasn’t afraid to tangle with anybody. I saw him go toe to toe with Shaq one night on T.V.,” he laughed. “Now that was a sight.”

“I didn’t realize he was like that,” Haley said quietly, her brow knitting together at the thought. “He wasn’t like that in college.”

“No…I know he wasn’t. I don’t know what happened between the two. Maybe he just got the big head you know. Figured he was a pro now, he could act like he wanted. I don’t know. I never read anything about him having problems with teammates or coaches. Never saw anything about him getting into any trouble off the court, but once he stepped on the court it was like that was his outlet to let out all his anger or something. It cost him some major money I’m sure. Honestly, despite all the good numbers he had, I don’t know how disappointed Boston really was to see him go. I’m sure they thought he was a ticking time bomb.”

“Really…I’ve known Nathan a long time, and I never…well rarely saw him show his bad temper on the court. The only times were…” she drifted off – the only times were when they’d had a fight or something else was hanging unresolved between them – woe be whoever his opponent was on those rare occasions. They usually paid for his personal problems…just like the whole NBA had apparently been paying the last three years.

“The only times were what?” Mike asked looking at her perplexed.

“What? Oh...nothing. It’s surprising that’s all,” she said with a tight smile.

“Kind of surprises me a little too. He’s been doing so much better since he came to Charlotte. I may be wrong, but I think this is the first technical he’s gotten this season. That’s why I said the honeymoon’s over. I guess the real Nathan Scott’s finally made it to Charlotte,” he shrugged.

“Please, please, please,” Haley mumbled, her eyes squeezed tight, her fingers crossed. The erupting crowd, and Mike jumping out of his chair, told her everything she needed to know – Nathan had made his free throws – they were tied with three seconds to go.

“Haley,” Mike laughed tapping her lightly on her bowed head, “you’ll never see a thing down there. May as well stand up, everybody else is,” he laughed at the tight grimace that was spread across her mouth.

“Okay,” giving him a slight smile as she slowly stood, wiping her sweating palms on her pants.

The crowd exploded again when Nathan intercepted the inbound pass his teammate tipped, one dribble and he sent the alley oop pass to their big man under the basket, down it went in a thundering dunk - buzzer, game, victory, euphoria all around.

Nathan caught the towel thrown to him, reluctantly letting a small smile cross his lips as their center took him in a bear hug. He couldn’t stop himself from looking in the stands. There she was…all smiles, jumping up and down…her and that…guy…in their own hug. “Son of a bitch!” he mumbled heaving the towel at the bench before hurrying off the court.

Chapter 34

He kept having to slip past people. He was going upstream, and at an impatient pace at that. Everyone but him seemed to be coming out of the building, and out of the elevator, it was quitting time after all, he didn’t even seem to notice. Even as he shouldered past people, bumping one here, jostling one there, mumbling random unapologetic apologies as he went, unaware of the annoyed looks being thrown his way.

He quickly scanned the directory outside the office…Haley James 407. Fine. He threw open the heavy glass door as if it were completely weightless. He was trying to control his breathing, his anger threatened to get the best of him once again.

The large mahogany receptionist desk up front was already empty. No matter, he could certainly find the office on his own. The place sounded practically deserted…meaning it didn’t sound at all. He move past the front desk, his only option – left or right…right sounded good.

Moving quickly down the plush carpeted hall, he came across another secretary’s desk, only this one was occupied by an older woman of about sixty, white hair, glasses, someone’s grandmother for sure. She looked up somewhat startled at his sudden appearance.

“Is Haley still in?” mustering up as much calmness in his voice as he possibly could.

“Yes she is. Office hours are over though. Did you have an appointment?” he looked familiar to her, but at the moment she couldn’t quite place him. He was trying his best to hide it, but she could tell he was agitated. Not the first time a disgruntled client had shown up in these offices, often ending up with a call to security to resolve the situation. She kept that thought in the back of her mind as she assessed his mood.

“No I don’t have an appointment, but she’ll see me,” he snapped back walking quickly to open Haley’s office door.

“Sir, she’s on the phone…”

“Get off,” he ordered, Haley’s head shot up at the sound of his voice. Jesus he’s pissed! Her face contorted in confusion as she pointed at the phone, where she mumbled a distracted ‘yes’ to whomever she was talking to, never letting her eyes leave Nathan.

“I said get off,” his tone was much more threatening than she’d like.

“I’ll look into that for you…yes…yes…alright...umm Stan, I’ve just had something come up. Can I call you back tomorrow so we can continue this? I’ll have answers to what we’ve talked about so far when I do. Alright? Okay thanks so much Stan. Bye.”

“I’m sorry Haley – I tried to stop him…do I need to call…”

“No, Barbara that’s alright. It’s alright. Umm, could you hang around for about fifteen minutes longer though…I’m expecting a call from Preston Hodges before six. Could you tell him I had an emergency, and I’ll get back with him tomorrow? If he doesn’t call in the next fifteen minutes or so just go ahead and go okay? Thanks Barbara.”

“If you’re sure…”

“It’s okay,” she said attempting a reassuring smile.

Haley never let her eyes stray from Nathan’s. He was breathing heavy and his eyes were shooting daggers through her. He was about as mad as she’d ever seen him. Her mind was racing trying to figure out what she had done. Their outing the other night had gone well – they’d had fun - she thought anyway. She hadn’t talked to, or seen him in the past couple of days, but the team had been out of town…until their game last night, but they’d won, and except for the technical foul, and the handful of fights he’d almost gotten himself into, he’d played well she thought.

“Nathan…this is a surprise,” she haltingly began, “You want to sit down?”

“No I don’t want to sit down!” He was losing the struggle with his temper; the urge to grab something off her desk and sling it at the wall was almost overwhelming him.

“Okay…you seem mad – are you mad?”

“Mad. I seem mad? Well that’s a god damn understatement if I ever heard one! What are you trying to do to me Haley? Are you trying to finally finish me off or what?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Nathan.”

“You don’t? I’m not surprised - you never do! Haley James - little miss innocent - as usual,” he snarled back stepping closer to her desk, his voice rising with each step.

“I’m sorry Nathan, but you’re going to have to fill me in on what I supposedly did to you this time,” she bit back. The anger was rising in her too. He was obviously accusing her of something – she just had no idea what.

Little miss innocent? I’ll give you little miss innocent you jackass.

“This time! Let’s not rehash the last three years again Haley! You shit on me three years ago and you know it! You’ve all but admitted it, so stop trying to act like I’m just conjuring up some misdeeds of yours in my crazy head!”

“I told you I was sorry! A hundred times I’ve told you!” her chair slammed back as she bolted out of it to face him. She couldn’t stand him towering over her the way he was, it was…disconcerting…it was threatening, she wasn’t going to let him intimidate her – not now, not ever. “I thought we were making headway toward being friends again. Obviously I was wrong!”

“I thought that too – until you show up at MY game last night with that…guy! Practically sitting behind the fucking bench to make sure I see you. Laughing and hugging on him. It was quite a show Haley! One I didn’t especially appreciate!” he kept inching closer to her till he was practically in her face, his hands clenching and unclenching. His voice was angry…full of hurt and confusion and… His eyes were getting darker with ever angry word he uttered, they swept over her – taking in her unflinching body language – she wasn’t about to back down from him – he hadn’t really expected her to.

“You better back up Nathan!”

“Why…you think I’m going to hurt you?” he was momentarily taken aback at her unspoken accusation. He would never physically hurt her…he might tear her to shreds with words, but he would never physically hurt her – it stung that she’d intimate he would. “You really think I’d hurt you?”

“No Nathan…I don’t think you’d hurt me,” she said trying to gather some semblance of calm in her voice, “but you’re out of control Nathan – I don’t think you know what you’d do right now. Just calm down.”

“How can I calm down Haley! You show up with another guy – rub it in my face…when I thought we were…I thought we were maybe trying to get it together. We’ve had real conversations…we had fun together the other night; I though we were trying to salvage our friendship…salvage…maybe something more. I feel like an idiot! You don’t give a shit about me! You…”

“That guy I was at the game with is a client, his names Mike Martin,” she jumped in trying her best to sound calm…sound reasonable, hoping some of it would transfer over to him. “Your father gave me the tickets and asked me to take him to the game. I was trying to be pleasant to the man Nathan. He’s an important client. We only hugged because it was an exciting game that you guys won at the last second. I’ve hugged complete strangers just like that at games lots of times before! That’s all there was to it. I hardly know the man Nathan. There’s nothing going on between us.”

Her head was swimming…he was freaking jealous? He was going ballistic because he was jealous? Of what…of nothing. She didn’t know whether to be pissed, extremely pissed, or happy.

“What – my father pimping you out now?” he scoffed down at her. His eyes moved deliberately over her body. “Is he the one I need to see if I want some action with you?” he slowly growled out.

Her hand landed with a resounding whap across his face, “you sorry bastard!”

By the look in his eyes he hadn’t felt a thing.

It happened so fast she couldn’t begin to describe how. He grabbed her arms shoving her back against the wall behind her desk. His lips crashed on hers, devouring her mouth with his – his fingers tore through her hair as he held her face to his. His tongue didn’t ask for entry to her mouth – he took it – forcing it in as he hungrily explored her mouth.

Her head was in a frantic haze…what was he doing? She hadn’t asked for this…she didn’t give him permission for this…but god…he was so…so…

“Stop it,” she whimpered, wrenching her mouth away from his, trying to catch the breath he’d taken from her.

“No,” he mumbled back as his lips sucked down her neck, nipping and biting at her, roughly shoving her hair back so he could lick the sensitive area under her ear lobe.

His hands expertly popped the buttons on her shirt; one hand was already inside it massaging her breast, as the other reached around nimbly unhooking her bra roughly jerking it away from her chest giving him better access to her.

“Nathan…stop it,” her gasped voice was even weaker this time as she pushed unconvincingly on his chest.

“Make me,” he hissed out. His mouth took over hers again. Ripping at her shirt, he forced it down her arms and over her hands, slinging it aside; her bra joined it moments later.

His mouth trailed hot and wet down her neck to her chest where he licked and sucked at her breasts while his hands worked the clasp at the back of her skirt, forcing it off her hips, letting is slide to the ground – leaving her pressed against the wall clad only in baby blue panties. He grabbed her near bare ass jerking her to him as he ground his erection against her.

Make him…how the hell was she supposed to make him…god…she didn’t want to make him…It felt so incredible, she felt weak to his rough touch, his kisses, his need…her need. She was getting consumed by him; she didn’t have a clear thought in her head. The room and everything in it…every sound…ceased to exist – all was gone except her and him.

She couldn’t think…his mouth had taken over her body; the fire between her legs was so intense, the juices flowed out of her, the urge to spread her legs so great, she felt totally powerless to it. She let him do whatever he wanted with her body, loving it, wanting every second of it.

By the time he was grinding himself against her, her ears had started registering sound again…they were loud, guttural sounds - the sounds of her moaning, of his moaning…she’d been moaning his name and she wasn’t even aware of it. She grabbed his head forcing his mouth back up to hers; her tongue took over his mouth the way he had done hers.

Clutching the hem of his shirt she tore it over his head with one swift movement, their mouths only broke long enough to get it over his head. She caught a glimpse of his eyes as she did – the bright blue was now dark and glazed over with lust – as they momentarily locked on hers. She could tell his mind was as gone as hers, both acting only on pure lust, pure need, pure sexual instinct.

She seized his belt yanking it open, her hands grappled with the button and zipper on his pants as her mouth licked and nibbled at his chest, hearing him draw quick breaths at the sensations. Shoving his pants down off his hips, her hand reached inside his boxers grasping his erection, massaging it – as he expelled a long, low growl. His eyes rolled back in his head with a deep sigh as he let her play with him.

Afraid to go too far she released him, her hands and mouth slid back up his chest to be met with his hungry mouth yet again - the feel of his warm bare chest on hers pushed her further. He stepped out of his pants and shoes, leaving them in only their panties and boxers.

As he lifted her off the ground, Haley wrapped her legs tightly around his waist letting him carry her over to the couch across the room, their mouths never broke till she forced herself further up his body, placing a breast in his mouth, letting him suck her hardened nipple as he moved them toward the couch.

He laid her gently on the couch, the first gentle motions he had since he’d stormed through the door. Grasping her panties with both hands he hastily propelled them down her legs, tossing them aside before dropping his boxers, leaving them in a heap beside the couch.

Haley let her legs fall easily apart, watching his eyes sweep over her body. He was drawing quick ragged breaths as his chest heaved rapidly with anticipation. He straddled her, placing one knee on the inside of the couch, the other foot still on the ground as her hovered above her. She held her arms up to him, urging him to come down to her – he complied; his lips took over hers again as their tongues rolled together. His fingers played between her legs as she moaned louder into his mouth, panting at the erotic sensations shooting through her body. Her legs spread ever further apart. Her body quivered as she wiggled against his fingers soaked by her wet flow.

He pushed himself fully into her, Haley arched up into him, crying out his name, her breaths were short and panting as he moved in her. Her mind knew nothing but the thrill of his deep strokes in her. Her reactions were sending him over the edge.

He was trying to hold on as long as he could, he wanted her to savor every moment, remember what it was like with him, make her want more, make her want him. His pace quickened, he couldn’t stop it, her moaning, her whimpered begging for him to push harder and faster, the way she was clawing at his back, he was losing control.

Their eyes met, holding each other there before their lips melded together again. Her legs wrapped tighter around him, holding him to her, matching him move for move, faster and faster until he emitted a long, low panted groan; her, loud breathless cries. Their bodies shuddered together as she felt him release in her, her own body constricted around his length enhancing their ecstasy.

She pulled his mouth back to hers not wanting to lose the taste of him as his body relaxed near limp on hers. He let her kiss him, not responding back as her lips moved against his, letting her soft hands smooth his mussed hair as she kissed him further. He kept his eyes closed afraid to meet hers, suddenly self conscience. Massive waves of guilt hit him as he replayed his actions.

“Nathan…,” her voice was soft and quiet, as she caressed his face, “Nathan…”

“Hmm?” he barely responded as his body tensed.

“Nathan look at me,” she asked holding his face tenderly in her hands. He couldn’t look at her on his own. He finally felt her gently tilt his head up. He barely met her eyes. She could see they were full of guilt, embarrassment, he could hardly hold her gaze.

“Haley…I’m…,” he haltingly whispered before she laid a finger across his lips.

“Shhh,” she said softly, a light smile on her lips, “don’t you dare say you’re sorry.”

He pushed himself up off of her, sitting beside her on the couch as he pulled his boxers back on. A rambling apology ran through his head – he didn’t know where to start. He’d forced himself on her. He’d never forced himself on a girl in his life, and he had to start with Haley. He felt like a complete bastard – like she should call the cops on him or something, a pathetic excuse for a man. His head fell into his hands holding it there for what seemed like an eternity.

“Here,” he mumbled handing over her panties from where they’d landed on the floor, once again embarrassed at the total jolt that ran straight through his loins as he caught the slightest glimpse of her still naked body stretched out on the couch.

The complete desire to take her again was rapidly overtaking him as he hurried over to grab his clothes. He jerked up his pants and threw his shirt on before gathering up Haley’s clothes. He averted his eyes as he handed them back to her.

“Nathan please sit down,” she pleaded as she wriggled back into her skirt and buttoned her shirt – his pacing was making her nervous.

He couldn’t stop pacing or blowing out long sighs, his hands ran frustratingly through his hair. He felt like the lowest form of life on earth. He was madly in love with this girl, and he’d basically taken her after she told him to stop. What kind of person did that?

“Nathan please,” she pleaded again. Her voice was louder and stronger this time. She felt as if the haze was finally lifting from her brain.

“Haley…I…I can’t stay here. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I never should have done that. I…god…I’m…I’m such a bastard! I forced myself on you Haley – I’m so, so sorry.”

“You didn’t force yourself on me Nathan…”

“Yes I did! You said stop - you said stop twice and I…I didn’t stop. I just kept going…till I got what I wanted. I’m sorry Haley.”

“You think I didn’t want this? You’re wrong Nathan. I loved every minute of it. I wanted it Nathan. I wanted you.”

“No you didn’t.”

“Don’t tell me I didn’t! I could have easily stopped you with a swift knee to the crotch Nathan. I didn’t want to stop you. I don’t even know why I said it…I think I was just overwhelmed by the feelings rushing through me when you kissed me. I melted from the minute your hands touched me Nathan. I wanted you, and if you couldn’t tell then…then I’m definitely losing my touch. I thought it was pretty obvious I was into it. We just made incredible love, had mind blowing sex Nathan…don’t turn it into something ugly.”

“I’m sorry…I…I have to go,” he mumbled rushing quickly out of her office.

Dan scurried from the lobby out into the hall when he heard the knob rattle. Barbara had stopped him several minutes prior when he ventured in heading toward Haley’s office…….

“Barbara,” he nodded as he moved past her figure standing in the lobby.

Her hands wringing nervously together made it difficult to gather her things.

“Mr. Scott,” she uttered with panic, a flush spread across her face, as she hustled over to block his path, “can I help you with something Mr. Scott?”

“I was just going back to see Haley,” he smiled down at her, wondering if she’d taken her hormone pill today considering she seemed quite flushed and nervous, once again trying to get past her.

“Umm..no…,” she sputtered grabbing his arm.

“No?” he replied incredulously, glancing down at her hand that had a death grip on his arm.

“I mean…you can’t go in there right now Mr. Scott. She umm, she umm, has someone with her right now. Can’t it wait until tomorrow Mr. Scott?”

“I won’t bother them. I’ll just pop my head in,” smiling at her as he tried to pry her fingers off his arm.

“No Mr. Scott…please. Please, you really can’t go in there right now. Please,” she begged.

He sighed, staring at her for a moment trying to figure out just when Barbara had become such a nut. He’d never noticed it before. She’d worked for him for years, hell he’d hand picked her to be Haley’s administrative assistant because of her impeccable skills, but somewhere along the way she’d apparently lost her marbles.

“Barbara,” he started with a tone you’d use to reason with a child or someone threatening suicide, “would you like to let go of me please. Is there something you’d like to tell me Barbara?”

“Umm…oh Mr. Scott…she’s…she’s busy that’s all - please understand.”

“Who’s with her Barbara?”

“Well sir…I’m not positive…but umm…I think it’s your son.”

“My son?” the shock registered in his voice, “are you sure?”

“I didn’t recognize him at first, but it finally dawned on me who he was. Tall, dark hair…quite handsome…”

“Nathan?”

“Yes…yes sir,” she smiled, “Nathan.”

“Really…hmm, how interesting. When did he get here?”

“Oh it was several minutes ago. He was quite upset when he came in, but…I…I think he got over it,” she sighed, her face once again flushed beet red.

“He did?” Dan chuckled. “How do you know that?”

“Mr. Scott…please don’t make me answer that,” she sighed again, rubbing her temples trying to ease the pounding.

Dan stared at her frustrated expression, freeing his arm from her grasp, he moved further toward Haley’s office. He came up short when he heard the noises coming from the other side of the door. A smile spread wide across his face…did he know his son or what?

He wiped the smile from his face before returning quickly to the lobby.

“I see what you mean Barbara. Why don’t you go ahead and leave for the day, I think it’s a fair bet Haley won’t need you anymore today,” his need to smile was almost getting the best of him.

“Thank you Mr. Scott,” Barbara said relieved, grabbing up her things she made a hasty exit.

Dan picked up the phone quickly punching in the numbers; he waited impatiently for an answer.

“Hello.”

“Deb…it worked. The other man tactic. God, he fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Do I know my son, or do I know my son?” Dan was positively giddy.

“How do you know it worked?” Deb asked trying to contain her excitement.

“He’s in her office right now, and let’s just say…it’s noisy in there,” he laughed quietly.

“Her office! Oh my lord Dan…couldn’t he wait till she got home or something.”

“Shit I gotta go, I hear someone coming out,” he threw out, quickly replacing the receiver before high tailing it out of the lobby.

“Nathan?” Dan greeted him, coming around the hall corner, pretending surprise at seeing Nathan banging impatiently on the elevator button.

“Dad,” he replied distractedly, once again pushing the button, his hand tried to straighten his hair yet again.

“I’m surprised to see you here. What’s the occasion?”

“None of your business,” he muttered.

“Did you see Haley?”

Nathan didn’t respond, instead he concentrated on the numbers above the elevator, wishing his number would hurry, he had to get away from here…especially now with his father’s eyes boring into him.

He’d never been able to decide whether he preferred the pre-heart attack asshole father or the post-heart attack concerned father. He’d learned how to deal with the asshole version, but even after all these years, the post version still made him cringe – always waiting for the other shoe to drop - it hadn’t so far, but he was still certain someday it would.

“Nathan…is something wrong?” Dan inquired, becoming concerned the sounds he heard weren’t as fulfilling as they’d seemed.

“I’m taking the stairs,” he mumbled. Stalking off toward the staircase at the end of the hall he disappeared quickly behind the door.

“Well what the hell crawled up his ass now?” Dan muttered to himself heading straight for Haley’s office. He rapped lightly on the door pushing it open, not waiting for an invitation.

“Nathan?” she called anxiously, her face dropped as she saw Dan pop his head around the door. “Oh Dan…hi, come in,” she sighed, sitting back dejectedly in her chair.

“Sorry – not Nathan,” he smiled. “I just saw him in the hall. I didn’t realize you all had business.”

“We didn’t. Is there something in particular you needed Dan?” she asked running a heavy hand through her hair.

Well this wasn’t going to work either he thought. She was in no better mood than Nathan. How two people could make the sounds they were, and both appear totally depressed minutes later was beyond him.

“Umm no, no Haley, I was going to ask you how the game went last night with Mike, but you look pretty tired. We can talk about it tomorrow,” he smiled pushing himself out of the chair to go.

“The game went fine Dan. Mike seemed to enjoy himself so…I guess it went fine, and they won so everybody’s happy right?”

“Right…,” he replied annoyed. These two were going to take more work – office sex wasn’t going to be enough. “Go home Haley, you look beat. See you tomorrow. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Dan.”

It was going on eight o’clock and she hadn’t left the office yet. She hadn’t done any work in the past two hours either. Staring at her computer screen, rolling her pen around the desk, tapping her nails, sighing, sighing, sighing – she’d done a lot of heavy sighing. It wasn’t until the cleaning crew tapped on her door asking if it was alright if they came in and vacuumed that she finally snapped out of it.

She’d replayed the earlier events in her head so much it was burned in there by now. Going from feeling the heat building within her again, to almost utter despair at the way Nathan had bolted out the door. She glanced at the couch once more before she exited her office, she couldn’t help but wonder how many other couches in these offices had provided a backdrop to events similar to hers. Not many she mused…certainly not with the same passion hers had.

“Shit!” she heard her mumble before the, “hello.”

“That was a heck of a greeting there Peyton. I think you’re supposed to say hello before you curse,” she laughed.

“I’m…I’m trying to cook…ow - damn it! Hang on a minute!” she screeched before the phone went clattering to the counter.

Haley couldn’t stop the laughter. Peyton cooking…that was always an adventure – usually an adventure in disaster, but she had to give her credit for her continued efforts.

“I’m back, several burn marks later, but I’m back.”

“What are you making?”

“Spaghetti. Something as simple as spaghetti and I still can’t get it right. I better get rich soon so I can hire a cook or I’m going to blow up like a blowfish from all the fast food I’ve taken to eating lately.”

“You do know all the fast food places have salads?”

“Who the heck wants salad when the burgers, and tacos, and pizza, etc., etc, are screaming my name. Peyton…Peyton… - I can hear them now,” she laughed. “Jake’s just going to have to eat it – poor sucker – you want to come eat with us?”

“No…no thanks – I don’t want to cramp Jake’s style by horning in on your dinner.”

“Jake’s style? Jake has no style Haley. What you see is what you get. Period.”

“Yeah well you love it.”

“Yeah I do. So what’s new in Haley world?”

“Well…,” she sighed, the apprehension evident in her voice.

“Stop, stop right there. I know that ‘well’. Let me guess…a man, a tall, dark haired man, a man overloaded with attitude and baggage. A man named Nathan?”

“You need to start your own psychic hot line Peyton.”

“You’re easy to read when it comes to him. What’s the scoop – another pregnant slash not pregnant girlfriend? Another bar fight…”

“Peyton…”

“Sorry that was stupid. Sorry Haley. What happened?”

“He came to my office this evening. He was madder than I think I’ve ever seen him.”

“Well that says something right there considering the guy’s on the verge of being pissed most of the time.”

“He is not. Anyway…I went to his game last night with a client – a man. Dan gave me the tickets and asked me to take the guy – what the hell was I supposed to say? No – take him yourself?”

“To Dan Scott? Umm…no, not the best route to take I’d say. Go on.”

So was this part of Dan’s plan Peyton silently questioned herself.

“Nathan saw us. I mean how could he see us, he’s supposed to be playing a basketball game not looking around the crowd.”

“You must be his Waldo.”

“His what?” Haley laughed.

“You know, Where’s Waldo? He can find your red stripped shirt anywhere.”

“God you’re weird – so anyway…he comes barging into my office, yelling at me about how dare I bring this guy to his game, and rub his face in it, and on and on and…let me tell you he was losing it – just totally losing it…,” she paused trying to figure out the best way to say the next part.

“And…? Haley? And then…?”

“And then…I don’t know what happened…it was so fast I couldn’t even think…he had me backed against the wall and was ripping my clothes off and god Peyton…”

“Don’t stop there!”

“And I was tearing his clothes off and Peyton - the sex…it was absolutely incredible! I couldn’t believe it!”

“Angry sex is always hot – or so I hear…Jake’s never angry so I wouldn’t know, he’s more the slow striptease type, he…”

“Peyton! Focus…we’re talking about my sex here!”

“Ooops sorry. So it was hot huh? Then what happened, did you lay together and smoke cigarettes or what?”

“He left. He gave me some stupid apology and left.”

“What! What the hell did he do that for?”

“Because…when it first started I was so…so overwhelmed, so flabbergasted by the whole thing I told him to stop.”

“And he didn’t.”

“No…but I didn’t want him to stop Peyton – I was just shocked is all. I wanted it every bit as much as he did, but he kept replaying that damn stop in his head after it was over, and he felt guilty I guess. I kept telling him it was okay, but he just kept apologizing and left.”

“Call him.”

“What?”

“Call him – or better yet go see him. Don’t let it sit out there Haley. You know how Nathan is, he’s going to stew and stew over it till it becomes this huge thing in his head. You need to squash it right now.”

“I don’t know Peyt. He was really upset.”

“Yeah – with himself. You need to talk it out before he builds another layer on that stupid wall he keeps himself locked behind. Hey baby,” she heard her greet Jake, their kiss smacked through the receiver. “It’s Haley…she and Nathan had sex in her office today.”

“PEYTON!”

“Go Haley!” she heard Jake yell.

“Thanks Peyton!”

“What…he was going to find out sooner or later anyway. Now go see him, then call me back and let me know how the sex was this time,” she laughed.

“Sure thing Peyt. Thanks loads for the sage advice.”

“Seriously Haley – you need to talk to him. Call him, go see him, something – don’t let it sit Haley.”

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it while I’m in the shower. Thanks for listening Peyton. I’ll talk to you later.”

She got in the hot shower, letting the water wash over her, not noticing how her skin was reddening from the heat of the water. Her mind wasn’t in the shower, it was in her office, where Nathan’s hands were moving around her body, and his mouth and tongue were kissing her, licking her, and they were moaning and…cold water, she needed cold water, she quickly turned the hot back and the cold up.

‘Go see him’, ‘go see him’, she kept replaying Peyton’s advice as she dried her hair. “Stop looking at me like that,” she told the reflection in the mirror. “I know I should go, but maybe he’s not ready to talk about it yet... So…just because I am…I need to respect his wishes too don’t you think?”

“Answer me idiot!” she yelled at herself annoyed when she didn’t get a response. “Okay - I’m going so shut up.” You’re a loon Haley; you’re a complete loon she admonished herself as she dug through some clothes.

“What do I wear? Casual like it was last minute, a little dressier like I’ve been thinking about it…how about pajamas, like I just leapt from the bed and raced over? How about stop talking to yourself stupid.”

She pawed through her drawer, pulling out a pale pink bra and matching pink thong… She stared at them briefly…pink. “Like he’ll notice,” she mumbled to herself before throwing a tight shirt and loose shorts over the top of them. She fluffed at her hair. She massaged some lip gloss into her lips grabbing up her make-up bag. “Oh screw the make-up,” she muttered tossing it aside.

She checked herself critically in the mirror again, tugging down at the top so the scooped neck dipped a little lower wishing for the thousandth time she had more cleavage to show off. “One tight, one loose…god you’re such a loser! He probably won’t even let you in – hell he’s probably out at some bar screwing some random girl. Go loser before you chicken out.”

Great, it’s going to rain, she whined to herself, leaning up to get a better look out the windshield, watching the lightening streak across the sky. Better hurry before I end up a soaked mess standing on his doorstep.

Okay Nathan, could you have gotten just a little bigger house – shaking her head in awe at the mansion that set at the end of the long driveway. One person, no telling how many bedrooms…yeah that makes so much sense she thought, pushing the doorbell again.

“Yeah I know it’s almost midnight, but answer the freakin’ door will ya?” She pounded on the bell for what seemed like the tenth time. She saw lights on; she assumed that meant somebody was there.

She did a quick glance toward her chest. “Come on guys,” she whined as she quickly stuffed her hand down the front of her bra tugging up on her breasts trying to perk them up for better viewing. She jerked down at her top trying to get it to dip lower. “Hopeless,” she mumbled. “I should have worn the push-up bra.” Her fingers dug nervously into her palm as her teeth nipped at the corner of her mouth.

“Stop that shit, I’m coming!” she heard the crabby growl from inside the house. “Do you know what time…,”he barked, “it is?” he finished softly when he saw Haley standing there.

He’d either been in bed or close to it because he was wearing a pair of pajama pants and a beater; his hair was sticking up here and there. Haley drew a sharp breath at the sight of his body…give me strength God she prayed quickly.

Chapter 35

“Hi.”

“Hi,” he replied quietly, his eyes did a slow sweep of her body.

He’s checking me out! She wanted to giggle, but bit hard on her lip to keep it from forming. “Sorry it’s so late. Are you busy?”

“Hunh?” he mumbled, having a hard time getting his eyes to move above her neck.

“Are you busy?” she asked again, smiling, but suppressing the giggle that threatened to burst out again.

“What? Oh man…I’m sorry – no god - I’m not busy come in,” he stammered stepping aside to let her pass into the house.

“Thanks,” she smiled brushing past. “Wow! This is nice Nathan.”

“Thanks.”

“One decorating tip – you might want to get a little more furniture,” she laughed seeing the large room was all but empty, save for a leather couch, a couple of chairs, and a lone table.

“Yeah,” he smiled, “I sold most of my furniture with the house in Boston. I pretty much brought my bedroom furniture and a few other pieces. I’ll get some decorator or something to take care of it for me one of these days.”

“That’ll be nice,” she replied, the nerves were beginning to well up in her as she looked nervously around the room, biting her lip, she tucked her hair behind her ear again. “So…”

“So…,” he prodded before letting out a little chuckle, “I’d help you out Haley if I knew what to help you out with. I take it this isn’t a social call…or have you developed a habit of dropping in on people late at night?”

“No not really,” she said with a little laugh. “I umm, I…, we need to talk about what happened earlier,” she blurted out much more bluntly than she had intended, quickly moving to sit in a chair before she melted into a puddle of nerves in front of him.

“Oh,” his voice was barely audible, his face dropped nervously. “Okay…maybe I should sit down too,” he mumbled dropping on the couch, leaning his elbows on his thighs. His hands ran quickly through his hair, drawing a deep breath before finally speaking softly. “I’m sorry about today Haley. I feel so terrible about it – honestly, just terrible. I’ve never forced myself on a girl in my life. I have no excuse for what I did okay…I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t understand why you’re so sorry about it Nathan.”

“Because…you told me to stop Haley, and I didn’t. Hell, I didn’t even slow down!” he blew out, the frustration with himself evident. “That’s just not right – people end up in jail for the kind of shit I did.”

“Jail? You can’t be serious. I may have said stop in the beginning, but I didn’t mean it. I would have hoped you could tell that. I enjoyed it Nathan – every second of it.”

“It…that doesn’t matter. It never should have gotten that far.”

“You didn’t enjoy it?”

“WHAT! Sorry…sorry,” he quickly recovered his calm. “I enjoyed the hell out of it okay, but I keep telling you that’s beside the point. Guys are taught - hell it’s beat in their brains - that when a girl says no it means no. No matter where you are in the process. If your…hands just wandering or…or you’re naked – if she says no - that’s it. Everybody knows that Haley. I mean you may not be happy about it, but it’s over. That’s just the way it works. In polite society, no means no. Period. I didn’t follow the rules…I’m sorry – I was wrong, that’s all there is to it.”

She didn’t know what to say. He was truly upset with himself. Contrite is what he was. He could barely look at her, his eyes settled on just about anything but her.

Well, this is just ridiculous she thought. He’s…he’s just going to have to get over it. This was just dumb. She wanted sex with him just as much as he wanted it with her. No may mean no in some cases…probably most cases, but not in this one.

She moved over to sit with him on the couch, trying to catch his eye, make him look at her so she could make him understand. He refused to look her way. “Nathan, normally I’d agree with you okay. No does, and should mean no, but this just isn’t one of those cases.”

“Haley…”

“Let me finish. Let’s think about it a minute okay. What does polite society say about a woman who says stop, and then lets the man take her clothes off huh?” She spoke slowly, her voice getting lower with every word she uttered. “What does polite society say about a woman who says stop, and then kisses the man…licks his chest…runs her tongue around in his mouth?” Nathan refused to look at her, his chest was starting to rise and fall faster, he rubbed hard at his forehead, licking his lips over and over. He didn’t have a collar on his shirt, but he felt a desperate need to tug at one to ease the over heated feeling rolling up his neck.

“What does polite society say about her Nathan? She says stop, and then she takes the mans clothes off - she moans over and over at his touch, at the feelings that consume her when his mouth is moving all over her body, when his hands caress her, massage her breasts. She lays down, and then opens her legs for him. What does polite society say about her? Doesn’t sound like someone that really wants him to stop to me…does it you Nathan?” Her words were a deep whisper as she leaned in closer to him.

He couldn’t answer, his mouth had gone dry, the words constricted in his throat. His chest was heaving. He held his head between his hands to keep himself from looking at her. He was willing himself not to moan out loud at her words, the bulge in his pants was straining to get out, he could feel himself start to sweat at the heat she was generating in him.

“I’d say a woman who does all that definitely doesn’t want him to stop. She lets him in her and then moves with him, her legs wrapped so tight around him, moaning at the feel of him in her. I mean baby she’s breathing so heavy she can barely catch her breath it feels so good. Oh god it feels so good,” she panted out. “She doesn’t want to stop…she wants him Nathan,” she whispered hotly to him. “Can’t you see that…she wants him. Mmm Nathan…baby, she can’t stop…she doesn’t want to stop, she keeps moving with him, harder…faster and faster…until they both explode,” her whispered moans filled his ears.

“She never wanted him to stop Nathan. Never…can’t you tell that…? Nathan?”

“I…,” he choked out, he couldn’t catch his breath, he was so hard it was almost painful.

“You what Nathan?” she murmured to him, getting up, standing in front of him. “Nathan…,” she said softly, placing her hand under his chin, lifting his head, holding it there till he finally let his dark eyes meet hers. “She didn’t want him to stop did she?” she repeated, slowly pulling her shirt over her head. She easily wiggled her shorts down her legs, standing not a foot from him in her bra and thong.

Her body filled his eyes as they moved over her, his breaths were coming out in pants, a short moan escaped his lips as his lust for her was overwhelming him.

“She doesn’t want him to stop now either,” she whispered, pushing gently on his chest, forcing him down on his back. He couldn’t say anything, his breathing was so erratic, her seductive words clamoring in his head so loudly he couldn’t think…he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was so beautiful.

Her eyes swept down his body, stopping at the protruding bulge in his pants. She smiled at him, letting her hand drag lightly over it, “I think she sees something else she likes too. Do you want her to stop Nathan?”

“No,” he mouthed, the sound barely crossed his lips.

“Good,” she smiled, straddling herself across him, leaning down closer to his face, her lips lightly brushed against his. Nathan opened his mouth, pushing it toward her, Haley pulled back before it could reach her.

“Unnh, c’mere Hales,” he groaned lightly, his hand reached up behind her head pulling her toward him.

“You want sex don’t you Nathan?” she continued to whisper, slowly grinding herself against him. “I know how you want it don’t I. You want it hot – you like to work up a sweat don’t you…and loud – oh yeah - you like to hear the sex don’t you baby? I know I do...mmm that’s how I like it too Nathan.”

“Yes…you know that’s how I want it…you know what I want. I want you Hales…no more talking baby,” he whispered, his lips consuming hers.

She rolled over stretching languidly across the bed. Her arm reached over…her hand feeling…feeling…nothing. Her head popped up taking in the empty space beside her looking tiredly around the dark room. The only light was provided by the lightening that seeped through the blinds every few seconds.

The emptiness of the room hit her again as she felt the cool air against her naked body as she threw the covers back, padding across the room to his dresser. Opening a drawer, then another, till she found the one holding his t-shirts. Taking out the top one she pulled it over her head moving out the door.

There were no lights on in the house. She began to wonder if he’d left. Gone out for some reason…for something…trying to figure out what he could possibly need so desperately at this time of night that would cause him to go out in the pouring rain.

Coming down the stairs, the silence of the house, the sounds of the storm began to unnerve her. She wandered toward where she assumed the kitchen might be…maybe he was hungry? And then she saw him, sitting in the den, the blinds over the window turned open.

Nathan sat in a soft chair, in front of the window…staring blankly out of it, sipping on a drink, his mind obviously a million miles away. His face was unmoving save for his eyes…even from her vantage she could see they were wide open, they looked pained, hurt…weary as they peered unblinking into the darkness outside. Not flinching at the lightening that flashed in them, the flashes that filled the room, at the sheets of rain that pelted the window.

“Hey,” she said softly as she approached him carefully, not wanting to startle him.

He jumped anyway, turning his head toward her with a light smile on his lips. “Hey,” he returned just as softly. “Did the rain wake you?”

“No. You woke me. I turned over and you weren’t there. I was getting cold and my blanket was gone,” she smiled.

“Sorry,” he chuckled lightly.

“Couldn’t sleep? After all we did you couldn’t sleep?”

“Oh I did for a little bit. All the rain…the thunder and lightening…it just…woke me up that’s all. C’mere,” he said taking her hand guiding her over settling her on his lap, his arm wrapped around her waist as he placed a light kiss on her cheek.

Haley let the back of her fingers stroke lightly on his cheek, his eyes never left the window, his brow furrowed deeper the harder he stared. She could smell the liquor on his breath. The glass in his hand, the half empty Scotch bottle sitting on the table next to him had her own brow furrowing.

“So…that smell strong,” she said taking the glass from his hand holding it up to her nose - the smell of the strong liquor filled her senses.

He didn’t respond, gently taking the glass back from her, letting it dangle from his fingers as his hand rested lazily over the arm’s edge.

“Can I assume you haven’t drunk as much as that bottle makes it look like you have?”

“No…it’s taken more than one night like this one to get that far…Don’t worry Haley, I’m not an alcoholic.”

“I wasn’t trying to imply you were Nathan,” she replied, letting her head rest against his shoulder as she stroked his cheek again. “You want to talk about it?”

“I don’t know what to say,” he said quietly after a long silence. “I can’t get past it…nights like this it all comes back…the rain, the wreck, the sirens…you, the baby. I don’t know how to let it go,” his voice was barely above a whisper, the pain ebbed from his eyes, as he took another long sip from his glass.

“Have you ever thought about seeing somebody?”

“What like a shrink or something? No…what am I supposed to tell them Haley…I made my pregnant girlfriend go with me to some stupid banquet, I had a wreck, almost got her killed and oh yeah - I did get our baby killed by the way,” he scoffed lightly. “And now doc - every time it storms - I have a mental meltdown – sit in the dark and drink like some sort of weirdo. What’s your diagnosis? I’m a pathetic loser…thanks – here’s your two hundred bucks. See ya next week. No thanks,” he mumbled. “I’d rather not waste my money and a professional’s time on my ridiculous self.” He took another long drink from his glass.

Haley wiped quickly at the tears that had dropped from her eyes. The last thing he needed was for her to start bawling, but the pain in his voice, the self hatred, the guilt he still felt after all this time was tearing at her. If she had stayed, tried harder to work through it with him instead of only thinking of herself, of her own pain, he might not be in this condition. Racked with guilt for something he had no control over. He didn’t cause the wreck; they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“I’m sorry Nathan. I hate it that you’re still so consumed with it. It wasn’t your fault – you have to know that. I certainly don’t blame you…for anything. I didn’t then…I don’t now. I never will. We have to get you past it Nathan. We have to do something…you can’t live the rest of you life like this…eating at yourself. We have to do something.”

“We?”

“We. I want to help you. I want to be there for you…do whatever it takes for you to move forward…for us to move forward…together.”

For the first time he pulled his eyes away from the window, from the storm that had taken him over. He held her eyes with his. “What are you saying Haley?” he finally spoke.

“I’m saying I want to help you. I’m saying…I want to be with you…again – if you’ll have me,” smiling hopefully at him. “I’m saying I love you Nathan. I’m sick and tired of pretending I don’t…pretending I’m okay without you. I’m not. I haven’t been. I never stopped loving you. I don’t even think I’m capable of stopping.”

He released a heavy sigh; his head fell back against the chair, his eyes once more turned toward the window. “I never thought I’d ever hear you say that to me again. I’ve wanted it…I wanted to hear you say those words so badly it hurt, but...”

The sound of the rain against the windows filled the room. But what…she felt as if the air was being sucked out of the room. He hadn’t looked at her…still staring out the window…

“But what…you don’t love me? Is that it? If you don’t…just…I mean you can tell me Nathan. I wouldn’t blame you. I wouldn’t love me either after the way I…failed you. I mean if you don’t…I’ll umm, I mean I’ll be okay…eventually,” she blew out lightly. “I think I should go,” she finished quietly, trying to push herself off his lap.

“What? No…what – no what are you doing? Sit down,” he said snapping to again tugging her back down on him. “I’m sorry…I think I had a brain freeze or something. Sorry. I was going to say but…I’d given up hope of ever hearing you say it again. I thought you were gone forever Haley. I thought I’d blown it but good last time you said those words to me. I love you. I never stopped loving you either.”

“You do?” she grinned at him.

“Yes I do,” he smiled back. “I love you.”

She laid her forehead against his, caressing his face as she left soft pecks on his lips, sighing at the sheer comfort being in his lap gave her, the comfort his lips on hers gave her. She could feel his body relaxing more as she stroked his face, kissed him. His face began to relax, soften more with each movement…until the tremendous crack of lightening and boom of thunder made him jump in his chair, his body went rigid at the noise.

“We need to get away from this window…come on,” she said climbing from his lap taking his hand, pulling at him to get up from the chair.

“No…I can’t…no,” he stammered pulling his hand from hers.

“Yes you can Nathan,” she said softly but firmly, tugging on his hands once again. “I’m going back to bed and you’re going with me. Come on,” she said pulling harder on him.

“Haley…no,” he sighed.

“Nathan…yes. Do you want me to threaten you with no sex if you don’t come?” she lightly joked trying to look stern with her hands on hips glare.

He let loose a soft chuckle, “If I don’t get any…neither do you.”

“Okay…so that idea sucked. Please Nathan; just come with me…try…please.”

With a heavy sigh he reluctantly forced himself out of his chair letting her lead him back to the bedroom. He propped his pillows up against the headboard before climbing in and leaning back on them, reaching back for the television remote as Haley tried to get herself settled in beside him.

“Still a wiggler I see,” he smirked down at her.

“No television,” she said snatching the remote from him clicking the T.V. off and tossing the remote to the floor on her side of the bed. “Lay down.”

“Kind of bossy aren’t you?”

“What else is new – lay down,” she repeated.

“Haley…this is ridiculous…I won’t be able to sleep – I need the T.V. to drown out the noise... Just let me go back downstairs okay, at least that way you can sleep,” he grumped throwing back the covers.

“Nathan…no! You’re not even trying. Here,” she said shuffling her pillows around so she was slightly propped herself. “Here…right here,” she smiled patting her shoulder, “lay your pretty little head right here.”

“Haley I’m not a damn kid alright. I’m…a…a nut case. Just let it be.”

“I won’t let it be. Please lay down…I’m begging you Nathan - just try.”

“Damn it,” he huffed, agitatedly throwing the covers back over himself, scooting over to lay his head on her shoulder. “Happy?” he grumbled.

“Yes,” she smiled victoriously, dropping a kiss on his head, wrapping her arms around him as she laid her head against his.

“I love you,” she whispered, holding him tightly to her as she lightly stroked his head - leaving more soft kisses on it as she did. Her other hand slowly rubbed and massaged his shoulder and down his arm. It took several long minutes, and a lot of squirming on his part, but she finally began to feel him relax against her - his head got heavier against her shoulder, his breathing grew steadier, a light sleep began to take him.

She kept stroking him, leaving kisses on him, swatting away the tears she couldn’t stop from falling out. She couldn’t believe he’d been so broken, his psyche in such disarray all this time. Hearing about it, and seeing it were two different things. His pain was so apparent, so clear. She was finding it hard to fathom how he’d lived by himself this long without going totally crazy. No wonder alcohol had become such a friend to him – at least it was a friend that numbed the pain…made it seem as if it cared about his plight.

Still holding him in her arms she finally drifted off to sleep herself, her head eased further into the pillows, the sounds of the storm actually lulling her to sleep. She’d only been out for what she thought were minutes when she felt his body jerking next to her. He began making abstract, indescribable little noises into her shoulder – his head began jerking as well. She opened her eyes glancing down into his face, she could see his eyes were still tightly shut, a deep furrow in his brow.

“Shhh,” she tried coaxing him, rubbing his arm and head again, “shhh it’s okay,” she whispered to him.

“No - Haley!” he yelled bolting straight up, his breathing was fast and labored. “Haley!” He breathlessly gulped all but gasping for air.

“Nathan,” she called out loudly to him, his head snapped around to the unexpected voice. “Nathan I’m here…right here.”

His eyes were wide open staring at her, as if not recognizing her. “Wha…Haley?” he stammered, his voice was full of confusion. “Haley?” he quickly breathed out again, pushing further away from her.

“Nathan it’s me. It’s okay…I’m okay. Come here baby,” she said softly, holding her arms out to him. “Come here.”

He threw his legs over the side of the bed, leaning his elbows on his thighs holding his head between his hands still trying to ease his breathing. She crawled over behind him, laying her head on his damp back, reaching her arms around him holding him tight. His body tensed further at her touch. “I’m here Nathan…everything’s okay. I’m fine. We’re fine,” she sighed, leaning up to rub his back. “Relax baby…relax,” she whispered continually rubbing his back.

“God…I need a drink.” He blew out a long breath before pushing himself off the bed and heading for the door.

He hadn’t gotten one foot out before Haley called after him. “There’s a bathroom in here Nathan…you can get a drink of water in there.”

He was gone for several seconds – before he walked back through the door. “Fine,” he complained, “fine!” He flipped on the bathroom light and filled a paper cup several times.

He flopped back harshly on the bed with a heavy sigh. “I tried to tell you Haley. I tried to tell you. I can’t sleep okay. I just…I just can’t! Now do you see,” his voice rose louder, “I’m freakin’ crazy Haley…I’m not worth it. Let’s just not do this alright? Let’s just stop before we get started again. You don’t need this kind of crap in your life. You’ll be better off believe me.”

“No I won’t. I’ve already been without you too long. I won’t be without you any longer. It’s going to take time Nathan, but I’m going to be here. I’m going to help you. You were sleeping. You were sound asleep.”

“Well I woke up didn’t I,” he snapped back at her.

“Okay you had a bad dream…you can see I’m here…I’m fine. I’m willing to bet the more I’m here the better it’ll get. Those dreams will go away with time Nathan. Do you want to tell me about it?” she asked softly.

“No, I do not,” he grumbled low.

“It might help to talk about it.”

“I said no,” he returned sharply.

“Okay – that’s okay you don’t have to. Let’s see if we can’t get you relaxed again,” she said with a small smile, reaching over to rub his chest.

“Don’t bother. If you won’t let me get a drink so I can relax then just…leave me alone. Just go to sleep,” he griped with another heavy sigh, staring annoyed at the ceiling. “I’ll just lay here and count those fucking sheep of yours,” he bit out.

“Hey - get your own animal,” she teased nudging him in the arm.

He closed his eyes, his face was still totally stiff with tension, his jaw still clenching. “Stop staring at me,” he grumbled to her, feeling her eyes on him.

“I’m just looking at you jeez. You’re pretty,” she smiled while her hand still rubbed gentle circles around his chest.

“I’m not pretty…I’m handsome.”

“Oh really. Little stuck on yourself aren’t you?”

“Whatever. Truth’s the truth,” he shrugged trying to hold back the smile. He kept his eyes tightly closed.

“I swear you have always had the biggest ego. My god you’re vain.”

He shrugged.

“Not even going to try and deny it are you?” she said trying to sound disgusted. She stopped her massage.

He shrugged again.

“Keep rubbing,” he ordered waving his hand at her.

“Oh now you’re getting demanding too. What if I want something?”

“Like?”

“Like…sex. Yeah…that’s right…maybe I want a little sex to relax me.”

He popped an eye open at her, fighting off a smirk, “Do you?”

“Maybe.”

“Then get over here and get it,” he threw back.

She crawled on top of him, capturing his lips with hers; her fingers tangled through his hair as her tongue quickly worked its way into his mouth. “What?” she questioned irritated when she felt him chuckling beneath her.

“I thought you were kidding,” he grinned up at her.

“Hell no…I don’t kid about sex pretty boy. When I want it, I want it…so give it up,” she demanded, taking over his mouth again.

She slowly opened her eyes, stretching her arms over her head as she yawned – she smiled glancing over at Nathan’s still sound asleep form beside her – now this was the way it was supposed to be.

Blinking rapidly trying to drive back the sleep from her brain, she suddenly noticed the hint of daylight through the window. Crap – what time is it she wondered in a slight panic, sitting straight up to see the clock on the other side of Nathan read eight ten. Oh shit! I’m never going to get showered, home to change, and get there by nine she whined to herself.

She scrambled out of the bed running into the bathroom turning on the shower to get the water warmed up as she hunted through Nathan’s drawers and cabinets for things she needed. She found a half dozen still packaged toothbrushes in one of the drawers. Excellent she smiled. Wait…why the hell does he keep so many new toothbrushes…don’t ask she told herself quickly.

She jumped in the shower barely lingering enough to enjoy it before hastily washing herself. She gave his shampoo choice a slight frown before submitting to using it. Ugh! This stuff smells like a man she groaned to herself as she scrubbed her head wanting to rinse it out as quickly as possible.

She debated with herself over drying or not drying her hair…dry – it’ll never dry by itself before I get to work. Good enough she told herself shoving his dryer back in the drawer before running his brush through her still slightly damp hair.

“Where are you going?” he mumbled into the pillow rolling over on his side to watch her. “Running out on me?”

“Where are my clothes?” She questioned pushing aside the drooping covers so she could see under the bed.

“Probably downstairs by the couch,” he smirked.

“Oh yeah,” she giggled back to him.

“Don’t leave,” he grasped her arm, tugging her onto the bed, moving quickly to pin her down with his own body. “Stay with me,” he whispered huskily in her ear, his lips worked along her jaw and down her neck, his hand wandered slowly up her shirt.

“Mmm Nathan…don’t,” she whimpered unconvincingly. “I’m going to be late already…”

“It’s okay…I know the boss,” he mumbled working his shirt off over her head, his lips moved over her breasts. “Just call in sick. Don’t leave baby.”

“I can’t Nathan – I really should…oh god,” she moaned at the way his hand tickled lightly up the inside of her thighs.

“Here’s the phone,” his hand fumbled around on the night stand for the phone, “here – call.” His lips moved further down her body sucking and licking enticingly across her stomach.

She punched in the number trying not to giggle at the situation. His lips and hands all over her while she was going to try to carry on a professional conversation.

“Hi Barbara…it’s Haley,” she said trying harder to control her breathing. She nearly bit through her lip her teeth sunk into it so hard. “I’m going…to be late…,” she breathed out quickly. “I umm, I’ll be in later so…I’ll see you then…mmm baby…bye,” she barely got out before punching the button, dropping the phone on the floor. “God I’m so easy,” she muttered, moaning more at his ministrations.

She couldn’t stop kissing him, peppering his face with little kisses, despite the fact she was still trying to catch her breath from what they’d just done - Nathan’s smile got bigger with each one.

“You just keep smiling buddy, because you’re going to have to loan me some more money to pay my bills when your daddy fires my easy butt,” she jokingly complained.

“You were worth every dime it may cost me,” he teased back, taking over her mouth.

“I’m going to ignore the fact that you just made me sound like a prostitute,” she smiled dropping one more kiss on his lips, giving his naked butt a good slap. “Let me up, I really, really, really need to get to work this time… Nathan Scott move your beautiful body off me…”

“Shit,” he grumbled rolling off of her. “It’s not even noon, you’re not that late,” he pouted.

“I still have to go home and change. I can’t very well go in this…especially since I have no underwear on,” she said throwing his shirt on again.

“Yeah I noticed that…what’s the deal there? You going commando these days?”

“No, I just need a clean pair. I wasn’t going to put on the same ones I had on yesterday…yuck! I’ll get some at home don’t worry.”

“Don’t make any stops along the way,” he laughed. His finger reached out to flip up the shirt for another little peek. Haley quickly smacked her shirt back down wagging a finger at him.

“I won’t jeez; I’m going to put on my shorts anyway. I’ll see you tonight?” She asked hopefully sitting beside him on the bed. Her hand ran softly down his cheek as her small smile grew.

“I have a game…can you come?” She almost giggled at how shy his request was.

“Sorry,” she shrugged with a long sigh and a sad little pout. “I don’t have a ticket.”

“I think I can swing that for you.”

“Okay,” she happily chirped hopping from the bed pushing a quick kiss to his lips. “See you at the game.”

“Hey,” he said quickly grabbing her hand. “Thanks for trying to help me out last night. I know it didn’t seem like it, but I really appreciate you trying. Sorry I was such a jerk about it.”

She pulled his hand to her lips leaving a long kiss on the back of it. “You’re welcome. I’ve given it a little thought, and I think I might have an idea that could help. I’ll tell you about it later. I have to get going. I love you.”

She’d gotten her shorts pulled on and her purse slung over her shoulder and barely taken two steps toward the front door when she heard him call out to her. She drew a quick breath at the sight of him clad only in his boxers moving down the stairs toward her. She was afraid if she didn’t get out that door and soon she wasn’t going to, and the way his nearly naked body was closing in on her she was beginning not to care.

“What?” She asked with a little smile trying hard to keep her eyes pasted to his face, and her hands to herself. That usually wasn’t all that effective considering how those blue eyes normally sucked her in and melted any resolve she had, but the serious expression his face held had her concerned.

“I umm…I really want to let this go okay. I really do, but I can’t. I don’t want to ask, but it’s going to eat at me if I don’t.” Her brow knit together at his stumbled words and the way he was fiddling with the fingers on her hand. He swallowed hard shaking his head at himself as he watched his fingers messing with hers.

“Nathan…what is it? Ask, whatever it is, just ask.” She was holding her breath in nervous anticipation.

“I know we had a great night…”

“And morning,” Haley interjected with a mild smile.

“And morning,” he agreed trying to smile himself. “It was great, I mean fantastically great and umm… I know you said you love me and I…I believe you, I do. I mean I know you do it’s just…what about this Ryan guy?” He quickly blurted out unknowingly gripping her fingers tighter.

Haley almost breathed a sigh of relief that was his question. Her head had already created a huge list of things he was about to say and none were good.

“Nathan…”

“I saw you guys together Hales. He was really glad to see you, and you seemed awfully happy to see him too. I…he kissed you,” he quietly mumbled his eyes barely drifting from their hands to her eyes that were intently watching him. “You kissed him. You kissed each other.” He visibly shook his head trying to clear the thoughts. “And he stayed with you…like he…stayed with you…”

“Nathan…” He couldn’t stop rambling. She had to bite back the smile.

“And I need to know what the deal is with him. Is he your boyfriend or…or…lover or what’s going on there? Do you love him…too?” His question was almost desperate. “I can deal with it. I can, I just have to know…”

“Nathan…”

“Because if you do…that’s okay. Actually…that’s a lie. It’s not okay. In fact if would royally suck, but I can deal with it,” he said with a hard sigh.

“Nathan...,” she tried once more to interject.

“I just want you to know I’m not going to give in easily. I mean I’m not going to just step aside and let him have you. I’m…I’m just not. He’s crazy as hell if he thinks I am. Of course I don’t even know if he knows I exist, which is kind of disturbing actually. He didn’t act like he knew who I was. And…god…it doesn’t matter anyway because I love you, and I want you. And I have since I was freaking eighteen Haley, and I think that should count for something you know,” he huffed out, his voice was growing louder and more agitated as he finally looked up to her eyes, his face set with determination. “I know I’ve screwed up in the past, I know that. But damn it Haley, I love you, and I want to be with you and I’ll do whatever I have to to knock this Ryan asshole out of the running. Whatever it takes, because…because I deserve you! I do! I saw you first, I was with you first…I loved you first, and the longest, and by God I’m not letting you go. He’ll just have to…to…fuck off because I’m sure as hell not! He…” His increasingly agitated tirade was cut off by Haley’s lips landing over his still moving mouth finally silencing him. His arms wrapped around her small body pulling her flush against him as their mouths moved passionately against the others.

Haley reluctantly broke away when the need for air became too much. He slowly opened his eyes to find a broad smile across her face. He allowed a small one. She clutched his hands tightly with hers when his grip around her loosened.

“I love you and only you Nathan. Ryan and I…we’re friends. That’s all…”

“Does he know that?”

“Yes he knows. Yeah, we dated some the last few months of school, but it was nothing serious. On either of our parts. I think he liked me…I mean can you blame him,” she chuckled. Her attempt at humor was met with his still solemn face. “Sorry. Anyway, he wasn’t serious, we weren’t serious Nathan we just had some fun together that’s all.”

“Fun,” he grumpily repeated.

“Yeah, that’s all. We’re only friends. And no, he didn’t know who you were. I had a hard time talking about you without getting all teary eyed so I kind of skimmed over things. I was still in love with you Nathan. I really didn’t have any room in my heart for anybody else,” she shrugged with a sweet smile.

He returned the smile. “Okay. Okay…good. I feel better now. I wasn’t really looking forward to kicking his ass anyway. I really need to work on the kinder gentler Nathan.”

“Is there any other?” Haley giggled pushing up on her toes to press another kiss to his mouth. “I need to get to work.”

“So next time he calls you’re going to tell him about me…right?”

“Oh my gosh Nathan. Yes, yes I will tell him all about you. How you’re this big stud on the basketball court and the bedroom. How’s that?”

“Perfect,” he grinned. He held the door wide for her. “See you at the game baby.” Haley positively glowed back as she jogged off toward her car.

She came barreling through the office long after twelve o’clock heading straight for the coffee pot before even stopping in her office.

“Hi Barbara,” she greeted cheerfully, a full smile on her face.

“Haley! Thank goodness you’re here. You were supposed to be in a meeting in Mr. Scott’s office fifteen minutes ago.”

“Oh shoot I forgot! Let me get my stuff real quick and get up there.”

The whole table turned her direction when she came swiftly through the door.

“I’m soooo sorry I’m late,” she said somewhat breathless, dropping into the first empty chair, flipping to a clean page in her notepad, pen poised to write. “What?” she asked confused as everyone continued to stare at her. “What?” she asked again. Her hand did a quick sweep around her mouth in case something somehow happened to have landed there, her eyes searched from one face to the other before landing with a shrug on Dan.

“Good afternoon Haley,” Dan smirked. “You seem a bit…flustered…flushed or something this afternoon. Are you feeling alright?”

“Sure…yes…sure…I’m good…I’m good,” her bobble head was quickly taking over. She just couldn’t stop it.

“You’re good,” Dan chuckled.

“Yes…good. Just…just really good,” she repeated feeling the blush spreading up her face.

Betty took in Haley’s bright blush over her half glasses. “Must have been,” she mumbled as she and Dan exchanged amused glances.

God I must be so freaking obvious…they all know I just had sex! Great – even Dan can tell. Terrific, even my damn boss can tell I just got laid. Boy did I – she thought, biting her lip to keep the smile from coming.

“Okay…where were we,” Dan chuckled again, everyone finally turned their attention away from Haley’s red face.

One after the other they closed their notebooks filing out the door, Haley trailed behind them.

“Haley?” Dan called after her.

Arg! She grumbled inwardly. “Yes?” she said with a fake smile.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You seemed pretty beat, kind of upset when I left you last evening, and today….”

“Dan really…I couldn’t be better. Yesterday…I don’t know…was yesterday, and today is a brand new day. A brand new…everything,” she smiled.

“Okay…okay I’ll drop it,” he smiled back.

She came back to her office to find Barbara all smiles, a couple of the other assistants laughing and smiling with her as they looked into Haley’s office.

“What’s the big show?” Haley smiled confused by the gathering.

“I think you have an admirer,” Barbara smiled sweetly.

Haley’s eyes flew wide, a gasp escaped when she saw her office covered in vase after vase of pink roses.

“Oh my gosh,” she laughed as the tears instantly welled up in her eyes. “They’re beautiful aren’t they? Mmm it smells so good in here,” she giggled wiping at the tears that dropped out.

“I think somebody loves you.”

“Yes they do,” she answered quietly unable to stop the smiles.

“I’ll leave you alone to read the cards,” Barbara winked closing the door behind her.

By the time she got to the last card the tears were falling at a rapid rate, each one was full of declarations of love, one more sweet than the next.

“I’m guessing you’re still employed?” he breathed heavily into the phone.

“I am. I love you, I love you, I love you. Thank you for the flowers, they’re just beautiful. I love you!” she giddily exclaimed again.

“You’re welcome.”

“What are you doing?” she giggled.

“Running.”

“Well don’t get too tired,” she teased. “You have a game, and you need enough energy for post game activities too you know.”

“Don’t worry,” he chuckled.

“Good. I’ll let you go so you can breathe. Thank you again for the flowers. You wouldn’t believe how beautiful they are. I love you Nathan.”

“I love you too Pinky. I’ll see you tonight.”

Haley could hardly get a thing accomplished. Every time she’d start something she’d find herself staring around the room at the flowers daydreaming about last night, this morning, the future. All of it making her smile ever bigger.

“Are you…whoa!” Dan exclaimed taking in her office brimming with flowers as he came in the door. “Well someone’s popular. What’s the occasion?”

“Somebody loves me,” Haley smiled coyly.

“Oh…anyone I know?”

“I’m thinking you do. He looks very similar to you actually. Much younger though,” she teased giggling at his scowl.

“Isn’t everybody,” he grumped. “So?”

“They’re from Nathan. He loves me. I love him. We just…we had such a wonderful night last night Dan, and I…I really feel good about us. I mean I really feel like we’re going to make it this time you know.”

“Well it’s about time. I was beginning to wonder when you two were going to give up and admit it. I’m happy for you Haley. I’m happy for Nathan too. God knows he needs somebody to straighten out his grouchy butt. I’m thrilled it’s you. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“I was going to ask you to do something, but I think I’ll wait until tomorrow. Something tells me you’re brain probably isn’t concentrated on the law today,” he chuckled.

“Not really,” she laughed.

“Talk to you tomorrow then,” he smiled closing the door behind him. He stood outside the door shaking his head and chuckling lightly to himself. Feeling he played a big part in this long overdue reunion. Nathan jealous streak…his temper…those tickets - he knew that was just the push Nathan needed to wake him up.

Conniving for the good…well that had been different he chuckled to himself, but still…conniving…it was just as fun as it had ever been.

“I’ve still got it,” Dan mumbled to himself with a hearty laugh.

Chapters 36 - 37

1 - 3 :: 4 - 7 :: 8 - 11 :: 12 - 13 :: 14 - 15 :: 16 - 17 :: 18 - 20:: 21 - 22 :: 23 - 24 :: 25 - 26 :: 27 - 28 :: 29 - 32 :: 33 :: 34 :: 35 :: 36 - 37 :: 38 - 39 :: Epilogue