As Fate Would Have It Ch. 04

Peter looked down at his hands. He didn't answer her question. He knew he should feel ashamed of what he did last night. But he felt nothing. He was numb. He wondered briefly if this was one of those times when you felt so much pain your nerves shut down and you went completely numb because it was the only way to deal with the complete sensory overload. But just because you couldn't feel it, didn't mean it couldn't kill you.

Peter looked at her slowly. "I know what I said last night. And I meant it. We shouldn't see each other."

Peter closed his eyes for a moment.

"But that doesn't mean I don't want to," he paused again. "And it doesn't mean I can control myself around you. It's like when I'm around you, all I want is you. I don't care about society, or the world, or the law. But then, when I finally tear myself away from you, I can see how wrong it is. How bad I am for you."

"And you think that pushing me away is any better?" she asked softly.

He met her eyes. He could see it was hurting her. Almost as much as it was him. It was hurting her to deny what they had. To try and forget him. To fight the urge to be with him, just as he fought himself to run to her every moment they turned their backs on each other.

"I did" he replied quietly. "But not anymore. Fighting it is worse."

She looked up at him, the tears slowly clearing from her eyes. She took a deep breath and stepped towards him. She took his hands in her own and turned them over, examining them.

"What did you do?" she asked him again.

He pulled his hands back and shoved them into the pockets of his slacks.

"Nothing." He told her, looking at his shoes.

She looked like she wanted to say something else, but she bit her lip and nodded.

"Well, I guess I will see you around then." She told him, she backed away slowly then turned and stepped into the lift.

He watched the doors slide shut. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say. He'd admitted that he wanted to see her, despite morals and laws. He didn't know exactly what he'd expected, but this was far less than anti-climactic.

Suddenly feeling weary he dropped his head and made his way back to his room. It had been a long day and he was more than ready for it to end.

Oooooooooooooo

Zoe finally made it to her room and collapsed wide-eyed onto the couch. What had just happened? She wasn't sure why she had left. He had admitted he wanted something between them. Now that he wasn't playing hard to get it seemed much less like a game and a whole lot more real. Despite the shock that he was willing to set aside his morals and break the law to be with her, she still knew that she felt something for him. She had never been in love before. She wasn't sure what she felt for him.

Confused and tired after a long day, she had a quick shower and slid into bed between the crisp white sheets. As she lay awake, trying to sleep, she thought about what she wanted. Her mind unable to settle after the discussion with Peter... Mr. Oakley. After turning circles around the topic, a million times, she knew that she wanted something with him, no matter how much she wanted to deny it.

Oooooooooooo

The next day, Peter woke up bright and early, feeling far more refreshed than the previous morning. He showered, shaved and dressed. The only down side to these conferences was the random times. Some started at 7am while others started at 11am. Some days, they finished at midday and others 4pm. He was all for variety, but he also enjoyed sleep-ins and early finishes.

Peter left his room with plenty of time to not be late and picked up some break-fast on the way. Even before 7am New York was alive with thousands of hurrying people and busy workmen.

Oooooooooooo

Zoe slept-in late and had brunch with her brother at a cute New York diner near where he worked. She was feeling fresh and with her tights and hoody always near-by, she decided to change and go for a jog. She managed to find her way to central park and with headphones in, she fit in with the crowd perfectly. She smiled to herself, finally feeling content and at peace with the world, the fine weather directly reflecting her inner-self.

After her jog, she headed back to the hotel, however finding herself in a museum gallery for several hours before finally making it back to her room. She had a quick shower and decided to relax with a movie before Jeremy got back and wanted to go out for dinner. She already had a plan to head out after dinner and have some fun. People would be far less suspicious on a Tuesday night anyway she told herself. Though she doubted that Tuesdays were much quieter than any other night in New York.

Oooooooooooo

Jeremey texted her around 7 o'clock, telling her to meet him downstairs in half an hour for dinner. She changed into a casual knee-length black dress and black heels then applied light make-up and headed down to meet him.

He was wearing a suit, straight from work, he kissed her cheek "Hey Zo, how was your day?" he asked, linking his arm through hers.

"Hey Jez. Pretty great, I love this place." She smiled. "Fun day at work?"

He just looked down at her and raised his eye-brows, then led her out onto the street.

Oooooooooooo

"Where are we going?" she asked after they had been walking through the glittering streets for a while.

Jeremy shook his head. "You never did like surprises, did you?"

"Sure, I did. Why? Are we going somewhere nice?" she inquired.

He chuckled "No."

She smiled "Good."

He smiled down at her, "I know you. Just a pub."

"They're called bars here remember. You going to shout?" she asked.

"Please, I'm sneaking you in remember?" he scoffed.

"Guess the first round is on me then."

"Not too many tonight" he laughed, "I have a job and I'd like to keep it that way."

Oooooooooooo

They had a nice dinner and a few drinks, laughing and talking. Catching up on the latest news from their separate worlds and reminiscing over the past, reliving fond childhood memories. Zoe could feel the eyes of jealous couples and prying singles watching them the entire night. She smiled, people were always jealous of the relationship she had with her brother, whether they knew what they saw or not, they envied the evident and easy love they had for one another. Best of all, she didn't care what anyone thought when she was with him. He was her best friend and the only other person who had ever compared to him was Jack.

Oooooooooooo

"I had a really great time with you tonight Zo." Jeremey told her when they got back to their rooms.

She grinned, "Me too."

"We should do it more often"

"Yeah, we really should."

"Well, have a goodnight - and don't get into too much trouble." He told her, then he disappeared into his room with a smile.

Zoe smiled, she couldn't help but be happy. After her fight with Jack she had felt more alone than ever. Everything was starting to work itself out again.

She slipped inside her room to reapply her make up before heading out again.

Oooooooooooo

Peter had agreed to have dinner at 8.00 with a woman from the conference group who was obviously into him. He regretted it. He was as interested in her as he would be with a rock. She wasn't any more boring than any other women he'd dated in the past, unluckily for her however, she was being compared to Zoe at every word and every thought.

When it was finally over he was exhausted from pretending to be interested. She asked him if he wanted to walk her to her hotel but he politely declined, telling her he was jet lagged and needed to catch up on some sleep. She took it graciously and told him to call her - he had to give her credit for remaining optimistic after that lame date.

Walking in the brisk night air made him feel far more alive, he had started keeping a flask of whisky in the pocket of his suit jacket - between conferences and dates, he was finding it rather useful in spicing up the distasteful duties of life. He took a swig then began jogging up the stairs to the hotel.

Oooooooooooo

"Zoe?"

She stopped her decent and looked up at the person who had just passed her, standing to her right, on the step above her.

"Peter" she said, somewhat surprised and a little unsure. "I mean... Mr. Oakley."

He was looking handsome in a navy-blue suit and long black overcoat.

"Please, call me Peter." He told her. "Where are you going alone at this time of night?"

She shrugged "Just out."

"Meeting a friend?" he asked. He couldn't help but think of the boy from yesterday.

"No... just out." She told him.

He frowned, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

"Does your brother know?"

"Well, no but- "

"You shouldn't go out alone, this is New York, you would have to be a fool." He interrupted her.

She had to admit she hadn't given it a lot of thought.

He jerked his head in the direction of the hotel, "You should go get some sleep."

"It's not even ten." She told him.

"Well you're not going alone." He said.

And without a second thought, he turned around, wrapped his arm around her and set off down the steps.

She looked up at him as they walked along the lit-up streets, laughter in her eyes and a confused smile on her face.

"What?" he asked.

"You're taking me out now?"

"Well I wouldn't have but it turns out you're even more stubborn than I am, thought I'd save myself the trouble." He told her smiling down.

She raised her eyes brows and smiled but said nothing. She just leaned in to his side and wrapped her arm around him.

Oooooooooooo

He didn't know what this meant, but he didn't dare ask, for fear of ruining it.

"So where are we going anyway?" he asked her.

"Well, I was going clubbing." She said, shrugging innocently up at him.

"You have to be 21 to go clubbing in America sweetheart." He informed her.

"Not if you're me."

"Alright then" he grinned.

Oooooooooooo

They found a quieter booth in the corner and a couple of drinks then he squeezed in across from her. He leaned over the table, his face close to hers so he could hear her over the thumping of the music and the crowd.

"Why do you like clubbing again?" he yelled over the music.

"It's better with friends," she shrugged, "but I like getting drunk and having fun with random boys."

Peter couldn't help but darken at that and he clenched his jaw.

She smiled a little when she saw that and leaned in, "Don't worry, I think it's sweet that you're jealous about me being with other guys."

He clenched his jaw again and she smiled. She drained her drink and stood up. His eyes followed her, gaze stony. She smiled at him and walked over to the dance floor in her cute black dress. She walked up to a cute looking guy and he immediately switched his attention to her, turning to wrap his arms around her and grinning as he checked her out.

Peter smiled grimly and drained his scotch, shaking his head as he did. He barely looked away to pull the cigar pack from his coat, when he looked up she was looking at him. He gave her an expectant "What are you doing?" look. She smiled knowingly, making sure he was watching, then she wrapped her arms around the boy's neck and brought her mouth up to his, kissing him passionately.

Peter clenched his jaw, but smiled and shook his head. He lit his cigar and took a deep puff, not ready to give her the satisfaction she sought yet. He had to admit, she had game and it made him smile. Every other girl he'd ever met had been far too focused on him and trying to get his attention to even try to make him jealous, let alone succeed.

Oooooooooooo

Zoe's eyes were closed, her arms wrapped around the boys' neck as she made out with him passionately. She looked up and realised Peter had crossed the room. He was towering over them and the boy stepped back. Peter didn't even glance at him as he placed his hand square on the boy's chest and pushed him back into the crowd.

He smiled knowingly down at her, soft affection in his eyes. He held her head gently in his hands as he stepped toward her, his body pressed against hers. He leant down and pressed his lips gently, longingly against hers and it was as if the whole world melted away around them. Her mouth opened instinctively to him and she felt him smile knowingly against her lips as he held her head up to his lips.

Her hands slid around his neck and tangled in his hair. His soft lips tasting of smoke and whiskey. She'd never met a manlier man. And he was definitely a bad boy.

He pulled back, still holding her head in his hands, "Come on, let's get out of here."

"But we just got here."

He smiled and shrugged. He took her hand and led her to the door.

Oooooooooooo

The night was colder and Zoe shivered. Peter looked down at her and shrugged his overcoat off, wrapping it around her bare shoulders.

"Thanks."

He pulled a cigar out of his pocket and lit it, taking a deep breath. Before he could stop her, Zoe reached up and grabbed the cigar from his hand, taking a puff.

"You shouldn't smoke, you know" he told her, "It's not good for you."

"You shouldn't worry, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."

He took the cigar from her hand and pulled her to his side.

"I know."

They walked in silence for a while, just enjoying being in each other's company and the sparkling lights of the city.

"You know, we first met in a club." She said after a while.

He frowned, "No we didn't, we met in school."

"Well, I guess, but we didn't really meet until that night."

He clenched his jaw. "I wish it had been different."

She looked up at him, "I don't."

"I took advantage of you."

"I kissed you back and you were drunk, that means I took advantage of you too," she countered.

"You were high" he reminded her.

She didn't say anything.

"Don't ever do drugs again, promise me?" he said.

"I'm not going to promise you that, besides, it's only marijuana." She told him.

He clenched his jaw and shook his head, "There's no 'only' about it. It's illegal and I don't want you getting in trouble."

"Well, you should probably accept that it's going to happen" she paused. "Do you regret it?"

He frowned, "What?"

"Do you regret it? What happened that night?" she questioned.

He bit his lip, "At first I suppose I did, but it seemed a lot more straight forward then."

"And now?"

He was quiet for a moment. "No," he said, "I regret how it happened, but I don't regret that it happened. Do you?"

She shook her head, "No."

"Good." He told her, "good."

Oooooooooooo

It was past eleven when they arrived back at the hotel. They stood in the lobby, neither wanting to leave the other but not sure exactly what to say.

"Well, I guess this is goodnight." Peter said. "Unless you wanted to come up to my room?" he added.

"I don't think so." She smiled.

He frowned. Was she playing hard to get now?

They stepped into the lift. He couldn't help but feel slightly hurt, did she not feel the same way about him?

"Well, um, thanks for a good night then I guess." He told her as she pressed the button for her floor.

He stepped up to press the button for his floor, forcing her to step back against the wall. He stood over her, in the moment, he hesitated, hand outstretched, ready to press the button. But he didn't.

Instead he turned to look down at her, there in his coat. It was then that he noticed the way her breath caught in her throat and she looked up at him with wide, unsure eyes, like a deer caught in the headlights.

He smiled, "Your room then".

Then he turned to face her and stepped up, trapping her between the lift wall and his body. She looked up at him, breathing heavily, breast heaving and eyes wide.

"You don't need to be nervous around me Zoe." He said, his voice deep and sexy.

"I know." She said, "I can't help it."

He stroked her cheek lightly and smiled, "Me too."

He leaned down and kissed her gently, a soft lingering kiss.

The lift stopped and the doors slid open, she slid out from under him and grabbed his hand, leading him down the hall to her room. She pulled out her key card and the door beeped, she led him inside. She threw her purse on the counter and pulled him toward her, leaning up and kissing his lips. She kicked off her heels, looking up at him. He smiled, he liked that she was taking the lead.

She kissed him again, helping him shrug his jacket off. He let it fall to the floor, sliding his overcoat from her shoulders and wrapping his hands around her waist to pull her close. She held his head pulling him down to meet her lips. The kiss grew more vigorous, more desperate and hungry. She pulled at his bottom lip and he couldn't help but grin. His heart felt as if it were floating on cloud 9.

She stepped backward, leading him slowly through the lounge/kitchen to her bedroom. He backed her up against the bedroom door, regaining some of his control as he leant against her body. He liked the feeling of her breasts against his torso and her hips on his.

She fumbled for the door handle and the door fell open and they stumbled in, almost tripping over one another. Peter caught her with strong arms and she laughed.

"Should have thought that through."

He smiled and pulled her to him. He kissed her gently and his hands slid up her thighs, catching the hem of her dress and guiding it up over head. She stood wearing nothing but lacy black underwear, her dress on the floor beside her, discarded.

Peter couldn't help but stare, the sight of her nearly naked before him, was more beautiful than anything he could have imagined. Her smooth tanned skin and toned body. Her perfect tits and round ass. He could feel his cock growing harder by the second as he gaped. She looked beautiful in the half light of the hotel room, dark hair cascading around her face like an angel.

"I've never met a more beautiful woman in my life." He whispered.

He could see that she was nervous and self-conscious about his reaction. He stepped toward her and kissed her hard, pouring every last ounce of passion he had into the kiss. When he broke the kiss, she looked stunned.

"Just tell me if you want to stop," he said, suddenly afraid that he was moving too fast for her. He figured she had been with a lot of men and was fairly confident, so he hadn't given it much thought.

Although he knew, for him at least, this was different. She made him nervous, as much as he loved it and as much fun as he was having - there was an underlying nervous energy which she brought out in him.

"No" she breathed, "don't stop."

She pulled the tie from around his neck and began unbuttoning his shirt. He kicked his shoes off and threw his shirt away. He watched her admire his smooth, tanned, muscular chest her hands sliding over the hard muscles as he looked down at her.

He stepped forward, forcing her to step back, she stopped against the bed and he gently pushed her down onto it. He climbed on top, holding himself above her as he kissed down her neck and gently across her breasts. He trailed down her stomach placing kisses lovingly over her skin, all the way down to the waist band of her panties.

He stopped and moved back to her mouth where he bit her lip and gently intruded her mouth. Zoe loved the taste of whiskey and smoke on his lips. He was nothing like any of the boys who hit on her at parties and clubs. He was a man.

He moved to her bra, his fingers gliding gently over her sensitive tits. He moved around to unclip her bra, but she stopped him.

"Wait." She said.

He looked down at her eyes, concern clouding his face. "What's wrong? Do you want to stop?" he asked.

"No, it's not that... it's just..." she hesitated and moved to sit up. He lifted himself off the bed and stood between her legs while she sat on the end of the bed.