#choices loa fanfiction

[lightoftheempath]

Joaquin Route Endings.

Hi, everyone! As promised, I wanted to share two Joaquin route endings I wrote for, Laws of Attraction. Both endings are based on the continuation of the romance route PB wrote for Joaquin. Each has minor sexual content but contains mostly fluff. 

I used she/her pronouns and the default name suggested at the beginning of the series for MC, Quinn Michaels. In these versions, Quinn is platonic with Gabe and Aislinn.

It’s been a long time since I sat and wrote anything outside of college psychology papers. Lol. I truly hope everyone enjoys it!

Ending 1- Finding Our Match: Quinn stays at the Brass Monkey after Joaquin leaves. He visits her office on Monday after his first day at Ricci & Associates. (2,343 words)

Ending 2- A Bright Future Ahead: Quinn goes after Joaquin when he leaves the Brass Monkey. They decide to spend the rest of the evening together. (2,935 words)

Ending 1- Finding Our Match:

It wasn’t an ordinary Monday at Ricci & Associates. The team had been celebrating their big win against Martin and Calvin Colby all weekend. Little did Quinn and Aislinn know, Gabe was planning a surprise for them. Once everyone arrived, he called the entire staff into the lobby. He announced that he was promoting Quinn and Aislinn to founding partners. Not only that, but Joaquin was also starting his first day at the firm as a corporate law expert. Everyone could feel the change in the air, the excitement was palpable. The firm was getting bigger with each passing day. They were finally going to make a real difference like they had always dreamed of. After toasting to the new firm’s name, everyone went back to work as usual.

At the end of his first workday, Joaquin walks nervously down the corridor to Quinn’s office. He planned to do what he said at the Brass Monkey, ask Quinn out on a date. A real one. He takes a deep breath and knocks on her door, his heart pounding in his chest. He’s surprised at his reaction, knowing this is abnormal for him. He’s usually so confident, but with Quinn, he finds himself second guessing everything. Quinn shouts, “come in” while going over some paperwork at her desk. Talking himself up quietly, he refuses to back down now and prepares to greet her.

“Knock knock…” he smiles, striding in with a self-assured smirk, hoping Quinn won’t catch on to his nerves. “Oh, hey Joaquin. How was your first day?” She gives him an interested look while signing the documents in front of her. Joaquin takes a seat on the chair across from her desk. “Good. Gabe showed me around and got me acclimated to everything. Congratulations on the new promotion. It’s an exciting day for both of us, huh?”. Quinn grins, putting her paperwork into the filing cabinet and sitting back down. “It sure is. I wasn’t expecting Gabe to do that for Aislinn and I. We’ve only tried to do the right thing as lawyers, but I’m not complaining about it either. A pay raise is always nice”. Joaquin laughs, silently fiddling with his thumbs while trying to remain stoic. “You’re a fantastic lawyer, Quinn, and an even better person. You deserve this”.

She smiles at him, enjoying this heartfelt moment over the usual flirtatious, sarcastic banter she’s gotten used to. “I guess now that you got the job you wanted, you don’t have to creep up on me in the parking garage or sneak into my office anymore”. Trying to think three steps ahead, Joaquin looks into Quinn’s eyes, running his hand through his hair. “You mean you didn’t like it? I thought we were having so much fun”. He winks, putting on his classic wicked smile. Quinn shakes her head with a sigh. “I’m just saying, we can be real coworkers now. No need to sneak around or invite me on fake dates”. Joaquin steadies himself, trying to think of something witty, but believable to capture Quinn’s attention. He hopes she’ll say yes to what he’s about to ask. “We don’t have to stop seeing each other if you don’t want to, and we certainly don’t have to stop going on dates either. Unless you like the sneaking around of course…then I’m happy to oblige”. Quinn raises her eyebrow in confusion and slight intrigue. “Are you asking me out on a date, Joaquin?’. He leans forward, not breaking eye contact with her, feeling the most vulnerable that he has in a long time. “I meant what I said the other night at the Brass Monkey. I want to take you on a real date.” Quinn tries to hide her shocked expression. “You’re serious? This isn’t a plot or a plan for something?” Joaquin leans back in his chair, creating a playful, pained expression on his face, placing his hand over his heart. “Quinn, you wound me. I thought I made it clear by now that you can trust me. Have I steered you wrong yet?”. She stares at him for a second, searching his eyes for any sign that this is a joke. There’s nothing there but him looking back at her genuinely. Quinn bites her lip for a second, looking down. Despite her best efforts, she can’t deny the chemistry she shares with Joaquin. The way his energy has pulled her in no matter how hard she’s tried to have a wall up. No matter how many times she’s been suspicious of his motivations, his intel has always checked out. Their relationship started out unconventionally, but his attentiveness and tenacity were hard for her to ignore. Her voice is serious as she answers. “No, you haven’t steered me wrong. I’ve realized that. I guess I never thought your advances were anything but planned and calculated”. Joaquin leans across Quinn’s desk, taking her hands in his, looking deeply into her eyes. “Despite what you may think about me or my past Quinn, our relationship was never just about sex or personal gain for me. I’m not Martin. Things may have started out spicy after our little rendezvous on the yacht, but I was never lying when I said I wanted you or your company. That was very real”. Quinn can’t help but feel stunned by what she’s hearing. Joaquin continues. “I found myself taking every opportunity to see you. I snuck into Martin’s meetings to get information. I even listened through the door sometimes. I did anything I could think of to get things to report. I made sure to plan special things so I could impress you in the meantime. My feelings for you are genuine, they always have been”. Quinn can’t hide her expression as she listens to him confess his feelings. She wanted to avoid looking at Joaquin in any serious light originally, but it was no use. She hasn’t been able to stop thinking about him.   “My feelings have been real for you too. I told myself though that you’d probably want nothing more outside of a fling. You didn’t strike me as a relationship type of person”. “Then you misjudged me. I may be a flirt. I may be extremely charismatic, but I’ve never wanted to impress or prove myself to anyone like I have with you”. Joaquin looks down for a second, overwhelmed, not used to being so straightforward about his feelings. Quinn takes her finger, lifting his chin up to meet her gaze. “You’re enough, Joaquin. You’ve never needed to impress me. There’s no doubting the chemistry between us.”. He holds her gaze as she continues. “I know I wasn’t the most trusting after everything I went through with McGraw Byrne, but that didn’t stop me from being drawn to you and enjoying every experience we’ve shared. My feelings for you are genuine too”. Joaquin takes her in for a moment. No one has stripped him of his confident exterior this way, but he’s happy to be here in this moment. Although this was uncharted territory, he wanted to travel down this road if it meant he got to do it beside Quinn. The energy becomes heavy, and he leans forward to seal their confessions with a kiss, almost to confirm that this is really happening. As Joaquin walks over to her, circling her desk, Quinn wraps her arms around his neck in response, pulling him close. She hums into the kiss, the chemistry between them surging. They let their once hidden feelings run free. After a few blissful minutes, Quinn breaks the kiss, taking Joaquin’s face in her hands. “I still owe you the rest of that thank you for helping me get one over on Martin. I was thinking maybe I could plan the date this time?”.

 “Whatever you want, little rabbit, I’m happy anywhere as long as I’m with you”. 

Quinn smirks at hearing that nickname again, laughing at the memory of seeing Joaquin stroll into the firm with Martin’s rabbit foot. She knows right away where she wants to take him on their date.  

“I want to show you one of my favorite spots in the city”. Joaquin leans in to place a thankful kiss on her lips.

“I’m looking forward to it”.

The next day, Quinn texts Joaquin to meet her in the park after work. She holds a picnic basket filled with food she made just for him. He shows up right on the dot, walking forward, and greeting her with a kiss. “Where are we off to?”. He asks. “I can’t wait to show you…” she says. Quinn takes his hand in hers, guiding them away from the crowd. They hike into a secluded area behind the trees. No one would think to look back there normally with all the foliage, but the spot Quinn leads him to is perfect. It provides a gorgeous view of the water. Natural plants are sprouting everywhere. It’s clear why she likes this place so much, it’s quite calming. Quinn lays down a couple of soft blankets on the ground, placing the picnic basket on top. After they sit, Joaquin wraps his arms around her waist while they take in the scenery. They enjoy this rare and quiet view of New York. “I can understand why you like it here. Not many places in the city allow you to have an unobstructed view of everything. Normally people are piling on top of you”. Quinn laughs to herself, taking out some food and drinks for them to enjoy. “I found this place after I moved here. Like you, I packed up my whole life to move to New York to be a lawyer for McGraw Byrne. I like to come here when I need time to think, relax, or go over a case. I’ve never brought anybody here before. It’s kind of my secret spot”. Joaquin looks at her meaningfully, feeling honored that she trusts him enough to take him here. “I appreciate you sharing this with me”. She smiles to herself, letting her hand drift over to his and holding it. The gesture is such a small show of intimacy, and yet Joaquin can feel his heart beating faster at the gentleness of her touch. “I made us some food. I brought wine and some water too in case you didn’t want to drink”. “You can cook too? Is there anything you can’t do, Quinn Michaels?”. She laughs, taking out some plates for them both and putting sandwiches, fruit, and her homemade cake on the side. Joaquin thanks her, taking a strawberry and moving it towards her lips. She softly takes a bite, the juices running down her chin. They both giggle while Joaquin wipes it off with a napkin. He gives her a sweet peck on the lips while they laugh again. After finishing off the bite she leans in to kiss him for real. Joaquin wraps his arms around her back. She climbs into his lap, straddling him, while they both deepen the kiss. Quinn runs her hands through his hair as he holds her close. They break the kiss a few minutes later, panting and grinning at each other. Quinn turns around, laying in Joaquin’s lap while they enjoy their food, joking and chatting. Afterward, they cuddle up to watch the sunset, enjoying the feeling of each other’s company. They talk about the near and distant future. They agree that they’ll tell Gabe and Aislinn they’re together, after they enjoy a few more days of sneaking around, just for the thrill of it. After most of the food is finished, Quinn packs up the picnic basket with Joaquin, neither of them wanting the day to end. She looks at him knowingly. “Do you want to come back to my place? It’s not far, and it’s probably safer than you walking home by yourself”. He looks at her mischievously, a wolfish smirk spreading across his face. “Is that what you really mean or are you trying to lure me back into your apartment for a nightcap? Either way, I won’t say no”. Quinn shakes her head, taking his hand in hers while they leisurely stroll back to her place together.

Quinn unlocks the door, telling Joaquin to make himself at home while she takes the basket to the kitchen. Joaquin sits on the couch, not taking his eyes off her. She turns around, feeling his gaze, and her cheeks redden. She’s used to being as confident as he is, but Joaquin has the power to make her weak in the knees with just a look or a touch. She walks back over to him, his arms already outstretched, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. Hardly keeping their hands off each other, Quinn pulls him by the shirt into her room, closing the door. He pushes her up against it, biting down on her lip playfully. Ripping off each other’s clothes they stumble onto the bed half dressed. Joaquin rolls himself on top of her, kissing down Quinn’s neck until he makes her moan out. While he kisses back up her skin, he whispers into her ear. “What do you need Quinn? Tell me, and it’s yours”. She shivers at the soft sound of his voice, his breath on her ear causing goosebumps to crawl up her skin. She caresses his arm, her mind racing with thoughts and possibilities, but all she can get out is that she wants him. Joaquin understands though, and he leans in to kiss her again, wrapping his arms around her back. They grind against each other, kissing fervently. Joaquin pushes the rest of her clothes off her legs, and his right after. He holds her close to him, their chests pressed up against each other while their hands grip the other's body, their passion raging. Quinn feels Joaquin’s strong arms holding her close, almost as if he’s afraid she’ll fly away or disappear. They lose themselves in each other, savoring every moment, knowing that after all this time, they finally found their match.

Ending 2- A Bright Future Ahead:

After their big win against McGraw Byrne and Martin, the Ricci & Associates team is celebrating at the Brass Monkey. Everyone is congratulating Quinn on a job well done taking down Calvin Colby. After all the commotion, Quinn heads to the bar where she finds Joaquin alone. Earlier, Gabe and he were talking seriously. She assumed it was about the job he wanted. Seeing the grin on his face as she approaches him, Quinn can tell the conversation went well. Joaquin happily reports the good news of his job offer to be a corporate law expert for the firm. Quinn responds excitedly for him, happy to have another thing to celebrate tonight. Joaquin finishes off his drink, getting up from the bar. Quinn looks over at him curiously, wondering where he’s going. He tells her that tonight isn’t about him, but he can’t wait to see her on Monday when he can steal all her attention.

She watches his back as he walks out of the door, surprised at the disappointment that overcomes her. She sits down on the bar stool where he was, holding her drink. She starts thinking about all the recent events that have happened between her and Joaquin. He’s had a mysterious yet captivating energy since the day they met. His witty banter always keeps her on her toes. She wanted to be annoyed at his confident charms, but she couldn’t, at least not fully. He slowly but surely gained her trust, proving that he was always on her side from the beginning, despite how oddly their relationship started.

She couldn’t let him leave like this. There was too much left unsaid. Quinn made her rounds saying a quick goodbye to Gabe, Aislinn, Beau, Gigi, and the team. She headed out the door, hoping that Joaquin didn’t get too far yet. She power walked down the New York City streets, looking in every direction for him. Suddenly she sees Joaquin amongst the crowd, a few steps ahead. Yelling out his name she raises her hand hoping he’ll see her, pushing through the people blocking the way. He turns around at the sound of her voice, confusion plastered on his face. “Quinn?!”. After a few moments of dodging people, she steps in front of him. Joaquin looks taken by the sight of her. A part of him is selfishly happy to have her here. Another part feels guilty that she isn’t with her colleagues and friends. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at the Brass Monkey?” Huffing and puffing from her quick movements, she looks up at him. “I couldn’t let you leave. You deserve to be there too. Your help was invaluable on that case, Joaquin”. He shakes his head, a slight blush coming onto his cheeks from her praise. “Tonight, it isn’t about me, Quinn. You would have won that case regardless of my help. I want you to enjoy the night”. She takes his hand into hers, holding his gaze with a serious expression. Joaquin gives her a surprised reaction, almost gasping at her touch. “I don’t want to celebrate without you”. Joaquin stands conflicted and yet elated. He wants so badly to take her into his arms and kiss her right then and there, in front of all these people. But he can’t. He refuses to take away the night she deserves after her success. “Look, I didn’t want the attention to be on me or my promotion. You deserve the spotlight tonight. You did amazing, Quinn. You are amazing”. She looks at him earnestly, realizing what he’s saying. That he only left because he didn’t want to dull her shine. The realization hits her like a ton of bricks. Despite his façade, he has a caring side that she’s slowly seeing the more they spend time together. He has a soft spot, and it’s for her. “You got the job you’ve been waiting for, but you were worried about me?”. He nods, placing his hand on her cheek and looking deeply into her eyes. “I’m always on your side, Quinn. Go have fun. I’ll see you on Monday”.

Joaquin starts to walk off again, but Quinn grabs his arm, stopping him. “If it’s my celebration then I should get to choose who I celebrate with. I want that to be you”. He stares at her, stunned momentarily, but shakes it off, hoping she doesn’t notice. He walks over to her again, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You’re sure about that?”. She nods, reassuring him that she’s serious. Joaquin looks down for a second and grins. He’s happy that after everything he’s tried to do to show her how much he cares, how much she can trust him, she’s starting to see it. Even if she just wants him around as a friend, he’s pleased. “Okay, if you say so. I know a great hidden gem we can go to for dinner if you’re interested”. “Are we going back to your favorite sushi restaurant again? I loved it there”. He takes her hand in his, strolling down the sidewalk while swinging their arms together. “No, it’s a great little Italian place just up ahead. Wait until you try the food. It’s exquisite, and thankfully, it’s never packed”. They walk a few more minutes down the sidewalk and get to a small unassuming Italian bistro. The decorations are vintage, clearly dated, but charming. A short older woman who must be in her 70s greets them both with a huge smile. Her Italian accent is thick as she talks. “Joaquin! It’s so good to see you again. And you brought a beautiful young lady with you! I knew you would find someone, you’re such a charmer, and very handsome too!”. She goes in to give Quinn kisses on the cheek and a strong hug, then Joaquin. Her personality is bright and loving like a classic storybook grandmother. She places herself in the middle of them, taking both of their hands and leading them to the tables. “Please, come, take a seat. I’ll go grab Lorenzo to take your orders”. She walks away happily, handing out menus before walking into the kitchen. Italian music starts playing overhead, and a romantic vibe starts to fill the small restaurant. Quinn looks over the top of her menu at Joaquin. “Wow, that was some greeting. Do you eat here often?”. Joaquin laughs to himself. “I’ve only been here a couple of times. Nonna Rossi thinks everyone is a distant relative after she meets them. This is a family-owned business, and they try to make all their patrons feel like they’re an honorary Rossi”. A tall brunette waiter comes out from the kitchen, introducing himself as Lorenzo Rossi. Joaquin offers to order, asking for a bottle of red wine for the table, water, appetizers, and a Tour of Italy platter for them to share. He tells him he wants Quinn to taste a little bit of everything. After thanking Lorenzo, they talk comfortably in an intimate atmosphere. As Nonna Rossi and Lorenzo bring out each item of food, Quinn realizes that everything tastes just as good as Joaquin described. Finally, the main course arrives. It smells amazing. The portion sizes are like a small tower on the plate where there’s pasta with homemade red sauce, chicken parmigiana, and Nonna’s signature meatballs. As they start to dig in Quinn asks what’s been on her mind since they arrived. “How do you find these restaurants tucked away in a big city like this?” she wonders. Joaquin takes a swig of his wine, taking her hand in his. “If you keep your mind open to all possibilities, you’ll always be surprised at what you can find”. Quinn smiles at him, gripping his hand a little tighter in agreement. They finish up their dinner, say goodbye and thank you to the staff, and hold hands as they walk slowly down the sidewalk. Neither of them wants the night to end as they look up at the stars. Almost instinctually Quinn turns to him. “Do you…want to come back to my place? It’s still early. I have a balcony with a great view of the city skyline”. Joaquin grins, his mind trying to think of something witty to say back. He’s thrilled that Quinn doesn’t want the night to be over either. “You don’t have to tempt me, Quinn. I’d go anywhere you asked, but especially your place”. He winks and she shakes her head, slightly blushing. They make it back to her apartment a few minutes later.

The tension is thick between them as Quinn makes her way to the closet, taking out blankets and placing them outside on her balcony’s loveseat. She grabs some drinks while Joaquin goes outside to sit, his gaze never leaving her. She walks outside and sits next to him, pouring them a drink as they clink their glasses together. After a generous sip, Joaquin wraps his arm around Quinn, grabbing a blanket with his other hand and covering them both up. There’s a slight chill in the air, but the weather is perfect for being outdoors. Quinn rests her head on Joaquin’s shoulder while he rubs her arm, placing a kiss on her forehead. The atmosphere is so calm that he knows this is the perfect time to say what’s been on his mind. He doesn’t know how Quinn will react to his feelings, so he tries to lead with his usual flirty tone. “Now that we’re going to be coworkers, we’ll get to see each other much more often. We can get into all kinds of trouble”. Quinn laughs, lifting her head from his sweater and looking at him, taking in his chiseled features. “You have the job now, Joaquin, you don’t have to try and butter me up anymore”. He laughs in response.“Is that what you thought that was? Buttering you up so I’d get the job? I told you, Quinn, I didn’t want to buy my way into Ricci & Associates. I had every intention of showing you that I was qualified for the role, but most importantly, that you could trust me inside and outside of the courtroom”. “Was gaining my trust that important to you?”.   Joaquin silently sighs to himself, feeling vulnerable and put on the spot. It’s been a long time since he’s had to speak without his confident and smooth façade doing most of the talking for him. “Of course, it was. I’ve had to woo a lot of people for work, but it’s been a while since I truly cared about what they thought of me as a person, and not just as a lawyer”. Quinn is taken aback by his confession, realizing her doubts were wrong all along. All his efforts, his attentiveness, it did mean more than just trying to get a job offer. She had hoped it did, but she never wanted to get too attached to the idea that he might have true feelings for her. Joaquin continues to speak, barring his heart to her and bringing her out of her trance. “I have nothing to gain right now and yet here I am. I got the job. That insufferable ass Martin is going to get what’s been coming to him. So is Calvin Colby. I care about you, Quinn Michaels. I’ve been intrigued by you since I started seeing that yes, you’re an intelligent knockout who can take anyone down. But you’re an incredible person too. Once I realized how I felt, I made sure I went out of my way to get information for you. Any excuse to see you, I took”. Quinn searches his eyes, seeing that there is no deception, no ulterior motives that she can detect. He looks back at her seriously, his hand wiping a stray piece of hair from her face as it blows in the wind. He leans in closer, placing a kiss on her cheek, his voice almost a whisper. “This is so much more than a fling to me, Quinn. If that’s all you want it to be, I understand. If you want us to be nothing but coworkers, I’ll respect that too. Just know I want so much more and I’m willing to give it to you. Just say the word and it’s yours. I’m yours”. The energy becomes intense as they stare at each other. No matter the walls that Quinn had from the beginning, she knows that Joaquin has been the only one on her mind. Every time he’d pop up, her heart would skip a beat. She looked forward to every moment they shared, despite searching for every reason to push him away. She truly tried, but she never found a reason to. Joaquin’s been supporting her from the beginning. She takes his hands in hers, rubbing her thumb against his skin while trying to find the right words to say. “I want you too, Joaquin. In every way. I may have doubted you, but I was wrong. You’ve had my back in secret for so long. When I look at you, all I can think is that I’ve finally met my match. The one that can keep up with me. The one that can keep me on my toes. It’s you. It’s always going to be you”. Joaquin breaks out in a grin, wrapping his arms around Quinn and knocking them both over onto the loveseat. He looks down at her, examining every inch of her underneath his body. The reality that she feels the same way about him almost feels too good to be true. He descends, capturing her lips in his. Quinn wraps her arms around his neck, their lips meeting in a desperate, passionate kiss, trying to convey to each other how hard they’ve fallen for one another.

Quinn breaks the kiss, inviting him in so the neighbors don’t catch them making out on the balcony. Joaquin makes a snarky joke about giving everyone a show. She grabs his arm and drags him inside. She places her hands on the top of his sweater after locking the balcony door, pulling him close as they stumble into the bedroom. Joaquin wraps his arms around her waist, kissing her deeply. Quinn breaks the kiss for a moment as she shuts the bedroom door, Joaquin heading to sit on the bed. She walks over and they wrap their arms around each other again, their hands roaming each other’s bodies like they can’t believe the other is real. Joaquin breaks the heavy kiss, both gasping for breath. He places his hand on her cheek, gazing at her like she’s the only person in the world. He whispers softly into her ear. “I want to do whatever it takes to make you feel good tonight, Quinn. We have a lot to celebrate”. She grins back, caressing his hair as she remembers her earlier promise to him after he helped her play a trick on Martin.

“And I have a thank you I still need to make good on”. He laughs, kissing her affectionately before responding. “That you do. I guess we’ll need to compromise. Though knowing I brought you any sort of pleasure and comfort is enough to make me happy”. Quinn places her hands on his chest, pushing him down onto the bed and kissing from his ear to his neck. She lifts his sweater off of his body while kissing across his chest. Joaquin lets out a soft moan, his hands tangling in her hair. “The only thing I want tonight is you, Joaquin. The rest is just a bonus”. He sits up, smiling lovingly at her. “You have me. I’m not going anywhere”. She pushes him down onto the covers, his head hitting the pillows while she sarcastically says, “You’ve proven that”. Joaquin laughs back, grabbing Quinn, turning her over, and kissing her intensely. They slowly finish undressing. The heat in the room blazing as they explore each other’s bodies. Joaquin holds onto Quinn tightly, making sure he never misses an inch of her as he plants teasing kisses all over her skin. The feeling in the room is more intimate now that they’ve finally admitted the truth about their feelings. The night winds down and they hold each other close, Joaquin kissing Quinn’s forehead and then speaking softly. 

“What do we tell the others at work?” Quinn runs her hand down his chest. Joaquin softly shivers, taking her hand in his, and kissing her knuckles.

“I want them to know the truth, at least eventually”. “Eventually, huh? Are you going to keep me as your lusty work secret? My ego might hurt a little, but I can’t say the thrill isn’t intriguing”. “For one thing, your ego will be fine. For another, I’d never want to hide you. I’m just down for a couple more rendezvous dates before the big reveal”. He grins, his mind already thinking of places to run off to. Quinn puts her head on his chest, hugging him close, the feeling of his heartbeat calming her. “I’m ready to tell the world you’re mine if you’re ready too, Joaquin”. He lifts her chin up to meet his gaze. “Nothing would make me happier”. Quinn answers him with a kiss, smiling against his lips. They spend the rest of the night in each other’s arms, Joaquin promising to make them pancakes before work in the morning. Quinn closes her eyes, comforted by his presence as they both fall asleep. They know that the future is bright now that they have each other.  

[vikingmagic33]

Part 3/3 is ready for this wonderful Helion/Lady of Autumn fic started by @thehaemanthus and @hlizr50

As a preson who writes mostly Gwynriel, I've had a wonderful time meeting new writers and flexing my sklls for some of the smaller and delightful ACOTAR ships. Thank you to @azrielshadowssing for organizing ACOTAR Writing Circle 3. Here is the link to the entire collection of amazing fics. ACOTAR Writing Circle 3 Masterlist.

Someday, Today | Helion x LoA

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 are also on AO3. For those of you who are all caught up, the NSFW text of my contribution for Part 3 is below.

The feel of his warm mouth on hers was more intoxicating to her senses than the single flute of champagne she’d allowed herself at the gala. Cora hadn’t been kissed in longer than she cared to admit, even quietly to herself. Beron had never been one for kissing and she hadn’t even thought about dating since the divorce.

People had assumed that seven kids meant a healthy, amorous marriage, but that had never been her life. Socialites at the club used to titter behind their hands and wiggle suggestive brows, ‘Beron just can’t keep his hands off you.’ No. He could not. Only a handful ever saw past his smooth words to notice his too-tight grip on her upper arm or his disapproving glare at some invented misstep she’d pay for when they were alone. He was always looking for reasons to prove that she belonged to him.

When she dared to sit on a committee with some handsome donor, she paid. If she spoke to another man at a fundraiser, no matter how briefly, she paid. If one of the boy’s many coaches, tutors, or even the few male members of Beron’s household staff chose to approach her, she was the one who paid.

Beron was insane. She hadn’t seen it at first. It started so slowly that she could hardly notice or object. His devotion shifted until stifling. His protection contorted to control. His manipulation was so thorough that she hadn’t even been surprised by the first slap. She thought she might even deserve it. Either way, he didn’t have the time or the inclination to try to kiss her. When he had, it was all pressure and teeth and filled with anger until it hurt. It was meant to hurt. With Beron everything was meant to hurt.

Perhaps that was why she’d risked a night with Helion those years ago. She was tired. She was lonely and sad. She needed something to cling to that was beautiful and her own. Helion had been hers. They’d been young and stupid, but they had loved one another, she was sure of that. As he kissed her, she could recall how tenuous her hold had been years ago. She knew that unless she found something beautiful to believe in she would die. She would die and leave her children alone with a monster.

She could never think of harming herself, but Beron would break something inside her irrevocably, eventually. It hadn’t been honorable, but it saved her nonetheless.

Where Beron was lean and handsome but hard, cold, and sharp, Helion was muscular, warm, and rolling. He managed to hold his massive body in a way that promised care and tenderness. He was power, but all promise with no threat. He was a heat that fed and never burned.

Beron used sex to demean her. That part had been a shock that Cora hadn’t been ready to learn. Helion had broken her heart with indecision and fear, but when they’d been together he was sensuality that only cherished and worshiped. She’d seen him four years ago and she’d known that she needed him. She’d needed him to remind her of that tenderness like she needed air.

That one night had kept her alive for years. She’d felt his tenderness take root inside her and she’d known that Beron had not broken her yet and he could never claim her again. Her proof had quickened and squirmed. Then she’d birthed it into the world in pain and hope and defiance.

His warmth surrounded her again. She craned her neck to kiss him and felt her back stretch up along the wall. He pressed harder and they tumbled away from the bedroom and her sleeping boys.

They made it down the hall, their backs gliding along outdated wallpaper and nearly toppling the tiny thrift store table she’d painstakingly restored. It held her keys, her mail, a whistle, and her mace.

“Shhh.” She giggled, reaching out to right the table before the noise clattered down the hall. She relished in the sound and the proof that she could still laugh. “And don’t you dare break my table. I like this one.”

“God, I’ve missed you.” He breathed. “I was such a fool, Cora.” She loved the sound of his voice. She loved the way he pressed her against the wall.

Thankfully, her boys were deep sleepers. But, what was her plan exactly? Helion pulled her leg up over his hip and she arched into the feel instinctively. She wanted him and that fact alone floored her. She’d been on autopilot for years, decades really. She’d locked that part of her personality away. She’d hidden her need and her desire from everyone, but mostly from herself. She could be that and live, but that was before. Feeling him against her, holding her up against the wall with his strength and his promise, she let the locked box dissolve and she welcomed that freedom with a moan.

She slid her leg down his thigh to stand again against him but on her own weight. Helion spun her around. They loved this position in college. It was feisty and raw. He pressed his cock against her ass, as one massive hand clamped down on the delicate curve where her neck met her shoulder. Her whole body froze, frigid with horror and slick with shame.

Cora was frozen in his arms. He felt that immediately. “Cora?” He whispered her name and released his grip on her neck and her hip. His hands remained on her, but they were soft and waiting.

“Don’t.” It was a grunt, not a world. “Please,” Cora begged. “Just not like that. I can’t,” She tried to continue, but her voice was rough and strained. “I mean… I could try.”

“No.” He cut off her words. She didn’t need to explain. She didn’t need to beg, and she certainly didn’t need to try. Whatever that meant. “Hey, babe. It's okay. I’m sorry. We don’t have to do anything. You know that, don’t you?”

“I don't want it to ruin this.” She hissed and finally turned to face him. “To ruin us. I can try.”

“Cora, stop,” Helion spoke more firmly than he’d intended and he caught her wince. “I don’t want you to try. Whatever we do tonight or in the future, I want you to love it.” Helion tilted her chin up so he could see her eyes. He kissed her again softly, once on the cheek, then her nose, then her lips. “Show me what you want. What sounds fun to you, Cora? You were very turned on a minute ago.” She blushed at his words. “Don’t try to deny it.” He teased.

“Very.” Her breathiness held no shame or embarrassment and they both relaxed at the sound.

“Okay.” He kissed her again. “Let's start there.”

“Let's.'' She pressed her face up into his next kiss. Then she kissed him hesitantly, but he could tell she was back. She was her and she wanted him.

Cora felt it stir again. It was just like the last time. She let her eyes drift closed and her body melted into this warmth. She felt whole and safe and sexy. She saw herself then and she was a woman, not a wife owned and not a mother doting. That woman wanted him and that woman would take him. Cara thanked her doctor for her IUD and giggled again.

“What's so funny?” Helion kissed a little spot on her ear. She smiled, remembering that it had been a favorite of his.

“I just told you that you’re a father.” It still felt a bit heady to admit it out loud. “And that my life has been a horror.” She refused to turn away from his knowing gaze. “And you still want me, just like we were teenagers out after curfew.”

He didn’t move, but his face sobered a bit. “We can sit and talk. We will eventually need to make a plan about Lucien.” He started to pull away, but she grabbed his wrist and held it somewhere near her hip. “But honestly, Cora, I just want to touch you right now. I want to feel you. I want to be close and show you that it doesn't have to be bad or hurt. I see a strong woman, a mother doing the best she can for her boys, but I also see a sexy coed who turned my head and drove me fucking wild. Whoever you want to be, I want her in every possible way.” His intensity was potent.

“I don’t know what or who I am yet, not really.” She paused. “but I want you, Helion. I’ve always wanted you.”

“Show me.” He begged and she liked the sound. She could feel his muscles bunch under her hands. He was holding back. He was waiting for her to lead him. She was in charge and her world tilted a bit on its axis. It tilted toward happiness and possibility.

Cora reached up and unclasped her pearl studded earrings and dropped them into the dish on the tiny table beside her. Helion collapsed back against the opposite wall and moaned slightly, entranced by the sight of her starting to undress. The sound startled her. Shit.

“Wait here.” Cora dashed down the hall to the kitchen. She’d just seen that stupid thing in the junk drawer and had been meaning to drop it in the donation bin at work. Thankfully, she’d been too distracted at the time. “Aha!!” Cora fished out an old baby monitor and punked it on the counter to keep rummaging for a cord, handset, and hopefully a fresh set of batteries. All of which she found quickly. She thanked the powers that be, who apparently wanted Cora to get laid.

She crept back into the boys' room. She’d never used it in that room, but after seven kids she knew the exact spot to angle the camera. Once back in the kitchen, Helion was nibbling on her ear, as she bent over the counter fumbling with the pack of spare batteries for the handset. She felt him rub his hands over her body and pull her flush against his erection. He was kissing her ear and her neck and it was nothing like the sensation that had froze her lust before. This was all heat and pleasure. She finally got the batteries in. An image sparked to life on the device, just as a screech of feedback cracked the air.

“Shit.” She huffed as they both froze. Her house was so small and the monitor was only a few feet away. She turned it off,

“Did we wake them?” Helion whispered through a nibble. She listened. Nothing.

“No.” Cora tugged him down the hall toward the front door. “Let's go.”

“Go where Cora?” He asked, but she noted he was still following her. He always would.

“To your car.” Cora turned and kissed him again as she pushed him out her front door. “Now, dammit.”

“Whatever you say.” He purred and she knew it was true.

Helion would stop the second she was uncomfortable. He’d pivot perfectly if she changed her mind. He was truly confident and open and he’d never needed to prove his worth on her flesh. His type of love seeped into her marrow and steeled the strength that had always been there.

He watched Cora pull open the passenger side door to the buttery leather backseat of his new Jaguar. It was impractical and selfish, but he drove it rarely to compensate for the conspicuous luxury.

“Get the fuck in here.” She hissed at him with want and suddenly he was twenty years old again and horny as fuck. His body pumped every spare drop of blood down into his throbbing cock. Damn. She’d always had that effect on him. Thankfully, she seemed willing to help him with his condition. Though the feeling of her freezing in his hands still lingered in his mind. What had that fucker done to her?

If only he’d been ready all those years ago, maybe he could have spared her. He’d traveled the world and built his empire and fucked anyone he wanted. That had been his plan and he’d been happy. Then he'd seen her and held Lucien in his arms and all he could think was that he’d missed the first three years of his son’s life. Then he’d heard about Beron and all he could think was that he could have saved her from it. Every one of those boys could be his. She’d have never had to endure all that she’d shared.

His hand clenched on the door handle. He wanted to rip it from its hinges. He wanted to find Beron and unleash the same level of harm that he’d shoveled onto Cora for all those years. He wanted to feel Beron freeze in terror and watch his eyes go round and furtive, looking for an escape. He wanted to watch the bright color in his face shift to a haunted pallor. He wanted him to be afraid of any movement.

Helion grit his teeth. He felt the energy in his body changing for a fight instead of for a fuck and that just could not be born. Cora was the one who deserved his undivided attention. By some miracle, she still wanted him and he wouldn’t let her feel any of his menace or his rage. He’d find a way to ruin Beron later. That fact was clear. He would ruin that man, but he would never become the monster that he hunted. He could be vicious, but he was way more creative and Beron wouldn’t see him coming.

He silently vowed that he would commit his life to Cora. They would both learn what it was to have love and respect. The boys would see what it meant to be your best for your family. They would see what was to cherish and to love. He would be the example for them that Beron never could be.

But that was for later. Beron and the boys would be something to sort out later. Standing at that car door, Helion would worship, fuck, and tease that woman in a way that was only for them.

He hunched down and slid onto the seat. He’d never been in the backseat of his own car before and it was weird to see it all from back there. He turned in the dark to Cora. The windows were tinted. The lights of a passing car barely registered on her cheek, but it illuminated her smile and he melted.

“Come here.” She demanded and Helion complied.

He’d always been drawn to her. He’d had many lovers over the years but nothing compared to touching Cora. He needed her. He needed to taste her and to be inside her. He prayed that was what she had planned.

He watched as Cora reached under her gown. Her shoes sparked from the floorboard. She was still in her dress from the gala and he watched as she slid her panties off. They were not lace. They didn’t match her gown as he’d been imagining earlier in the night. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that to himself. They were hot pink and clearly made more for the gym and never intended to go under a designer dress. It was dark and he reached for them, but she batted his hand away. He could have sworn they had tiny barbells in the pattern. For a thong, they had a shocking amount of fabric and probably came up to her waist. She blushed and started to speak, but he’d never seen anything hotter. She was a grown woman owning her sexuality and her body and she was what it meant to be sexy without even trying.

Helion took in the sight of her. This woman’s body had created seven people. He noticed a few stray marks of those miracles etched into her physical strength. His gaze snagged on a few scars. There was still the one from when they first tried rollerblading at the waterfront. She’d needed twelve stitches just above her knee. He ran his thumb over it and they both laughed. His laugh died on his lips though as he saw the others. Beron’s evil had stayed on her skin in a few raised welts and tiny jagged snarls. But Beron was her monster and she had conquered him. The scars were part of her and she was beautiful.

He devoured her mouth in seconds. His hand gripped one luscious thigh as he dragged her leg across his lap. She turned to face him as he notched her knee into the leather, pressed into the curve of his waist. She moaned and lowered her weight onto his straining lap. Then she giggled at his sigh.

Another passing car cast light across her beautiful face and that time she ducked into his neck with a slightly nervous laugh. His hands slid down to her ass and he rolled up against her core suggestively.

“What do you want, Cora.” He breathed, but it was begging.

“Want?” Her voice was a raspy snarl that he hadn’t heard all night, that he hadn’t heard in years. “We are well past want, Helion. What I need is for you to fuck me. Show me what I’ve been missing. Make me remember.” He had been begging, but she was commanding and he was game.

“Fuck.” Helion muttered as he reached down to his waistband.

She rode him slowly dragging her dress further up around her waist. She arched back and draped one pale arm out over the headrest of the front passenger seat. Her shoulders settled in the space between the seats and everything he’d ever wanted was on full display before him.

Helion was frantic. He unzipped his pants and lifted slightly to drag them down over the muscles of his thighs. She hissed at the sight of his length.

“Oh.” Cora breathed and licked her lips “I’m starting to remember already.”

Many women were intimated by his size. It was a blessing and a curse and had ruined more than one night of passion in his life, but never with Cora. It was like she’d been built just for him. As though she could hear his thoughts, she lifted up onto him.

“Go slow, babe. Don’t rush it.” He warned her. He didn’t want to hurt her. He never wanted to hurt her. It wasn’t really fair to expect that they would just fall back into their old patterns as though no time had passed. She leaned forward again. This time dragging her core over his naked cock. She was wet.

“Don’t tell me what to do, Hel.” She nipped at his ear.

There she was. She was the fiery woman he’d fallen in love with so many years ago and never managed to find a way to fall out. She reached between them and wrapped her long cool fingers around his throbbing length. She swiped her entrance a couple of times with the tip and he nearly came. Then slowly she pressed down hungrily until she was perfectly flush with his body and his cock was buried deep inside her.

He ground his teeth to keep from screaming. There was a real chance that he’d alert the whole neighborhood to the fact that two grown-ass adults were fucking the backseat like horny teenagers. A light snore came from the monitor on the seat and Helion nearly laughed, until she started to move. Just a slight roll of her hips at first. It wasn’t timid, but testing. She was adjusting, feeling.

“Oh god.” She moaned.

“Is it coming back to you now, Cora?” Helion teased.

“I never really forgot.” She breathed the words and his chest tightened.

She gripped the front of his shirt with her right hand and he squeezed her ass. He expected to pull her closer, to feel her face against his neck, but Cora held the tension in her arm. She hooked the tops of her feet into the inside creases of his knees and pulled his thighs apart as she leaned further back and sunk even deeper around him.

Then she started to move with more authority and he held his gaze in the darkness. She was claiming something with each movement. Was it him? Perhaps, but also so much more. She was claiming and she was giving. She rode him harder. There was no fucking way he was going to last. Not with all his emotions so close to the surface, not with the weight of every single revelation she’d offered him that night, and not with the years he’d spent pining for this amazing woman.

“Yes.” She huffed. “Right there.” She grunted.

He had to admit that loved the position. He loved the view of her small breasts bouncing slightly under the silk of her dress and the way her eyes blazed and her lips parted on the animalistic sound. He needed her to come. He needed her to know that it was about her. He needed to know that she would let him take care of her. His hand slid up her thigh. He splayed his fingers around her hip and dug deep into the flesh as his thumb found her clit.

“Come for me, Cora,” He begged. “Let me get you off. Let me give you that.” Please. He thought the word but managed not to say it.

She was taking her own pleasure on his body. That much was clear and he loved to see it, but he wanted her to let him give something too. He wouldn't manipulate her, especially in the bedroom or even in the backseat of a car. He’d have to be careful with her though. There would be so many triggers after so many years of abuse, but he was honored to navigate them. He wouldn’t trust anyone else with her ever again, except for her.

A few strokes of his thumb and her forehead settled against his own and her mouth opened in a silent scream. He felt her walls clamp down around his cock and her movements were jerky and erratic. She managed those few small squeaks that he remembered so well. Her eyes were closed but he felt her breath on his face and felt her attention on every bit of his body and soul. He would never walk away again. He would never again fail to be the man she needed.

The sound of their breaths filled the space and then she smiled a lazy sated smile only inches from his face. She kissed the tip of his nose as she lifted herself slowly along his length. Both his hands grabbed her hips and he looked down to watch his glistening cock disappear inside her warmth and then reappear covered in her release and chilled by the air. He shuddered. Cora was fucking perfect.

She built the rhythm that he craved and she devoured him with a ferocity that had his body threatening to finish with an embarrassing quickness. A few more thrusts and he clamped his hands on her hips to keep her still as he spilled deep inside her. He opened his eyes and she was watching him closely. There was a nervousness creeping back into her gaze.

“What happens now?” She asked quietly, but not shyly.

“Now, you should consider going back inside that house. Maybe kiss your boys. I do suggest a shower though, you reek of sex, my love.” She swatted him on the shoulder.

“You don’t get to judge. You’re the reason I smell this way,” She smiled. “Plus you’re no better.”

“True, but I don’t have anybody to hide it from.” He said it casually, but his tone carried the weight he wasn’t saying. She nodded once with a satisfied smile. His message had been received.

“The boys wouldn’t understand anyway.”

“Unless Eris comes home again.” He hadn’t meant to mention the boy. His rudeness from earlier still prickled. She started to apologize for him but stopped.

“He’s just a senior in high school.” She said with a tone that told him that she recognized her foolishness. He cut her a glance of knowing eyes. She just rubbed her hands over her face. “I can’t deal with that right now. Can we not talk about that tonight? Can we not talk about Eris?”

“Yes, anything you want.” He purred. “But I want you to go inside and kiss the boys, shower, and I want you to fall asleep knowing something for sure: I'm ready, Cora. I’m not some green boy anymore.” She raised her eyebrow and glanced around the car. “Fine. Backseat shenanigans aside. I’m a grown man and I’m not afraid. I’m a father and I plan to do everything in my power to be that every day for you, for them, and for myself. I won’t squander this chance.”

“I should tell you.” She paused and he slid from her body with a hiss. “I can’t have more.”

“More? What do you mean?”

“Kids.” Cora rushed ahead. “The doctor said it could be dangerous for me.”

“Should we have waited?” His heart raced in panic. He’d only just vowed to protect her. “Did we just put you at risk?”

“Oh no. It's fine. It's taken care of.”

“You’ve had surgery?” He was relieved. That was probably the safest solution for her. Her face went stony.

“Beron golfed with my doctor. Beron wouldn’t allow it. Kids were his… well. Nevermind.” She shook her head. “I went to Planned Parenthood. I got an IUD. No record for him to find.” She locked gazes with Helion, needing him to understand. “He’d have beaten me if he’d suspected.” She paused again. “He’d have killed me if he’d known.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I send a little bit of each check to them and a few other charities for women.” Her voice softened. “I’m not telling you this for sympathy, but you should know that I cannot give you more children. I wouldn’t even if I could. I’m done.”

He grabbed her in his arms and she sighed. It was easy to let whispered promises fall from his lips into her ear and against the skin of her neck. He tried to stay in the moment with her. He knew that his drive home would be full of moments spent relishing the scent of her on his skin and the memory of her pleasure seizing and rippling around him.

He’d also be hatching a plan. The seeds of which had already taken root. He’d need to use someone good. He needed someone he could trust and who was subtle enough to pull it off without any blowback on him, but most importantly on Cora or the boys. Thankfully, money was no issue. He could afford the best. Shit. He could afford The Shadowsinger. He was just the man to bring Beron to his knees and to know how to leave him there long enough to break him.

Beron had his chance to be a good man and to be a good father to those boys, but he’d been nothing but just poison. He’d manipulated his money and his power to harm those he could have loved most. Never again.

“I don’t need more kids, Cora. All I need is you.” He kissed her once on the cheek. “Plus…” He laughed. “We already have seven, my love. I think we are good on the kid front.”

She pulled back and studied his face. “You mean that don’t you.” It wasn’t a question.

“I do. Now get some sleep and I’ll be back to take you all to breakfast.” He smiled back. “I plan on wooing you, Cora. In the full light of day. Are you ready for that?”

“I guess we will find out.” Cara giggled and beam back at him.

“I guess we will, my love.”

[bubblegum-gloss]

Hii! My name's Anita and this is my sideblog! With pink, loa, beatification, pink academia, dream girl journey content! I'm not that active here. My aesthetic is like.. pastel y2k, with a little bit of bimbocore?

Favs: Nana, my bubblegum lipgloss, Melanie Martinez and Ayesha Erotica. Cinnamoroll, Hello Kitty, My Melody and My Sweet Piano. Fanfiction, glitter makeup. Ribbons, ballet slippers pink nails, Strawberry shortcake, Monster High. Marie Antoinette, rococo, morute, japanese street fashion.

Fav characters (that I feel inspired by or that I like their aesthetic): Angel Dust, Teruhashi Kokomi, Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, Cher Horowitz

My two moods:

Favorite clothing choices: doll like, with ribbons and ruffles. Babydoll dresses, crop tops, skirts, leg warmers, garters and chockers! ♡

My main blog (my personal one): @anita-vainilla

[jerzwriter]

Here’s a food for thought in regards to your dirty secrets which are NOW out in the open:

You’re the fakest fucking bitch ever in Tumblr to ever exist along with your precious Jamespotterthefirst and your little crew. You love to bully others who don’t write Open Heart fanfiction but yet you bully others who write “Laws of Attraction” fan fiction and hate on the book. By the way, @flowernewsqueen is the “Queen of Laws of Attraction” skills and she’s much more better than you. Do not act like you don’t know her because she’s a gem in the fandom over on instagram. So go fuck yourself for talking shit about her and anyone else who loves the book.

You ruined everything with the characters of Ethan Ramsey and Tobias. Get help you fucking cunt.

Uh... Nonny... sweet, sweet Nonny... you may want to have your meds adjusted. No shame in that game, really. I do it when needed, and I suggest you should too. Trust me.

This is my face at the moment because:

a) I bully those who don't write OH? Uhm. OK. I actually write for stories other than OH and want to expand on that... and I spend an insane amount of time running CFWC to support all Choices creators. But you listen to those voices in your head, boo. Like - what do you do to support anyone else in the fandom? Send sweet messages like this? It's unimpressive, honestly.

b) I hate Laws of Attraction? Really? That's news to me. Like, do I hate ham sandwiches too? Because that's just as fucking random. I have no issues with LOA, and even if I did, I wouldn't begrudge anyone else the right to enjoy it - much less bully them over it. Truly. Baffled.

c) I don't know the writer you refer to. I am almost never on Instagram; I only created an account there to support artists who aren't on Tumblr. Like, what kind of weed are you smoking, Nonny, and if it's that fucking good, can you share it with the rest of the class? Don't be stingy.

Babydoll, I'm here trying to determine if you have really bad sources if you were dropped on your head, or both... because you're buggin'. If attention was your goal - well - I apologize for giving you any. You won't get any more...but I decided not to delete this because it is just SO FUCKING RANDOM and I'm in my Reputation era - so I don't give a fuck.

Oh, and being fake? Bitch. Call me a bitch. Call me crazy. Call me whatever you like. Opinions are like assholes, we all have one, and the majority of them stink. But fake? I'm me in all my ridiculousness and proud of it. I parade my crazy out on the front porch and serve it sweet tea in plain view - hope it provides a little entertainment. I'm not some pretentious little c*nt trying to act like something I'm not. Mirror, sweetheart - get to a mirror. Fast.

You must be really bored or need a new hobby. Go outside, man. See a movie. Attend a concert. Visit a friend. Get Laid. Touch some grass...anything... because you're off your fucking rocker.

[thosehallowedhalls]

Thanks for the tag @inlocusmads!

Last song: ABBA's Gimme Gimme Gimme

Currently watching: The Gilded Age

Three ships: Choices ships? Trystan x Emma, Tyril x Raine, Ethan x Casey (though I find myself less and less invested in these two as time goes by).

Favorite color: Red and blue. It depends on the day.

Currently consuming: ... as in eating and drinking? I just ate a peach.

Place of birth: Let's say Southern Hemisphere and leave it at that.

Current location: My apartment.

First ship: Choices? Gabe Ricci and my LoA MC. In general? Max and Logan from the TV show Dark Angel.

Relationship status: Single.

Last movie: To Catch a Thief

Currently working on: A lot. I have workshops and classes to plan, a novel to write, several courses to complete, articles to write. Oh, and fanfiction to write!

Tagging @dutifullynuttywitch @petalouda85 @empressearwig and anyone who wants to do it!

[curiousconch]

Chase You/Chase Me (Pt. 4)

Part 4: The truth will never lie to me

Catch up here: Series Masterlist

Chapter Summary: Trapped in a conference, Gabe and Alex bask in the afterglow of their interrupted moment by the lake. But before Alex can fully comprehend how she felt, she unravels a truth that may cease the chase altogether.

Book/Pairing: Choices - Laws of Attraction / Gabe Ricci x MC (Alex Keating)

Words: 1.8k+

Rating/Warnings: Mature (16+) / alcohol consumption, language, implied sexual content. Reader discretion advised.

Author's Notes: Surprise! Yep, it's an early release! I made revisions to fit the ongoing narrative and ended up breaking it down into two parts. Also, this series may span longer than I originally intended it to be, not wanting to rush things. It will probably extend until Part 7, depending on what happens at the finale. I do hope you'll still stick around. If not, I'll totally understand. 😉

Disclaimer: Most of the characters as well as some dialogue belong to Pixelberry. I am merely borrowing them.

Late night, Boston

Shoe laces, cool wind and the darkness of the forest enveloping them. His breath shuddering with how close her lips was. His throat running dry.

Wanting, longing.

Just a little taste to find out how intoxicatingly delicious those cherry lips would be in his mouth and to feel the heat of her body against his.

And then a splash.

Gabe blinked as he felt ice cold liquid pouring over his crisp white shirt. He wasn't sure if he was having déjà vu.

"Oh, sorry mate," a man standing nearby had bumped into him, making the glass of scotch he was drinking shake and spill into his impeccable suit. He forced down the tasteless curse words forming in his mouth, groaning in frustration at the dissipating sensations from what he had been imagining.

His mind was stuck in an endless loop, replaying the romantic encounter with Alex just the night before. But very much like after Beau's dive into the lake, his consciousness whipped achingly back to reality.

Gabe was leaning on the mobile bar, set in the middle of the conference reception. Did he just lose himself in a daydream like a fool? He wondered, murmuring through his madness.

The time alone with her provided him a glimpse of what could be between them. And oh how euphoric it had been to have her so near, to watch his body respond to her like no other.

It left him just craving for more.

He was lying to himself if he continued to deny that he has feelings for Alex, and how deep he was already in for her. But he knew it wasn't meant to be, at least until after he admits the truth. Until then, he had to pull away.

Easier said than done.

For now, he settled for a view of her, his eyes scoured the room for the subject of his fancy. When he found her, Gabe couldn't stop his smile and the fluttering of his heart, or the warmth growing between his legs.

There she was, in the far side of the room, shining brighter than any star that they had seen in the night sky. Her audience completely captivated as he was with her.

The sight of her in that blue dress swept Gabe back into his fantasies, and how infuriatingly near he was to giving into them. He had to clench his fist around his tumbler, suppressing any trace of his earlier wild thoughts.

Apparently sensing the weight of his gaze, Alex turned to him, their eyes meeting in silent conversation. He watched as she excused herself before making her way towards where he sat.

Half-smiling, Alex's confident expression as she approached him made him swallow hard.

Gabe summoned all his willpower to rein himself in as she got closer. He plastered his usual cocky smile, once again putting up a wall of professionalism. They were in a conference, he reasoned.

"Still watching your wards, old man?" Alex chuckled as she reached a seat beside him.

"Working the room like a pro like that? Very hard to ignore," Gabe interjected, shaking his head. "Had to say Alex, I'm impressed."

"Glad you noticed," she smiled, clearly enjoying the compliment.

"Frankly, you charming the top tier lawyers were hard to miss," he said, with lips quirking into a grin.

"Were you watching the whole time?" she asked.

"Difficult not to, seeing how you're the best-dressed lawyer in the room," he continued, savoring the easy conversation.

She scoffed before turning around, grabbing a napkin from a bartender. Alex offered it to him, pointing at the light stain on his clothes.

He finally muttered a curse, realizing he had been too distracted not to notice the result of the spillage from his own drink. This was one of my best suits.

Gabe almost jumped when Alex started to wipe the front of his suit.

His eyes narrowed, unable to process what was happening. On impulse, he reached out to her, encircling his palms around her wrist. Alex snapped her head up at the touch, the intensity of her gaze enchanting him.

It took all of his strength to break free from it. He cleared his throat and looked away, before grabbing the napkin from her grasp without warning.

It had always been like this. At first, there was this fluidity, a natural attraction between them while they interacted. Then another goddamn minute passes and it all becomes downright complicated.

Gabe wasn't having it.

He briefly shut his eyes closed and released the breath he was holding. When he opened them, he focused his attention on wiping the stain from his jacket, avoiding Alex's questioning gaze. He decided to divert the conversation, robbing her of any opportunity to re-capture him in a trance.

"Don't worry, I don't judge potential partners solely on congeniality. Though I can't speak for Sadie." He then turned and discarded the cloth on the bar. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll have to speak to a friend who I'm sure will be thrilled to know I'm now a partner."

He finally dared to look at Alex with almost apologetic eyes, before swiftly walking away towards a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Alex was left gaping at his hasty departure, uncertain how it all went south so quickly. She wanted to grab his arm and pull him to her so badly, to pick things up from where they left off last night. From that moment when his lips was inches away from taking hers, before they were interrupted.

Her body ached to be near him. Then again, that's not how she usually operates, so she let him be.

She had never thought her idol was such a tease. Or perhaps, traditional? Alex snickered. Oh how I'll make you beg, Gabriel Ricci. She exhaled, the sultry thought of the man on his knees in front of her suddenly hiking up the temperature in the room. Alex had to fan herself to cool down.

Along with the idea of finally spending some alone time together, conjuring the image of waking up beside Gabe excited her. Well, if ever this chase between them actually culminates to something.

But why was she following this trail of thought? In all her conquests, she had never stayed for what came after. She had that with Julian, and look how that ended. For her, it was always just for the fun. So why does she suddenly liked the notion with Gabe? She shuddered. Ugh, weird.

Maybe it's because it's taking the long game with him? Alex didn't want to know.

Leaving that for now, she resorted to ordering another shot of patron to drown the remnants of her heated thoughts. On her third glass, Alex heard a familiar voice ordering a shot of bourbon. She swiveled towards it and caught sight of Lina Reyes, the opposing lawyer from the Willow case.

"Fancy meeting you here," Alex smiled lazily, remembering how temptingly attractive she was. She also recalled the offer of a hook-up, which she politely declined out of courtesy.

But now, seems like she's getting another chance. And with Gabe being annoyingly hard to get, Alex had to have fun somewhere else. It's not like she and Gabe was committed, right?

Lina scooted closer to her, smelling of a heady mix of alcohol. "Speaking of fancy, damn. You look more incredible than I can remember, Alex," she teased, provocatively arching her brows at her.

Alex quickly picked up Lina's attempt to flirt, stoking her bruised ego. "Gotta be dressed to impress, right?" she waved her fingers as if in curtsy. "Enjoying the conference?"

"At this point, things tend to devolve quickly. But I do plan to have a nightcap back in my room," Lina smirked, Alex feeling the heel of velvet pumps brushing along her bare leg. "Maybe you could join me?"

The woman wasn't exactly subtle, though Alex had to give props to her for her confidence. She liked that in anyone. So Alex returned the gesture, letting her fingers hover an inch over her arm while batting her eyelashes. Two can play that game.

"I think we should stay here."

Wait, what? Did she just say no? Subconsciously? Did hell just freeze over? Or did her brain left her head?

Both women blinked, unable to determine who's more mortified between them. They were both quiet, until Lina broke the awkwardness by a chuckle.

"Had to try, didn't expect I'd be turned down twice," she said consuming the rest of her drink in one gulp. "Worth it though." she shrugged, ordering another round for herself.

Alex struggled to compose herself, brows furrowed in confusion by how that went down.

"Oh don't be so bothered, you're not my first rodeo." Lina poked at her jokingly, clearing up the air. Alex thanked her, and the conversation went smoothly from there.

Several more drinks in, the two women chatted on, venturing into a variety of topics in law and in love. It didn't take long before Lina started to slur in her words, to which Alex found amusing.

"Looks like someone didn't pace herself," she observed as she sipped her cocktail.

"Ah don't mind me, had to cleanse my palate after all the boring sessions earlier," Lina toasted her glass on hers, wobbling as she shifted to face her. "We are a rare breed, us fighters," she leaned towards Alex, lowering her voice to a whisper. "We like-minded women should just stick together, you know?"

Alex was relieved she turned her down the second time. Barely listening to her, she started to drift off as Lina continued rambling on, turning around to face the crowds as her eyes tried to locate that handsome man. Alex smirked when she found Gabe's sexy outline.

"Lot of ungrateful dipshits being freed from prison, even after we work our asses off proving they deserved an earlier release. Khan, Kozlowski, those celebrities involved with the Ivy League admission scandal? Hell, even small town criminal Cornell was released in the last five years alone!"

And with that last statement, Alex froze. "Say that again?"

Confused, Lina stuttered as if she can't remember what she was saying. To Alex's annoyance, she went silent, apparent that more humiliation was on the way. Lina abruptly stood, covering her mouth with her hand as she sprinted to the bathroom. Alex let her pass.

Assured that she'll be fine with her colleagues flanking her, Alex started to obsess over Lina's last sentence.

Was that just the patron? Or am I getting too drunk and starting to hear things? She asked herself, bewildered at how randomly Lina mentioned a Cornell.

With an exasperated sigh, she decided it wouldn't hurt to check. She pulled out her phone from her purse and fired up a search engine, where she typed in the godforsaken name. Alex tapped enter.

As soon as the results loaded, she felt the world crumble beneath her.

No, no, no, no, no. This fucking didn't happen.

She clicked on one of the articles from a local news outlet. The picture beneath the headline shoving her nightmares front and center. There it was, the title written in bold stated loud and clear: Cornell Son Gets Early Release.

Alex bit her lip as she fought to gather herself together, speed reading through the article. This was definitely a surprise, but what really got her reeling was the figure of a man walking behind Maximilian. She'd pick up who that was from anywhere within a mile radius.

Alex tried to keep herself rational, but the shock rippled through her, enough to shake off the alcohol in her system. And why did her stomach churned like she was punched in the gut a hundred times over? Why did she felt fucking betrayed?

Unexpectedly, she knew it wasn't discovering Cornell was now walking freely in the streets.

Deep down, Alex was aware it was because Gabe Ricci was involved. Either way, it looks like her high and mighty boss has some explaining to do.

Her blood boiled, a myriad of questions went through her mind. Resolute, she wanted those damn questions answered. Tonight.

She downed her drink and slammed the empty glass on the bar, sending a text to draw Gabe's attention.

She looked over where he stood, watching the frown in his face as he read her message. She clicked her head, beckoning him outside.

Even he can't fathom the fire storm that was about to come his way.

Author's Notes 2: Thank you for your continued reading! 💖 How do you think things will go down next? Let me see your reactions on your comments and reblogs!

Tag list: @adiehardfan @pixelnutrookie @starryjieun @latinagiraffe @sarcastic01lily @spookycolorpeanut @ophrookie @suitfer @thegreentwin @mkatschoicesblog @made-of-roses @lillijill

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[mynotsohealthyobsession]

Firefighter

Book: Law of attraction

Pairing: Gabe Ricci x F!MC / Tyler x F!MC

Words: 1.524

Warning: A few slightly mentions of smut and a bit angst but mostly fluff

*Tags in the reblog*

A/N: I know this request had been in my box since for ever but honestly I haven't found the perfect pairing for it until now! Here hoping you like it @bobasheebaby 🤞 and so sorry it took so long 😭 It's my first time writing this two, so I hope it fit with the characters.

Gabe Ricci was the kind of man that always got what he wanted. He decided to be a lawyer and, with a lot of effort, he did it. His goal was to climb up the corporate ladder inside McGraw Byrne and, working his ass off nonstop, he was doing it, even faster than he had expected. But there was one thing, or better said, one single person, that he couldn't allow himself to be with. No matter how badly he wished for it.

When he saw Quinn Michaels for the first time, passionately winning a case for her old law firm, he knew he was attracted to her, to say the least. But he was sure he could handle it. After all, he didn't want a relationship, it was just a small crush. He persuaded Sadie to see her in action for herself. He knew that her talent was being wasted in a small firm and town like that. And, like always, he was right. Sadie had been intrigued by her way of thinking under pressure and hired her on the spot. And she was crushing it, week after week in the cases, as well as in the competition for the open position.

She had adapted to New York and the firm extremely fast. Her attitude, how she interacted with people, even her wardrobe seemed like the typical new yorker, born and raised in the big apple. And she was driving him crazy.

Every word, the way her pupils dilated when he touched her, her lips getting close to his, looking like the most precious thing in the whole world, slightly open, ready to kiss him. The way she looked at him and tell him that stop fighting against his feelings, it was a daily torture. He desperately wanted to be with her, like he never had with anyone before. Gabe not only desired her physically, which he did every time she had said his name, imaging how it would sound in her moanings as he pleased her in every possible position and place; he also found himself daydreaming about little things. Having breakfast with her, waking up with her beside him and shower together, kissing her in front of everyone, showing that she had chosen him, even simply hugging her, like he wished he could do after Beau took the credit for her incredible work.

He had tried to keep his feelings for himself, allow himself to flirt with her and take a step back when he was too close to giving in. Too close to push her against the wall, pinning her with his body, and kissing her like no one had before. And her seductive personality didn't help either. The jealousy he had felt every time that she had talked too intimacy to anyone or left with someone else's arm around her, was almost unbearable. He had seen her leaving with Lina Reyes twice, cosily talking and smiling, without returning afterwards, and he knew that she had flirted with that fireman, that Tyler guy, while he only could watch powerless, without the right to say anything to her.

The clock marked 10:30 PM. Since he was completely unfocused, he turned off his computer, grabbed his briefcase and loosen his tie with one hand, leaving his dark office behind. When he reached the building's crystal door, taking his attention off of his phone screen, his legs abruptly halted. He knew he should leave, act like he hadn't seen anything, avert his stare off the scene in front of him and try to forget it. But he couldn't.

Quinn's arms were around a guy's neck, pressing herself against his chest, threading her fingers in his short locks like Gabe had imagined she would do with his. Her mouth, that beautiful mouth that he wanted to leave sore after kissing her, was firmly tangled with the stranger's. He noticed how her hand tugged a little his hair, how his teeth pulled her lip as his hand left her waist to her rear, slightly squeezing it, how they lustfully grinned into the kiss. It seemed like they could keep going for hours, even days, until his phone rang and they finally separated. He walked a couple of steps away, answering as she brushed her lips with her fingertips, cravingly roaming his muscular body with her gaze for just a few seconds, turning around, noticing Gabe for the first time. The corners of her full lips rose up in a mischievous smile.

"Evening Gabe." Her voice was a little husky, exactly like he imagined it would be after left her breathless. "I thought there wasn't anyone still working."

He smirked, composing himself. "I could say the same." His eyes drift momentarily to the man's back. "Although, working is not the word I would use."

"Me neither." She grinning smuggling, focusing her stare pointily at him. "There's something bothering you, Gabe?"

"I don't know what you are referring to." He tried to make his voice sound neutral even if all he could think was how desperately he wanted to hold her against his chest, that his lips passionately took hers and his hair she would pull. To show her what a mind-blowing kiss actually was.

"Of course not." She lifted her eyebrow, taking a couple of steps towards him, it almost seemed like she knew exactly what he was thinking. "Well, better that way, correct? After all, this was your decision."

"You know why." Before he could add anything else, the stranger had cut the call and returned beside her.

"Sorry about that." The guy placed his arm around her waist as he observed impassable and the briefcase's strap cramp his palm as he held it tightly.

"It's okay." Her palm against his chest was worse than all the insults he had heard in his whole life. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, but I have to go back to the station. We are short tonight." His light eyes landed on Gabe, it almost seemed like he hadn't seen him until now. He couldn't blame him, if he would have been kissing her that way, he probably wouldn't have noticed anything else as well.

"Oh right! Ty, this is Gabe, my coworker." He detected the low level of irony in her words. "Gabe, Tyler. He's the firefighter that helped me with the arson case." Well, if he had any doubt that she had flirted with the fireman at that time, now he could be completely sure about it.

"Ah." He knew he should thank him for his collaboration but that was further than he could endure. "The information you gave her was truly useful."

"Believe me, it was definitely my pleasure." He winked at Quinn, grinning as she returned the gesture, and Gabe's shoulders tense up. "I'm always open to help."

"Clearly." His jaw clenched slightly. It was just a bit but enough that Quinn noticed it before returning her stare to Tyler.

"Sorry, beautiful, but I have to run."

"Thanks for the pick-me-up." She gave him a brilliant and sincere smile.

"Anytime." He pressed his lips on her cheek. "I'll call you." He flashed a smile to him. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"Good luck." Quinn said to him as he left them alone. She strained her back a little and walked past him, heading back to the building. "I have a few things to do before leaving, so I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"He's a snake, Quinn. You need to be careful who you get into bed with." The words escaped from his mouth before he could stop them. To his surprise, she stopped and chuckled, facing him again.

"The guy that literally lives saving people, risking his life everyday, that helped me with the case, and was disposed to testify if I needed to, is a snake?" She crossed her arms. "You'll have to forgive me but I don't see it."

"You don't really know him. Not everybody is who they seem to be in this city." Her smile turned a bit cynical.

"I know that." She took a few steps closer. "And I also know how to read between lines, Gabe. And I'm not particularly fond of games." She was standing so close to him that he could almost feel her breath on his face. "You think I don't see how much you enjoy flirting with me? And then back off? To tease me? Or the way you look at me when you think I'm not watching you or when I'm with someone else? That I didn't notice that you were jealous about Tyler that day and now too?"

"You think I enjoy this?" His voice was a raspy whisper, the helpeness he was feeling palpable in each word. "It drives me nuts to keep my distance, to be strictly professional with you."

"You know perfectly fine how little professional this…" She pointed between them with her finger. "...Is."

"Quinn--"

"Just a friendly piece of advice, Gabe. Some opportunities only happen once. And they don't linger for long." She walked inside the building, the doors closing behind her as she disappeared from his sight.

✨

[tophuukiey]

the sound ringing in my ears.

Pairing: Aislinn Tanaka x F!MC

Summary: Quinn can't stop thinking about that moment. How she'd seen the bullet fly past her, her whole life flashing by in the blink of an eye. But she feels Aislinn's hand on hers, warm and comforting.

"Let's take you home," she says softly.

This is a small rewrite of THAT scene in LoA Chapter 14.

Word count: 3.8k

-There is a dirty 30 scene-

A/N: Revived this dead acc to post this. I just wanted to get this out of my system because I thought that dirty 30 buildup felt rushed. Just an opinion! And this isn't really a "fix", just a fic. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

==

She remembers every second leading up to that fateful moment—Aislinn, pale and frozen, staring at the masked robber, at the phone, the key to this entire case.

She remembers feeling something flare up inside her, a spark of anger, ignited into a blue flame that crawled through her entire being. A feeling that felt a lot like fear.

Quinn Michaels believes herself to be a rational human being. She was smart, top of the class, the popular, hotshot lawyer in her old town. She was hired by Sadie McGraw herself, not to mention being handpicked by Gabe Ricci.

But in that instance, all logic flew out of her head when she feared she would lose everything. Marcus. This case. The partnership.

There's a gun on that man's belt. And Aislinn is right between the two of them.

She ran.

"Don't! He's got a—!"

"Quinn, no—!"

The gunshot rings out in an instant. A flash of bright light from the barrel of a small gun.

She swears she must have passed out. For a second. Or two. Maybe more.

Because when her eyes blink open, she's on the ground, alive and catching her breath. Hands pressed tightly to her ears. The man is gone, and so is Aliana's phone.

She feels a bead of sweat trickle down her nose and onto the tiles below. She hears—no, feels Gabe and Aislinn hovering over her, talking, asking her questions.

All she hears is the gunshot ringing in her ears. The frantic beats of her own heart. She vividly recalls her own life flash by in the instant that bullet flew over her.

"No, I—" She gasps. She blinks a few times, shaking her head. The ringing won't stop. "The phone... the—"

"I don't care about the goddamn phone, Quinn! I care about you!" Gabe interjects sharply. He sounds angry, but his voice is trembling.

Aislinn is much softer, and her voice quivers as she speaks. A pained look crosses over her features.

"Gabe's right. You're what matters here. You've always been what matters..."

She feels Aislinn take her hand. She meets her downcast gaze, eyes dark and heavy through her lashes, a thin sheen of moisture covering them.

What's that saying in novels, Quinn vaguely wonders. The thing about staring.

Well, Aislinn is looking at her as if she’s the most precious thing in the entire world. And because she chokes under the weight of her gaze, she looks away and at Gabe.

The man sighs.

"We'll have to call the authorities. Report a break-in, a criminal assault, and... goddammit, where the hell is security anyway?" He hisses.

His fingers are flying over his phone in an instant. Quinn keeps her gaze trained on the floor, the diffused reflections of three figures beneath her.

She feels Aislinn squeeze her hand.

"Let's take you home," she says in the softest voice when she finally looks at her.

==

The ride to Quinn's apartment is quiet, the air heavy with unsaid words and restrained emotions. Though the building isn't too far off from McGraw Byrne, the journey felt longer than it really was, further amplified in the slow and much more cautious manner Aislinn drove through the busy New York streets.

Only when they pull up in front of the apartment building does Aislinn break the silence with a sigh.

"Are you okay?"

Quinn blinks out of her trance. "Oh, just..."

She meets Aislinn's piercing gaze. She realizes she can't make up any excuses.

"I'm not... but I'm better than I was," Quinn finishes weakly.

Aislinn nods slowly, turning away to unbuckle her seatbelt. "Let's get you inside."

Quinn isn't used to this—this... tension and silence between them. They'd always been comfortable with each other, in spite of Aislinn's reserved nature conflicting with her own much more forward one. But in the elevator ride up, she can't seem to find the words to say to her.

Truthfully, she can still vaguely hear the ringing deep inside her ears.

It's Aislinn who breaks the silence again when they arrive at the apartment.

"I guess my little favor paid off," she chuckles softly, looking around the chic New York apartment.

Quinn watches her scan through the living area, at the few remaining boxes strewn beside the foyer, the little trinkets of memories she had placed on the shelves and sideboards, the magazines and newspapers lying on the coffee table, the laundry sitting on the couch.

Finally, her gaze lands on Quinn, and she smiles.

"I like what you’ve done with the place," she comments.

"You mean, absolutely nothing besides throw some trash around? Sure,” Quinn manages a joke, and she relaxes when she sees Aislinn’s smile widen.

“So? It makes it feel more lived in. I mean, considering the circumstances…” Aislinn trails off.

Quinn feels the air become thick again as they both grow quiet. As the awkward tension rolls back in. She sighs, leaning back against the nearby counter.

“I’m sorry you had to… come here. That you had to see what… we all saw.” Quinn’s tone comes out more bitter than intended. “Really, I’m just a mess. I’m a lawyer for a murder suspect. I shouldn’t be surprised to be getting death scares. It was my fault anyway.”

Her mind wanders to the various news clippings she’d caught over the course of the years. Naïve lawyers standing up to political leaders, big-name companies, royal dynasties—it never ended well for any of them. Koenig was no different. If he had the guts to kill someone as big as Aliana Velazquez, then what does that make her?

Quinn Michaels. The country bumpkin lawyer, a dolphin swimming in a sea of sharks. Hired by Sadie McGraw over the goddamn Tree Law.

If anything, he probably viewed her as an annoying ant.

Sensing the growing turmoil in her head, Aislinn swiftly makes her way towards her. Quinn feels Aislinn’s hands close around hers, consuming them in a small, warm embrace.

The woman squeezes her hands.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it. I know that look. And just because it’s happened to others before doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to feel scared or just… breathe,” Aislinn says as she rubs soothing circles around her knuckles. “You can talk to me.”

Quinn stares at her for a long moment, before she sighs and gives in.

“I just… feel so… angry. So useless. Not like myself. Just…” Quinn grits her teeth. “We were so close. We had everything. And it just… disappeared like that.”

“There was nothing we could do,” Aislinn mutters.

“Yes, there was. We could have made backups the second we found—God, Quinn, why didn’t you think about that?” Quinn hisses, looking away. “Maybe if we’d been faster. If I’d run faster. If I just risked it all—!”

“No,” Aislinn interjects. Her leveled tone is colored by a drop of anger. When she speaks again, her voice trembles with a mixture of pain and fury. “What are you saying, that you’d throw your life away for one client?”

Quinn presses her lips together. “That’s not—we were just… this close, Aislinn! I could still be hit and live. I could have gotten—!”

“So, you want to be a sacrificial lamb?” Aislinn’s face twists in anger. “What are you even saying? You’re Quinn Michaels. You’re smarter… you’re better than this. Don’t act like a martyr just because you feel bad about yourself.”

Quinn falls silent.

“You could have been hurt... or dead! You have…” Aislinn’s voice softens. She raises Quinn’s hands to her chin. “So much to live for. So, what if we lost the phone? We have other sources to look to. We can look for other ways. We can still build a solid case. But if we lost you… If I lost you…”

Quinn feels the weight of her words, breath caught in her lungs as an indescribable emotion fills her entire chest. She meets her gaze. She hears her own heartbeat ringing in her ears.

Aislinn’s eyes glisten with the whisper of oncoming tears.

She holds her gaze for a long, meaningful moment before she closes her eyes and presses a soft kiss on Quinn’s knuckles. When she pulls away, the ghost of the kiss still lingers on her flushed skin.

“I’d be pretty sad if I lost you, Quinn Michaels,” Aislinn lets out a wet chuckle.

Quinn doesn’t know what compels her to do it. All she knows is that she feels the universe tugging her towards this woman, and she closes the distance between them with a soft kiss.

Aislinn sighs as they pull away, resting her forehead against Quinn’s.

“Sorry,” Quinn mumbles.

“You better be,” Aislinn grins cheekily. “I know how you’re feeling… to some extent. But I don’t want you to act like this is your fault, because it isn’t.”

Quinn chuckles, pressing another quick kiss on the other woman’s lips. “Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?”

“What do you mean?” Aislinn asks.

“Just a few months ago, we were at the Brass Monkey,” Quinn grins. “I was giving you a pep talk because you said you were afraid of speaking up. Now, look at you. Now, you’re the one giving a pep talk and I’m being stupid.”

“Ha, it’s like we switched places,” Aislinn laughs.

“We’ve come so far, haven’t we?” Quinn smiles, leaning even closer so their noses touched.

“Yeah, I guess,” Aislinn returns her smile. “Back then, I’d just fantasize about kissing you.”

“But what’s stopping you now?”

At that, Aislinn presses her lips to Quinn’s again. Soft, at first, but as they move to the rhythm of their rising heartbeats, their kiss deepens. Grows and grows and turns more desperate. Quinn’s hands pressed to the sides of her face, pulling her closer, even closer. Her own hands gripping and twisting at the fabric of the other’s suit. When Quinn’s thigh brushes against her center, it’s only then she pulls away, flushed and gasping for air.

“I…” Aislinn’s voice is a desperate whine. She clears her throat, blushing deeply. “We shouldn’t…”

But Quinn holds her by her elbows, giving her a meaningful look. “Won’t you stay with me tonight?”

Aislinn stares at her, silent and thoughtful. The gravity of her words slowly sinking in as each second passes. She sees Quinn’s eyes, final and resolute—a sparkle in them reminiscent of how she’d been before the evening’s incident had occurred. She sees herself reflected in the dark pools of gray in Quinn's eyes, her own expression conflicted.

Then, she sees a flash of a memory. Quinn diving at the armed robber. A pistol pulled out of its holster. The cold terror that seeped into her entire being.

She presses her hands on the sides of Quinn’s face, gently pulling her closer until their lips meet again.

I can’t bear to lose you.

“Of course,” Aislinn whispers into her lips.

==

New York is colder tonight. The clouds are dark and heavy, rolling in as thick clumps of gray that obstruct the moonlight. The winter months are slowly approaching, and pedestrians meander in the streets in thicker clothing.

Quinn swears she sees her breath cloud around her as she gasps into Aislinn’s mouth. But she’s not at all cold. In fact, it’s warm everywhere. Her lips, her cheeks, her ears, her arms, her abdomen—every inch of her Aislinn has touched. And it’s especially warm… down there.

From above her, Aislinn meets her eyes with a heavy-lidded gaze. Pausing only for a moment, before she meets her halfway once again in a feverish kiss. One of her hands finds hers on the bed, their fingers intertwining with each other.

Their blazers are already scattered on the floor of the bedroom. And Quinn is halfway done with opening Aislinn’s button-up when she suddenly pulls away.

“Are you sure about this?” Aislinn says in a single breath. “I mean, the circumstances…”

“I don’t care,” Quinn rasps. “I just want you.”

Aislinn looks at her for a moment, dark eyes pooling with unbridled desire, cheeks and lips flushed in the heat. She sighs, bringing up their entwined hands to her lips and pressing a soft kiss there.

When she lowers their hands, she’s smiling fondly at her. “Let me take care of you. Just this once.”

At that, she lowers herself unto her and kisses her deeply, before she begins peppering soft kisses on her cheeks, her jaw, her ears, her neck. Hands stroking along her arms, her chest, her stomach. Every touch spelling a quiet confession of adoration and something deeper for each other.

Quinn’s hands roam around Aislinn’s figure, grasping and pulling at her sides in a desperate and silent plea for more. More.

“Aislinn, I—” Quinn’s voice dies in another moan, as Aislinn’s fingers find their way to her bare thigh.

“Every part of you…” Aislinn whispers across her skin, pushing the fabric of her blouse further open. “I adore.”

She moves lower still, peppering kisses every step of the way until her lips meet soft flesh through the fabric of Quinn’s bra. At the touch, Quinn’s gasps devolve more and more into groans and moans, and she pulls Aislinn even closer to her.

“Wait—”

The words die once again in her throat, as Aislinn pulls her bra down and takes her breast in her mouth. One hand massages the other breast while the other strokes teasingly along her inner thigh. Every touch and stroke adding more and more fuel to the fire burning up within her lower abdomen.

Quinn slowly grinds up to meet her hips, desperate for relief. But Aislinn is determined to take her time. This is the one moment, the only moment she can do this.

It’s true that she’s never been good with her words, even with Quinn in her life present to support her.

This is the only thing she thinks she can do, for this precious person before her. Sprawled across the bed and at her very mercy.

“Help me out, will you?” She chuckles drily, tugging at Quinn’s remaining piece of clothing. Though flushed and panting, the woman sits up, and they both help each other out of their own clothing.

“Wait, let me—” Quinn starts, but Aislinn quickly shushes her with a searing kiss, slowly pushing her back down on the bed.

When she pulls away, her eyes are twinkling, and a fond smile rests upon her face. “There you are.”

Aislinn’s fingers find Quinn’s center, eliciting a whimper from the woman beneath her, hips bucking up to meet her. As she peppers soft kisses around the woman’s face, her fingers continue rubbing slow circles around Quinn’s heat.

“Have I told you,” Aislinn whispers across her lips, “how beautiful you are?”

Her fingers enter Quinn’s center, and the woman cries out, hips grinding up slowly to the rhythm of her fingers, moving in and out. Aislinn’s other hand rises up to stroke her cheek, wiping the beads of sweat that have formed on her forehead.

She presses a tender kiss on her nose, her cheeks.

“Every part of you is beautiful,” Aislinn mutters, capturing her lips in her own. When she pulls away, Quinn looks at her with heavy-lidded eyes. “I… adore… everything about you, Quinn Michaels.”

She kisses her again, leaning her forehead against Quinn’s. Her rhythm slows and steadies for a moment.

“I won’t let anything happen to you again,” Aislinn says. “I promise.”

Quinn’s gaze flickers between her two eyes, inscrutable. A myriad of emotions—desire, adoration, and uncertainty—floating in the endless pools of gray. Her breaths are heavy with the warmth that fills and burns within her chest.

Quinn isn’t sure if it’s because of Aislinn, or the shitty circumstances that led up to this wonderful moment, or just herself—but as the warmth inside her chest overflows, a single tear rolls down from her eye.

Aislinn’s eyes widen and she pulls her fingers away immediately. “Quinn? Oh my god, I’m so sorry! Did I do something—?”

“No, no, no,” Quinn chuckles weakly, pulling her back down and embracing her. With their bodies flush against each other, she feels Aislinn’s racing heartbeat.

“Then, wha…?”

“I’m just… Ha, I’m happy,” Quinn murmurs into the woman’s ear.

At the sound of that, Aislinn pushes herself up to meet her gaze. Quinn presses her hands to her face, pulling her closer until their lips are a whisper from each other.

“You promise?”

Aislinn searches her eyes for a moment, before grinning widely. “I do.”

“Then stay. Stay for the night. Come and take me.”

It’s all Aislinn needed to hear. She leans down, whispers to her ear.

“Let me worship you tonight.”

Koenig might have stolen crucial evidence from them, but that’s not what matters now. What matters is that Quinn is alive and here, embracing her, grasping at her skin, begging and crying for more and more and more. What matters is that she’s here with her, coaxing her through her climax, deft fingers working through her heat.

They’re a tangled mess of bodies covered in sweat, arms and legs entwined together. Gasping, moaning, clawing, and writhing against one another, as they chased after their highs desperately, grinding down over and over against each other’s centers.

The strangled cry that bellows from Quinn’s throat is enough to send Aislinn over the edge, and they hold each other as their bodies quivered, as their hips moved to ride the final rhythms of their climax.

And then everything was still. Only their tired breaths lingered in the thick atmosphere of Quinn’s bedroom.

When they finally settled down into the sheets, Quinn turns to face her, practically glowing.

“You’re unfair,” she huffs.

“How? I think I did a pretty good job,” Aislinn teases.

“I’m not used to being… not in control,” Quinn slings a hand over her side, tugging her closer.

“There’s a first for everything,” Aislinn grins.

They both laugh softly. For a while after that, they remain silent, enjoying each other’s quiet company. Quinn’s eyes are unfocused as she draws slow, lazy circles on Aislinn’s skin, a myriad of thoughts racing in her mind.

She’s awoken from her reverie when she feels Aislinn stroke her face, pushing a few stray strands of hair back and behind her ear.

“What are you thinking about?”

Quinn hums. “Just… everything, really. About Koenig… Sweetwater… Marcus… the Velazquez… Sadie, Gabe, and… everybody else at McGraw Byrne…” her gaze drifts upward to meet Aislinn’s. “You.” Her brows knit together before she grins. “A lot of you.”

“I’m flattered,” Aislinn scoots closer. “Care to elaborate, though?”

“I guess… after everything we dug up, what happened today is definitely not going to be a one-time thing anymore,” Quinn looks away. “They know we’re on to them now, however way they found out. That means you and I... and everyone else we work with has been compromised.”

Aislinn’s gaze turns serious. “You’re right. Which means we can’t gather evidence as freely as we did before.”

Quinn groans. “This just got harder than any of us could have imagined. Not only do we have to worry about the press and Marcus, but we also have to worry about Koenig getting to us. Our lives are at stake now.”

Aislinn grows quiet and contemplative, but her gaze remains fixed on the planes of Quinn’s face. The sharp curve of her nose, her plump lips, her sharp jawline. The dark circles beneath her eyes. Her fingers stroke languidly at her arm.

Quinn meets her gaze.

“Ash?”

Aislinn blinks back in surprise.

Quinn flushes. “Can I call you that?”

Only her family calls her that, and the thought makes Aislinn blush deeply. Though, in spite of her rising heartbeat, she smiles softly.

“Sure.”

“What are you thinking about?” Quinn leans closer, inquisitive eyes boring into hers.

“Just… that I almost lost you…” Aislinn mutters.

“Oh…” Quinn visibly swallows. “Are… are you okay?”

Aislinn answers after a beat, her tone heavy. “I’m fine, but… I keep thinking about it. About a while ago, and how easily we could have lost you back then.”

She pauses for a beat. Quinn lets her continue.

“I remember how scared I was that you… that we could have never…” She doesn’t finish the thought, shaking her head off it. “I’m afraid that something like that could happen again. And I know it can and it will, knowing our ‘enemy.’ And I know what I promised, but…”

Her eyes begin to glisten with the onslaught of tears, and her cheeks, as well as her ears, burn a bright red.

“I don’t… want us to stay like… this,” Aislinn struggles to say. “Just colleagues or friends or whatever we are. Seeing you back there, just seconds away from getting shot—it made me realize if I don’t say this now, I might regret it for the rest of my life.”

Aislinn takes Quinn’s hands in hers, pulling it up to rest at her chin, as she rubs soothingly at her knuckles. Her voice trembles as she speaks.

“I like being with you. You’ve always been at my corner here when everyone else liked to play sharks. I like working with you, being your friend, your colleague, but…” she chuckles sheepishly. “I guess it’s not enough, because most of all, I like kissing you, and hugging you, and being with you like… this. I know it’s selfish, and if you say no, I’m alright with staying as friends, no hard feelings, and I know I’m not really doing a good job with my pitch—”

“‘Pitch’?” Quinn interjects teasingly, squeezing her sides to keep her from rambling further.

“Shut up,” Aislinn grins as she squeezes her hands, taking in a deep, placating breath. “What I’m saying is, I want to be with you, Quinn. Now. Tomorrow. Wherever, whenever. I want to be with you and keep doing cliché things with you like they do in hallmark movies.”

“I guess it’s fitting that you’re making a speech,” Quinn teases once again.

“So,” Aislinn scrunches her nose. “I was… hoping you’d… uh, want to be with me too?”

Quinn doesn’t answer. Instead, she looks at her—really looks at her, gaze dark and unreadable, but heavy with the weight of a thousand unsaid words. Aislinn meets her gaze with a look that is uncertain, but undoubtedly filled with adoration and longing and most of all, a desperate question meant only for her heart to hear.

It’s silent for a few, albeit long, excruciating moments, in this dark room, with nothing but the sounds of their breaths in the air.

Then, just as their phones light up with the arrival of a new message, a soft smile spreads across Quinn’s flushed lips.

In that moment, eyes locked on Aislinn’s, she only hears the sounds of her heartbeat ringing in her ears.

“Yes.”

[riiichuuuu]

MY LOA MC : Siddhi Gupta

Name : Siddhi Gupta

Book : Laws Of Attraction

Nicknames : Sid (friends), Gudiya/Guddu (Her Father)

Birthday : June 13

Age : 29

Nationality : Indian-American

Hometown : Los Angeles

Occupation : Lawyer/Litigator, McGraw Byrne

Height : 5'6"

Appearance : Long, wavy, black hair ; Black eyes ; Petite ; Olive skin tone

Family : Aakash and Bhavna Gupta (Parents), Dr. Saanjh Gupta (Sister)

Love Interests : Gabe Ricci (Present) ; Caran Scott (Past)

Personality : Passionate, Kind, Impulsive, Stubborn

Other : Ambivert, Can get shy at times, Nature Lover, Gets easily emotionally attached, Book lover (big one), Hates sports, Loves singing and painting, Trilingual (English/Hindi/Korean),Very close with sister, Struggles with anxiety since mother's death, Loves black

Meet my MC credits : @jamespotterthefirst

[silver-rings-and-rabbits]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Landry should have been the one to join the diagnostics team

Long post incoming.

Remember when @playchoices made stories that actually told a story? When there was a slow build-up over the course of several chapters, drawing us in? Remember when everything happened for a reason? Remember when stories actually had a satisfying conclusion (because I don’t actually remember the last time Choices gave a book a satisfying conclusion)?

Landry joining the team would mean the drama would relate to MC and co, centring them to the story, possibly coming full circle to book 1. MC has spent this whole book like Jiminy Cricket: the conscience in someone else’s story.

Having just finished the penultimate chapter of what is likely to be the last book in the Open Heart series...all I feel is emptiness and I think it might be largely because I didn’t care about what was going on.

At the beginning of book 3 (I thought it was a strong opening chapter, but it was all downhill from there) there were a lot of points about things not being what they seem: Bloom’s unsettling attitude, all the shiny new upgrades, Binx, illusion cakes, cutting corners in research to get to the results quicker. I thought this could lead to something dramatic happening in the hospital: a collapse due to shoddy building work, or a fault in the electrics causing a fire (think the subway crash from book 1 chapter 14; dramatic but grounded). MC gets hurt and their LI goes crazy worrying about them and takes care of them for a couple of chapters (maybe the LI gets hurt as well, but I can’t stand the idea of Rafael going through the ringer for a third time) and then this leads to a court case against Bloom, he’s declared unsuitable to run a hospital or something and has to leave but court rules he has to keep funding Edenbrook or something, and then life can finally go on as normal.

Instead, we got a lot of plotlines that ended up dropping off to nothing, and a court case that appeared out of nowhere two chapters ago. Wow, PB, considering how much you’re worrying about funding, you’ve sure wasted a lot of filler on this book. You ruined Ethan for me as an LI by forcing him down my throat in book 2, and now you’ve ruined him as my MC’s mentor with book 3. And then I had to care about this court case that happened ten years prior to the start of the book? No! I still feel like I’m waiting for the main plot to get going and the book has reached it’s end! 

I don’t have high hopes for chapter 16. I don’t think I even have hopes.

Why were you so weird about locking down our LI, given that one of the MAJOR complaints throughout 2 and 3 has been the distribution of screen time? And even when we had the chance to spend time with our LI you glossed right over it: my MC and Raf were about to get it on at the end of the last chapter and they forgot about that in favour of researching Ethan’s case. Would it have killed you to put a scene in before that? Heck, you could have ended the scene with MC looking for comfort, cue a diamond scene with the LI OF OUR CHOICE.

Why did you gloss over Bryce and Jackie’s storylines? Bryce’s family could have been handled better in book 2, and book 3 we see Keiki and his mom for one chapter and Bryce is forced to forgive and that’s that. Alternatively he gets too cocky in surgery, makes a mistake, accepts the mistake and moves on. Jackie had moments in book 2 that make me think she has self-esteem issues: “Go easy on yourself, OK?” “I’ll try” and everything about her chapter 12 diamond scene, but they were never brought up. Book 3 has her thriving as chief resident but one chapter she’s ignoring Jade’s strengths and in the next she realises she’s wrong and that’s all wrapped up. Storylines are usually a little longer than two chapters.

I’d ask why you glossed over Rafael but I already know he was supposed to be dead and a lot of his scenes were just there to keep us from complaining again. I see you @playchoices

Why did you try and set up this jealousy/insecurity plot with Harper and Ethan when that was going to go nowhere except for villainising Harper?

Why was there no PTSD from last year?!?!?!

Speaking of last year, all that drama with Esme boiling down to a scene where she either says hi or gives you the cold shoulder. Somehow I knew that would happen. Her entire character deserved better.

Caroline? I feel like her illness might have been part of the rewrites resulting in a few hastily added lines to remind us that she’s allergic to Bloom.

And the book 1 hearing didn’t have an effect on anything, not even someone being slightly suspicious of MC, and as far as we know Landry got away with all the shit he did. In hindsight, I shouldn’t be surprised that nothing else had consequences.

On the lighter side, the best parts of chapter 15 were Rafael reminding MC of how much he cares, and the chinchilla sensing when MC was upset and nuzzling their cheek. I would die for Spooky.

But I’m tired. I’m so very tired. I can’t even gather up enthusiasm for LoA or AVSP. I don’t want to spend diamonds on them, because LoA might not go anywhere, and AVSP is a one-shot. You have recently developed a pattern of badly-written, disappointing books, and now you’ve destroyed what could have been your crowning glory.

Damn, I thought I’d be angry writing this post but I don’t have the energy for that. Ah well, anything I forgot to say I can save for the finale I guess. In the meantime, I’m off to eat pizza, watch Friday Night Dinner, and write fanfiction to fill the gaping holes you have left in your story.

@playchoices I get that you can’t tell us everything. But you have GOT to do something soon or you will have no fan base left, and you’ll only have yourselves to blame.

[curiousconch]

Chase You/Chase Me (Pt. 6)

Part 6: Something About You and I

Catch up here: Series Masterlist

Chapter Summary: Alex and Gabe find themselves deeply encumbered by the Marcus Sharpe case, but when Gabe mistakes Alex's night out, the crack in his wall completely unravel.

Book/Pairing: Choices - Laws of Attraction / Gabe Ricci x MC (Alex Keating)

Words: 2.2k+

Rating/Warnings: Mature (18+) / 🍋 MINORS DNI.

Author's Notes: This is completely inspired by Ben Platt's version of the underrated Lady Gaga classic song You and I.

Disclaimer: Most of the characters as well as some dialogue belong to Pixelberry. I am merely borrowing them.

Two weeks after the conference, Los Angeles

Alex is just about sick of jet-setting across the country, ready to swear off airplanes for the rest of her life.

The Marcus Sharpe case seemed to take up 90 percent of Alex's life in the present. As two powerhouse lawyers, she and Gabe had no time to deal with what happened between them in Boston. Alex had her competition, Gabe has his senior partnership. All the history digging left that unchanged.

So there she sat on the couch of her five-star hotel room, hair wet from the shower. As she continued her routine, she pondered about how strange her life had become. Two consecutive nights of clandestine proposals, both of which she turned down.

First, with Tyler and his PI friend, Will. Then it was Marcus.

Tonight, Alex dropped by their client's new condo to fill him in on what they just discovered. Marcus, much to her surprise, had subtly hinted he wanted to "feel connected to someone".

That must be the worst pickup line Alex heard in her life, but hell, who'd turn down a chance with celebrity?

Turns out, she would.

What has Gabriel Ricci done to me? So here she was, literally shirtless and sex-less. She shook her head and shook off the glowing warmth from within when her thoughts drifted to Gabe. But before she went deep, Alex relinquished her phone to distract herself, once again reading the message Will had sent her.

It's amazing what you can unearth from a little digging.

She had fought against the rest of the senior associates on bringing what they just discovered to Marcus, but he was off the grid since this morning.

Fuck it, I'll leave a voice message then call it a night.

Before Alex can dial his number, she heard a knock on her hotel room door. Startled, she tightened the bath robe she was wearing, strode to the entryway and opened her door.

Her jaw fell to the floor when she saw a disheveled Gabe leaning on her threshold. Alex was just about to be delighted, when an uncertainty in his eyes stopped her.

Gabe was about to say something, until his eyes traveled from her face down to her bathrobe-clad body. Alex had never seen him more dumbfounded.

She suddenly felt more naked than she actually was, and he was beginning to regret 'stumbling' his way to her room.

Alex finally managed to find her voice, crossing her arms across her chest. "What are you doing at my hotel room door, Ricci?"

"I just wanted to catch you before you drifted off, I know I've been unreachable," he shifted, shoving his hands to his pockets. "Didn't know you were in this state of... undress."

She merely scoffed, intending to conceal her delight. Did he just intentionally seek her out?

"Why don't you come in? Let's catch up," Alex dared.

Before Gabe can wonder what the hell he was doing, he nodded. He went in as Alex stepped aside, closing the door behind her. He watched intently as she padded barefoot to a mini fridge. "Drinks?"

"Anything you can offer," he replied passively, as he looked around the warmly-lit room, observing how neat things seem to be. The only sign of disturbance was the unpacked suitcase sprawled on the floor, a tablet and her phone laying side by side on a nearby desk.

He felt jittery. Somehow, he knew this is where the line ends, where black and white can turn gray at any moment. Yet like a moth to a flame, he couldn't resist her anymore.

"So?" she asked, leaning on a side table as Gabe took a swig of alcohol. "What did you find out?"

I found out that you met with that fireman again. He'd seen her in the bar the other night. He'd seen them leave together and it woke something primitively possessive in him. That's when he realized how deep he was into Alex Keating. He couldn't stand the thought of her being with someone else.

But like classic Gabe, he ran from it. He made up an excuse of digging evidence to keep himself distracted, to not talk to her until he'd been able to wrangle this unusual fit of jealousy. He wasn't successful, seeing how he ended up in front of her hotel room less than 24 hours later. He wanted to come clean. No more evading, Ricci.

Before he can even begin, her phone pinged. Gabe turned to look on impulse.

Enjoyed the other night. See you in New York? - Tyler.

Eight words that drove a wedge right through his heart. Eight words that made Gabe's stomach drop.

Alex caught him looking, caught his reaction even, evoking an amused smile from her. "This doesn't suit you," she said bluntly, sauntering closer.

"What doesn't suit me?" Gabe struggled to stand his ground, as she stood dangerously close, that intoxicating mixture of coffee and vanilla sending his senses to overdrive.

"Jealousy," she smirked, her palms landing on the lapels of his navy jacket. She looked up at him with a questioning look, asking for permission. When he nodded, one hand traveled upwards to land on his chiseled jaw. She tiptoed closer, their lips a mere inch apart. "You don't need to, Gabe. I only have my eyes on you now," she whispered, her voice tender in a way he'd never heard of until now.

It was all it took to make him abandon the remainder of his resistance.

When their lips finally crashed, it was fireworks. The hunger that has built up from months of pining exploded into unrestrained desire.

Gabe wrapped his arms around her waist as his mouth savored the taste of her. He yearned for more.

Sensing his blooming desire, she tilted her head, giving him more access, their bodies bumping on furniture as they got more enraptured with each other. In between the frenzy of their hands, she managed to pull off his jacket and loosened his tie. He assisted her as she unbuttoned his shirt, her robe slowly slipping off her.

As their tongues danced, they walked a path of discarded clothes to the foot of her bed. They stumbled on the soft mattress right before Gabe reluctantly pulled back.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked, cupping her chin in his hand.

"I've never been more sure," she replied.

She kissed him with passion, straddling him as her hands explored him all over. Gabe pulled the string of her robe breaking her free of her only cover. He laid back and admired Alex's figure, committing every curve, every mole, ever flaw to memory. He wanted to remember.

"Like what you see?" she smirked, sitting up, making work of his boxers.

"Yes, very," he growled.

She quirked a brow, eyes widening as she exposed his erection. "You're not so bad yourself," she purred, her head diving to take him in her lips.

Gabe gasped and groaned as Alex's head bobbed up and down, alternating from sucking to licking. Her tongue and her hands has left him almost undone, driven him almost to the edge. But he wanted this to last, so had other things in mind.

"Alex, let me," he said hoarsely, making her look up. With one smooth move, he took over.

He was desperate to let himself go, but not before satisfying her. Not before assuring her that this wasn't all carnal. A woman like her deserved to know that this moment was far from a one time thing. That though he's cutting through their chase, he fully intended to make her stay.

For a long time, he wasn't willing to cross the line that separated lust and love. But for Alex, he's more than willing to make an exception. And he wanted to let her know.

He kissed her once again, intimately, hungrily, his hands exploring every part of her body that made her feel good. He kissed her nose, her cheeks, her chin, her neck. One palm cupped her breast, rolling her awoken peaks with his thumb. His mouth dipped into the valleys of her chest, before slowly traversing her smooth skin, worshipping them with his tongue, with his mouth.

"Oh, Gabe, yes.." His name dripping from her lips made him shiver, his fingers slowly tracing downwards to the depths between her legs. He found her wet and ready, affirming what she had just said, that she was only his.

"Condoms?"

"I'm on the pill," she whispered, parting her legs for him. He positioned himself in between her thighs, his throbbing shaft rubbing against hers.

When he entered, they both gasped.

She felt so tight. He felt so hard. And the pleasure just mounted from there on.

With each stride, she purred and moaned, her fingers entangled in his hair. Gabe groaned and shoved, slowly at first, trying to find a pace that made her want him more.

"Harder, please, Gabe," she begged, her hands finding their way on his back.

When he increased his rhythm, he felt her nails rake against his skin. Her pleas got more and more desperate for every inch of him. She wrapped her legs around his hips, allowing for him to angle himself and go deeper.

"Alex... you feel so good," Gabe uttered in between kisses, her slickness making him feel her desire for him all the more. He then felt him reach the limits of her depths, barely holding himself in.

But she beat him to it, screaming his name as her pleasure climaxed. The ripples of her ecstasy surrounded him wave after wave. Then fire pooled low in his abdomen as he finally let himself go.

Their connection pulsed until it ran dry, and Gabe collapsed beside her in satisfaction.

For they didn't know how long, they stayed still, savoring the bliss that they've just experienced.

Until Alex broke the silence. "That was..."

"Mind-blowing?" Gabe smiled.

Alex side eyed him, nudging him with her elbow. "Sure, we'll go with that," she winked.

Gabe chuckled, turning to her and finding her lips once more.

Alex had spent so many years sleeping around, but this with Gabe, she knew, was a game changer. She wasn't entirely sure what happens after. Usually, this was when she'll slip out and say thank you for the bang. But that doesn't seem to be an option now, leaving her no clue what to do.

As if reading her mind, Gabe reached for her hand, capturing her attention.

"You're thinking what to do, what this means," he didn't ask, merely stated.

She turned on her side and faced him, nodding.

"I don't know yet, Alex. Our jobs complicate things..." He continued, taking her in his arms. "Though I'm sure about this - we have something here. I've spent so many sleepless nights wondering how it felt to be with you. I came here to say that I'm done just thinking," he said, his lips brushing her fingertips. "I want you, Alex. But only if you want me too."

His words and his intense gaze made Alex's heart swell. Never had she felt so much for someone than she did for him. He was right, they're past wondering what this could become, what they could be.

So she gambled, all in, and told him the truth. "I want you too."

No words have made him happier. He pulled her close, feeling her warmth against him, restarting an exchange of fiery passion between them that would last all night, until it exhausted them both and put them in a euphoric slumber.

As night turned to morning, Alex was awoken by kisses on her shoulders.

She yawned, turning to face Gabe who have spooned against her. "Morning, your hotness," she stretched and kissed him on the cheek. She tried to get off the bed, but Gabe pulled her back to him.

"Stay in for a few more minutes, boss's orders," he mumbled against her neck.

"My boss is a pain in the ass, so I have to get dressed," she teased, breaking free from him and finally managing to sit up from the bed. Gabe stared at her gorgeous outline, the morning sun making her tanned skin glow all the more.

"I don't remember you complaining about it last night, in fact, you said you enjoyed it," Gabe's lips curled mockingly.

Alex rolled her eyes at the innuendo, before dipping down to kiss him. "You are insufferable, you know that?" He laughed, as she got off the bed and start to find her way through the mess they made.

"Speaking of work, I haven't told you what I've dug up," Gabe sat up, leaning his back against the headboard as he watched Alex strut around naked.

"And pray tell, what have got you so occupied for one whole freaking day?" Alex inquired.

He stood up, finding a towel to cover himself up. "I found who Aliana was dating."

"Peter Koenig, owner, CEO of Koenig Industries." Alex stopped and glanced at her phone, pulling up the police record and showed it to him. "The team agreed to let Marcus know, so I paid him a visit last night."

"You what?" Gabe was stunned, feeling undermined. He shoved himself around, collecting his clothes and putting them on one by one. "Why the hell would you do that without my permission?"

"Because you weren't available, need I remind you that you made yourself very scarce when we needed you?" Her tone was guarded, hoping to prevent the situation to escalate.

It was futile.

"That decision was meant to be made by me, not you," he asserted heavily, anger taking over. He took his jacket and made his way to her door. With one final frustrated glance, he went out and slammed the door behind him.

She crumbled into the floor, the afterglow of their passionate night shattered by his sudden departure.

Like a sobering rush of cold water, Alex was reminded why she never dated the men she slept with.

A/N 2: We're almost at the end, so thanks for your continued reading! Thoughts? I'd love to read them in your comments and reblogs! 💖

Tag list: @adiehardfan @pixelnutrookie @starryjieun @latinagiraffe @sarcastic01lily   @spookycolorpeanut @ophrookie @suitfer @thegreentwin @mkatschoicesblog @made-of-roses @lillijill @kachrisberry @weaving-in-words @peonierose

@choicesficwriterscreations @lawsofattractionfanfiction

[curiousconch]

Chase You / Chase Me (Pt. 1)

Part 1: Burning on the Edge of Something Beautiful

Catch up here: Series Masterlist

Chapter Summary: Alex finds herself personally affected by the Rothswell case and Gabe attempts to find out why.

Book/Pairing: Choices - Laws of Attraction / Gabe Ricci x MC (Alex Keating)

Words: 1.8k+

Rating/Warnings: Mature (16+) / implied sexual content, alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Most of the characters as well as some dialogues belong to Pixelberry. I am merely borrowing them.

Wednesday Evening at McGraw Byrne

Back from a day in the courts, Gabe stepped out of the elevator and into the halls of McGraw Byrne. Eager to finish the day's work, he passed by the break room where he unwittingly heard something that made him instantly halt.

"Did you see how clammed up Keating became when you asked her that question?" Gabe heard Vanderweil's deep voice.

"Actually, I sensed something irked her during the ride back. Seems like I did strike a chord," a serious female voice replied, which Gabe presumed was Sinclair's.

He made the assumption that the line of conversation was about their visit to the Rothswell's mansion. Earlier that day, the law firm's major client Philip Rothswell, demanded that they see to the whole Lydia and Joey situation. So Gabe and Sadie instructed the associates to go see the young heiress, trying to give the firm more time to create a more solid strategy than playing family counselor.

When they were placating Rothswell, he noticed how Alex fidgeted in her chair as she listened to their client. The way her body pulled up every defensive stance in the book full with meaning.

Seems that what he just overheard confirmed his suspicions. Something was bothering Alex Keating. And like all things Alex, it piqued at his curiosity.

It irked him that he did, more than he was willing to admit. Seems like even as trivial as office gossip, as long as its about her, Gabe is guaranteed to take notice.

Hastening his strides, he continued on to his plush new office, the setting sun coloring the wood furnishings with a hue of orange. He tossed his briefcase on the khaki couch, his leather soles padding on the clean white carpet. Loosening his tie, he crossed the room towards his desk. He took off his coat, hanging it on the rack nearby and turned to face the glass walls which offered a much better view of the concrete jungle below.

His mind whirred as he rationalized with himself as to why he was so invested with Alex. He initially chalked it up as a familiar, primal response to her... attractiveness. Yet as he watched her emerge from every pressure test and challenge he and Sadie gave her, he can't help but root for her.

It's not just that. After a long time, Gabe wanted to be near someone. He wanted to hear what bothers them, their goals, even their history. A level of interest he never exhibited to his usual carnal pursuits.

She stirred up something sleeping within him, something he willed never to return.

Consumed by the thoughts of her, Gabe finds himself glancing at his Rolex and hatching a guise to know what made the mighty Alex Keating got so worked up about.

**

Sometime later, uptown New York

"Alex... Have you ever had someone like Joey mess with your head? It's not about smart or stupid," Gigi had asked.

Alex poked her fork at the piece of chocolate soufflé as her mind whirled back to the ride back to the office.

"I'm not buying you any more of that Riesling if you wouldn't even bother being a worthy companion," Gabe teased, before downing another glass of scotch across her.

Her head immediately perked up, breaking free from her introspection. Alex forced a smile in response.

"As if another glass would make a dent in your indomitable fortune," she leaned back, trying to hide her thoughts under the façade of her sarcasm, rolling her eyes at him for added effect.

The two find themselves in a swanky New York restaurant, its upscale interior design worthy of the five star Yelp rating. The sleek tables and gray scandinavian chairs made Alex grateful that her wine red dress fit among the crowd. With a private booth overlooking the city lights and the delicious gourmet food served, she did not regret accepting Gabe's dinner invitation to meet a client.

Her mind decided that more work and Gabe's company was a great way to distract herself from the nagging of her memories, and it didn't hurt that the senior partner was easy on the eyes.

And when the supposed big shot canceled at the last minute, Alex completely saw it as a win.

"Something bothers you." Gabe suddenly articulated, breaking her from her contemplations.

Alex's brow arched in reply, as Gabe stated it like a fact, not as a question.

Crossing her legs under the table, she folded her arms across her chest.

"And why does that concern my pretend-boyfriend, hm?" she interjected, hoping to evade his interrogation.

"You're not the only astute one in this booth," Gabe let his eyes trail across her defensive stance the second time today.

Throughout the course of their meal, the heat between them simmered as well as the flow of their usual banter. Their chemistry was palpable, convincing even the waiter of the restaurant. The cocky man was certainly redefining the phrase hot and cold for Alex. He quickly and easily shut down her attempts to flirt, pulling back when the temperature between them reached a boiling point.

But Alex was more surprised, pleasantly so, when Gabe briefly opened up about his past and the vague explanation of why he's still not settled down.

She sensed the current trajectory of their conversation was what Gabe planned to have all along.

But now, as she swirled the remaining expensive liquid in her glass, trying to decide whether to put her guards up or to just give in, she couldn't deny the uncharacteristic softness in his gaze. It was magnetizing, making Alex want to fold and drop her pretentions.

She watched him as he seemed to eagerly anticipate for her retort, a half smile lingering on that pretty mouth of his.

Alex knew he won't push her if she didn't want to, yet a part of her wanted to share the heaviness that weighed on her shoulder since meeting Lydia Rothswell. Of how much the teenager reminded her of her old, naïve self.

She's been trying to rack her brain for a reasonable explanation for her growing desire to introduce herself to Gabe more than she'd allowed the string of men that she had trysts with. Despite her continuous self-denial, her gut is telling her that Gabe wasn't like any other she crossed paths with.

Making up her mind, she decided to let the door open. Maybe just a little.

She sipped her wine beckoning some needed courage, wishing that she ordered something stronger.

Taking a deep breath, she began, her eyes fixed on the view behind him.

"Since you were wondering, my otherwise impeccable track record is stained by one mistake," she paused, finally turning her gaze to Gabe's waiting eyes.

"Like Lydia, I trusted the wrong person," she continued. "I... risked everything and got nothing."

Gabe's mouth twitched ever so slightly, sensing a fluttering in him because of Alex's candor. There was no trace of the witty comebacks he'd grown to see in her, only vulnerability.

And somehow, he adored her more.

He watched her as she bit her thumbnail, an action greatly contradicting the fiery personality she projected in front of everyone else.

Alex gritted her teeth as she fought back the overwhelming emotions as she stopped herself from revealing more than she's prepared to. Not yet, not tonight, she thought.

"But I woke up from that nightmare, solemnly swearing to myself that I wouldn't repeat the same wrong decision that almost railroaded my whole future," she concluded, determined not to expose herself any further.

A hush fell between them.

Alex raised her head to meet the eyes of the man that made her walls crack, expecting to find intrigue. Instead, she found a subtle look of understanding.

It's as if it was telling her that he knew. He knew every pain and every hurt that she wanted to just forget and bury inside a box, never to be opened again.

Just because for him, pain was a familiar companion. That like her, he too, has been through hell and back.

And while she relished under his attention, her breath slowed, letting herself be trapped within the depths of those reassuring brown eyes. Alex thought nothing can make her drop down her guard, but Gabe's next actions proved that there's still more he can do to break down her walls.

Without thinking, Gabe reached for her hand and took it in his, skimming his own thumb on her knuckles in an attempt to comfort her. He smiled warmly at her, expressing a gentleness that she never thought he was capable of.

It made Alex's heart skip a beat.

Even Gabe seemed to slowly enter the same daze, unable to veer away from Alex's unguarded view. Any remnants of his resistance, leaving him. He found himself leaning in, lured by the heady scent of her perfume - a mix of coffee, vanilla and jasmine. An unexpected combination that enticed him more to her.

For a few moments, their world stood still, as if they were on the edge of discovering something that all their lives they subconsciously sought.

Something more than any flirtation or any pursuit for lustful pleasure. Something more...

"More drinks, Gabe?" a familiar voice broke them from the temporary oasis that they pulled themselves in.

All of a sudden, they were sucked back to the reality of their actual surroundings. The noise of other patrons of the restaurant, the soft ambience of the lights overhead, and the fact that he was her current boss, and that she was under his professional supervision.

Gabe turned to James, their waiter, and refused the offer nonchalantly, and instead asked for their check.

"We should head back to the salt mines, the stack of work on my desk probably hasn't gotten any smaller since we left," Gabe casually said, erasing any trace of what just happened between them. Alex silently agreed, following his queue by checking her phone for emails.

The trip to the lobby was wordless, as well as the wait for their ride. Up until Gabe opened the door of the town car, not following Alex inside.

"Aren't you coming?" Alex inquired, briefly confused.

He cleared his throat, his expression stoic before he answered her. "I think its best if we part ways here. I wasn't kidding about needing to head back to the office," he paused, a look of contemplation in his eyes before it softly shifted to that of sincerity.

"You, on the other hand, should go home and get some rest. Partner's orders."

Alex couldn't help but smile. "Whatever you say, Gabe."

"Careful, Alex. I just might hold you to that promise one of these days," Gabe replied, the usual playfulness evident in his tone.

And with that, the door closed and the car pulled away.

But as Gabe watched the vehicle fade out of his sight, his phone pinged for an email. Glancing down at his screen, he saw the name of the sender, prompting him to open it in haste.

The message contained a single statement: "I found what you asked me to look for." An attachment was included.

When he opened the file, he saw a picture of a younger version of the woman he just parted from.

And a look of recognition passed over his face.

Author's Notes: This is getting a little canon divergent, though I'm just expanding their dinner conversation and using the intimate setting provided in the original book.

Tags: @adiehardfan @pixelnutrookie @starryjieun @fucking-random1 @choicesficwriterscreations

Thank you for reading! Let me know if you want to be tagged or removed on succeeding installments. If not, please reblog or comment, I'd really appreciate it!

[curiousconch]

I hope I'm not late for this

73 for gabe and alex?

Almost all stories are them in love

How about this be their first or one of their fights you know

Thank you

Oh! This was difficult!

I hardly thought about them fighting, but you're right, everything should be in balance. So, here's an attempt at that. Sorry it took me weeks to figure this one out.

For requests, check this.

Ficlet below the cut. Prompt will be in bold.

Silent Ricci Night

This wasn't how Alex imagined this day ended.

One minute, they were celebrating her win, next thing she knows she gets the silent treatment.

The supposed great night was getting spoiled by Gabe's sulking.

And the fact that he was being so vague about the reason was keeping Alex on her toes.

Deciding to leave him be, she instead drifted her attention to the familiar faces at the bar. This was her first major win since becoming junior partner, and it was a big deal.

She had just shut down a greedy real estate mogul with a slam dunk class action suit, the families forcefully evicted being compensated along the way.

The same case where she first met Tyler, whose unabashed grin was beaming at her at the moment.

She sighed and leaned over the bar beside him.

"Thought we'd be celebrating, why the long face?" the hunky fireman had wittily said.

Alex traced her finger at the rim of her scotch filled tumbler, shaking her head.

"Guess the clouds over my head spoils the mood, huh?" she chuckled.

They engaged in an easy conversation, having stayed friends after all. Did they ever cross the line again? Alex and Tyler knew better to not mess with how platonic they have become, especially upon how their respective romantic relationships advanced.

Abruptly, Alex felt a dark presence behind her that stifled a concerned look from Tyler.

She already knew who it was by Tyler's nervous expression.

"I'm going ahead," Gabe said as she turned to face him.

A nod was her only reply, to which Gabe's lips pursed and brow raised.

Perhaps she was more tired than she let herself on.

"Bye bye, you won't be missed," Alex said with a dismissive flick of her hand.

Tyler's mouth flew open.

There was an electric feeling in the air, one that anytime could combust and wreck everything along in its path.

Gabe broke the silence with a stoic look in his eyes. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Alex let out a sigh and followed him outside. Once the cold New York night air touched their skin, Gabe shattered the seal that was forbidding them to fight.

"Explain yourself," he muttered, clenched fists at his sides.

Alex brushed her hair with her fingers. "You need to be clearer than that."

"You really don't know?"

"Of course not! You've been sulking the whole night when this was supposed to be your idea."

Gabe scoffed. "It was my idea until you brought that fireman along."

Alex raised her head to level with him. Did he just...?

"You're fucking jealous?" she accused, her eyes narrowed.

He averted his gaze away in an attempt to avoid the obvious truth.

"Damn, Ricci, I am offended."

Gabe snapped his head to look at her.

"Why would you be? I didn't invite a former lover to your victory party," he managed to say, clearly struggling to hold back the rage brewing in him.

"I am fucking offended because you clearly don't trust me enough," she replied.

Somehow, Alex's blunt words managed to wound his resolve.

"I'm going back in," she turned her heel towards the entrance of the bar. "I'm not going to apologize for my friendships, nor will I tolerate your outdated views."

She gripped the doorknob and with a serious look, she titled her head to look over her shoulder at him.

"But should you need a reminder to knock some sense to that stubborn head of yours, you are the one I'm spending my night with, not him."

Alex then went inside.

It may have taken a little while to absorb her words, but Gabe eventually got the message. He followed her back to the bar, with his usual charismatic self.

And just like she said, she spent that night in his penthouse. And so many nights after that.

Tag list: @adiehardfan @pixelnathayes @starryjieun @latinagiraffe @sarcastic01lily  @spookycolorpeanut @ophrookie @suitfer @thegreentwin @mkatschoicesblog @made-of-roses @lillijill @kachrisberry @weaving-in-words @peonierose @wanderingamongthewildflowers

[curiousconch]

So I saw that Drabble list. (Hopefully I’m going this the right way)

Gabe x Anna (I miss LOA 🥺)

No. 2 ?

Thanks for the request @peonierose! Here goes another shot for Gabe x Alex (glad we clarified that before I wrote this) 😊 Prompt will be in bold.

For requests, check this.

Ficlet below the cut. Minors, DNI.

Mischief Managed in Beverly Hills

Is this how it's going to be?

Alex thought to herself as she tapped the soles of her black heels whilst sitting on a velvet couch.

Sure, she'd known Gabe to be meticulous. But today was showing her how insanely so her lover is.

And it's testing the hell out of her patience.

An 'unfortunate' incident from the night before had ruined his two-day's worth wardrobe. It involved chocolates and wine, both of which cannot be managed by over the counter stain removers.

That's how they ended up at an upscale boutique in the middle of Beverly hills, in this ungodly early hour of the day. Before her usual shot of caffeine.

Ugh, I gotta stop sharing a room with him during work trips.

As she made that mental note, she hears the click of a lock and the awning sound if the fitting room door in front of her.

Gabe stepped out in all his glory, wearing a Tweed suit from early in the 19th century.

Alex shook her head vigorously.

"Urgh, definitely not," she insisted.

Gabe quirked a brow. "I thought it looks good on me," he muttered, glancing at the floor length mirror behind him.

"Unless you're teaching a class in Cambridge, or your already 60, you will not step out of the streets of California with that fucking atrocity."

Gabe smirked.

"I'll take it," he teased.

Alex just knew he was intentionally pushing her buttons.

Well, let me see about that then.

She stood up and took a step forward. Bridging the small gap between them, she let the palms of her hands gently grasp the lapels of the unsightly jacket. Alex leaned a little more, until her lips almost touched Gabe's earlobe.

"How about you remove that, take a navy blue three piece suit, and I'll take them off of you tonight when we get back to your hotel room, hm?"

Gabe sucked in a deep breath and nodded, eyes instantly filled with a familiar carnal hunger.

Alex took the clothes from a nearby rack and handed it to him, which he immediately took from her grasp.

She winked, right before Gabe retreated into the fitting room once more.

Alex smiled to herself. Her mind was whirling with mischief as she thought up a plan for tonight.

Mustering up an idea, she took out her phone and pulled up a food delivery app.

Now where do I order a bottle of tequila and lime from here?

[curiousconch]

Over the past week, I have received prompt requests for the lovely pairing of Gabe Ricci x Alex Keating. So in case you missed it, here are a couple of drabbles I recently wrote for them.

Win-win at Central Park

Mischief Managed in Beverly Hills

Constant Co-conspirator

The First Time in a Lifetime

Never Have I Ever

Happy Halloween Bash 2021

I will be using Chase You/Chase Me series tags list for any future Gabe x Alex fics/ficlets moving forward. So if you want to be added, please do let me know.

Should you want to be removed, I'll definitely understand. Just comment on this post or send me a message, don't worry about it. I do appreciate all of the support you have given me up to this point.

Again, thank you so much for reading and sharing these stories!

Tag list: @adiehardfan @pixelnathayes @starryjieun @latinagiraffe @sarcastic01lily  @spookycolorpeanut @ophrookie @suitfer @thegreentwin @mkatschoicesblog @made-of-roses @lillijill @kachrisberry @weaving-in-words @peonierose @wanderingamongthewildflowers