It's the ass crack of dawn I swear, and whoever the hell is knocking on my door, is about to get their ass seriously handed to them. My steps are heavy and I almost hit the damn hallway wall, that I could vouch jumps out of nowhere, while I trudge blearily eyed towards my front door. His chirpy face grins back at me, and I blink once before attempting to shut the door in his face.

Oh, hell no.

I know where this is going, and just, no.

"Wooo hold up, short stuff."

His foot plonks itself on the edge of the frame, cancelling my plans of slamming the door right now. And I'm guessing my plans of going back to bed by the look of him too...

"All my workout clothes are in the wash, terribly sorry. Thanks for stopping by though. Kindly remove your foot, and be on your way now..."

Deacon's smile widens and I actually groan. Unattractively, annoyed, and defeated.

He ain't going anywhere.

We both know it.

".. You know, I take my acceptance of your apology back."

"No backsies. Now get dressed, you're coming with me for a run. As the person who generally supplies you with food, the 'optional' part of my trainer services, is no longer that. Can you manage to change yourself, or do you need me to assist you?"

My eyes narrow as he takes a small step forward, not missing the way there's that glint of wicked back in his eyes that I really like, and even managing to heat my sleep loving brain up.

"I hate you, and your lack of not being able to go away right now.. Stop looking at me like that.."

His hands come up either side of him, acting all innocent, despite the grin still stuck on his face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about... Now hurry up, you have five minutes, before I'm coming to provide some help."

The draw that contains my active wear is actually stuck, most likely from it's rare use, and it takes a damn good yank for it to fly open. Damn it, Deacon. I want to sleep, not run. Who wants to roll out of bed and run??? Crazy people that's who. I'm still muttering away as I survey my choices, before bringing the corner of my lip in, as I spot the hot pink, grey and black set I have.

Oh, yes....

If he's going to make me run, then I am going to make him deeply, deeply suffer for it..

I'm giggling internally as I change, before attempting to scoop my long hair up into a high ponytail. I do know he's sorry for what he said, that it was more something that probably just came out of his mouth, something he didn't actually mean anything by... but it still hurt. It hurt to hear him say the words, to hear the implication, and to feel like there might be some truth in them...

I'm not as naive to think that anything massive had changed between us, just because we had some under the sheets fun.. and in the shower... on the floor.. against that mirror.. ah hell, what was my point again...

My eyes blink a few times, attempting to bring myself back to a coherent train of thought, that has nothing to do with Deacon's private parts or what he can do with them.

.. I know it was probably just a caught off guard response, and unlike myself, none of those guys know how to lower their voice down so no one else in the room hears them apparently. Besides, I can't exactly play the guilt free card so much either. I mean, I also had a firm denial to Penny right before his outburst that nothing exciting happened that night, and I had no story to tell her.

I just don't like feeling used.

I've had enough guy fill that part before, and I'm not looking for another one. Still, I missed him this week while avoiding the shit out of him, way more than I should have.

Shits...

Ok, mind on today, Brooke.

And today... I know he's going to regret dragging me from my much loved sleep...

"Your time's up, short stuff.. What is taking so lo..."

His words cut off as he rounds my bedroom door, and spots me. The colour not only blushing, but also reddening his cheeks, deeply burning them as his jaw drops slightly. Ha, gotcha, Deacon...

Brooke 1, Deacon 0.

"Sorry, were you were saying something?.."

He blinks twice at me in reply, and I can't say I hate, or dislike the way he's looking at me. That look in his eyes is back while they drop, glazing over with burning fire as he not only looks, but studies every inch of the tight and barely there outfit. The pink crop top only just covers my chest, and borderlines on being called one really. The back just a tangle of straps, I may or may not, have gotten caught up in the first few times I ever put it on.

There's a knack, and it shamefully took me way longer than it should have, to learn it.

While the leggings are the three quarter type, the top shaping my ass in grey, and showing off all the curves of each cheek quite nicely. Coming down, the rest of my legs are in thick strips of black, pink and finishing with a section of white mesh. My shoes also match the ensemble, being black with tiny dots of hot pink. The light blondness of my hair, the way it hangs in waves over one shoulder, just setting the whole thing off even more.

It's in a moment like this, where he's staring speechless at me like that, the way he seems unable to move, is what gives me the doubts about how much he meant the words he said to the guys...

Deacon's eyes finally come back into focus, and up to my face, his chest falling in heavy breaths. Tilting my head, my lip comes into bite as I giggle at him, causing his jaw to harden and lock. He's way too much fun to mess with, and I seriously can't help myself some days.

".. Are you ready to go? Or do we need to stretch out first? You are the fitness expert."

I purr the words softly, rolling them along my tongue, before darting it out to lick my lips. Having way to much fracking amusement with my payback. His hands come up to the hem of his singlet, and my eyes dart down as he start to slide it up. I can't look away as I watch the muscles tense, moving under his skin, and I swear he has to be doing that on purpose, but hell I ain't objecting. That wide smirk is back on his face, as he jams the singlet in the band of his shorts at the back, before starting to back out the doorway.

"Let's go, short stuff."

My legs feel wobbly from the half strip show, and I'm fired up in way more ways than before.

Damn him...

Check mate, Brooke.

If I wanted to murder Deacon before for merely waking me up, I want to do so much worse, and much more painfully now. My lungs scream at me, both hating and loving the oxygen I'm attempting to bring in to them. I'm a hot, sweaty, exhausted mess, but Deacon's still watching me while we take a break like he's about to rip my leggings off and take me now.

"I... still... hate... you.. so much."

His head drops down as he chuckles at me, and I mean to just thump him in the chest, but my hand lingers there after hitting him. Those damn muscles are just so hard.. hell... My hand moves, tracing a deeply cut line, and the fine sheen of sweat there.

Well, at least he's a sweaty mess too, although he wears it damn freaking well. Hell, if anything it just sets the muscles lining his body off all the more.

My head raises to his after a moment, almost wondering if what I'm doing is ok especially after recent events, and find him looking down at me. His throat bobs slowly with a thick swallow, and I begin to gently move my hand again.

"Brooke.."

His arms tense up, and my eyes lower to find his hands clenching into fists.

Wait, hold up, does he not want me to do this?

I'm about to step back and drop my hand, feeling like a complete idiot once again, when his hand comes over to cover mine on his chest to hold it there.

".. Don't stop... please.."

He sounds like he's half in pain, the words almost strangled out of him, and hurting something deep inside me to hear him sound like that.

".. If you want to touch me you can, but as much as I want to grab you right now, I'm not making a move until you say it's ok.. I know I fucked up, and lost the right to touch you like that. I'm so fucking sorry I acted that way, and wish like hell I could take it back. You have no idea how much I didn't mean a single word of it... I had a whole morning I wanted to spend with you.. So, in.. in respect for you, I'm not making a move until you say so.."

Wait, is he asking for my permission to touch me?

Flaming hell.. No one has ever cared that way.

I've been thrown a lot more hurtful comments before, one or two degrading ones. Hell, last ass of a boyfriend ringing any bells... but not one of them would have ever thought to do what Deacon's doing right now.. Most think saying 'sorry, babe" is the cure all, and instantly erases the pain for immediate happy fun times after...

I don't even need to think about it.

Reaching up on my tippy toes, my lips meet his. It's soft and tender to start with, while I move to guide his other hand that's hanging stiffly by his side, up to rest on my lower back. The moment it's there, his grip slides to tighten and he pushes me with such force that I'm bend backwards, as I hang completely in his grasp.

I'm not going to lie, it's damn hot.

Not to mention having me forget every annoying, hurt, and pissed off feeling I've had during the last week towards him. I missed him so much, and while I don't have a single clue what any of this means, I know this is where I want to be right now.

I want his mouth on mine, his arms around me, and to feel his need for me. I'm mother fracking selfish in that regard.. or asking for the punishment it might incur later.

His tongue moves along mine, slowly, and taking his time. Trying to get him even closer to me, my free hand reaches up to wrap around the back of his neck, and earning a throaty groan that vibrates right through him. We come up for air a minute later, my own chest dropping harshly to match his, completely and utterly out of breath. His arm stays around me while he straightens us up, his other hand still holding mine to his chest. Neither of us move, both standing still, and both holding one another tightly. Deacon's thumb brushes my hand lightly, while I blink up at him, just as my stomach sends out an angry call to be fed.

"I think, I might need to buy you something to tame that growl of yours. Coffee?... I swear to you we can just walk there... epically slow if you prefer."

I know this is a dangerous game we seem to be playing, both sides keeping their cards from being seen, but I know I don't want to walk away.

At least, not yet.

The more time I spend with him, the more I find myself wanting this moment to last just a little longer.

My smile is soft, causing his eyes to widen with surprise, before he ducks his head down to lean his forehead to mine.

"You sir, have yourself a yes."

Despite my best attempts and persuasions, I can't for the life of me get Deacon to give me a piggy back. Even the reminder that my chest would be firmly pressed into him, did absolutely nothing.

I honestly thought that was a sure fire way to win right there.

Thankfully the coffee shop isn't far, as my legs are starting to prepare to utterly give out if I don't sit down soon, and I breathe in the fresh good morning aromas when we enter. The little shop is adorable, giving off that intimate, exclusive feel with the comforting and homey decor. A small line of brightly coloured tea cups on the wall catch my eye, and instantly becomes my favourite thing in here. It's actually one I haven't been to before, which definitely stumps me that I haven't discovered it, as it's weirdly between my place and work.

My back leans hard into Deacon as he comes to stand behind me in the queue, enjoying the feeling of his bare chest sandwiched in close. His hands round my sides before overlapping his arms to hug me tight, and I find my hands move on their own accord, running along to lie on top of his.

"So, what will it be this morning, short stuff?"

I find it odd, but kinda endearing that he seems to only use my name when he's beginning to loose control of himself. Like an unconscious gesture, that gets pulled from him.

Flicking my eyes over the menu behind the energetic barista, I spy exactly what I want, while I try to ignore the little nip he gives the skin just below my ear. Oh, god.. that feels good...

My mouth is already watering with the anticipation of diving into it, among other things, as I read the description in my head. Oh, I most definitely need that.

"A Caramel Apple Macchiato please, good sir."

He shifts to lean slightly around me, and I know he's scanning the menu wondering what the hell I've just ordered.

"Where in the world did you see.. Ah.. Ok, ok.. That actually sounds pretty good."

Indeed it does.

The essence of caramel and apple, surrounding the steamed cinnamon milk, with the extra hit of coffee behind it. I.. can.. not.. wait.. Yum!

His arms unwind around me as he cuts in front while the woman in green moves to the side, the barista lighting up that little bit more, the moment her eyes land on Deacon.

I mean, I don't exactly blame her.

That half naked man is something, indeed....

He seems completely unfazed, or ignorant in the straightness of her stance. The way her chest gets shoved out that extra inch more, and the fact that not one woman on this earth ever, and I mean ever, naturally plays with her hair that much. My feet move, as I step to the side, watching it all play out. Noting that he is paying more interest to exactly where I am, than the one in front of him. His grin shines as he smiles politely at her, before turning and coming over to me, while the barista blinks blankly at nothing at all.

"You know, I think she's deeply disappointed you didn't ask for her number. You've devastated the poor woman."

Deacon's smile widens as his arm comes to wrap around me once more, tugging me in, the same time his other hand slides around my cheek. His lips are on mine before I've had a second to think, crashing into me harder than is probably polite in a coffee shop full of people. The force almost makes me stumble back, but he holds onto me with a steady grip, as he plunges in like he owns my mouth. I'm shaking my head, my eyebrow raising as Deacon chuckles, while he pulls away.

"I'm rather good with the woman that already has my number."

I'm about to laugh back at Deacon, ignoring the low dominate growl in his voice that makes me shiver a little, when I spot him.

Ah, you have got to be kidding me...

That's it.

This is the last coffee shop I ever come to.

Make the most of it, Brooke, cos that's seriously it. I am buying myself a machine, and a damn good one at that.

The words are out of my mouth, rough and thoroughly annoyed, as I stare past Deacon's arm at the person currently striding over to us.

"Oh for the love of.. Fracking hell."

Deacon's head whips around to see what the heck I'm talking about, his hand dropping from my cheek, while his other arm grips me in tighter.

"Brooke, I thought that was you. Declan, was it?.. Wow, what are the odds?.."

What are the fracking odds indeed.. Do I have some sort of tracking chip embedded under my skin that I don't even know about??

".. What are you both doing out so early this morning?.. Oh, is your new place around here, Brooke?"

Where the hell is my stiletto when I need it. This sneaker will not do the damage I want to do to David right now, not after that wondering question of his...

Not nearly enough..

I don't need to look up at Deacon, to know he's about as impressed as I am to see David standing in front of us. I'm not entirely sure he actually forms words, or it's more of a gestured grunt as he half grinds his teeth.

"Deacon, and what a small fucking world indeed."

David's eyes travel down me, dragging to explore every curve, the same time I feel Deacon start to stiffly shift forward. In a move of my own, and quicker than I thought I could do, my hand runs up Deacon's bare chest as I press myself in firmly against him. Half snuggling myself in to look mega coupley, while I smile brightly over at David.

"It really is a small world, some days... No, I don't live around here.."

Part way through talking, my hand on Deacon's chest naturally changes directions to travel down his deeply cut abs, and towards the band of his shorts.

".. but am actually just out for a run, and quick coffee stop with Deac here, before heading back to his place."

It's a low and a metaphorical punch in the balls for David, as my fingers play on the very edge, border lining on dipping down beneath the band on Deacon's shorts... but hell the guy brought it on himself.

I know it must be.. that it has to be.. but I can't bring myself to believe for a second, that this is purely coincidental.

Deacon barely reacts, acting like this is usual, and perfectly normal for me to be half feeling him up so publicly. If anything his hand shifts, coming up to delicately play with one of the criss-crossing straps on my shoulder blade, dancing his fingers lightly along it before dragging his knuckles to run down the middle of my back.

It feels quite nice actually...

David's eyes flick between my hand and my face, before his head turns to the side, his mouth a hard line.

"That's a shame you don't, and don't come here more often... This place actually makes the most insane brews, well, apart from my own, that I really need to show you sometime..."

Yeah... hell-to-the-no.

Instead of voicing my inner thoughts, I nod along, reminding myself not to react to Deacon as his hand stills abruptly before continuing on. Clearly not liking what he's hearing.

"I do like it here, and the decorations on the walls, but unfortunately this shop's a bit of a hike from my place.. Oh.. Wow, I think that's our order, babe... Sorry we need to go, but was nice to see you, David."

His eyes drag down me slowly, making my blood boil. Not to mention my brain scream loudly at me that I love my job, and I can not just sucker punch him.

The anger inside me causes my hand slip, and my finger dips below the band of Deacon's shorts abruptly. I try to run with it, acting like I completely meant to do that, and bit down on a giggle as I hear Deacon's staggered intake of breath. Dragging my finger slowly along him, I make a long line from one hip bone to the other, taking my time. While also enjoying the hell out of it. I'm so lost in the changing of his breathing, the heat rushing up inside me, that I almost forget