Old Friend. New Love. (Happy Lowman story)

Part 3

As the night went on they enjoyed each others company, not many words were said but they didn't need to be.

Soon most of the brothers had passed out and all that was left was Happy and Em, they both had one too many drinks inside of them and were slowly but surely getting closer to each other until they were practically shoulder to shoulder. A bottle of whiskey between the two of them that was nearing on empty lead to her sit there staring at his features shamelessly.

He grunted. "You're staring again." He didn't understand her sudden interest in his face.

"I know I am. You have really pretty eyes." With all that alcohol inside of her, she has found new confidence and didn't care if she wanted a relationship or not. She wanted him.

He grunted again. "Whatever, little girl." He took a swig from the bottle. He disregarded her comment, first of all not used to the complement, and second of all she was drunk but then again so was he.

"No really." She got out of her chair and sat on his lap to get a better look, her fingers tracing his jaw line. They could feel each others breath on their faces. Over the years, she hasn't been this close to someone to the point they could see each flaw and perfection in their face. In her case, there wasn't many. His strong jawline. His deep, dark eyes that held mysteries. Everything was just right.

It was silent. The music had stopped and they were just sat there in their own bubble, neither of them actually admitting their emotions but they were comfortable. The tension growing between the two of them. Happy's hand coming up to meet her cheek, his thumb rubbing up and down. The gap between them two slowly closing, their lips finally meeting as one. Soon it grew into more than a kiss, the desperation and sexual tension was too much. Grabbing hands and clouded vision lead to him carrying her to his room, their kiss never breaking.

As the door slammed and her body was dropped onto the mattress beneath them, his body followed soon after. Her hands made quick work of his belt, tugging his trousers down as far as her hands could reach. Happy's face was in the groove of her neck and biting and leaving marks that claim her as his. They were desperate for each other, the past few day's tension finally being released like a rush of waves that didn't intend on stopping anytime soon.

~~~

Em woke up the next morning, her eyes groggy with sleep. Pulling her arm to wipe her eyes and stretch, she realised she was trapped. An arm was securely encasing her, refraining her from leaving. She felt the panic set in, she only ever had one night stands but this, this felt like something more and that terrified her to no means.

She tried to twist herself around, in result only making the arm around her waist tighter.

Huffing out a breath of air, worming her body out of his eventually.with the new found freedom her eyes darted round the room in search for her discarded clothes. Finding her bra hanging off his dresser corner and jeans inside-out in the corner, she was finally dressed.

The room smelt surprisingly natural. His musky scent causing an assault of her senses, the fresh sex hanging in the air.

Opening the door as quietly as she could she took a final glance at Happy. He looked she peaceful, the dull ivory sheets contrasting his tan, tattooed frame; mouth slightly hung open and eyes shut. A draping arm replacing the place she once occupied. She already missed his touch and that's what scared he, motivated her to leave.

Weak. Pathetic. Spineless. The words echoing in her mind from all those years ago. She was drowning, a bottle of vodka by her side to nurse her through this. Musky, thick air sealed her making her unable to wake up from this living nightmare. Auburn hair splayed out on the crusty motel pillow, her arms frail by her side.

Why didn't she run when her emotions got involved? She was letting this man ruin her, and he didn't even know it! More importantly, She couldn't stop it, she didn't want to.

~~~

Over the next few days, she was avoiding the club all together. She couldn't risk seeing Happy. Frequently, she met up with the Scotsman for drink and maybe dinner, catching up on whatever she'd missed. Tonight was no different.

The dinghy lights of the run down bar made Em's already sleepless appearance much worse. The bags under her eyes seem to never end as she hung her head and drank her beer, the once curly auburn hair that always seemed to bounce off her shoulders, weighed down her back.

"You need to talk to him, Em. I don't know what went on but he's off, more so that he usually is. I don't think I've seen him without a bottle in his hands." The Scotsman was the first to break the silence. Her heart dropped at the state Happy was in, her head shot up to look into his eyes, searching for any sign of deceit. She shook her head before explaining in a whisper.

"I can't. We slept together and it felt so fucking right, I left before he woke up."

"If it felt right then why are you running?" It was Chibs' turn to sigh, grabbing her hand and making her look at him. "I know what you been through, I was there for fucks sake but Happy is a decent man and I know he likes you. Which is a lot for him, he is one of the most loyal men I've ever met." She didn't know what to say so she didn't say anything, just finishing off her drink and weighed out her options. She knew that she felt something for the Tacoma Killer but at the same time she's felt something for people before, they all ended with her getting hurt and leaving. Why was he any different?

"Just give him a chance, lass."