Temptation

[Inactive User]

Awesome chapter Glad Heath and Bianca sorted things out. Update soon please xx

[soph1303]

Amazing update - I swear I just sat there and grinned like an idiot for the whole update !!

So glad that Heath and Bianca were finally just honest with each other, and look where it got them ..... !!

Charlie and Brax just simply equal !!!

More soon please

[totally]

Charlie had it all played out and it worked! Good for her. And good for Bianca and Heath as well. Can't wait for some more romance!

[Chax47]

Hey!

I am so sorry for the long delay in getting this next chapter to you. Its been a manic week and I still don't feel like this chapter is up to par but I hope it's ok A big thank you for all your kind words, and for reading in the first place! You guys are amazing!

Hope you enjoy...

Chapter 16

After having a couple of more drinks together, Bianca decided that it were time to call it a night. Heath's face fell slightly as she gathered her things and stood up. He had been enjoying spending time with her away from the other two, and while they were getting along greatly he didn't want it to end. The smile on Bianca's face gave him the impression that she also felt the same. However the mixture of alcohol plus the early hour of the morning was finally catching up with her.

Heath followed her inside the house, feeling a little unsure about whether or not he should walk with her to her room or just go to his own. He hesitated before walking slightly behind her. Bianca sensed the change in the atmosphere as they stopped outside her bedroom door.

Turning to face him, she smiled at him through the darkness of the corridor. "So...goodnight I guess."

He nodded as he returned her smile. He knew that he was lucky that she was even speaking to him; the last thing he should be doing was trying to push his luck. Seeing the slightly disappointed look on his face, Bianca leant forward and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"Goodnight Bianca."

She smiled at him again before walking into the bedroom and closing the door behind her, leaving him alone in the darkness.

-------

"Can you hear them?" Charlie asked as she joined Brax in the bed. He was laying on his back, one arm resting behind his head as the other wrapped protectively around her tiny body. She snuggled in closer to him, her head resting lightly on his bare chest.

He kissed the top of her head before answering her. "Hear them what?"

His hand gently stroked her side. The sensation of his fingers caressing her skin brought flutters to her stomach as well as a smile onto her face.

She lifted her head and looked at him, her eyebrow slightly arched. "You know..." She trailed off and he immediately caught her meaning, his face scrunching up in disgust.

"Babe, that's my brother your talking about. And your best friend, might I add. I really don't want to know what they are up to." He shuddered slightly, pulling her down towards him. She laughed at his dramatic response as she closed the distance between them with a kiss.

"You can be awfully cute you know." She smiled as she held his eye contact. There was a glistening in his eye as he looked at her. He moved his hand from under his head, and reached up to caress the side of her face. She leant into his touch, her eyes closing over.

"You make me a better person, do you know that?"

She opened her eyes to look at him, a puzzled expression creeping its way onto her face. "What? Where has that come from?"

He shrugged as he sat up, forcing her to do the same. His arms grabbed her waist, pulling her onto his lap as he wrapped the covers around the bottom half of both their bodies. He kept his hands on her back, holding her protectively. Charlie made herself comfortable on his lap, her hands resting lightly on his chest as she kept hold of his eyes with her own.

"I just feel like you should know what you have done for me. Being with you, knowing that you love me...I feel like a completely different person. You're what I've needed in my life for such a long time."

She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol which was contributing to Brax's confession, but there was a hint of sincerity to his voice. Before he could say anything else she kissed him passionately on the lips, taking him slightly by suprise.

Pulling apart, she studied his face for a moment before breaking the silence. "It's a good job you're stuck with me then, isn't it?" She joked, pushing him back down on the bed as she followed, landing on top of him. It was a matter of seconds before their lips were once again locked.

----

The following morning the four of them finally resurfaced, each nursing their own hangover. Brax sat on a stool in the kitchen, with Charlie resting lazily inbetween his legs, her back pressed up against his chest. Bianca sat on the counter staring into her glass of water, suddenly regretting not only the last glass of wine she decided to have but also for the decision to go to bed alone. Although in the fresh light of day, and judging by the slightly nauseated look on Heath's face that morning, she quickly guessed that she made the right choice.

"Any ideas what we should do today?" Bianca spoke quietly, noticing how the effort of speaking actually set off her nausea again. She prayed that the activities for the day were minimal and involved nothing alcoholic. At least not for a few more hours at least...

Everyone was silent for a moment; no one wanted to be the first to suggest something while they were all feeling so rough. Brax nestled his head into Charlie's neck, hoping that it would calm the headache that was being to take hold of his head. Realising that they couldn't just sit in all day, Charlie spoke up.

"There is a lake about ten minutes from here; we walked past it yesterday when we..." Brax quickly lifted his head from it's resting place. The embarrassed look on Brax's face quickly brought Charlie's train of thought to a standstill. He threw her a glare as she stopped herself from revealing a little too much about their walk in the woods the day before. She cleared her throat, ignoring the warm feeling in her cheeks. "Maybe we could go for a swim? The fresh air might do us good..."

Despite the initial votes of disapproval, they soon all found themselves getting ready for an afternoon beside the water. For the past fifteen minutes, Bianca had been staring blankly into her bag, looking for something suitable to wear. A knock on the door caught her attention and she spun around to see Heath poking his head through the open doorway.

"Hey." The look on his face mirrored her own. "Come on in."

He didn't have to be invited twice. He quickly found himself flopping down on the bed, his eyes closing shut.

"I'm getting far too old for this."

She laughed as she continued to find something to wear. Even though she felt awful; she still wanted to make a good impression on him.

"Heath Braxton too old for beer?" He opened an eye to glare at her. "Never thought I'd see the day..." She winked at him. He rolled his eyes as he sat up on the bed and turned to face her.

"You should be looking after me, not making fun." He joked, half hoping that she would play along with him. Thankfully for him, she did.

Putting down the shorts and vest top she was holding, she knelt down in front of him so that they were nearly eye level. The nerves and anticipation of being that close to her only added to his discomfort, although this time he was far from complaining.

"Was there anything in particular you had in mind, Mr Braxton?" She asked, her face edging ever so closer near to his own. His breathing quickened as the gap between them closed.

"I'm sure I could think of a few things..." He leant forward, his face now only inches from her own. He could feel her breath on his lips; the sensation was driving him crazy.

She held her position for a moment, her eyes teasing him silent. "Ok..." His eyes grew wide for a moment. "I'll go and get you some aspirin." She gave him a chaste kiss on his lips before jumping up, a wicked smile on her lips. She picked up her clothes, and looked over her shoulder at him. "Come on..."

"Are you kidding me?" He stared back at her, dumbfounded. His reaction only added to her laughter.

"Come on..." She winked at him as he groaned, forcing him off the bed. He had to admit to himself that she got to him, and judging by the look on her face; she had him exactly where she wanted.

-----

Brax and Bianca were laying down on the banks of the lake, watching the water as Charlie and Heath messed around in the water. They were currently taking turns to duck the other under.

"I hope they are only joking out there..." Brax joked, causing Bianca to laugh. "It's good that they're finally getting along I guess..." He added, giving her a small smile.

She nodded. "Yeah. I suppose this is all a turn up for the books. I never thought in a million years that the four of us would be here...like this."

Brax shrugged. "I guess sometimes things just work out for the best. But I'm really glad they have."

Bianca smiled at him. She was warming to him; after all he was her best friend's boyfriend and her boyfriend's brother. Boyfriend. She caught herself immediately saying it and immediately regretted the thought. Am I getting ahead of myself? Is that what he is?

She didn't have the time to contemplate as her name was being yelled from the water, along with Brax's.

"Come on." He stood up and held his hand out to her, helping her to her feet.

Charlie immediately swam over to Brax once he was in the water, her arms wrapping themselves around his neck. His arms found their rightful place around her waist as he took a deep breath and pulled them both under the water. Charlie fought against it for a moment, but once she was under the water looking at Brax she felt as though they were some place else. The smile on his face was infectious and she soon found herself grinning back at him. After a few seconds they found themselves moving back up towards the surface, back into the warm Australian sun.

Bianca and Heath hadn't seemed to notice their temporary disappearance. They were too busy splashing each other with Heath muttering something about payback for earlier on. Even though they had no idea what was going on, Brax and Charlie found themselves joining in, mostly throwing water in Heath's direction.

After almost an hour of messing around in the water, they found themselves laying down on the grass drying off in the sun. They had unsubconsciously coupled off again, although neither couple seemed to be complaining.

"Could we not just stay here forever?" Charlie asked, turning her head slightly to look at Brax. He did the same and smiled.

"If that's what you want, then you got it."

Charlie laughed, wishing for a moment that that was possible. "I don't want to ever go back to reality. The idea of having to go back to work is just horrible. Plus, I have that court case this week." She groaned, dreading the idea of being up against that horrible woman in court yet again.

Brax paused for a moment as he reached across and took her hand in his. "You know, the reality ain't all that bad." He gave her hand a squeeze which brought a smile to her face.

"Thanks for almost drowning me out there." Bianca teased, opening one eye as she sunbathed to glance at Heath.

He smiled sweetly at her, although she sensed he was being slightly sarcastic. "I thought we were practicing tough love, remember?"

Bianca sat up slightly, turning her body to his direction. Playing with the strands of grass, she glanced up at him.

"Stay with me tonight?" She used a sentence he had used on her in the past, knowing full well what it meant for them moving forward, past all that had happened.

He didn't even have to think twice. "Absolutely." His smile said it all.

----

Hope it was alright For those of you who read Sweet Misery, I have the chapter all planned out...I just need to find a second to write it. I'm hoping though that I manage it before the end of the week along with another chapter for this.

Anyway, hope you are all ok! And let me know what you think

Lianne x

[heancafan233]

Wow!!! Just read this from the start and I absolutely love it. Very well written. I look forward to more.

[Inactive User]

Fab chapter More soon please xx

[Spotd1]

Great chapter! Love happy CHAX! Xx

[luscious01]

Thank you Lianne......

in a now Chaxless world

it was heart warming to read how in love they are in your story.

I totally love your writing as you can probably tell and can't wait for your next update!!x

[RoRo90]

Loved this chapter. Love happy Chax and I need as much as I can get at the moment considering

what has happened to Charlie on the show.

Love Heath and Bianca in this too.

Keep updating, your updates brings a smile to my face

[~Zoe~]

Ive just read this, its very good.