AN: Well, I'm back. I have started writing another short story but its still in its early stages and to be honest, I'm stuck so here I am, dabbling with one-shots again. And yes, this will remain a two-shot unless for some crazy reason, I get inspired and decide to make it into a full blown story. But don't hold your breath.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you

Collide

Something woke Gabriella.

She opened her eyes slowly, her senses gradually returning. The first thing she was aware of was the sounds of breathing other than her own. Immediately after that, a warm body, very masculine and strong, right next to her, one arm splayed across her waist, holding her close. Her lips kicked up at the end and she smiled. And remembered every touch, every caress that was forever burned in her memory. He'd been gentle and tender. But hours later, he didn't hold back. Fast. Hard. Rough.

A surge of giddy delight enveloped her.

He moved, bringing her closer before unconsciously nuzzling her neck. A few minutes later, he settled back down and continued to sleep.

Skin to skin. All she could focus on was the heavy body – all male, lying next to her. She was in a naked man's arms and the realization jolted her fully awake. She's never been the type to engage in one-night stands. In fact, this had been her first. Not that she's been a virgin before this night. But for someone who took two years to finally do it with her last boyfriend of four years, what happened last night was not an everyday occurrence in the life of Gabriella Montez.

But despite it all, Gabriella felt like smiling, screaming to the rest of the world about how magical last night had been. She's always been the type to be in control, her eye always on the prize. During her teenage years, it was school and academics. And when she graduated with top honors, it was her work. Nowadays, she never really had time for anything else but work. And for the first time in twenty six years, since meeting her mystery man, she felt alive. A gurgle of laughter welled up inside her and she tried to contain it, afraid of waking her sleeping Adonis.

Gabriella always imagined that in moments like these where she found herself doing something so uncharacteristic, so unlike her, that a part of her will be overcome with regret and worry. That a hysterical outpouring and an inevitable freakout were in the horizon. But lying next to him – she didn't even know his name, she remained at peace, content and filled with a warm glow she'd never experienced before. A feeling she never thought existed.

Examining the body right next to hers, Gabriella tried to shift, only to find it impossible when he tightened his hold on her. Her legs were still tangled with his and one of her arms lay atop his chest.

It all happened in the dark – their meeting in the overcrowded club, their departure, their joining. In the dark, he'd simply been a magnificent male who knew what place to kiss to bring her to an orgasmic high. In the dark, it was just him and her. But now, with the moonlight casting an ethereal glow about the room and providing her enough light, she finally got to see him up close and his beauty enthralled her. Very gently, she touched his jaw and when his breathing remained steady, she let her hands gently wander, tracing his neck, down to his shoulders. She explored his well-sculpted chest, taking her time and indulging herself in committing to memory every line and plane of his toned body.

He definitely was marvelously all male, so vibrantly real. Every touch sent her senses reeling. She caressed his hands, recalling how these same strong hands brought her to ecstasy. She shifted her head and peered at his face.

Her breath hitched.

She knew he was beyond handsome but every time she looked, she couldn't help but want to pinch herself, to remind herself that this night has been real – that he is real. She lightly touched his lips. And shuddered. Pleasure spilled down her veins, her skin coming alive as she relieved how his lips kissed every inch of her body. Worshiped her.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed the clock by his nightstand and mentally cursed.

5:07 am

An image of a worried Taylor replaced any images she'd had of her mystery man. Reluctantly, she set about extracting herself from his hold, a harder feat than she thought but she finally managed to entangle herself from his side.

She slipped from the bed and used the bed frames to grope around in the dark for her clothes. Within minutes, she pulled on her dress before scanning the darkened bedroom for the rest of her belongings. She found her lace bra by the bathroom door. Her purse underneath the nightstand. Finding her shoes and underwear proved to be challenged however. Taking one last look at the male collapsed naked on the bed, Gabriella sighed before slowly opening the bedroom door and setting about finding the rest of her things. Minutes later, she found one pair of her shoe by his office. As for her underwear and the other pair of her heels, well, it was nowhere to be found and the lack of light wasn't exactly helping her search. Glancing at the microwave clock, she silently cursed. All thoughts of the rest of her wardrobe flying out the window as she called for the cab and let herself out of his apartment and out of his life.

But not before grabbing a pair of his shoes.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Does it really matter?" she countered.

In his mind, knowing her name, knowing who she was mattered. Which is completely ridiculous since he has only met the gorgeous woman in front of him minutes ago. So instead, he found himself agreeing. "I guess not."

She laughed and he felt himself being reeled in. His blue gaze on hers, he walked slowly toward her. With every step he took, the intentness in his gaze strengthened. Her lungs locked until she felt lightheaded. She told herself to keep breathing, that oxygen was very important, vital, but as he moved closer and closer, her body just simply wouldn't listen.

"So, what shall I call you then?"

She felt her eyes widen, unsure of what to say. She was a timid and shy woman who rarely went out to clubs. She was reserved and would pick cuddling in the sofa with a book rather than mingling and flirting with men. But at this moment, something changed in her. Something awakened. And it was all because of him, a man that she has never laid eyes on, a man she has only talked to mere minutes before. She moistened her lips before glancing fleetingly at him. "For tonight, anything you want." Her own answer surprised her. And from the look in his eye, he too was surprised.

"Indeed." The deep murmur sent her senses flaring. He smiled slowly, and watched her attention fix on his lips. He stood perfectly still with mere inches separating their rigid bodies before giving into temptation. He bent closer, lowered his head and closing in on that last inch, he kissed her.

Caution whispered through her mind. She wasn't the type to be kissed senseless in clubs - much less by a man she does not know.

Given her direct and temptress nature, he was expecting a passionate response the second he pressed his lips to hers. But she froze. And he agonized.

Her response came eventually, so hesitant and wary that he wondered if she wasn't the vixen he thought her to be, wondered if she'd never been kissed, at least the way he has been kissing her. And so, he teased and cajoled, using all his expertise to draw a response from her. Then, she gripped his shirt. Leaned heavily on him. Started kissing him back. And something in him snapped.

He tightened his arms about her and slowly slid his arms around her, taking her into his arms.

She knew she should stop. She knew that what was happening right now wasn't her. Yet she'd never been kissed like this before. It was a kiss meant to ignite passion. It was a kiss that was oddly gentle but was meant to coax, to tempt her. It was strange. What she was feeling inside as his hands roamed her body was strange. Different. Tempting. Intoxicating. And so she gave in and gave herself fully to this Adonis, who from the moment he entered her vision, had captured her attention and sent a chill coursing through her veins.

Troy Bolton opened his eyes that morning to the sounds of a door closing followed shortly by a taxi cab honking.

Rolling from the bed, he stretched and strolled across the room. He'd woken the instant her weight had left the bed. But instead of startling her, he had lain still and watched her from beneath his lashes. From his position in the bed, she'd seemed distracted, worried even and he saw no reason to refocus her attention on him – not until he'd looked his fill.

She was totally at ease naked. But he had a feeling that if she knew that he was awake, modesty would overcome her and she'd grab anything to cover her fantastic body. He watched as she turned from the windows and tried to find her clothes. He stared at her, from the tumbling mass of ebony hair in wild disarray to the creamy slopes of her breast and down to her adorable dainty feet – the sight she presented transfixed him. A few minutes later, her gorgeous body was covered by her dress. And later, when she located even more of her belongings scattered across the room, Troy contemplated what to do next. He's had his fair share of one-night stands. In fact, it wasn't uncommon to find him in the arms of a different woman on any given night. But being with her – it was different. She was different. And for some reason, he knew that one-night stands weren't her thing. And a surge of male pride and possessiveness consumed him at that thought. For a man who has never been in a fully committed relationship before, for the woman who just left his bed, all he wanted was to pursue her, woo her and make her his. Not just as "one of the many" but "the one".

Something happened last night. That something had to do with her. And Troy was willing to find out more, to explore these unfamiliar feelings that were only ignited when she was near.

Naked, he stood on the same spot she stood only moments before and looked out his bedroom window, and watched as his mystery lady entered the taxi cab. And knew that she was definitely real. If he wasn't awakened by her movements, Troy would have thought that she – "Ella" as another girl called her, had just been a figment of his imagination. He would have thought that the feel of her hands exploring his body that sent his mind and senses on fire were mere fantasy. The feel of her body was nothing but a wonderful dream. But clearly, she was very much real and much more amazing that anything he could ever dream of. And only when the yellow taxi cab turned the corner and out of his sight, only then did Troy move away from the window and back into his bed for a short nap. It was only a quarter to six and he had time to relive last night in his dreams.

An hour and a half later, dressed in trousers and an unbuttoned shirt, he exited his bedroom. On his way to the kitchen, he passed by his office and something glittering caught his eye. Turning, he went back. Opening his office door, he picked up a bejeweled stiletto. Smiling, he searched for its missing pair but to no avail. He took the heel and placed it inside his desk drawer.

A few feet away, Troy saw a black fabric atop one of the many basketball trophies that lined one corner of his office. Picking it up, he smirked, seeing a woman's lacy underwear.

A cough emanated in the direction of the office door.

Discreetly, he tucked away the piece of clothing in his trouser pocket before turning and meeting the gaze of his fifty-five year old housekeeper, May.

"Sir, Mr. Danforth is waiting in the kitchen."

Troy rolled his eyes. "How many times did I tell you to call me Troy, May? I've known you all my life. Don't you think we're way past "Sir" by now?" He added in jest.

May smiled unabashedly. "Yes, Sir - erm, Troy."

"We'll work on that." He said before thanking his housekeeper and heading to the kitchen. Upon entering, his best friend of more than twenty years stood before him, shoving pastries in his mouth. It was a sight to behold, indeed. A twenty seven year old man, dressed in the most fashionable and expensive suit, stood in the middle of his kitchen, sporting a make-shift bib around his neck.

Grinning, "What are you, five?"

Mouth still full with food, Chad glared. Not letting his full mouth stop him, he tried to retort back, "Swuff uf. She mafe de omkay."

Eyebrows furrowing in mock confusion, Troy smirked. "What was that? I couldn't quite understand you," pointing towards Chad's mouth "seeing as your mouth is full."

Chad scowled, or at least tried too. The full effect of Chad's response was lost on Troy since scowling with stuffed cheeks just did not look right. Glaring, Chad took a big gulp of water and swallowed, before using his bib to clean his lips. "I said, she made me wear it okay!"

"Again, I ask, how old are you?"

"Whatever, dude. So, who's the chick?" Chad asked as he took another pastry off the plate and placed it inside his mouth.

Shaking his head at his best friend's antics, Troy poured himself a cup of coffee. "What chick?" He asked as he touched the lacy material in his pocket.

"You did leave with the brunette vixen last night, right? I didn't imagine you ditching me for a girl, did I?"

"Speaking of last night, what exactly happened?"

Chad looked pitifully at Troy. "That's sad, dude. I wouldn't want to forget doing it with a girl as hot as that. You were that drunk? "

May, who has entered the kitchen unbeknownst to the two gentlemen piped in. "Remember boys, treat women as if they're human beings, not some playthings."

Troy and Chad share a glance as May continued, "And as for the girl, she left in a cab but she was wearing your shoes. Very odd. But she's a very nice gel, that one. Not like the other girls you bring home."

"Other girls?" Both Troy and Chad asked simultaneously, trying to look confused and clueless.

May scoffed. "You don't have to pretend for my sake. I may be an old-fashioned lady who advocates men actually wooing someone as oppose to just engaging in meaningless sex with anyone with skirts but I know how men like you two operate."

Both men sputtered, trying to come up with a reply to the candid statement from May.

"Wh - How… You know about the women I bring home? But you're never here that early in the morning?! And how did you know that girl from last night was nice?" In the back of his head, Troy tried to think of a circumstance where he called for a taxi cab for a girl he brought home while May was here. And came up with nothing. Knowing May's and his mother's traditional and conservative sensibilities, he had tried to shield his bachelor ways away from those two. Oh, they knew about the plethora of girls that he surrounds himself with but he made sure that they actually never saw any of those girls in person.

Busy cleaning the mess Chad made, May distractedly replied sarcastically. "I'm not stupid, blind or deaf, Troy."

"But they always leave before you get here?"

Looking knowingly at Troy, and at Chad, she stated, "I have eyes and ears everywhere in this building. So does both of your mothers."

A combination of shock, fear and disbelief passed over Troy's and Chad's faces. "Our mothers?"

"Yes. Both Diane Bolton and Jean Danforth." With a pointed glance, May said, "As for the girl, she was very nice and gracious to the bellman. Even chatted with him a bit while she waited for her cab. Manny said she was shy. Not your typical kind of girl. Hmm."

Troy and Chad were rendered speechless.

May's admonition jolted them. "Well, what are you waiting for? Your breakfast is getting cold and if you just stand there with your mouths hanging open, you'll be late. Not that it would matter since you're both heads of the company." The last statement she muttered under her breath as she moved away from the kitchen and tended to the rest of Troy's apartment.

Without looking back at the two of the young men, mouths still agape as they stood frozen, May warningly uttered, "Keep moving."

"Yes, Ma'am." Chad says as he pushed Troy into the dining table where a breakfast feast awaited them.

"So, this mystery woman of yours…"

He trapped her against him, crushed his lips to hers and just simply savored her. Beneath that hard, scorching kiss - hard enough to render her witless, Gabriella clung to him, weak-kneed and helpless with the onslaught of his feverish kisses. Sensing her weakness, Troy's arms locked around her and pulled her flushed body against his.

Breaking the kiss, Troy focused his attention on her nape, nuzzling and caressing it. She moaned, a sound so sweet and yet so sensual that only intensified his desires.

Someone bumped into them. And that single contact sent them back into reality.

Troy's lips detached itself from her nape. Capturing her gaze, something primal washed over him at the longing he could she in her eyes.

It took a moment for Gabriella's wits to come back. And when it did, the first thing she focused on was the man currently standing close to her. His eyes met hers. And she stopped breathing. It wasn't his face or his appearance that snatched her breath away - although the first time she laid eyes on him in the dance floor, she knew she was a goner. It wasn't that. It was the look in his eyes. The way he looked at her, the desire swirling in his eyes that left her breathless and sent her nerves quivering.

His lips, the very same lips that ignited her senses and sent her mind reeling, curved. He inclined his head. "Do you want to get out of here?"

For the first time in her life, she understood what it meant to be speechless, what it felt like to be tongue-tied. And so, she barely managed a nod in response. He smiled - a devastatingly swoon-worthy smile that could steal anyone's senses and for the umpteenth time that night, Gabriella forgot how to breathe. Taking her elbow, Troy guided her out of the overcrowded club. At the contact, a gentle heat spread beneath her skin and she allowed herself to be lead out of the club and into the unknown.

On the other side of New York, the less extravagant and affluent side, Gabriella tried to inconspicuously enter the apartment she shared with her best friend, Taylor McKessie. Thanks to the fact that her other shoe was missing, she didn't have to worry about making anymore noise, aside from the ones she was currently making. Peering over the window that overlooked their living room and seeing no one, she cautiously reached out and opened the door.

It squeaked. Gabriella stilled.

She waited for a moment or two to see if anyone was awakened by the noise before proceeding inside. Thankfully, the door did not make anymore squeaks. Moving away from the foyer, she placed her coat on the rack, only to have the ends of her purse handles get tangled in the said coat rack. Before she could prevent it, the said object came crashing down.

She could only cringe.

"With the ruckus you're making, I'm surprised that you haven't woken the rest of the neighborhood yet."

Gabriella gasped. Her keys went flying. In a flurry, she whirled, dropping the shoe she was holding close of her chest. One hand on top of her beating heart and the other clutching tightly onto the edge of the coat rack, Gabriella stared at Taylor, who was calmly sitting by the couch right next to the fire place.

"Oh!" Her voice wavered, "It's you."

An eyebrow rose. "Were you expecting anyone else? So…" she stood up and advanced menacingly upon Gabriella, "had fun at your sleep over with a random guy, tonight, or should I say last night huh?"

Gabriella continued to stare at Taylor, unsure if her answer may or may not appease her obvious angry best friend. She settled for an "Erm".

Without acknowledging Gabriella's unintelligible response, Taylor resumed her rant. "Cause you know, losing your best friend at the congested club, which by the way is over its occupancy limit, and receiving a cryptic text from her," raising one finger, "and let me quote, said 'I'm okay. Don't wait up.' definitely set me at ease."

With a sliding step, Gabriella moved away, but not before righting the fallen coat rack and saying, "I'm really sorry, Tay. I didn't think you'd worry this much."

Again, Taylor only raised an eyebrow.

Inwardly, Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Okay, so I don't normally do this, but you're the one always pushing me to get out there and start living a little."

Taylor shrugged. "You got me there but calling would be nice. Telling me that you're okay and didn't get kidnapped. And before you protest, that text message didn't really help."

Gabriella frowned and tried to look apologetic. "Sorry. I promise, this won't happen again…"

Instead of seeing a smile, Taylor's frown got more serious. "Oh, no. You're not going back to your old ways and into that boring lifestyle of yours. I'm not saying that you should hook up with random guys every night but you're finally enjoying life, we're not stopping now."

They both smiled at the obvious contradiction in Taylor's earlier actions with her last statement.

"So, you done with the 'overprotective mother' act now? Cause I would really like to tell my best friend about this incredibly hot guy I met last night?"

Eyes twinkling, Taylor clapped like a little kid, "Yes, please." Arm in arm, the two walked to the kitchen for an early morning gossip alongside their breakfast. "And don't forget any details."

What was she doing? Gabriella asked herself as her back connected to the door to an apartment she assumed was his. She couldn't really think straight. Not when his mouth was doing wonders to her neck, as he nuzzled and caressed his way into her chest. But oh, no. She wasn't just an innocent bystander in this exchange. Her hand was rising to cup and frame his jaw, trying to angle his face so her lips could cover his. Not that it was hard for he was more than happy to acquiesce. She was kissing him. He was claiming her.

Releasing her hand, Troy reached for her and drew her more closer to him. As before, her hands rose to his chest, this time, unbuttoning his shirt. Without warning, he locked his arm around her waist and lifted her, settling her legs around his waist while his other hand tried to open the door to his apartment.

Abruptly, he pulled back, broke the kiss and cursed, leaving Gabriella confused and bewildered but searching his lips for more. He lifted his head only inches away from hers and waited until she found her bearing. And when she did, she cleared her throat; her gaze still on his lips before she quickly raised it. "Why did you stop?"

Troy sent her a boyish grin. "I couldn't open the door."

"Oh." Turning slightly to her side, she took the key from his hands and opened the door. "Her-"

He cut her off and immediately went back to kissing her. His lips were hard and commanding on hers. And the way his tongue filled her mouth, caressing was a sensual delight for Gabriella. Shifting her hands, she spread her fingers into his hair and tugged him closer. And when he increased the intensity of their kisses, Gabriella couldn't help but plaster her hands on top of his chiseled chest. Still being carried by him, she could only moan when he raised his hand from her waist and spread it over her breast. Her breast arched and that single touch left parts of her body tingling, throbbing with an indescribable feeling that only left her wanting more.

They stumbled onto the living room. Breaking the kiss, Gabriella tugged the shirt over his head before slamming her lips back on his while her hands touched his chest. And the feel of his bare skin was something she savored. Troy's shirt went flying. Landing somewhere in the foyer. In between kisses, more clothes left their bodies.

Gabriella drew in a tight breath as his large hands skillfully caressed her body, sending a sensations streaking through her. He squeezed and she sucked in a breath. Breathing was beyond her. She gripped tight, grasping his head as she held him.

"Oh, god!" Eyes closed, she struggled to breathe. Dragging in one last breath, she reached for his face and brought his lips back to hers. Delicious shards of sensation streaked through them. As he continued his ministrations to her breast, she rockers her hips against him.

Troy groaned into her mouth. Releasing her breast, he slid his hand down her ribs, then lower, over the curve of her hip. He caught the ends of her dress, gathered the material and slid his hand beneath to touch her bare skin until he felt lace, moved in to the side and plunged. He teased. He explored. Cleverly and wantonly caressing between her thighs.

It took all of Gabriella's strength not to scream.

What was she doing? The question lingered in her brain. And out of the blue, she remembered Taylor's words, "You're learning what it feels to be alive" before her body hit the bed and everything went black as her climax overcame her.

Part Deux will be up once I finish proof reading it.

Reviews are much appreciated.