Chapter 34
“Aarrgghh! I take it you’re hungry.”
Ciara ducked from under Nick’s incessant
nuzzling into her neck where he had spent the last few minutes growling and
kissing and generally driving her crazy.
“Fooooooooooooooooooooooooood!”
“NICK!
Stop it!” She smacked at him playfully and pulled away from his grasp, running
to his truck waiting in valet.
“Yes,
I’m hungry. And I like your neck. Thought I could just find somethin’ in there
for me.” Before closing the door behind her, he peeked into the passenger side
and nuzzled into the warmth of her neck one more time. “Foooooooooooooooooooood!”
“Get
in the car, you brat. I’m freezing.”
Nick
tipped the valet and slid into the truck, silent for a few moments as he made
his way through the traffic leaving the game. The Bucs had lost. Again. He
didn’t lose well, but having Ciara here made it much
more tolerable.
She
cranked up the heat, rubbing her hands together in front of the vent. This
sucked. If she wanted winter, she’d move to
“Wanna
head to Ybor?”
“Sure,
but let’s just do a restaurant; no club tonight, please.”
“Oh…yeah,
okay, I guess so.” He didn’t hide his disappointment well. He hadn’t hit the
clubs since her work stretch and while that was barely a week ago, he was
itching to get back. Ciara preferred small bars over
the club scene. Nick loved it though, especially the perks of VIP. Party
atmosphere with enough privacy he could let his hair down and just play. He’d
have to wait until she worked another stretch it seemed. Good enough.
“You
wanna go clubbing?”
“Yeah,
but I can wait. I know you don’t like it. No biggie.” He looked back to the
traffic in front of him and put the truck in park. It was gonna be awhile. “You
okay with waiting? Do you have to eat right now?”
“Nah,
I’m good. I’ve got granola if I get real hungry.” She laid her head back on the
headrest and rolled to look at him. His hair was already getting dark from the
suns’ lightening of it on the cruise. And long? The boy needed a haircut. She
reached out and ran her fingers through the silken strands, running a finger
down the edge of his earlobe. “You sounded fabulous tonight.”
“Mmmm…thanks.
Reverb is a good thing.”
“Well,
yeah, but your voice sounded real clean and clear. You could tell you’ve been
resting it.”
“Yeah,
felt good. I was scared to death this time.”
“I
can imagine. No one to catch you like you’re used to. You kicked ass though,
baby.”
“I
liked having you up there. Wish you would have come to some of our shows last
tour. I kept expecting to see you, at least at the
“I
was in
“You
were not!” He turned and looked at her, looking away when she eyeballed the
slowly moving traffic in front of them. “Oops…” He crept forward a few feet and
jammed the car in park again. “Why didn’t you call me or something?”
“I
was with
“But
I missed you, Ci. God…I can’t believe you didn’t
call.”
“Sorry…you
were only in for that night weren’t you? What’d you do after the show?”
“Yeah,
left the next day…um, what DID I do? That was a long time ago now.
“Out?
Ah…a secretive ‘out’. Traffic again.”
“Jeez,
I’m zoned here. You, uh…you really don’t wanna know where I went.”
She
didn’t? Hmmm…maybe she didn’t. Drop THAT subject. “Fair enough. It was a good
show though.”
“Just
like any other, probably.”
“Yeah,
most likely. Do you ever remember specifics from one to the next?”
“Not
much, no. You remember how it is…signs all over the venues reminding us what
city we’re in. It gets all blurry. From where we stand, every venue is the
same. The outdoor shows gave us some variety anyway.”
“Yeah,
those would have been nice. Traffic.”
“Looks
like it’s clearing up here…Brewing Company good?”
”Perfect.”
******~~~~~~******~~~~~~
“Fish
‘n Chips and a Red Eye, please.”
“Miss?”
“Same
with a One Night Stand.”
“I’ll
bring ‘em right out!” The waiter took their menus and quickly disappeared into
the crowded restaurant.
Nick
made a quick scan of the room, checking for rabid fans, and finding none, took Ciara’s hand in his. “Getting warmer finally?”
“Yeah,
finally.” They spent a few moments just being quiet. Neither knew the others
thoughts, or for that matter, cared. They weren’t really in touch with their
own, just enjoying the time together, being a couple, feeling the satisfaction
that brought. She brushed her thumb on the tops of his knuckles, noticing at
how old her hands were looking, especially compared to his. Not wanting to
think about it, she broke the reverie. “So, what DID you do for New Year’s? You
weren’t sure what was gonna happen last we talked.”
“Oh,
yeah, I went to Club Fun. They put me on mic for awhile. Was cool.”
“How
was the morning?”
“Sucked.
So did the next one.”
“Twice,
huh? You party animal, you.”
“I
can take it.”
Her
eyes narrowed at him, not wanting to cast any kind of judgment on this
behavior. Yet. It was New Year’s after all, but she had noticed a trend of
excessiveness every time he went out. Which was a lot. And whenever she worked.
Which could be a lot as well. Instead, she turned a mildly maternal cheek.
“Just be careful, Nick, huh?”
“I’m
careful. It was New Year’s.”
“Okay…”
Looking up to the waiter, thankful for the break in the conversation, she took
her mug and held it up to Nick. “To a wonderful new year.”
Touching
the lip of his mug to hers, he smiled. “Yeah…wonderful sounds good. We need
one.”
No
kidding. Both of them. Now that the cruise was over, Nick wasn’t quite sure
what was next. Business wise, a lot was hanging in the balance and nothing was
resolved. It made him crazy. For Ciara, her health
was always hanging in the balance. Nothing new there. But her heart. She was
tired of it being broken and lonely. She hadn’t felt this full and complete and
peaceful in years…if at all. And she had never been so afraid of it all before
either.
Nick
wiped the froth from his mouth with the back of his hand. “So, what did YOU do
for New Years…how’d you ring it in at work?”
“Oh,
let me tell you, baby. I was rockin’. Watched the ball drop with a CF patient
while he wheezed beside me. Helped with a code and Deanna and I met for break.
We shared a piece of carrot cake to celebrate the new year.”
“Bet
you had one HELL of a hangover after that night!”
“Oh
yeah, why do you think I passed out this morning?”
Nick’s
playful smile faded at the memory. He hadn’t been that frightened in a long
time…possibly ever in his life. She was so pale, so clammy, so weak…and she was
never any of those things. With Ciara, he always felt
vibrant color, warmth and strength. Within moments it had all been zapped from
her. And within minutes, it slowly had come back. This disease was a strange
one, a frightening one, but somehow she just charged right on through it like
it was just another bump in the road. Why didn’t he ever feel like he had that
kind of strength to get over even the smallest of obstacles?
“Hey…you’re
awful melancholy. What’s up?” She’d watched him mentally walk away. She was
used to it, Nick always being a dreamer, a thinker. But tonight she didn’t
expect it for some reason.
“Yeah…just
thinkin’ about this morning, I guess. How do you do it, Ci?”
He quickly finished off his large mug of homemade brew, signaling the waiter
for another.
“Do
what? Pass out or get back up again?”
“Ha.
Ha. I mean, the physical stuff I kinda understand. Enough anyway…but I mean in
here,” he pointed to his chest. “And here,” now to his head. “How do you deal
with it? It’s something different everyday.”
“I
guess waking up and remembering that it could be something different every day
helps. Nick, you have no idea how I’ve NOT dealt with this. You just caught me
at a strong point….”
Her
words drifted off as the waiter brought their food and Nick’s refill. She
thought about her words as she took the plate. Had he caught her at a strong
point or was he part of the reason for it?
Nodding
his appreciation to the waiter, he offered her one of his “chips”. “Yeah, but
you’ve always seemed strong to me, Ci. Always.”
“Mmmm…those
are good.” Offering one of hers back, she continued, “I’m a good actress, Nick.
And believe me, you’ve really…I mean…” She wiped her hand off from the extra
salt and looked at him. “Okay, here’s the deal. I have almost always put up a
front for you. The older, wiser one, maybe? I dunno. You’ve seen me sicker than
hell, but when I’m well, dammit, I’m going to be
completely well.”
“Why?
Why protect me like that? You still can’t be yourself around me? After all
we’ve…” He stopped himself. It was that age thing again and he knew it. She had
been protecting him from things for years. Maybe she just wasn’t used to not
doing it anymore. Maybe she still didn’t think he could deal with it. Maybe she
was right.
“Don’t,
Nick. It’s nothing against you. I mean, maybe it used to be your age, but…you
know, you seem to have some major secrets from me too. And I’m just not going
to ask you for those parts of you until you’re ready.” She started eating
again, watching him, reading him. Wondering if she
really, totally knew him anymore. Somehow, she thought she did…even if he
didn’t completely know himself.
“I’m
afraid you’ll be ashamed of me. Disappointed in me.”
“Could
be, Nick. But I’m not stupid. I can probably guess what some of your secrets
are.”
He
lowered his gaze, concentrating on his food. “Probably.”
“And
it is weird…because you never used to keep ANYTHING from me. But if you need to
for now…then you need to.”
“Well,
I never kept anything from you before because you could always read me like a
damned book. Maybe this year apart put enough distance that you lost your
touch.”
“Me!?
Lost my touch!? No, no…you’re just playin’ in a pond I’m not familiar with
now.” She stopped eating again, reaching over to touch his arm. “Nick, do you
want to tell me something? You seem…I dunno…guilt-laden maybe?”
His
humble stance changed quickly to one of almost cockiness. This was new. She
didn’t like it. “Nah. I’m cool. I’m cool. I was really just wonderin’
how you put up with all the shit from feeling bad half the time.” He shoveled a
forkful of fish in his mouth and smiled around the food, glad to have slid out
of the conversation. No, he was not ready to tell her anything. Not now. He
wasn’t ready to tell himself anything now either.
******~~~~~~******~~~~~~
“Now,
if I remember correctly…” Nick whispered while slowly unzipping Ciara’s coat and walking her back against the door, “…you
promised me a reward if I sang pretty.”
“Well,
well…that I did. What kind of reward did you have in mind, Pretty Boy?”
“Oh,
I dunno…got a cheerleader outfit? We could live out a football fantasy or
something.” He nuzzled into her neck, giggling at the absurdity of the thought
and she squirmed away, hitting him on the arm.
“You
are weird.” She took of her coat and reached up to his shoulders, removing his
and tossed them both on a chair. “…and I like it.”
“Mmmm…good.”
He cupped her face in his hands and leaned in for a kiss. Softly, slowly,
text-book perfect. He pulled back to look in her eyes again before going back
for another. This time with just a bit more pressure, a bit more insistency, a
bit more passion. But not too much. They had all night. They had all day.
Running
her hands up in his hair, loving how the cool air almost softened it more, she
tenderly licked at his bottom lip. He moaned at the simple gesture, pulling her
in close for a more passionate kiss. He could never tire from kissing her,
feeling her whole body pressed against his. He’d dreamed of it for so long and
at times, still couldn’t believe it was really her. Really Ciara.
She
pulled back, touching his cheek and looking deep in his eyes. “You know what I
wanna do?”
“I
know what I want to do…”
“Well,
yeah…we’ll get there. But first, I want to go over to your couch, keep the
lights down low and just…” she peeked up on her tiptoes to steal another quick
kiss, “just…make out.”
Who
could argue? Taking her by the hand, he led her to the couch. She smiled shyly
as she sat, patting the cushion next to her in invitation. “Come here.”
“Wait…one
more thing.” He knelt down beside her and brought her legs up on the coffee
table. “Let’s get more comfortable.” Slowly, methodically he untied her boots
and pulled them off, kissing her ankles as her socked feet peeked out from the
leather.
“Ah…much
better. You too, now. Off with the shoes.”
Not
so meticulously, he kicked off his shoes, snuggled in next to her and brought
his feet up to the table, joining hers. “Damn, you have short legs, woman.”
“Yeah…I
know.”
He
turned to her, shifting on the couch so he was totally facing her and his legs
could curl up, matching foot to foot…to foot to foot. “Now, let’s see if I can
remember how to do this.”
“Starts
with a kiss, Nick.”
“Like
this?” He brushed a loose curl from her face, kissing the spot where it laid,
slowly making his way to her lips. Oh yeah, he remembered. He definitely
remembered.
And
so did she. It was such a “girl” thing to do. Just making out. Hands only
covering arms, shoulders, legs, faces. Kisses no lower than the neck. Benign.
Junior High, but with the experience and familiarity to make it more powerful
than any 14 yr. old could fathom. And how damned erotic could it be? Untouched
passions being fulfilled only by the simplest of gestures.
Eventually
those passions built and he had lowered her on her back, body on body, legs
intertwining, lips still locked and hands still satisfied with preliminary
touches. He began to kiss down her neck and dared to go beyond the unspoken
limit to her chest. Of course she didn’t argue. Feeling cramped, though, he
climbed off the couch onto his knees and took her by the hand. “Come down here.
We’ll have more room.” They picked a spot out in the middle of the room,
meeting lips from their position on their knees.
Now
it was her turn to guide him on his back, rolling to his side, rolling on top
of her, next side, back…over and over, kissing, fondling, loving.
They couldn’t get enough, but they really didn’t want it to go any further…yet.
Their passion continued on this blissful plateau, both totally lost in the
moment, unaware of their surroundings, until…
“Beepbeep! Beepbeep!”
“Ignore
it.” Ciara sucked on Nick’s earlobe and kissed her
way down his neck.
“Mmmmm…it’s
my work one.”
“So?”
Back up to his scruffy beard, landing full force on his lips.
“If
they’re…Ci…baby…stop.” He pulled back and hiked up on
an elbow, tracing the neckline of her shirt. “It’s late. If it’s work at this
hour, I need to answer it.”
She
flopped back on her back in resignation. “Okay. You’re right.” Rubbing her hand
over her face, trying to clear her mind, she giggled as she watched him get up
and gingerly walk over to his coat digging out his annoying cell. Thank God for
being a woman…at least she could still walk while aroused.
“’lo?”
Emotionless.
Few words. Ciara couldn’t tell who was on the phone
and at this point, she didn’t care. They’d interrupted a very romantic moment, dammit. They were the enemy. Not to be swayed, she got up
and made her way into the kitchen and whipped up a few cups of hot chocolate.
Hot chocolate in
Nick
was still on the phone when she was done. She caught his eye and looked to the
stairs, telling him where to find her. Fortunately, he wasn’t too far behind
her…but far enough.
“Sorry.”
He stopped his purposeful stride and looked at her. Damn, she knew how to take
an interruption and turn it around. She’d lit a few candles that remained from
his attempted romance after her work stretch. A mug of hot chocolate was on his
bedside table luring him closer. But the best lure of all…was her. In just the
few moments he’d been gone, she’d stripped down completely, and was laying seductively
under the sheets, her auburn curls shining against the dark green linens.
“Forgiven.
Come here.”
As
he quickly stripped himself of his clothes, he filled her in on the call.
“Wanna go to
“What?”
“Well,
Tuesday tomorrow…bright and early. Two days. Brian’s sick and Kev wants me to
do the AMA’s with him. Come with me.”
“Ummmm…”
“Come
on. No excuses. You’ve never been to an awards show with me.”
He
was right. There were no excuses. “We’ll be back before I need to be at work?”
“Yup.”
He slid into the bed next to her, moaning softly as her warm body met up with
his cold one. “No excuses, Ci. Come with me.”
“Come
WITH you? It’d be my pleasure.”
******~~~~~~******~~~~~~
Ciara woke, amazingly cold seeing as how
she was not alone and buried underneath sheets, blanket and a huge comforter.
When would this gawd-awful bitter weather break? Even
more amazing was how well she slept away from home. Must have been her
companion’s presence.
She
rolled to her side, propping herself up on an elbow and keeping herself tucked
under the covers. Peeking a hand out she lovingly ran a finger over the
contours of Nick’s face as he slept. So peaceful. So much older looking than
she thought he should be. How did they get here? Young friends to flirting
friends to…whatever that mess was before. And now. Was there a word for what
they had now? She couldn’t think of one, but whatever it was…she couldn’t trade
it for the world.
***
