Chapter Three

Nick awoke in the middle of the night, Gwen stretched out next to him, her head resting on his bare chest. He sighed deeply and gazed down at her. The moonlight streamed in through his huge window, splaying across the bed. It was just enough light to allow Nick to make out the delicate features of Gwen’s face. Her soft, pale skin...her long dark eyelashes that rested lightly on her cheeks...her soft pink lips. She was the definition of perfection. Nick lay his head back on his pillow, still peering down at Gwen. A small smile played on his lips as thought back to the first time that he held her..kissed her...

*Flashback*
“I had a really nice time tonight, Nick.” Gwen whispered as Nick stood with his hands in his Khaki’s pockets on Gwen’s front porch. “I hope I didn’t bore you with my stories...I sometimes freeze up on first dates.”

“Naw..” Nick said shrugging his shoulders. He kept his hands tightly buried in the confines of his pants...if they were free, they’d be reaching for Gwen, pulling her to him. There was just something about her. She made him crazy. The only thing he could think of the entire time they were out was holding her body against his. Feeling the heat radiating off of her onto him.

“Are you okay? You look a little uncomfortable.” Gwen mentioned nervously. Nick shook his head ‘no’, swallowing. The two stood silently in the cool night on the dark porch of Gwen’s parents house. “Um...”

“Yeah?” Nick asked, his voice an octave higher than normal. He shook his head as if to rid his body of the strange change. There was nothing wrong. How could there be? The night was perfect...wonderful..something that should be recorded in the history books. Nick Carter had a perfect first date with a girl he didn’t even know...and he was planning on having a second date, third date...lifetime with this girl. It had never happened before.

“Do you want to come in for awhile? It’s not very late...we could talk more..”

“Um...” NO! Nick’s brain screamed. But his mouth said something else. “Sure, I’d love to.” she smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling as the stars shown in them...dizziness washed over Nick but he followed Gwen into her quiet home. Her parents were already sleeping. Nick shook his head and mentally kicked himself for agreeing to join her for longer. Sure, she was wonderful...but he was already having trouble keeping his hands off of her. What was he going to do with more time with her??

“Do you want something to eat or drink?” she asked him as she slid her sweater off. She dropped it on a chair next to the door before disappearing off to the right. A light went on and Nick could hear her rummaging in the refrigerator. “Nick?” she called softly. He cleared his throat, took a deep breath and followed her into the kitchen. “I like your house.” Nick said glancing around, taking in his surroundings. It was nice, not too big, not too small...homey.

“Thanks...this is my favorite place to be. My friends love to be away from home...at the mall or at that hamburger place in town, you know the one. Not me though. I like being here...it makes me feel safe.” Gwen said setting two glasses on the island in the center of the kitchen. Nick pulled a stool out on the opposite side and sat down to watch Gwen move around the kitchen. “You did say you wanted something, didn’t you?”

“Uh, sure.” Nick said smiling as she bent over in the refrigerator to retrieve the iced tea.

“Too late for caffeine?” she asked him. He shook his head no. “Are you hungry?”

“Nope...iced tea will do me just fine.” He said watching her pour the dark liquid into the two glasses.

“There ya go.” she said sliding one glass across the counter to Nick. She lifted her own and took a gulp. Nick smiled at her actions. She was so different. Not afraid to be herself around him. She wasn’t trying to impress him with her gracefulness, rather, she was acting like a normal teenage girl. It was comforting to Nick. A release.

“Sorry,” she said finishing her drink. “I was really thirsty!” she giggled lightly. The sound like wind chimes to Nick’s ears. Beautiful.

“It’s alright.” he said taking a sip of his drink. She smiled at him.

“Do you want to go in the living room? Or, we can stay here. Wherever you’re comfortable.”

“Hmmm...” Nick thought. In the kitchen he had an island in between him and Gwen...in the living room? They’d be together on the couch... Again, his mouth opened and the wrong words flowed. “Livingroom.” The two made their way into the comfortably decorated livingroom.

“This is my favorite room.” Gwen said softly as she fell onto the couch. Nick sat at the opposite end, angling himself sideways to he could look at her.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” Nick asked leaning back against a fluffy pillow.

“Hmmm, I don’t know. Life.” Gwen said turning herself so she was in the same position as Nick. He smiled at her.

“Life can be really complicated.” Nick stated.

“Yes it can. I’m sure you life especially.” Nick was caught off guard. Not by her mentioning his ‘life’ again, but rather his reaction. He felt no nervousness or doubtfulness. He wanted to tell her everything.

“Yeah...ever since I was little I’ve been performing. Before then, I moved from New York to Florida, and then a year later, moved from one house to another in Florida. Lots of changes in a short time.”

“Wow, seems you’ve never sat still for very long. Even now.”

“Yeah..that’s the downfall of my life. Touring, traveling, recording. I’ll finally get into a routine here in Tampa and then I’m suddenly on a plane to another state or country.”

“Must be hard.” Gwen said closing her eyes.

“Yeah...but I don’t know what I’d be doing if I wasn’t in the music business. I’d be lost.” Nick chuckled. He let his eyes travel over Gwen. She had her eyes closed, giving her a peaceful, content look. She was so pretty it amazed Nick. This girl was just a normal every day girl...not a model, not a pop diva..yet she still pulled off sexy and alluring without even trying. She opened her eyes and found Nick’s looking at her.

“What?” she asked, glancing down at herself. “What’s wrong with me?” she smiled.

“Nothing at all, you’re perfect.” Nick said before he realized it.

“Really.” Gwen said blushing a little.

“Yeah, you are.” Nick continued. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” he apologized.

“No..” Gwen smiled. This was amazing. The gorgeous guy, first asks her out, takes her on a wonderful date to the beach, and then compliments her. This kind of thing didn’t happen to her. It happened to everyone else in the world, but never her.

“You okay? I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing...you’re fine. Thank you.” she said slipping her shoes off to rest her feet on the couch. Nick watched her, feeling at ease.

“Do you mind?” he asked pointing to his shoes. Gwen smiled and shook her head. Nick slid his shoes off and flexed his feet. Gwen giggled again. “So...what do you want to do now? We’ve covered small talk...” Nick grinned.

“Want to see what’s on tv?” Gwen asked picking up the television remote. She tossed it to Nick and he flipped the tv on and began channel surfing. He settled on re-runs of Family Matters.. “I love this show” Gwen sighed crawling to the other end of the couch to join Nick. He tensed a little at her closeness.

“Yeah..me too.” he said nervously, watching every move Gwen made. She carefully squeezed herself between Nick’s extended legs and the back of the couch. She smiled innocently at Nick as she lifted his arm up and situated herself against him. Only then did she drop his arm around her shoulders. “This is nice.” he whispered as Gwen’s body molded against his side. His arms tightened around her. He was finally holding her. Watching the television program was out of the question. Gwen was touching him, he could feel her body pressed against him, driving him crazy.

“You’re comfortable.” she said laughing slightly as she rested her head on his chest.

“Uh..thanks.” Nick said chuckling. Gwen closed her eyes at the low rumble that echoed in his chest. His scent was intoxicating, making her dizzy. She could not believe that she had the courage to make a move like this, be so direct. She couldn’t help it though..he was just so perfect, gorgeous, kind hearted. She needed to know what it was like to be in his arms...

Wonderful.....

Nick shut the television off as the credits of the third episode of Family Matters appeared on the screen. It was late. He had to leave.

“Do you have to go?” Gwen asked shyly. Nick smiled down at her, still positioned in his arms. He didn’t want to let go, but he knew he had to.

“I’m sorry.” he whispered kissing her forehead lightly. It only lessened his craving for her slightly. The desire to kiss her was overpowering. He had to taste her, only if it was for a split second.

“Forgiven.” she giggled. They made no attempts to leave their positions.

“I don’t want to get up.” Nick said smiling as he rubbed his hand lightly over Gwen’s back.

“Then don’t.” she responded, closing her eyes as she squeezed closer to his body. She was in Heaven.

“I won’t.” he said resting his cheek against her hair, inhaling her floral aroma. He wished he could stay in that position, with Gwen resting with him, holding her for the rest of eternity. Wished. It wasn’t possible, no matter how hard he prayed. “Gwendalyn...”

“Hmm?” came her muffled response. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her head resting against his shirt, their legs tangled at the opposite end of the couch.

“Gwendalyn, look at me..” she did. Her upturned face gazed up at him, her crystal blue eyes full of intrigue, her mouth forming a small, almost undetectable smile. Desire....

“What?” her sweet voice replied. He couldn’t control it anymore. He couldn’t hold back. He wanted to, had to... He slowly inched his face towards hers. She looked up at him, his actions finally registering on her face. This was it. Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt his warm sweet breath hit her cheek. Closer, closer. His lips finally made soft, sudden contact with hers. Time seemed to stop as they explored each other. He leaned further down, deepening the kiss, only slightly, just to know what her lips felt like, but also just enough to tease himself, leave him imaging what it would be like to plunge in, kiss her with all he had. He pulled back, his lips leaving hers like a cool breeze. She opened her eyes slowly, reveling in the touch of him against her...

“I need to go.” he whispered softly. She nodded her head, defeated. Still...neither moved. They sat in silence, gazing at each other. Neither knowing what to say. Both taken aback by the look in the others’ eyes...Passion... It was impossible for this to really happen--meet someone one day, have this mysterious connection, and the next...feel as though this was it. This was the one.... Gwen was eighteen, just graduated from high school, had no intention whatsoever of getting involved with anyone...yet there he was. The man that she didn’t want to let go. She inhaled deeply, and then let the breath out before sliding away from Nick. She was automatically pulled back against him. Back into his arms. Her eyes darted to his face. “Wait...” was all he said. She waited. “I don’t want to leave, but I know that I have to.”

“I know.”

“Is this just as hard for you? Or am I the only one who is have trouble here...”

“It’s hard.” Gwen whispered, resting her head against his chest again.

“Good...I mean, I’m glad that you feel that way too. I believe we have something here, Gwendalyn...”

“Me too.” she replied softly, in agreement.

“Yeah? So, you would see me again?”

“Yes.” Gwen said perching herself above Nick, using her arms to support herself. He silently looked up at her from his position beneath her.

“Tomorrow...”

“Tomorrow.” Gwen nodded. She hesitated a little before leaning down to press her lips against his. She dominated him this time, taking his lower lip in her teeth, nibbling slightly. She sighed deeply as Nick’s hands raised off the couch and ran up and down her back, sending tingles up her spine. The kiss was over too soon as Gwen pulled away and stood. Nick dropped his arms and sat upright, running a hand through his disheveled blond locks. He smiled up at Gwen, his cheeks rosy, his eyes shining.

“I’m leaving now..” he said standing up. He shoved his feet into his shoes and laced his fingers with Gwen’ s as she led him to the door. “Can I call you in the morning?” he asked before she closed the door on him.

“You can call me as soon as you get home...if you’d like. If not, of course you can call in the morning...”

“When I get home, it is.” Nick laughed. He extended his arm and took her hand in his again, giving it an affectionate squeeze before disappearing into the dark night. He turned around just before he got into his truck and saw her through her front window. Beauty...perfection...the one that took his breath away...
*End Flashback*

His finger tips lightly grazed the skin on Gwen’s upper arm, forming goosebumps. He smiled a crooked smile as he watched Gwen in her sleep. Her eyelids fluttering as she dreamt...her skin illuminated by the soft moonlight. She was like his dream...his fantasy. Waking up next to this goddess every morning was Heaven to him. He was happy when she was there, a better man because of her. She shifted in her sleep, turning on her side so she faced Nick. He gently rested his hand on her sheet covered hip, feeling the smooth material of the barrier between he and Gwen.

“Why are you awake?” he heard a soft voice ask. He looked down at Gwen’s face, his eyes meeting hers.

“I’m just watching you sleep.” he responded. She looked at him curiously, her blue eyes wide and clear.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked him, a hint of sarcasm detectable in her words.

“You’re beautiful...how could I not enjoy myself.” a slight blush crept into Gwen’s cheeks. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Nick.” she said raising her petite hand to his face, grazing his cheeks with her palm. She repeated the action, rubbing against the soft stubble that had grown since he had shaved the night before.

“Goodnight, Gwendalyn.”

“Sweet dreams, Nick.”

Chapter Four
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