I think I lost the battle for control, for when I awoke sometime later it was to the sound of running water. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I looked hesitantly around. I was alone and my down comforter had been pulled modestly beneath my chin. The candles were beginning to burn low and there was a glass of chilled wine on my nightstand.
The faucet creaked as the water was turned off, and in the doorway a single figure was silhouetted by the light.
"Hey, you're awake," Nick said, toweling his hair dry, another towel draped low on his hips.
"Yeah," I answered, suddenly more shy than I'd ever been. Sitting up, I pulled my knees under my chin and the covers chastely around me.
"Bec? You ok?"
Stupid question. I was falling apart and had no desire to do it in front of Nick Carter.
I lost yet another battle as my eyes filled, and to my horror, I sniffled. Shit. I'm such a loser. The greatest sex I'd ever had in my life, no, probably EVER would have, and I fall apart.
He was beside me in an instant, sitting by me and holding me close. I leaned against him, hot tears cascading down my face. Slowly he rocked with me, like one would comfort a frightened child, and in that instant I loved him beyond measure.
Gone was the *pop star*, gone was the blond god who had rocked my world just minutes before ... and in their place was a gentle, caring man whose greatest worry in the world at that instant was my comfort, my feelings.
"Stop it. I know what you're thinking."
How could he?
"I just do."
God, he can read minds, too?
"Nick-"
"Don't do this to yourself, Bec."
I sighed, wiping my nose on my comforter.
"Eww..." he said and I giggled.
"I'm sorry, Nick."
"For what?"
"I dunno ... I just ..."
"You just *think* too much. You're mind is running a mile a minute and I know that none of what you're thinking is good."
I tried to interrupt, but he silenced me with a hug.
"You're thinking that this was all a mistake. That now we'll think less of you, think that you're a cheap lay."
I gasped. He was too close for comfort.
"Well, we won't. What we shared here tonight was ... well, it was fucking amazing. And for what it's worth, Kevin is downstairs pacing a hole in your shag carpeting."
"Why?" I twisted around to look at him.
"Because he's traumatized. He thinks you're going to hate him and that your lifelong friendship is over."
"We're all a piece of work, huh?" I mumbled.
"Speak for yourselves. I just had the best fucking sex of my entire life and I feel fantastic."
I could hear the grin in his voice and, grabbing a pillow, I swung at his head.
"No fair!" he ducked, but I was quicker. Before he found a pillow of his own, I had managed to land some pretty accurate blows to his head.
In the giddiness of the moment, my panic was forgotten. The pillow fight was escalating until I landed a particularly accurate shot right to Nick's face.
"Yow!" he yelled, covering his eyes and backing away.
"Ohmygod, Nick! I'm so sorry. Are you all right? I didn't mean to-"
I never saw it coming. In an instant, I was pushed back onto the bed, helpless to move, my hands held above my head.
Out of breath, we were both struggling for air when we made the realization... In the fracas, not only had I become completely liberated of my covers, Nick's towel had gone awol.
Looking down at our bodies, nude and glistening with exertion, Nick's eyes darkened. His eyes met mine, searching me for answers I wasn't sure I had. Just before his mouth lowered to mine, he whispered "Gotcha."
*******************