Part 10

The sun was high in the sky and streaming through the French doors when Becca awakened to find herself wrapped in Nick's arms. For just a moment she was confused, disoriented, but then the night before came back to her in a sickening rush. Nick had been awake for some time, content to just hold her as she slept, but he felt her stir and knew immediately when she remembered. He pulled her back against his body and kissed her neck. "Don't do this to yourself. It's over."

She sighed, snuggling back against him. "The hardest part was the telling, you know. Now the healing begins."

Once again, she was amazed by the depth of maturity she found in him. This was not the dumb blonde pop star of last week's news magazine, this was a man she was rapidly falling in love with, and it scared her to death. She shivered, goose bumps rising along her bare arms.

"I know you're scared," he continued, "but that jerk doesn't deserve any more of your time and energy, Bec. Don't let him have that kind of power over you any more."

Becca turned in his arms, looking up into his eyes. "How'd you get to be so smart, Carter?" His sleepy hair was everywhere, and he looked as if he'd just had the best sex of his life, but she knew better. She ran her hands through it in a vain attempt to straighten it out and as she touched him he moaned. Just a little, but it got her attention. "Nick?"

"What?" he asked, his voice rather tense.

"Umm .."

"Sorry. I'm trying, Bec, really I am. I know I promised to be good, but I made the mistake of sleeping in here with you . and you're so warm and you feel so damn good next to me .. and . "

She silenced him by pulling his head closer to hers and gently pressing her mouth to his. She kissed him so softly, so sweetly that it hurt. She could tell he was holding back and it amazed her that he could do this, would do this, just for her. No, he definitely wasn't Andrew. "Nick ."

"What, baby?" he needed to get away, fast. But she felt so good .

"Help me, Nick. Help me forget." her hands were on his back, kneading the tight muscles beneath her fingers.

"Bec, please ." "Nick, I need you. I want you. Please, Nick, make love to me."

He lost the ability to breathe. "God, baby, are you sure?" He looked deep into her eyes, seeking the truth. She'd lived with such hurt and he had no desire to add to her problems.

"Please. Make me some new memories."

His control shattered with her words. Groaning, he covered her body with his own, the need to feel her against him outweighing anything else at that moment. Becca gasped as he pressed his hips to hers, his desire for her quite obvious. The rush of heat that spread through her body was like nothing she had ever felt and she realized just how different, how wonderful, this was going to be.

Nick kissed her mouth, then her face and her neck, suckling sweetly at the spot where her neck met her shoulder. He smiled against her skin as she shuddered beneath him. "Ok," he grinned, "that's one spot . let's find your others." He repeated the action on her other shoulder and was gratified to feel her squirm beneath him once again.

Rolling away from her, he pulled away the covers and she lay before him clad only in one of his t-shirts and her panties. He leaned on one elbow, simply looking, enjoying the anticipation. His eyes traveled down her body and she blushed under his gaze, closing her eyes in embarrassment. "Becca, look at me," he whispered. "Please?"

Opening her eyes, she saw nothing but love in his own. His eyes held hers as his hand softly touched her over the t-shirt, and she sighed.

"Oh Nick-"

"This is love, Bec. This is what it feels like." Reaching beneath her shirt he lay his hand on her tummy, just resting there, letting her get used to the feeling. As she impatiently moved against him he reached higher, cupping her breast and teasing the nipple into a tight point. Pulling gently, he watched the emotions play on her face as she lost the battle to keep her eyes open. He rose above her, sitting astride her hips and pulling the shirt over her head and off, tossing it into a corner. She was beautiful, her hair in disarray on the pillow, the sunlight shining on her skin and he knew it would be a supreme test of will to make this last and not humiliate himself. He took her hands in his and stretched them above her head, watching in fascination as her breasts arched toward him like an offering. Still holding her hands, he bent forward, taking one sensitive bud between his lips. He pulled softly, his tongue just barely reaching out to touch her flesh. She whimpered and it was almost his undoing. Opening his mouth, he sucked her fully, giving in to her demands.

Becca struggled against the hold he had on her hands, needing to touch him, needing . more . "Nick . god, Nick-"

Finally, he released her hands and they went immediately to his head. Whether to hold him closer or push him away, neither was sure. Nick moved away, licking her nipple teasingly before pressing a wet kiss in the valley between her breasts. He pushed his hands beneath her back to lift her to his mouth once again, laving attention on the other breast as Becca twisted beneath him.

"Baby, you feel so good. God, so sweet." He moved down her body, kissing a soft trail down her abdomen before swirling his tongue in her belly button. He laughed as she twitched beneath him, he knew it tickled and he nipped lightly with his teeth making her gasp in surprise. He was so afraid. He wanted all of her, he wanted to taste her, make her cry out his name and he was afraid she'd back away at the last minute. Running his fingers beneath the elastic of her panties, he felt her tense and this time, he stopped. Completely bypassing her sex, he kissed his way down one thigh, suckling lightly on the skin behind her knee before kissing his way back up her other leg. Reaching the small scrap of fabric once again, he hesitated. He knew she was ready, he could feel the heat coming off of her in waves, but mentally? He just wasn't sure. But he wanted her, god how he wanted her.

"Please," she whispered. "Please Nick."

Her fingers tangled in his hair, caressing him, and he knew then it would be all right. Pulling the last piece of clothing from her body, he tossed it aside before rising above her and kissing her mouth one last time. Settling between her thighs, he kissed her hip before gently parting her damp folds with his fingers. She was so hot, so wet that he nearly came right then. He reached out one finger, drawing the tip through the heated moisture, dipping it inside her taut body and then drawing the dampness back up to find the hidden bud and flick against it gently. Her hips rose against him and he waited no longer. Without hesitation, he pressed his mouth to her, tasting everything she had to offer. His tongue sought out her clit and whirled against it relentlessly, his fingers pressing deep within. His hand kept up the steady motion and as he suckled her firmly he could feel her begin to tighten within. Closer and closer, he brought her closer to release, his body holding her to the bed. He felt the tremors begin and plunged his fingers even deeper, sucking hard as she came, flooding his mouth and crying out.
Somehow he managed to push his boxers off and kick them to the floor, even as he licked at her swollen flesh, still trembling beneath him. Her breathing was ragged as she grasped at his shoulders in a desperate attempt to pull him up to her eye level. Becca's eyes were dark and hazy, and Nick smiled at her, that slow sexy smile that melts women the world over. And then he kissed her. Hard, deep, his tongue stroking hers as his hands grasped her head to hold her in place.

The sounds they made mingled and became one, and Nick pressed his erection against Becca, seeking entry. She opened her thighs and as he settled between them, she reached down to grasp him. God he was so hard . and she needed him so very badly. Whimpering against his mouth, she guided him forward, lifting her hips as he sank into her heated depths.

Nick groaned as she wrapped herself around him. She was so hot . so tight . and this was so perfect. "God . Bec ." He pressed even deeper, holding himself within her as she adjusted to his size.

Becca whimpered as he lay against her. It had been so long ago, and it had only been once. It was almost like it was her first time . and it was wonderful. This was so right; Nick should have been her first, not Andrew. Suddenly her eyes filled and she trembled.

"Bec?" Nick raised himself on his elbows in time to see her eyes fill with tears.

"Baby, don't." He kissed her face, tasting her tears. "Please, sweetheart, don't"

"It feels so good, Nick .YOU feel good .God, I never knew." She drew her knees up, pushing him deeper and gasped. "Oh-"

"Bec, easy-" He rocked against her, helpless to hold back much longer.

"Please, Nick. Just do it. Make me yours." Reaching up, she pressed her hands to his chest, really touching him for the first time, her fingers gliding over his sweaty skin. She met his thrusts as he slowly rocked against her, needing more than he was giving. Becca touched him everywhere she could reach, learning his body as he was learning hers, and as he slipped his hands beneath her hips, she cried out in pleasure.

Nick lifted her against him, tilting her hips up to meet his body as he thrust into her, again and again. She was so beautiful. Her hair was wild, sweaty strands clung to her neck and her body was slick with perspiration. Her eyes were glazed with passion and he could see the concentration as she slowly built toward release. He was so damn glad is was daylight; he wanted to watch her. He wanted to see every nuance of her expression as she came. "Becca ." He called her name, gently, but firmly.

"Mmmmm .." her eyes met his. "Nick?" her hands were on his bottom, pulling him closer, as close as she possibly could.

"Good. Bec, this is so good." One hand left her hip to stroke her breasts, roaming from one to the other, squeezing gently as he stroked her closer and closer to orgasm. He felt her begin to tighten around him and knew he had to hold on. A little more, just a little more.

"Ohgod-" her eyes rolled back and closed against the bliss only to snap open once again as he touched her. Their bodies met again and again and his hand was there, trapped between them and swirling against her soaked flesh. He found the hidden button he was searching for and pressed firmly. And released. And again, and again.

"Do it, Bec. Let it go."

Harder, faster he worked against her, his fingers keeping pace with the rest of his body as he heard her whimper his name. "Nicky . more . just . a little ."

"Now, baby. Come now."

And with a high-pitched cry, she convulsed around him and he gave up control. Her body drew him in, clenching at his hard flesh and coaxing him to follow her to ecstasy. Pumping into her one last time, he came. Hard. He felt as though his life was being poured out into her and would have gladly given it all to her at that moment.

With his release came perfect clarity. He loved her. Totally, completely, irrevocably. Fighting to catch his breath, he looked into her face and saw his own expression looking back.

Becca smiled, tired, sated and hopelessly in love.

******************

They practically floated back to Orlando. After making love, they had fallen back asleep, wrapped in each other's arms only to waken and begin the cycle once again. A shower to wash away the night had presented new opportunities to explore, and suddenly it was mid-afternoon before they pulled into the driveway of Becca's house.

"Kevin's here," Nick commented. "Isn't Sarah supposed to be at work?"

"Till 6 tonight. Nick, I've got a bad feeling ." Practically flying to the door, Becca burst through nearly knocking over Kevin in the process.
"Sarah-"

"She's sleeping, Bec, relax."

"Kevin, you're scaring me." She began to shake. "What's wrong? You were supposed to call me!"

"I handled it, Becca. It was a rough night and she's just not feeling well, so I brought her home." He could tell she wasn't buying it, but had no intention of letting Sarah's secret slip. He watched as Nick stepped up behind her, pulling her into a protective embrace. Well . another interesting development, and a great way to change the subject. "So, I take it you both had a good time last night?" He smiled, his eyes crinkling with laughter as both Nick and Becca blushed. He then laughed aloud. "That answers my question. Set a new record Carter?"

Nick laughed, nodding his head as Becca swatted his hand and stomped off.

"Men are pigs, you know that?" she called over her shoulder, setting off new gales of laughter.

She tiptoed down the hallway, gently peeking in on Sarah. The room was dark, but even in the dim light she could see how pale she was, how fragile she looked. She was convinced that Kevin knew more than he was telling, but how to get it out of him?

She closed the door gently, crossing the hall to the bathroom. All she wanted to do was splash some water on her face, but as she glanced at the vanity top, her heart stopped. She must have made a sound, because suddenly Nick was there and looking on with sympathetic horror at what she held in her hand: Sarah's home pregnancy kit.

"Oh god." She pressed her fingers to her lips to stifle any further outcry. The hand that held the empty box was trembling.

"Breathe, Bec." He was almost afraid she might pass out. Moving her backwards, he pushed her down to sit on the toilet. "Look, you can't-"

"Nick, this is -"

"I *know* what it is, but don't go there. It might not be-"

"What? Maybe Sarah's *not* pregnant? Oh god, Nick, what if it's not Howie's? What if it *is*? God, what are we gonna do?" She looked helplessly into his eyes tears spilling down her face.

"We're not gonna do *anything*, Bec. She's an adult and so are Howie, Kev and AJ. Shit, what a mess." He sighed.

"Nick, I have to talk to her." She made as if to rise.

"NO." He saw her jump at his tone, and was immediately contrite. "I'm sorry, baby. It's just . well, this is her problem. She'll talk to you when she's ready."

"And if she's not *ever* ready?"

"Then it has to be her decision. Just be her friend. Be there for her if she needs you."

"Nick, this is going to be so hard."

"I know, Bec, but it'll be ok."

"It *has* to be, Nick. It just has to be."