"Damn." Nick swiped a hand over his eyes, wondering what in the hell had just happened.

"Nick?" No answer. This night was a disaster. She should have followed her instincts and stayed far away from this bunch. There was a moment, when Nick had kissed her, that she thought it might be all right, but the scene she had just witnessed had frightened her. She was frightened and she didn't understand why. What had Sarah gotten herself into?

"Becca . hey, you in there?" Nick was bending his knees to see in her eyes, but she was somewhere else entirely. "Bec, c'mon back." He touched her, cupping her cheek in his hand and tipping her chin up so that he could see her eyes. He saw the light suddenly return to her eyes and she jumped, startled from her thoughts. "That's better. I thought I lost you there for a minute."

She looked around for Sarah and began to panic. "Where's Sarah? I don't see Sarah."

"Shh, it's ok. Kevin took her home."

"I need to go. She needs me." Her voice was rising, just on the edge of hysteria.

"Not tonight, Bec. She went home with Kevin." He watched her as the meaning behind his words sank in.

Becca exhaled loudly. "I'm so confused. Nick, what's going on?"

"You got me. C'mon, let's get out of here. The party's over anyway."

They were halfway to the door when Becca remembered how they had gotten there in the first place. "Kevin! Kevin has the car -"

"Would I let them strand you?" he asked, a set of car keys dangling from his fingers. "AJ took Howie home, so I have Howie's car keys. Besides, like I said earlier, you're mine for the night."

He grinned sexily, and any other time she might have been impressed, but now she was just scared. And it showed. "Nick, take me home," she said in a small voice.

"Bec, why not come with me?"

"Nick, I can't... I won't -"

"I know. I just don't think you should be alone tonight. Besides, I can be chivalrous sometimes. Think what fun you'll have telling the rest of the guys that we spent the night together and I didn't hit on you."

"Not once?" she asked, not believing him for a minute.

"Well ok, maybe once or twice, but I promise to be good. Mostly."

He grinned again and she was lost. "Thank you, Nick."

"Come on, let's blow this place."

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

Nick took the I-75 exit to Tampa at a less-than-usual speed. Becca had long ago fallen asleep against his shoulder and even though his arm was almost dead, he hated to waken her. He found he kinda liked her there. It was a comfortable feeling he'd been too long without.

Cutting the headlights, he slowly pulled into the circular drive in front of his house. Leaning his head back against the seat, he remained motionless for a full five minutes, simply enjoying the closeness of another. Finally, when he felt his eyes drifting shut one too many times, he cut the engine and opened his door.

As he knew it would, the silence and lack of motion wakened her, and she blinked against the darkness. "Nick?" Becca yawned widely, covering her mouth with her hand. "Hey, sleepyhead, we' re home."

She looked around, still half asleep and more than a little confused.

"My home, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. What time is it?" She managed to get a look at the clock on the dashboard and was suddenly wide awake. "Three o'clock? How long did you drive around, Nick?"

"I didn't, Bec, I drove straight here from Howie's club."

"But that was -"

"Two hours ago, I know. Becca, I live in Tampa."

"TAMPA? Nick, you never told me how far away we were going -"

Nick grinned at her, his smile radiating through the darkness. "Oops."

"OOPS? Nick, I need to be home. What if Sarah calls?"

He sighed. "She's a big girl. Besides, she's with Kevin. She'll be fine. I have a feeling they're more than fine right about now."

Opening his door, he came around the other side to help her out. "C'mon, let me give you the grand tour."

Damn, he was so sweet. Why the hell was she so nervous? He'd already promised not to pressure her tonight. Besides, she was just being silly. This was only their first date, and it really hadn't even been a date in the true sense of the word, had it? Becca shook her head to clear the cobwebs and prepared to enter the lion's den.

Holding the front door wide, Nick ushered her in with a sweep of his hand, wondering why she suddenly looked like a condemned prisoner.

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

"Well, that's it, my humble little house."

Becca laughed lightly. "You're warped, Nick Carter."

"You've been listening to AJ, haven't you?" he accused.

"Not likely!" Laughing again, she said, "This place is huge. You live here all by yourself?!"

"Yeah, now I do." He sobered, wandering over to the patio doors and opening them wide, the salty breeze from the Gulf of Mexico blowing his hair in his eyes.

Oops. Becca had the distinct feeling she'd just made a serious faux pas. Better fix it. Joining him by the open doors, she threaded her arm through his, and stood silently staring out at the moonlit waves in the distance.

"Sorry," he said.

"Don't be. It's none of my business, Nick."

"Thanks," he whispered, removing her arm from his so that he could gather her close. "It's old history, but it still hurts, you know?"

"Yeah, I do." More than you realize, she thought. Pulling away from him was the last thing she wanted, but the mood needed to be lightened. "C'mon!" Holding onto his arm for balance, she pulled her shoes off and tossed them onto the deck. "I don't think I've ever walked on a beach at night."

"Never? Get outta here!"

"C'mon, Nick, please?"

"Okay, okay, gimme a second here."

Doing likewise, he pulled off his shoes and socks, tossing them into a pile with Becca's.

"God, this is great!" Becca pulled him by the hand, dragging him through the sea oats and over the dunes to the soft, damp sand. She giggled like a schoolgirl, running toward the waves that lapped at the shore.

"Bec, slow down, wait for me. First time on the beach at night huh? Cool! I get to deflower a beach virgin."

It was inevitable. Just the way he phrased it caught her so completely off guard that she tripped over her own feet. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion as Nick watched her lose her footing and stumble, try to catch her self and ultimately end up on her butt in the shallow water.

Becca wanted to die right on the spot, and Nick - Nick was laughing too hard to be of any help. Standing was difficult. Not only was she weighted down by her soaked clothing, the sand under her feet was shifting with the waves, so every time she attempted to move, she landed back in the water. Finally, she gave up. Throwing herself back into the water and doing a hysterical parody of an Olympic water ballet, she was soon joined by Nick. Fully clothed, and now soaking wet as well.

"Nick, WHAT are you doing?"

She laughed, and the sound cut right through him. It was so beautiful it made him ache.

"Why should you have all the fun?"

Lying on his back, he backstroked out a ways, then turned and swam back toward shore. Paddling next to Becca, he quietly watched her. She had a quiet innocence about her, but could definitely hold her own with the guys. A mystery for sure. And she had no idea how damn beautiful she looked right now. Her hair was floating behind her in the waves, her skin was glistening in the moonlight and she hadn't a clue just how transparent her blouse had become when it got wet.

Floating closer, he reached for her hand and they drifted together for a while before he moved them to deeper water. Finding his footing he stood, bringing Becca with him. Standing waist deep in the warm Gulf waters, he carefully moved her wet hair off of her face. The rocking motion of the waves made balance tenuous, and Becca wrapped her arms around his waist, tipping her head back to look up into his face.

It was meant to be. It was as natural as the sounds of nature that surrounded them for Nick to lean forward and touch his lips to hers. He brushed her mouth gently, teasing just a little until she leaned into the kiss, wanting more.

Becca held onto Nick as he kissed her, holding her face in his palms, his mouth making love to hers as they stood motionless in the warm surf. Her hands moved up his back, kneading the muscles beneath the wet fabric and he wrapped her closer. His arms reached all the way around her petite frame as their bodies touched from head to toe. So good. He felt so good, and Becca moaned against his mouth, slowly losing her carefully guarded control. Nick kissed her harder, his warm tongue parting her lips and darting inside to taste her sweetness as one hand found her breast, cupping its weight and toying with the tight peak that pebbled against her soaked silk blouse.

A wave rolled in toward shore, pushing them together. Nick braced his feet so that they wouldn't fall, but Becca was pushed up against him and the evidence of his state of arousal made intimate contact with her hips. She gasped, instinctively pulling away and breaking the kiss, a rather haunted look on her face.

"Nick-" She shivered in spite of the heat they'd generated within each other.

"It's ok, Bec." He kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Let's go back, find you something dry to sleep in."

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

Becca giggled. "Nick, this is ridiculous."

"Naw, I think it's cute. Way too big for you, but cute."

He pulled on her ponytail, laughing as she struggled not to trip over the legs of his sweatpants.

"Thank you, Nick. For everything . the party, being a friend . the moonlight swim." He grinned. "Any time, mermaid."

"And thanks for stopping." She blushed, looking at her toes.

"Hey, I said I would, right? No pressure. I meant it. If we decide to be together, well, that's a decision we'll both make. OK?"

Becca nodded silently, wondering why she deserved this man in her life.

"C'mon, time for a good old-fashioned snuggle." Nick led her to the oversized sofa, stretching out and settling her against him. They spooned together, his arms wrapped tightly around her, and in minutes both were sleeping soundly.

Part 5        Prelude Index        The Dance Saga Index