BACK AT THE HOTEL

“I have dibs on the shower,” Brianna stated as the elevator door opened to their floor.

“Oh yeah? Not if I beat you to it.” Just Nick started to step out of the elevator ahead of Brianna, she grabbed him by the pant waist and yanked him backwards. Gaining a few seconds advantage while he regained his balance, Brianna ran down the hall towards their room. “I’m gonna get you my pretty, and your little dog too!” He yelled chasing after her. Brianna barely beat him to the door and as she was hurrying to open it he reached her. From behind, Nick reached around and pulled the door back shut just as she got it open.

“Hey!”

“Now what are you gonna do?” She was pinned between the door and Nick. She tried placing her hands on the door as leverage and pushed backwards, hoping to push him far enough that his hands would slip off the doorknob. Unfortunately for her, Nick’s arms were much longer than her own. “No you don’t!” He let go with one hand and grabbed both of her’s, pinning them above her head. With his other hand he began to tickle her.

“Nick!” She managed to get out in spite of laughing uncontrollably. “D… D… Don… That tickles!”

“No shit. It’s supposed to, that’s why they call it, TICKLING.” They were both laughing. Despite her best efforts she could not free her hands. She was stuck. The more she struggled the more he tickled. Finally she was able to free one hand and tried to reach around and do some tickling of her own. But Nick caught her free hand with his and pulled it back above her head, in the process spinning her around so she was facing him, instead of the door this time. So she tried a different tactic. Using her body’s weight she tried dropping to the floor, thinking her hands would slip out of his. Of course that didn’t work either. Nick knew her too well and was expecting this move. So, before she could drop to the floor he wedged his knee between her legs.

“Oh you! You cheat.”

“I cheat? I cheat? What about you, miss grabbing my pants.”

“But your legs are longer than mine, I needed a head start.”

She was pouting. Looking at her lips what ever he was about to say was forgotten.

“Nick?” He had turned serious. Hearing his name he looked up. Big mistake. Loosening his grip on her wrists he laced his fingers with hers. It didn’t even register that she let him. He was too lost to think logically.

She knew what was coming and knew she should pull away. They were drunk. They had agreed they were just friends. This would make things even more uncomfortable. But she wanted it so much. So rather than stop him she watched wide-eyed as he leaned in towards her. She watched as his eyes dropped from her own back down to her lips. Watched as the tip of his tongue wet his bottom lip, and her own tongue mimicking the movement. She watched as his eyes slowly closed when his mouth was so close to hers she could feel the warmth of his breath on her own lips.

Closing her eyes in anticipation she unconsciously held her breath. They both jumped in surprise when they heard a door open.

“Do you know what time it is?” Howie mumbled half asleep and obviously agitated at being woken up. “Can you guys keep it down? Some of us are trying to sleep.”

Sighing, Nick pulled away and released Brianna. “Sorry about that D. We were just goofing around. Go back to sleep.”

“Yeah, sorry to wake you Howie.” Brianna added, sighing herself before turning and going into the room.

“Fine. It’s just late. You know we have rehearsals in a few hours.” Howie yawned, stretched, and went on with his tired babble. “And you don’t want to wake Kevin up this late.”

“I know. I know. I guess we weren’t thinking. You can sleep now, we’ll keep it down.” Nick ran his hands back through his hair as he watched Brianna walk through the room and disappear into the back. After she was out of sight he dropped his hands by his side and looked down at his feet.

Howie noticed the change in expression on Nick’s face and asked, “Everything ok man?”

“Hmmm?” Nick looked up at Howie. “Oh, yeah, I guess just feeling a little tired is all. I’m gonna get some sleep. Night.” Nick lifted his hand and half waved at Howie before going into the hotel room and shutting the door behind him.

Howie shook his head and went back to his bed.

Walking back to the bedroom Nick followed the sound of the running water and stopped just outside the bathroom door. Standing there he placed his hands on either side of the doorframe and leaned against them. Leaning in further he rested his forehead against the door itself.

What were you thinking?

I wasn’t thinking.

No shit. You idiot. Get it together already.

I’m trying. Trust me, I’m trying. But I can’t help what I feel.

Well you had better help it. You had better control it before you really screw things up.

Heh, I think I’ve already done that a long time ago.

Well, you keep this stuff up you’re gonna lose her all together. Then what are you gonna do?

I dunno.

“Ok, not only am I talking to myself, I’m answering myself. Isn’t that a bad sign?” He shook his head and went to lie on the couch. He knew there was no way he’d be able to lay down with her. Not right now.

In the shower Brianna let the hot water pound down on her. She let the steam permeate her and relax her.

Who ever said there was benefit from cold showers? Hot showers work so much better. Hot showers and hot baths are completely relaxing. God I’m such an idiot. What was I thinking?

That you wanted him to kiss you.

No I don’t.

Yes you do.

Ok, so I want him to. But only if he wants to. I need to stop this and just forget this little fantasy.

How are you going to do that?

I don’t know.

“I don’t know.”

After her shower Brianna noticed Nick was not in the bedroom. Walking into the living room she noticed him stretched out on the couch. “I guess I did win.”

“Huh?” He was confused.

“The shower, I beat ya there.” Of course you beat him there, he was apologizing to Howie for us being so noisy.

Nick smiled and nodded his head. “Yeah, I guess you did.” Should I apologize or just ignore what almost happened?

“I guess we should try and get some sleep, huh?” I hate being like this with him. Is there anyway to make things right again?

“Yeah, we should. Why don’t you go ahead and lay down.”

“Are you gonna take a shower now?”

“Yeah, in just a minute. Go ahead and lay down. I’ll be there in a bit, ok?”

“Ok. Night then.” She was sad that he wasn’t going to bed just then. Reaching out she grabbed his hand and squeezed gently.

“Night Bree.” He squeezed back and gave her a warm smile. It was just enough to erase the worried wrinkle that had formed between her eyebrows. “I’ll be there soon.”

But he didn’t go to bed soon. He waited almost an hour before he even went to take his shower. Afterwards he couldn’t bring himself to get into the bed with her. He knew lying next to her, feeling her up against him would only make him want her more. Instead he went back to the couch and fell asleep thinking about how she felt up against him on the dance floor. And then dreamt of how much more he wanted. Waking in the morning he knew it was something he would never have.

<~ Chapter 70 or Chapter 72 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003