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Leaning over the railing of the boat, Alana had to squeal softly when she saw several dolphins break the surface of the crystal waters. The yacht Nick had rented for the entire day was cruising along the open waters as the crew bustled about the deck and cabins. There was a private dining room, lounge area, master bedroom, guest bedroom, and two full bathrooms. Then, on the very top of the yacht was a bubbling jacuzzi waiting for a romantic rendezvous. It was rich and far too expensive for Alana's tastes, but Nick had carried her aboard when she protested that it was too much. Now, he had disappeared somewhere with the crewmen, not that Alana truly minded. Not when he commented that she had been acting suspicious since her day with Natalie. She had shrugged off the comment, though she knew she had been distant and cold. Exhaling a soft breath of melancholy, Alana tried to focus on the dolphins playing so happily beside the yacht, using the recreated waves as surf. Something good had to come out of this mini-vacation with Nick, even if it would be just her stowed away in the guest bedroom.

"There you are," Nick called as he trotted down the steps from the bridge. Grinning at the excited look in her eyes when she glanced back at him, he reached into his pocket, feeling of the slim jewelry box he had retrieved from their cabin. Hoping that she was in a better mood today than she had been the night before, he rushed over, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist as he kissed the top of her head. "Our lunch will be ready in about five minutes…"

"Why you insisted on having a gourmet chef when we could have easily bought frozen dinners or stocked up on pizza is beyond me…" Alana trailed, squeaking slightly when Nick actually lifted her away from the railing. Lurching slightly, she grabbed at the railing to pull herself back down to the cushioned seats lining the back of the deck for lounging. Holding her breath, she tried to deny that his hands didn't feel like velvet against her skin nor the mere kiss to her head sent shivers down her spine. Instead, she tugged subconsciously at her baggy t-shirt, craning her neck to view the dolphins once more. Every time he touched her, no matter how good it felt, she couldn't help but compare herself to Natalie. And, her character didn't have the strength nor the conviction to stand up to her critical analysis.

"I got a chef so I could spend more time with you," Nick explained softly, releasing his hold when he realized she wanted him not to touch her. Letting his hands fall to his sides, he sighed gently, wondering for possibly the millionth time what had happened to cause her to be so distant from him. She had spent the day before with Natalie, and he was sure nothing could have occurred during their leisurely spa visit… "Did I do something wrong?"

Alana glanced sideways when Nick questioned his actions, finding him kneeling on the benches beside her. Fighting a frown, she looked back out at the blue-green ocean. It was so breathtaking. Crystal clear and sparkling radiantly without any signs of imperfections. She had asked God so many times to wash away her imperfections, but he just seemed to add onto them with every request. And, feeling Nick's presence, she realized that he was no where near perfection either. It had been a moment of weakness on his and Natalie's part. At least, that's what Natalie had confessed to. Who was to know they didn't have something stronger brewing amongst the playful barbs and banter. Everything was just so confusing, especially when Nick became involved. She never should have accepted his advances at the mountainside. Fighting back a wave of tears, she reached to play with the mother's ring threaded through her necklace. "Nah… What could you have done wrong?"

"I don't know… Why are you acting like you don't want me around? Did Natalie tell you about all the women I've slept with? 'Cause if so, she exaggerates--"

"God, Nick," Alana groaned in hopes to end his train of thought, cupping her face in her hands to shield herself away. Did he always know the wrong thing to say?

"What?!"

"You are so tactless that it borders on fascinating..."

"I'm just trying to figure out what changed between the time I left you yesterday morning and when I got back," Nick explained with a heavy sigh, turning so he could sit properly on the bench. "I mean, Jesus, you all but told me to jack off last night--"

"You had just gotten done talking to Natalie in private and--" Alana abruptly terminated the lingering end of her statement, slowly turning to sit on the bench beside him. Clasping her hands primly in her lap, completely uncharacteristic, she straightened her posture. She had promised Natalie not to breathe a word about her confession and Alana would stay true to that. It wasn't as if she wanted Nick knowing that she was jealous about what he had with Natalie. Or, more importantly, she was insecure of losing him to another, knowing she could never compete. Because then she would have to start sorting through a tangled web of emotions that she buried so very deep. "I'm sorry, Nick..."

"Were you worried that I'd be thinking of the Gnat while we made love or something?" Nick questioned in confusion, trying hard to wrap his mind around her reasoning. Unable to understand, he shook his head in hopes of clearing his mind. "God, Alana…"

"I don't know what I was thinking," Alana mumbled, not knowing how to read the man. Instead, she avoided all eye contact as she stooped to rest her elbows on her knees after drawing them to her chest. She tried to tell herself that it didn't matter who he pictured when they were engaged in a passionate fling. As long as she reached the pinnacle of ecstasy, who was she to judge? They were both satisfied and that should be enough- But it wasn't.

"I got you something yesterday," Nick blurted, hoping to push away the suddenly depressing haze that had settled over them. "I was going to give it to you last night, but…" Being pushed from the bed had made him almost forget the gift he had bought. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the box.

"Huh?" Alana murmured in a soft haze of confusion as Nick pulled her thoughts away from such a miserable remembrance. Glancing sideways to see the long, red velvet, rectangular box cupped so delicately in his hands, Alana's legs slowly slid to dangle off the bench. She furrowed her strawberry blonde brows in bewilderment, then her large teal eyes widened in realization. "No, Nick, I don't deserve anything--"

"Alana, you deserve so much more than what I give you," Nick disagreed with a quick shake of his head, placing the box in her hands.

Alana quickly shifted to hand him back the box, her heart fluttering wildly within her chest. She hadn't a clue what lay inside, but she couldn't tempt fate. She was already far too attached to the man. "There is no way that I can possibly accept this after how I treated you last night--"

"Beautiful, I insist," Nick interrupted, pulling his hands away so she couldn't force him to take the gift back.

Alana was convinced in her convictions as to why she should decline the gift, reaching for Nick's hands once more. Only, when he drew them tightly behind his back and stood, she knew it was futile. Glancing to the crisp breaking waves, she considered tossing it overboard, but knew that would be a waste on both their parts. Staring down helplessly at the red velvet box for a moment, she then looked back up in hopes to plead with Nick. But the anticipation shimmering in his indigo orbs convinced her otherwise. Should she decline again, there was a chance that she could devastate him and quite possibly lose him. Holding her breath, Alana slowly pried open the jewelry box only to feel the wind of air rush past her lungs as the rays of sun caught the glory of the timeless piece. Nick had bought her a dainty, white gold anklet from the prosperous Tiffany's jewelry store. The anklet was two rows of white gold links, broken into small sections by crystal clear, round diamonds set in white gold. Then, between the linked chains were diamond incrusted hearts glittering amongst the beams of light. "Nick…"

"I looked for something with dolphins, but…" Nick trailed hopelessly, shrugging when he could think of nothing to say. All he could do was hope that his gift would speak the words for him. The words he truly wanted to say but knew she hated to hear.

"It's gorgeous…" Alana whispered, afraid to even touch the delicate piece of jewelry for fear that she would break it with clumsy fingers. Allowing her chin to drop, she felt the beginning race of tears outline the familiar path down her beautiful face. "I just honestly don't think I can take this knowing how awful I've been…"

"Beautiful, no… You haven't been awful," Nick disagreed, turning to kneel before her. Cupping his hands against her cheeks, he brushed her tears away, leaning up to softly kiss her lips. "I'm sorry, Alana. For whatever it is I've done or said that caused you to pull away… Here, let me put it on for you--"

"You didn't do anything wrong, I just…" Alana was honestly at a loss for words as Nick reached to take the fragile anklet from its bed of creamy velvet. She had been near cruel when she shoved him from the bed the previous evening, insisting that she wanted no part of his body for the night. All because her jealousy and hatred for herself had gotten the best of her. Now, Nick was on his knees apologizing for certainly nothing he had done wrong. It made her stomach coil into tight, nervous knots as she squeezed her eyes shut.

"I love you," Nick murmured, reaching to pluck the anklet from its velvet bed. Leaning back, he brought her foot into his lap, gently circling the jewelry around her ankle. Once he got it clasped, he slid his hand up to rest lightly on her knee, lifting his head to look up at her. "Alana, please…"

"Say it again, please," she whispered, tangling her hands within her strawberry golden curls. She kept her eyes closed as she held the minuscule breath in the pit of her lungs. She needed to hear him say it again. Just to be sure.

"Alana, please?" Nick repeated in confusion.

"Damnit, Nick…" Alana breathed in a slight whine, releasing the air she had pent. "The other… I mean… What you always tell me that I'm too stupid to believe--"

"I love you," Nick whispered, leaning up to kiss her. "I love you, Alana. I love you, I love you, I love you--"

"Thank you," Alana interrupted heatedly against his lips, curving her arms around his neck as she slid into his lap. Never had his confession touched her so deeply, leaving a permanent mark upon the icy fortress surrounding her heart. She felt her entire body tremble as she gained entrance to his mouth, stroking his tongue with hers as she purred affectionately. Tears continued to race down her cheeks, but she was clueless as to their appearance. She was far more concerned with keeping Nick close.

"You're welcome," he answered breathlessly as he fell back onto the deck from the force of her acceptance. "…Ready to go eat?"

"As long as you forgive me?" Alana inquired softly, straddling his lap as she leaned down to lead a trail of kisses along the curve of his jaw. The very notion that he loved her seemed to awaken a bright, fiery passion deep within her.

"There's nothing to forgive you for--"

"I was cruel last night--"

"It's alright, Beautiful… Besides, I locked myself in the bathroom with a damn good fantasy of you," Nick divulged with a grin, sliding his hands up her back to hold her close to him.

"Glad to know I can be replaced so easily with a five finger salute…"

"Nothing can replace you," Nick promised.

"Do you know how much you mean to me?" Alana inquired as she rested her forehead against his, propping her elbows at either side of his neck so she could run her fingers against the sides of his face. She had never spoken her feelings aloud to him. Mostly just insisting that the sex was phenomenal. But he had to know something.

"Tell me," he requested in a whisper, seeing the seriousness in her dark teal eyes.

"I love you," she confessed softly, making sure that their corresponding gazes stayed true to one another. Nick had been pushing her to the limits for weeks. Challenging her heart in a way that she was convinced died so very long ago. But somehow, he had managed to persevere through all the traps her heart had set for the unsuspecting victim. He had all by died to prove his love to her, demonstrating that he was no passing fancy. And Natalie's confession had scared her into realization. If she wasn't careful, she was liable to hurt Nick much worse than she had ever been hurt in life. And, more importantly, she might lose him. "…I love you so much, Nick…"

*~*~*

"Say it again?" Nick requested with a smile as he placed several soft kisses along Alana's bare stomach. After a leisurely lunch, they had relaxed in the Jacuzzi, deciding to lay out and soak up some of the gorgeous sun before going for a swim in the ocean. Now they were stretched out on the deck, staring up at the stars. Still floating from her earlier declaration, Nick rested his head lightly on her stomach, gazing up at her with a grin.

"You're tickling me?" Alana complied playfully, knowing that was not what he wanted to hear. Especially when his hands glided to her bare sides for light tickles, which sent her squealing as she arched her back as means to get away. However light the caress, her body was still extremely sensitive to the tickles and he knew. Reaching for his wrists, she heaved with bursts of giggles, promising to behave as he settled against her once more. His chin resting in the concave of her thin abdomen, she smiled sweetly. "I love you…"

"I love you," Nick murmured, lacing his fingers with hers. Rolling to his back, he pulled her over him, pulling her down for a heated kiss as he reached to toy with the strings of her bikini. "And thank you again for tossing that t-shirt out into the ocean…"

"Why are you thanking me when you're the one that ripped it off me and dangled it over the railing till I reached for it, then you suddenly let go of it?" Alana inquired, resting their hands on his chest as she straddled his hips. She enjoyed the way his dark ocean eyes twinkled in merriment at the recalling of the events, tickled slightly by the strings of her bottoms as he brushed them over her hip.

"Well, I did tell you not to bring any clothes but that bikini, and yet you totally ignored my rule--"

"Well you're wearing a shirt!"

"You never told me not to!"

"I figured if I wasn't wearing a shirt then you weren't supposed to either!" Alana exclaimed as she pulled her hands from his, leaning back on his hips. She considered just stalking into the master bedroom for the evening as means of punishment, but craved him far too much to follow through. So, instead, she leaned over him and bared just a portion of his lower torso, kissing the center of his exposed pubic bone. "Can I take it off you, please?"

"You planning on drawing on me some more?" Nick questioned, sucking in a breath at the touch of her lips. As her hands began to inch his shirt up, he whined softly, reaching to catch her hands. "But, Beautiful… I'm tummy shy…"

"You take your shirt off at night in bed…" Alana trailed in confusion, sitting back on his hips once more. Threading their fingers together, she chewed softly on her bottom lip, suddenly remembering his forethought. "You liked your drawings?"

"I loved them," Nick confirmed, pulling his hands from hers. Sitting up slightly, he propped himself on his elbows, his fingers toying with the anklet he had given her. "Take it off, Beautiful…"

"The anklet?" Alana questioned in confusion, reaching for the dainty clasp at the back of her heel. "Do I get jewelry taken away when I'm in trouble?"

"No! Not the anklet, my shirt--"

"But you're tummy shy…" Alana interrupted, pulling her hands away from her anklet at his horrified stare. Almost as if she were taking off her knight's colors as he jousted against the fiercest of villains. She had to smile at the innocence radiating from his indigo orbs, melting the fears in her heart. Leaning down to his stomach once more, she inched the t-shirt upward. "I don't know why you're so tummy shy to begin with, Nickalicious. I love this little pot belly…" Kissing and nibbling each inch of flesh that she revealed, she purred softly against him, "Besides, you have a great upper torso. Your chest is so broad and your arms muscularly defined. You're gorgeous…"

"God, Beautiful," Nick whined, shivering. "I love you--"

"I love you so much more," Alana promised, nipping at his collar bone as she pulled the t-shirt from his body. Casting it to the bench above them, she then concentrated on her kisses moving up the side of his neck. "You're my everything," she confessed in a whisper against his ear.

"Make love to me," he whispered, tilting slightly so he could kiss just below her ear. "Please…"

"You've never asked me that before…" Alana drifted in wonderment, smiling against the side of his face as she brushed her hands down the sides of his body, dipping inside his swimming trunks. She gently cupped his brewing erection within her hands, stroking faintly to help him harden further as her other hand pulled to remove his trunks. All the while, she kept kissing every inch of his face, wanting to prove that he indeed was special to her.

"Alana…" Nick trailed, sliding his hands down to her bikini bottom. Leaning back slightly, he traced her lips with the tip of his tongue before delving into her mouth, wanting her to know just how much he needed her. "Make love to me? Now? I'm about to--"

"I thought we were supposed to take it slow and relish in the sensations?" Alana objected, nipping at the tip of his tongue as she managed to remove his swimming trunks, provided he lifted his hips when her nails raked against the very tip of his erection. Purring with satisfaction at how she caused him to react, she hardened her kisses as she moved to roll them so he could be on top.

"No, no… I want you on top," Nick disagreed, catching her hips to still her movement. "Please? …Then you can take it as slow as you--"

"You always want me on top…" Alana thought aloud, though she complied with his decision. Feeling the heat of his erection pressing just underneath her, the smoldering flames pooling warmth in the pit of her stomach. Biting down on her bottom lip, she realized she probably couldn't wait long either. She loved him too much. Reaching behind her neck, she slowly undid the ties of her halter bikini. Allowing them to fall as her breasts loosened from their tight reign, she then reached behind her back to loosen the final straps.

"Are you complaining?" Nick questioned softly, one hand idly untying the side of her bikini bottom. His other hand slid upwards, fingertips lightly brushing the very tips of her nipples as he undid the other side. Hearing her soft sigh, he smiled up at her, tugging impatiently to move the fabric that kept them from one another.

"No, it was just a thought…" Alana assured, surely not wanting him to end the start of a beautiful passion. Shifting slightly, she lifted her hips so he could remove the bottoms of her bikini. When he tossed it aside and pulled her back onto his hips, she whimpered at the feeling of his erection pressing just inside the damp heat of her very core. Leaning down, she suckled the side of his neck, urging him to enter her.

"What… What are you waiting for?" he whispered, his entire body tense with wanting. Tangling his fingers gently in her hair, he lifted her head, leaning up to catch her lips in a slow kiss.

"You to tremble with desire," she mumbled against his lips, beckoning for her tongue to gain entrance into his mouth. When his lips parted slightly, she dipped her tongue inside. Tasting the sweet cinnamon of his mouthwash mixed with his own spice caused her to shudder as she slowly eased him inside her.

"Fuck," Nick wheezed, his body already starting to tremble as she lowered her body over his. Dragging his hands down her back, he sucked in a breath at the tingles of passion that erupted everywhere she touched him. "God, Beautiful… I love you so much…"

"I love you, Nick. I love you so much. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner," she confessed softly, slowly rocking her hips against his to stimulate a slow, warm, pleasurable sensation. She whimpered at the ecstasy already flowing through her body like a hypnotic drug as a cool sweat broke out lightly against her bronzed skin. Dragging her hands through her damp curls to sweep away the ones that had fallen, she sighed with delight. Knowing she loved him made the passion so superior to what she had before.

"I'm… Glad you waited," Nick whispered.

"Why?" she asked with streak of curiosity, intensifying the depth Nick had entered by contracting her muscles to pull him in.

"I wouldn't have wanted you to say it until you know you meant it," Nick explained, placing his hands gently on her hips as he began to move beneath her.

"I mean it," she promised with a soft cry of delight, bracing her hands against his chest to steady herself. Stilling her movements, she allowed him to set a faster rhythm of his hips. Finding the rhythm, Alana shuddered as she moved against him, melting their bodies together as if they were one single flesh melted together as their hearts drummed in syncopated time. "I love you so much."

"Alana, I--"

"Can't really concentrate on forming sentences?" Alana guessed softly, her nails lightly digging into his chest as he arched deeper into her body.

"That," Nick confirmed with a slight nod, closing his eyes briefly as the tidal wave of ecstasy threatened to overwhelm him.

"Switch me spots," Alana whispered hopefully. "I want you over me. I want to feel all of you."

Biting his bottom lip gently, Nick barely nodded before he quickly rolled her to her back, never breaking contact with her body as he continued to thrust deeper. "God, Alana…" he moaned softly, bracing one hand on the deck so he could look into her eyes in the moonlight. "Do you have any idea how good you feel?"

"No…" she trailed with the utmost honesty, never having been told such things as she wrapped one arm around his neck and clutched the soft, velvet blankets beneath them as means of leverage. She closed her eyes to enhance the tactile sensation of Nick's body against hers, but felt his hand brush against the side of her face. Allowing her large teal eyes to flutter open, they glimmered in the pale moonlight as the emerald coloring overshadowed the deep sapphire tones.

"I wish I could put it into words… It's the greatest feeling," Nick promised, dipping his head to offer her a deep kiss that made his body shake. "God, Alana… I--"

"We have all night to continue," she promised, assuming he was reaching the threshold of his passion.

"But you - I want you to - Together," Nick whispered.

"I'm there," she promised, reaching to wrap her arms around him from underneath his arms. Digging her nails lightly into his skin, she shuddered as she clenched her muscles to bring him deeper.

"You sure?" Nick questioned with a hard groan, increasing his pace as she squealed softly.

"As long as we can snuggle afterwards," Alana teased, arching her back against him as she sought out his mouth for a hard kiss, beckoning his tongue into her mouth with a hungry need.

"I love you," Nick promised, thrusting as deeply as possible. Holding himself tight within her, he growled low in his throat, feeling wave after wave sweep over him.

"I love you more," Alana declared, burying her face into the crook of his neck as the waves of his passion washed over her in a fiery bath of steam. The transfer of emotions was so powerful that her body shuddered with sheer relief as the pinnacle of her passion exploded deep within the core of her heart. And, unbeknownst to her, she wept against his shoulder. So overcome with the love and adoration that she felt for him that she had to gasp for a ragged breath. She had never felt so utterly complete after the death of her son. Never felt so loved as the holes in her heart were beginning to mend from Nick's quaint attentiveness.

"Stay with me forever?" Nick requested breathlessly as he moved to lay beside her. Making sure to pull one of the blankets over them, he rolled to his side, keeping his arm around her waist to hold her near.

"Till the end of time," she swore with a soft sniffle, wrapping her arms around his waist to keep close to his body. Tucking her face close to his warm, sweaty chest, she kept her eyes closed to ward off another batch of tears. Why had she been so scared of these feelings before? When Nick was so attentive to her needs? So dedicated to her passions? He loved her as if she were the most precious and valuable gem in the universe. She should have ran toward him with open arms. If only she wasn't so terribly insecure.

Smiling, Nick kissed the top of her head, smoothing her hair back gently as she curled closer to him. Her hand resting over his heart, he drew in a deep breath, knowing he could never have such feelings for anyone else. He had her love now, and knew he was complete. Brian, he decided as he began to drift to sleep, had been wrong.

*~*~*

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Nick and Alana are on their way in here!" Aaron announced with a squeal of excitement as he jumped through the doorway of Brian and Natalie's hotel suite. Everyone was spread amongst the couches and chairs as Elizabeth and Baylee played comfortably on the floor, waiting the return of the couple. Well, almost everyone as Brian kissed the back of Natalie's head, shifting beneath her so he could excuse himself to the bathroom, though he had just returned from there. Unfazed, the youngest adult wasted no time in launching himself on a couch beside AJ, tearing the remote from his hand. Somehow, he knew he needed to share the news with this shady man, wanting it understood completely. "Nick has this stupid ass grin on his face, so something big happened! Think I'm getting a sister-in-law? Because that would be fantastic! My sisters are a bunch of bitches--"

"Nick always has a stupid ass grin on his face," AJ growled, yanking the remote back so he could return to the movie he had been watching. Ignoring Aaron's huff of indignation, he shrugged, glancing down to see if he needed to get Natalie to touch up the polish on his nails. "And your sisters--"

"Have always been a bunch of bitches, and it's impossible for a leopard to change its spots," Natalie chimed in from the sofa, glancing back to see Brian shutting their bedroom door. Sighing, she got to her feet, tossing the book she had been trying to read into AJ's lap.

"Do I look like a fucking bookstand?" AJ grunted in shock as a surprising amount of pressure was applied to his crotch. Grasping the book in his hands, he wanted to chuck it toward Natalie with a growl of satisfaction. But the title caught his eye. "One Hundred Twenty Days of Sodom by Marquis de Sade? Like the guy we get the name sadist from? Girl, if you ain't letting your freak flag fly!"

"I'm reading it for my Advanced Lit course," Natalie defended as Aaron began to snicker. Seeing AJ's unbelieving expression, she felt a heated blush start to color her cheeks. "I'm serious!"

"What Advanced Lit Class would make you read smut and where can I sign up? And, since when were you taking classes again?" AJ inquired continuously as he leafed through the pages, his eyes widened in surprise. "Prick hammer? Was this on the best seller list?"

Rolling her eyes, Natalie reached for the book, knowing the man would start quoting from the pages. "I started taking some online courses for my second degree about two months ago…"

"What piece of paper are you obtaining this time?" AJ groaned, slouching back in his couch to sulk.

"My Bachelor's in kicking AJ McLean's ass if he doesn't give me my book," Natalie grumbled, snatching the book from his hands. "And it's not just a piece of paper--"

"Oh, very creative, Miss Hayes!" AJ roared with laughter, tackling Natalie in attempts to wrestle the book away from her grip. "Glad to see the paper is coming of use!"

"Get your bony ass off me!" Natalie shouted as they fell to the floor. Attempting to keep the book from his grasp, she jerked her knee against his ribcage, glancing up when she felt someone else tugging the book. "Aaron, you little--"

"I need some extracurricular reading to enhance my life before I think about heading to college!" Aaron exclaimed as he fell onto the floor, the book clutched in his hands. He roared gleefully at his accomplishment as Natalie screeched with annoyance. But Aaron was unfazed as he found the perfect passage. "…He had her kneel between his legs and bade her suck his prick, which the poor little thing did all atremble. As always partisan to thigh-fuckery, the Duc, obliged as he was to abstain from the capital practice, impaled Zelmire in this style, meanwhile having the little girl shit in his cupped hand and gobbling it up as quickly as it was received, and all that while Durcet was inducing Céladon to discharge into his mouth- Hey, Al!"

"You're reading the Marquis de Sade?" Alana inquired curiously with a small smirk, hesitating at the doorway.

AJ struggled to keep Natalie from either kneeing him or kicking him in any painful areas. Leaning back to stare at her, he shook his head slowly. "You're reading about shit-eating?! Natalie Rose Hayes! Does Rok know you have such a nasty side?!"

Natalie growled as she repeatedly swatted at AJ in a blind fury, wanting to get him away from her. "I told you, I'm reading it for my Literature course--"

"You should read Philosophy of the Bedroom," Alana suggested as she bent down to scoop the book out of Aaron's hands before he could read anymore passages. Waiting for AJ to jump away from Natalie in a squeal of protest, she handed the book over. "My one Lit Professor decided that we needed to have half a semester of erotic literature--"

"I'm reading this for a paper, be damned if I want to read anymore of this… Perverted, sick, twisted--"

"You've been reading that same book for ages," Howie interrupted, causing Natalie to blush deep crimson. Ignoring her glare, he leaned back in the armchair with a smirk. "I believe your first excuse was that it was for a book club--"

"You can kiss my ass, Latin Lump," Natalie threatened, holding the book in an accusatory manner toward Howie.

"And run the risk of having his lips ripped off his face by Brian?" Aaron questioned with a snort as he returned to the couch. "Please… If Brian kept her on a tighter rein she'd be riding him piggyback all the time--"

"Where is Brian?" Alana interrupted in confusion as Baylee and Elizabeth fiercely hugged her legs, begging to be scooped up. Complying with the children, she settled them on either hip, kissing their faces repeatedly. Then turning slightly, she realized that Nick was no where to be found also. Frowning, she ducked back into the hallway to see Nick pacing a small length of carpet. "Handsome?"

"Huh?" Nick jerked his head up, walking straight into the opposite wall. Groaning at the pain as his nose banged against the expensive papered wall, he turned to look at Alana. "Hey, Beautiful. What's shaking?"

"You didn't--" Alana winced as she heard the loud whelp from Howie, knowing the thick book had connected with his forehead. Shaking off the thought, she gently leaned the kids forward to give Nick welcoming kisses. When they were satisfied with their greetings, they kissed Alana several more times before asking if they could go play. Letting them down, Alana awkwardly folded her arms underneath her breasts, still dressed in her bikini and flip-flops. "Why aren't you coming inside?"

Nick groaned, banging the back of his head against the wall in a slow rhythm. There was no way he wanted to go into the suite and have to face Brian. Not after the way they had spoken two days before. "Because my so-called best friend is a self-righteous holier-than-thou dickhead--"

"Well, just because he's a self-righteous holier-than-thou dickhead don't mean you have kill what few brain cells you got left," Alana chided, reaching out to cup her hands behind his head.

"I don't want to see him--"

"Al! Go get your sexy dancing clothes on!" AJ demanded as he burst from the suite. "We're going clubbing!"

"Clubbing?" Alana exclaimed with a soft laugh as she was yanked away from Nick and tangled within AJ's arms. "Since when did we decide that we're going clubbing? And who's going? And who's watching the kids? And, I don't think I've got sexy clothes…"

"You've got that black and silver number that you were showing me," Natalie called from inside the suite.

"And Nicky Junior's keeping the kids. Too young to go clubbing," AJ explained, toting Alana down the hallway towards her suite. "So hurry up!"

"I only brought that because I thought maybe…" Alana's sentence drifted off with no clear direction as she merely glanced over her shoulder to locate Nick.

"Who's going?" Nick questioned as he followed them.

"Brian, Nattie, D, Al, me… And you, I guess," AJ answered, lightly tickling Alana's thigh as he set her down in front of the door.

"You guess he's going?" Alana asked with a bemused grin, giggling softly at the ticklishness of AJ's fingers. She shied away from him for a moment, but he naturally stepped up to her to hug her close. She accepted the hug, not really knowing the reason. "Guess you're trying to get in here and dress me, too, huh?" Glancing over his shoulder, she noticed Nick waiting impatiently. "…You're not going, are you?"

"I don't think so--"

"He can't. It'll mean facing Brian, and Nick fucking sucks at facing his problems--"

"Who the Hell asked you? And, Goddamnit, get your hands off her!"

Alana yelped in shock as Nick reached to grasp the collar of AJ's shirt, yanking him away from the doorway. She stumbled slightly from the ripping of AJ's nails crossing her skin to hold on. "Nick! He was just giving me a hug!"

"His fucking paws were two inches from your breasts," Nick corrected, pushing AJ away with a growl. Yanking out his keycard, he unlocked the door, opening it for Alana to enter before him. "Beautiful, I’m sorry--"

"You're really not coming tonight?" Alana guessed as Nick slammed the door to their suite before AJ could scramble to his feet. She thought about opening the door to make sure the man was okay, but the discontent darkening Nick's indigo eyes warned her otherwise. Holding her breath, she slipped around him and moved toward their bedroom to find the dress she had shown Natalie several days ago.

"I…" Nick sighed, following her. Flopping onto the bed, he watched her. "I won't be much fun… Not till me and Brian talk things over, at least--"

"Spending the night with your little brother and the kids will be fun," Alana encouraged, opening the doors to the large walk in closet. Stepping inside, she gently thumbed through their mixture of clothing. She couldn't fault Nick for not wanting to spend the evening at a dance club, especially if Brian were coming. Not that she understood what the fight had truly been about. "It's been awhile since you've spent quality time with the guy…"

"Yeah… But…" Nick sighed again, glaring up at the ceiling with consternation. If he went, there was a very good chance that he would end up alone with Brian at some point, and, with alcohol in his system, he knew there would be even more cross words. However, if he stayed at the hotel with Aaron and the kids, he would no doubt work himself into a jealous frenzy, knowing all too well what AJ would be attempting to do with Alana. "Damnit…"

"What?" Alana inquired in confusion as she stepped away from the walk in closet with the dress in hand. Draping it over the nearby chair, she then crawled onto the king-sized bed and straddled Nick's hips. Leaning over him, she forced him to meet her gaze. "Are you mad that I'm not pitching a fit that you ain't going? 'Cause, I would love for you to come, but I know you'll hate it--"

"I'll go if you want me to, Beautiful. But can you try to keep me away from Brian? Especially if I have a drink or two? I'd hate to kick his ass in front of his little toy--"

"I don't want you going if you ain't going to enjoy yourself," Alana drawled, jerking slightly when AJ pounded furiously on the door. Pulling away from Nick's body, she slid off the bed and moved toward their private bathroom, peeling off her bikini in the process.

"Go away!" Nick barked as he sat up. Groaning, he kicked off his shoes before going into the bathroom. Dropping a kiss on Alana's bare shoulder, he moved to strip off his clothes. "I'll take a shower and get dressed, okay?"

"Are you kicking me out of the shower?" Alana questioned in confusion as she reached inside the large glass shower to turn on the steaming water. "And get dressed for what?"

"You can shower with me? And aren't we going clubbing?"

"I was getting in the shower first, so you can shower with me, and I thought you didn't want to go?" Alana arched her honey brows with a soft curiosity as she slipped into the shower before Nick could. Standing underneath the large waterfall of warm water, she sighed with delight, immediately reaching to brush her wet locks back from her face.

"I'd rather spend the night with you having a blast than sitting in front of the TV discussing whether or not we should let Bay and Lizzie run around naked so we don't have to deal with pull-ups--"

"Then get in this shower," Alana teased with a soft laugh, reaching for his wrists to tug him into the waterfall. Feeling the warmth of his body melt against hers, she sighed softly as she reached up to press a soft kiss to his wet lips. "I love you, Handsome."

"I love you, too, Beautiful," Nick promised, wrapping his arms around her so he could intensify the kiss. "And… I think we need to christen this shower…"

"Everyone else is getting ready to leave, we don't have time--"

"Okay… I can always pull you into a dark, dingy bathroom--"

"Do you know what kind of bacteria grows in those bathrooms 'cause drunks don't have enough sense to wash their hands?" Alana exclaimed with a squeal of protest, her teal eyes widening in horror at his suggestion. "That's disgusting!"

"Then how about in the limo?"

"With everyone else around us?"

"In the corner booth, then?" Nick suggested with a soft whine.

"I think you might be a nymphomaniac…"

"And there's a problem with that?"

"Well, it's kind of hard to tell whether you're just after the sex or me…" Alana stated honestly as she nibbled at the flesh of his throat, flicking the water droplets away with her tongue, enjoying the quenching taste of his skin.

"It's always you," Nick promised, lifting her slightly so he could lean her against the marble wall.

"Thank you," she murmured, wrapping a long leg around his hip to stabilize herself. Keeping her arms fixed about his neck, she leaned forward to offer him a stirring kiss beneath the cascade of warm water. Her heart leapt to her throat with a flutter of excitement, pushing her forward as she kissed away the water from his lips, sucking on his bottom lip. "If they can't wait, we can meet them there…"