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Nick pulled up to the Butler residence and tried to keep the knots from forming in his stomach. He’d had plenty of crushes and his fair share of girlfriends, but never before had a woman had such an effect on him. He was normally cool and collected around women that intrigued him; it was different with Elisabeth. He had only just met her and he couldn’t keep himself from being nervous about what he should do or say. Any other time he would turn on a mega-watt smile and have her riding high on his charm. His friends jokingly called him a player, but he just saw himself as charismatic and likable. So what if he didn’t have a hard time with women?

For a moment he contemplated going to the door and knocking like a true gentleman would, but he remembered that Elisabeth had insisted he just blow the horn once or twice and she would be right out. He wiped his clammy hands on his khaki pants before reaching up and quickly pressing the horn twice. He hated that; it made him feel like such a jerk. After only a minute or so, he saw the large oak door open and Elisabeth came out. When Nick saw her, his breath hitched in his throat and he scrambled out of the car so he could open the door for her.

“Hey,” he smiled, his stomach doing flip-flops when he caught the scent of her peach shampoo. He opened the door for her, taking in her beauty. She was wearing a simple black dress, but Nick swore that the color black had never looked so good. She wasn’t fancied up in anyway, but that’s what Nick found so sexy. She’d look great in a tank top and a pair of boxers…

“Nice car,” Elisabeth smiled as she admired the vintage car. It was a 1966 cherry red mustang convertible. She felt a blush creep across her cheeks as Nick’s eyes traveled over her body.

“David was kind enough to let me borrow his sweet ride,” he grinned and started it up, revving the motor for dramatic effect. “So, are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” she smiled.

***

After a forty-five minute drive, Nick and Elisabeth arrived in Myrtle Beach. The drive had been filled with idle chit chat about little things along with a few awkward silences. Nick hadn’t told Elisabeth where they were going, only to dress nicely and she looked a little surprised when they pulled into the parking lot of Daemon’s. It was one of the nicest restaurants in the city and she couldn’t help but be a little more than flattered.

“Nick, are you sure you can afford this?” she asked before she realized how it sounded. “Oh, God, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just…I know this place is expensive and you have to worry about your car and…I just need to shut up, don’t I?”

Nick watched Elisabeth in amusement as she stumbled into an even deeper hole. “Yeah, I’d say that would help. Don’t worry about prices and stuff. Besides, if I run out of money, I’ll let you cover me.”

Elisabeth giggled slightly when he winked at her. It was when he put his arm around her that she tensed up. Geez, Elisabeth, make him feel like total shit why don’t you? Just chill out… she thought to herself and relaxed.

They were seated at the best table in the restaurant and began to look over the menus while there was another lull in conversation. Nick couldn’t keep himself from glancing over the top of his menu at Elisabeth. Why am I so damn nervous? he thought and wiped his hand on his pants once again. He quickly shifted his attention from Elisabeth to his menu when she looked up and found him staring. Great…now she’s gonna think I’m obsessive or something. To Nick’s relief, a waiter appeared to take their order and discomfort seemed to disappear.

“Do you bring every woman you meet to such nice places?” she teased and took a sip of her iced tea.

Nick laughed and began to fold and unfold his napkin out of habit. “No, actually, I hardly ever come here. I think the last time I was here was for Gram’s birthday. David and I brought her last year I think it was.”

“Well, to be honest, I’ve only been here once or twice,” she smiled and propped her head on her hand.

Nick smiled; it was infectious. She just had one of those smiles that made your heart melt no matter who you were or what you were doing. Before he could comment, their food was brought out and their conversation diminished as they enjoyed their meal.

***

“Thank you for dinner,” Elisabeth said as they exited the parking lot.

“I didn’t mind,” Nick smiled and made a left turn. “You wanna take a walk on the beach?”

No! Tell him no! her mind screamed. Instead she replied, “Yeah that would be nice.”

Nick grinned and found a parking space in one of the many small public spots. “I was hoping you would say yes,” he smiled and opened her door.

“Well, I always love a nice walk on the beach. Summer or winter. It doesn’t make a difference,” she said and followed him out onto the sand. The tide was out so the beach seemed to go on forever. Grabbing Nick’s arm for balance, she bent down slightly so she could slip off her heels.

Nick’s eyes danced with amusement as he watched her toss her shoes down beside a trash barrel. He decided that was a smart idea and slipped his shoes and socks off and tossed them down beside Elisabeth’s. “Getting comfortable, huh?”

“What are you doing?” she quipped and took off toward the warm water.

Nick chased after her tripping over his own feet and getting a face full of sand, causing Elisabeth to burst into a fit of giggles. “Hey, what’s so funny?”

“You are,” she laughed and dodged out of his reach. It had taken him no time to get back up and resume his pursuit. She squealed when he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, scooping her up into his arms. Her eyes widened when he began to wade into the water, stopping when it was just above his knees. “No, Nick…you wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t what?” he asked with an innocent expression plastered on his handsome face.

Elisabeth saw a glimmer of mischief right before he dropped her into the water and took off for the shore. “Nick!” she screamed when she surfaced just in time to see him tumble to the sand in a rage of laughter.

He sat up and tried not to smile as she stood in front of him looking like a drowned rat. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking. It was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Elisabeth feigned a look of anger and pounced on Nick, startling him. They rolled around in the sand for a moment and when they came to a stop Nick was positioned over her, his hands on either side of her face. He slowly leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers.

Elisabeth hesitated for a second until she felt Nick’s tongue slowly glide across her lips urging her to part hers. She opened her mouth slightly and as soon as their kiss deepened, Elisabeth felt a surge of excitement jolt through her body. She placed her hands on his face and slowly raked them through Nick’s tangled blonde hair. A tiny moan escaped her lips when she felt Nick’s hands travel down her body; she closed her eyes and leaned her head back when she felt his right hand ascending up her thigh as he pulled her leg to his side. His touch seemed to leave a trail of fire over her skin and she found herself wanting to feel him everywhere.

Nick left a path of scorching kisses across her jaw line and down her neck. He felt her body shudder beneath his when he gently began to nibble on the hollow of her neck and she was soon tugging at his shirt, trying to get it over his head. Breaking away from her silky soft skin, Nick pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it onto the sand so when the tide came in wouldn’t take it out into the ocean. Leaning back down his lips were eagerly greeted by Elisabeth’s and he slowly slipped her dress up and over her head. After a few minutes, all of their clothing lay scattered on the sand a few feet away and Nick’s lips were still performing their sensual assault on Elisabeth’s body.

“Nick…” he heard Elisabeth whisper, her breathing shallow. “Please…”

Nick pulled back, a few wisps of hair hanging in his blue eyes. “Is everything alright?”

Elisabeth let out a half sigh, half moan and arched her back slightly, longing to feel his warm skin against hers. “Please…” she closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip, “Don’t stop...” Pulling him back down on top of her, she began to cover him in warm, wet kisses…each one begging for more…

***

Elisabeth woke up to the feeling of cool water washing over her bare feet. Lifting her head up, she saw that she was wrapped up in Nick’s arms, their bodies still reeling from their intimate experience just hours earlier. “Oh, man,” she said quietly and tried to slip from Nick’s arms without waking him up. She would have to wake him up in a few minutes so they could get back to Sunset Beach, but she wanted to get dressed before then. After being married to the same man for 13 years, she had become quite self-conscious about her body and she would be embarrassed by him seeing her. Even after what happened.

She was able to get her undergarments on before he woke up, but just as she was about to slip her dress back on, Nick’s eyes fluttered open and he smiled up at her. She quickly got the dress on and picked up his clothes, looking away as she handed them to him. After a few minutes, Elisabeth felt Nick’s arms wrap around her waist and she could feel his warm lips on her neck. She closed her eyes enjoying the feeling for a split second, but she pulled away from him and kept her eyes to the sand.

“It’s getting pretty late,” she ran a hand nervously through her long hair. “I think we should head back.”

“Yeah, okay,” Nick said, feeling dejected. “Gram is probably going crazy.”

“Yeah…” Elisabeth sighed and started for the car. Oh, God, what did I do? How did I let that happen? Her mind was racing as she got in the car; she had never once been unfaithful to Joshua during their marriage. She began to think of Kaitlyn and Jacob and what was going to happen if anyone found out about her night with Nick. She felt a heaviness settle in her stomach when her mother’s face flashed through her mind. She’s probably waiting for me to come through the door so she can bitch at me…treat me like a sixteen year old again.

“Are you okay?” Nick asked as he backed out of the dark parking area.

Even in the shadows, Elisabeth could see the concern etched in his handsome features. Her stomach did a flip when she looked into his eyes and she had to look away quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She glanced at the clock and saw that it was 2:43; it would be nearly 3:30 before they got home and she could already tell that the tension would be thick and uncomfortable. Every so often, she would sneak a peak at Nick. He was holding the steering wheel with his right hand and he had his head cocked to the side, propped up on his left hand. He looked miserable.

Finally, they pulled up in front of Elisabeth’s house and Nick cut the engine. He raked a hand through his hair—Elisabeth noticed he had a habit of doing so when he was nervous—and turned to stare at her. “Lizzie…did I do something wrong?”

“No,” she answered quietly, still unable to look him in the eyes. “It’s not you…it’s me.” I cannot believe I just used that line… she thought and rolled her eyes. “I just…I have some issues I need to work through right now. I’m sorry.”

Nick watched as Elisabeth got out of the car and walked into her house without so much as telling him goodbye or anything. He couldn’t help but feel terrible. He had enjoyed himself tonight, but he wondered if maybe he had crossed a line even if she had conceded to their actions; she never once told him no. Cranking up the car, he could only shrug and hope she would want to talk soon. God knows, I need to see her again…

***

Elisabeth was relieved when she saw that no one was waiting in the living room for her and the entire house was dark. “Good, maybe I can go take a bath in peace and get some rest,” she said and went to the window to make sure Nick had gone. When she saw that he was driving away, she started up the stairs and flinched when she hit the creaky step—third from the top, it had always squeaked and it always gave her away when she was trying to sneak in.

“You’re home late,” Kaitlyn came out of her room and stood at the top of the stairs with her arms crossed over her chest.

“And you should be in bed,” Elisabeth said and brushed past her daughter. She did not need to deal with an attitude right now; it would not be pretty.

“Yeah, and you shouldn’t stay out half the night. What kind of example are you being for me,” her daughter’s voice was blanketed with sarcasm. For a 13 year old, she definitely had a grown up way of talking to her mother.

“Kaitlyn, when you are older and more mature than I am, feel free to grill me on where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing, but until that day comes, which will be when either pigs fly or hell freezes over…take your pick, you need to mind your business and drop your damn attitude.”

Kaitlyn only gazed at her mother with a hard, amused glare. “What? You’re trying to be my mom now?”

Elisabeth only groaned and left Kaitlyn standing in the hallway. She didn’t care if her daughter went to bed or not, but she was going to take a bath and get all the sand off of her body. She jumped slightly when she heard Kaitlyn’s angry voice from behind her.

“You were with him, weren’t you?”

“With who?” Elisabeth didn’t turn to face Kaitlyn. If she looked at her daughter, she would give herself away.

“That guy from the hardware shop…what did you do…go swimming? Why is your dress wet? And where are your shoes?”

Elisabeth’s temper flared as her daughter interrogated her. Turning to face the teenager, she hardened her gaze. “Look, Katy, I already told you once to go get in bed. If you don’t do that right now, you will be sorry. Just mind your business and get out of here right now.” She watched as Kaitlyn’s expression softened and filled with hurt and she instantly felt regret. “Katy…I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, right,” Kaitlyn said and turned to leave before Elisabeth could say anything else.

“Yeah, great parental skills, Elisabeth,” she mumbled to herself and started a bath. “Now, she really will hate me…”

Glancing at the woman in the mirror, she pulled a hand through her long dark hair and felt herself being tugged back into her memories of being with Nick. She felt her entire body flush as she thought of the feeling of his lips on her skin as he sent wave after wave of pleasure pouring through her body. Shaking herself from that memory, she couldn’t help but smile. No matter how much regret she felt at that moment, she knew that she had done nothing that she hadn’t wanted to happen. She even found herself hoping it would happen again.

***

Nick sighed and got out of his car. He had been sitting in front of his house for about 15 minutes just thinking. He was startled out of his thoughts by someone waiting outside the car.

“Where the hell ya been?” Chase grinned as Nick emerged. “What did you do tonight?”

“Myrtle Beach,” he answered. “What are you doing here this late?”

“Late? Man, it’s early,” Chase laughed and followed Nick to the front porch, sitting down beside his friend on the porch swing.

“Yeah, right,” Nick laughed lightly and brushed some sand off his neck. He hoped Chase hadn’t noticed.

“Did you go by yourself or what?” Chase prodded as he started to move the swing back and forth.

“No, I had a friend with me, and before you ask, no, it wasn’t Dee-Dee.”

“Oh,” Chase nodded. “Well, who was it, then? Must have been a hot date…”

Nick shot Chase an inquisitive glance. “Why do you say that?”

“Well, you look like you’ve been frolicking around in the mighty Atlantic,” he chuckled and leaned closer to inspect his friend. “You’re covered in sand and your shoes are missing…did you go swimming in your clothes or something man?”

Nick smiled and thought about being on the beach with Elisabeth, loving her into oblivion. “Yeah, something like that.”