Chapter Four: House Warming

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Nick Narrating:

I hate Lori. Okay I don’t really hate her. It’s just I’m frustrated as all hell. Alyssa and I are thankfully on the road to mending the damage my foot-in-mouth-itis caused. But everytime we’ve tried to get back to the physical part of our relationship one of our friends or family fucking interrupts it.

First it was Lori, of course she had a good reason, she was having a kid. Second was my brother and his girlfriend, who obviously happens to be Kellie, walk into Alyssa’s apartment hear us going at it and he decides to run up the stairs and start cheering. We were so close to it that we both we’re going crazy and my brother does that…….total fucking mood killer. Then Olivia called sad that Angela’s and her adoption proceedings fell through…again. Or when Mary called to remind Alyssa that it was the one year anniversary of her father’s passing. Spent the entire night holding her as she cried.

That was hard, knowing it’s been one year since Jamie passed away. Also I think it was completely appropriate for Clark and Lori to name their son after Jamie. And I have to admit it was really cool to have my name be a part of that too. The baby is perfect, sweet, quiet and so tiny that I feel like a giant holding him. He’s my nephew, and to know that I’m an uncle, even though technically I am with Brian’s son Baylee, is just crazy. And it makes me want Alyssa to get pregnant more and more.

Crazy I know right? But I as much as I want her to get pregnant, it wouldn’t be the best thing right now. She’s working and I’m working, getting ready to do a new album with the guys, without Kevin of course, and then getting ready to do a reality show with my siblings.

Yeah I know, how did I get roped into that one?

Well seeing Alyssa’s family and how well they all work together makes me want that with my family. Having that with my parents is out of the question so my siblings it is. We decided on the show because I want to show people that besides fame and shit like that, that family is important and maybe show someone that’s had a messy divorce in their family that there is something to be salvaged from it.

I know sounds like bull shit doesn’t it? It’s not though I love my siblings very much and if going on a reality show helps me to help them out with their issues then damn it that’s what I’m going to do.

Alyssa thinks it’s funny that I’m going on television when I’m really a private person. And in a way it is really funny. Bobbie, Aaron and I went and picked out the house we’re going to live in together. It’s in Beverly Hills no less, quite a large mansion too. After that I thought about selling my house in Venice beach but I can’t part with it, there’s too many memories in that house.

And eventually I want Alyssa to move back in there with me. She loves that house, and all the memories we have there from when she first moved in to when I first told her that I love her. It’s home out here in California.

Speaking of homes, I love Alyssa’s new place, everything about it fits her, the colors, the furniture. Her bedroom, damn that bed, straight out of a fantasy or something. I love that she got the place on her own terms and is taking care of herself. I want her to be independent, it’s one of the things I love about her, but I want to protect her, provide for her so she doesn’t have to worry about things like bills or a mortgage, car payments and things like that.

I just didn’t figure that her being independent means that she might be interested in someone else. And that leads me to Brandon. I almost don’t want to meet him, don’t want to see if he’s better looking than I am or if she feels something for him that she doesn’t for me.

It’s insane but I don’t want to compete for her affections, I will if I have to, hell I’ll fight the guy if necessary. She’s my girl, I should not have to convince her that she should be with me and not someone else. I don’t want to fight with her about it either. That’s why I’m afraid to bring it up, because I know she’ll get defensive and then I’ll get jealous thinking that something is there when there may very well be nothing at all.

But I need to talk to her about it.

End Narration.

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Alyssa walked out to her car from the lecture hall, seeing Brandon waiting for her standing next to his brand new Lexus. She smiled and gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek. “Hey, do you want to meet over at the restaurant?”

Brandon grinned back at her. “Sure thing.” He stated getting into his car waiting for her to pull out of her space then following her.

After they ordered at the restaurant they fell into a comfortable conversation. “So how’s everything with Courtney?”

Brandon sighed then grinned a little. “Doing much better thanks to you. She really wants to meet you, she said that anyone that can get me to admit where I was wrong is definitely someone she wants to hang out with.”

Alyssa giggled, “I’m really glad that I could help, she sounds like a sensational girl.”

“She is, I met her when I moved out here from Iowa.”

Alyssa smiled, “That’s sweet. I’m having a house warming party at my place this weekend, and I’d really like it if you both could make it.”

“That’d be great, will Nick be there?”

Alyssa nodded in response.

“And how are things going with him? Better?”

Alyssa sighed, “He wants me back, he says he’s willing to give me whatever I need just as long as we get back together.”

“That’s good though. I mean he’s willing to let you take care of yourself, that’s a pretty big step.”

“I know, I just feel like we went too fast getting into our relationship the first time around and I don’t want that to happen again.”

Brandon thought a moment, “Well what happened the first time around?”

Alyssa sighed again, “We were already living together when we started dating and it just happened so fast with all the traveling and sneaking around.”

“What does he do that makes him travel so much?”

Alyssa thought a moment before speaking not really sure how to explain what Nick does. “He’s a singer, in a vocal group and I didn’t want his fans or anyone really knowing about our relationship. And when we had finally let everyone know everyone loved the news, even the fans which surprised the hell out of me.”

“So he’s famous.”

Alyssa chuckled a bit, “Yeah and I knew everything going in, hell we’ve been friends since 1996, it’s just I was scared that the fans would react like they have in the past.”

“What happened?”

“Do you know who Willa Ford is?”

Brandon thought a moment, “Isn’t she the one dating that fighter guy?”

“Chuck Liddell, yeah she is, but Nick and her dated for three years from 1997 until 2000. She was an unsigned singer when they met and he got her a record deal because he wanted to help her out. His fans caught wind of this and went nuts over it calling her a whore and creating hate websites and booing her and all that type of stuff. And I didn’t want that, I’m not a singer, nor am I looking for any kind of fame but the fans always assume that you’re a singer or an actress or using him in some way because there’s no way you could actually be in love with someone who has all that money.”

“Ouch, but you said that even the fans like you.”

Alyssa nodded, “Well yeah, it surprised me. But it wasn’t that, that scared me, it was how I felt, how he felt.”

Brandon’s eyebrow arched in curiosity.

“I’m 22 years old and for the first time in my life I wanted to settle down. I was thinking about how amazing he’d be as a father, or how easy and comfortable it felt to say Alyssa Carter, instead of Alyssa Monroe.” Alyssa explained.

Brandon smiled at her, “And what scared you about him?”

She looked around a moment before continuing, “That he was just as serious about me. I’ve never been this much in love with anyone before.”

Brandon nodded, “I know what you mean. You’re afraid that since you’re so young that you don’t trust what you feel to be real right?” He paused a moment, “And that if you put yourself into the relationship the way your heart is telling you to, that somehow you’ll be tied down?”

Alyssa looked at him astonished at how easily he’d hit everything on the head. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I feel. Damn I thought only Nick could do that.”

Brandon smiled again, “Well you told me exactly what you feel about him that you love him but you’re scared. He would have figured it out and probably already has. Which is why you need to talk with him, let him know your anxiety, he may have some of his own too you know?”

Alyssa sat there processing everything she’d just been told.

The next night…

Alyssa opened her door smiling when she saw Nick on the other side. He walked in giving her a small kiss as he walked by. Alyssa closed the door locking it and following him into the kitchen. Nick vaulted himself up onto the counter letting his legs dangle off the sides as she continued to make dinner.

Nick watched her unsure if he should ask what he really wanted to. Ever since he’d heard about Brandon, he couldn’t help but be a little jealous that some other guy had caught Alyssa’s attention. Sighing he decided it was now or never, “So, um who’s Brandon?” He asked trying to be non-chalant about it.

Alyssa looked at him and grinned, “Brandon is a really good friend of mine, he’s cool you’d really get along with him.”

Nick sighed again he wanted to get the entire story from her without flying off the handle. “So how’d you two meet?”

Alyssa rolled her eyes, “At Concorde. He and his girlfriend Courtney had a fight and we struck up a conversation about you and her. He’s been really great to me, listening when I needed an outside opinion on the subject of us.”

“Do I need to worry about him?”

Alyssa gave him a look as she chopped up vegetables for the stir fry she was making. “What do you mean?”

“You know, is he competition?”

“Competition, what am I now a prize in some game?” She asked with a sarcastic grin.

Nick rolled his eyes at her, “You know what I mean. I love you and I don’t really want to have to compete with some guy…but I will if I have to.” He explained.

Alyssa gathered up the vegetables and meat dumping them in the wok that was already on the stove making it sizzle quite loudly. “Nick, he’s just a nice guy, he knows how I feel about you, and he’s head over heels in love with his girlfriend Courtney. So trust me there’s no competition to be had. Even if he was interested, I wouldn’t go for it. I mean yes he’s attractive and an all around good guy but he’s not you.” She assured smiling at him as she stirred the contents of the wok.

“Is he coming to your party on Saturday?”

Alyssa smiled, “Yes, so is Courtney, they make a really cute couple from the pictures I’ve seen.”

Nick grinned a little, “That’s good. It’ll be cool to meet them.”

“Yeah it will.” Alyssa replied picking up the wok by it’s handle and emptying the contents onto the plate full of rice.

Nick took the plate as Alyssa put the wok in the sink and turned off the stove. They walked out onto her patio/balcony area sitting at the small table there. A small silence grew over them as they dished up their food and began to eat. Minutes later Nick decided to speak, “So, what do we tell everyone?”

Alyssa looked over at him before taking a sip of her wine, “Tell everyone?”

Nick sighed, “Yeah like when they ask how our relationship is doing do we say we’re back together or getting back together, or what?”

Alyssa thought a moment, they hadn’t really discussed anything since little Jamie had been born, just happily doting on their nephew and hanging out together when they could. “We’re back together, just taking things slowly this time around.”

Nick grinned at her, “Good, because I didn’t know either. I mean I understand what you’re doing, you’re scared and that’s okay, I am too.” Nick paused taking a drink. “But I’m glad that we’re going slower this time, it’ll help us appreciate each other more I think.”

Alyssa looked at him in shock, “Okay who are you and what have you done to my boyfriend?”

He gave her a perplexed expression in response.

“Since when are you all mature and understanding? As long as I’ve known you, you’ve never taken to change well.”

He smiled at her chuckling a bit as he stood up taking their dishes to the kitchen, Alyssa followed close behind carrying the wine glasses and wine bottle in from the terrace. “It’s because I finally realized that you have to work at a relationship everyday, and I’m more than willing to work at it with you. Liss, I mean it when I say that you’re my one.”

Once finished in the kitchen they walked over to the living room settling back on the couch Alyssa reclining back against him closing her eyes as he channel surfed stopping on the National Geographic Channel. Alyssa opened her eyes looking at what he stopped on, a sea life special. She smiled and rolled her eyes before snuggling closer to him as he wrapped his arms around her, content to just lie on the couch with her the entire night.

Alyssa shifted a little to where if she looked up her face was just under his ear. Feeling daring she kissed his neck just underneath his jaw. She grinned alittle when he tightened his arms around her sighing a little. Pleased he liked what she did she moved kissing along his jawline nibbling a little on his Adam’s apple as he groaned.

“Ali what are you doing?” He asked fully aware that she was trying to get his attention.

Alyssa ignored his comment and moved to straddle his hips pulling him into a kiss tangling her hands into his hair. Nick’s hands began to inch up her short demin skirt she’d been wearing. He pushed her underwear to the side as he began to touch her feeling exactly how much she wanted him. She whimpered into the kiss and ground herself onto his hand.

A minute later Alyssa pushed herself away from him and stood up turning the television off. He gave her a confused expression that turned to a grin when she held out her hand for him. She led him up the stairs into her bedroom. He pulled her against him kissing her slowly as he backed her up against the glass block wall. Alyssa slipped her hands underneath his shirt lifting it up as he did the same to her breaking the kiss to remove each other’s shirts. Alyssa slipped off her skirt as he pulled off his jeans.

Nick gripped her hips and lifted her up against his chest, and turned them around walking the few short steps to her bed laying her down on it. He moved his hands up her back as they continued to kiss and unhooked her bra sliding it off of her moving his kisses down the line of her throat. He moved off of her going over to her dresser looking for a condom he opened her top drawer moving her clothing around until he heard a jangle he looked down and saw a pair of handcuffs. Nick smirked getting a wicked idea. “Alyssa, close your eyes and lay down, and don’t open them.”

Alyssa thought a moment then did as she was told. The search for a condom forgotten as he discarded his boxers and he walked back over settling himself on the bed kissing her making sure to place the keys to the cuffs on the nightstand. Nick took her hands in one of his and placed them above her head taking his other hand with the handcuffs clicking them around her wrist, behind the bedpost and around the other wrist. Alyssa’s eyes shot open as she tried to move her arms. She looked up seeing her wrists restrained as a glimmer of recognition across her face.

Nick shot her a smirk and trailed his mouth down her neck biting and kissing down her chest and stomach until she was writhing underneath him. He chuckled as he placed his hands on her hips steadying her. He hooked his thumbs under her underwear and slid them down and off of her. She parted her legs for him hoping for him to get on with it already. He kissed his way down from her naval tugging on the ring there as he moved down flicking his tongue over her making her pull hard against the cuffs causing them to pinch her skin as he moved his mouth on her.

“Nickolas, please…” She begged sighing.

Nick looked up at her, “Please what?” He asked.

“Unlock the cuffs, please…I need to…” She replied stammering.

He looked at her and smirked, “No…” He stated then moved to kiss her inner thigh, tracing her tattoo with his tongue before darting his tongue inside her a move that made her back arch up off of the bed and shriek in delight. Nick’s hand traded places with his mouth as he kissed his way back up her body as she began to shudder the metal of the handcuffs rattling against the iron bed frame. Just as her release began to make it’s way through her he stopped what he was doing and entered her making her scream. Nick stopped a moment trying to prolong it for both of them, it had been too long since they’d been like this.

The sexual tension of the past two weeks had become too much for either of them to take any longer as Alyssa wrapped her legs around his hips moving hers up to meet his thrust for thrust. He stopped moving again getting an exasperated groan from her. Careful not to move away from her, he reached over grabbing the keys to the cuffs unlocking them and throwing them to the floor, needing the feeling of her nails raking down his back, which she did immediately upon having her hands freed. The feeling of her nails nearly tearing at his skin made him move again only much faster and more frantic than before. Alyssa pulled him closer to her knowing that neither of them were going to last much longer as she moved with him, each loving the sounds the other made. One last thrust and the both of them came rather loudly in each other’s arms.

Nick collapsed on top of her completely spent from what they just experienced. They both laid there not moving from their original position as they relaxed slowly coming off their high. Nick raised his head a minute later looking at Alyssa who had a satisfied grin on her face. “What?” She asked noticing the look in his eyes.

He began to laugh as she gave him a ‘what the hell’ look which only made him laugh harder. Once he regained control of his breathing he replied, “We didn’t get interrupted this time.”

Alyssa laughed a little and ran her fingers through his hair, “That’s because I told everyone if they called tonight or came over or had any kind of emergency, that I’d personally hunt their asses down.”

“So you were planning this?” He asked with a devilish grin that wound her up.

“The part where we finally get back to this, yes, the handcuffs, no. By the way, new favorite toy.” She stated proudly pointing to where he had thrown them.

He saw her wrist as she pointed noticing the red welts around each that were going to turn into some pretty impressive bruises. “You’re gonna be so bruised by tomorrow.” He remarked kissing around each wrist.

“And you’re not going to be able to lie on your back for a couple of days.”

He smiled at her, “Eh, don’t care, it was fucking worth it.”

She giggled as he rolled them over hissing a little at the contact between the comforter and his scratched-up back. Alyssa got off of him and grabbed the cuffs, “I think you should have some bruises to match don’t you?” She replied moving back to straddle his hips clicking the cuffs around his wrists and the bed.

“Hell yeah.” He replied as she leaned down capturing his mouth in a fiery kiss.

That Saturday…

Alyssa made herself busy as she ran around the condo straightening things up. She silently thanked God that she’d had enough sense to call a catering service for her house warming party instead of trying to cook and play hostess at the same time. Alyssa looked around the place seeing everything in order, food, beverages, all laid out and ready for everyone.

Lori looked over at her best friend laughing a little as she nursed the new-born in her arms. “Lissa those are some pretty impressive bruises on your arms.”

Alyssa stopped and looked down at her wrists, she was pretty damn proud of those bruises, so much so that she didn’t even try hiding them. “Yeah what of it?” She shot back pulling up a chair next to Lori.

“So I’m guessing you had a lovely time with Nick the other night?” Lori retorted faking a haughty British accent.

Alyssa chuckled and mimicked the accent, “Why yes dear, it was quite lovely especially the part where he handcuffed me to my bed and screwed me senseless.” She stated rather bluntly with an innocent look on her face.

Lori cracked up at her friend, “I’m glad you two are back to your freaky ways.”

Alyssa grinned, “Might I go into the story of how my nephew was conceived?” Alyssa countered, “I can’t believe you got pregnant being Lorelei, Mistress of the Dark or whatever freaky things you and my brother get into.”

Lori chuckled again handing her son over to Alyssa as she covered herself up from feeding him. “Well, you’re brother is pretty submissive guy so Mistress kind of fits.” She stated making Alyssa make a gagging noise. Lori laughed harder, “What’s so wrong about that?”

Alyssa gave her a look, “First of all it’s Clark, eww. And second of all you’re a mommy now.”

Lori smiled, “Just because I’m a mommy now doesn’t mean that I still don’t like to let my freak flag fly.”

Alyssa giggled a little looking down at her nephew in her arms as she slowly lulled him to sleep before placing him in his carrier rocking it back and forth. “So where is Clark anyways?”

Lori grinned a little loving to watch Alyssa interact with little Jamie who was peacefully asleep. “He’s picking Nick up, we figured that he may want to spend the night so driving him over will save him the gas mileage.”

Later on that evening…

Alyssa made her rounds around the apartment making small talk with everyone as they all mingled together. Nick watched her smiling as she gracefully moved from one conversation to the next without batting an eye. The doorbell rang and Alyssa moved to get it, but Nick got there first opening the door to see a tall guy standing there, dark hair, light skin and a pretty much shorter brunette on his arm.

Alyssa walked over smiling greeting them both. “Brandon, I’m so glad you could make it! And this must be Courtney.” She stated shaking the girl’s hand.

So that’s Brandon, Nick thought, putting an arm protectively around Alyssa’s waist. He was taller than Nick, maybe by an inch or two, lean and did look like he could be a model.

“So this is Nick?” Brandon asked with a genuine smile.

Alyssa grinned and turned a little, “Yes this is Nick, and Nick this is Brandon and his girlfriend Courtney.”

Nick smiled and outstretched his hand shaking Brandon’s, “It’s nice to finally meet you.” Nick replied trying to be as nice as possible without coming off as fake or calloused.

Brandon grinned wider, “It’s great to meet you, Ali has told me so much.”

Nick nodded, “It’s nice to know I’ve been talked about.” He replied a little relieved that Brandon seemed to understand that Alyssa was taken.