A month had already gone by since Allegra had met the entire Carter family. So much had happened lately, that Allegra sometimes needed to sit down and take some time for herself. She was almost 24/7 at the villa where Nick and his siblings were living and she had helped all of them coming to terms with difficulties on their love lives, career wise and even with their own family. She had watched Leslie open up towards Nick and it was a true pleasure to see the two of them hanging out on the terrace of around the outside pool. Leslie had even asked Nick to help her writing and recording some new songs.
Angel had been ice-cold to her the first two weeks. When the girl finally understood Allegra was no threat to her family, she had changed from being a difficult teenager into an admiring and charming young woman. Allegra had even accompanied her to one of her many photo shoots and she was very impressed how professional Angel really was. Those days were completely exhausting, being ten hours on just one set. Allegra always took out some late night Chinese food and treated herself and Angel on a good manicure and pedicure when a photo shoot had to stop unexpected for a few hours.
In BJ, she had found a new friend and the two young women accepted their different views on life, friendship and love. Thanks to the devotion and patience of Allegra, BJ had gone through an immense make over. She swore off alcohol, only drinking one or two glasses when the entire family was lounging outside after dinner. Not only did she look better, not drinking meant that BJ was far more tolerable than before. Leslie and Angel now found it great to actually talk to their big sister and getting useful advice on how to handle their boyfriends. BJ talked about her fears and worries to Nick, who now really understood how his sister had felt all these years.
Aaron was being such a cutie to her. Allegra knew he was totally crazy about her and that he fantasized about taking her out to diner or going dancing in a club. And although Allegra always had kept a distance between herself and Aaron, she feared the day when she had no choice to break his bubble. There was no chance whatsoever that she would ever go out on a date with Aaron. She wanted him to find a girl of his own age, someone serious but also fun to be with… An idea had been inside Allegra’s head for quite a while now, thinking about inviting her 19 year old cousin over to L.A. Maybe the two of them got along well. It was risk, but Allegra was willing to take it.
And then there was Nick of course.
Nick had become her partner in crime, her sidekick, best buddy, or whatever other name that you could use to describe the magic between them. They got along so good; it was sometimes scary to see how alike they were. They both loved rock songs and oldies, couldn’t stand fake people and liars and they went walking with Layla, Nick’s dog, every morning. It was then, between 6 am and 8 am, that they shared the intimacy only couples truly in love experienced. She sat in between Nick’s tall legs, resting against his chest, either opening her heart even further to him or just staying quiet and enjoying his presence. He had found out pretty soon she was engaged and had made her swear she would never ever lie to him again about anything. She knew Nick didn’t like Calvin. He refused to tell her why, Nick just told her every once and a while she could ‘so much better.’ After she had explained why she hadn’t mentioned Calvin or her upcoming marriage, she and Nick hit it off and spent mostly of their spare time together.
It was another early morning and Allegra saw Nick jogging up the path at Coldwater Canyon with two Starbucks coffee cups. He was wearing a dark blue pair of sweat pants and a plain white t-shirt. His hair was a mess, he had been going out last night and when Allegra had met him here at the parking lot, she had to try her best for not laughing by the way he looked.
“One house blend black coffee, no sugar or milk” He said, offering her the cup. She took it and smiled, waiting for him to sit down again behind her.
“How was your night out? Did you have fun?” Allegra asked, taking a sip from her coffee, patting Layla with her free hand. She had been at the villa last night when Nick’s date had arrived and she had been surprised to see he actually dated a girl like that. The fake blonde woman had been wearing a dress so short you could nearly see her panties underneath it. It was vulgar to say the least and she had been wondering why Nick chose girls like her to go out with. The girl had been arrogant the minute she had walked inside the house and had nearly thrown herself on Nick when he met her in the living room.
“Yeah, it was all right. We went eating at Yamashiro, and then Shandee wanted to go clubbing.”
Allegra frowned her eyebrows. “What about you? Did you want to go clubbing?”
Nick breathed in deeply and rested his head against Allegra’s long silky hair. Why was she suddenly so interested in what he did or wanted to do?
“I don’t know. I guess. Why do you wanna know anyway?”
He felt Allegra’s body moving until she was facing him. Sitting on her knees, the early morning breeze played with the loose ends of her hair, like it was dancing around her face. The almost same blue eyes like his torn deeply inside his soul.
“Because I honestly think you can do so much better than Shandee. And judging by the tone of your voice, it seems to me you didn’t have that great night as you keep pretending it was.”
“Come on Alli, don’t go off like that. Isn’t it my own choice who I date or who I go out with?”
Her body fell a bit and she sighed.
“Of course you do. She’s just so….” Allegra’s voice trailed off while she placed her attention on Coldwater Canyon again.
“She’s what?” Nick couldn’t help but smile.
“Nothing. Never mind. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t press my opinion on you. It’s your life, do whatever you want with it.”
Standing up, she breathed in and tried to put the tears away. Why was she offended anyway by Nick’s choice in women? He was absolutely right; it wasn’t her place to judge him at all.
His soothing, strong and muscular arms wrapped her against him.
“What’s going in there in your head babygirl?” Nick asked with a soft tone, almost whispering.
She couldn’t help but start sobbing against his t-shirt. Her heart was screaming for his touch, longing for the kiss she needed so much. Maybe it was because she only had heard Calvin three times since she’d arrived in LA, or maybe it was because she really felt lonely out here, truth was that she desired Nick Carter. She found him so handsome when he was talking to people and he didn’t notice her watching him. She thought he was by far the cutest guy she had ever met and the more time they spent together, the more she was falling for him.
And for this Allegra hated herself. She was angry at herself for allowing these almost forbidden feelings to catch her. How could she long for another man when she should be only thinking about her fiancé? Every second spent with Nick was a second more away from Calvin, but to admit all that out loud wasn’t something she was ready for. Instead she chose to keep quiet, hoping everything would just blow away by time.
But now, feeling more insecure than ever, fighting her feelings and emotions, she felt she was losing the only battle she could never win.
“I can’t do this anymore Nick. I’m sorry. I have to go.”
Refusing to look up at him, she started walking back to her car. Tears of unspoken amorosity burned into her eyes. She heard Nick’s voice, calling something out behind her but she didn’t understand it. Now running like she was on fire, she tried to find her car keys in one of the pockets on her sweater. Reaching for them, she tripped over a branch of a tree and lost control. Tumbling down the hill, she screamed for Nick, fanatically searching for something she could hold on to. Finally her hands found a loose off shout and with all of her power she held on to it. Inhaling fastly, she looked up, searching for Nick. She saw him running down the hill towards her, once and a while yelling to Layla she had to stay put.
“Jesus Christ, are you okay?” Bending down his knees, Nick wrapped his arms around Allegra. She scared the hell out of him when he saw her tumbling down the hill. Hoping she had nothing serious, he quickly checked her eyes, face and body. He noticed some nasty cuts on her hands and one on her cheek. A big bruise was located just above her left temple and without hesitation he placed his lips on it, giving her forehead a gentle kiss. He felt her trembling, and he knew she had to calm down a bit.
“What do you say? I’ll bring you back to my car and I’ll drive you to your place okay? I’ll ask BJ to come around and collect your car for you.”
Allegra opened her mouth to say something against his decision but the look in his eyes told her she better kept still. He was acting a bit strange. Nick was almost always laughing or joking around, and now he was quiet and extremely calm. He helped her getting up and they slowly walked up the hill again, Nick making sure that he supported Allegra where he could. Layla was barking once and a while, wagging her tail when she was walking back and forth the path on top of the hill. When they finally arrived back at Nick’s car, he opened the passenger’s front door and helped Allegra inside. He hadn’t said a word to her since he had said he would take her back home and Allegra was getting worried he was more upset with her than she originally thought.
Nick switched the engine on and when he was driving to Allegra’s house, he took her hand in his right one. He needed the contact with her. He still didn’t understood why she was acting strange all of a sudden but he figured it had to do something with him. Little did he know that he was actually right this time. Allegra once and a while instructed him in which direction he should drive and about thirty minutes later they arrived at the Scott’s mansion. Nick whistled through his teeth at the sight of the enormous house and killed the engine of his car when he had parked it not far away from the main entrance door.
Allegra took her keys and opened the door, leading him into a large hall with white marble tiles on the floor. She took off her shoes and walked deeper into the house, falling down onto one of the many beige colored couches. Nick followed her suit and sat down next to her, pulling her legs onto his lap. He glanced at her body and wondered again why a woman as gorgeous as she was, would marry a creep like Calvin Blackwell?
“I think I’m gonna take a shower… Do you mind waiting here for a minute?” Allegra asked, opening her eyes again. Their eyes locked and she felt her body freeze. She sat up and got closer to Nick, taking his hands in hers. Her breathing increased with every breath she took and her nerves were playing a nasty game with her head. Not a word was said between them.
“Forgive me for doing this but I have no other choice…” she whispered more to herself than to Nick and moved her face close to his, placing a kiss on his lips. The shock that went through them was undeniable and she flashed her eyes open, staring into his. And within those few seconds she understood completely how he felt and he finally realized what she’s been hiding from all along.
Allegra felt his hands pulling her body onto his lap and she sighed softly when he parted her lips with his tongue. He tasted like a man should taste: slightly erotic, mellifluous and with moments fiery. Her hands swirled around his neck, subconsciously playing with the downy little hairs that were located there. She felt his hands running up her body slowly, making her want him even more. His thumbs kneaded her breast delicately through the thin fabric of her plain white tank top. Allegra felt Nick’s heartbeat racing and a soft smile spread across her lips, feeling even more wanted now she knew what effect she had on him.
The almost blurting sound of the doorbell threw them apart and the two of them sat there, staring blankly at each other, trying to understand what just had happened.
Allegra finally cleared her throat, trying to get the huge lump away, and got off Nick’s lap.
“I think I have to open that door.” She stated, suppressing the tornado of mixed feelings that ran through her mind and body.
She walked to her door and opened it almost like a zombie and saw Angel standing there.
The girl frowned her brows at the sight of her friend and wondered what had happened. BJ had called her, telling her she needed to go to Allegra’s house, that there had been some sort of accident and that Nick wanted someone to go and collect Allegra’s car. Seeing the bruise on Allegra’s head, already turning blue and she became a little worried. Allegra always was the calm one, never doing anything even remotely risky and now the woman had fallen down a hill!
“Hi. BJ has send me, she had to go to a last minute appointment. Is Nick here?”
Allegra finally gave her a weak smile and nodded.
“Yes he is. Come in, he’s in the living room.”
Angel stepped inside and admired Allegra’s taste in interior design. The marble floors; the imposing wooden staircase, probably leading to a first floor with incredible bedrooms and bathrooms. She noticed the fluffy white carpets, the antique chairs and saw a glimpse of a magazine look-a-like country kitchen. Her brother rose up to his feet when she walked into the living room and she noticed he was slightly nervous.
“BJ couldn’t come?”
“No. She had to go somewhere last minute and Aaron was still snoring loudly when I left the house. Leslie wasn’t home, she stayed over at her boyfriend.”
“You haven’t brought any camera crew with you?”
“Nope. Figured this was a private matter people don’t need to know about.”
“Thanks Angel. You’re a lifesaver.” Nick smiled and breathed out.
He glanced over at Allegra and felt his heartbeat rising again. Damn it, why did this happen? No, even better, why did hé let this happen? She was engaged to be married and he knew he had to stay away from her. Sure, if she would’ve been single, he would’ve definitely made a move. It was easy to admit that she had quite an effect on him. God, how did he enjoy their morning walks together, the moments she was resting against his chest, and especially the fact that he was able to be a normal person around her. She listened to him and gave him advice if he asked for it.
“No worries. So, where’s the car parked?”
“Ehm, her car is parked at Coldwater Canyon. And Angel, could you take Layla with you back home? I think she’s starving and I don’t think there’s any dog food in this house.”
Angel laughed and nodded her head. She could sense there was something Nick had to talk about with Allegra and that he wanted it to be private. So it was better she left. Whatever was going on, it wasn’t any of her business.
Allegra stood up and said she was going to get a shower. Nick nodded his head and while she went upstairs, he let Angel out of the house.
“Nick? Don’t get mad or anything, but if you need to talk, I’m always here.” Angel stated, looking at her brother.
Nick sighed and tossed her a smile. It was a sweet thing from Angel to let him know she was there for him but it was already clear for him that what had happened with Allegra would be a one time thingy only. Nothing like that would ever happen again.
“Thanks sweetie. But I’m fine, I promise. Look, I will be here until you get back and then we’ll leave together, okay? Maybe grab a cup of coffee together or lunch…”
“Sounds great Nick, but I have a photo shoot to attend. And this one is big, it might lead me to a cosmetics contract.”
“Waw Angel, sounds like this is serious. Tell me everything about it when you have time, okay?”
His sister nodded her head and took Allegra’s car keys and got into the cab Nick had ordered. When the car was driving off the driveway, he went inside Allegra’s house again and closed the door. Knowing the two of them needed to talk, pronto, he walked up the stairs, searching for Allegra’s bedroom. At the end of the hallway, he found her, sitting on her big bed, staring at her feet. He leaned against the door mould and looked at how beautiful she really was,only wearing a robe. She took his breath away and he wanted to kiss those lips again. Wrong Carter, stop thinking like that.
She looked up and tossed him half a smile.
“Can I come in?”
Allegra nodded her head and patted on the empty spot beside her. Nick walked in and placed himself next to her.
“So…. There’s just one question I have: why?” Nick stated, glancing at how she looked.
“I made a mistake in kissing you and I’m sorry I did it. I never meant to put you in this position.”
“Is that all there is?”
Allegra turned her face and rose her eyebrows.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you always say how in love you are and how Calvin makes you happy but there you were, climbing on my lap, kissing me. Alli, aren’t you fooling yourself here?”
Now she became mad. Mad because deep down she knew he was right. Mad about herself for everything that had happened. Mad about the way her parents had practically forced her to be with Calvin.
“Fooling myself? Do I hear that right? If I’m correct, you did a pretty good job yourself fooling only yourself when you were dating Miss Hilton.”
It struck a nerve that she mentioned Paris. He had opened up to her about that relationship completely, giving her every detail on what had happened exactly and now Allegra was so low to say something like that?
“I don’t think it’s any of you goddamn business to judge me Allegra. I made mistakes in the past, but at least I was smart enough to realize it before it was too late.”
Nick stood up and walked out of her bedroom. Having a bad temper, Nick was furious on how childish she acted. How could she, betraying him like that after all the confessions he had made?
Her hand grabbed his to stop him and he turned around. Tears were floating down her cheeks onto her robe and she looked so fragile.
“I’m sorry. That was way out of line.” Allegra apologized and gazed up. Just those steamy five minutes had made a mess out of everything.
Nick sighed and ran his hands through his hair.
“Come here.” He said softly and pulled her near in a hug. A part of the robe fell down of her shoulder when they pulled apart and he admired the bronze skin.
“I don’t regret it Alli, you blew my mind away. But I won’t come between you and your fiancé. It’s you who needs to decide how you feel.”
She nodded and trembled.
“Stay with me Nick. Don’t leave me alone, I can’t be alone. I made up my mind. I have been thinking about Calvin every single day and I know that I won’t ever feel the way about him as I do about you. I’m just not ready to face the world, him or my parents. I have to cancel the wedding. I feel like I’m making a huge fool out of myself, and that I have to justify the feelings I have for you. I’ve been fighting a battle the past month and I have lost it.”
Allegra told him everything he needed to hear.
“I just want to keep it quiet. I need to be completely sure about this before we expose this. You and I both know what the media is like. On top of that I have to deal with my mother and father, two people I don’t want to let down.”
Nick nodded and placed a kiss on her forehead. He was lucky enough that he had met her and he knew she was right about keeping it low.
“Okay, let’s make a deal. When you’ll leave LA when the show’s over I want you to tell me your final decision. Whatever it is, I won’t say a word about it. Let’s use this time we have to find out if we really are meant to be. If it’s not, than I won’t ever regret it.”
Allegra smiled through her tears and threw her arms around him. She had no idea what she was doing but it felt so right. A heavy weight had fell off her shoulders. Like Nick had said, time would tell what would lay ahead of them.
Author's Chapter Notes:
sorry about the extremely long delay. I promise I'll update much more from now on. enjoy!
