Chapter 36
Beautiful Disaster
2002 Spring Break
Orlando
Justin never got the chance to change Nicole’s mind, and it hadn’t been for lack of trying, but more the continuous interruption through out the night. Justin had spent about an hour on the phone with both of his parents, who then of course wanted to talk to Nicole and right as Justin ended his conversation with his parents, Susan-Nicole’s mother called, and just like Justin’s call-it lasted about an hour, with Susan wanting to talk to him as well.
By the time the phone calls had ended (past midnight), Nicole had dozed off next to him on the couch. She hadn’t meant for it to happen, but the moment she sat down she began to relax, and the next thing she heard was Justin whispering for her to get up and to go to bed. She knew any chance of them picking up where they left off in the car had been ruined. The mood had been killed.
But Justin had not seemed bothered by it, he had pulled her off the couch and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. He had gone back out to the garage to grab the keys out of the car, and Nicole had made her way upstairs. She hadn’t been sure who’s room to go into, and decided to change first before she figured out where she would end up sleeping. She must have been more tired than what she thought, because she had woken up in the guest bedroom in the morning. But before Nicole had the chance to even get out of bed, she had received a call from one of her girlfriends who she’d called the day before to see if they could get together and catch up. Nicole knew she couldn’t back out if it now, so she ended up spending her afternoon out with a few girlfriends she hadn’t seen in a few months, and never got the chance to talk to Justin.
He had been invited to come along, but he had quickly informed them that he had plans he couldn’t back out of, which Nicole knew was a total and complete lie. And when she had text him later and asked how his afternoon of playing video games with JC was going, he answered with a smiley face. They spent the rest of the afternoon texting, while she shopped with her girlfriends, and somehow throughout the afternoon, they decided to have dinner together and alone.
She knew he had been thinking about the night before-just like her. She wondered what his expectations were. Truth was; she wasn’t sure if there should be any, so he had suggested a few restaurants they could sneak into, but Nicole had shot them all down, which of course only created bickering over text. After about fifteen minutes of them going back and forth about where they should go for dinner, Nicole decided to make dinner instead.
So now she stood in front of the stove, and brought the wooden spoon up to her lips to taste the sauce for the pasta. “Where’s your phone?” Nicole heard Justin ask as he entered the kitchen.
“In my purse.” she answered, and placed the wooden spoon on the counter, and turned up the heat on the stove. “Why do you want my phone?” She asked as she placed the lid on the pot. She turned around to face him. “Wait-what did Lynn say?” She had called about 20 minutes ago, and Justin had disappeared into backyard to talk to her.
Nicole watched as he reached for her purse on the counter, and took her phone out. He looked back up at her. “The same, just wanted to ask how I was doing.” he paused for a second and then added. “And she wanted to talk to you, but I told her you were busy.” he stated with wrinkle of his nose. “So she says hi instead.”
“Justin-?” she questioned. He brought his phone up and showed it to her before he turned it off. “What are you doing?” she asked as he shut off her phone as well and placed both of them on the counter. Nicole rolled her eyes as she moved toward the cutting board a few feet away from the stove. “That’s a bit extreme don‘t you think?” But she couldn’t help but feel the familiar butterflies in the pit of her stomach. From the moment, she had stepped back into the house, she felt the electricity in air.
He leaned back against the counter a few feet away and raised an eyebrow in her direction. “Is it?”
Nicole hid her smile and reached for the knife next to the cutting board and began to slice the tomatoes without saying a single word. If her body hadn’t been on full alert before, it was now. She gave a slight shake of her head, she was getting ahead of herself. “Are you going to tell me why you lied earlier today?” she asked instead without looking at him.
“Because I was really not in the mood to have 3 girls ask me all afternoon if I’m doing okay, and look at me with pity.” he answered without missing a beat. She stifled her giggles. “You think it’s funny?” he asked dryly.
“I just think you’re being a bit paranoid.” and placed the cut tomatoes in a bowl.
“Right....” Justin started sarcastically. “That’s why the one with the crazy curly hair kept looking at me as if she wanted to pet me and take me home.” he paused. “Besides-they’re your friends. And I really wasn’t in the mood to go shopping for shoes and make-up-I did that last week.” he joked.
Nicole laughed despite herself but replied in a bitingly tone. “Cute.”
“Thanks.” Justin said. “I could say the same about you.”
She placed the knife and the cutting board in the sink and reached for the glass of white wine next to the stove. She chewed her lower lip to hide the smile, and then took a slow sip before she placed it back on the counter. Her heart raced deep within her chest. She took the lid off the pot, picked up the small seasoning bottle on the stove and sprinkled some onto the sauce in the pot. She placed the lid back, turned around and took a step in his direction. She could feel his eyes on her as she brushed past him and placed the seasoning bottle behind him. Before she made her way back to the stove, she stopped in front of him for a second, and looked up at him through her lashes, her mouth inches from his, but she didn’t say a word, she only gave him a small smile. He didn’t seem bothered by it, he gave a blink, but didn’t break his gaze from her face.
This was now a game; to see who would make the first move.
She walked back to the stove, she could still feel his eyes on her and that only made her pulse race faster. She took the lid of the pot again, reached for the wooden spoon and dipped it inside. She brought the spoon back up to her lips for a small taste. It tasted good. She placed her other hand underneath the spoon and took a step toward Justin to let him have a taste. She was right, he had not stopped starring. She felt the jolt of electricity run through her body as his hand briefly touched her hand underneath the spoon. Nicole couldn’t help but stroke the side of his cheek with tip of her fingers, as he opened his mouth to the taste the sauce. She watched him lick his bottom lip, she smiled warmly and then turned back toward the stove. The kitchen suddenly warmer than it had been 5 minutes ago. She stirred the sauce one more time before she placed the lid on it, and turned the front stove top off. She heard the oven timer go off, and bend down to pull the door, but before she had the chance to get it fully opened, she felt Justin’s fingers wrap themselves around one her elbows and pull her straight up.
Nicole felt his hands move to her hips as he pressed himself against her, and without wasting another breath, or even asking if she was okay with this, he kissed her. He took her mouth and claimed it. There was no slow lowering of his mouth to hers, but Nicole didn‘t mind. She sank her fingers into his hair, then grabbed on and kissed him back with the same fervor.
He broke away from her lips, and kept his gaze on her face. “You’re so beautiful.” he said hoarsely, almost as if mesmerized by her.
She closed her eyes for a split second and then sighed in contentment. “Dinners ready.” she murmured and opened her eyes again, they stayed locked on his handsome face. Nicole realized those had been the first words they had said in the past few minutes.
Justin took in a deep breath, and pressed his forehead against hers. “I do have an oven you know, we can reheat.” he whispered, as his blue orbs searched her face. He brought one hand up and gently stroked the side of her face as a small grin tugged on his lips.
Nicole sighed again, and smiled back up at him before she leaned back in. She heard a low moan leave his lips as his hands moved back down to her hips. Justin nibbled at her bottom lip, and she couldn’t help but whimper. It was still a wonder to her how comfortable it felt to be this way with him, even if it only happened every few years. Perhaps it was because it was Justin, her closest, most trusted friend and ally.
She felt his fingers bury themselves in her hair, as he tipped her mouth perfectly to his again so he could take at his own will. He pressed himself closer to her, and Nicole moaned louder against his mouth. She kissed him with everything she had. She made a sound of disappointment when he broke from her mouth. “I told you I would change your mind.” he teased.
Nicole laughed against his lips and retorted. “Who says you have?” But her breath hitched as he took her mouth again, kissing, nibbling, teasing. Fine, whatever, he won. She didn’t care. She just wanted to continue kissing him. She slid her hands up the nape of his neck, and buried her fingers in his hair; racked her nails along his scalp as she urged him even closer. She heard a growl leave his mouth as Nicole slid her tongue along his. She did not want this to end.
Justin must have read her thoughts because the next thing she knew he wrapped one arm around her hips, and lifted her up to the tips of her toes so he could fit himself between her thighs. “I think you just did.” he answered with a grunt. She squealed in surprise when he bent slightly and scooped her up high against his body. “Wrap your legs.” he murmured into her mouth.
“I’m soo glad we’re alone right now.” she joked but did what he asked and gripped his shoulders and hooked her heels around his lower back, grippling to stay up against him. She kissed him once again, and bit gently into his bottom lip.
“Fuck Nicole.” he murmured.
“Hmmm.” she hummed against his throat, and traced her tongue along the side of his neck and then nipped his ear lobe. Nicole knew she was being a tease, but she couldn’t help it. He made her feel empowered. He made her feel wanted, and loved.
“Hold on.” he instructed her, and hitched her hips up higher and he cursed again under his breath as Nicole rubbed intimately against him.
“Where are we going?” she breathed.
“My bedroom.” he answered.
“Upstairs?” That was a stupid question, of course that’s where they were going.
But Justin didn‘t seem to notice the obvious questions. “Yep.” Justin growled, as he staggered out of the kitchen, and walked through the living room, and towards the stairs.
She giggled. “I can walk-”
“Shh,” he murmured and dipped his head to take her mouth again, and stumbled half-blindly up the long stairwell.
Nicole kissed him back, giving all of herself in it. He continue to lead them up the stairs, after a few moments she slid her mouth from his, her eyes blinked open. “Justin- you can put me down. I don’t mind walking.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “I can do it.” he said gruffly.
Nicole wrinkled her nose, she recognize that tone. It was his-I’ am-a-man tone. “I’m not saying you can’t.” she retorted back. She would have laughed at how hot and cold they were, if she didn’t have the sudden urge to smack him upside the head. “Oh my god, Justin I swear you’re-” but he shut her up with long, and surprisingly tender, almost reverent kiss. She moaned despite herself. God, he was good with those lips.
“You talk too damn much.” he muttered into her mouth.
“I do not.” she snapped.
She heard his light chuckle. “I don’t know why I even bother.”
“I don’t know either.” she mocked. Nicole didn’t understand how he could riled her up, and manage to somehow be a calming presence all at the same time. Damn him. He made it up the stairs with her, and walked down the hall toward his bedroom.
She watched as they stepped inside, and he kicked the door shut behind him, then turned and pressed her up against it, holding her there with his weight against hers. “I told you.” he said with a smirk as he buried his hand in her hair.
“Do you want a prize?” she asked sarcastically, but found it hard to breath.
Justin licked his lips, his gaze was solely on her, she felt the a shiver run down her spine. He was looking at her with need, want, all so focused, so intent. “Oh, I’m about to get my prize.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She tasted sweet, like cinnamon and honey. Her lips were so soft, her mouth so inviting. He hadn’t meant for it to happen so quickly, but whatever control he had been holding on to, had instantly and quite thoroughly left him when she had bend down to open that oven door. Justin knew he couldn’t wait any longer and without thinking- he had reached out and grabbed her. All day he found himself thinking about her, about the night before, and how they had been interrupted, but at the same time wondered whether or not he should even try to pursue it-because he was confused about everything. That thought quickly left him when she urged him closer, then went searching for his tongue with her own. His reaction was swift, urgent, almost primal. He woved his fingers deeper into her hair and shifted her mouth beneath his, so he could take over, take her.
“God, you taste good.” he murmured as he broke from her lips. He settled his hands on her hips, keeping her body up against him and the door. He watched her reach for his face, to pull his mouth down to hers, but he moved back, just slightly. Before this went any further, he wanted to make sure, he didn‘t want her to think he was trying to take advantage of the situation-because that was the last thing he wanted. The idea of being with anyone seemed ridiculous a day ago, but now being here with Nicole it was the only thing he could think of. “Are you sure? We don’t have to do this Nicky.”
“I would have stopped you a long time if I wasn’t sure about this. I know exactly what I’m doing.” She stroked the side of his face, then curved a hand around the back of his head and tugged him back down to her, while simultaneously unbuttoning his shirt with the other. “You’re right,” she said softly, and took a step backward, closer to his bed. “We really are the only two people in the world capable of doing an one eighty.”
Justin chuckled. “We should be so proud.” He pulled her into his arms, and trapped her hand between them. He took her mouth again, as he claimed her. His hands slid down her back, then up beneath her shirt as he took the kiss deeper. He heard her moan at the feel of his hands against her bare skin at the small of her back. She pressed against him, and Justin wished she was still straddling him as her hips were too far below his to match need for need. Nicole yanked his shirt from his waistband, but he grabbed her wrist. She looked up at him in surprise, and he grinned. “I’m the one getting the prize here.”
The surprised looked changed quickly to a glare. “There is no prize-”
But Justin didn’t let her finish, he spun her around and laid her back across his bed. One side of his mouth curved into a wicked grin. “Have I ever told you how much a pain in the ass you can be?”
She continued to glare at him, but she pushed up on her elbows and then very deliberately let her gaze run over him from head to toe and with lingering appreciation, back up again. “Oh and you’re just perfect.” she retorted as she squirmed on the bed.
He watched her press her thighs together, almost as if she was aching. He pushed his knee between her legs, and parted them as he bent low over her and toyed with the buttons on the front of her shirt. “I’m not.” He plucked her buttons open one at a time, and pushed her shirt apart as he did. “And you might be a pain, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting you.”
“You have such way with words.” Nicole murmured sarcastically, but her hips bucked a little. He wanted this to last, even though he had rushed himself in the kitchen, he knew he needed to remember this. Justin heard her groan as he continued his excruciatingly slow removal of her clothes.
He released the front catch of her bra and bared her to him. The cooler air brushed over her hot skin, and made her nipples hard as rocks. Her back arched of it’s own volition as her body tried to get closer to his touch. “It‘s been too long...” He glanced from his approval of her bare breasts, to her eyes. “How could I forgotten how amazingly beautiful you are?” He pushed the flimsy bra and shirt aside, completely baring her to him.
He felt her tremble for his touch. “Justin,” she pleaded.
“You have to be patient.” he said, and slowly, so slowly he lowered his mouth to her. With the tip of his tongue, he circled her nipple, and jerked a cry of pleasure out of her. She reached for his head, he knew she wanted more than the teasing tip, but he swiftly pinned her wrists over her head with his hand. “We have all night.” he whispered. Nicole moaned and let her head drop back on the bed. She squirmed beneath his continued attention. He knew what she wanted, and he was going to give it to her, but damn it-he needed to savior this as well. He took her nipple between his lips and slowly suckled her. He heard her moan louder.
A groan in pleasure left his lips, almost a growl as he continued his exploration. She felt so soft, and smelled so good-just like he remembered her to be. She was familiar, but at the same time different. Because no matter how much time passed between them, she was the only woman capable of waking up something deep within he could never put into words even when he was hurting over someone else.
“Oh-” she gasped when he pulled on her nipple, then let it pop free. He heard gasp again when he did the same to the other. Her hips moved, and her arms went limp, her wrists his to control. “Don’t stop that,” she pleaded, when he shifted his mouth away. “Justin-” She whimpered when he again suckled her nipple. A small grin appeared on his face. He loved hearing the small whimpers that left her mouth due to his actions. To assured she would keep her hands above her head, he slid his hand down her arm, then slipped it behind her back, she arched to him and he pulled her bra and shirt completely off. He kept his tongue-and teeth-busy on the budded tips of her breasts. “Yes.” she moaned as he laid her back against the bed, and his tongue drew a lazy trail down the center of her torso.
“You feel so good.” he murmured as he toyed with her nipples, he rolled their damp tips between his fingers, then shifted to unbuttoned and unzip her jeans. With a little urging, she lifted her hips so he could slide them off. Her sandals fell to the floor along with the jeans. He took in a deep breath when his eyes fell on her, all she had on now was a string bikini panties of pale red cotton, which he left on.
“Are you trying to kill me?” she whined.
He knew she was disappointed he hadn’t taken off the panties as well. But he didn’t answer, instead he pulled her toward him so he could kneel at the edge of the bed between her thighs. “Seriously, the most impatient woman I have ever met.” he said as he ran his tongue along the elastic edge of her panties. He couldn’t deny it-he loved their banter-even in bed.
“Really J-” she breathed. “You have such way with words.” repeating her words from earlier.
He chuckled, but didn’t respond, instead he teased his tongue down the center of the cotton panel, then pulled it between his lips, soaking her through the wet fabric until she lifted her hands to claw them off. He pressed her hips to the bed. “Let me play.” he whispered, and glanced up at her.
She licked her lips, but didn’t say a word as she let her arms fall back on to the mattress, but then a split second later, she arched her back sharply and gasped when he pushed his tongue against her. He slid his hands down her hips, and with excruciating slowness he peeled the straps of her bikinis down with him. He kept his tongue pressed firmly against her as he slowly, peeled back the damp cotton. As the night air brushed her skin, she bucked against his mouth. He heard her whimper and felt her thrust her hips against him as he finally pulled her panties down enough to let his tongue slip up and over, then plunge deeply inside of her.
The sound that ripped from her mouth made him want to forget about taking this slow. Her hips lifted, driving his tongue even deeper. He didn’t stop, he kept the rhythm, and felt her climb. Nothing but Nicole mattered at that moment. He slipped several of his fingers into his mouth, then slid his hands up her body and took her nipples between his wet fingers again, softly tugged them, and flicked the pads across her tips.
She went wild beneath him, and it took the little self-control he had to not climb up on her body and bury himself deep within her. God, she was even more fucking beautiful this way. He knew this was supposed to be purely about sex, but Justin knew better-it always went beyond sex, even if it was only a few days, weeks. He slid the palm of one hand down her torso then slipped his fingers between her thighs. She growled deep, an almost guttural sound leaving her lips as she pressed herself into his face. As he slid his tongue up and over her wet, pulsing clit, and pulled it gently into his mouth, he pushed one finger deep inside of her. She was hot, tight and so ready. One slow slide out and when he pushed back in, she came. Hard.
Her hips jerked so violently, and her back arched so deeply as she held his head with her hands, and clutched at his fingers, still buried inside her, with her body. Damn, if this wasn’t hot, he didn’t know what was. He gripped her hips and slid her back up the bed and let her catch her breath as he peeled his shirt off, and unbuckled his belt and with one motion pulled his boxers and jeans down. Once he was as naked as her, he moved his body up between her legs. He was done waiting. “I think I’ve succeeded in changing your mind sweetheart.” he teased.
She gave him a drowsy smile through her heavy eyelids. “Hmm, fine. You win.” she murmured.
He smiled back and retorted. “I always win.” He settled his weight between her legs, and he heard a small whine leave her lips when he pressed his wet tip along her.
“Everything always has to be a competition with you.” she groaned, and bucked her hips against him, trying to get him to push his dick inside of her.
He nuzzled the side of her neck, and bit her ear. “And you always have to be so damn stubborn.” He hissed when he pressed his bare chest against her sensitive nipples.
“I am not stubborn.” she said defensively.
He snorted back his laughter. “Yes, you are.”
She closed her eyelids. “Whatever.”
“Are we done with the bickering?”
“Are we ever done with it?” she said, her eyes still shut, but his lips so close to hers now that when she spoke they brushed each other.
He ignored her question and said softly. “Come here.”
“What?” she said and opened her eyes once again.
“I just wanted you looking at me when I did this.” And with that, he gripped her hips, lifted her slightly and drove fully inside of her. His growl was low and long, and gratifying. He stayed deep, and pressed his forehead against her hair, his breathing uneven. “Shit...you feel so tight.” he stammered. “You know what? I take it back-you aren’t stubborn.”
Nicole wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him even deeper. “Yeah?” And she laughed as she began to move beneath him. “I’m going to hold you to that statement.”
He grunted, tried to hold back, but a split second later, he gave in and began to match her, thrust for thrust. “You do what you have to do.” Then he buried his face in the curve of her neck and took her with him until they both panted and grunted, and their bodies slapped together as they both went about staking their claim on one another. “Nicole.” he panted, and nudged her face back to his. They both glistened with sweat, and Justin found it incredible to be deep inside of her.
“Right here.” she told him, and stared into his eyes. Justin felt his heart flutter, as he locked his gaze on her. This was right, having her like this, it just felt...right. He felt at home. His back arched, and he pulled her legs up higher and buried himself as deeply as he could, and shuddered through a climax that rocked them both.
After a few moments, he gather himself up and rolled from her, his head falling back on the pillows. He turned to face her, and she smiled in satisfaction. She reached out and touched the side of his face, then brushed her knuckles underneath his chin. He chuckled lightly, but didn’t say a word. It was a simple gesture, but it said everything that they were both too afraid to say out loud. Her hand moved away, and they both stared blindly at the walls, as they fought to catch their breaths. All the stress, anger, sadness he had been holding in for the past weeks had evaporated, all he was left with now was a sense of pure satisfaction.
They didn’t say anything for a few moments, he finally glanced back over at her. “That definitely took the edge off.” he joked. Nicole turned her head in his direction, and burst out laughing. He grin widely down at her, and he realized that he needed to be close to her again.
“Only you would say something like that after sex.” she said between her giggles.
He leaned back in and tipped her face up to him and kissed her, quieting the giggles. This kiss was tender, quiet and it made his heart squeezed almost painfully when she responded in kind. For the past few weeks he had been so consumed with the darkness he had been left with, that he had forgotten about the sweet affection, and honest emotion another human being could bring. There was so many things he wanted to say to her, but he was wise to know it wasn’t the best time. He broke from her lips, and placed a kiss on the side of her cheek before he rolled back to his side of the bed. He turned his face in her direction again. “Nic-” he started when he realized he hadn’t used a condom. Fuck. He had been so lost in the moment- that the idea of protection had not crossed his mind.
Nicole moved a strand of hair away from her face and turned to face him. “I’m on birth control.” she answered without him having to ask.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “How did you know it had anything to do with that?”
“Because I was thinking it too.” He pulled her into his arms, and she propped her chin on his chest. He smiled down at her, this is what he loved about his relationship with Nicole, there was no qualms about what they could talk about...even in bed. “I think I left the oven door open.” she mused out loud.
Justin laughed for what seemed the hundredth time and toyed with the long strands of her hair and just like that, the subject could change. “I think you did too.” he answered. This was better than being out at bars any night of the week. There was a sense of contentment in the room, as it got quiet again.
Justin spoke after a few more moments of silence. “Nicole?” He wanted to make something clear to her that he hadn’t done the night before.
“Hmm?”
“About grad school...” She blinked up at him in surprise. “I think you should do it. If going abroad is something you want-and grad school will get you there-then do it. Don’t second guess yourself, because then you’ll end up hating yourself for not trying.” He had meant to say all of this to her yesterday-before the interruptions. She was always pushing and giving him support when he wasn’t sure about things in his life, and he wanted to do the same for her.
She sighed. “I know...”
“You’re still scared?” he guessed.
“I just want to make sure I’m not wasting my time with it.”
“If you want it that badly-then I don’t see it as a waste of time.” Justin said. “But only you can truly answer that. I also know you-and I know that you wouldn’t have researched something like this-if it wasn‘t something you really wanted.” he finished. Nicole had never been an insecure person, but just like any other human being, she had moments when she needed a reassurance voice to make her see things under a different light.
She gave him a small smile, but didn’t say a word. Instead she pressed her cheek against his bare chest. Justin knew there was nothing more he could say, now it was up to her to decide what was best. He continued to toy with her hair for the next few minutes in silence. She slid her palm over his right peck and then he felt her shiver. “You cold?” he asked.
She pulled away from him and sat up. “Yeah, I guess I am.” she said with a smile and glanced around to the clothes lying on the floor. Justin swallowed the lump in his throat as she placed one hand on the bed for balance, and then lifted her hot little naked ass just enough to reach down and grab his shirt on the floor.
“Did you forget that’s mine?” he teased .
He watched her slip the shirt on. She looked up at him. “Nope.” she answered as she sat Indian style on the bed, her fingers began to button up the bottom buttons on the shirt. “I don’t know where you tossed mine at.” she added with a smile as she looked at him through her lashes.
It took every part of in his body to not pounce on her again. He thanked the heavens above when she left the two top buttons undone. She made him feel alive. She made him forget about the pain he been holding on to for the past few weeks. He blinked out of his thoughts and got up from the bed and without saying a word he walked toward his closet.
“Where are you going?” she called after him.
“I just remembered something.“ he called back as he stepped inside and reached for a pair of black sweat pants. He slipped them on and then grabbed the medium size gift stashed in one of the drawers and walked back out. He stopped for a brief second as his eyes fell back on her. He realized there and then that he could do this for always. Be this way with her, if she let him. Because it wasn’t just the physical connection he enjoyed with her-it was everything she offered. Her smile, her laugh, her sassiness, her ambition, her heart. Everything.
“What is it?” she asked, and tugged a strand of hair behind her ear.
“What is what?”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “You said you remembered something.”
Justin shook his head slightly and walked back to the bed. “Oh, right, your birthday gift.” Nicole looked up at him in surprise. He smirked before he sat down. “What? You think I’d forget or something?” he joked and placed the gift on the bed. Ironically he had bought the gift a few weeks ago in London when he had flown out to see Britney for a few days.
Nicole shook her head. “What? No, that’s not it.” she stammered. “Thank you, but J- my birthday isn’t until next week.”
He gave a small nod. “I know, but by then we’ll be in two separate places.” he grinned. “And I just want you to have it now.” he said honestly. He had meant to give her the gift later in the week, but now seemed as good at time as ever. It hadn’t been a gift he had planned, it had sort of landed on his lap when him and Britney had gone shopping.
She brushed her fingers through her bed hair and smiled as she reached out for the box. “What is it?” she asked.
“Open it and find out.” She chewed on her lower lip to hide the smile, but slowly pulled at the white ribbon and it became undone. “The ribbon was as crafty as I could get.” he stated. He had placed it in a medium purple gift box and tied the ribbon around it.
“Yeah?” she said with a bigger smile.
“Yeah, so don’t make too much fun at it.” He watched as she took the lid off, and peeled the gift wrap tissue paper. For a few moments, she kept her gaze on the open gift in front of her, then looked back at him wide-eyed.
“Where did you find it?” she whispered as her fingertips touched it. Justin was surprised to see tears in her eyes.
“At a book store in London.” he said.
When Nicole had been 11 years old, she been introduced to Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden. It had been a book that had been sitting on her parents bookcase, and one day she picked it up and quickly fell in love with story. She loved it so much that Justin was pretty sure she had it memorized that year. When Nicole’s dad realized how many times she had read it, he had given it to her. It turned out to be a first edition he had purchased back in Sheffield England when he had been teaching abroad. The book of course didn’t have major significance until after he had died. And then Nicole carried it in her backpack every day. Of course she didn’t tell anyone that, but he had seen it. When she had turned 15, the book had been damaged and rained on after she had forgotten her backpack in the bed of a friend’s pick-up truck.
And even though she told him it wasn’t a big deal, Justin knew better. He knew that book made her feel connected to her father somehow. So ever since then, whenever he was in a different city, and he had a chance to go into book stores he would try to find the book, but for the past 6 years, he had not had any luck-until a few weeks ago in London that is. Britney had entered a shoe store, and he had seen the local book store across the street. So he had walked over-not expecting anything, and he hadn’t found anything, until he was on his way out and saw the book sitting behind the counter.
“I’ve looked everywhere for the first edition and that’s as close I could get.” he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. His intentions had not been to make her cry, or to upset her.
“Close as you could get?” Nicole repeated.
“Yeah, that one is only the second edition.” he informed her.
“J...I lost this book when I was fifteen.” she reminded.
He nodded. “Yeah, I know.”
“And you’ve been looking for one like it ever since?” she whispered, and locked her gaze on him. But before he had a chance to answer, she leaned forward and kissed him so soft and so sweet that he moaned. After a few moments, she broke away from his lips and gave him a small smile through the tears.
Justin wiped the tears away with his thumb. “Baby, don’t cry.” he said. Now he felt bad, the book wasn’t supposed to be making her feel this way.
She sniffed. “I’m fine.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re crying.” he reminded. “Birthday presents aren’t supposed to make you cry.” he tried to joke. “Unless they aren’t what you want.”
She laughed through her tears before she kissed him again. He cupped her cheek and pulled her closer to him. He nibbled at her bottom lip, making her moan this time. Why weren’t they together again? They shared such a strong connection, and why wasn’t he with her? Why did this only seem to happen in passing? There was a kind of serenity between them when they ended up like this, regardless of the bickering and arguing they did. And she made him want to be better. Nicole never let him get away with anything. The perfect example of that was how she had been the only one to get him out of his funk. Everyone else had tried, but Nicole had been the only one capable of making him see things in a different light. So he asked himself again: why wasn’t he with her?
“It’s perfect.” she whispered into his mouth, and breaking him out if his thoughts.
“I don’t like to see you cry.” he said as he pulled away and locked eyes with her. “That was not my intention.”
She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I know it wasn’t. And it’s not bad tears.” she told him with a small grin.
He gave her a doubtful look. “You sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” she answered with a nod and then gave him a peck on the lips. “Thank you for finding it.” Justin didn’t let her move too far from his lips, he leaned in and captured her lips once again. She drove her tongue into his mouth as he claimed hers for his own. He felt this fierce, overwhelming sense of protectiveness for her that went beyond their friendship. Man, he was in trouble. This should not be happening to him right now. This was supposed to be physical. Nicole was to satisfy his physical needs, just like he was supposed to satisfy her in the same way. And at times it did feel that way- when it was just about the sex, but then nights like these made it different. So completely different, that Justin found himself wanting something he knew he could never have again.
Nicole broke from his lips. “I’m kind of hungry now.” she said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Justin chuckled lightly and stood up. “Yeah...so I am.” he agreed, his eyes never leaving her face. His heart squeezed, and maybe he could never have it again, but for the time being he would take whatever he could get.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Thank you for the awesome feedback! :) This chapter is kind of long. Hope you enjoy!
Story Tags: friendsturnedlovers
