Chapter 22
The phones rang non-stop; she barely had time to breathe.
"Illana, can you pull the Stover file please?" Her boss called.
She stood, the phone resting on her shoulder, and went to the s's and scanned for the file. Quickly retrieving it, she tossed it on her desk and listened while the customer rattled off on how unhappy she was with the bill she'd received in the mail. She groaned, five o'clock couldn't come fast enough. She was tired and hungry and all she wanted was to rest. The rest of the day went on like this; she ate a quick lunch, which consisted of a bagel and a cup of raspberry yogurt. If it hadn't been for Kris making her laugh, she surely would've lost it, more than once.
"I can't take it anymore, I'm gonna scream!" Illana moaned.
"Come on, take a break in here with me." Kris suggested.
"Kris, you've been in here the last fifteen minutes."
"I know!" She grinned.
Illana rolled her eyes and sighed heavily.
"From the sound of that sigh, sounds like you got a lot on your mind."
"I guess."
"Does this have to do with Nick?"
She rubbed at her head, Kris was painfully observant. "Why do you say that?"
"You haven't been right since he stopped by before. Something going on with you two?"
"No, we're just friends."
Kris looked at her. "Riiiight."
"What?! We are! Besides, he used to date Vanessa."
"AH HA!"
"What's that mean?"
"I dunno, just always wanted to say that, ya know like I made some big discovery or something." Kris laughed.
Illana rolled her eyes. "Well there's nothing to discover. We're friends and that's it."
"You sure?"
"What do you mean am I sure? Of course I'm sure."
Kris tilted her head, studying her thoughtfully.
Illana looked at her. "What?!"
"You have feelings for him don't you?"
"Kris!"
"You want him."
"Kris! Stop that!"
"You've kissed him haven't you?"
Her mouth dropped. "Amazing!"
"Is that a yes?"
"I...well...yes it's a yes."
"I knew it." Kris grinned in satisfaction.
"How?"
"It's written all over your face. You might as well stop denying it. You care about him, in more than a friendly way."
"KRIS! You've been in here for over twenty minutes!" Mr. Mathstead called, standing in the doorway of the breakroom.
"Oops! Busted! I'll talk to ya later!" She laughed, walking by their boss, patting him playfully on the cheek.
Laughing at her friend, she stared down at the table. Kris wasn't right, was she? ************************************************************************
She struggled to get the bags through the door, before letting them drop to the floor. She slammed the door shut. She really didn't feel like making dinner, she was way too tired and too wound up. The day had gotten progressively worse, causing her to leave work an hour later than usual.
After changing clothes, she started putting her groceries away. Turning, she looked at what she'd left out to fix and groaned. Maybe she'd just have a bowl of cereal. Her head turned at the knock at her door. Closing her eyes, she prayed it wasn't Vanessa, she couldn't deal with her tonight. Wearily, she made her way over to the door, swinging it open.
"Hey!"
Her eyes widened. "Nick! What...what are you doing here? What's that?" She pointed at the bags in his hands.
He held them up. "Dinner!" He grinned.
"Dinner?" She stepped aside as he strolled in, setting the bags on the table. She inhaled the sent of noodles and something fried.
"I brought Chinese take out. I figured you'd be tired and hungry, so I thought..." He shrugged.
She looked at the bags, then at him, then back at the bags. "You brought me dinner."
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
She looked up at him again. "No, of course not it's just...I mean...wow. Thank you."
"Did you already have something planned?"
"Actually no, I was just gonna make a bowl of cereal. Work was hectic today, really bad, and I didn't feel like cooking." She shook her head, still shocked.
"Wow, well I guess I came at a good time then." He smiled, turning to start digging through the bags.
"Yeah, I guess you did." She whispered, walking over to stand next to him.
"I remember one time you went out with me and Vanessa for Chinese, but I couldn't remember what you liked, so I got a whole bunch of stuff. Let's see, all kinds of good things here. Moo sho gui pan, sweet and sour pork, umm...what else? Egg and shrimp rolls, I remember you liked those!" He winked, taking the containers out. " Chop Suey, Chicken Chow Mien, Chicken fried rice, regular rice, Sesame chicken and to finish it off, fried noodles and fortune cookies."
"Damn Nick, did you buy out the resturant?"
"Nah, just couldn't make up my mind." He set the containers out and put the box to the side.
"Geeze! Let me get the plates and stuff."
"Don't bother, we can just eat from the cartons."
"Ok cool. At least let me get the silverware."
"Got that covered." He smiled, pulling out two slim packages
"What's that?"
"Chop sticks."
"Oh god I'm terrible with those! You remember what happened last time!" She laughed.
"Yeah, you dropped your noodles all over the front of your shirt and on your pants, looked like you had an accident!" Nick chuckled.
"Man, I couldn't cover it either. How embarrassing." She rolled her eyes, grinning.
"It's ok though, I can help you now."
"Alright fine, but I think you just want to see me drop my food." She announced, grabbing a few of the cartons and heading over to the couch, setting them on the table.
"Ahh, you got me." He called, grabbing the rest of the cartons and setting them down on the table with the rest of them
"Uh-huh, I'm on to you Carter." She smirked, sitting down.
"Oh I almost forgot." Nick walked over and got another bag and brought it over.
"Do I even need to ask what that is?"
"Wine Coolers, strawberry."
"Mmm, my favorite." She smiled.
"Here ya go." He handed her one of the packages, which she tore open. Nick watched as she struggled with the sticks. Chuckling, he scooted closer to her, taking the sticks from her fingers. "I'm pretty good at them now, considering I travel so much and am sometimes forced to try things I don't wanna, including using chop sticks. Try this." Taking her hand, he carefully placed the sticks in-between her fingers the right way. "Now, move your finger up and down." He watched her move her finger, her face lighting up.
"Hey! I did it!"
"Ok, now try to actually pick something up." He laughed.
She grabbed a carton and picked up a piece of pork. " I did it!" She cried. "Look out, Imma tear this food up!" She popped the food in her mouth, chewing happily.
Nick laughed and started eating. They shared the containers, each picking and choosing what they wanted, then washing it down with a wine cooler.
"Vanessa told me you called her. How'd it go?" She asked, munching on a noodle.
"Eh, not a good idea. What'd she say?"
She really didn't want to bring it up. "Not much, just that you called."
"Knowing her, she probably said I was desperate or something."
Illana's gaze darted over to him.
He chuckled. "Remember, I dated her for a year Lana."
She nodded and cracked her cookie open. " 'The love you seek is in front of you'" She read, looking over at Nick. He smiled and opened his.
" 'Love comes from friendship'"
They looked at each other and no one spoke for a moment. Quietly, they packed the left over food up and sat back down. They chatted about work and Nick's upcoming album release.
"So, what's it gonna be like?"
"Well, we're going for a whole new sound, but ya know, keep it the same."
She stared at him.
"You know what I mean!" He laughed.
She shook her head, grinning.
"So anyway..."
She tried to focus on what he was saying, but her gaze kept drifting to his lips. She'd felt those lips on hers, tasted them. Her thoughts drifted to what her and Kris had talked about, about her caring about him as more than friends. About her wanting him. He was sitting there, and he didn't know, didn't know of the longing and the lust that was overwhelming her. He didn't know.
Sittin' over here
Starin' in your face
With lust in my eyes
Sure don't give a damn and
Ya don't know
That I've been dreamin' of ya
In my fantasy
It'd always seemed to Illana, that he never really noticed her. She'd hang out with him and Vanessa and he was always nice to her, but it never really seemed like he noticed her. He would never guess how much she wanted him to stop the ache inside, to stop the longing. She wondered what he wanted, if he wanted and needed the same things she did.
Never once you looked at me
Don't even realize that I'm wantin' you
To fulfill my needs
Think what ya want
Let your mind free
Run free to a place no one dares to
He could tell she's wandered off, her eyes were glazed over and she was staring at his mouth. He bit back a moan as she pulled her bottom lip into her full mouth. Images of the night before crept into his mind. He'd dreamt about her all night. Of her under him, over him and him buried deep within her.
Her dreams lately all seemed to be about him. Touching, kissing, loving her. She drew her lip into her mouth at the remembrance of the feel of him inside, moving against her. She cleared her throat and nodded at him. He was still talking and she wondered if he ever dreamed, dreamed of what she did.
How many nights I've laid in bed excited over you
I've closed my eyes and thought of us
A hundred different ways
I've gotten there so many times
I wonder how 'bout you
Day and night, night and day
All I've got to say is...
She could stand it no longer; she had to taste him again. Reaching over, she grabbed his chopsticks, and put them down. He stopped talking as she slowly she moved closer to him, looking into his eyes. She couldn't stop herself as she brought her hand up to caress his cheek. She watched as his eyes darkened, never leaving hers. She brought her other hand up, cupping his face. She stared at him a moment longer, before bringing her lips to his.
If I was your girl
Oh the things I'd do to you
I'd make you call out my name
I'd ask who it belongs to
If I was your woman
The things I'd do to you
But I'm not, so I can't
Then I won't
But, if I was your girl
Shock coursed through him. He'd been trying to hold back, but was quickly loosing the battle. Now that she'd taken the first step, the tight hold on his composure was slipping. He wound his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, his eyes drifting shut. He could see her, her body bare beneath him, moaning, calling out his name. He whimpered softly, running his hands through her hair. She was driving him crazy.
She gasped as she felt him push her back on the couch, his body covering hers. He felt so good on her. She felt his hand move down her stomach and in-between her knees, pushing them apart. She spread them apart as he rested between them. She could feel her body start to tremble as his hands moved over her body, his hands massaging her thighs gently before moving up. She needed to feel him. Grabbing his shirt, she pulled it up and he pushed it off, running her hands over his warm back.
Allow me sometime to play with your mind
And you'll get there again and again
Close your eyes and imagine my body undressed
Take your time, cause we've got all night
You on the rise as you're touchin' my thighs
Her hands felt so good on him, on his bare skin. He turned, shifting her so she was resting on top as he pushed her closer to him, her breasts pressing against his chest. He heard her soft gasp as his lips nibbled on her neck. It was as if he knew her dreams, her desires. She pushed her hips against his and heard his sharp intake of breath. She pulled away from him, her lips covering his briefly before moving down, placing gentle kisses on his chest. She came back up, and his lips found hers greedily. Daringly her hand moved lower, past his stomach. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes as she cupped him in her hand.
And let me know what ya like
If ya like, I'll go down
Da down down da down down
I'll hold you in my hand baby
"Lana...mmm...shit..." He moaned, his eyes shut tight as he pressed his head into the cushions.
"Nick, you feel so good, so good." She stroked him through his pants; she could feel his body harden against her touch. She brought her lips back down to his chest again, kissing him lightly as she continued to move her hand.
"Lana...damnit." Nick grabbed her and pulled her up, kissing her fiercely. He turned so he was over her again; he pushed his hips against hers. He wanted her so bad.
"Nick...god." She moaned before his lips covered hers again. She wanted him so bad.
Your smooth and shiny
Feels so good against my lips sugar
I want you so bad I can taste your love
Right now baby
Day and night, night and day
All I've got to say is...
He pushed against her one last time, before his body stilled. She squeezed her eyes shut as the shudders took her over. She felt his body relax on hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly.
"Lana." He whispered against her neck. Slowly he pulled her up; they still held each other.
"Nick...I...I don't know what came over me. Must've been the Chinese food." Illana muttered against his chest. She felt his body shake as he chuckled, and she pulled away to look into his eyes.
"Lana, that was almost like that night on the phone."
She felt her face flush as she slid off his lap.
"I knew you'd feel so good on me holding me, stroking me. Next time Lana, there will be no barriers." He leaned in close and kissed her gently. "Goodnight baby." He stood and left.
When she was sure she'd heard his car speed off, she threw herself on the couch again and squealed in excitement. It lasted only two seconds. Quickly she sat up, oh god what had she done? As much as she enjoyed it, she never should've started it. She chewed on her nail a small smile played on her lips. She never should've started it, but she was glad she did. If only, if only she was his.
If I was your girl
Oh the things I'd do to you
I'd make you call out my name
I'd ask who it belongs to
If I was your woman
The things I'd do to you
But I'm not, so I can't
Then I won't
But, if I was your girl
If - Janet Jackson
