*AJ*
“What’s with Nick?” I asked as he lead the girl away.
“I dunno. What’re you talking about?” Howie asked.
“Her. what’s he see in her?”
“Well, let’s see. She’s cute, she’s funny, she’s not fawning all over him,” Howie said as he ticked off his fingers.
I rolled my eyes. D always stated the obvious. “You don’t think it’s weird, man? She sure doesn’t look like his type.”
“Maybe his type has changed,” Howie said with a shrug. I could tell by his expression he didn’t care one way or the other.
“So soon? He just broke up with that Cindy chick, what—two days ago? And she sure as hell didn’t look nothing like her.” Cindy had been a babe. A major babe. But when she opened her mouth the only thing that came out was nonsensical babble.
“And your point is what? Damn, AJ. Let Nick have some fun. Maybe he just wants a friend.”
Yeah, right.
When they came back in from their dance, she was laughing and Nick was going on about something, and they didn’t sit with me and D. Instead, they moved to the next booth over, and I couldn’t help but watch as they settled next to each other. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but Nick sure as fuck looked like it was the most important thing in the world.
*Nick*
Shannon was telling me about when she auditioned for the symphony as we sat together. She was sitting close, and had turned to face me. I noticed she talked with her hands a lot. When she wasn’t motioning with them, she was pushing her wavy hair back or brushing at her skirt.
“I’m just going on and on. I’m sorry,” she said, folding her hands in her lap. Her pinky ring caught my gaze again.
“No, it’s interesting,” I assured her, though if she’d quizzed me on what she’d said I’d have failed. Miserably.
“Right, sure. So is scraping gum off of movie theater seats,” she said, shaking her head.
She had the most beautiful eyes. “Do you wear contacts?” I blurted.
“Huh?” She looked confused.
“Your eyes. They’re...different,” I said. Ah, shit. “In a good way,” I added.
“Oh. I do wear contacts, but not colored ones. These are natural,” she said. “My grandmother always told me it was because I was special,” she said softly.
I nodded. “They’re beautiful,” I murmured, and I couldn’t resist reaching up to touch her cheek. She sucked in a breath and tensed, and when I pulled my hand away she looked up at me. What was she so scared of?
“Why did you do that?” she whispered.
“Because I wanted to.”
“Do you always do what you want to?”
“Within reason.” Reaching up, I touched her cheek again, and this time she didn’t tense. Her eyes closed briefly, and when I leaned closer she gasped. “What?” I whispered.
She shook her head, opening her eyes to look at me. “What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to be suave and try to kiss you,” I said. She was making it very difficult.
She made a face, then flashed me the most beautiful smile in the world. “Nick, I shouldn’t.”
Great. Now came the admissions—she had a boyfriend, or, worse, a husband waiting at home for her. Or, worst of all, she was gay. “Why not?” I asked, and was slightly relieved when she slid closer.
“Because you’re Nick Carter, Mr. Pop Star,” she said softly.
Funny, most girls found that a turn-on. Why was she so different? Didn’t it matter to her that I was famous? “What’s wrong with that?”
She shrugged, and her hand landed on my chest. “Nothing, I guess.” She looked down at her hand, as though surprised she was touching me. “But, Nick, you can have any woman you want. Why are you wasting your time on me?”
Sighing, I carefully put my hand on her waist. “Because, you’re fun and don’t seem intimidated by me,” I told her, and when she looked up at me I saw something flicker in her eyes. “It’s not every day I meet a beautiful girl who doesn’t know who I am.”
She snorted, and when I felt her start to pull away I held her tight. For some strange reason, I didn’t want her to get away. “You’re full of it, Nick,” she said, but her hand returned to my chest.
Smiling, I pulled her close. “Admit it, Shannon.”
“Admit what? You’re an idiot?”
She had the craziest knack for making me laugh. “I may be an idiot, baby, but come on You like me.”
“God, now you’re gonna start the Sally Field speech on me? You must be really desperate.”
“You like me, you really like me,” I told her.
*Shannon*
Okay, so I liked him. What was his point? “Nick, I can’t,” I whispered. When had he gotten so close? The only thing I could see or feel or smell was him, and it was all good. Damn him, anyway. I did not come here looking for that kind of a good time.
“Just a little kiss,” he insisted. “Let me see if those lips taste as sweet as they look,” he murmured.
Holy shit. Was he flirting with me? Before I could think of a reply his lips were on mine, and God help me, they felt good. Soft and gentle and when his hand crept up my back and he began playing with my hair I couldn’t resist sliding my arms around his neck.
His words and touches had done something to me. My lips parted of their own free will when I felt his tongue there, and suddenly I was kissing him back with all the passion I could muster.
He was different. He really liked me, didn’t he?
Something’s not right
If there ain’t nothing wrong
And it’s got me wondering
Why ain’t I running
Why ain’t I gone?