But then both were pre occupied with each other ...and not the tiresome business of being stuck on a plane
They held hands the whole flight....
Nick even attempting to take her with him for a pee
He could tell she was nervous ....and he was determined to be supremely supportive
He chatted and made jokes......tried to sense when she needed to be quiet
did everything he could think of to be “there’ for her
It had been surprisingly easy opening a gap in their schedule ...and National Geographic had been more than willing to organise a return visit to the volcano...
Presumably nothing to do with helping Heather find her “closure’ ...just more of a “damage control’ operation.
The news of the “freak accident’ had hit the headlines big time....
Possibly due to the nature of it possibly due to Heather being hooked up with Nick Carter.....
Not that the “big wigs’ at National Geographic had much of an idea who he was ...
but they were left in no doubt once Heather’s name and theirs started being splashed across the media in connection with the cancellation of BSB tour dates!
For whatever reason they had offered to make the arrangements Heather had been grateful.....she needed this....her life with Nick could not continue untainted unless she got the “closure’ her mind craved.
When he came back from the toilet Nick noticed a suspicious layer of moisture gathering in Heather eyes... he was quick to act ..
They only had another half hour of the flight and he was determined to make it fun.
Grabbing a blanket he flopped back into his seat throwing the blanket over his head
Heather giggled....”Nicky ?...what are you doing?”
A muffled voice came back at her “Playing a game!”
“And what game would this be???”
The “blanket’ turned toward her
It spoke!
“Its called ...’guess which finger I’m pickin’ my nose wit?”
Heather collapsed in hysterics ... “Nicky you are soooooo gross.......!!”
The “blanket’ mumbled at her “Does that means you give up?”
“No Nicky.....it doesn’t ........okay left hand index finger?”
The “blanket’ chuckled sexily “Nope that one is scratchin’ my.........”
Heather squealed “NICKOLAS!!!!!!”
She dove under the blanket with him they spent the last half hour giggling and whispering!
Representatives from National Geographic met them at the airport.
Having been asked NOT to lay on a reception.....a suggestion Heather nearly fainted at .....
She was pleased to see they had at least listened to her request for ‘no fuss’
A senior “rep’ named Phillippa escorted them to their hotel.
Vastly superior to the one her and Simon had stayed in prior to the assignment.
She felt her body shudder as a memory slipped into her conscious mind.
Nick wasn’t slow to pick up on it.... “You ok honey?”
With what she hoped was a convincing smile she answered quietly “mmmmm?...sorry Nicky I’m fine really.....I just...just remembered something....”
“What was it?......wanna talk about it?”
“No sweetie ....it’s okay ....it was just a fleeting thing”
Their eyes met smiling reassuringly
Phillippa followed them to their suite....escorted by the hotel manager staying with them while the manager explained the facilities and the room service.
Nick had heard this “spiel’ a thousand times before at hotels around the world...he just wanted them to leave!
The Manager gave a swift nod at Nicks “thank you’ and left.
Phillippa was not so easy to get rid of!
If she caught the look in Nick’s eye then she did not acknowledge it.
“If it is agreeable with you Miss Reeves ....we’ll will pick you up at 10 am...?the helicopter will fly you there at 10.30....”
Phillippa held eye contact with Heather for a moment or two before lowering her gaze. When she raised her eyes again there was an uncertainty there.“Miss Reeves ?”
Heather merely stared at her.... not sure she wanted to be asked anything difficult
“I....just wanted to say ...how brave..I mean....how courageous...you are bei......”
Nick intervened.... “Thank you Miss ermm...Phillippa....we’re kinda tired so if you
doan mind?”
Phillippa found herself propelled toward the door and right out of it with barely time to say good-bye...
Nick closed the door behind her ....locking it with a flick of his wrist.
He looked at Heather almost apologetically “Sorry baby... I just didn’t want her saying something dumb!”
Heather smiled “You mean like you do!”
“HEY I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!!”
Heather's eyes flashed at him....
“OH So that's the kinda night I'm in for huh????”
He began to advance on her....
She giggled and ran “I’m going for a shower....”
Nick grabbed a towel off the bed and raced to follow her to the bathroom . “Not without me you’re not!!”
She turned and poked him in the chest! “Who said you could share Carter?”
Nick lifted her left hand ....kissing the engagement ring that circled her third finger...
“This says I can”
His voice... so soft and sexy she felt her toes curl with gnawing desire
Two soft lips caressed her palm...their journey up along her arm slow and agonisingly sensual....her neck exposed in anticipation of his kiss.
Within seconds her lips were crushed by his.....
Tucking his arm securely around her waist he lifted her so her feet were off the ground ,then he walked them closer to the shower....
She giggled in the kiss
“Oh very romantic..... you giggling at me ...here I am tryin to be all “he man’....”
She hushed him with a finger to his lips.....whispering softly “Turn it on baby....”
Nick couldn’t resist grabbing himself.....his smirk creasing his delicious lips “Already is baby!!!”
Heather blushed and pointed to the shower nozzle... “THAT!”
Stretching out his long arms he turned the water on full.
Heather's’ fingers trailed over his shirt buttons unsnapping them one by one...
His skin was hot.....soft and hot....slowly she pushed the shirt away from his chest....exposing his nipple ....unable to stop herself she let her thumb caress it....
She heard and felt the slight gasp that escaped him....
Her tongue flicked over the erect bud.....
Slowly she looked up to see Nicks eyes .....deep blue with lust....his lips moving but no sound coming out!
Exposing the other nipple she continued her torment .....his shirt falling to the floor his groan of pleasure delighting her ....healing her slowly.
He had promised her he would help her heal .....and she could feel it now..so safe in his love ..so safe with him...safe enough to express herself ....her feelings.
Having rendered him motionless and speechless she stripped him totally.
Finally he did speak...albeit a mere croak of his normal voice “Wasn’t I gonna seduce you?”
Heather giggled “Get in the shower Carter!!!”
She edged him backwards into the shower and the water cascaded down his body.
Heather's belly lurched with desire.....
Her eyes scanning the vision.....seemingly following every single droplet of water that trickled down his chest...following it to his abdomen .....along his erection and dripping off the end......
she tried not to stare at him...but he was too beautiful....
Distracted by this spectacle ...she did not resist the hand the grabbed hers and had no strength to resist being pulled into the shower fully clothed.
His eyes hypnotic....
His swift capture of her lips paralyzing…
When they parted she looked down at herself
Her t-shirt soaked .....and a big blue eyed man gazing at her breasts!
Damn him for being irresistible.....
Tenderly he removed her clothes flinging them out of the shower.
The kisses began again.....
In between kisses they lovingly soaped and caressed each other.....
Taking time.....taking care....before the eroticism of it all became too much for them
and the final act of passion was played out in the shower to the rhythm of the water!
His strength incredible....her willingness to surrender to him giving him rushes of love he feared he would never be able to feel again......
Their release so powerful even Nicks’ strong legs could not hold them up!!
They spent a few minutes giggling and gasping on the shower floor before managing to crawl out of the shower.....
Instantly attentive Nick grabbed the largest towel and wrapped it around her ..rubbing her back.. her shoulders...
Heather watched his eyes ......watched him concentrate
Standing there naked and wet.....making sure she was alright!
Watching him dry himself was almost as exciting as watching him get wet!!
Finally they lay together in the big warm bed....
Words seeming unnecessary after such a vivid display of love.
Sleep came easily...despite the nerves for the morning.....
Curiously it was Nick who remained awake the longest cradling his love as he listened to her breathing change to that of deepening sleep.
His eyes filled with tears ....that meandered slowly down his cheeks....
He wasn’t even sure why he was crying......relief? ....anxiety?....
One thing he was sure about ...he dearly wished he could turn back time!
To those few days before she had left for the “ill fated” assignment...
He would NEVER have let her go....!!
Nick fell to sleep wishing he had the gift of foresight....yet cursing the existence of hindsight