Chapter 8
     “ Well Happy Birthday.” The deep voice said. She turned around to try and see whom it was, but the figure was still hidden in the shadows of the club. “What? How …did… you know?” Melissa said through her shortened breath and tears. “Well let’s just say I wasn’t too happy with something that went on in that club tonight either and you’re not the only one who needed an escape.” The voice said as he inched out of the darkness and stepped towards her, now standing right in front of her, close to the water. “ I always find the beach and the ocean so relaxing when I’m frustrated, angry, or well, just pissed.” His small smirk dazzled as he reached up to wipe away a tear that was rolling down her flushed cheeks before extending his hand to her. “ Hi, I’m Nick… and you are?” Melissa could barely utter her name. It was Nick Carter. He stood before her, wearing black leather pants and a silk dark blue shirt, unbuttoned and exposing his black tank top. His hair was disheveled and he was holding his shoes in his hands. She was overcome at his stature and his sparkling blue eyes that were staring back at her. Yet she noticed that his eyes were slightly bloodshot, it had looked from crying. It also looked like the side of his face was swollen, almost if he had been punched in the face. “ Melissa.” She said lightly as she rested her hand in his. He grabbed it and slowly lifted it to the pouty, sexy mouth that she had always fantasized about. He brushed his lips lightly against her hand and said, “ It’s a pleasure, Melissa. Now, please, tell me who and what has you so upset? I know when it’s my birthday I don’t let anything stop me from celebrating.” Nick said comfortingly, trying to make her smile again. She slowly smiled at his attempt and mostly from the feeling of his sensual lips that had just touched her skin. “ See, now that’s what I want to see. Now tell me what you are so upset about?” he asked lovingly. “Oh, it’s just…I’m sorry, I don’t want to bother you with my problems.” She said turning away from him and facing the calm ocean. “Plus, I’m sure you have lots of things on your mind… didn’t you say that you like to come out here when you are upset? Is everything ok with you?” she asked, turning back around, her full brown eyes staring back up at him, the moon sparkling in her eyes. He noticed this and knew why he had approached her. Her dark hair was now blowing lightly in the wind and her low-cut purple shirt and tight black pants perfectly accentuated her body. “Well how about this, you tell me your problems and I’ll think about sharing mine.” He said with a grin. “Oh I see, so that’s how it works…hmmm…” she said still debating whether or not she should tell him about Howie. He is his friend and she wasn’t sure if she wanted Howie to know that he made her this upset. She decided to tell him the story, but happened to omit Howie’s name. Maybe she would tell him after he shared his story and she got to know him a little better, or at least he could understand her view of the story before he could run and tell Howie. “Let’s take a walk. I have a beach house not far down the beach so if we get tired, cold, or just want a drink or something we can go there.” Nick said as he started to walk down the moonlit beach. Melissa hesitated slightly, not wanting to step into another situation with a Backstreet Boy that could end up hurting her. Nick was so sexy, so hot and completely irresistible, she definitely did not trust herself around him, but she was so mad at Howie and wanted to have a great birthday, and he wasn’t going to stop her.
   As they walked along the surf of the ocean, Melissa told Nick of what had happened that night. She told him that she had met this guy a few months ago and they shared a wonderful night together and afterwards, he never contacted her again, even knowing she was coming back to Orlando. Seeing him tonight, she said, with his new love, had broken her heart even though she had tried to get him out of her mind. By the time she had finished her story they had reached Nick’s beach house. It was large and beautiful, situated on a hill overlooking the ocean. They climbed the steps up to the door and entered the house. “ Well, I’d say that is a pretty good reason to be cussing someone out on the beach. That sucks that he didn’t call you, especially after the night that you said you spent together. Really messed up…” Nick said as he turned on the light illuminating the first floor of the beach house. He really enjoyed listening to Melissa and could understand where she was coming from. Seeing someone you truly love in the arms of someone else is devastating and can tear your heart apart.
            Nick seemed to be off in his own world, deeply contemplative in his own thoughts as he opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass for each of them. He removed his silk dress shirt, exposing his numerous tattoos and muscular arms. He walked slowly over to the couch to his fireplace that Melissa was seated in front of. He snapped out of his trance as he saw the light of the fire lighting her face and burning in her eyes as she stared into it. It looked as she was also deep in thought. “ Here you go, this should help to calm you.” Nick said smiling as he sat down next to her. “Oh, thanks” Melissa said, regaining her thoughts, and tried to concentrate on where she was and not think about what else had happened that night.  “Thank you for listening to me earlier, I really needed to vent.” She said. “ Oh please, it was my pleasure, plus I guess it was nice to get my mind off of things for a little bit at least.” He wandered off again, staring into the fire and thinking about his burning love for someone that he didn’t know if he could ever truly have. “So what were you doing out on the beach all alone?” she said, snapping him out of his gaze. “Well…” Nick hesitated. “ Oh I forgot, you have to decide if you are going to tell me or not. It’s ok, I don’t want to pry. I just know that it feels a lot better to relieve yourself of any pain that you are carrying around, and maybe I even give you some advice” she said smiling at his blue eyes. Nick debated what he should tell her. It was not an easy problem to solve and he didn’t know what he should let anyone know about his situation, it was complicated in more ways than one. She did tell him all about her problems and trusted him with it. He decided he could trust her, but he could definitely not reveal any names, that would be too risky. “Ok, but first of all, what I say can’t leave this room. It’s not that I don’t trust you; it’s just that I guess my career could be jeopardized if anything came out too soon. Ok?” Melissa shook her head in agreement and put her hand on his that was resting on his leg. “You can trust me, I promise, what we share with each other will stay just between us.”  Nick took a deep breath and stared into the flames of the fire once more as began his story.
Chapter 9
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