Sorry if this has been done before, I haven't seen anything but I haven't been around long! This will be multi-chap but I doubt it will be that long. As always, nothing is mine :(

Hope you enjoy, drop me your thoughts!

I must be dead.

The moment was far too perfect to be anything less than heaven. The warm rays of the sun heated my skin gently, not enough to break a sweat, and I couldn't help but stare at the way they stroke Nikki's curves, tanning her body slowly, leaving her sun-kissed and with that happy glow the extra serotonin brings with it. When did she get so damn hot? She's been gorgeous for ages, a natural beauty, one that you settle down with, a beauty that you love, not one that you lust after. Today, in this skimpy black bikini, she's hot. She's got her sunglasses on, I can't see her eyes but I hope she can't see me staring, she'd only tease me and make some remark. This had been part of allure in coming away with her, to ogle her in a bikini.

A small sigh escaped her lips and she turned to face me, a smile curling the edges of her plump lips. I returned the smile warmly, meeting her eyes as she removes her glasses to look at me. The look that covers her faces suggests she wants a favour. I questioned her with a laugh.

"Would you put lotion on my back?" She smiled. I nodded and grabbed the tube of factor 20 from her bag between our sun loungers. I sat next to her, and took a deep breath as I began to rub the lotion into her back, aware of her breathing and her heartbeat, it seems faster than it should be, I noted. She let out a slight moan, and from the little of her face that is visible, I can see the red tint of a blush creeping across her cheeks. "It's a nice massage" She whispered, knowing I've noticed. I laughed as she giggles.

When I've moved back to my lounger, she unclipped the back of her bikini, and I needed to swallow down hard to stop myself taking her. It's only the first full day we've been here. I smiled up at the sunshine as I remembered Nikki moaning about her lack of holidays when Leo had bugged her to take her vacation time, her saying how she never goes somewhere just to relax. Every time she goes to South Africa she ends up helping out with a case, helping old friends. She never gets time just to laze in the sun. But the worst part is how she doesn't have anyone to go with. I remember laughing and suggesting we went together, that it wouldn't be weird and no one would assume we were married. I grinned when I realise how wrong my earlier assertion was.

When we'd arrived they'd taken us to a room with a double bed, greeted us as Mr and Mrs Cunningham. It had a ring to it, I had to admit, Nikki Cunningham. Maybe one day, I smiled to myself. She'd glared at me slightly, an 'I told you so' or two later though and she had forgiven me. We'd shared a bed on more than one occasion before.

Smile still firmly on my face, (how could it not be there, everything was perfect), I gazed down at the swimming pool, noting the ripples forming as people moved, as people splashed and dove. I rolled onto my front, eyes connecting with Nikki's. I knew she felt the same, that this day was perfect. The glisten in her eyes saddened for a second, and after a quizzical look she answered me.

"I can't believe we only booked for one week"

I grinned and reached out to her, stroking my fingers down her back gently before reaching her hand. We intertwined, and she dropped her arm, hanging it with mine between the beds.

"Thanks, Harry, for coming with me." I squeezed her hand gently and winked at her.

"Any time"

Nikki checked the watch she'd left in her striped beach bag. "It's time for lunch, let's go".

We grabbed our things, leaving the towels where they were to secure our fantastic poolside spot, and wandered into the dining room. The self service cart offered an array of breads, cakes and continental meats. All inclusive drinks meant that after a few cocktails, Nikki had started to giggle more often than usual. I laughed with her, failing to believe she'd ended up drunk after so little. The more she protested she was sober, the drunker she became.

We'd agreed to go back to the room before resuming our seats at the poolside, Nikki had wanted to check her mobile. An arm under her shoulder was enough to keep her walking in a straight line, though she tripped slightly and often. I carried her the last few steps and she gazed up at me, grinning. When we were inside, I put her down by the bed and she dragged me onto it with her. She rolled closer, gazing deep into my eyes. I smiled at her, chuckling inward at my drunken best friend. I'd closed my eyes for only a split second when I felt her lips crash down onto mine.

My mind went into overdrive. Initially, I grabbed her and deepened the kiss, feeling her tongue begging for entry and being allowed inside my mouth, twining with mine. It wasn't our first kiss, but it was definitely more passionate. I remembered back to that evening in the pub, how it had been so different to now. I breathed deeply, panting almost, my need for her becoming desperation. We kissed for a few seconds more until I realised what exactly I was doing. I couldn't do this, not now, it wasn't right. Besides, she was my colleague, my friend, my best friend. I couldn't complicate that.

I pulled back, my large hands pushing off of her fragile shoulders. I had to get out of there but there was nowhere to go. She looked at me quizzically, head cocked to the side and a smile that faded slowly as she took in my guilt ridden expression. I went into the en suite bathroom and backed myself up against the door, barricading myself in with my fear and shame. I'd allowed myself, even for just a few seconds, to take advantage of her. This was the one relationship I never wanted to screw up.

There had been a mutual, unspoken understanding between us for some time that we would probably end up together. It was obvious to everyone, Leo particularly, that we were well suited. Our only trouble was timing. I didn't think I was ready for anything serious, not yet, I mean how could I be, when I still chased women on the weekends, wasted a few weeks with a different girl each month? Nikki was a stability I was building towards, not ready to jump into, and definitely not ready to lose. I put my head in my hands and sighed, wondering what the rest of the week would be like now.