Welcome back? Thanks ilylovelynerd and WeirdoWaldo, it's nice to know I'm not the only one!
The songs are "Curacion" by Santana and "I Could Fall In Love" by Selena for any wondering. Odd that Selena's song inspired me, when Marc's wife J Lo played Selena in the movie? I think not.
First is Christina's POV, then Nick.
Nick Renata, you are going to be the death of me.
Running around digging for heels here and earrings there wasn't a problem; it was the thought of an evening with no barriers with a man that cares for me unconditionally. Still thinking of him and his mother just the other night made my breath hitch and a warm feeling to coil around me just as her arms did.
Hearing the doorbell ring made me shiver in the nicest way. After everything, it was nice to get dressed up and just go out. My black halter dress hugged my waist and flared out, making me look like it was almost a second skin. Answering the door, I'm surprised I didn't swallow my tongue at the Nick Renata on my doorstep. He was dressed in neat black slacks, but had forgone a tie and just wore a long sleeved shirt that was a deep burgundy color and a leather jacket over his arm. He had a commanding presence but the soft look in his eyes gave him away.
"You look…absolutely breathtaking" he breathed out; looking me over again as he slowly met my eyes. There was a fire I'd only seen glimpses of before, and it made me feel that much more special; like he actually tried to will me to understand how beautiful he thinks I am.
"You look handsome as well, shall we get going?" I asked eagerly, knowing I'd enjoy every minute with him tonight.
"Yeah, your carriage awaits"
The slow dance was one thing, but after dinner this was something that finally registered as dangerous. I normally understand boundaries, but Christina, in that dress, had to be some kind of test. The way her hips swayed was sinful and a better man would have bowed out and took her home before things got…interesting.
Unfortunately, I'm only human, and the better man was nowhere in sight tonight.
As "Curacion" came over the speakers in the quiet studio I'd gotten through a few favors, I knew the elephant in the room was going to be addressed whether I wanted it to or not. Gently pulling her to me, we started to sway and spin in time to the slow, sultry beat.
As I held her closer, she leaned her head against my chest, entwining our fingers together as she laid them over my heart. I could feel her pulse racing despite her calming gesture, being just as affected as I was. As the song came to a close, I'd moved us close to a wall that I softly pushed her against. Her eyes were bright with excitement that made my pride swell at seeing her so carefree.
"Having a good time?" I questioned softly, keeping my voice at a whisper with us so close together.
"It's…exhilarating" she whispered back, smiling as a new song started.
"What's this song called Nick" she added bashfully. Now it was my turn to be shy.
"Well…" After earning a quick glare, I swallowed my ego and told her.
"I Could Fall in Love" I whispered, as I kept her hand against my heart, the only contact we've kept after the last song ended.
She stiffened and I was going to pull away when she pulled me closer, telling me to let her listen to the song longer. I waited a beat, holding my breath as her eyes slipped closed and she leaned her forehead against our hands. It was the most intimate we'd ever been, and I honestly couldn't say I'd want to be anywhere else right now.
She straightened up, bringing me closer and keeping contact as she leaned her head back against the wall. I was in direct contact with her, making me feel hot as if the temperature spiked 15 degrees in the last minute alone. My chest brushed hers as we took deep breaths, my other hand coming up to rest on the back of her neck as hers did the same to me, brushing my collar with her fingers. She took a deep breath and sang the lyrics that made my stomach clench in anticipation.
"I could fall in love, with you…"
I licked my lips and quickly made up my mind.
"I could fall in love, with you too" I whispered back in time with the music, bringing my hand to lightly caress her cheek and neck. She opened her eyes to meet the fire I knew mine held, holding her breath as my fingers created a gentle dance across her skin.
As I went back to cradling her neck, I gently brought her head closer as I leant in. I gave her every opportunity to stop me, but she seemed just as entranced as I was. As I brought her lips a breath away from mine, I realized she was willing to kiss me just as much as I wanted to kiss her and that stopped me cold. She felt me freeze and continued to lean in as I leaned bad and took a step away. Her face took on a look of hurt, before she realized why I'd stepped back.
"Tom" she whispered
"Tom"
"Oh Nick…"
"It's ok Beautiful, I'm a big boy"
I managed to smile weakly as I let go of her hand, instantly missing the contact.
"Nick, there's something you should know"
"I'm ok really Christina"
"I can't have any more kids" she blurted out, and I looked up sharply, wondering why she was telling me this.
"Tom knows and says that he'll honor our promise, but I saw him with kids today and I know he wants them. He was hurt, and I honestly don't think we'll be able to do this when we want different things"
I finally caught up with her after that bomb, realizing what she wasn't saying. She couldn't give him kids, and knew it would tear them apart in the end. She was acknowledging the fact that her marriage was over in her eyes and I refused to feel hopeful. It all seemed too right.
"Tom loves you, that shouldn't matter to him. He'll want to be with you because you're an amazing, brilliant, loving woman. Don't doubt that"
Even as I said the truth, it killed me to do it. I didn't want to give her reasons to stay with him, but telling her it was over didn't sit well with me either.
"He does love me, but I refuse to be the woman he stays with when he can find someone that can give him everything I can't" she said with that determined look on her face I've seen before. She'd made up her mind, but for tonight, she was still married.
"Christina, you need to talk to Tom about this, see what he thinks" I said as I walked away to turn the music off and grab my jacket. As I turned, she hadn't moved and I stayed put as she formed what she looked to be struggling to say.
"You'll be there though, won't you?" she asked in a small voice, "To be dumb enough to catch me?"
I smiled a genuine smile as she quoted my words back at me, walking towards her.
"If he's smart enough to let you go, of course I will"
I held out my hand and entwined our fingers as we made our way back to the car, holding on to the last piece of an unforgettable evening.
Thank you for caring enough to continue reading! Review or don't, but there's another chapter written too :)
