I'm so sorry I've kept you hanging. Inspiration has been at a all time low so I really want to put out an extra thank you to those of you who reviewed these last two chapters, reading your reviews a couple of times really got me back in the game again. Priceless.
And I know, isn't it sad things have to come to an end. But there's like two filler chapters coming up and then the season finale/ending that will be either one or two chapters depending on how long it will run. These filler chapters just have some cutesy (at least I hope you'll find them cute) scenes that all just serve the purpose of getting them to a secure and comfortable place.
As for Amanda getting pregnant and them getting married, nah I have to disappoint you. I just think it's too soon. I think Amanda's at a point where she just has to get comfortable being in a serious relationship, I think that's a major struggle for her, having someone who she not only can share things with but who also wants her to, that close to demands her to. Saying that though I'm not sure yet if he will bring up the nightmares/scars or not, I'll take it into consideration. There's something coming up in the end of this chapter (a slight hiccup, or should I say hurricane?) that will sorta put a few things on point and we'll see what things that will drag up. Focus will be on their relationship from now on though.
Smut warning. Do I even have to put that in? Goes without saying almost. And thank you for asking, I've put in a little conversation about the other 'socket' (*lol*) I actually wrote something about that a few chapters back but I ended up deleting it since I wasn't sure if you all wanted to read it or not. Well I'll let you read this and then get back to me if you want to see/read the outcome of their little conversation about the matter or if it should just stay in oblivion.
Lyrics used and mentioned in this chapter is Aloe Blacc's "I'm the Man". Enjoy!
Chapter 11
Not that he had enjoyed their fight and time apart but once they were back on track it seemed to prolong their honeymoon phase and he even started to wonder if this would be a constant state together with her. She just made him feel great, not only in bed but just hanging around her made life feel fun again, something he had only experienced together with his son or daughter these past couple of years.
Just as they'd talked about they met that Wednesday to have dinner and watch So you think you can dance together. He'd set the living room table with plates and drinks. He'd opened a bottle of wine hoping that would keep her there for the night. She headed straight to his place once her GA meeting was meeting only making a quick stop to pick up Chinese food for them.
"I come bearing gift," she said holding up the paper bag once he let her in. He gave her a quick kiss thinking that he didn't mind greeting her but he really thought it was time she got her own key since she was over there all the time these days.
"I set up the living room table for us," he let her know helping her to hang her jacket as she stepped inside.
"Awesome," she answered.
"Do you want wine, or something else?"
"Wine will be smashing," she said putting the paper bag on the table right before she plopped herself on the couch.
"How was the meeting?" he asked sitting down next to her helping her to get their food from the bag to their plates. Her answer stalled so he shot her a look worrying she felt he was intruding but it seemed something on the TV had caught her attention.
"Huh?" she said as he poked her in the side.
"How was your meeting?" he tried again once he had her focus.
"Oh it was…" she said taking a second to collect her thoughts, "I dunno, sometimes I just want to slap the victimization out of some people. Does that sound mean? It does doesn't it?"
She frowned as she sat back on the couch. He followed her down, putting his hand on her knee and letting it run down her thigh as he leaned towards her.
"Sounds human," he said trying to reassure her that her feelings weren't weird.
"I mean no one forces you to gamble. Yes sometimes external circumstances push you there but you have the power to choose to deal with the stress in other ways. I'm not a victim," she said decisively.
"I'm absolutely not calling you a victim but what about the fact your dad was a gambler. Don't you think that somehow influences you, makes you prone to gamble?" he was watching his words knowing he could tick her off.
"Your dad was a wife beater, does that make you one?" she said. He could sense a tiny bit of argumentative tone in her voice but her face looked calm.
"I know, and you know, I have that rage inside me yes but I would like to think I could never hit someone I love," he said locking her eyes with his.
"What if I wanted you to hit me? What if I deserved to be hit?" she asked and now she sounded a bit more combative.
"Why would you want me to hit you?" he asked stroking her cheek gently. She'd still not told him why she flinched when he'd raised his hand in the hallway this Sunday. She looked a little insecure as she shrugged.
"Of course I wouldn't want you to hit me," she then said suddenly, pushing her way past him so she could sit back up and continue shuffling take out boxes on the table.
"I mean if we're not talking spanking in bed," she said cheekily, throwing him a look over her shoulder.
He could tell she was trying to cover something though. He sat up next to her, letting his hand go up her back and into her hair a little that was up in a loose bun. He worried about her when she said stuff like that. It felt as though he got tiny glimpses of her most sacred and well-hidden treasure chest that held all her insecurities and worries. That held dark thoughts and desires she was even scared to face herself.
"You could never deserve to be hit Amanda," he said placing his lips softly on her temple, "and I'll make sure I will never ever become my dad. You will never have to be afraid of me."
"I'm not," she said throwing him a look like what she said should be obvious, "Afraid of you."
"I'm glad," he said with a smile.
He nodded when she asked him if he wanted beef and he watched her scoop some up on his plate. He wasn't so sure though. About her not being afraid. Not physically. She could probably take him in a fight but then again that was different from a man striking his woman. No he would never hit her and he was rather sure she trusted him not to but she was afraid of him. The non-physical. The sharing of emotions and feelings and just letting him in. He was pretty sure that part scared the crap out of her. He hoped time and his devotion to her would fix that.
Once she handed him his plate he caught her hand before she could retract it and he kissed the palm of it. She smiled a bit crocked towards him and he smiled right back. The show started a little later while they were still eating and he had to remind her every now and then to eat. He loved how invested she was in the show. By now he knew most of the dancer's name too. He started to spot talent as well and agreed with her on this one number that had all three judges standing once the song ended. It had been really spectacular and moving.
He thought the girl looked a little like Amanda, picturing her in that dress and moving across the stage fluently like that got him slightly aroused. It helped a little too that her hand was resting right by his crotch where they now sat leaned back on the couch close together. Her fingers started tapping whenever a song came on and it made him loose a little focus on the show every time. He didn't want to disturb her but couldn't help himself and he moved her hand slightly so it landed right on him. He smiled as she didn't even seem to notice. His mind got a little sneaky as he thought about what else he could get away with.
"What you smirking about?" she asked him, having caught him chuckling.
"Oh nothing," he smiled kissing her cheek.
"Just so you know," she said as she squeezed his erection a little, "you're not getting more than a hand job until the show ends."
That made him chuckle again and he just had to catch her mouth for a proper kiss.
"It's okay, I can wait for the full service," he whispered once he let her go.
"Sure?" she asked keeping her hand a little on stand-by.
"I'm sure," he said with a nod.
"Doesn't feel like it," she teased raising her eyebrows at him. He chuckled again but then moved in behind her pulling her back to rest against him so she could enjoy the rest of her show. No their show.
When the show ended Amanda sneaked away to the bathroom cursing a little since one of her favorites had been voted off. Nick couldn't help but smile as he brought some of the dishes out into the kitchen. She joined him a little later and helped him clean up. Luckily she'd seemed to swallow the loss of the dancer quickly and they talked about one of the group dances that had been really awesome. She made a swirl in the middle of the kitchen as she tried to copy one of the dance moves and he smiled snapping the towel after her.
He left her in the kitchen after a while and walked out with a mission.
"Hey thanks for ditching me with…" she said walking out but stopped both talking and walking as she caught the music he'd put on and him standing in the middle of the floor holding his arms out towards her.
"Naha," she said shaking her head.
"Oh c'mon you love to dance," he said.
"Not that kind of dancing," she said folding her arms defiant in front of her.
"My mom said she could spot talent in you," he tried as he walked up to her.
"What your mom felt in my hips probably had nothing to do with dancing and please let us not talk about that," Amanda said feeling her cheeks go red.
"C'mon dance with me," he begged rubbing his hands up and down her arms a little. She looked very reluctant but he could tell she wasn't completely obstinate any longer.
"Is this Stand by me?" she asked for the first time really hearing the lyrics.
"A Spanish version, in a different beat," he smiled trying to dig out her hand from her folded arms so he could get her to step out on his imaginary dance floor. He managed to get to her hand and since he knew she wouldn't let him if she really didn't want to he dared to drag her out from the wall a little.
"I'm gonna step on your toes…" she whined.
"I would worry if you were like two hundred pounds heavier," he said pulling her further out. He placed her hand on his own shoulder and grabbed a hold of her other hand as his other hand went around her waist.
"Just relax," he said feeling how tense she was. Without shoes on he had about two inches on her and she peeked up at him from underneath her bangs. She had a hard time not showing how uncomfortable she felt but at the same time something inside of her wanted to experience it with him.
"I suck," she mumbled as she stepped the wrong way as he started moving. He tried to contain his smile but he liked how she always had to be perfect at everything she tried.
"Hey, stop looking at your feet," he said once they at least got going a little.
"And make it completely impossible," she sighed.
"Trust me," he said and got her to look up, "and follow my lead."
"Oh so you're the one in lead?" she mocked a little.
"Yes for once I get to be the leader," he smiled brightly tightening his grip around her waist so he could hold her closer. She stumbled on his foot though and she sighed.
"Just keep moving," he tried and kept going.
"It would help if you could lead a little better," she whined but then her face lit up once she caught his grin.
"I think it would actually help if we picked up a little speed," he said and picked up a little more pace. She looked a little worried but it eased as she realized it actually worked. That was until she stepped on his foot again and they almost fell over.
"I told you I suck," she said and tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her.
"You don't suck, I'm the one who sucks at leading," he said to give her a way out and, since the song has flipped to one with even slower beat, he placed her other hand on his shoulder as well and wrapped both arms around her waist. He caught one last look of her smile before she placed her cheek against his chest and he tilted his head down on top of hers. For the rest of the song they just moved very slowly around the same spot on the middle of the floor. He could feel her relax and not once did she step on his foot.
The next track was a little more upbeat and he could feel her sigh.
"Let's set our own pace," he whispered.
"Isn't this a little slow for us though," she mumbled and made him chuckle.
"How about…" she said and he felt himself get pushed a little backwards. He realized quickly that she was pushing him back towards he bedroom and since he had a hard time believing he wouldn't like whatever she had planned he just let her take him there.
"You'll do anything to not waltz with me," Nick teased once she let him go in the bedroom.
"Well do you prefer dancing? We can go back out there," she said starting to walk back out.
"Oh no you don't," he said grabbing a hold of her pulling her back in his arms. She chuckled but he quiet her by placing his mouth on hers kissing her passionately before he brought her over to the bed.
That following weekend they went out with AJ and her friends. This time Nick found himself in a tequila race with AJ just to get a few scoops on their mutual friend. So while Amanda tore up the dance floor Nick found himself getting hammered. Sometime during the night he lost track of time and really had no idea how he got home.
But well after ten am he found himself in his own bed waking up by a slight shift in the mattress. Before opening his eyes, with only the sweet smell of coffee in his nose he felt rather good. Once he tried moving slightly though and opening his eyes his entire system went on red alert and all he really could do was groan.
"Not feeling so hot there buddy," he heard a mocking voice next to him say and he managed to get one eye open. Amanda was sitting up, leaning against the headboard with a cup of coffee in a tight grip right by her mouth. She was smiling at him and he tried to smile back but even that hurt. He was happy she hadn't pulled the curtains at least, he could only imagine how painful light would be right now.
"I think we roll reversed last night, really weird," Amanda said sounding as amused as she was. It had been really fun seeing him wasted and it leveled the scale at least a little bit. She had another taste of her coffee and then put it down on the tray that also held his coffee and a plain toast she'd made for him knowing how bad he would feel this morning.
She had flamed AJ a little for challenging him on a tequila race but felt a little guilty herself for not warning him to never try and beat AJ when it comes to alcohol. She was a sponge. But drunk Nick had been fun and corky Nick. The fun one she'd met before but corky was new. Only hassle was loading him in to a cab, he'd gotten himself out by more or less rolling out, and then getting him up the stairs. Once in bed he'd been rather easy to undress even if unconscious, she had practice after all.
"You want some coffee?" she offered deciding to play nice for now. She did after all know how bad a hangover could feel. She thought she heard a negative response to the coffee though and she lay down next to him extending her hand to gently stroke the side of his head. He managed to get one eye open again and he tried to smile a little.
"I hate tequila," he managed to croak closing his eye again.
"I know, devil's water," she agreed with him. He felt like chuckling but didn't dare to try since he fear that would hurt. Her soft fingers stroking through his hair felt good though.
"I can't remember what happen after those many, many, many tequilas, did I make a fool of myself?" he dreaded the answer but couldn't keep from asking. When she didn't answer he forced his eye back open.
"Do you want the whole truth and nothing but the truth or do you want me to lie to make you feel better?" she asked once he caught her eyes.
"Truth will set me free?" he tried but she shook her head.
"Okay, just give it to me gently," he smiled.
"Does Aloe Blacc's 'I'm the man' ring a bell?" she asked. When he looked a little confused she sang a few lines and unfortunately a faint memory popped up.
"I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man. Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am."
When that song came on he'd grabbed a bottle of the bar and started singing rather loudly when the chorus came on. Amanda had needed assistant to try and stop him from climbing the bar as he supposedly wanted to sing the song to the entire club.
"So you do remember," she chuckled as she saw his face crumble.
"You can tell everybody, go ahead and tell everybody, I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man," she sang to really rub it in.
"Please stop," he begged feeling embarrassed as hearing the song gave him images from his karaoke display last night. When she didn't stop though he managed to get his hands up and he tried to cover her mouth with them. She chuckled and avoided them easily. But she quiet down to not humiliate him more. He'd managed to get a hold of her hand and he brought it back to his own head.
"Please keep doing what you did before," he begged and she happily indulged him. She kept doing it for a while just enjoying looking at him.
"You want to try some coffee?" she asked once he started to stir a little.
"Water?" he croaked and she reached for the glass she'd put on the bed stand last night. She gave him time to get up on his elbow and then helped him drink some.
"Toast?" she asked while he was up and he nodded slightly.
"Hangover food?" he asked once she'd fed him a bite.
"Yeah but I'll run out and get you a banana and honey smoothie once I get dressed," she said feeding him another bite.
"Trust me they work," she said as she saw him frown at the odd blend. She managed to get the toast and some more water into him before he scrambled down on the bed again. She got the tray off the bed so she could scoot in a little closer to him.
"God I don't think I've been this drunk since college," he complained. She made a pitying sound with her tongue against her palate.
"And you call yourself a choir boy," she sighed but with a smile on her face.
"Hey, you call me that," he said opening his eyes back up. The white bread and water had perked him up a little it seemed.
"At your age you should really know better," she teased trying hard not to make it too harsh.
"You should watch yourself you know," he enlighten her, "AJ and I wasn't just having a tequila race. It was an exchange of information of sort, all about you. Your spring breaks in Florida…"
Amanda tried to act cool but she knew AJ had some real dirt on her and even though AJ could hold her liquor she was a sponge with a blabbermouth so Amanda was a little bit worried. He could tell she got a little uneasy and even though he was hung-over he hadn't lost his chivalry.
"If only I could remember what she told me though," he said with a crooked smile. She pulled a breath and got up on her elbows next to him so she could kiss that sweet face of his.
"Do you even remember you were dry humping me during the night?" she asked. He peeked up at her.
"I didn't…" he whispered bashful.
"Ha," Amanda spat out, "More than once I tell ya."
Amanda had never been chivalry and she wasn't about to start now. Nick slipped off his pillow so he could use it to cover his head with.
"You're one horny drunk but your aim is shite," Amanda said but then Nick lashed out towards her and they ended up tumbling around for a bit as Amanda tried to keep making fun of him while Nick tried to quiet her by kissing her.
"I'm never getting that drunk again, like ever again," Nick said once he had her pinned underneath him.
"I mean I'm okay with it, I won't have to get a dog when I have you to dry hump my leg every now and then…" she started laughing as Nick got a hold of her one ticklish spot. He would've kept going if her laugh didn't hurt his eardrums so much and he fell down on his back with a big sigh. She came scooting over and started to rub his head gently again.
"Best cure ever," he mumbled as her touch lulled him to sleep. He would have to eat that drunken night of his for weeks to come but at least he had fun up until the hangover and he could take her signing him up to sing "I'm a man" whenever they came by a karaoke night somewhere.
The following week they kept up their act, pretending they weren't an item at work only to meet up after shift. He had Zara that weekend and he'd let Amanda know during a dinner earlier that week. He'd hinted that it didn't mean she had to stay away. He wasn't sure if she'd picked up on his hints though as she'd looked a little unfocused. He figured it could just be her way of avoiding the subject though.
"So how about you joining me and Zara for lunch or something Saturday?" Nick came right out with it to avoid misunderstandings. Amanda gave him a quick look, he couldn't really read her face.
"I was thinking I'd head out with AJ Friday night," she said breaking their gaze picking up her phone, "so I might not be, well fit for fight by lunch."
She gave him a quick smile but then went back to checking her phone. He wondered if she really had made plans with AJ or if this was just a cop out.
"How about dinner then?" he suggested as he really wanted to see her that weekend and not only so she could spend time with his daughter. Amanda gave him a wishy-washy face.
"I don't think I should hang around a kid with a hangover," she said and when she saw him open his mouth to say something she quickly cut in; "I'm gonna get another soda, want one?"
Before he could answer though she'd disappeared into the kitchen. He sat still for a few seconds but then grabbed his glass and went after her. He found her leaning against one of the counters, the side of a finger stuck to her mouth as she seemed to be thinking. She looked a little busted when she noticed him and she immediately went to open the fridge door.
"Oh you wanted one too?" she asked throwing him a quick look before her eyes went back inside the fridge. It looked as though she couldn't find what she was looking for. Nick smiled a little, he liked the fact he could see through her rather easily at this point but he wished she didn't feel a need to play this game.
He walked up to her and grabbed the fridge door from her. She looked at him with equal part confusion and fear as he closed the door and then leaned against the fridge grabbing a hold of her so he could wheel her in a little.
"Do you have something against my daughter?" Nick asked, it was meant as a joke but Amanda took it seriously and immediately said;
"No, absolutely not."
She'd put her hand on his chest and she looked very remorseful.
"Then what is it?" he asked but immediately regretted it as Amanda wriggled loose. She turned towards the other counter, gazing out the window a bit.
"You should just spend time with her," she said a bit vaguely.
"Well I do spend time with her," he said walking up behind her. He put his hands on either side of her on the counter and boxed her in a little. Coming that close to her neck tempted him and he couldn't help to put his lips down on her soft skin and those baby curls she had right there. She pulled away though but he wouldn't let her pass his arm.
"Hey, what's going on," he said making her turn to face him. He knew she wouldn't let him keep her there if she really didn't want to. She avoided his eyes though, even when he tried pushing her chin up. She looked very sad and he got concerned.
"Talk to me Amanda," he begged. She swallowed hard and it looked as though she wanted to say something but couldn't. Nick grabbed a hold of her hips and he got her up on the counter, quickly placing himself in-between her legs and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his tightly around her and they just stayed close for a while. He could hear her breathing calming down and he started to rub his hands up and down her back. He could stay like that forever but he also wanted her to tell him whatever it was that was troubling her, he knew it was something. He tried to separate himself from her but she clung on.
"Hey," he chuckled a little getting a mental image of himself as the monkey mama with her baby. She gave way a bit after he tried some more though and he stroke her cheek. She wouldn't look at him still.
"What's going on Amanda?" he asked getting more concerned. He knew he couldn't wish for miracles, that she wouldn't open up to him like a book about everything. She needed time and all he could do was try and prove to her he'd still be there no matter what she told him. He soared at every small breakthrough though and today he'd get another one.
"I just want you to spend time with her," she whispered.
"I am spending time with her, I don't get what that has to do with us though."
"You can't let me get between you," she whispered peeking up at him a little.
"Why would I…" he wasn't following and tried hard to understand where this came from. It suddenly struck him though.
"Your mom," he said as it got as clear as day to him, "all those boyfriends, she let them come before you. Before you and your sister."
"It's nothing," she said trying to get down off the counter but he wouldn't let her.
"Hey, look at me," he said a bit harshly but she still had trouble facing him.
"Okay, but listen then," he said not wanting to force her to do anything she didn't want to.
"Nothing can come between me and my kids okay," he said, "Zara loves you and for her to have you in her life too would be the best thing that could happen to her. And I wish I had more time with Gil so he would get the chance to get to know you too."
He could tell she still wasn't convinced though and he finally grabbed a hold of her chin, forcing her to look at him as he figured it was for her own good.
"Look, my heart," he said putting his free hand above his own heart, "its big enough to hold Gil, Zara and you. You each get a piece okay? All the pieces together form my heart, I don't want to be without anyone of you. I tell them I love them every time I see them, and I'll keep telling you just how much I love you until there's no doubt in the world that can tell you otherwise."
He thought he saw tears in her eyes and he worried he'd upset her. He knew she wasn't the best at handling feelings like this, he was still waiting for her to tell him she loved him. He feared he'd pushed her too far but then she leaned in and kissed him and everything felt good again. No actually more than good.
It was a sweet kiss, one of those that starts out soft and continues like that for a while as tongues roll around each other's and hands softly wanders up and down the body attached to those lips. But as usual it didn't stay at sweet as the fire finally erupted and both hands got more eager. He tried asking her, still with his mouth attached to hers, if she wanted to take it in to the bedroom but his words got muffled by her eager lips and her eager hands more or less gave him an answer as she started pulling at his sweats. He helped her shove his pants down and then kicked them off his feet as her hand worked his crotch. He got his hands on her pants and she raised herself up on her hands so he could pull them off her.
He got aware of the window right behind her and while trying to stay locked with her mouth he leaned back behind her trying to reach for the blinds. She moaned against his mouth enjoying the pressure he put on her. The blinds came dropping down getting stuck on some things in the window but he just had time to swipe his hand once trying to clear the area before her efforts to put him inside of her demanded his immediate attention.
She fell backwards a little, letting out a deep moan as he pushed himself all the way inside of her. Her palms connected with the counter behind her, holding her up. He grabbed her butt cheeks and pulled her out a little further on the counter so he could get deeper inside of her. She left one hand on the counter but the other one went up behind her, getting entangled in the blinds as she tried to find a spot to hold on to as he thrusted up inside of her. He kept one hand behind her ass holding her in place as the other one went up inside her tee. His mouth followed his hand up and he swiped away her tee so his mouth could reach her breasts.
She fell back even further, panting hard as he bit down on one of her nipples. He moved his hand up around her shoulder so he could hold her down against his thrusts. He could feel he wasn't far off and his mouth came up to try and find hers. Their mouths met briefly but both were in need of air and his mouth ended up down by her neck where he could breathe a little better between love bites into her skin. Her mouth was right by his ear just panting hard, egging him on even more.
He had almost pushed her ass completely off the counter now wanting to get even deeper inside of her. The counter chafed a little against her lower back but she quite enjoyed the mix of pleasure and pain so she didn't complain. In her attempts to find places for her hands to land to brace herself she knocked kitchen items off the counter and they made a ruckus as they landed on the floor. Neither paid any attention to that right now though. She could tell by the noises he made that he would come and she grabbed a hold on each side of the small kitchen window to ready herself for the rapid and powerful thrusts that would soon follow.
She enjoyed his orgasm almost as much as her own. And in a good way. Not the "I hope he comes soon cause this is a total drag and I just want to go home and sleep" kind of way which was the case with some one night stands she'd gone home with. No this was totally different. His pleasure gave her pleasure and she'd never experienced that before. And it had nothing to do with achievement and she hoped it hadn't anything to do with the authority complex Murphy had brought up a while back.
Once he'd emptied himself inside of her he gave himself a few seconds to just breathe before he let her go only so she could get her feet on the floor and he could turn her over. He knew that position gave her great pleasure, he'd never forgot that first time. "You'll make me come like a banshee." His mind still spun a little whenever he thought of that and just how damn sexy it had been.
The red scuffmarks on her lower back gained his attention though.
"I did that?" he asked a bit shocked carefully swiping his fingers over the red, raw marks. Their adventuress exploration of both their places and what sexual positions they could get themselves in had left both of them both scuffed and bruised before but he would never get used to leaving marks on her, especially not ones looking like this.
"It's fine," she breathed though.
"It's not, I'm sorry," he said leaning down placing small kisses over the scuffmarks.
"I know this brilliant way you can make it up to me," she whispered seductively and he couldn't help but smile as he caught her naughty eyes looking back at him over her shoulder. He raised his eyebrows a little.
"Please tell me," he whispered letting his hands go up her body bringing her tee with him and pulling it all the way over her head leaving her completely naked in front of him.
"I don't have to tell you, you know how to please me," she whispered with seduction dripping off every word. She'd taken a wider stand and rubbed her ass a little against him. Her elbows were down on the counter giving him a little room between her body and the counter to let his hands run up her body.
"Oh I know how to please you alright," he smiled caressing her breasts and hardening nipples.
"A lot of talk and no action thus far though," she teased and he chuckled but at the same time let one of his hands go down her body again.
He grabbed a hold of himself as he needed a little bit of help to find his way inside of her again. Once he was inside of her though he just kept himself close to her and he let his hand swipe around her body so he could get up inside her legs from the other way and get his fingers on her clit. He got an immediate response as he found his target and she sank down, completely connecting with the counter. He wasted no time, thrusting hard inside of her while his hand worked her clit just the way he knew she liked it.
She made sounds that had him both smiling and his head spinning. Her hands were trying to find places to grab a hold off but she lost grip with every new wave of pleasure that ran through her body. It didn't take long until she reached climax and he groaned feeling her insides tighten around him. He let her clit go but kept thrusting himself in side of her through her orgasm, prolonging it and making her cry out with pleasure as her body jerked underneath him. He eased up a little once he could feel her orgasm draining her and he let her come down of it a bit. He kept moving slowly in and out of her though, letting his hands move from her hips up to her armpits and then down again. He trailed small kisses up her back, taking small bites off her neck once he got there. He just couldn't get enough of her. Why had he wasted almost three years and not just jumped her right off the bat? Had he known they could've been doing this he surely wouldn't have waited. And now that he had her he would make sure he pleased her so she would never ever want to leave him.
He grabbed a hold around her shoulder, put his other hand on her hip and started pounding her harder again. Every time he reached bottom their bodies made a sound as they clashed together. It didn't take long until she started making noises again, sounds that together with her starting to tighten up around him again told him she was near orgasm again. He was back to full erection now and knew he would be able to come with her which made him all that more excited and he thrusted so hard he took her off the floor. He felt her entwine her legs around his and her hands came up to grab a hold of the window frame making it possible for her to brace herself against his thrusts. Even in a submissive position she wanted that control and he loved that about her but it didn't have to mean he couldn't pretend he was the one in the driver's seat.
"Are you gonna come?" he panted.
"Yes," she managed to whisper, even that short word stocking up in her throat.
"Did I tell you you could come?" he said leaning down closer to her ear without losing momentum.
"P-please," she begged.
"Ask me again," he said entangling his fingers in her hair, latching on a little.
"P-please let me come," she begged. He kept her hanging for a bit, biting down on her ear.
"Okay, you can come," he whispered quickly and at that very moment she cried out as she let herself go.
He tried to give her time for herself but after a while he couldn't hold back and he came hard inside of her. When he was done she was still going and he tried to keep himself inside of her as his hand went around to help her prolong the pleasure. His legs were buckling a bit though and soon he had to grab a hold further up on the counter to keep them both off the floor. He stayed above her feeling her ride out the orgasm underneath him.
"Do you want to go again?" he asked once he was able to talk again. His mouth was by her shoulder and he placed a few small kisses there but stopped once he felt her chuckling underneath him.
"What?" he asked smiling.
"I don't think I can…" she said still a little out of breath trying to get her feet back on the floor.
"Oh so you surrender," he said not able to keep gloating from his voice.
"You wish," she whispered trying to separate herself a little from the counter to claim some of her independence back.
"Oh?" he asked getting his hand in in-between her legs again easily finding what he was looking for. She shivered just by a little pressure on her clit and she begged him to stop. He'd only done it to prove a point so of course he obeyed her, letting his hand caress the inside of her thigh instead just so she'd know he could assault her again if he wanted to.
"So you had enough for tonight?" he teased wanting her to admit she couldn't handle more if that was the case. As usual though she managed to snag him.
"For tonight? No, just until we reach the bedroom," she whispered pushing him back so she could spin around in his arms.
He lifted her back up on the counter and their mouths met. Her arms folded around his neck, her fingers digging in to his hair. His hands went up and down her back for a while before he grabbed a hold of her butt cheeks pushing her forward, into him. She yelped a little into his mouth as their bodies met again.
"Are you sure you can handle more?" he teased separating slightly from her mouth.
"Feel free to test me," she teased right back and his smile spread over his face.
"I'll do that," he said swiping her off the counter so he could bring the continuation to the bedroom.
A little later they were both panting, coming down from yet another shared orgasm. She was on her side, he right behind her trailing kisses down her body. He liked that she didn't pull away any longer once they were done, that she stayed there and let him fondle her or just hold her. Tonight he couldn't stop touching her, letting his fingers run over that smooth skin of hers that was a little damp all over right now. When his mouth reached her hip he found a little pool of sweat right above it and he let his tongue soak it up. His hand swiped up her thigh and over that perfectly shaped ass of hers. His fingers ended up right by her crack and he softly let his fingertips move over it a little. His thoughts started to wander a bit.
"What?" she asked taking him out of his own thoughts.
"What?" he asked a little distracted.
"What you thinking about?" she asked and he chuckled a little.
"How do you know I was thinking about something?" he quizzed.
"I can hear it," she said. He both heard and saw the smile as he moved further up her body.
"Oh you can hear it," he smiled making her squirm as he pinched her side. Her eyes had been closed but now she opened them up as she giggled a little. She met his eyes and he felt his gut flip just by the beauty he saw in them.
"Tell me," she said her smile weakening a little.
"It's a little embarrassing," he admitted resting his chin on her upper arm as his fingers started to rub her hip a little. She raised her eyebrow at him.
"Okay," he said realizing he didn't have to feel embarrassed with her, "I was just thinking, or wondering… if you like like…" He interrupted himself chuckling slightly at his iteration. She smiled but her eyebrow went up again.
"Okay," he tried again and did his best to collect himself, "Do you ever like do it from behind behind?"
He watched her closely not really sure how she would react. He was a little afraid he would upset her for some reason, he just feared she would think he thought she was all about sex. It wasn't like that, he just wanted to experience everything with her. Right now it was sex since their relationship had to be secret still but he hoped their future held exploring the world with travels, restaurant visits, theater and other public events and such things as just holding her hand in public and being able to show the world how much he loved her.
"You mean… the backdoor," she said a bit hesitant. He nodded carefully. Her eyes wandered to the ceiling a bit as she seemed to think about what to say to that. But then her eyes suddenly came back to meet his and she asked;
"You like that?"
She was a little surprised. Not that he was timid in bed but she knew she'd taught him a few things he hadn't experienced before. He was a fast and willing learner though.
"I haven't… tried it," he admitted.
"But you like to?" she guessed.
"I mean only if you… do you like it?" he asked carefully.
"I guess, I mean, sure if you want to try it," she said but he felt she avoided his question a bit and he got up on his elbow, making her fall back a little further on her back so he could get a better view of her entire face.
"I only want to try it if you like it," he said seriously.
"Well yeah sure, we can do it, not now though, I'll let you know when," she said.
"But it doesn't sound like you like it Amanda and then I don't want to do it," he said feeling like he was forcing her to do something she didn't really like.
"It's not that I don't like it," she said smiling a little, "it's just I don't really get off on it so…"
She left it at that shrugging slightly. He traced her cheekbone with his finger.
"Then let's not do it," he said.
"No, I want to Nick," she said quickly though, "it's kind of fun ruining the choir boy in you."
She smiled cheekily forcing him to smile too.
"Are you sure?" he asked though.
"I'm sure," she said reinforcing it with several nods.
"Well only if you feel like it," he said reaching up to catch her lips briefly.
"I won't be upset if it doesn't happen," he said once he let her lips go again, "I'm certainly not complaining about the sex we're already having."
"Well I'm glad I'm not disappointing you…" she said making a face but he saw the smile underneath.
"Oh you never disappoint," he said sliding in behind her again, spooning her as he let his arm snake around her so he could hold her tight.
"Never?" she asked curiously.
"Never ever," he reassured her, "you're my sexual revolution. I don't know what I've done to deserve you but I'll never stop thanking God for it."
"Are you sure that's something you should discuss with God about? Won't father Ortega to somersaults in his coffin?"
Both of them chuckled a little remembering Nick's birds and bees talk with the minister at his church.
"Not even the threat of purgatory can keep me away from you," Nick said snuggling in to her as he started to feel sleepy. He was so very grateful, to have her and that she was so easy to talk to about slightly awkward things like anal sex.
Amanda felt him chuckle a little next to her as he drifted off to sleep. It was rare he fell asleep before her but she must have really drained him tonight. She smiled as she thought that. Yeah she knew sex was one of her specialties, there was no point denying it. And she liked the thought of introducing him to anal sex even though it wasn't really something she was in to. She didn't hate it though, it was just that many guys she picked up for a one night stand were the type of guys that probably watched porno flicks and they seemed to just feel the need to stick it there at least once during the session, not all of them but some.
Some asked if it was okay and she would always go along as long as they weren't too big. In her experience they always wanted to go back to the regular way though, men and their pussy, couldn't beat it. She had a regular lover a few years back though that kept doing unannounced visits back there and since he was rather big it wasn't fun to be sprung like that and in the end she'd called it quits since he just didn't learn that she at least wanted some warning before he switched sockets. It was too bad cause he was a really good lover if you just disregarded the backdoor bits.
She felt a little bad about thinking of that ex now and spun around in Nick's arm to get even closer to him. He stirred a little in his sleep, rearranging his arm around her once she faced him. She smiled as she placed her cheek on his chest and she placed her hand behind his neck rubbing those soft tassels a bit. She never had faith in a God but she did feel a little blessed right now. She must have done something good in this life to be awarded him and she hoped she wouldn't do anything to screw that up.
"Please come with us Manda," Zara begged getting up in Amanda's lap. Nick just watched with amusement as he saw his daughter use all the tricks in her book to win Amanda over. The decent thing to do might have been to help Amanda out since he knew how ruthless his daughter could be in her convincing methods but he really wanted her to succeed.
What they were trying to get Amanda to say yes to was a day at the beach. Earlier that week Nick had promised Zara that they would visit Long beach when she came down for the weekend. He'd spent Friday night alone with her since he knew how determined Amanda was that he spent time with just Zara. Then he'd taken Zara to Central Park for a kid friendly tour on Saturday as she was very interested in everything involving nature right now. They'd spent most of the day there, played and had ice-cream but Zara kept asking him about Amanda and if she could join them. She'd been talking about Amanda since she arrived yesterday. Nick had warned Amanda, that Zara would want to see her, so it didn't come out of the blue when he called her that afternoon and invited her to have dinner with him and his daughter.
Amanda played difficult at first but then he put Zara on the phone and less than a minute later they had a date for the night. He offered to pick her up but she said she would drive over herself so Nick and Zara hurried to get grocery and then started composing a three course meal. Nick tried to sway Zara in to skipping a starter since he knew Amanda's view on those but Zara insisted that they do it and that they call them appetizers. He helped her do an avocado salsa dip to serve with the nachos he already had at home since he knew his daughter loved them.
Nick did his famous spicy Cuban mojo chicken with a mango-avocado salsa and some cooked vegetables. Zara liked it and she also said it was a bit romantic and would fit to serve Amanda. When he asked her why she said the spicy part just made it sound romantic and like it would suit Amanda.
Zara was in charge of dessert and Nick had allowed her do make peanut butter cups using the muffin sized cups. He helped her melt the ingredients in the microwave and then let her mix them together in the cups by herself even though he knew that meant plenty of the dough would go down her mouth. They had just put the peanut butter cups in the freezer when there was a knock on the door.
"And I haven't even changed, neither have you dad," Zara shrieked and Nick chuckled.
"It's just Amanda Zara," he smiled.
"But that's why, you should seduce her," Zara said and Nick started to wonder who this kid was.
"I've already seduced her Zara," Nick said with a wink, "Now let her in."
Zara looked a little distraught as she realized she was leaving Amanda outside and she ran out of the kitchen. Nick chuckled and went after her once he'd wiped his hands on a towel. When he got there Zara had opened the door and Amanda had apparently bought a small bouquet of flowers for Zara.
"Look daddy," Zara beamed, "Amanda brought us flowers."
"I see, they're lovely," Nick said joining them in the foyer.
"Very lovely," Zara said taking a big whiff of the flowers, "Thank you so much Amanda, I'm gonna put them in water."
Zara took off to find a vase in the kitchen.
"Yes, thank you," Nick said leaning forward to greet her with a kiss, "And welcome."
He let her come inside.
"Thanks, I thought flowers would be better than a bottle of wine for a seven year old," she said.
"Smart thinking," he said closing the door behind her and then helped her get her jacket off.
They heard some commotion from the kitchen and Nick made a face at Amanda.
"We better help her get to that vase," he said, grabbed on to her hand and pulled her with him. Once they reached the kitchen he felt her withdraw her hand. Nick rushed to his daughter's side since she'd managed to drag almost everything inside one of the lower cabinets out on the floor.
"Okay sweetie, hold up," Nick said and helped her out. Zara and Amanda took charge of setting the table, of course with the flowers Amanda had brought in the center of it, while Nick concentrated on getting the food ready. Nick smiled as he could hear Zara talking Amanda's ear off out there. She came in to fetch some glasses and Nick sneaked in behind her as she reached for some and tried to pretend to help her when he really just copped a feel.
"Hey," Amanda whispered putting a soft elbow in his gut, "your daughter's in the next room."
"Don't you think I've heard that," Nick smiled. Amanda couldn't help but smile too as she put down three glasses on the counter and secretly enjoyed feeling his hands on her. She quickly pulled away from him though as they heard Zara enter.
"Don't you have matching napkins dad?" she complained.
"I think Amanda don't mind if the napkins doesn't match sweetie," Nick tried and saw Amanda try to agree with him.
"Still it would look more romantic if everything matched," Zara said pouting her lips a little.
"Think of it more as a family dinner though sweetie," Nick said. Amanda hurried passed him with the glasses.
"Ask Amanda what she wants to drink instead," he said and Zara hurried after her.
Somehow they managed to sit down not long thereafter. Amanda had passed on wine as she was driving but Nick had a glass of red just to make things even more perfect than they already were. He had his daughter and Amanda around a table eating dinner together. He felt blessed.
They'd eaten the appetizer and Nick's spicy chicken and Zara had taken her desserts out of the freezer a while ago so they would be perfect once they had coffee. Nick made coffee for him and Amanda and as usual let Zara drink Coke out of a cup so she could pretend to have coffee too. As they were enjoying Zara's peanut butter cups, and they were for sure enjoyable, Zara started talking about how excited she was about going to the beach tomorrow. Nick had seen it coming a mile away and wasn't surprised when Zara tried to work it in there that maybe Amanda could join them too. He had fun watching Amanda tried to wriggle her way out of it but Zara was persistent and once she was up in Amanda's lap he pretty much knew the deal was sealed. Amanda would join them at the beach tomorrow and he couldn't be happier.
A while later Zara said goodbye to Amanda by giving her a big hug and Amanda thanked her so very much for dinner. Everything had tasted so good but the dessert had been the grand finale and Zara beamed.
"Okay well I see you tomorrow then," Zara said starting to walk away, "I'll leave so you two can kiss or whatever."
Nick pretended to go after his cheeky daughter and she made the turn around the corner quickly, a loud giggle following her as she disappeared. He turned back with a big smile towards Amanda, she looked a little flustered though.
"Well thank you for dinner, it was really good," Amanda said quickly and for a second it looked as though she put her hand out to shake his but it ended up just touching his chest slightly. Nick couldn't help but smile at her awkwardness but then grabbed a hold of her arm as she turned to leave.
"The cook deserves more than a thanks I think," he said before catching her lips with his. He could feel the tension in her lips but also in her body as he wrapped his arms around her. Her lips relaxed a little after a few seconds though and he just let his tongue brush up slightly against her lips since he didn't want a make out session in the hallway either knowing his daughter might just be peeking out from behind the corner right about now. He let her go but went back for a brief peck before completely letting her go.
"I can't wait for tomorrow," he smiled.
"About that…" she started and he saw the awkwardness creep up on her again as she squirmed a little.
"I think I like only have… like I don't have a bathing suit, just like bikinis. Is that like appropriate? Like with her there. I can just keep my top on if that…"
He did his best to not smile too much or let the chuckle out that was building up inside of him. She was just too cute.
"A bikini is not a problem for either the daughter or the father," he said reaching out to touch her cheek, "I think she has a bikini too."
"Yeah but she's a kid, I'm a…" she said gesturing a little towards her own figure.
"Don't I know it," he smiled.
"Nick," she complained though and he wised up.
"Look, Maria took Zara to Sardinia last month and they even went to a topless beach and yes it was all Zara could talk about, still talks about, but a bikini is perfectly respectable and not inappropriate at all. But I'm very grateful for the concern you show towards my daughter. It's very much appreciated," he said closing in on her lips again.
"Okay, whatever," she whispered a little flippant once he let her go again and this time he had to chuckle at her discomfort. Too cute, he thought to himself as he watched her walk out. She threw him a look over her shoulder before she headed out on the street and his gut flipped at the tiny smile that played over her lips. She was just so gorgeous and he couldn't wait until he could see her again. Picturing her in a bikini didn't make the wait any more endurable.
That night after Nick had tucked his daughter in and turned the last page in the book they'd read Zara wasn't ready to say good night just yet.
"Dad," she started and he recognized the type of 'dad' that would have a question following it.
"Yes sweetheart," he said.
"Do you love Amanda?" she asked looking straight at him with those big, brown, curious eyes of hers.
"Yes I do," he answered honestly.
"And she loves you?"
"I guess you have to ask her that but I think so yes," he said not wanting to make it too complicated for his daughter.
"I love her," Zara said.
"Yeah? What do you love about her?" Nick had to ask. He'd heard her say she liked Amanda before but never used the word love before.
"She's very pretty," Zara started, "and nice. I like that she really listens to me when I talk, that she just doesn't nod and pretend she's listening like some grownups do. And she smells nice and she has a very pretty smile."
"She certainly does," Nick agreed.
"Will you marry her?" Zara suddenly asked.
"I don't know that yet Zara, we haven't been together that long you know."
"But you married mom after just a couple of months didn't you?"
"Yes, but that was different sweetheart."
"Different how?" Zara of course asked and he wasn't sure how to get out of it. He didn't really want to tell her that he'd married her mother so quickly since they found out she was pregnant.
"We just really wanted to get married."
"But don't you want to marry Amanda?"
Nick took a second to think about it and then answered whole heartedly;
"Yes. I do want to marry her."
"But she doesn't want to marry you?"
"Sweetheart it's just not that easy…"
"Why not?" Zara interrupted. Nick took a deep breath and ran his warm hand over his daughter's precious face.
"Right now we're just very happy being together okay. Just spending time together, laughing…"
"Kissing," Zara chipped in.
"Kissing," Nick echoed while tickling his daughter just slightly so he wouldn't wire her up too much before bedtime.
"And going to the beach together, like we're going to do tomorrow if you just get some sleep first," he said sitting up on Zara's bed so he could tuck her in one last time.
"It's going to be so much fun," Zara mused turning over on her side.
"It will," Nick said stroking his daughter's cheek, "Sweet dreams sweet thing."
He leaned down and placed a kiss on her hair. He turned the light on her bed stand off and made his way over to the door.
"I still say you should marry her though," he heard Zara whisper behind his back.
"And then give me a baby brother and a baby sister."
"You'd like that wouldn't you," Nick smiled turning around in the door.
"I would very much," Zara answered.
"I love you sweetie," he said.
"I love you dad," she answered.
Just as they'd decided he gave her a call once he and Zara were ready to head out the door. The plan was to pick her up before they headed down to Long beach for a day in the sun and waves. Amanda said she was ready and just as promised she was waiting out on the curb once they came driving down the street. Again his gut flipped as he laid eyes on her. She was absolutely stunning. Her hair was out, sunglasses on the top of her head holding her hair back a bit in the slight breeze blowing down her street. She wore a light tank top, the strings in her bikini top showing over her shoulders and on the bottom a short summer skirt. He couldn't recall ever seeing her in a skirt like that. It made her legs look long and toned. She had a rather large beach bag over her shoulder.
Zara let out a loud shriek of joy as she spotted Amanda. She was already sitting in the back having made room for Amanda to sit next to her. Nick jumped out to help Amanda load her bag in the trunk. He gave her mouth a quick greeting not paying any attention to her slight reluctance to show any public signs of affection.
"Hi Amanda," Zara shouted through the back door.
"Hi Zara," she answered.
"Will you sit with me in the back?" Zara asked with a pleading voice. Nick had told her she had to ask if Amanda wanted to sit there with her and not just take it for granted.
"Sure," Amanda said leaving Nick to handle her bag.
As she turned her back towards him he took the chance to check her out and he even took a step out to be able to follow her bounce all the way to the side door. Getting inside she caught him looking and raised her eyebrows at him before she climbed in.
"Nice skirt," he said playing with his eyebrows. He chuckled as he caught the finger she gave him, out of sight for Zara of course.
He tried to chip in a little into the conversation as they drove the about 40 minutes it took to get to Long beach but Zara hijacked most of the conversation wanting to quiz Amanda about what she liked to do on the beach but also of course tell Amanda what she liked doing. He knew rather well what his daughter liked already, she loved the water but she usually grew tired off it after a while so he brought some beach games like rackets, a Frisbee, a bucket that would probably serve more to collect shells than to build sand castles with. His little girl was growing up. He'd brought a tablet also with movies she could watch in case she got bored of the beach all together.
Amanda told her she'd brought a beach ball but Zara was more impressed by the underwater camera Amanda also told her she'd brought. Zara couldn't wait to get there to try it out. Nick had brought plenty to drink and snack on and he needed Amanda's hands to get everything with them once they'd parked the car by the beach. He had to tell Zara to wait for them a couple of times as she was eager to run down to the water. She knew he wanted to be there though. The waves weren't that big but he still wanted to keep his eye on her.
They hurried to set everything up at a spot that weren't too crowded. Zara tossed her clothes around as she got undressed and Nick told her to at least put them in a pile. Amanda smiled a little at his attempts to try and keep things in order even at the beach but did put her own clothes in a neat pile just to humor him. She felt a little uncomfortable by her own bareness as she'd shed her tank and skirt and it didn't help that she caught Nick checking her out. She shot him a stern look as she rearranged her bikini top a little.
"I love your bikini Amanda," Zara said pulling her attention away from Nick.
"Well thank you Zara, I love yours too," Amanda said getting her hair up in a bun.
"Thank you," Zara smiled, "we kinda match right."
"Yeah a bit," Amanda answered even though she didn't see it.
"We do match," Nick said stepping up next to Amanda. And they did, both his colors on his shorts were in the stripes of her bikini. She smiled and tried to pull away slightly from the hand he'd planted on her back.
"You do," Zara laughed, she was more thinking about how they looked than their bathing suits though.
"Do you need sunscreen?" he asked touching Amanda's shoulder. She had such fair skin he figured she might need some and he wouldn't mind helping her put some on either.
"Later maybe, I put some on earlier," she let him know.
"Are we ready then?" Zara said excitement radiating from her as she had a hard time standing still on the warm sand.
"Are we?" Nick asked looking at Amanda. She gave him a nod not really knowing how they usually did this.
"Well why are you standing around for then," he said taking off sprinting towards the inviting blue water.
"Not fair," Zara shrieked running after him. Amanda chuckled and took off too, making sure she stayed behind Zara though. Nick just ran straight in, diving down under the surface when he got out far enough. Zara ran until the water reached her butt and when she stopped Amanda caught up to her. The sun was already warming her but Amanda felt even warmer as she felt the little girl's hand grab a hold of her own.
"Dad's just not fair," Zara said sounding a little disappointed at him for leaving her behind.
"I know, typical for boys," Amanda said and Zara's face had a smile all over it when she looked up at Amanda.
"Let's get him," Amanda said and Zara giggled as she hurried up her steps again.
Nick had taken a few steps back towards the shore and watched his two girls coming out towards him hand in hand and it made him feel all giddy inside.
"You're gonna get if for leaving us behind," Zara shouted but her entire face was beaming and even more so as Nick grabbed a hold of her and pulled her out even further in the water. Amanda took the chance to dive down under the surface, feeling the cool water all over her skin and she came up a few yards from them.
"There she is," Zara smiled pointing towards her. Amanda stroke the water out of her face and watched them make their way over to her. The water reached Amanda to the shoulders so they were out further than Zara could reach.
"Can you look under water?" Zara asked her as they got closer. Amanda nodded.
"I can't," Zara said pouting a little.
"Yet," Nick added though and then handed her over to Amanda as they were close enough. Amanda looked a little like a scared cat as she grabbed a hold of the girl but Zara just put her hands on her shoulders and wrapped her legs around Amanda's midsection. Amanda felt the girl's fingers play a little with her hair.
"When did you learn?" Zara asked her.
"I can't remember actually," Amanda said honestly not remembering.
"But you were younger than me right? Everyone in my class can do it," Zara said sounding a little miserable.
"Or maybe they just say they can?" Amanda suggested and Zara's eyes got a little wider.
"Maybe they just aren't as brave as you and can own up to not being able to do it yet. Everything takes time to learn you know. My little sister didn't learn to swim until she was 9."
"She didn't?" Zara asked and Amanda shook her head.
"How old where you when you learnt?" Zara asked.
"Not much younger, maybe your age, before I learnt properly I just did the dog crawl," Amanda let her know.
"You mean like this?" Zara smiled and started splashing water all over the place.
"Yeah just like that," Amanda smiled.
"Hey," Nick said trying to stop the splashing, "why don't you show Amanda how good you are at swimming."
"Okay," Zara said letting Amanda go and she started circling around them.
"Wow, you're really good," Amanda said.
The surface was a little uneven though and soon Zara was back in her dad's arms after a few mouthfuls of water. Zara asked Amanda if she could stand on her hands under water and when she said yes she of course had to show her. Then Zara had her swimming in underneath her dad's legs and Zara kept ordering her around until Nick finally told her that Amanda wasn't her circus pet.
"I don't mind," Amanda said though.
"See she doesn't mind daddy," Zara said.
"Well how about you let me throw you instead," Nick said raising his shrieking daughter out of the water a little. The shriek that was equally filled with excitement and fear made him hold on to her though and bring her back down in to his arms. He knew he didn't have the bravest kid but she was still the only one he wanted.
"How about you throw Amanda instead," she suggested as she really liked the idea of throwing someone.
"How am I going to do that when I'm holding on to you goofball," Nick joked.
"I can get on your back," Zara said starting to climb around him and then grabbed a hold around his throat.
"Not too tight," he joked acting like he was being choked and Zara chuckled.
"You're silly dad, now pick her up," Zara urged. Nick raised his eyebrows towards Amanda not really sure if she was up for it or not. She seemed game though and came in a little closer.
"You wanna just… if you put your hands…" Amanda showed him and he caught on quickly.
"And I'll get my foot…" she said placing it in the middle of his weaved fingers and she put her hands on his shoulders.
"Now let's just pray my knee doesn't hit your jaw," she smiled. She was so close he could kiss her if he wanted but he settled with just knowing he could.
"On three?" he asked and she nodded. Zara helped him count and Amanda bopped up and down in the water a little only to get ready to take off once they hit three. With his strength and her limberness she left the surface and even managed to make somewhat of a somersault in the air before she hit the water again.
"Wow," Zara shrieked right by his ear and she applauded best she could once Amanda's head popped back up.
"That was impressive," Nick had to give her and Amanda smiled brightly.
"She can be at the circus dad," Zara giggled. Nick couldn't do much else than agree.
"Again," Zara shouted and then Amanda went up in the air several more times. She landed a little badly a few times, Nick imagined her skin felt the rough landing but she came up just as smiley.
"Let me throw you," Amanda said after a while and Zara cheered with joy. Zara let go of him and swam over to get on Amanda's back instead.
"Are you sure?" Nick asked once more when he'd placed his foot in her hands.
"Just don't kick me," she warned.
"I can't make any promises," he teased.
"No dad, you can't kick her," Zara said though not picking up on the irony.
"I won't sweetheart," he said looking straight at his daughter, his eyes then wandered to Amanda, "I promise I won't sweetheart."
Zara started giggling right by her ear.
"He called you sweetheart," she whispered through her girlish giggle. Nick smiled at his daughter but also at the shy smile Amanda had on her face.
"On three," he said and all three of them counted up. The changes they'd made weren't for the better but he at least got most of his body above the surface and then just landed on his side making a bigger splash than Amanda had ever made.
"You stink dad," Zara laughed once he came back up.
"I stink?" he said acting a bit offended, "We were three on this so if I stink you stink too."
"Do not," Zara countered only to have Nick try to tickle her.
"Save me Amanda," Zara shouted latching on harder around her.
"Oh she can't save you," Nick teased, "she's just as ticklish."
Amanda lost a little bit of footing as she felt Nick's hands on either side of her midsection but he was right there to hold both her and Zara above the surface. Once she had her feet back on the bottom she were able to fight back a little bit but it was hard when you had a tiny being latching on to your back. Amanda wouldn't have changed anything for the world though, she just was a little afraid to get Zara's head under water. Nick could tell Amanda wasn't fighting with all she got but she didn't really have to, he did more touching than tickling.
"Okay I surrender," Nick said leaning back in the water.
"Claim him," Zara shouted raising her fist in the air and Amanda's eyes got a few sizes larger. Nick chuckled at both his daughter outburst and his girlfriend's response to it.
"Claim him?" she questioned quietly as she got closer to him and Nick chuckled even more.
"Get on him," Zara shouted and now Amanda had to chuckle too. For once though she didn't mind getting close to him and Nick enjoyed feeling her body pressed up against him. He grabbed a hold of both of them and felt Amanda's legs wrap slightly around him.
"You thought I surrender? It was all just to trap you," Nick said taking them for a spin. Zara chuckled and shrieked back and forth as Nick splashed them around. Amanda just smiled through it all, having a really good time.
After a while they all settled down and Zara let go of Amanda's back so she could get to her front and hug both her and her dad at the same time.
"This is so much fun," Zara beamed.
As Nick had figured though she lost interest of the water after a while. They went back up to dry up some and Nick helped Amanda put sunscreen on her back and shoulders. He of course got a little suggestive but not too much as he could tell it made Amanda uncomfortable since Zara was nearby. They had a snack and something to drink but then Zara wanted to look for seashells and Nick went with her leaving Amanda to soak up some rays meanwhile.
They came back after a while and Zara showed Amanda their treasures. Amanda didn't have to act impressed, they'd found some really nice shells and stones. Zara asked if they could take pictures of some shells underneath the water. Amanda hurried to get her camera out. Nick sat back down on the blankets though and told them to head out on their own, he would guard their stuff. It was just an excuse to give the two some time alone. He could tell Amanda looked a little worried but he really didn't get it, she was a natural with kids but maybe she didn't see that herself. He watched them go out in the water staying near land in just a few inches of water at first. He of course couldn't help checking out Amanda's figure a little extra. He saw to young guys walk by and he saw them looking too. That would usually make him jealous but today nothing could ruin his good mood and he just felt proud to have such a hot girlfriend.
He saw them go out a little further and it didn't take long until Zara was around Amanda's neck like a little koala bear. He really had to get her more independent in and around water, maybe if he could spend more time with her and bring her more often to the beach or pool. Amanda was surely a good influence on her. He even saw both of them go down underneath the surface together a few times, something Zara was reluctant to do even with her dad.
He kept watching them. They'd moved further in again so Zara could stand on her own and it looked as though she sent Amanda down to take photos for her to look at. He really hoped Zara wasn't pushing her too hard. He thought about going out to join them when he spotted another little girl with a floating device starting to circle them. Soon Amanda had two little girls hanging around her. Nick soon connected the other little girl with a family further down the beach. A dad, mom, maybe a grandmother or aunt and at least two other children. He could tell the dad kept an eye on his girl in the water and Nick liked that.
Once the other girl had left them Zara and Amanda came walking up hand in hand.
"Look what we found dad," Zara smiled showing him some more nice seashells that would join the other in the bucket.
"Dad, can I go play with Mika and her brothers, they're building a sand castle over there," Zara said pointing further down the beach.
"Is that the girl you talked to out in the water?" Nick asked as he dried her up a little with a towel. Zara nodded.
"Will you make sure to stay out of the water if I let you go over there," Nick asked her and she nodded again.
"Okay but we're going to eat something in a little bit okay, and I want you to put your t-shirt on if you're going to play in the sun."
"But dad it's so hot," Zara complained.
"Well get it wet then," Nick said holding out the shirt towards her.
"But you said I couldn't go in the water," Zara tried. Nick gave her a stern look which his daughter tried to challenge for a few seconds. Zara knew better than to disobey her dad though and she took the shirt and pulled it on her as she made her way over to her newfound friend. Amanda sat down next to him on the blanket, she'd put her tank top back on.
"You didn't have to do that," he said giving her a look.
"I don't mind," she said casually, her eyes following Zara walking away on the beach.
"Well I mind," he answered and gave her a big grin when her eyes came back to meet his. She rolled her eyes at him.
"C'mon how am I going to put sunscreen on you," he teased.
"I can do without for a while," she sighed.
"Oh no, that ivory skin and we'll be here all day, I don't think so," he said grabbing the sunscreen and getting up on his knees behind her.
"You'll do anything for a chance to grope me right," she said a little quieter.
"You know me too well," he smiled as he pulled up her top in the back.
He took his time making sure he got her entire back, getting his hand in underneath the thin string in her bikini and around her sides. He could feel her relaxing and it turned in to more of a massage as they both kept their eyes on the girls at the waterline. He made sure he got plenty of sunscreen on her shoulders and up her neck. She moaned a little as he massaged her neck and her head fell forward with closed eyes.
"Hey, watch it so I don't have to bring you up to one of those cabanas and do nasty things to you," he whispered near her ear. His hand found its way around her torso and he easily got inside her bikini top and cupped her breast.
"Nick," she whispered not knowing what made her more flustered, his touch or his words.
"No one's watching," he whispered playing around over her nipple. Right then though a mom and young son passed them hand in hand and Amanda straighten up as Nick leaned backwards letting her go.
"And you're supposed to be a detective," she mocked once they'd passed.
He smiled and placed his legs on either side of her before pulling her back into an embrace from behind.
"Nick," she said trying to sit back up.
"What? One can hug one's girlfriend on the beach you know, it's perfectly legal," he said not letting her go.
"Your daughter…" she tried.
"…wants to see us doing this, counting in her obsession with bare boobs I might be raising a perv but she's perfectly fine with this," Nick said.
Amanda let him hold on to her for a few seconds but she didn't fully relax into him.
"What if someone from the force is here?" she asked worryingly.
"Would that be so bad?" he had to ask since he actually wouldn't mind getting spotted. It was one way to out what they had.
"Benson would fire my ass and I'll be back in Atlanta, is that what you want," she said sounding a little distraught, "it's not what I want."
"She wouldn't do that," he said trying to reassure her, "I wouldn't let her. If anyone of us were forced to leave it would be me."
"You'd do that?" she asked turning her head slightly so she could see him out of the corner of her eye. That move made her lean in to him further and he moved his arm a little tighter around her now that he had a chance.
"In an instance," he said seriously as he held her eyes, "If it comes down to you or the job there's no question what I'd choose."
He had to look away as he wanted to keep an eye on his daughter as well and she did the same leaning her head back against his shoulder. He felt her take a deep breath and then she finally relaxed in to him. He dared to smile slightly at the tiny win. He smiled even wider as he felt her hands that had been resting down on the blanket came up on his thighs and her fingers started playing around on his skin and with the sparse, thick hairs that covered his legs.
"I don't want you to leave though," she suddenly said.
"Cause you'd miss fighting with me or cause you'd miss secretly checking out my ass?" he smiled kissing her hair.
"Cause you're a great detective and I feel safe with you there," she said though and he got a little taken aback by her honesty.
"Thank you," he said just as candidly and buried his nose in her hair for a few seconds.
They stayed like that for a long time and he could've stayed there for the rest of the day. With her in his arms and watching his daughter happily playing around in the sand nearby everything felt just perfect.
Zara seemed to lose her playmate after a while though and came running back.
"Where did your friend go?" Nick asked her as she plumped down on the blanket next to them. Amanda had separated herself from him as they saw Zara coming back and he'd let her.
"They were gonna go eat but she'll be back in a while. Dad can we eat something too?"
"Sure can, sandwich?" he asked.
"Yes please," Zara said moving to sit closer to Amanda.
Nick took charge over the picnic basket and made sure everyone had what they wanted to eat and drink. He knew Amanda was a little wary about getting caught on camera, especially on his cellphone, but he managed to get his two girls to pose for a photo while they ate. Zara shared some new knock-knock jokes that she learnt and they were actually funny so both Nick and Amanda got to laugh wholeheartedly.
Zara's low ponytail was a little ruffled and Amanda asked if she wanted her to braid it. Zara, who Nick knew loved getting her hair done, jumped straight up and landed in front of Amanda. Zara's hair was a little tangled but Amanda, who'd done plenty of braids on her little sister over the years, knew the tricks to the trade and managed to form a perfect braid down the middle of Zara's back.
Zara's new friend Mika came running over and was sitting close to Amanda now watching her attach the rubber band around the end of Zara's braid. Mika had only shoulder long hair but Amanda still managed to make two braids on either side of her head and Zara didn't mind giving away two of her rubber bands. When Mika's hair was done too they ran back down to the grand sand castle that Mika's brothers were working on.
Nick didn't say anything since he didn't want to embarrass Amanda but he thought she was just brilliant with the girls. She could do hair, she was an awesome role model and she had some very good advice to give.
"What?" she asked catching him observing her.
"You're pretty awesome," he smiled.
"Tell me something I don't know," she said but he could tell his compliment made her cheeks a little flustered.
"Wanna get in the water?" he asked.
"Sure," she said pulling her tank top off as she got on her feet. They passed Zara on their way down to let her know they would be in the water for a bit.
"Got you dad," Zara answered. Amanda took a longer look on the sand castle and gave the kids praise for their work.
They walked out in to the water and this time Amanda dove in ahead of him. He followed closely behind though so he could come up right by her side and grab a hold of her. He threw Zara a look up on the beach before he caught Amanda's mouth with his. She climbed up on him a little bit as her arms wrapped around his neck and for a while she didn't seem at all worried about the fact they were out in public. His hands were down on her ass and since the water gave them a little cover he dared to let his hands go inside her bikini bottoms. She moaned a little into his mouth but then suddenly left his lips lonely. Instead she placed her head next to his and just squeezed him tight. Even her legs squeezed him and while smiling he held her just as tight with his arms around her. He saw Zara do some kind of twirl up on the beach and it inspired him to do the same and he twirled Amanda around in the water. He wasn't sure anything could make this day any more perfect but he didn't hold it impossible, everything was just going so well right now.
They spent a little more time in the water before they walked back up to Zara. Nick had grabbed a hold of Amanda's hand and she didn't pull away even as they reached the beach front. The man that Nick earlier had figured was Mika's dad came walking down to the sand castle as well and he got it confirmed as he introduced himself.
"Nick, Zara's dad," he said shaking the man's hand.
"And this is Amanda, my girlfriend," he said proudly looking back at Amanda who were standing right behind him.
Amanda shot the man a smile and waved a little in the air. Nick couldn't help but wink at her before he turned back. Nick and the other dad talked a little about the nice weather and how good the beach and boardwalk were coming along after the storm that more or less tore it up two years ago.
They paid a visit to that boardwalk a little later after they'd all had another swim. Mika had left with her family, the dads exchanging e-mails so the girls could stay in touch, and Zara was in a good mood having made a new friend. They had an ice-cream sitting down on the dock and Nick forced them to pose for another photo. Zara, as usual, managed to get a taste of everyone's cones and she ruled Amanda's chocolate mix the tastiest of them all. Nick was rather sure the fact Zara wanted to bond with Amanda had a little to do with her choice as well.
He couldn't have asked for a better day and they didn't drive back home until the sun set. They had stopped at a diner for a light dinner since they'd been snacking the entire day. They all had sand in their trunks when sitting down but no one complained, it was just a reminder of the great day they had. Nick and Zara dropped Amanda off outside her place and she let him give her a quick kiss behind the back of the car as they unpacked her bag. Nick stayed on the street to see her walk inside and Amanda waved a final goodbye to Zara as she entered the front door.
"Maybe we can ask mom if I can come next weekend as well so we can do this all over again?" Zara suggested once he got back in the car.
"I would love that, we can ask but don't get your hopes up okay sweetie?" Nick said wanting to spare his daughter's feelings. He only had her every third weekend and he knew Maria wasn't all that keen to disrupt that schedule. He wasn't really sure where her head was at after the spectacle she'd made at the station, and in his life. They'd kept to communication through texts after that.
He called Amanda once Zara was tucked in. Zara had fallen asleep the second her head hit the pillow and Nick thanked Amanda for making bedtime procedures so much simpler. He could tell Amanda sounded drowsy too and he didn't keep her up that long even though he wanted to. His mom was taking Zara back to DC in the morning but he made sure they got out okay and then rode in to the station. It was quite obvious on Amanda's face that she'd caught some sun yesterday and Nick smiled secretly as Liv pointed it out during lunch.
Since Amanda had missed her meeting that Sunday he knew she would catch one Monday night at a different location and he missed her but didn't worry when she didn't check in that night. He stepped in to the station Tuesday morning though hoping to catch her there as early as him but she wasn't at her desk. Liv was in her office and Nick popped his head in to say good morning. He asked her if they'd caught a case and she said yes but then got interrupted by the phone so Nick stepped back outside for a bit.
Amanda was usually in early but he tried not to worry when she still hadn't showed up when Fin walked in.
"Have you talked to your partner this morning?" Nick asked him but Fin shook his head. Nick knew he was being silly, she was just running late like half an hour. Just as Fin sat down at his desk Liv walked out of her office heading straight towards him.
"Morning Fin, so your partner had to leave town in a bit of a rush this morning but don't worry she'll be back in a couple of days," Liv said, "so I'd like you and Nick to…" Nick interrupted her though, getting up out of his chair.
"Why? What happen?" he said taking a few quick steps over towards them. Liv turned around looking a bit surprised about his sudden concern.
"I mean if she had to rush something must've happen right?" he quickly added trying to cover himself a little.
Smooth, Fin thought to himself but he was concern too and turned his attention back to Liv.
"Well I guess it's no secret, we've been involved when it comes to her sister before," Liv started, "The police picked up Kim in Atlanta, Amanda flew down to deal with it."
