A/N-Once again thank you one and all for the reviews. I'm glad you all enjoyed the last chapter. This one is a continuation of the vacation. A thing about this chapter, I was initially going to end this story with this chapter but there are still 4 chapters left. I felt I needed to wrap up a bit more and so in the next four chapters after this, time will have passed some from the end of this chapter to the next. Hope you all enjoy this one!
He was startled awake by groaning noise. Enough morning light was seeping through the drapes for him to see that the noise came from the man lying next to him. He was restless in his sleep and seemed like he was saying "no." He placed his hand on his shoulder to wake him up. He moaned some more and threw his arm to the side, narrowly missing his head. He shook him harder and Greg's eyes opened up suddenly and fixed on Nick who was staring at him.
"Another nightmare," Nick asked him softly. Greg pulled the sheet up to his neck and curled up on his side tighter. "Yeah, I guess paradise isn't a cure all after all," he said sheepishly. Nick recognized the sad look in his eyes and knew it had been a bad one again.
"You want to talk about it?" Nick tried asking him. Greg looked away from him for a moment before turning his eyes back to look into his. "You were there."
"What do you mean I was there? Was this back in the Jamison's house?" Nick asked him. Greg shook his head. "No, not there, it was in the basement." He looked almost ashamed to be telling him this. Nick was curious. "What was I doing there?"
"Nick, please, you don't need to hear my twisted dreams," Greg said to him with a pleading tone. "You need to tell me Greg. I need to know because it will help me understand when you shut me out, because you usually do after a bad dream."
Greg sighed, knowing Nick was right. He did tend to push him away when he had bad dreams, especially if he was in them. He promised Nick last night that he wouldn't push him away anymore. "Okay, you were there, goading them on. You told them that I was a liar and I deserved to be punished. You were just about to whip me yourself when you woke me up." He couldn't meet Nick's eyes when he told him this. He felt so embarrassed.
Nick moved his chin so that he would look at him. "I don't want you feeling guilty about having this dream. You know I would never hurt you." Greg nodded. "I know and that is why I hate it. I don't understand why I have these dreams like that."
Nick nodded thoughtfully. "So have you told Dr. Levine about these dreams?" Greg sighed. "Yes."
"And what does he have to say about them?" Nick asked him, really wondering why he was having those types of dreams. "He said it's my insecurities about our relationship."
"So even after last night you are still feeling like I will leave you or that I don't love you?" Nick asked him seriously. Greg moved, sitting up in bed and pulling his knees to his chest and rubbing his hands over his face. "I know you promised me so I don't know why I still have these dreams," he said with frustration in his voice.
Nick pulled Greg's hands away from his face. "Look at me. You can't control your dreams, none of us can. Stop feeling guilty about it. It's okay as long as you know I would never hurt you like that."
"I know you would never hurt me. I wouldn't stay with you if I thought you might because I couldn't deal with it anymore. I do love you and I just wish these dreams would stop," he whined as he ran his hand through his hair.
Nick took his chin and turned it towards him. "Let's drop this. We're here in paradise. Let's do what we came here to do, escape from the mess in Vegas for a while. Why don't you jump in the shower, while I make some breakfast. Then we can go check out that place we saw on the way here to do some snorkeling? What do you say?"
Greg frown disappeared. "Sure that sounds great. I would love to do some snorkeling."
"Great, I'll start breakfast while you shower." Nick got out of bed and pulled Greg up with him to get him started.
It was dusk by the time they came back. Greg collapsed on the patio chair outside after grabbing a bottle of water and his pills to take down. Nick came a couple seconds after, feeling as exhausted as Greg. "What a day! I can't believe we did all that in one day…no I take that back. I can believe it because my body feels it," Greg said with a groan.
"Seriously, it was your idea to do the zip-lining thing after snorkeling for a few hours…no wonder why we feel like every bone aches in our body. My arms are killing me," Nick moaned in unison with Greg. Then they both laughed. "We both sound like old men, complaining like this," Nick said. He looked over at Greg who had the biggest smile on his face. He was happy and that was his goal for the day, to make him happy and forget the issues of the morning and night before.
"You know, I am eyeing our Jacuzzi right over there right now. I bet that would feel awesome against our aching muscles," the younger man said to him. Nick looked over and agreed that would probably be great. "I tend to agree."
Greg finished off his bottle of water and his pills before shucking his t-shirt and with a mischievous grin Nick's way and sauntered over to the Jacuzzi and slowly walked into it. His grin disappeared a little bit feeling the heat of the water. "Okay…maybe a bit hotter than I thought," he said through gritted teeth as he sat down on the built in bench inside. He looked for the controls and lowered the temperature a bit. Then he settled in more comfortably and looked at Nick. "Are you going to join me?"
Nick laughed. "I'm going to grab us a couple more bottles of water and then I will join you. I know how thirsty it can make you." Greg laid his head back and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the jets against his aching body.
Nick came a minute later and stripped off his shirt and walked in to join Greg. He moved so that he was right next to Greg. He placed the water bottles behind them so they could easily grab them if needed.
"It feels wonderful doesn't it," Greg said in a low throaty voice. Nick agreed, it did feel great. "You know, today was pretty awesome," Nick said as he closed his own eyes to enjoy the jets against him.
"Yeah it was. If I haven't thanked you yet I want to thank you now for arranging this. I'll have to thank Mom and Dad and your parents when we get back, even though I wish we didn't have to go back," he said with a sigh.
"Well we still have a few days left. Tomorrow you need to Skype with Dr. Levine at 2pm but other than that the day is all ours again. Anything in particular you want to do?"
"I think we just chill out here tomorrow; maybe go down to our private beach," Greg smiled at the just saying that. "Sounds good to me," Nick replied. He looked over at Greg, who still had a smile on his face. It pleased him that this vacation is just what he needed. He hoped that when they went back to Las Vegas he would better be able to deal with the situations that might arise, including possibly having to testify in court still for Brad Jamison, but he wasn't going to bring any of that up now. He just wanted to try not to talk about any of that unless Greg was the one to bring it up.
After about fifteen minutes of just relaxing in the hot tub, Greg decided he was ready to get out. "Okay I'm going to turn into a prune if I stay in here any longer. Plus I am really hot now. I almost want to cool off in the pool instead."
Nick shrugged. "If that's what you want to do, then go ahead and do it." Greg stood up and looked at him with a crooked grin. "I might just do that."
"I dare you to go naked," Nick added with a grin and glint in his eyes. Greg glared at him a moment and then took a look around. There were tall bushes and fencing surrounding the property, no one would be able to see him if he did. He looked back down at Nick, who was still sitting in the tub. "You think I won't but I will." He smirked and then stripped off his shorts, leaving nothing but skin. He walked over to the deeper end of the pool and dived in. Next thing Nick knew he popped his head out right at the end by the Jacuzzi. He stuck his tongue out at Nick. "See told ya I would do it."
Nick laughed at him. "I hoped you would. I've missed this side of you." Greg frowned a little. "I guess I really have been a drag haven't I, but I am trying to change that. I'm hoping this is a good start."
The Texan moved over so that he could lean over to where Greg's head bobbed above water in the pool. "It's a great start," he smiled and then leaned over to kiss him. Greg enjoyed the kiss for about a good minute before pulling away and splashing water in Nick's face with a laugh. He dove down into the water to swim away.
"You brat!" Nick chuckled and proceeded to get out of the Jacuzzi himself and join his partner in the much more refreshing pool.
Greg had started swimming laps in the good sized pool and Nick thought he was crazy since he knew his arms were still killing him from all the swimming they did while snorkeling. Nick just waded in the shallow end, waiting for the younger man to swim up to him. After about ten laps he came over to where Nick was, looking a bit worn out.
"I can't believe you just did ten laps after all that swimming and then the zip line thing we did today. Aren't your arms killing you?" Nick asked him as Greg came to sit beside him on the pool steps.
"Yes, I guess they are sore but I've been in worse shape," he shrugged. Nick knew what he was talking about and decided to let it drop. Instead he moved behind Greg and placed his hands on his shoulders and began massaging them. "You know, I've always thought you had a swimmer's body; your broad shoulders and then long, lean torso and narrow waist…no wonder you are such a fish when you are in the water. It's so damn sexy," he smiled to himself since he knew Greg could not see his face.
"Hmm, others have said the same thing to me," he said rather quietly. Nick caught his tone and had a feeling he was referring to Jasper. Greg shrugged off Nick's hands from his shoulders and got up out of the pool. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist and proceeded to stretch out on a lounge chair.
Nick chewed on his lower lip before getting out of the pool himself. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off. He noticed Greg had a slight pout on his face as he watched him dry off. He knew what he was thinking. He knew he was probably thinking about how he didn't deserve him. He was going to erase those thoughts. He threw the towel to the ground and then straddled over Greg's lounge chair and sat down on his lap.
"Ugh, watch where you are sitting there Cowboy. I'm not a horse," Greg groaned but a small smile did form on his lips. Nick shifted so he was more comfortable for both of them. He leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of the chair by Greg's head.
"You know, I don't care what others before me have said about you and you shouldn't either. All that should matter is what I think and I think you are still damn sexy, especially with that goofy crooked grin you always get on your face like right now," Nick smirked.
"So what are you going to do about this goofy grin on my face, huh?" Greg challenged him. Nick licked his lips and ground himself against Greg's groin, eliciting a moan from the man below him. "I'm going to wipe that silly grin off your face with a kiss that is going to blow your mind."
Greg raised his eyebrows. "Oh is that so?" Nick ground against him some more. "Oh it's so." And with that he bent down and locked lips with the sandy haired man below him. He covertly moved his hand and tugged at his nipple. Greg bucked a little under him. He wrapped his arms around Nick's neck and pulled him down closer. He knew what Nick was doing and he appreciated it. He knew he had let thoughts drift into his mind that he was trying to keep at bay.
He moved his head to the side so Nick could kiss down his throat. He missed moments like this, with Nick lavishing him with affection. It made him realize how stupid he had been to try to take his life when he had the man he loved so willing to get him through the difficult times. He needed to tell Nick he appreciated him. He grabbed Nick's face and made him stop what he was doing and face him. "I need to say this one more time and then I won't say it again. I'm sorry I tried to end my life and leave you. I know now that it was the stupidest thing I have ever done. You give me so much love and I just didn't appreciate it but I do now. Just like now, you saw I was thinking about them again and here you are trying to make me forget. You are always here for me and I was going to just throw that in your face, like I didn't care."
"You were in a tough situation and you were at your lowest point. I know that now, I don't blame you, as I said I would have tried to take my life much earlier than you had. You don't need to apologize anymore," Nick eyes soft as he spoke.
"I know and that is why I said this would be the last time. I just wanted you to know it won't happen again. I love you. And now you can do back to doing what you were doing," he said with a huge grin.
Nick laughed. "You nut this is why I love you." He went back to lavishing kisses all over Greg's body. Nick wanted to make love to Greg and waited for his nod to allow him to. Ever since Greg had returned from his four month ordeal, Nick always wanted to make sure he was ready to allow him in. He knew it always was a little painful since there was so much scar tissue down there.
"We have no condoms out here. I need to run inside real quick. Don't move," Nick said to him. Greg stayed still while waiting on Nick. Nick didn't take long at all he didn't want to lose the moment.
Greg smiled upon his rapid return, seeing Nick's growing excitement. "I see someone is eager to get his groove on," he chuckled as Nick straddled him again. Nick smiled at him. "Now where was I?" Greg pointed to his neck. "I think I was lower but I can start there again," Nick grinned and then proceeded to lick Greg's long neck.
Greg closed his eyes as he let the feeling of Nick's hot mouth trail down his body. He moaned in pleasure as Nick's tongue dipped into his belly button. He let himself get lost in the pleasure Nick was bringing upon his body. He heard the sound of Nick ripping open the condom wrapper and raised his hips in anticipation. He felt a cushion placed under him to help support him. He smiled to himself knowing Nick was taking all care in making sure he was comfortable.
"You still with me?" Nick asked him as he had his eyes still closed but seemed to be enjoying himself. Greg just hummed with a grin on his face. Nick was use to Greg keeping his eyes open lately during any intercourse but apparently this time was different but as long as he had a smile on his face he knew he was alright. He slowly started adding fingers to loosen him up. He didn't see Greg's smile falter until he began to enter him. He knew it always caused him some discomfort and there was still a part of Nick that felt guilty for taking pleasure when he knew he was in some discomfort. He was lost in his thoughts when he heard Greg groan for him to move. He hadn't realized he was hardly moving at all. He looked down at Greg who was gazing lustfully up at him.
"Lost your way, Cowboy?" He smirked at him. That comment made Nick move faster inside him. Nick noticed Greg keeping eye contact with him now. He leaned over and kissed him, whispering "I love you." "I know," the younger man replied in a throaty voice.
Being inside Greg made Nick feel complete and reaffirmed Greg's trust in him, which was the most important thing to him.
When he finally exerted himself, he pulled out slowly and discarded the condom to the floor. Greg scooted over as far as he could so Nick could settle in next to him, but more so on top of him on the lounge chair. Greg closed his eyes and buried his head in Nick's neck and wrapped his arms around him.
Nick felt wetness on his neck and pulled back to see that Greg had started crying. He lifted his head and Greg opened his eyes. "What's wrong?" Greg shook his head. "I don't know. It's just you're so tender with me."
"You don't want me to be tender with you?" Nick asked slightly confused.
"No, that's not it. It's that you respect me so much and you always make sure I am okay with you making love to me. It just means so much to me and it just hit me suddenly for some reason." He wiped at his eyes. "God, I am such a blubbering fool at times lately," he laughed softly.
Nick placed his hand on his cheek and brushed his thumb over it. "I don't mind. I just want you to be comfortable and happy. I never want to hurt you so I will keep asking and making sure you are okay with it."
Greg placed his hand over Nick's on his face. "You could never hurt me. Besides it's really not pain anymore, it's just…I dunno, weird feeling. So much scar tissue and it just feels weird, but then you always go a pace that brings me pleasure even when I thought for so long that I would never feel that pleasure again, you bring it to me." He fingered the ring on Nick's left ring finger. "Like it says in the engraving, you are my savior. You save me every time." He smiled at him and then lightly brushed his lips across his lovers'.
Nick briefly pulled away and gazed lovingly at him. "We save each other," he smiled and then kissed him deeply and passionately. They lay together holding each other as they looked up at the night starry night sky.