Please be advised of the sexual content in this chapter. Very strong PG13 /R

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Chapter 7

Nick flipped his phone closed and watched as Sara made her way toward him. His stomach clenched into a tight knot as he thought about her reaction to the news he was about to tell her.

Nick motioned for her to seat next to him. She stood there a moment staring down at him with worried eyes. "Nick what is it?" she asked urgently as she sat down next to him. He reached over and took her hand. Her eyes widened at his comforting gesture.

"Another girl was murdered tonight, same MO. She was stabbed several times and then strangled to death." he said quietly, stroking her hand with his thumb. "Was she raped?" Sara asked reluctantly. "Yes," Nick replied sympathetically. Nick watched as her shoulders sagged and her head dropped down toward her chest in defeat. He heard her quiet sigh. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Sara," he said softly. She looked over at him slowly and met his beautiful eyes, which were full of sadness and anxiety. She knew right away there was more. "Tell me," she demanded.

He tightened his grip on her hand, as he looked directly into her eyes and said, "Next to the victim written in her blood were the words "Soon Sara'." Nick watched as Sara's face blanched and she sat back against the couch.

She pulled her hand out from under his and brought it up to her face, covering her mouth. He watched silently as her eyes filled with tears. She sat for a minute, absorbing what Nick had said. She suddenly sprang to her feet and bolted down the hallway. "Sara," Nick called as he jumped up to his feet. He heard a door slam. He stopped outside the bathroom door and listened to the sound of her retching.

Nick waited till he heard the toilet flush and then he quietly opened the door and stepped inside. Sara sat leaning against the wall in front of the toilet, tears slowly sliding down her pale face. She looked up at him with her grief stricken eyes and whispered, "It's my fault. She's dead because of me."

Nick came forward and squatted down in front of her. "No Sara. You're wrong. It's not your fault." He placed his hand on her cheek to reassure her. Sara turned her head away from his hand. "He killed her to send me a message," she sighed heavily. She looked up at him and said in a distraught voice, " He'll do it again and again until he's caught. Every time he hit me Nick I could feel the hate in him and it was powerful." Her hands went to her neck as she quietly said, " And when his thick fingers wrapped around my neck, he enjoyed it…immensely. He'll kill again Nick to make his point." Nick looked her waiting for her to finish. "I shouldn't have lived." she whispered hopelessly.

"Sara no," he said as he reached out to touch her. She pulled away again and said despondently, "Please leave me alone," her eyes begging him, "I need to be alone right now."

Nick stood slowly and gazed down at her, "Fine if that's how you want it Sara but I'm not leaving the apartment. I will leave you alone in the bathroom but I will not leave you. I'm here for you Sara: to listen if you need me too or if you need someone to hold you. I'm here. I promise." With that said he turned and quietly shut the door.

Sara pulled her knees to her chest and rested her weary head on top of them. Part of her was angry that he wouldn't give her space. But the other part of her was relieved because she didn't want to be alone. For the first time in her life she felt scared. Scared that this maniac was going to kill innocent women because of her. She was also scared of what would happen if he ever got a chance to get close to her. She shut her eyes and let the tears come.

Nick went out and sat on the couch. He understood better then anyone what she was going through. But he also understood Sara and her need for independence. He would give her space. He just hoped that she would lean on him when the time came. He knew what it was like to handle things alone. It sucked. He could hear her sobs echo sadly down the hallway. He turned the television on with the volume turned off. He wanted it to be able to hear just in case she called him. He gave her an hour, fighting the urge to get up and go to her the whole time.

Sara must have fallen asleep because she woke to Nick gently stroking her cheek and calling her name. Her eyes fluttered open and she gave him a small grin when he said, "Hey sleeping beauty. I figured you'd rather sleep in your bed then here on the bathroom floor." "Thanks Nick," she said sitting up and stretching her sore muscles. He held out his good hand to her and she took it as he helped her up off the floor.

"I didn't mean to push you away Nick," she said still holding onto his hand. "I'm just use to handling things by myself," she finished looking up into his handsome face. "I need to give you your space, I realize that. It's just that I hate seeing you upset." A smile began to creep across her face as she looked at him. "I could use a hug right now." she said quietly. His gorgeous face lit up in his trademark smile as he opened his arm to her.

Sara nestled herself against his broad chest careful not to hit his sling. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled her face against his neck. He felt warm and safe and he smelled absolutely wonderful, that heady mix of cologne and of Nick himself. His arms seemed like the perfect place to forget, at least for a little while.

Nick felt her press hers body securely against his. He sighed inwardly, relieved that she was not shutting him out. He breathed in the unique scent that belonged to only her. His hand absently ran up and down her back. It hesitated slightly when it reached the cool skin near her shoulder. He slowed his journey, enjoying the feel of her smooth, soft skin. His fingertips lingered for a while as they glided back and forth. Finally they continued their way up her neck to slide softly through her silky hair. He couldn't help but smile when he heard her sigh as he gently massaged the back of her head.

As Nick's fingers ran across her skin, her hands began a quest of their own. He had put on a tank top earlier and her fingers sought the hem. Ever so slowly they crept underneath the fabric until they found what they deeply desired: Nick's warm skin. She heard herself sigh as his wonderful fingers touched the back of her head tenderly but what she was really expressing was her joy at finally touching his naked flesh. She let her fingers travel slowly, enjoying the sensation of the hard muscles of his back.

She found herself nuzzling his neck. It was as if she had no control, as her tongue darted out of her mouth to taste him. She felt his body go rigid and a small guttural sound escaped his lips. The sound of Nick's moan sent a hot wave of desire through her body. She continued her exploration of his neck with her mouth, slowly licking, kissing and nipping her way up to his ear. She softly blew with a heated breath and felt his body shutter in response. He hissed her name through his clenched teeth.

Sara's hands traveled back down the V of his body and circled around to his chest. She felt his chest hair tickled the palms of her hands. She made her way up to his nipples circling them slowly. She could hear his breath quicken and felt his hand untangle itself for her hair. He slid it hurriedly down her back to grip her ass.

She nibbled on his earlobe and moaned lustfully as he began to caress her rear end. She kissed her way across his strong jaw. She stopped just below his lips and looked up at him. She was taken back by the fiery look of lust in his eyes. "Sara," he growled as she felt his hand snake up inside her shirt. It came to rest, gripping her side just below her breast; she felt the gentle glide of his thumb as it brushed the underside of her breast. She closed her eyes and had to stifle the moan that threatened to pass from her lips. She felt the burning heat of desire begin to settle at her center.

Nick and Sara's eyes locked as they watched the intensity of the fire between them ignite into a roaring flame. Nick tried to control his raging passion. He knew if she didn't stop her fingers from stroking his chest, he was going to take her then and there, regardless of their injuries. The passionate look of hunger on her beautiful face was driving him crazy. How his hand ached to cup her breast in his hand and run his thumb across her hardened nub. He wanted to hear her moan his name. His need for her was too strong and he would never be able to hold back all the passion and desire he felt for her. He did not want to hurt her and was afraid he would. When they made love for the first time, he wanted them to be physically and mentally ready.

Nick pulled away from her, gasping when he felt one of her hands on his bulging erection. "Nick," she moaned at the loss of his body. "Sara, As much as want you right now, we can't." "Nick we can. We'll just be careful," she groaned stepping close to him and running her hands up his chest. "Baby, you've got to quit touching me. I can't think straight." Nick said stepping away from her again. "Isn't that the point," she said seductively moving toward him with a glimmer in her eye. She had him backed up against a wall.

"Sara listen to me," he demanded. Her eyes lost some of their lustfulness at the sound of his tone. She stepped away from him. "Darlin, you need to understand. I want to be able to touch you without hurting you. I want to be able to put both of my hands on that sexy body of yours. I want to be able to take your clothes off one piece at a time. I don't want either one of us incapacitated. There is so much I want to do to you and I want to know you're thoroughly enjoying it. Do you understand?" he asked.

Sara shook her head yes slowly and gave him a wicked grin. "You want to ravish me thoroughly and completely and you want to do it right the first time. And just so you know the same goes for you Mr. Stokes. I have some incredible plans for that fine body of yours." "Damn woman why do I have a feeling we won't be leaving the bedroom for a least 3 days."

Sara laughed huskily as she slid up against his body. "Baby that sexy smile of yours won't leave your face, guaranteed." " Miss Sidle I think I am going to enjoy this brazen side of you." Sara grinned and pulled his face down close to hers and whispered, "Oh I think you're going to be in for one hell of a surprise at just how brazen I can be Nick." She laced her fingers through his hair and kissed him passionately.

The sound of her phone ringing broke them apart. Nick glanced at his watch and said, "Who would be calling you this late at night? It's after 11:00." Sara shrugged and headed to the phone in the living room. "Hello?" No answer. "Hello?" No answer. Sara felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. It was him. She quickly slammed down the phone.

Nick could tell by her reaction that the call had upset her. "Sara who was it?" "Wrong number." "Sara," he said stepping close to her and grasping her arm. "What did they say?" "Nothing, nobody was there." she said softly. "But you think it was him?" She looked up at him surprised at how intuitive he was. "No…Yes…I don't know. It was just a feeling I got that's all. This whole case is just getting to me. I can't think clearly."

Nick nodded and released her. "Warrick said he'd call tomorrow and let us know if we can come in and take a look at the evidence." "Really? It would make me feel a lot better being involved. I feel so discombobulated right now. I hate feeling this way."

Nick nodded his head in agreement. "I think we both need to get some sleep and talk about it some more tomorrow. I realize this thing between us is only adding to the situation. I don't want to push you into anything you're not ready for, Sara."

She smiled at him and his thoughtfulness. " I'm glad you're here Nick. And you're not pushing me into anything I don't want. I know without a doubt I want you Nick." She reached out and grabbed his hand and brought it up to her lips. She gently kissed the palm of his hand and then laid it against her cheek as she whispered, " I really, really want you Nick." His sexy smile graced hishandsome face as his thumb caressed her cheek. "I'm glad to hear that Sara cause I really, really want you too. Now I think I should sleep on the couch so all temptation can be avoided. Don't you agree?"

"Nick we're both adults I think we can handle sleeping in the same bed." Sara huffed. "Sara," he said leaning down and breathing into her ear, "I don't think I can lie in the same bed with you and sleep." He gave her a quick kiss on her earlobe and looked at her. She sighed and said, "You're right. I'm just too damn sexy," she said with a smirk. He laughed and gave her a playful swat on the butt. "Hey you brute! Let me get you a blanket and a pillow."

She returned a few minutes later with the items in hand. He stretched out on the couch barely fitting, as she placed the blanket over him. "Are you sure you're all right. The couch isn't big enough for you." "I'm fine Sara. I can sleep anywhere. Now go to bed." "Fine. If you need anything give me a shout. Sweet dreams Nick." she said bending down and giving him a gentle kiss on the lips. "Night Sara," he whispered.

He heard her door shut and closed his eyes. He was definitely going to have some very sweet dreams about a certain brunette with her luscious lips and sexy, long legs.

Sara climbed into bed and sighed. She knew he was right but she liked feeling him close to her. She just liked the feel of Nick period. The man was too sexy for his own good. She rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes. She hoped visions of a naked Nick would fill her head and not those of a murdered girl. She had a feeling it was going to be a very long night.