Chapter 2

Nick woke up and felt around the bed for the woman he had fallen asleep with. Riley was no where to be found. He saw that she had cleaned up her clothes and folded his neatly and set them in the chair by the bookshelf. He smirked and looked around the room, trying to find a sign of her. He heard a soft murmur of voices down stairs and he grabbed his clothes from last night.

He tip toed out of Riley's room and down the stairs to see a living room full of guys. One of them sitting on the couch smiled and called out. "Hey Ry...I think someone's here for you!"

"Well let them in!"

"He already is."

Riley appeared at the bottom of the stairs and she blushed as the men hooted and hollered behind her. "Shut up!" She shouted good-naturedly. Nick blushed and she slowly walked up the stairs while mouthing the words 'I am so sorry'.

Nick looked back down at the men and blushed again. "Are those your brothers?"

"God no! Those are my roommates."

"Riley, we can all see your ass hanging out of those adorable Cheekies underneath your flannel shirt!" A blonde surfer looking guy from the couch teased and Riley rolled her eyes and smiled as she called back,

"Want me to call Mary and tell her you're lookin at other girl's asses Shaun! Cause I'll do it!" That shut him up and Riley smiled. "Are you headin out now or do you want some breakfast?" Nick paused and stole a quick glance at the guys in the living room, enthralled with whatever was on television. She smirked. "Fair warning, they'll interrogate the hell outta you if you stay."

Nick smiled. "I can handle it."

Riley smiled and they walked back down stairs. The long flannel shirt she was wearing ended at her thigh, exposing her long legs and Nick felt like almost all the eyes in the room were on her legs. Nick looked around the room and Riley pulled him into the living room. "Guys, this is Nick. Nick, this is the guys. That's Troy, and next to him is Shaun,"

"What's up Man?" Shaun greeted and Nick nodded.

"Not much."

"Next to Shaun is Thomas."

"Hi." Thomas greeted and waved at Nick.

"Hey."

"That's Pot Roast." She pointed to the Mexican relaxing in the lazy boy recliner. He nodded lazily at Nick and Nick exchanged the nod.

"Pot Roast...?" Nick asked a smirk forming on his face. "How'd you get that nickname?"

Everyone laughed. "Trust me," Jon began. "You don't wanna know."

"Well, hey Pot Roast."

"This is Jabari." She gestured to the African American man who extended his hand to Nick.

"Hey man, just so you know, she's my wife." Jabari said gesturing towards Riley. Nick looked at her in shock and Riley swatted Jabari upside the back of the head.

"Shut up Jabari." She ordered and shook her head 'no' to Nick. "You have just been introduced to the 'Jabari sense of humor'...funny unless you aren't in on it." She explained and Nick calmed down slightly, feeling stupid for freaking out.

"Don't worry about it Dude," Shaun began, a soft lazy tone to his voice. With his relaxed Ron Jon T shirt, Vans sneakers, and plaid shorts he reminded Nick of a surfer stuck in Suburbia. "Jabs pulls that with every one." He rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the television.

Nick couldn't help but laugh at Riley's blush. "As I was saying, this is CJ," she said nudging the guy who had just approached her.

"What's up man?"

"Not much."

"And this jolly son of a biscuit is Jon." She joked and Nick raised an eyebrow at her. Figuring it was an inside joke he didn't ask and shook hands with the large man who eyed him skeptically.

"Hi Jon." Nick greeted.

"Hey Nick." They shook hands. Riley looked around.

"Who're we missin?"

"Deven, he went out to grab some more beer and cigarettes." CJ answered, his eyes never leaving the television.

"You guys! It's 8:00 in the morning!"

"Hello, the beer is for later." Thomas piped up.

She rolled her eyes and whispered to Nick. "They ain't even gonna make it past noon without crackin into the six pack." She said with a slight chuckle. Nick smiled and shook his head. "Okay boys, play nice. I'll be right back." She said turning to face Nick.

She jogged up the stairs and Shaun smirked at Nick, "So, you met Riley at the club?"

"Yeah..." Nick answered, suddenly feeling very nervous...and very old. He realized he had to have at least five or six years on more than a few of the people in the room. He shifted his weight nervously, and luckily Riley came back down the stairs after having changed into a pair of cut offs and a green Texas A&M T-shirt.

Just then the door opened and a man about an inch taller than Nick appeared on the door. His dark brown hair was in a buzz cut and his piercing blue eyes were shown once he removed his sunglasses and stepped into the living room. He looked over at Riley and she met his gaze. The man look over at Nick and met his eyes.

"Hey Shaun!" He called, his eyes never leaving Nick.

"Yeah?" Came the lazy reply.

"When'd we get a new guy in here?"

"Since last night. Riley brought him home."

Riley rolled her eyes and continued down the steps. "Keep it in check boys, last thing we need is a testosterone battle." Riley ordered and walked past Deven to the mail he set down on the counter. "Is my notice back yet?" She asked trying to ignore that fact that everyone had stopped talking and was now watching them.

"Nope." Deven answered and Riley looked back up and smiled at Nick.

"Oh damn, where are my manners? This is Deven. Deven, this is Nick."

Nick reached out and shook the guy's hand, immediately feeling the jealousy radiating off of him. Riley sensed it too and quickly ushered Nick into the kitchen. "Breakfast should be ready shortly." she explained and blushed as she closed the door.

"I am so sorry Nick. I was trying to get them breakfast and get them outta here before you woke up so you wouldn't have to deal with that." She put her hand to her forehead and Nick shook his head.

"Nah, its fine."

"If you want we can grab a bite to eat else where or you can put your tail between your legs and haul ass."

Nick chuckled and shook his head. "Riley, its fine."

She blushed and chuckled nervously. "God, this has to be the worst morning after..."

Nick chuckled. "No, once I woke up next to this thing that looked like a reject for a Steven King movie." Nick joked and Riley doubled over laughing.

"Nick! That's horrible!"

"You're tellin me, you didn't have to wake up next to it."

She laughed harder and shook her head. "Damn, you're bad." She continued with the breakfast preparations she had started earlier. "When do you have to work?"

"Not till tomorrow, but I work the nightshift so..."

"Same here."

"Where?"

"The club we were at last night."

"You work there?"

"Bartender. I'm tryin to get myself through my last year of medical school." She said simply and Nick smiled and nodded. "Do you like pancakes?"

"Yep."

"Good. You get yours first. I suggest you take about five steps back and over or you'll get crushed."

Nick did as directed and Riley smiled. "Breakfast!" She called and the guys from earlier stomped into the kitchen, all of them fighting over the pancakes, eggs, and fruit.

She motioned for Nick to follow her and they quickly exited the kitchen. "Wow...is it like that every morning?"

"Yep. Now you see why I'm still single." She pointed out. "No man is strong enough for that." She pointed back towards the kitchen and nodded towards the back sliding door and patio. They sat on the porch and looked out over her back yard.

"So...not to pry, but is this your typical one night stand?" She said a smile on her face. Nick chuckled and shook his head.

"I think it stopped being a one night stand when I came down for breakfast."

She chuckled and nodded. "Where do you work?"

"Las Vegas Crime Lab."

"You're a cop?"

"Crime scene analyst."

"Oh...is it fun?"

He thought back on all the stuff and nodded slowly. "It's not so much fun as rewarding."

"A sense of power knowing you put away the bad guy?"

"A sense of safety knowing one less criminal is walking the streets."

She smiled. "Damn, we must seem really immature huh?" She said laughing.

"You seem relaxed."

"Well...they're a bunch of goofs, but they know when to be serious. Plus, they're the best of friends you could ask for. Jabari, Pot Roast, and I are all goin to the same college. Jon wants to get into professional boxing, Marcus is a head liner in some of the shows here, and Thomas works at the bar with me, while Jabari DJ's for us. Troy works at an art gallery, CJ wants to be a photographer, and Shaun wants to get into construction...Deven probably will too."

Nick nodded, secretly wondering if there had been anything between Deven and Riley as the door opened, and a slightly plump girl walked towards Riley while rolling her eyes. "The animals are talking about you and some, quote from Thomas, 'sexy vixen' out here." She mumbled and gave Riley a hug. Riley laughed.

"Kiersten, this is Nick." Riley said motioning to Nick. "Nick, this is my best friend Kiersten."

"I didn't know you had any friends that weren't guys." Nick joked and Riley. Keirsten looked him up and down and shook his hand.

"Well, Thomas was right..." She turned back to Riley, "Nice choice Chica."

Riley blushed again. "Ah Kit, don't start, poor Nick just had to deal with everyone in there."

"Everyone? Even Deven?"

"Yep. But anyways, where's Marcus? He's supposed to be dropping off my car today." Riley said quickly changing the subject.

"I don't know...I think he's still sleeping."

Riley rolled her eyes. "Typical Marcus."

Kiersten shrugged and sighed. "I gotta go check my e-mail. Can I use your computer?"

"Go for it." Riley said, and she and Nick were once again left alone. She blushed and shook her head. "I'll close my eyes and count to ten, that way you can bail without me seeing." She smirked and Nick shook his head.

"Wait till I'm done with my breakfast." He joked right back and she chuckled. "So, how many of them actually live here?"

"Well, Jon has his own apartment about a block or so away, and Troy and Marcus live about 30 minutes from here, and Deven just bought a house down the street. Everyone else lives here."

"Damn."

"Yeah, but I'm used to it. I've got five boys and a girl...it's just like home. Except, Thomas is more like my sister than my brother."

"What time do you go to work?" Nick asked, changing the subject.

"In about twelve hours...I'm a little off; I'm not used to bein up right now."

"Me neither, you want me to leave?"

"No. But if you need sleep than yeah, go for it."

Nick chuckled and shook his head. "Are you sure you don't need sleep?"

She shook her head and smiled at him.

Hmm...wasn't this supposed to be a one-night-stand...? Or, was it supposed to be anything?

Riley wondered as they sat in silence and watched the scenery.

Am I supposed to leave? Did she only want a one-night-stand...? Did I only want a one-night-stand...? God, is it even smart to consider starting anything right now?

"Ry! Do you have a lighter!" Thomas called and walked out the back door to see them sitting out there.

"Yep." She handed it to him from out of her pocket.

"Thanks much Babe. I'll give it back later." He said and lit his cigarette while walking back into the house.

"I am never gonna see that lighter again." Riley said while shaking her head. "You wanna go back into the circus? I'm sure the baboons and tigers have calmed down now."

Nick chuckled and nodded as they stood and went into the house, through the dinning room, hallway and into the living room. "Riley, are you workin tonight?" Jabari asked while stuffing his face with eggs.

"Yeah. 8:30, why?"

"You might wanna put some cover up on that hickey on your neck." He said smirking. Riley blushed and her hands fled to her neck, and her eyes to Nick. He was a deep red and Riley shook her head.

"Same for you Nick." Jon replied and everyone besides Nick, Riley, and Deven were laughing. Riley looked over at his neck and rolled her eyes at Shaun and the rest of the men seated before him.

She took Nick by the hand and they walked into the kitchen.

"Goin to make some more of those little love marks?" Shaun teased.

"Fuck off Shaun." Riley snapped.

"Aw, I've upset-"

"Shut the fuck up Shaun!" Deven ordered angrily. Everyone stared at him in slight shock. Deven huffed and stalked up the stairs, leaving them all in the living room. A blanket of tension covered the house and Nick and Riley hurried into the kitchen. She shook her head and went to the fridge.

"You want somethin to drink?" She asked and he nodded. "Water or...beer." She chuckled and Nick smiled.

"Water's fine." He drawled and she handed him a Dasani water bottle. She grabbed one for herself and grabbed a pack of cigarettes off the counter.

"You want one?" She drawled.

Oh man...I haven't smoked in years...ah what the Hell...

"Sure." Nick accepted one and she opened a few different drawers in search of a lighter.

"Shit. Thomas!"

"Yes Doll?"

She walked to the door of the kitchen, pushed it open and stood in the door way. "I need my lighter."

He searched in his pockets and tossed it to her. She lit her cigarette and then tossed it to Nick. "How many you got left?" Pot Roast asked.

"I don't know." Riley answered and opened her pack. "About ten or so." She tossed him a cigarette and the lighter. He popped it in his mouth and lit it. "Okay, enough cartoons guys. Can we watch something that doesn't make us loose IQ points?" Riley asked as she blew the smoke out of her mouth.

"No." Everyone protested and Riley rolled her eyes.

Just then Marcus walked in the door and went straight to Troy. "Your car is in the drive way Hon." Marcus said tossing Riley the keys. He sat next to Troy and Riley turned to Nick.

"You want to go somewhere for coffee?"

"That reminds me Ry, we need coffee." Jon said.

"So go shopping, I'm not the only one who has to do that ya know."

"Yeah, but we let you because you like going shopping."

She scoffed. "I like shopping for shoes. And that's it. Get off your last asses and go shopping." She instructed and they all moaned in protest and threw the couch pillows at her. She chuckled and turned to Nick. "Anywhere you wanna go?"

He thought for a minute.

"I think I know where he wants to go..." Jabari snickered and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, Riley shot him a glare.

"Who wouldn't?" CJ joined and Riley threw one of the pillows back at him and shook her head.

"How about we just leave?" She suggested and Nick nodded.

"That sounds good." He whispered and followed her upstairs. She went into the hallway and Deven walked out of CJ's room. He stopped in front of her and she sighed in exasperation.

"We need to talk." he said and she shook her head.

"No we don't." Riley informed him and pushed past him. Nick followed, but not before seeing the glare Deven shot him. Nick walked into Riley's room and closed the door behind him.

"I know it's not any of my business but..."

Riley sighed and sat down at her desk and pulled the other chair over for Nick to sit on. "Deven and I dated for about four years in Texas. He was there on business for a few years...and then he ended up staying for me. then we both moved out here and dated for about another year...we broke up last year after I caught him cheating on me with one of my best friends, Alyssa."

Nick looked at his hands. "I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. You didn't tell him to cheat on me."

"He still has feelings for you." Nick pointed out the obvious and Riley sighed.

"I broke up with him and he tried to win me back but...the damage was done and I couldn't stand him. We were fine for a while...then things went downhill. We couldn't stand to be in the same room with each other. It almost tore our group apart but...we survived and were finally able to tolerate each other enough to be in the same room..."

"Until this morning."

Riley sighed and crushed her cigarette in the ash tray. "Yeah well, he can go fuck a monkey for all I care. He's being immature." She huffed and grabbed her purse. "You ready to leave?"

Nick nodded and they stood and left the room. They past Kiersten in the hall, "What's up with Deven?" She asked and Riley rolled her eyes. She motioned slightly to Nick and she nodded in understanding. "Want me to baby-sit the kids while you're gone Mama?" She joked and Riley nodded.

"Yes please." She walked down the stairs and pulled her purse on over her shoulder. "Now you boys play nice while I'm gone." She joked and a few of them snickered.

"Why? Are you gonna spank us if we're not good?" Shaun asked wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"You have a one track mind Shaun." Nick informed him.

"Thank you. I take pride in that fact."

Riley laughed and shook her head. "Let's go. I'm serious boys. You trash the house, I kick your ass."

There were a series of whoops and howls of pleasure as she walked out the door, Nick trailing close behind. "I'll take my car so you don't have to drive me back here to pick up my car."

She nodded and leaned against her black 2005 Toyota Corolla and slid her sun glasses on. "Where are we goin?"

"How about coffee at a great coffee shop I know." Nick suggested and they decided she would follow him there.

They had been sitting in the coffee shop for almost three hours when they decided to walk around the strip. Amazingly, it wasn't horrible, like each had been thinking. It had started off as a simple one-night-stand and was actually a date.

Nick had learned a lot about her and her home life, why she came to Vegas, and how she met all of her roommates. The house actually belonged to Thomas' father, who was in high standards with the Mayor. He gave Thomas the apartment and they all decided to pull their paychecks together so they could afford it.

Riley learned about all of Nick's sisters and how they would embarrass him around his girlfriends any chance they got. He told her about his parents and why he had left Texas and explained his job. He had just finished telling her about the night shift when he saw Warrick and Sara walking towards him, without noticing him.

Not quite ready for the ribbing he would receive if they saw him with a girl from the club, he quickly pulled Riley into a department store. They hung out in there for a while until they finally parted ways.

Nick drove home with his thoughts drifting to Riley...there was something about her...he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Something about her that seemed to entrance him. It was probably the reason he had gone home with her that night, besides the obvious reasons, something that was different...only he didn't know what it was.

Nick opened his front door and sighed as he threw his keys on the table. It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be a one-night-stand and nothing more...so why did he go out with her after wards? Courtesy? Intrigue? Mystery? Or maybe it was the simple fact that she was a hot, Southern, red head that was easy to talk to, with an IQ higher than a pencil...a dangerous combo in Nick's world.

He shook the thoughts of her away and went towards his shower to clean off their encounter from the night before. He stood under the shower and let the hot beads of water travel down his body before he began to scrub down. After he had completely soaped himself and rinsed off he turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist and walked into his room.

That was it. He couldn't think about Riley anymore. It was a simple one-night-stand...that was it. it couldn't become anything more than that...he couldn't handle it. Not right now. Personally he didn't think that Riley could either. She had enough men in her life.

Chapter 3 should be up soon enough...what oh what will happen next?

I heard a rumor that giving people reviews –cough—me –cough, cough— makes you live longer... :)