Chapter 8

The water had finally gone cold and she knew that she couldn't stay in the tub any longer. Her muscles ached like she had run an Ironman triathlon, twice. There was a heaviness to her body and to her heart. As she stepped out of the tub and started to dry herself off, she thought back to the scene that had prompted the long soak. She had sat down with Oliver and Grace to talk about Drew. Desperate to reach her angry daughter and just wanting to be near her son, she started to talk about their father and how much he loved them. Grace would have none of the conversation and began to walk away. Nathalie demanded she stay, going so far as to sit beside her on the couch and box her in. Grace began to scream and cry and ran off in search of Lulu or anyone who wasn't Nathalie. Kind, knowing Alfred had placated Grace with a cookie, taken Oliver for a bottle and told Nathalie that he had run a bath for her.

She had sunk into the water, briefly wondering if it would wash away more than just her sore muscles. The opening statements had gone well and been uneventful. Her parents' lawyer was certainly high priced and talented but Nathalie had much confidence in her representation. Tomorrow was the day that it would all change for her and not in any way that she wanted. She would be the first to testify which would lead to the cross examination by opposing counsel. She had been unflinchingly honest with Alexis about her past so that there would no surprises for her. But there was a difference between no surprises and no pain. The time had also come for her to confide in Nikolas and she was dreading it. His support had sustained her through some tough moments with her parents and with her children but regardless of how patient he claimed to be, everyone had a breaking point. Wrapping the thick, white robe around her, she headed to their bedroom and lay down on the bed. Nikolas had a late board meeting at the hospital and she vowed to stay awake until he came home so they could have the conversation she never wanted to have. Fatigue overtook her and she dozed off.

She woke to the feel of Nikolas' lips between her breasts. Moaning, she thought at first she was dreaming but as his hands gently kneaded her breasts she knew it wasn't a dream. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you" she murmured as he dropped feathery kisses over her chest and on to her neck.

"You looked like sleeping beauty" he said against her neck. He captured her ear lobe with his lips and snaked his hand around her waist. "I missed you" he said, in search of her mouth. Opening her mouth to speak, he cut her off by sweeping his tongue inside and tangling with hers. He cupped her face as she came off the pillow, matching him with intensity. It didn't matter how many ways or how many times they kissed, each one felt like the first time.

She slowly pulled away from his lips. "We need to talk" she said somewhat breathlessly.

"Uh oh" he said, stroking her face. "No good conversations ever started with 'we need to talk'" Feeling the knots in her body, he lowered his hand and stroked her torso. "Is this where you tell me you used to be a man?"

Nathalie giggled as she closed her hand over his. "No but this is a conversation that we probably shouldn't have with you groping me."

Nikolas saw the seriousness in her eyes. "Okay. Are you ready for bed?" he asked, rolling off the bed. Standing up, he began to unbutton his shirt.

She nodded. "What are you doing?"

"Whatever this conversation is, we can have it in bed. I don't want to grope you but I do want to touch you." She sighed quietly. He stepped out of his pants and boxers and pulled the covers back. Nathalie took the robe off and threw it on a chair before climbing into bed with him. Laying on her back, she stared up at the ceiling while he lay on his side, his head propped up on his elbow. He ran his thumb over her chin. "So what is it?"

She closed her eyes and began to tell him the story of going away to boarding school at 14 and discovering boys. Positioning it as a girl gone wild, she made it sound like she was boy crazy as opposed to being desperate for someone to love her. He didn't react, continuing to stroke her face and hair as she spoke. She told him about being stopped at Heathrow with a tiny amount of cocaine and how it nearly cost her father his posting as ambassador to the United Kingdom.

"That's it?" he said quietly, pressing his lips against her neck.

"Nik, I've had sex with a lot of partners - more than is considered polite. When they ask me in court tomorrow how many partners I've had, and they will ask, I'll only be able to approximate."

"I don't care."

She opened her eyes and gently touched her face. "Of course you care, on some level you care."

He tenderly kissed her lips. "I really don't. Nathalie we can't be judged by the choices we make when we're 14 or 19 or 23 - when we know better, we do better. And whatever choices you made, they made you into the person you are today and I really" he kissed her "really like you."

She rolled onto her side, her back to him. Nikolas moved closer to her, wrapping his arms around her. She nestled against his back and sighed. Tangling her legs with his, she closed her eyes before speaking again. "I don't want you to come to court tomorrow"

"What?" he tried to turn her to face him but she wouldn't be moved. "Why not?"

"Because of my testimony."

"Nathalie, I've already told you that it doesn't bother me."

"It bothers me and I don't want you to have the image of me testifying in detail to the less than enjoyable parts of my past. Knowing about it and hearing about it in open court are two different things."

He held her tighter and kissed her shoulder. "I love you - try and get some sleep."

Nathalie nodded, knowing sleep was never going to really come.

xxxxxx

Having waited until almost midnight for him to come home Robin finally gave up and went to bed. She knew he was torturing himself trying to find the reason for what went wrong. She also knew that sometimes there were no answers. She hadn't been asleep very long when she felt his arms drape around her as he nuzzled her neck.

"You know what I did that was stupid?" he whispered against her ear.

"No, what?" she replied quietly.

"I was upset about something and I completely took it out on you" he pressed his lips in to the soft skin just under her ear.

"Yes you did" she smiled as his hand traveled up and palmed her breast.

"Do you think I can make it up to you?" he asked, pushing his hips into hers, his semi-hard member lodging against her.

t"I'm not sure" she teased. "My feelings were really hurt."

"I can make you feel really good" he said throatily.

"You think you can?"

Robin gasped as he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He kissed her neck, nibbling on the skin where her neck met her shoulder. Reaching her hand behind her, she rubbed his taught ass while pushing him even further into her. He rolled his hips against hers as he pushed back into him. He hissed as he hardened quickly. Raising her arm over her head to stroke his hair, she left her breast exposed and he massaged it urgently. The softness of her skin, the reaction of her body created a need in him. Moving his hand to her other breast, he tugged on the nipple until it pebbled and hardened.

"God Patrick" she moaned, throwing her head back against his shoulder.

He traced his fingers down her torso and teasingly ran them over her engorged folds. He rolled her onto her stomach and stradling her, began to lavish her back in kisses. Robin groaned and spread her legs in response. He massaged the round globes of her ass and she pushed hard back into his hands. Spreading her cheeks further apart, he ran his thumb along her slit, teasingly flicking her clit. He knew exactly how to touch her to provoke a response. Cupping her sex, he smiled as he felt the heat pool between her legs and she pushed down against his hand.

"Touch me Patrick" she asked.

"I am touching you" he said, leaning over her back.

"Inside" she panted, moving against his hand.

He kissed his way across her shoulders. "Up on your knees"

Complying, Robin kneeled up, sticking her ass in the air. Removing his hand, he cupped her breast, teasingly tracing circles around her nipple. "I'm sorry I was a jerk" he said huskily as Robin ground her hips in an invitation for him to take her.

"Start making it up to me" she growled in response.

"How?" he asked, letting his fingertips graze her opening. Dipping them inside, he removed them quickly. Robin moved her hips in search of his fingers and he slowly dipped them in a second time. He rubbed his rock hard erection up against her, hearing her breath hitch. Leaning down, he planted a wet kiss on each cheek.

"Take me please" she whimpered.

It always amazed her how he could have her begging for release so quickly. Patrick sheathed himself quickly and grabbing hold of her hips, buried himself deep inside of her. They both gasped from the contact and he stilled momentarily, allowing them both to get used to it. Robin rocked her hips back, encouraging him to thrust. Keeping one hand on her hip, he thrust deeply inside her while letting his hand travel over her body. She shivered under his touch and her inner walls began clenching around him. Pulling away from him, he groaned at the sudden loss of contact. She rolled onto her back.

"I want to touch you" she whispered as she hoisted her legs in the air, wrapping them around his waist and pulling him closer to her.

He growled as he entered her a second time. Needing to touch his skin, she ran her hands over his chest as he lowered himself over her. Resting his palm against her pubic bone, he rolled her sensitive nub between his fingers. Snaking her hand around his neck, she pulled his mouth down to his and greedily feasted on his lips. Patrick moaned into her mouth as he continued to piston against her. With his orgasm building, he buried his head against her neck as his body shook against hers. Feeling him empty into the condom, Robin gave into her release and trembled as wave after wave of her climax washed over her.

Patrick collapsed against her, his body slick with sweat. Robin soothingly ran her hands over his back, tenderly kissing his cheek. "I don't know about you" she said quietly "but I feel much better now."

He smiled against her skin. "Making up is such fun."

xxxxxx

Lulu watched as Nikolas did up his tie. "I thought Nathalie said she didn't want you in court with her today."

"She did."

"And so this is how you respect her wishes?"

Turning to her, he gave her a half smile. "She is trying to protect me from what she thinks will change my mind about her. She needs all the support she can get and I'm not going to let her go through this alone."

Lulu smiled. "You really love her, don't you?"

Slipping his jacket on, he smiled. "Yes - I'd do anything for her Lu."

"Good luck" Lulu said.

He kissed her forehead. "Thanks for taking care of the kids today."

"My pleasure. See you tonight."

xxxxx

Nikolas paced in the courthouse lobby waiting for the courtroom to open for the day's proceedings. He looked up when he saw Robin, Patrick and Brenda approach. Patrick smiled at him. "Did she ask you to stay away?"

Nikolas nodded. "You?"

Patrick smirked. "Something about I should do something useful with my day as opposed to wasting it here with her."

"So how pissed do you think she's going to be when she sees us?" Brenda asked.

"Very" Nikolas and Patrick answered together.

"How is she doing?" he asked Nikolas.

Nikolas shrugged. "Hard to say. Just when I think I've gotten through one of her walls I find there are ten more."

Patrick squeezed Robin's hand. "Sounds familiar." Robin touched his arm. "Nik, as long as I've known her she has always been guarded and that she's opened up to you speaks volumes about her feelings."

Nikolas jammed his hands into his pockets. "Thanks. I suspect this is going to be a long day." Seeing the courtroom door, he nodded in its direction. "I guess we should go in" he said.

Brenda linked arms with him and smiled as he looked at her quizzically. "Nat isn't the only one who needs support." He gave her a grateful smile. The four stopped at the room entrance. Whereas it had been relatively quiet the day before, the court room was packed with media and several very high profile supporters of John Harder.

"Shit" Patrick said under his breath.

xxxxxxx

He carefully watched the movements of the four friends. He consulted his notebook and wrote down what he felt was pertinent information. He had just put his notebook inside his jacket and was about to head out when he felt a hand close around his arm. Trying to shake free, he used his free hand to reach for the gun he had taken to carrying.

"Don't strain Mr. Harris. We're not going to hurt you" the man said in a thick Mediterranean accent.

"What do you want?" he hissed, suddenly noticed three other burly men nearby.

"Our boss would like a word with you."