Derek shook his head and laughed. “Well, I don’t know about Nick, but Carly sure doesn’t. She’s clueless.”
Rinda breathed a sigh of relief. She had been trying to get a hold of Carly to apologize and to make sure she didn’t suspect anything, but Derek confirmed she wasn’t the wiser so she felt better. As much as she loved her friend, she had fallen for Derek from the first moment she laid eyes on him two years ago and now it was at the point of no return.
“Come here and give me a kiss.” Derek said, smiling at her and she obeyed, locking lips with his. They were at her house in North Hollywood. Ever since last Friday night, Derek had been over her house almost every day. It was sometimes difficult to get away since he and Carly worked at the same place, but since he was a traffic cop on patrol most of the time, he was able to get away without her suspecting anything.
“Wait. So, does Carly think we did it last Friday night?” Rinda asked.
“No. I told her we didn’t. But I guess she and Nick did.”
“What? I didn’t know that. Nick didn’t tell me.”
“Well, of course he’s not going to tell you that! He’s a guy.” Derek scoffed at her naiveté.
Rinda mulled that over. She and Nick were supposedly still dating, at least as far as she knew. They left last Saturday morning and didn’t talk about the incident. She had seen him once since then; he had come by her house that Sunday afterwards to hang out, but that was it. He was almost done recording the Backstreet Boys’ new album, so he was back in the studio that Monday.
Damn, she thought. Nick and Carly? Wow, Carly must have really been drunk because that was definitely not like her. She wondered if Carly had liked it or more importantly, if Nick had liked it.
“What are you thinking behind those pretty blue eyes of yours?” Derek asked.
“Oh, nothing.”
“You were wondering if they liked the sex, weren’t you?” He said.
“Nuh uh.”
“Liar.” He laughed. “It’s okay. I don’t care. I didn’t ask Carly. It happened, so what. Now, what I want to concentrate on right now is doing the same thing.” He grinned and made a move towards her. They were already naked in bed; this would be Round Number 2 for them. Rinda giggled and allowed him total access to her body.
“Nick, I need to get up.” Carly said. Nick was lying next to her on the couch after their lovemaking session.
“Oh.” He said and moved so she could.
Carly picked up her clothes and put them on. Her back was towards him and he laid there watching her, wondering what she was thinking. Man, she was a wildcat in bed, whether she was under the influence of alcohol or not. She got him hotter than most women and he had had a lot of them over the years. What a body, too. She had more meat on her bones than Rinda and he liked that. He didn’t like feeling like he was going to break the women he was making love to; he liked more substance; a more voluptuous woman and Carly certainly fit that bill.
Once Carly finished dressing, she turned around and looked at Nick.
“Well, aren’t you going to get dressed?”
“No, I thought I’d just lie here and watch you.”
Carly frowned. She didn’t know how to take that. He had a somewhat sarcastic, off-putting way about him and she couldn’t tell if he was serious half the time. Nick then laughed which put her at ease and got up to get dressed.
“So, when can I see you again?” Nick asked her once he was dressed.
“What do you mean?” She asked.
Nick walked up to her and gave her a kiss. “What I mean is I want to see you again.”
“I heard you the first time. What does that mean? Does that mean you want to see me just for sex or for something more than that?” She wanted clarification before she rejected him.
Nick laughed. “Okay. Uh, if you want it straight, then I’ll tell you. I mean, I like you as a person, but sex with no strings would be awesome.”
“Hmm… sex with no strings. Sounds like every girl’s fantasy.” She said.
“I didn’t mean it that way. You’re with Derek and I’m with Rinda. Did you want something more?”
Carly shook her head. “Definitely not. I don’t want anything from you.”
The ice queen had once again emerged and Nick was sorry to see it rear its ugly head.
“Okay…”
“Look, Nick, I’m a realist. You’ve got your life and I’ve got mine. Let’s just move on, okay?”
Nick stared at her. Well, this was a first. He had been a singer and celebrity since he was 11 and never once had a woman turned him down once, let alone twice. If he remembered correctly, he had propositioned her after the last time they exchanged fluids and she had told him no then, too, although he had been halfway joking that time. This was new territory for him and it made him want her even more.
“Wow. That’s brutal.” He said finally.
“What? Have I crushed your fragile ego? I’m willing to bet a woman has never turned you down. Am I right?”
Bingo!
“Uh, well… uh, no.”
“I thought that was the case. Well, I’m sorry to be the first.”
But she hadn’t turned him down. Today she was more than willing to spread her legs wide open for him. “Okay, whatever, Carly, but I just have to ask.” Nick said.
“What?”
“What happened to the woman that answered the door on Friday night and who could barely speak to me because she was so star struck?”
Carly blushed with embarrassment when he brought that to her remembrance.
“Oh, her. Well, she does come out on occasion, but that person is only reserved for boyfriends, good friends and family. The actual star only gets that treatment the first time I meet them and then its all downhill from there.”
“Yeah, apparently.” Nick smirked. “Hey, what about Keanu? Were you as cold to him after your initial excited reaction, too?”
Carly’s shade of pink suddenly deepened into red. “What? How?” Damn you, Rinda.
Nick laughed at her expense and enjoyed it, watching her blush and become speechless was a moment to be savored.
“Okay, it’s time to go, Mr. Carter. Derek could be home soon anyway.”
Nick decided to let it go. He had had his fun. He grasped her hand and kissed it in a gallant gesture. “Well, Miss Benjamin, it was a pleasure getting acquainted with your body again. I will indeed miss our close encounters of the weird kind. Take care of yourself.” He bowed and then said as he was walking out the door, “Oh and thanks for returning my watch.” Carly ran to the door and leaned on it to make sure it closed.
Ugh! He was so frustrating. So sarcastic, so off-handed, so full of himself! Good riddance, Nick Carter! But as she stood against the door, her heart told her otherwise. It was still beating furiously from his presence; his voice; his touch; his laugh. She felt her forehead and cheeks; she certainly was flushed. How could he have that power over her? How could she let him have that power over her? Her hands moved over her breasts and then her crotch area, remembering the feel on his hands, tongue and body on her. No! No! No! That can’t be happening. She was supposed to be engaged soon and having babies; not falling for some rock star! A man that would probably chew her up and spit her out. She was familiar with Nick and his past and he seemed like an okay guy as far as his relationships; I mean who wouldn’t have dumped Paris after what she had done? But he was recording, going on tour, meeting fans, rubbing noses with celebrities, doing photo shoots, promoting albums, attending celebrity parties and events, etc., etc. His life was so different from hers and the life she wanted to have and yet it all kind of sounded a little exciting to her. Well, it’s over. Carly finally walked into the kitchen and started emptying the dishwasher.
Nick drove the 45-minute drive back to LA in turmoil. He kept switching stations; no, not rap, not hip hop, not pop, not jazz. Shit! He finally shut off the radio and sat there in silence. It allowed his mind to wander and all he could think about was Carly, Carly, Carly. Her name was imprinted in his mind; her entire being was imprinted in his heart. What the hell are you doing, Nick? She is not worth it! She can switch the temperature from ice cold to boiling hot within seconds and back to cold without blinking. She was unbelievable between the sheets, but that wasn’t all it was he had to admit. He enjoyed their banter; it wasn’t always playful, but it was banter nonetheless. Back and forth jabs and quips and accusations kept his blood pumping; it kept him alive. He felt he had to fight to win her and it was a thrill; a challenge. One he had not had to face in a very long time, if ever. He did wish he could see her smile and laugh more; her smile lit up her entire face and her laugh was contagious. But even as ice princess, she was alive; on fire and her eyes danced and her pouty red mouth puckered. She was endearing to him even then. He smiled and wondered what she thought of him. Oh, she was acted like she hated him, but he knew it was just an act. The way her body responded to him when they were making love and that’s what it felt like; that they were making love belied any attempts on her part to deny her attraction him. He knew she wanted him; but to what extent, he didn’t know. He was sure she loved Derek, but would she willing to trade that in for a more risky endeavor like him? He didn’t know, but he wanted to.
It was two weeks until they crossed paths again.
Carly was working at the police department typing a police report when the phone at her desk rang.
“Carly, some guy named Nick Carter is calling for you. Do you want the call?” It was Rhonda in dispatch.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks, Rhonda.”
“Hey Nick.”
“Hey Carly.”
“So, you can’t stay away from me, huh?”
“My, aren’t we in a playful mood. I should call you at your work more often.” Nick laughed. Man, she loved his laugh.
“No, you shouldn’t. What’s up, Carter?”
“Well, I called to invite you to an event.”
“What kind of event?”
“Well, me and the rest of the Backstreet Boys are going out to celebrate our manager’s birthday and I thought you might want to come.”
Carly was actually speechless.
“Hello? Are you there?”
“Yes. I’m here.”
“Wow, I didn’t think I was speaking to Carly for a minute. No, wait, it must be the same woman I first met at your house that night.” He teased her.
Carly couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, you got me. I was just a little shocked that’s all. Wait, why would you ask me anyway? What about Rinda?”
“Wow, you guys really aren’t in touch, are you? We broke up a week ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It wasn’t going anywhere anyway. Hey, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure. There’s no guarantee I’m going to answer it though.”
Ah, there’s the old Carly that he knew and loved. “How come you and Rinda aren’t talking? I hope it’s not because of what happened…”
“I’ve just been busy, that’s all. It’s no business of yours anymore anyway.”
“Hey, there’s no need to get the claws out. I was just curious. I thought you guys were best friends and I was just concerned.”
She really did have to mind her tongue sometimes. He was being nice after all. “Nick, I’m sorry. I’m trying not to be so nasty to you. I’m not like this with other people. You just bring out the worst in me for some reason.” She laughed.
“I think I get it.” He said.
“You do? I’m not sure I do.” But the truth was that she did. She had had two weeks to think about it and she come to the realization that she could easily fall for this man and he threatened all that was potentially good in her life.
“Okay, so why again are you inviting me?” She quickly changed the subject.
“Because I thought you might enjoy meeting the guys. Rinda told me what a big fan you are.”
“Wait, you haven’t told them about us, have you?”
Nick laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Let her suffer for a little while.
“Nick!”
“Alright, alright. No, I haven’t said anything. I was dating Rinda until last week after all and contrary to what you might think, I can be discreet.”
Carly allowed him another laugh. “I know you can. Well, you’re right, I would love to meet the guys. I just don’t know…”
“Are you worried you’re going to be speechless or talk a mile a minute?”
“God, I hate that you know that about me.” She giggled. “Yes, I am actually. As you know, I don’t do so well when I meet celebrities I idolize for the first time. They might think I’m a total idiot!”
Nick bit back a sarcastic reply and said, “They won’t. I like you and I know they’ll like you.”
Silence again.
“Uh, Carly, the point of talking to someone on the phone is that each person speaks, not just one person.”
“Smart ass.”
“Aw, she’s back and cussing even. I’m flattered.”
“God, you are such a…”
Nick cut her off. “Okay, I surrender. The party is Saturday night. And of course, we can’t think of this as a date since I’m guessing you’re still unavailable?”
“Correct.”
“So, we’ll be just friends then. I guess it wouldn’t be cool for me to pick you up at your house, so what do you suggest?”
She thought it was pretty decent of him to say that. “Uh, I don’t know. Can I just meet you there or do you want me to come to your house?”
“Meeting there is good. My house is a mess.”
She smiled. She would love to see his house one day.
“How about I e-mail you the time, place and directions? What’s your e-mail address?”
“It’s carlybear@aol.com.”
“Carly Bear?”
“My dad used to call me that.”
“Seriously, that’s really sweet. Alright, well, I’ll send the e-mail today and I’ll see you on Saturday. Is that cool?”
Carly laughed. “Yeah, that’s cool. And Nick?”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for thinking of me. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Carly sat at her desk in a fog. Talk about a totally unexpected pleasant surprise. For the past two weeks, she had thought about Nick almost every day; not being able to get him out her mind; never expecting to ever see or hear from him again and then out of blue he calls her. Things with her and Derek hadn’t been the same since “the incident”—he worked late a lot and seemed more distant and she hadn’t really felt like making love. Partly because she felt guilty for cheating on him twice— and the rest of it just being because she hadn’t felt like it. Some of the charm had worn off— there was a more appealing prospect for her; at least in her mind and his name was Nick.
Wow, she would get to meet The Backstreet Boys. What a thrill. She wondered what it would be like to meet AJ, Brian, Howie and Kevin. She didn’t know if Kevin would be there since he had just left the group, but she suspected he would be; at least she hoped he would. It was funny but out of the five of them, she used to have a crush on Kevin; not Nick. Kevin was married though and unavailable; besides she preferred Nick now anyway. It didn’t even cross her mind that she wasn’t available either. Carly realized as she got up to refill her glass of water at the water cooler that he was beginning to make her indebted to him and payback was a bitch. Oh, but she would love to pay in the most delicious ways, she thought as a smiled curved on her lips.
