Going Up (Up & Down Book 1), page 30
“Alright,” I murmured. “Thank you, both of you.”
Janie and Marc smiled back at me and walked over to the open door where Nick stood. Once they had exited Nick closed and locked the door behind him. He slowly made his way back over to me and clasped his hands with mine. He took a deep breath then sighed extremely loudly.
“I feel like I’ve aged 10 years.” He groaned.
I looked up at his face and bit my lip. He looked beaten, but it almost seemed like that added to the deliciousness of his sexiness. It was probably sadistic to think it, but oh god it was true. His five ‘o’ clock shadow was more coarse than normal, give it another day and he’d probably begin to verge on bushman territory. His blue eyes were still glistening in the light. He might feel like he’d aged, but he still looked like the same 26 year old he’d been when I’d met him.
“Oh you poor old man, shall I run you a bath and get your slippers ready?” I teased as I pulled one hand from his and pretended to tickle him.
“You’re being very cheeky.” Nick laughed.
“What are you going to do about it?”
Nick shrugged and looked around the room.
“Oh, I don’t know… act like a 2 year old and chase you around the house.” he laughed, suddenly jumping into playful attack mode. I squealed and took off like a lightning bolt around the living room. I managed to evade Nick for a full five minutes before finally he cornered me by the kitchen sink.
“Last time we stood like this in this spot I ended up applying first aid and removing your shirt.” Nick mused as he pressed his body against mine.
“You’ve removed my shirt a lot since then and in a short space of time too.”
“Well we are the ultimate example of love at first sight are we not? Even if it took longer to iron out the kinks.” Nick pressed his lips to my neck and I had to bite my lip again to stop myself from letting a moan escape. I wanted nothing more than fall in to bed with him again, but tonight we had things to talk about.
“Wait Nick,” I murmured pressing my hand softly to his chest “We should probably talk about everything, debrief or something.”
“Debriefing is where I was headed.” Nick exclaimed with a glint in his eyes.
“Nick,” I warned feigning a concerned face “Don’t be cheeky.”
“I’m sorry baby, let’s go sit down alright? Then we should probably think about sleep. It’s pretty late.”
“Agreed.” I replied, I yawned at the mere mention of sleep and Nick chuckled.
“I had to kiss him Nick,” I said after we’d been sitting there for a while silently.
“I know,” Nick replied, his voice was slightly strained and I felt guilty for bringing it up again.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, I told you Sarah without everything you did tonight, he’d have killed me. I’m proud of you. Meek and mild Sarah has gone. You don’t seem frightened at the mere thought of being heard.”
“I guess part of me just feels a little sick about it.”
“A part of me feels a little sick about lying to you. I should have told you the truth about the attack, I should have trusted that you’re strong enough to face adversity, you’ve done it most of your life.”
“It’s alright, I’m just glad it’s over. My father is in prison, you’re no longer bound to another woman by a legal contract, you’ve got your sister back in your life and someone who unbeknownst to you was plotting some kind of weird revenge is going to get help and go to jail. Maybe now we can live a normal life.”
Nick and I both waited a maximum of 5 seconds before we burst in to laughter.
“I don’t think we’re capable of normal.” Nick joked.
“No, we aren’t, but then I kind of like being the exception to the rule you know.”
I curved my body in to Nicks and half lay down on the sofa, his left arm sat across my stomach and his hand was idling playing with my hand.
“Are you going to work tomorrow?” I asked, hopeful the answer would be a pleasing one.
“I have an important meeting in the morning, but other than that I’m free all day.”
“Alright, sounds reasonable.”
We talked for a little while longer, and then finally retired to bed. My brain was turning to mush due to the sheer exhaustion of the last few days. As soon as my head hit the pillow on Nick’s bed I fell asleep. I must have only been asleep an hour or two when I woke up with a shock.
My heart began racing at what seemed like the speed of light and I needed to breathe more than my chest capacity was allowing me too. I took a few loud audible breaths and clutched at my chest.
“Babe, are you alright?” Nick whispered sleepily.
I couldn’t speak, so I shook my head.
“Should I call an ambulance?” he said jumping up and flicking the light on.
I shook my head again, certain what I was feeling wasn’t something life threatening. In fact I remembered having the same issues back in Genoa Springs almost every night for a year. Google searches at school had informed me that they were panic attacks, and once I understood what they were, I began to regain control over them. Unfortunately as I had gained the control I’d begun to phase out the bad feelings, as well as the good.
Now my heart was open again, the hurt was causing me to fight back again. Adrenalin pumped through me again, forcing me to pick fight or flight. I took a long deep breath and began to count backward from 10. Finally as I reached 1, my heart had begun to slow back to a normal speed
“I’m alright now.” I said softly. My hands felt weak as the adrenalin left my body, I lay back down and stared up at the ceiling.
“Are you sure you don’t need a doctor?”
“It was a panic attack Nick. Something I haven’t had in a few years, I’ll be alright.”
Nick flicked the light back off and lay down next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in close.
“I forgot to ask if you read the songs I wrote.” Nick said
“No, I hid them, Janie gave them to me at the hospital and I was too heartbroken to look.”
“Tomorrow when I’m at work, go get them, I’ll meet you at your place after and we can have lunch, to make up for the dinner I never came back for. I’ll sing them to you.”
“You want to serenade me?” I giggled.
“Only every day since the day we met.”
“You’re so much cheesier than I gave you credit for.”
“Shh, don’t tell anyone. I need to keep my dignity.”
“Oh come here you big softy.”
I placed my left hand behind Nick’s head and gently brought his face to mine. Our lips met and we lay there kissing until the exhaustion took over again and we both fell asleep wrapped up in one another and the blankets.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
When I woke Nick was already awake and standing by the closet. I yawned pathetically and sighed. I felt like I needed years of sleep to recover from the whirlwind few weeks I’d had.
“Morning Sunshine.” Nick exclaimed turning around to face me. He had black trousers on, but from the waist up was still very much naked. From this angle, the light shone on his body and made him literally look like an Adonis. I closed my eyes, knowing that if I stared at his chest a moment longer my superficial side might just have to drag him back to bed.
“Morning.” I groaned.
“I’ve started making some coffee; I can bring you one if you like?” Nick suggested as he turned back to his closet. He grabbed out a crisp black button up shirt and put one arm through, then the other.
“I’d better get up.”
Nick began buttoning up the shirt then closed the closet behind him.
“Alright,” He replied as he walked toward the door “Then I can give you a ride back to your place.”
“A ride? It’s a two minute walk.”
“Cameras Sarah, Lots and lots of cameras.”
I frowned and nodded, that’s right. Last night had actually happened. Josh had actually turned out to be crazy, I’d shot him, and I’d kissed Nick in front of god knows how many cameras.
I’d also had a panic attack.
That damn panic attack had caught me off guard, even If the reasoning behind it warranted the reaction.
“Are you still okay with everything?”
“Yeah, I guess it’s just going to take a little getting used to. Oh and about last night, I’m sorry you had to see me freak out.”
“Please don’t apologize. This past few weeks have been an emotional overload. It’s completely understandable.”
I shrugged and shot Nick a small smile. He was right, and I knew it.
“I’ll see you out there.”
Nick left the room and I stretched like a starfish under the covers. If I’d been at home I would have forgone the coffee and let the heaviness of my eyes take over, until I drifted back into a deep peaceful sleep. I forced myself to sit up and let out a pathetic groan before swinging my legs out to the side of the bed. Once I was up I left the bedroom, sat with Nick at the table and sipped slowly on my coffee in the hopes it would eventually invigorate me.
Just before 9 we left, and as Nick had predicted, when we drove out of the car park, there were cameras waiting.
“Do you want me to ride up with you?” Nick asked as he pulled into the underground car park at my apartment. I stared out the window and shook my head.
“You’re already running a bit behind time Nick.”
“I don’t care, as long as you’re safe.”
“I’ll be fine, and I’ll see you in a couple of hours alright?”
“Alright, I’ll have my phone on me if you need anything.”
“Okay,” I smiled leaning in for a kiss “You know you’re going to get some funny looks today right.”
Nick pressed his lips to mine, and as soon as the warmth in the pit of my stomach began to grow I pulled myself away. It was either that or suddenly change my mind and ask him to “ride” upstairs with me.
“Bye then.” I exclaimed, as I removed the seat belt and opened the car door.
“Bye Sarah.”
Nick waited until I made it in to the elevator. Nerves slowly began to overtake me the closer I got to my apartment and it was somewhere around the 14th floor that I realized going back alone just after Josh had abducted me was stupid. Still, I had to go up to get back down again, and even then I had nowhere to go. By now my face would be seen kissing Nick, and if I was to walk on the street especially this close to where paparazzi were already camped by Nick’s apartment.
I swallowed the rising anxiety and when the elevator stopped and the doors opened I gingerly walked across to my apartment. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The cops at the warehouse the night before had mentioned needing to look through for evidence, so if there had been anything here. It was all gone now. After a thorough walk through each room my nerves began to fade away.
I was about to have a shower when I remembered the discussion Nick and I had just before falling asleep for the second time last night, the one about the serenading and the songs. They were still sitting in my bed side table drawer. I walked out of the bathroom and back into my bedroom. I sat down on the edge of the bed and slowly opened the small drawer. I stared down at the wad of paper and nervously unfolded it.
Unnamed
I never believe that true love existed
Until I held you in my arms
Now I have you, I don’t know how I missed it
Stone cold heart started to beat
But it’s true I’ve made a few mistakes in my life
I don’t want to bring you down
But living the lies I am only turns the knife
Starting to feeling like I’m running aground
Confusion and confliction flies out the door
When you walk in
Let’s run away with love, forget reality
I don’t need the recognition
Of celebrity
Let’s run away with life, forget clarity
We don’t need a road to follow
Let’s just be free.
The song was unfinished and it stopped just after the chorus. The lyrics had notes underneath them, so I had been humming as I read. The musician in me jumped up from the bed, I left the other three sheets of paper on the bed and ran down to the music room with the unnamed song.
I plugged my guitar in to the amp and began playing the song.
I ran through it a few times and really liked its direction, it was a slower song, and softer too. But it had enough edge to still be a rock song, and I was literally in love with it, possibly because it was about me. I’d surprise nick by finishing it, and asking DJ if it could be part of my debut album.
I folded the piece of paper up and placed my guitar back down. I walked back down to the bedroom and shoved the lone piece of paper into one of my jacket pockets in my closet then re-folded the other three and left them on top of my bedside table.
By 12:00pm finally showered and dressed. I’d just put a load of washing on when there was a knock at the door. At first my heart rate begun to sped up. What if they’d released Josh on bail? What if he’d come back again. My common sense took over though and I moved from the washing machine and walked toward the door.
“Who is it?” I asked just be sure.
“It’s Nick, I come with gifts in the form of pastries.”
“You’ve been to see Andrea!” I shrieked opening the door like I’d not eaten for at least a decade. My mouth watered at the thought of eating one of those delicious pastries again.
I grabbed the box of food and stalked over to the table.
“Why how lovely to see you too baby.” Nick teased as he made is way over.
“Oh, Sorry… It’s just well Andrea’s pastries are rarer than kisses from you.” I laughed opening the box.
Nick scoffed and walked behind me; he grabbed me around the waist and turned me around. Our faces were only a few inches apart. It never failed to amaze me that every time Nick held me my breathing would quicken, my heart rate would soar, and an inexplicable yet powerful surge would begin to move through me. Maybe it was the definition of 'finding your perfect fit'. Maybe it was more scientific than that. It didn’t matter, what did matter was our love.
Nick grinned cheekily and went to kiss me, instead I grabbed a pastry from beside me and before he could place his lips on mine I put the pastry between us and took a big bite.
“Really?” He asked with a mock frown. “I should call Andrea now, let her know you’ve picked her pastries over my kisses.”
“I’ll dial if you’d like.”
“You’re infuriating, but that’s part of why I love you.” Nick laughed as he released me and sat down at the table.
“Did you find those songs?”
“Yeah I did, Hang on I’ll go get them… and my guitar. I haven’t forgotten you know.”
Nick smiled and nodded.
“I didn’t forget either.”
I took another bite of my pastry and placed it on the box lid. Then I half skipped down the hallway to the bedroom. I left the half written song in my jacket pocket but grabbed the other three that sat on my bedside table, I grabbed my acoustic guitar, which was sitting inside my closet and walked back down to the living room.
“There you go Casanova. Serenade away.”
Nick unfolded the sheets of paper and looked through them, he frowned then looked up at me.
“There was an unfinished one here, it’s the only one I liked enough to put music too.” he said sadly.
Part of me wanted to admit to having it, but I’d already decided on the surprise, and I didn’t really want to back out now.
“Oh, sorry I only have these three.”
“Damn, Oh well. These other three are a cheesy read. Some kind of pop boy band would do well to sing them the way I’ve written them.”
I glanced over the word and nodded. He was right, they were cheesy, and with the right music would be catchy and popular with the vast teenage crowds if a pop band were to sing them. I smiled and stood up from my seat and sat down on Nick’s lap.
“So you can’t serenade me today then.”
“To hell I can’t,” He laughed. “I still remember the lyrics and music to the other song.”
“Oh well, in that case.” I smiled moving back off Nick’s lap and in to my own seat.
He picked up the guitar and began playing the music.
I guess I didn’t really expect him to have an amazing voice. I guess I’d figured that he was of the “if you can’t do, teach” variety. So when he opened his mouth and began singing the song I’d read earlier in the day my mouth almost dropped open in shock.
He didn’t need to propel others in to stardom at all, he was more the well equipped with his own set of pipes. When he finished smiled and clapped.
“Remind me why you’re a talent agent CEO and not a world famous musician instead?”
Nick smiled back at me and the looked down as he placed the guitar down.
“I don’t really have a reason, I just enjoy what I do more.”
“Fair enough, still you’re not getting off that easy. Now you’ve started serenading me, I’m going to find increasingly ridiculous reasons to make you sing.”
“That’s fine by me.” Nick laughed.
“So was our kiss spread publicly over the interwebs?” I mused.
“Actually, I was asked about it four times before I got to my desk this morning. In fact, I was a little more disturbed that even my workers were more concerned with a kiss, when I still look like I’ve been in a brawl and the news states that an altercation went down.”
“Well, it’s kind of like a romance novel in a news article isn’t it.” I laughed “It has a bit of everything. The audience is only going to be interested in the happy ending.”
Nick smiled and nodded.
“And they’re only getting the tip of the iceberg when it comes to us.”
I stood up and began walking over to the kitchen bench where my laptop sat.
“What are you doing?” Nick whispered softly.
“Getting my computer, I want to see this kiss.”
