Solid relationship

Sitting on the edge of Nick's bed I watched him tie his tie expertly. He met my gaze in the tall mirror, a smirk spreading across his face. I didn't care he caught me staring at him when I was around him I couldn't help but stare. He was handsome, so handsome women were fighting over him. Giselle went as far as to try hooking him up with an old lover just so he wouldn't be together with me. That was how insane he made women. Swinging my feet up and down I giggled when he walked over to me, pressing a kiss to my lips.

"You staying at the apartment?" He ran his fingers through my messy dark hair, "I'd like to come home to you."

"I have free time today so I figured I'd get some things done, you know."

Cleaning my apartment, visiting Brandon since I was so engrossed in Nick that I more or less abounded everything else. Nick helped me off the bed and walked with me to the kitchen to get some coffee. He started the machine and turned to look at me, leaning against the counter next to it.

"I'd like to come home to you."

"Then I'll leave together with you and come to the apartment later, prepare our dinner so we can eat together today."

"Sounds like a plan."

He turned and reached into the cupboard, grabbing to coffee mugs and pouring hot liquid into them. The smell was delicious, making me long for it. He poured a bit of milk into mine and added two sugars, handing me my cup. He added two sugars into his and walked with me to the living room. It wasn't even eight yet, but since we weren't having any sex we went to bed early and woke up early.

"I need you to be careful." Nick was scrolling down his phone, a scowl marring his beautiful face, "The news about us is spreading like crazy. I don't want to take any risks when it comes to you." He pocketed his phone and looked at me, "I wouldn't be surprised if they were stalling outside your apartment to catch a glimpse of you."

That was something I had to deal with. Dating Nick didn't come without a price, but giving up a bit of my privacy was a price I was willing to pay.

"They won't attack me, they're just people with cameras."

He wasn't impressed, "They're going to harass you till you break down and never want to see me again."

I reached for him, placing my hand on his arm, "I'm not going to walk away, Nick. Not because of something like that. Have some faith in me."

Nick never showed any weaknesses, but behind closed doors, he showed me everything. He was anxious about me leaving him, yet the thought hadn't even crossed my mind. I was glad Nick was comfortable enough around me to let his guard down.

"This is my first serious relationship, Em, I don't want to screw this up." He brushed his knuckles gently over my cheek, "I want the future I have envisioned for us to become true."

My heart skipped a beat hearing him admit that. I didn't dare to think about the future, yet Nick already made plans for us. Making sure our mugs were safely on the coffee table, I got on top of Nick, straddling his lap. Wrapping my arms around his neck I leaned down, slamming my lips down on his, giving him no time to adjust. My tongue met his, giving him a deep, wet kiss. Grabbing onto my hips Nick let me take control of the kiss, leaning back against the couch while he let me have my way. When my fingers started unbuttoning his shirt he grabbed onto my wrists and pulled away, shaking his head at me.

"Be good, Em." He warned me with a teasing smile.

"God, Nick! You're impossible." I tried to even my breathing, annoyed that Nick stopped me once again, "I can't wait much longer, I think I'll explode."

Laughing Nick leaned in, brushing his lips against my forehead, "You'll be fine."

Gently untangling me from him, he placed me beside him on the couch and reached for his mug. Sighing I also reached for my coffee and clutched it with two hands, pulling my legs underneath me and got comfortable on the comfy couch.

"Forget about preparing dinner tonight, we'll eat out." He told me, "There is a small restaurant around the corner, it's pretty good."

"Okay."

We finished our coffee together. Nick placed our mugs in the dishwasher and helped me in my jacket, carrying my bag as we headed out of the apartment, going straight to the garage where Miles was already waiting. When we reached my apartment I kissed Nick goodbye and went home, quickly cleaning up so I could head to Brandon's before lunchtime.

***

After dusting, vacuuming and doing the laundry I headed to Brandon's apartment. He opened the door with messy bed hair and a yawn, not disguising what he had been up to last night. I should have called, but I never called Brandon when I felt like coming over. I never ran into a woman who he spends the night with though, I definitely didn't want to start now. Brandon blinked his eyes, it was as if he couldn't believe I was there.

"Em, morning to you too."

"It's almost time for lunch, Bran." I pushed him and headed straight for the kitchen, "I'll prepare us something while you freshen up." Glancing over my shoulder I met his gaze, "Do you have a visitor who is going to join us for lunch?"

"No, she left this morning."

So he did have a visitor last night, I didn't get that wrong. Shrugging it off I focused on making pancakes and a fruit salad while Brandon took a shower and got dressed. When I was prepping our plates Brandon met me in the kitchen and got our drinks ready, virgin cocktails which were amazing.

"It's so weird receiving a drink from you." I sipped my cocktail.

"I'm sure I made you a drink before."

"No, you didn't."

He raised an eyebrow at me, "I probably will make you tons of drinks in the future if you and Nick keep dating that is."

"Why do you say it like that?"

"Like what?"

"You know, with so much sarcasm in your voice." She clutched her glass with both her hands, watching the liquid intently, "Nick, he is serious about us. I think that there might be a future for us."

I felt Brandon watch me for a minute before he leaned back against the couch and got comfortable, "Don't hold your breath, Emily, guys like him like the chase but when he has you wrapped around his finger he'll get bored and probably hop onto the next one."

I knew he meant well, but his words hurt so much. It was like his words were knives stabbing away at me. Taking a deep breath I hated how shaky it sounded. I wasn't about to cry, not when Brandon made sure to let me know how he felt about me and Nick. I wouldn't let him get away with it either though. We were good enough friends to say whatever, if we weren't he wouldn't have said those things in the first place.

"I believe in Nick. He makes me feel secure and I think we do have a future."

Brandon nodded, not saying another word. His eyes told me the truth though, he didn't buy it. I don't know why he thought Nick would dump me the minute he got bored of me, but nothing I said was changing his mind either.

"Want to watch a movie?" He asked as he reached for the remote control, "There is nothing on right now."

"The best shows are usually airing when we have shifts at the club."

He chuckled, "Yeah, we're missing out on the good stuff."

Smiling I pulled my legs under me, "I'm in the mood for a comedy.

After finishing the movie I went back to Nick's apartment, Miles giving me a ride just like Nick asked me. I didn't get bothered by the press, but I was sure they were skilled enough to stay hidden. They took pictures of me before without me noticing. Entering the apartment I went to the bedroom to get ready for tonight. Nick and I were eating out and I wanted to dress up a little. We usually had dates at home because I preferred it that way, but it was good to go out once in a while. Enjoying good food at a nice little restaurant. Taking a quick shower I wrapped a towel around me and went to the closet, selecting a tight-fitting black dress. It had long lace sleeves and reached just above my knees. Putting the dress on the bed I grabbed my rose scented moisturizer and moisturized my body. Slipping into black lace panties and putting on a matching bra I put my dress on, did my hair and make-up. Doing my make-up a lot bolder than usual. I was about to slip on my sandals when Nick entered the room, his eyes glued to my bare legs.

"Damn, Emily."

Brushing my wavy hair out of my face I met his gaze, "What?" Clasping my sandal I stood up and smiled realizing I was almost on even footing with Nick now, "Not good?" I asked, doing a twirl which almost showed him my panties.

"Emily." I sighed, reaching for me he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me tightly against his body, "You look too good." He was about to lean in and kiss me but I leaned backward making sure to avoid his lips.

"Don't kiss me on the lips!"

"Why?" He actually looked offended by that.

"Because I did my hair and make-up and everything."

"Shut up, Emily and let me kiss you already." He was about to lean in again, making me giggle as I leaned away again, "If I can't get to kiss you don't even bother with dolling yourself up."

I wouldn't tell him, but when he said those things to me the butterflies in my stomach went crazy. All I wanted to do was touch him, letting him feel how he made me feel. He wanted to wait though, and I guess I had to respect that. He did it to prove something to me, but right now I couldn't figure out what he tried to prove. Cupping his face in my hands I kissed him with everything I had. Pulling away I smiled realizing my lipstick didn't stain his mouth this time.

"You're good," I told him, softly brushing my thumb over his lower lip.

"Yeah?"

"Hm." Leaning in I kissed him again and let my hands wander around that firm body of his.

He stopped me when I reached for his pants and gently pushed me back, "I'll freshen up and then we can head to the restaurant. It's on walking distance-" His eyes wandered to the heels I was wearing, "Will you be okay though? It's about seven minutes or so."

"I'll be fine," I told him.

While he took a shower I observed the stuff which I left at his place. I had to consider I spend a lot of time here. It was odd though, seeing few of my clothes right next to his. My make-up scattered across his dresser. Stepping to the mirror I ran my fingers through my wavy hair, I did a pose making sure the dress wasn't rising up my thighs too much so I'd flash people my private parts. I was so focused on my dress I didn't notice Nick come in and stare at me with a grin spread across his face.

"Liking the view as well?"

"Just making sure this dress is okay to wear out."

Nick swapped his white shirt for a dark blue one, no tie for the evening. It was casual enough for him. I watched him button up his shirt, leaving the first two unbuttoned. Grabbing black socks and his shoes he took a seat on the edge of the bed and slipped them on. I watched him do his hair and spray on some cologne. He knew I was observing him, but he didn't seem bothered by it. When he was finished he held my hand and walked with me to the restaurant. I loved our dates at home with just dinner and movie, but this was also something I could get used to.