Nicky's Fire

by Nancy Fornataro

  The place had four bedrooms upstairs, and each one held the same view, with attached balconies. Looking around, Chloe almost forgot, for a brief time, why they were there.

  "And," Tessie gushed, "we have satin sheets on all the beds."

  Chloe groaned inwardly, but then wondered what they'd feel like.

  Nick, who'd had a similar tour with Max, now gazed at the ocean view, while he stood next to the shimmering, kidney-shaped swimming pool. His face was hardening, as he thought of the drugs that bought this finery, and he was trying to stop it from showing. Trying to enjoy himself, trying to forget who he really was. Play the part, he scolded himself.

  Max left to get beer from the kitchen, and Nick was startled to hear Chloe's voice.

  "Hey, bandito!"

  He looked up to see her leaning on the balcony rail of one of the bedrooms. Her face was flushed, her hair hung down, she was laughing, and she was beautiful. Just then, he wished with all his heart that the two of them could be here alone. Without the threat of death hanging over them. Without a care in the world. Just the two of them.

  "What baby. What do you want?" He grinned, as he watched her expression.

  Her face was impish now, as she stared down at him. "Tessie said there are satin sheets, Bandito!" Then, she smiled seductively. "What do you think about that?"

  "Nice. What do you think?" A breeze drifted in from the ocean, and her hair flew around the balcony rail. Yes, he thought, join me on sheets of satin, Chloe.

  She stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed. "Hey, come down here and do that!"

  But she just smirked, and rejoined Tessie.

  Nick turned back to the view, and wondered idly whether this was just an assignment to her, or if she might like him a little. She was so silent about her feelings. Maybe he should stop pushing her.

  Max brought the beers, and they sat on white, cast iron patio chairs, next to a glass table with the same scrolling motif.

  After some idle chit-chat about the view and the house, Nick said, "So when are we going to pick up the stuff?"

  Max smiled. "This is a pleasure trip, Action."

  "Pleasure trip?" Nick cursed inwardly, but his smile was smooth, his expression bland.

  "Yeah. We come down here twice a month. Once for pleasure, once for pick-up. Which reminds me, Tess is a screamer. So don't freak out if you hear her tonight."

  Nick laughed, but his heart wasn't in it. Damn! He wanted to get going on this thing and get Chloe away from the club. It was too dangerous. He saw the look in the group member's eyes when they looked at Chloe. And, although he was under Max's protection, and certainly able to handle himself well, they could get carried away, stomp him and rape Chloe. It could very easily happen. And the mere thought of any harm coming to Chloe was like a spear through his heart.

  That's why he'd been avoiding taking her to the clubhouse. But he found he didn't want to take her anywhere. He wanted her all to himself. And to Nick, that was dangerous too. He was almost obsessed with her.

  Max leaned forward, as if sensing Nick was thinking of her. "How about a little swap? Haven't you ever wondered Tessie's like?"

  Nick's smile was tight, as he thought of Max with Chloe. "No, not at all. Why, is that required or something? Is why we're here? So you can screw Chloe?"

  Sitting back, Max said, "Hell no. Chicks are a dime a dozen. Just thought I'd ask the question. Some do, some don't."

  "Well, we don't," Nick replied heatedly, before he took a long drink of his beer.

  "That's cool." The expression on Max's face was calm, but his foot tapped quickly, and Nick sensed this wasn't the answer the man had expected.

  The women joined them, drinking some concoction Tessie whipped up in the blender. Nick watched Chloe, as she stood gazing out at the ocean, her hair and skirt gently blowing in the breeze. Why couldn't they have picked someone ugly for him, so he could keep his mind on business? Why did they have to send him the most beautiful, desirable woman he'd ever seen? It was making things more difficult.

  He didn't blame Max for wanting to trade. And he looked back to see Max staring at her too. Then he realized he'd have to watch this man now, every second. He'd disliked Max to begin with, and this just made Nick's disgust increase, along with his anger.

  After an afternoon of talking and laughing, and a dinner of somewhat burned burgers, cooked by a somewhat drunken Max, they decided to go to a bar in town.

  It was a small, indoor-outdoor type bar, where everyone who visited Mazatlan eventually danced on the table-tops. The place was crowded and noisy when they arrived, and music blasted from a stereo setup.

  After a few drinks, and some down and dirty joke telling by Max, Nick looked over at Chloe. Her face was flushed, but he thought probably more from excitement than anything else.

  "Isn't this fun?" she said, as she grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

  "Yeah," he said softly, "let's dance."

  A slow tune was playing, and he noticed, as they moved onto the floor, that she fit in his arms perfectly. She was just the right height, not too tall or too short, just like the rest of her. Perfect.

  Her hair smelled delightful, like flowers, and he buried his face in it. She sighed and pressed against him, and his hand trailed down to her buttocks, while he pressed her even closer. Her hands closed around his neck, and she started kissing his cheek.

  "You're going to get me all excited," he whispered, "and I won't be able to leave the dance floor."

  "Mmmm, why not?" Her words were slurring slightly now, and he wondered just how much she'd had to drink.

  "Because I have this," he said, as he pushed his hardness against her. She always seemed to make him hard. Hell, he could look at her and get hard. The woman did things to him.

  "When are you and Max going to get the stuff?" she said softly.

  "We aren't."

  She pulled back to look at him. "How come?"

  "If you snuggle up to me again, I'll tell you."

  "Okay."

  She put her head next to his again, and he briefly whispered what Max had told him.

  "Damn!" she said.

  "Well, why don't we just relax and enjoy ourselves? It'll only be two more weeks, then we'll come down again."

  "I'm tired of this assignment," she complained, again, slurring slightly, "it's boring. Two more weeks of sitting around."

  "Well, there's a ride scheduled. We're going to Red Rock next weekend, by Santa Barbara."

  "That might be fun," she said grudgingly. Then she added, "Without the bikers."

  As the song ended, he looked down at her. "Believe me, I want to get this over with too. It's dangerous for you, Chloe."

  "Up yours! Stop trying to protect me!" she said angrily, as she flounced back to the table.

  Cursing under his breath, he joined her.

  But things got wild after that, and not just at their table. Max sprayed everyone in the place with his beer, and Nick groaned as he saw Chloe's peasant top get soaked.

  Just then, a loud rock song started, and everyone in the small bar started dancing on the table tops. Everyone but Nick. Grinning, he sat tipped back in his chair, enjoying the spectacle of Chloe, writhing by herself on a table. The girl could definitely dance and with her top wet, it was even more enjoyable to him.

  As he quickly hopped up to join her, she squealed and grabbed him around the neck. Then, a somewhat slower song began, and he slid his hands around her waist. Leaning backwards, with her hair falling in a silky mass behind her, she writhed and moved against him seductively.

  He supported her back with one hand, while holding her buttocks with the other. Grinding against her, in time to the blues music, he wanted her, needed her, and reveled in this strange dance of love.

  The room seemed to whirl, as her subtle enticing perfume wafted around him, and he licked the perspiration off her neck with his tongue. Her top was low, showing part of her breasts, and his lips traveled lower. "Chloe," he moaned, as they moved together,
"you're mine, tell me you're mine."

  But she seemed immersed in a world of her own; a world of sensual abandonment, lust, and music.

  Bringing her head up, he looked into her eyes. They were half-closed, languid, and she seemed like a different person. Then, he looked closer, and realized she'd been drugged. Maybe here, maybe at the house, but somewhere, someone, probably Max, had slipped her something.

  "Damn!" he breathed. Pulling her close to him, as the song ended, he looked over at Max. The man sat, with a bland expression on his face, looking very innocent. But Nick had to be careful with this. It may have been Tessie with her blender cocktail. And he struggled with his temper, as he thought of the danger to Chloe.

  Picking her up in his arms, he stepped down from the table, and placed her in a chair. Trying to control his fury, he said tightly, "Tessie, what was in that drink you gave Chloe earlier?"

  "Ummm," Chloe mumbled, "it was gooood."

  "That's my specialty" Tessie slurred, with her eyes appearing very much like Chloe's.

  "Well, I don't like my old lady drugged." Nick's hands were tightly clenched at his sides, and his voice was low and ominous.

  "Take it easy, Nick," Max said calmly, "she won't do it again, will you baby?"

  Tessie pouted, and shook her head. "Everyone else always likes it."

  Nick ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I'd like to go back to the house." He had to go back. He couldn't be with Max and Tessie any more tonight, or he might give in to this hidden, murderous rage boiling inside of him.

  "Yeah," Max said, rising and hoisting Tessie, "let's take the Mom's home. We can party again tomorrow night."

  Chapter Eight

  They all piled into Max's jeep, a new, red, four wheel drive vehicle he kept at his Mexico house, and started down the road.

  Nick held Chloe tight, with a grim expression on his face, as he thought of all the things he'd like to do to Max and his idiot wife. But, Chloe seemed to perk up on the way to Max's house, as the breeze hit her. She looked more alert, and her eyes slowly lost the glazed look he'd seen earlier.

  Pulling her chin up, he said, "How're you doing, baby?"

  "Fine," she said softly.

  "Just don't drink any more of Tessie's concoctions."

  "Yes, she put something in it. I could feel it. I didn't want to say anything and spoil the evening. I think I'm okay now, though. Don't worry, Nick."

  He kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry, Chloe."

  "Hazards of the job," she whispered, "that's why we get paid the big bucks."

  Nick snorted, thought of his paycheck, and wondered if any amount of money was worth all this. Yes, Nick had money. Plenty of money. He had so much money from investments, he really didn't even need to work. But, so far, jobs with the D.E.A. had brought excitement to his life. Until now, that is. This wasn't excitement, this was hell.

  At the house, they went upstairs, and Nick ran Chloe a bath, while she slowly undressed.

  He went downstairs to get some cold water from the refrigerator, then strolled upstairs again.

  But, as he walked in the room, he saw her standing by the louvered doors leading out to the balcony. She wore a white, filmy nightgown that blew softly around her, as the fresh, ocean breeze entered the room. She was looking out over the ocean and, gazing at her, he felt as if he couldn't move, as if his boots were nailed to the floor. God, what a vision she was...soft, seductive, long hair flowing in the light breeze like spun cotton, with the gown billowing out behind her.

  She turned, as she finally realized he was there. In the dim light in the room, he could see through the wispy nightgown; her lush breasts, with their large nipples showing dark under the fabric; the dark, intriguing triangle of downy hairs between her thighs. And he felt a familiar longing.

  "I'll be right back," he said huskily.

  Chloe watched him go into the bathroom then heard the shower running. She looked out over the ocean again, transfixed by the beauty of the half-moon shimmering, making bright silver paths on the peaceful water.

  Her thoughts darted randomly, while she heard him come up behind her.

  "Isn't it beautiful, Nick?" she breathed, as he wrapped his arms around her, and shared the picturesque scene. He wore just a towel around his waist, and his skin was still damp from the shower.

  "Not as beautiful as you," he said as he began kissing her neck. "Where did you get the gown?"

  "Oh, it was in the drawer," she said softly, as an erotic haziness crept over her. She loved it when Nick kissed her. His kisses were so gentle.

  "Let's go to bed," he said huskily.

  But as she lay on top of the sheet, he hesitated and stood next to her, looking down.

  "Are you all right now?" he said, in a concerned voice.

  "Yeah. Just a little tired. It wore off. I like these sheets, though. Feel, Nick." Her hand ran along the satin softness.

  He lay beside her, and pulled her towards him. She saw his eyes glittering, as he said, "I love you Chloe. Yell me you love me."

  But before she could answer, his mouth was on hers, his tongue moving slowly, tasting her sweetness. His hand hesitated before it moved softly on her breast, and the fabric of the gown slid and moved as his palm caressed her.

  She moaned at the sensation, and his lips moved off hers briefly. "Chloe," he breathed, "my beautiful woman."

  Closing her eyes, she felt his hands moving the gown up, then over her head.

  "I want to see you," he whispered, "all of you." Then, he said, "Look at me, Chloe."

  She slowly opened her eyes. He was bending over her, with his head resting on one arm. "You're beautiful," he whispered, as his eyes held hers in a steady gaze, and his hand moved slowly, lazily over her breasts, her stomach, then her thighs...languid strokes...slow strokes.

  She found herself unable to break away from his gaze. She was transfixed by it, immersed in the gray-blue depths of it. As his hand cupped her thatch of downy hairs, he whispered, "This isn't all I need from you Chloe." His fingers moved, played, teased, and her lips were parted now, as she gasped, and closed her eyes, "I need your love, Chloe," he continued, "give me your love."

  His mouth plundered hers, and she felt his love. It wasn't just the physical sensation he was creating, but something more. Something special, unique.

  "Look at me," he whispered urgently, as she felt his fingers slide to her most sensitive spot. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and she saw a fire in him that matched the growing need between them.

  "Tell me," he urged, "tell me..."

  "I love you, Nick," she whispered, as she felt his expert manipulation bringing her to ecstasy, "I do." she breathed. Then, as she peaked, her body shook, and she cried out.

  His lips moved casually to her breasts, as his fingers still stroked her moist ache, and he sucked one, then the other, his tongue moving around each taut nipple, caressing, teasing, his breath warm against her skin, until she could stand it no longer.

  "Nick, come in me. Please."

  He straddled her, slipped on protection, then held himself poised at her entrance. "Tell me," he whispered, "tell me again."

  "I love you, Nicky," she moaned.

  He entered slowly, gently, resting his elbows on either side of her, as his mouth hovered above hers. Chloe's breath caught in her throat. It was like the first time...the first time she'd held a man, the first time she'd felt a man's desire.

  As he began a slow rhythm, she cried out and rose to meet him.

  "Is this what you want?" he said softly, his breath hot and fiery on her lips, "You want Nicky in you? Yeah. You do."

  His slow thrusting gained intensity, and she knew he was watching her. Gazing at him now, she saw his eyes, dark, languid, full of love for her. A feeling flowed through her, a feeling of intense happiness, a feeling that whatever happened between them, there would always be this one night.

  But then he stopped thrusting, and brought his lips down on hers. She began writhing underneath him, unable to wait. Then,
as if he could control himself no longer, he thrust deeply within her, once twice, and she gasped as she felt her muscles contracting around his hardness.

  As he continued, she felt a sensation new to her, and she cried out, as she spiraled towards the precipice, drowning in Nicky's fire, and her intense ache was relieved at last.

  Gasping, she felt him shift, so she was on top of him.

  "Yeah," he breathed, "that's how I want you, over me, with your hair falling down." his hand weaved into her hair, as he looked up at her. "Tell me."

  He drove into her hard, and she sucked her breath, as the sensation started again within her. "I love you," she gasped, "I love you, Nicky."

  His thrusting became more urgent, as his eyes closed, and his eyelids flickered. She felt his ecstasy then, and something seemed to burst inside of her, as he moaned.

  Bringing her up with him, he sat, with her straddled on his lap. His hand came up and stroked her hair, and his eyes were half-closed. "Come for me, Chloe," he whispered, "come for Nicky."

  His words caused a sensation within her, unlike anything she'd experienced before. It grew, as his intensity grew, and seemed to thunder inside her like a huge, exotic tremor, as he thrust one last time.

  They stayed wrapped in each other's arms, and the only sound in the room was the furious beating of their hearts along with their ragged breathing. And the only scent was theirs, the exotic, soft, lingering fragrance of two people in love.

  "Chloe," he moaned, "believe me, Chloe." His hands wrapped in her hair, and she buried her face in his neck, smelling his subtle scent, feeling him, needing him.

  But then, they heard a scream come from the next room. Chloe stiffened, but Nick chuckled.

  "What was that?" she said, on the alert instantly.

  "Max says Tess is a screamer."

  She pulled back and looked at him. "What's a screamer? What do you mean?"

  He grinned.

  "Oh, you mean, oh." But her face still held a curious look, and it amused him.

  Laughing, he pulled Chloe gently from him, and strolled to the bathroom.