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She picked up the phone and dialed Erin's number. Elena felt the need to vent about the odd string of calls she'd gotten before they ruined her chipper mood.
"Ello?" John asked.
"Hiya John. Is Erin around?"
"Hi Elena. Erin's changing up, she'll be out in a minute though. How are you, luv?"
"I'm fine, and you?"
"Wonderful." he almost purred "Did everything turn out alright last night? I know Erin tried calling you back and got your voice mail."
"Yeah, everything's fine. Nick and I had a nice evening."
"I'm glad. Nick likes you a lot, you know. Ah, here's Erin. Bye Elena."
"Bye John."
"Hey you." Erin said.
"Are you getting ready to leave?"
"Not for a bit, why?"
"Well" Elena began "You'll never believe what I found when I got home."
"Ummm....Nick still laying naked in your bed?"
"Hahaha...very funny. No I found messages from Mark, mum and Daniel."
"Not good." Erin sighed.
"Well, Mark was nice, as per usual. Mum was annoying and Daniel was such a prick."
"Well, what did the bastardly one have to say?" Erin asked.
"He dared to tell me I looked fetching last night and that it was too bad I took off like I did, cos he wanted to introduce me to his bloody date."
"You've gotta be kidding me! The nerve of him! See Ele, I told you from the beginning that he was bad news."
"I know Erin, I know. Now it's all coming back to bite me in the ass." Elena sighed.
"Sorry, Ele. Just forget about him and if you see him or he calls you, tell him to sod off. He's a bastard, and now you've got Nick. You should be happy about that."
"I am happy about Nick, you know that."
"I know. You ok now?"
"Yes, much better. Thank you for letting me bitch about it."
"Not a problem. I love ya, Ele."
"Love you too. Bye."
Elena laid the handset down, laid back on her sofa and smiled. Aside from Daniel constantly popping up, life was very good, save for mum wanting her to come visit.
"Oh my God." she giggled "I can take Nick out to mum and dad's. Surely she'll like him and find him to be proper *boyfriend* material." A large smile spread across her face as she rolled over to answer the phone.
"'Ello?" she asked.
"Elena" Nick's voice purred.
"Hi."
"Do you have plans, luv?"
"No...what did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking along the lines of a nice, quiet, private dinner."
"I think I like your way of thinking." she replied.
"Good, I'll come by around 7:00 to get you."
"Where are we going anyway? I need to know so I can be dressed properly."
"Ah yes, we're going to dinner at my house. So dress is casual." Nick chuckled.
"I'll be ready then."
"See you soon, luv."
"Bye Nick."
Elena hung up, changed clothes and straightened up while she waited for Nick to arrive, making a mental note to ask him if he would accompany her out to mum's for dinner.
"Yes?" Elena asked as she answered the buzzer.
"It's me." Nick replied.
"Hey you, c'mon up."
Nick reached the top of the stairs and stared in amazement.
"What? Is something wrong?" Elena questioned, suddenly feeling self conscious.
"No, nothing's wrong. You just look gorgeous." Nick said truthfully as he drank her in. Even in faded jeans, with her long hair loosely pulled back, she was beautiful to him.
"Thank you." she blushed. "You look rather dashing yourself."
"Thank you. Are you ready, luv?"
"Ready." she said as she collected her keys and closed her door.
Elena and Nick chatted in the cab on the way to his house. Once there, he escorted her to the door and led her into the large foyer.
"Wow." Elena whispered "Your home is beautiful."
"Thank you. Are you hungry?"
"Starving."
Nick led her into the dimly lit dining room and pulled her chair out for her.
"Very nice." Elena commented as he poured the wine for her.
"I did promise a nice, quiet, private dinner, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did and I believe you've done a great job."
"The best is yet to come. Back in a minute." Nick said before he went into the kitchen and returned with dinner.
"Mmmm...smells incredible, Nick."
"I hope you like it. You do like French cusine, right?"
"I love it." she said as he placed her plate in front of her. "Did you do all of this?"
"This is where your surprise comes in."
"What surprise?"
"I called La Relais and arranged for some take away."
"Oh Nick...how sweet! But you didn't have to go through all that trouble."
"No trouble, luv. I'm a very good customer and since we didn't get to enjoy it last night, I wanted to make it up to you."
"I...I don't know what to say." she said as tears filled her eyes.
"You don't have to say anything luv. Just enjoy your evening."
******
"What did you think?" Nick asked as they made themselves comfortable on the sofa.
"Dinner was fabulous. Thank you so much, Nick."
"You're welcome, luv. I figured you'd like it, since you'd mentioned you wanted to go there. And well, since our dinner was buggered up, I wanted to make it up to you."
"I really appreciate it, you really didn't have to though."
"I wanted to." he said, leaning in and gently kissing her forehead before he planted a soft kiss on her lips.
"Nick, I have something I want to ask you."
"Go ahead, luv."
"Well, I was wondering if you would consider joining me at my parents for dinner sometime?"
"Of course, luv. When?"
"My mum's really after me to come out soon, so I thought maybe this weekend?"
"I look forward to it."
"You say that now, but you haven't met my mum." Elena laughed "She's a bit overbearing sometimes."
"No worries, luv. I'm sure we'll get on fine."
"I have no doubts about that. You're very charming." Elena said as she laid in his arms, relishing in his strong embrace.
"So..he's really gonna walk into the pit of hell with ya? That's some man" Erin said as she sat on Elenas floor the next night eating pizza and drinking wine.
"Yeah... I warned him about mum though.Should be interesting." Elena replied.
"Ok Ele.. I need ya to help me here."
"With what Erin?"
"John asked me to go with him on a vacation....to Italy."
"Get out!! When??"
"Next month. I am so scared.I really like him Ele...alot."
"Ohh...are we talking the Big *L* here, Erin?"
"I dunno...could be. We have so much in common, and he is so nice to me."
"Not to mention sexy as hell." Elena interrupted with a laugh.
"Well...yeah, that too." Erin grinned.
"So...go with him"
"You think?"
"All I know Erin is that I haven't seen you this happy in years. Richard that bastard really did a number on you and I think you more than deserve someone wonderful.Let John take you away to someplace beautiful."
"I knew you were my best friend for a reason." Erin said hugging her friend.
"Are you ready?" Elena asked Nick as she rang the bell to her parents front door.
"Absolutely." he said as he squeezed her hand.
Elena mum Patsy answered the door.
"Elena darling." she said giving her a hug.
"Hi Mum."
"Who's this?" Patsy asked eyeing Nick.
"Mum...this is my friend Nick. Nick this is my mum, Patsy."
"A pleasure to meet you Mrs. Touchstone." Nick said shaking Patsy's hand.
"Thank You. Like wise. Come on in."
"There's my girl." Gerald said as he walked upto Elena and embraced her.
"Daddy. I want you to meet my friend Nick.Nick this is my dad, Gerald."
The men made idle chatter while Elena went off to the kitchen to help her mother.
"Don't have any surprises for me this evening do you mum?"Elena asked as she walked into the kitchen.
"Really Elena...you could have told me you were bringing a guest...let alone a "Gentleman Friend"" Patsy said curtly.
"Well...it's never been a problem before." Elena argued.
"You hadn't even told us about him Elena."
"I don't feel as if I have to Mother. I am 30 years old. I don't need to tell you every move I make."
"I will not argue with you about this anymore young lady. Go set the table." Patsy said turning her back to her daughter.
Elena left the kitchen and began setting the table. A smile spread across her face as she listened to her dad and Nick talking and laughing. She'd known her dad would get on well with him. She joined the men in the sitting room.
"Fancy a drink, luv?" her father asked.
"Please...a gin and tonic. So, you two seem to have hit it off."
"Your father is quite the story teller." Nick laughed.
"Oh God." Elena groaned "Please tell me those stories didn't involve me."
"Only a few dear." Gerald said, handing her drink to her.
"What!?" She asked, almost snorting her drink out of her nose.
"Only joking, Elena." Gerald said "Well Nick, maybe you can convince her?"
"Really luv, no stories about you, I promise." Nick said sincerely.
"Dinner's ready" Patsy said as she stuck her head in the room.
"Fun's over..." Elena sighed.
Gerald, Elena and Nick took their seats.
"So" Patsy began "How long have you two been friends?"
"Just a few weeks." Elena replied, smiling at Nick.
"I see. How on earth did you two meet?" Patsy questioned.
"Patsy...please." Gerald said.
"It's ok, daddy." Elena replied. "Well, the way we met is actually quite funny now, isn't it, Nick?"
"It is rather amusing." Nick chuckled.
"Ok." Elena began "Erin met Nick's best friend while I was away. Erin and John decided they should set us up on a blind date...even though they both knew we hated blind dates." Erin laughed.
"Let's just say we were both furious with our friends. The evening was sort of tense, but at the end of the night, we shared a cab and smoothed things over." Nick said.
"What's that?" Elena asked as the doorbell rang and her mum exited the room.
"I dunno, luv." Gerald answered.
"Mark, what a surprise." Patsy said, leading him into the dining room.
"God help us." Gerald whispered.
"Elena, look. Mark's come for a visit." Patsy practically chirpped.
"Yes mum, I see that."
"Well, don't be rude, introduce him to your friend." Patsy urged.
"Mark, this is Nick. The man I told you about a few days ago. Nick, this is Mark...my ex-husband. Now if you'll all excuse us, I really need to speak to mum for a moment." Elena said as she grabbed her mum's hand and made her follow her into the kitchen.
"I'm sorry." Mark began "Patsy didn't tell me that Elena was bringing you for dinner."
"Well, she didn't know Elena was bringing me. She wanted to surprise her." Nick said, offering his hand to Mark.
"Jesus mum!" Elena seethed "What the hell is your problem?"
"Calm down Elena." Patsy almost whispered.
"I will NOT calm down!" Elena yelled "Every bloody time I come over here, you have a little surprise. Mum, I brought Nick over here to meet you and dad, not my ex-husband and I swear to God, if you keep this up or ever pull another stunt like this, I will never come over here again!"
"Really Elena, I just thought..."
"N mum!" Elena interrupted "that's the problem. You don't think." She fumed as she walked away from her mum.
Elena walked through the door to find her father, Nick and Mark totally silent and wide-eyed.
"Sorry about that." she said as she sat and took a long sip of her drink.
The rest of the evening was spent with Elena, Gerald, Nick and Mark chatting and Patsy sitting in a stunned silence. Nick and Elena said their goodbyes later and headed back to the city.
"I'm really sorry about that, Nick." she said.
"Sorry about what, luv?" he asked, taking her hand in his.
"About my mum and Mark showing up."
"It's alright. I was bound to meet him sooner or later and Mark seems to be a nice guy. And your mum seems to worry about you a bit."
"Yes, Mark is very nice, but as I told you, mum is overbearing. I wanted her to be happy that I brought you."
"It's ok, luv. Just forget about all of that. We still had a good evening together." he said, pulling her closer to him.
"Yes we did." she said, kissing his cheek before she laid her head on his shoulder.
******
"Ello?" Erin whipsered, trying not to wake John.
"It's me" Elena replied.
"How'd it go?"
"Well, let's just say my mum pulled one of her stunts."
"Oh God, what did she do?"
"Well, shortly after we all sat down to dinner, Mark showed up."
"Oh shit...oh Ele, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, you and me both. I was mortified. I reemed mum and Mark and Nick got on fine."
"That's a good thing, right?"
"Yeah, I guess. Oh hell, I dunno. What do I care if my ex-husband likes who I'm going out with?"
"Elena, calm down. Breathe or something."
"I'm ok."
"So, how did Nick take everything?"
"He was fine. He liked Mark and acted like it was no big deal...it was amazing." she giggled softly.
"He's there, isn't he?"
Ummm-hmmm...he's asleep, it's 4:30am."
"My, my, my....aren't we the active one?"
"Right, you're one to talk Miss we did it 5 times!" Elena laughed.
"Ah, touche'."
"Hey, why don't you and I get together later? We'll order in and hang out. We'll give the guys the night off and they can hang out and do whatever guys do."
"Sounds good. I'll see you tonight then."
"It's a date." Elena laughed.
****************************
John and Nick took a corner booth in the pub and settled in for a night of male bonding.
"So, how's things with Elena?" John asked taking a drink of his pint.
"Good. I like her a lot Johnny. How about you and Erin?"
"I'm crazy about her Nick. No one has ever made me feel the way she does. I even asked her to go with me on a vacation next month." John said with a goofy grin.
"Well....is she gonna go?"
"I think so. She hasn't exactly said yet."
"I'm sure she will, John. No worries."
"Hey...you could ask Elena and you guys could join us. Think how nice it would be the four of us in Italy."
"That does sounds nice." Nick said thoughtfully.
"Have you given John an answer yet?" Elena asked as she sat down on the floor across from Erin.
"Not yet. I was gonna wait til the next time he comes over." Erin grinned.
"You are so lucky....Italy." Elena sighed.
"I know." Erin replied dreamily.
"What's that smile all about? Did Nick come over after I left?" Erin asked as she walked into Elena's office.
"Close the door and have a seat."
"Sure Ele, what's up?"
"Well, Nick idd come by after you left."
"Is everything alright?" Erin asked with concern in her voice.
"Everything is wonderful, it couldn't be better actually."
"So, tell me what's up already."
"Erin....Nick asked me to go on holiday with him."
"No way! Where?"
"To Italy with you and John."
"Oh my God!" Erin squealed.
"I know!"
"We're going to Italy!!!" they screamed in unison, hugging each other as they jumped up and down.
"Ms. Touchstone?" Jude asked as she peeked in the door.
"Yes, Jude?" Elena asked, still holding on to Erin.
"I was just making sure you were alright. I heard a lot of yelling."
"Thanks Jude, I'm fine. Please close the door behind you."
Elena and Erin lokked at each other and burst into a fit of laughter.
"How about this one?" Elena asked as she held the dress up in front of her.
"Nah." Erin replied wrinkling her nose.
"Really?" Elena asked surprise.
"Uh huh."
"Yeah...I guess you're right." Elena said hanging the dress back in the closet.
"Ya think you're gonna pack enough stuff?" Erin said with a laugh.
"Shut up." Elena replied sticking her tongue out at Erin.
"Can you believe this time next week we will be in Italy?" Erin breathed.
"I know. It just seems too good to be true." Elena smiled.
"Believe it, cos it's true, Ele. We're going to Italy with 2 very gorgeous men." Erin said with a dreamy smile. "And, the best thing is that this isn't a mini-break, it's a full blown holiday."
"I know! I just can't believe we're going together."
"So, are you packed already, or what?" Erin teased. "You know there's a weight limit on baggage."
"Yeah well...bite me. You never know what we'll be doing or where we'll be going." Elena flashed a devilish grin to Erin. "I think the only reason you haven't packed a lot of clothes is because you plan on keeping your Mr. Taylor naked and locked up in the room."
"Well, how could you blame me?" she giggled. "I do plan on keeping him locked up at some point. Try looking me in the eye and telling me that you won't have Nick locked up at some point?"
"Ok...I *will* have Nick locked up alone and naked with me at some point." Elena snickered as the two friends laughed hysterically.
"What was that?" Erin asked as she heard the knock on the door.
"Probably one of my neighbours. Maybe we got too loud." Elena said as they both walked to the door. She opened the door and found Nick and John standing in the hall.
"Hi." Elena said in a surprised tone.
"Hiya. We just thought we'd come by for a visit. The door was open." Nick explained as he gently kissed Elena.
"What a nice surprise...we were just talking about you two." Erin laughed.
"You were? Ah, and just what were you lovely ladies talking about?" John asked, tightening his embrace on Erin.
"Ummm, let's just say it was girl talk." Elena chuckled as she and Erin shot each other a look and started laughing all over again.
"I don't think they're gonna tell us, John." Nick laughed.
"Oh well...I suppose we can still take them out for dinner. What do you think?" John teased.
"Yes, I think we can take them out for dinner, but they'll have to talk if they desire something more." Nick purred as he gazed into Elena's green eyes.
"Thanks guys." Elena called as she shut the door of Johns car.
"Anytime." John said with a smile.
"Have a good night Erin." Elena told her best friend with a laugh.
"Oh ....I intend to." Erin replied looking over at John.
John pulled the car away from the curb and into traffic. Elena and Nick made their way into Elena's building and up to her flat.
"I had fun tonight." she said as she sank down into the sofa.
"Mmm...me too." Nick sighed sitting down beside her.
Erin and John walked through the front door of her flat. John threw his keys down on the table and turned to embrace Erin.
"So...what did you have planned for me?" he purred as he seductively kissed her neck.
"Oh...I think you know." she replied as she melted into him.
"Mmmm...I think I like this." John whispered in her ear as he nibbled it lightly.
"Do you now?" she teased as she led him to the bedroom and directed him to sit on the bed.
"Where are you going?" He asked as Erin moved away.
"I'll be right back, but I promise it will be worth your wait." she said with a sly grin.
He watched her as she entered the bathroom and closed the door. John sat on the bed, as she instructed, but he felt like he would explode from the anticipation of her return. Erin opened the door after what seemed like an eternity. She was covered in a robe, her hair still damp from her shower.
"What?" she asked, walking slowly toward John.
"You." he whispered.
"What about me?" she teased.
"Erin, I need to touch you. I'm going mad with it."
She closed her eyes and slid her arms around his neck, her fingers sinking into his soft, silky hair. His mouth covered hers, a kiss deep with want and longing. Her fingers worked quickly on his buttons. Erin pushed the shirt from his shoulders. She ran her fingers down his bare chest to the waistband of his trousers, as John tried to restrain himself from throwing her down on the bed.
Erin brushed her lips against his ear. "I know you're holding back." she purred. " I don't want you to behave." she popped the button on his trousers. "Because I certainly won't." she said as she dipped her hand down his pants.
John caught her hand, pulled her close to him, and brought his mouth down on hers, his tongue exploring, darting and sweeping and making her moan in a way that drove him crazy. John tried for patience, but when her nails raked lightly over his nipples, the strength of his kiss drove her back. She hit the bed. He lifted her onto it, his hips spreading her thighs, his mouth greedily trailing down her throat. He parted her robe, baring her breasts, cupping them before he bent. His lips closed over on tight peak and she whimpered, offering herself in wild abandon.
His teeth scored the soft underside of her breast before he took her plump nipple into the heat of his mouth again and again...and leaving her with mindless sensations. Her lips swept the curve of his ear, and he shuddered. Her hand dipped inside his trousers again, fingers closing around his erection. John threw his head back and groaned.
"Erin." he moaned, his knees going weak.
Nothing in his life felt better than her touch. He trembled for her. Erin smiled as she watched pleasure float over his features. He swept her hair back and kissed her, a never-ending layer of his lips and tongue over her body. He had an amazing mouth, and he knew how to use it. He nipped the inside of her thigh. He spread her, his tongue immediately delving.
She cried out and arched, calling his name in a long breathy moan. She panted, swiping her hair off her face as he moved up beside her. She crawled up him, over his legs, smiling, teasingly. He sat up and kissed her.
"I want you all night long." John whispered breathlessly.
"But I want you now." Erin said, pushing him to his back and straddling him.
She slid down on him, taking his entire length and began rocking slowly. John felt as if he would explode as he felt her muscles tighten around him. He pulled her legs around him and rolled her to her back. Her hips rose to greet him, her gaze locked with his. Gripping his shoulders, she arched, grinding to him as waves of pleasure ran through him. She flexed and trembled, he thrust and joined her climax.
John gasped and clutched her, raining kisses over her face as he held his scuplted jaw.
"I love you." John said as he looked down into Erin's face.
"You what?" Erin asked nervously.
"I love you, Erin" John repeated.
Erin pushed John off her and grabbed her robe and bolted out of the bedroom.
"Erin!" John called as he grabbed his pants and hurriedly put them on.
He walked into the living room to find Erin sitting in the floor crying.
"What is it sweetheart? What did I do?" he asked tenderly and full of concern.
"Nothing....I dunno." Erin wailed.
"C'mon...you can talk to me."
"It's just that the last man that said that to me nearly crushed me, John. I loved him and it almost destroyed me." Erin sobbed.
"Shh...it's alright." John said gathering Erin into his arms."I want you to listen to me Erin.I would never hurt you. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. I come alive when I see your smile...feel your touch." he continued to whisper.
"I want to believe that, John." Erin said, looking into his eyes and finding her truth.
"I love you too, John." she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and let go of the pains of her past.
"He said it??" Elena squealed.
"Uh huh...he said he loves me!!" Erin almost screamed.
"God....I sooo hate you right now." Elena admitted with a laugh.
"Oh come on. Aren't things going well with Nick?"
"Yeah..things are great with Nick....but it's hardly love, y'know."
"Well...maybe it would be if you'd let it." Erin replied.
"I don't know if it's that easy, Erin."
"Oh just give in already Ele. I mean what are you waiting for?"
"Good question. I guess I'll know when I find it." Elena replied matter of factly.
"Ele, don't be so cynical. I know you loved Mark more than anything, you'll always love him. You opened your heart and loved Daniel the bastard and he didn't feel the same... Why you fell in love with him in the first place, I'll never know or understand."
"What's your point?" Elena asked, feeling irritated and pissed off at the mention of Daniel.
"My point is that even after you and Mark split up, you found that you could love someone again, and that someone didn't even love you for a second. Daniel is out of the picture Ele, move on and let it go. You've got Nick in your life now. He's a great guy, he's sweet, handsome, he's crazy about you and I know you're crazy about him."
"How do you know I'm crazy about Nick?"
"I can tell by the way you look when you talk about him, the way you look when he's around you...it's noticeable, ok?"
"Ok, maybe so...Do you love John?"
"I do, Ele. I was afraid to tell him at first and I didn't even believe him when he said it. I ran away from him as fast as I could. He came after me and asked me what was wrong...I told him about the last boyfriend and what he did to me and how bad he broke my heart. But, when I looked in John's eyes, I saw it. He meant what he said when he said he loved me. He does love me, Ele." Erin Explained as tears welled up in her eyes. "See, even after what Richard did to me, I found out that I can love and trust again."
"I know, I know....I just don't know if I'm ready for all that right now. Nick and I get on perfect and I do like him a lot. I just don't want to rush into anything that serious."
"Ele, loosen up, don't be so serious. I"m not telling you to run to him right now and confess your undying love, or run off and marry him or anything, just don't close your mind to the idea."
"I won't. I promise." Elena said truthfully. "I am happy for you Erin, I really am. I'm glad you found someone that will treat you the way you deserve to be treated. John's a fine man."
"Thanks, Ele. I'm glad you agree." Erin giggled.
*****
"Mmmm...there you are." Nick purred as he curled up against Elena and put his arm over her.
"I'm sorry if the phone woke you."
"S'alright, luv. Is Erin ok?"
"She's fine, she just had some news to share with me." Elena replied as she stoked Nick's cheek.
"News? Must be something big. She and John are alright, aren't they?"
"Oh yeah, they're fine. Actually, better than fine. Erin's very happy with John. The happiest I've seen her in a very long time."
"I'm glad. John's crazy about her. I've never seen him so happy. I believe he could easily fall in love with Erin."
"Too late." Elena giggled.
"What to you mean? Too late for what?"
"John told her that he loves her."
"Wow..." Nick whispered.
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
"I'm happy for them. 'Bout time Johnny found someone that makes him so happy." Nick said, pulling Elena closer to him.
"Me too." she said, cuddling as close to him as she physically could.
************************
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