From Nick’s view, something about Madeleine was so sweet and endearing. He wasn’t quite sure how he felt for her, but it was definitely different than it was for other girls. Trying to figure it out was driving him nuts, but he pushed it out of his mind. It wasn’t important at the moment.
“Do we really have to watch chick flicks all night?” Nick whined as soon as Brian left.
She laughed. He was so cute when he whined! “Of course we don’t have to! Girls don’t like watching those movies with guys because all they do is groan through the whole thing and make fun of the girl for crying at the end!”
“Really? That isn’t how it is from all my experiences,” he said.
“What, with your girlfriend?” she teased.
“No, with my sisters and my mom! I don’t even have a girlfriend right now!”
“Oh, you don’t?” she said, surprised. “I would have thought a sexy star like you would have had someone.”
The fact that she had called him sexy slipped by him. “Nope. I was with a girl named Manduh for about two years. The guys didn’t like her because they thought she used me, but I just didn’t see it. Finally, I figured it out, and I dumped her two months ago. Since then, Nick Carter has been single,” he announced dramatically. “So what about you? Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No. No, I don’t. I haven’t had much experience in relationships. I’ve just had bad luck with guys, I guess. No one I like ever seems to feel the same way. Maybe I’m just crushing on the wrong guys,” Madeleine sighed. “And don’t worry. Someday, you’ll find the right girl who will appreciate the real Nick.”
At that moment, Nick looked into her eyes and saw her in a totally different light. How could he not have seen it before? He was totally, completely, head-over-heels in love with her. Hesitantly, he answered. “The guys that didn’t like you are really missing out, Mattie.”
“What?” she asked, taken aback.
“I said they’re really missing out, Mattie. You are the prettiest girl I have ever met,” he said sincerely.
She blushed. The guy she was in love with was telling her she was pretty! “You don’t have to say that. I’m not pretty. I’m just…me. I’m nothing special. I’m boring.”
Nick lifted her chin and looked into her round, green eyes, causing her heart to pound. “You are not boring. You’re beautiful. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently, Madeleine. I would be in heaven if I found out you liked me.” To further prove his point, he worked up his courage and nervously placed a tender peck on her lips.
She pulled away. “Nick…why are you doing this? Is this just to make me feel better about myself? If it is, don’t even-”
He interrupted her with a passionate kiss that soothed her worries. He parted her lips and slipped his tongue in, and she enthusiastically did the same. His hands were buried in her long, wavy, dirty blonde hair. All thoughts of Brian were immediately shoved to the back of her mind, but they were still there. She pried her lips from his for a deep breath, and he pulled her into an embrace.
For about five minutes, they remained in each other’s arms. “What are we doing, Nick?” she finally murmured. “Brian would kill us!”
“You’re right, he would, but I love you." He laughed slightly, surprised that he said that out loud. "Wow. I love you. So can we just forget him for one night, Madeleine? Please?” he pleaded. At this point, he was far beyond wanting her. He needed her. He pressed her forehead against hers and stared into her eyes, weakening her, hypnotizing her.
“I shouldn’t…I can’t…I…all right,” she said.
With that, they slid to a reclining position on the sofa, and Nick’s mouth found hers. His hands trailed down her developed body, from her neck to her thighs. Then they traveled back up to her sides, where they found the hem of her shirt. He looked into her eyes for permission, and she nodded eagerly. Her shirt was pulled over her head very quickly. Soon, Nick’s shirt was on the floor as well. They were so preoccupied with each other that neither one heard the door open.