~*1 Week Before Christmas*~

I hadn’t spoken to Nick for a week. He was going to stay over my house for Christmas though. I knew that for sure. We had made plans. Leighanne was going to also. Her house was being painted and she’s allergic to the fumes.

“Hi,” Nick said after I let him in the house.

“Hi,” I said back curtly. I was so scared. He brushed past me and smiled

“I…I mean…hi….you wanna go and unpack?” I asked him. He looked at me. We stood there for a minute at least and just stared at each other.

“Yeah…sure,” He followed me upstairs. Leighanne and Brian were at my house too. They were both sprawled on Nick’s bed watching TV…

“Off guys…Nick is here,” I said nudging Brian who decided to take a nap. Brian groaned as he woke up. Leighanne was so into the show she just waved us away.

“Let us be,” Brian groaned again and rolled over to his other side. He pretended to snore loudly. I laughed. Brian was so lazy.

“Nick…can’t you stay in Rachel’s room?” Leighanne asked

“What?” Nick and I cried out at the same time

“Aren’t we spending Christmas together?” she asked me

“Well yeah…” I said

“My house is being painted Rach, you KNEW that I was gonna stay over here!” she said

“Me too,” Brian said grinning.

Nick shoved him “You perv,” Brian then gave Nick an innocent smile

“Hey! I just wanna be with my girl!” Brian said putting his arms around Leighanne. Nick looked at me helplessly, the suitcase still in his hands

“Ok…you can stay in my room Nick,” I sighed as Nick followed me quietly to my room.

“I’m sorry Rachel,” he whispered while I was putting his suitcase down

“What? For what?” I asked

“Making you feel uncomfortable…I didn’t mean to…that other day when we were at the club dancing,”

“Oh…it’s ok…I mean…” I trailed off and left the room leaving Nick there looking sad as hell. I felt so bad now.

~*Later That Night*~

I changed in the bathroom and came out in boxers and a t-shirt. Nick practically gaped. I ignored him

“You can go change now,” I said. I climbed into the bed and laid my head on the pillow. I barely realized it when I heard the springs squeak. Here I am, in bed with Nick Carter. I drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

~*2 Hours Later*~

I woke up with Nick breathing heavily. I turned around quietly to get a look at him. Oh my lord…he was SHIRTLESS! I felt more and more uncomfortable and I couldn’t fall asleep. I tossed and turned restlessly I must’ve been moving too much because Nick woke up

“Rachel?” He whispered I could hear him turn to face me.

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry…Am I bothering you? You want me to sleep on the couch?”

“No…that’s ok…” I said uncomfortably. He turned around and faced me. Even in the dark I could see his shinning eyes

“Rachel…I know you’re uncomfortable around me…and I can understand that…it’s ok that you don’t love me back…it takes time,” Nick said

I was truly in love now. Danny never talked to me like that. I reached over and rubbed Nick’s cheek. It was wet. He had been crying.

“Nick…” I whispered. He put his hand on my hand, which was already on his cheek. His hand was cold.

“I love you,” I said quietly.

“What?” Nick cried.

“I love you,” I said again. Nick moved closer to me and wrapped me in his arms. I laid against his bare chest and sighed. He kissed my hair

“My life…is for you, and I adore you,
I love you more everyday
I want it that way
No more lies
Ain’t nothin but a heartache
No good-byes
Ain’t nothin’ but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say…
I want it that way,” he sang softly.

He kissed me again and I drifted off to sleep in his arms.

Author’s Note: The song you just heard in this Chapter that Nick sings is the unedited version of I Want It That Way. It’s not released in the US but I personally love it which is why I decided to put this version in my story.