Survivor
Chapter 20
Nick sat there in complete shock. He had had a lot of women come on to him in his time, but his girlfriend's mother? No, he reminded himself, stepmother. But that still didn't make it right, he reasoned, staring at her. Damn it, he thought as his arousal strained against his pants.
Pam noticed the flicker of interest in Nick's eyes and grinned lasciviously him. Knowing that Bob was gone for the afternoon and Bailey must be occupied elsewhere, she intended to take full advantage of the situation. Straddling Nick's long legs, she lowered herself onto his lap, grinding herself into him. He moaned involuntarily at the feel of her warmth on him. She leaned forward, pressing her lips lightly to his as her tongue darted between them.
God, Nick thought as Pam's perfume surrounded him, this is too much. Reaching his hands up to her shoulders, he grasped them firmly.
"I want you to get off me now,” he told her, struggling to maintain an evenness in his voice.
Pam stayed where she was, smiling knowingly at him. Oh, yeah, she could have him in a minute and he knew it, he just didn't want to admit it, she thought. Nick pushed her away, attempting to stand up. She finally removed herself from him, looking him over with pure lust in her eyes.
"Now Nick," she cooed, "there's no need to mention this to Bailey. It would only upset the poor dear. And we both know she has been through so much lately. Besides, she would only run to her daddy and there's no way he would believe her. Don't worry, sugar, you'll come around. You only realize Bailey is just a baby and a baby is not what you want or need. See you around, tiger."
Pam flounced out of the room, her long red hair flowing behind her. Nick stood there, watching her leave. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and confusion. Perhaps it would be best to stay away from Pam all-together, he thought. Or if I do have to be around her, make sure someone else is there, too.
"Nick?"
He turned quickly to see Bailey standing in the doorway. She smiled sleepily at him.
"Hey, baby," he said with the slightest hint of tension in his voice, holding an arm out for her. "Did you get a good nap?"
"I think so," she said, snuggling into him as he wrapped his arms around her. "Were you talking to someone? I thought I heard your voice."
"Um, yeah. Pam was here."
"Ick. Stay away from her, Nick. She's nothing but trouble. I hate her. I can't see what Daddy sees in her. She's only after his money. And I don't care what he says about her caring or worrying about me. I just don't buy it."
Me neither, he thought.
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"Whadja get me for Christmas?" Nick pleaded to Bailey as they hit the mall for last minute shopping.
"Silly, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," she said, playfully slapping his arm.
"But I can't wait until tomorrow to know," he whined, attempting to look pitiful.
"Your attempts will never drag it from me," Bailey laughed. "I'm like Fort Knox. No one can penetrate."
Nick smirked and raised an amused eyebrow at her. "I believe you have forgotten who you are talking to."
Bailey blushed as the double meaning to her words sunk in. Nick threw his head back, laughing as he pulled her close.
"That's not what I meant," she hissed at him, positive everyone knew what they were talking about.
"Well, that's what I meant. I can't believe we haven't had a moment alone since we got here. And you know your dad would absolutely kill me if I did what I want to you. Damn."
Bailey blushed again, this time flattered by his attraction to her. Even though she would never admit it, she had been thinking the same thing since about two minutes after they arrived.
"Well, you never know," she said mysteriously. "I am so hungry. We're supposed to meet Daddy and Pam in Ruby Tuesday's at one. What time is it now?"
"Five after. Come on. I'll race you," he said, taking long strides ahead of her.
Bailey ran after him, bags flailing behind her. Catching up with him, she jumped on his back, squealing with delight as he pretended to stumble. Before the crash, Nick had started being more careful not to act like that when he was out. The guys kept hounding him about the need to act more his age. Now he had an entirely different outlook. To hell with what everyone else thought--if it made him happy, he was going to do it. And being like this with Bailey made her happy. And that made him happy.
Bailey slid off his back as they neared the restaurant. She placed all of the bags in his arms, giggling at the sight of him standing there, laden with packages. He put on a big act, pretending it was all to heavy for him to even move. If he hadn't seen Bob, he'd have started asking for help from the passers-by. Straightening up, he shifted his armload to a better balance. He followed Bailey, attempting a serious face.
"Just put those down there," Bailey instructed as she took a chair across a table from her dad.
Nick complied, noticing his place of honor was directly across from Pam. While they were waiting for their meal, Bailey chattered on to her father about her shopping expedition with Nick. She was amazed at how many people recognized him and stopped him to talk.
"I told you, Bailey, that was actually better than usual. It has been so bad security had to be called."
"Oh, you poor dear," Pam cried, placing a hand over Nick's.
"Um, yeah. Anyway, it really was calm today," he said, trying to get his hand back. Pam had a good grip on it.
"So, did you get your daddy anything at the last minute?" Bob asked, winking at Bailey. "Or were you too busy with the boyfriend?"
"Oh, Daddy," Bailey giggled, tossing her long tresses over her shoulder.
The pink sweater she wore made her appear even more delicate and childlike. Pam caught Nick's eye and gave him a "see what I mean?" look.
"Oh, Bob, don't tease the young lovebirds," Pam said, finally letting go of Nick's hand. In turn, she dropped that hand onto Bob's leg. "Bailey, you have to see what I bought today. I was going to get one for you, but it's just a bit too grown-up for you. Perhaps when you decide to settle down with a nice man like your Daddy, I'll buy you one."
She stood up, putting one of her bags from Frederick's in her chair. She reached in and pulled out a blood-red lace teddy. Holding it up in front of her, she turned to face Nick directly. She pulled it across her body, making sure it hugged every curve. Nick cleared his throat, wanting to look anywhere but at her. There was no way he could, though.
"Nick, you have a good taste in fashion. What do you think of this? Do you think it's right for me?" She asked, looking him straight in his eyes.
Just let me die now, he thought as his body betrayed him. Damn, my girlfriend is sitting right beside me and her mom is giving me a hard-on. Step-mom, dumbass, remember that, he mentally kicked himself.
"Really," his voice cracked. Feeling his face burn with embarrassment, he cleared his throat once more to try it again. "Really, I don't know that much about fashion. I usually go to my friend Kevin for help with that."
"But he's not here," Pam said, her voice light and teasing, never once breaking eye contact with him. "What do you think?"
"I think it will look great on you, Pammy," Bob said, looking up at his wife.
"I do, too. Now what about those black thongs I bought?"
"Pam," Bailey said, anger and embarrassment in her voice, "I don't think that's necessary. We already know you're a whore. You don't have to advertise it."
"Bailey!" Her father admonished. "That was totally uncalled for. I want you to apologize to Pam right this instant. I intend to have a very pleasant holiday this year. And I absolutely forbid either of you to cause a scene here in public. Pam, sit down, dear."
She did, crocodile tears in her eyes as she gave her stepdaughter a look of pure satisfaction. Bob put an arm around his wife's shoulders, comforting her. Nick was shocked to realize Pam had been right--Bob would believe her over his own daughter.
Nick put a comforting hand on Bailey's leg. She looked at him, her own eyes shining as she bit back the hurt and embarrassment. He wrinkled his nose at her, causing her to smile in spite of the moment.
As they ate their meal, Pam carried on as if nothing had happened. Bob gave Bailey a look as if to say "See? She can forgive and forget. Why can't you?"
Nick, elbow deep in a steak, startled as he felt something touch his calf. He looked over at Bailey, who was oblivious to anything but the conversation with her daddy at the moment. As the touching became bolder, he looked across the table at Pam. She winked at him, lowering her eyes seductively as her foot traveled further up his leg, rubbing firmly against his inner thigh, then higher. Pam pursed her lips to tell him "sshh" silently, nodding slightly towards her husband.
Shit, he thought. Bailey was talking again with her father and he didn't want to disturb them, now that peace had been made. He scooted his chair back a little, trying to get out of her reach. Taking it as a challenge, Pam accommodated. She had longer legs than he thought. Finally, he excused himself just to get away from her. Damn, what's wrong with me, he asked himself as he splashed cold water on him from the men's room lavatory. I've got this great girl out there and yet I'm ready to get off on Pam. He sighed, drying his face with the coarse brown paper towels.
"This is so not what I had expected," he muttered to himself as he went back to the table, hoping they would be leaving soon.
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"You didn't tell me you exchanged presents on Christmas Eve," Nick said to Bailey as they sat in the Townsends' den.
The Christmas tree was lit with white lights, giving the whole room a serene glow. Bailey was bouncing around, waiting for her gifts. She tore into the ones Bob and Pam gave her, shrieking with excitement at each one. Nick laughed at her excitement, wondering if she would like his presents. Finally, her parents announced they were going to bed. Pam kissed Bailey on top of her head and Nick on his cheek, lingering just a second too long, unnoticed by anyone but him.
"So, here we are," Bailey said, taking Nick's presents out from under the tree.
"Yep, here we are," he agreed. "Now, what did you get me?"
"You're as bad as I am, Nick Carter! I want mine first!" She demanded, a warm smile on her pretty face.
"I guess you can go first. Here."
He handed her a large box wrapped with paper with blue and silver bells on it. She shook it, hearing something rattle inside.
"Impressive," she said, looking at the neat wrapping and bow on it. "I didn't know you were so talented."
"I'm not," he grinned sheepishly. "Brian's wife felt sorry for me after I spent nearly an hour just trying to get the paper the right length. She was the one who actually wrapped it."
"Aw, that's all right. You tried, and that's the important thing. I almost hate to open it," she said, delicately running a finger under the edge of the paper.
“Just rip into it, Bailey."
Doing as he instructed, she burst into peals of laughter as she pulled out the stuffed mountain lion.
"Aahhh, I love it," she shrieked. "This is too cute! Thank you, Nick. I'm almost embarrassed to give you yours now."
"Why?"
"I don't know. It's kinda silly. You probably already have one. But when I saw it, I thought of you," she told him, handing him his first present.
He immediately tore into the package, hearing singing coming from it as he tossed the paper away. Turning it over, he found himself looking at a mounted plastic fish. He looked at Bailey quizzically.
"Oh, come on, Nick. You said you never wanted to eat another fish for as long as you lived, let alone look at one. See, 'Louie' is a nice kind of fish. He sings for you," she pressed a button, starting it up again.
"I get it! This is hilarious! Thank you, Bailey," he told her, kissing her.
"You're welcome. I hope you don't think it's too stupid or anything."
"Never. To be honest, this is perfect. You know me so well. All right, here's your other one from me."
Nick handed her a smaller box, wrapped in dark blue paper with snowflakes on it. He held his breath as she carefully opened it. This had better be the right thing, he thought, or I'm coming after your ass, Kevin.
"Oh, Nick!" Bailey breathed as she looked at the diamond encrusted snowflake pendant. Her warm tears flowed freely. She didn't even try to hold them back. "It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my entire life. Put it on me."
She took off her necklace, removing the charm that said "Daddy's Girl" and replacing it with Nick's gift. Holding up her hair, she caught the scent of his cologne as his arms went around her neck, fumbling with the clasp.
"I'm not really good with things like this," he told her, his breath on her skin.
"You're doing great," she said. "Oh, it's perfect!"
With trembling hands, she handed him her other gift. Watching her admire the pendant, he opened his present. She looked at him, her eyes wide with anticipation. He looked down at the framed document, unsure of what it was.
"Do you know?" She asked.
He quickly read the paper inside the frame. He looked up at her, smiling in shock.
"You got me a star?"
"Yep. I couldn't think of anything to get you that you wouldn't already have or get for yourself. Then, it hit me when Leslie said something about you being a rock star. Do you already have one?"
"No, not that I'm aware of. Bailey, this is absolutely awesome. So, this means I'll always be a star, no matter what happens with my career?" He teased.
"Yes. And you'll always be my star."
He pulled her close, hugging her tight. "Bailey, this is the most incredible thing anyone has ever given me. The fact that you would even think of something like..."
He stopped, surprised to find himself getting so emotional.
"Oh, Nick, look at me. I also want to see everything you think and feel. I'm glad you like it," Bailey said, looking up at him, turning his face to her.
"I love it and I love you."
"I love you, too. You know what? There might be another present for you in the morning. I think we need to go to bed now, though. Santa still has to run."
"But you already opened your gifts," he told her.
"I know I did. But they were from Daddy. The rest will be from Santa. Weren't you listening?" Bailey laughed, lightly pinching him as they headed upstairs.
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Nick lay in bed, nearly two hours after they had come upstairs. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Bailey was certainly something else and it amazed him how he loved her more with each passing moment.
The door to his room opened slightly and a figure eased in.
"I knew you couldn't stay away," he said in a low voice.
"Really now? Well, I know you can be totally silent. Prove it," a husky female voice said as the figure moved stealthily across the room, towards the bed.
"What?" He asked, raising up in bed.
"Sshhh," she said, pushing him back down and climbing on top of him. "I told you, no one will know."
Before he knew what had happened, she was completely naked on top of him. Again, his body betrayed him, growing hard instantly. She eased herself over him, eyes closed and head thrown back as she took all of him in.
"Nick?" Bailey quietly asked, eyes quickly adjusting to the dark. Something was wrong, she could feel it.
The moon emerged from behind snow clouds to shine light on the two figures on the bed. He had his eyes closed, a look of bliss on his handsome face.
"Oh my God!" Bailey whispered, as she turned on the lights.
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