Josh entered the pool hall, praying she would be here. He had checked every bar and club in the area and was ready to go to Castleton if needed. Scanning the room, he noticed Noah’s uncle by the bar and headed over to him.

“Yo, Hank,” he smiled.

“Josh,” he shook the younger man’s hand. “What’s up? What happened to Noah’s party?”

“I ditched early. Lost a lovely lady and needed to find where she went.”

“Wouldn’t be named Nikki, would she?” Hank asked, tilting his head back to swig some of his beer.

“How did you know?” he asked surprised.

“She’s over by the pool table,” Hank laughed.

Josh spun and found Nikki leaning over the pool table, another man behind her helping her hold the cue. Her chest was visible because of the low cut of the halter and she was laughing. The man rubbed up against her, showing her how to draw the stick back and bring it forward again.

“What the hell…” Josh was livid.

“Man, that girl is untamable. There isn’t a man in Harmony that’s going to take Nikki on and keep her submissive,” Hank laughed. “She’s a babe though.”

“Yea, and I bet she’s damn good in the sack too.”

“No doubt.”

“Was she angry when she got here?”

“Na, she seems pissed at my nephew though. What’s her problem?” Hank asked.

“I’m starting to wonder that myself. She went off on Noah for some comments he made about the Crane family.”

“Really,” he pretended to be surprised. “I don’t know why.”

Josh shrugged. He turned his attention back to Nikki and witnessed the guy tracing her waist and slowly moving towards her chest. She wasn’t laughing, but she wasn’t pushing him off either.

“I’ll kill him,” Josh started walking off.

Hank grabbed his arm. “Obviously, you don’t mean anything to her.”

“He’s taking advantage of her. That asshole better get his filthy hands off of her!”

“Calm down, Josh, you don’t want to get your ass in trouble.”

“She’s worth it,” he stormed off.

Nikki noticed Josh enter the pool hall and decided now was the time to show just how bad she could be. She smiled at the two men playing pool. Brad was about six-foot-two with dirty blond hair and gray-blue eyes. He was pale as could be and built like a football player. His friend, Dan, was about three inches shorter than Brad with sparkling hazel eyes and short brown hair. He was built as well, washboard abs peeking beneath his tight t-shirt. Both were studying at Harmony Community College, but were out for the summer. Brad worked part time at the Book Café and Dan was working as a lifeguard. After getting this information from the pair and seeing Josh enter the place, she knew it was time for fun.

Josh’s presence didn’t unnerve her. In fact, it caused her to act even worse than she already was. She looked over at Brad and winked. “I’ve never played pool,” she leaned over the table giving both men a view of her creamy luscious breasts.

Dan swallowed hard and Brad winked. Moving closer, Brad whispered, “I can teach you anything.”

“Anything?” she asked seductively.

“Everything,” he added, moving her in front of him.

“Mm, you sure are happy to see me,” she laughed as he moved closer to her.

He chuckled. “Damn straight,” he leaned over her, helping her position the cue.

Nikki took a moment to peek over at Josh, who was just turning to look at her. Laughing, she added, “It’s *hard* to concentrate.”

He laughed too. Rubbing up against her to get a better grip on the cue. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem,” she wiggled against him slightly. He showed her how to draw the cue back and allowed her to hit the cue ball. She watched it roll towards the nine ball and knock it into the corner pocket.

“That’s all there is to it,” he stated, his hands moving to her bare abdomen, caressing the skin there.

Nikki smirked. “Like what you feel?”

“Hell yes.”

“Then maybe you, me and your buddy should get out of here.”

“All three of us?” he asked shocked.

She turned to face him. “Do you mind sharing?” she winked.

He groaned. “Dan, you in on this one?”

Dan laughed. “Na man, Sarah’s coming home tonight and I don’t want to screw it up.”

“Will you settle for me?” Brad asked.

“Oh how will I ever survive?” she teased.

He laughed. “Come on, let’s blow this joint.”

“Going somewhere, Nikki?” Josh interrupted. She knew right away that livid didn’t begin to describe how angry Josh sounded.

“Got a problem with that, man?” Brad asked.

Josh glared at him. “She’s my girl.”

“Hold up, Josh, I ain’t anyone’s girl,” Nikki glared back. “I’m a free agent.”

“Look, Josh is it? I’m pretty sure Nikki can make her own decisions.”

“Damn right I can,” Nikki replied. “Come on, Brad, I want to get out of here.”

“Nikki, what about me?” Josh asked, hurt.

Throwing him a card with her cell number on it, she replied. “Call me,” and disappeared out the door before Josh could become enraged again and go after Brad.

Nikki followed Brad into his apartment and looked around. It was a decent place in a nice part of town. Brad admitted that his family had money and lived in Boston, but that he couldn’t stand the stuffy rich prep schools that they sent him to. Nikki realized they had more in common than he realized.

“You know, you look familiar,” he added, throwing his keys on top of an old newspaper.

She shrugged. “Couldn’t tell you why,” she smiled. “Now come on, where’s the liquor you promised man.”

Brad laughed and went into the kitchen, pulling out a few bottles of booze. “Have your pick,” he grinned.

She walked over and picked up a bottle of tequila. “Body shots?” she dared.

“I’ll get the salt and lemons,” he opened the fridge.

“Cool,” she took the bottle into the living room. She sat on his white leather couch and crossed her legs, waiting impatiently for Brad to join her.

Brad entered the living room a few minutes later, a plate of cut lemons and a shaker of salt in his hands. “Ready?”

“More than ever,” she smiled. He joined her on the couch.

“Do you want to take a normal shot before we start the body shots?”

“No,” she smirked, and reached behind her to loosen the halter-top. Leaning back, she waited. “Go for it.”

He grinned wickedly and poured a shot into the hollow space beneath her neck. Licking her shoulder, he shook some salt onto it, licked again and sucked the shot from its home on her body, shoving a lemon wedge in his mouth. “Damn,” he replied, after pulling the wedge out. “Best shot ever.”

“Good,” she winked. “My turn,” she watched as he lay back. Repeating his actions, she too took a shot and laughed. “This is more fun than ever!”

He laughed and took another shot, this time from her navel. She giggled from it tickling. Nikki replied by taking another shot. “I think we should skip drinking and move on to something more fun,” she replied, leaning closer to him.

“What did you have in mind?” he asked.

She leaned in and began kissing him. Nikki ran her tongue over his lips, begging for entrance. He pulled her into his lap and granted her wish. Her tongue mated with his as he removed the halter from her form. Pulling back, he looked at her.

“Your gorgeous,” he placed kisses along her neck.

She moaned. “Let’s move this party to another room, shall we?” she asked.

“No problem,” he lifted her form into his arms and carried her into the other room for a night of sex that would blow his mind.

~*~Chapter Seven: Morning at the Mansion~*~

Nikki awoke somewhere after four and looked over at the sleeping form beside her. Brad had been amazing in bed and she would definitely like a repeat performance of that. However, in two hours the Crane mansion would be full of activity and someone was bound to notice she was missing. Kissing his lips lightly, she left a letter on his dresser with her cell phone number. She didn’t want to leave this way, but she had to get home fast.

Leaving his apartment, Nikki was glad to notice that they weren’t far from the mansion. She cursed herself for not remembering to bring her car the previous night. Then again, she had only meant to go for a walk on the beach and find a place to hang out. Instead, she had done far more than intended.

Sighing, she remembered Noah’s behavior the previous night. Really, he wasn’t so far off in calling her mother a bitch. After all, she had come between the members of the Bennett family on more than one occasion. Deep down inside, Nikki felt terrible that her mother was trying to tear that family apart. After all, she was hurt too. She had lost her brother because of that lie and now she was watching her parents fall apart as well. Sure, even while in Europe she knew that her parents weren’t having the best of relationships. However, she was sure that there was some love there, even the tiniest amount. Now, they were even more miserable than before and that was making her miserable.

Walking up to the gate, she noticed Mike, the night guard, was getting ready to leave while James, the morning guard, took over. Mike smiled. “Hello, Miss Crane.”

“Hello, Mike,” she sighed. “Can you open the gate for me please. I need to get into the main house and fast.”

“Not a problem, Miss,” he smiled and opened the gate. “If you’d like I can give you a lift up to the house so you can get there faster. It’s a long walk up the rest of this hill.”

“No thank, Mike, I can use the time to think of an excuse in case I get caught.”

He laughed. “Your father and mother don’t even know you’re not in the house, miss, trust me.”

She smiled. “Thanks, Mike. If they ask you, I’ve been home since midnight.”

“No problem, I’ll pass that word onto James too,” he winked and watched her head up the hill. Besides Sheridan, Nikki was Mike’s favorite Crane.

Sneaking in through the kitchen, Nikki was able to make it to her bedroom using the service stairs. Thank goodness she had learned this passageway while playing hide and seek with little Theresa and Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald. Dashing along the hall, she was in her room by four thirty and changed in no time. Sighing, she climbed beneath the pale peach satin sheets, glad they had been changed, and wished away the thoughts in her head. She would worry about Noah, Brad and her family later. Now she needed sleep.

Julian and Ivy sat in the dinning room trying to avoid conversation. He pretended to be reading The Wall Street Journal to check the stock market value of Crane Industries. Julian didn’t turn the pages because he hadn’t actually been reading. Instead, he wondered where Rebecca had disappeared to lately.

Ivy, on the other hand, was thinking about Sam. Ethan had visited her recently with news that the Bennett family was falling apart. Kay had, on more than one occasion, attempted to seduce Miguel in various locations. Her latest attempt had been at the Harmony Suites, where their Junior prom was taking place. Jessica’s grades had been slipping, odd for the girl that was third in the class. She had been taking her parent’s arguing hard and she was starting to hang out with the wrong crowds. Finally, there was Noah. Ethan said that he hadn’t been a bad kid. He’s a little misunderstood, but all in all, he loves his family. Unfortunately, he had come to blows with Sam over Ivy and it all happened in front of Grace. Chances were, the Bennett crew wouldn’t last the summer and she would just have to get out of this damn marriage.

Julian returned to reality after dreaming about a past romp with Rebecca and glanced around. It was then that he noticed Nikki wasn’t at breakfast.

“Where is that daughter of yours?” Julian asked, turning to face his wife.

Ivy shrugged, sipping her coffee. “I didn’t know I was her babysitter,” she replied snippily. “And since when is she just *my* daughter?”

Julian just rolled his eyes. Sometimes his wife was such a pain. “Ivy, get off your high horse for just one minute and answer my question. Where is she? She’s to meet some men at the club this afternoon!”

“Julian, the girl has been in town about twenty-four hours. Can’t you give her a break just this once?” Ivy asked. “I know that she’s just property to you and your despicable father, but she is our daughter and I won’t see her sold off like you tried to do to Sheridan!”

“And look how well that worked,” he replied sarcastically, sipping his own coffee. “She’s marrying a cop. I refuse to let that happen to another Crane daughter!”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “Sometimes, Julian, you give idiots a bad name,” she stood and left the dinning room.

He laughed. That was one thing he would miss when he was finally rid of his wife: their sparring. Standing, he too left the dinning room to locate his daughter.

Nikki was curled up on her side, fast asleep. The previous night had been very trying; nice to know that the attitudes towards the Cranes hadn’t changed at all in the last twenty years. If anything, they had worsened. Nikki didn’t need to worry about that now because in her dreams, everything was all right.

Nikki walked along the pier, her shoes clicking softly on the wooden planks. The sun was setting and the sky was full of purples and pinks. The water perfectly reflected the hues in the sky and the cool breeze was appreciated after a humid Harmony day. As the breeze blew, mist from the ocean caught a ride and spread the smell of salt in the air, lightly wetting her clothing and hair.

Nikki turned to look out at the water, which seemed to stretch on for miles. She knew that across that ocean was a place she had lived, a place that carried terrible memories for her. Nikki hated Europe; it had been a place where her entire life had started a downhill spiral making her father and grandfather attempt to marry her off. Somewhere over there was still the innocent spirit of a child that was forced to grow up.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she felt the strong arms of Noah Bennett slip around her waist. This is why she had come to the pier: to meet the man of her dreams. It was a ritual, something they did every evening.

“Is a penny really the going rate for such heavy things?” she asked with a smile. “Didn’t they include inflation at all?”

Noah’s deep chuckle was released against her neck, causing Nikki to shiver as goose bumps appeared on her sensitive skin. “What do you say we get out of here, babe, and have a night on the town?”

“I have the convertible,” she grinned.

“Rock on, let’s go party,” he swept her into his arms and carried her to the car. “Nikki? Nikki…”

“NIKKI!” Pilar shook Nikki’s shoulder, causing the girl to pop up

“What? Oh, God, Pilar can’t you warn me first? Honestly, you scared the hell out of me!” Nikki was breathing hard and groaned. “What time is it?”

“Nearly ten, Ms. Crane, and you’re to meet your father at the country club by eleven,” Pilar went to the windows and opened the curtains, allowing the bright summer sun to shine inside.

“Pilar, please don’t call me Ms. Crane, I hate that,” Nikki groaned, falling back against the pillows and covering her head to hide from the sunlight.

Pilar smiled. “Fine,” she pulled the covers off of the girl. “What time did you get in, Nikki?”

“Not long after I left the…”

“Try again,” Pilar halted her with a look.

Nikki sighed. “About four thirty or so,” she climbed out of bed groggily. “I was out.”

“I figured that. Nikki, must you cause so much trouble your first night back?” Pilar asked, watching Nikki head for her bathroom.

“I didn’t cause trouble. I used the service entrance. No one knew the difference. Look, Pilar, I don’t want to cause trouble. As odd as it sounds, I do love my parents. They may have shipped me off at the age of five, but they are my parents. As opposed to Brittany, I do call them Mother and Father except for when they really get on my nerves,” she brushed her teeth and then combed her unruly mane. “I just don’t want to be Crane property.”

“I understand that,” Pilar smiled. “Finish dressing and I’ll have James bring the car around.”

“If I have to,” Nikki sighed. “I don’t understand why they are doing this, Pilar. I’m not ready to get married.”

“Nikki,” Pilar took her hands into his. “You are a wonderful girl, so much like your Aunt Sheridan. One day, Nikki, they will give up this nonsense, just as they did with her. For now, pretend to cooperate before it all blows up in your face.”

Nikki sighed again and looked down. “If I have to.”

“You do,” Pilar smiled. “You don’t really have a choice. I once told our Aunt Sheridan that the harder you fight, the more they will press you into something you don’t want to do. Just grin and bear it, child.” Hugging Nikki, Pilar turned on her heels and left the room.

Nikki groaned. Pilar had made a good point. Every time she fought, they forced another suitor on her. Maybe if she just stopped fighting…she would lose herself again. She couldn’t let them take her spirit away again. Looking in the full-length mirror, she turned to view her tattoo. She grinned. Soon all her little secrets would come out. Going to her closet, she sought out the worst outfit in there; one she wouldn’t be caught dead in when she wasn’t trying to be a Crane. She decided on a white skirt and a pale pink short-sleeved blouse. Grabbing her white-heeled sandals, she headed to her bathroom to dress. This morning she would pretend to be a Crane; tonight she would be herself again.

~*~Chapter Eight: A Bennett Family Breakfast~*~

Noah groaned; this was a minor hangover if any. After Nikki had left the party, he had retired to a corner of the room where he chugged one beer after another while boring friends from high school regaled him with stories from the last two years. His mother had watched him from the couch, her eyes filled with worry over the amount he was drinking. He was still her baby and the thought that he was hurting bothered her. Yet, he knew she wouldn’t interfere because, baby or not, he had changed far too much for her liking.

His father had been talking to some blond that was with Luis. Noah vaguely remembered meeting the woman, who he believed was Sheridan Crane. She seemed nice enough, but he honestly didn’t want to talk to her. There was something far too familiar about her eyes and he couldn’t stand their piercing gaze. Instead, he had nodded and returned to his corner, his father’s eyes on him the entire time. Noah hadn’t apologized to Sam about the outburst in the kitchen and he had no plans to do so. It would make the summer miserable, but backing down was not something the new Noah Bennett did. He held his ground and, if that meant isolating himself from his family, than so be it.

Pushing himself up and fighting off the dizziness caused by the pounding in his head that was slowly fading, Noah sighed. His mother was cooking and the smell drifted into his room, turning his stomach. It had been a long time since he had a hangover, learning to stop way before he met his threshold. Last night had been different. Nikki had told him off and ditched early, followed shortly after by Josh. When neither returned to the party, he assumed they had hooked up and had no plans to return. That thought had sent him to the corner and after about his fifteenth drink, he couldn’t remember the party.

“Noah?” Jessica’s soft knock and beckoning made Noah smile. His kid sister was one hell of a girl with a huge crush on the geek, Reese. It was too bad that he was hooked on Kay and she on Miguel.

“Yea?” he called back, his voice heavy from sleep. His eyes were half closed as he stumbled out of bed and searched for his jeans.

“Mom made breakfast; your favorite, blueberry pancakes,” she waited from some form of response from her brother.

Opening the door, he grinned at his little sister. “Just tell her I need a fast shower and I’ll be down in a little while.”

“All right,” Jessica smiled slightly. “Noah, do you think we can talk later?”

“Sure, kid, anything you want,” he could tell by the look in his sister’s eyes that this was important. “We’ll go out for lunch.”

“Ok!” she grinned. “See you at breakfast,” she headed downstairs.

Noah sighed and left his bedroom and head into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror he noticed the bloodshot eyes. Oh yea, he had drunk plenty last night. Chuckling, he turned on the shower and gave it a few minutes to heat up. In the meantime he wondered about Nikki.

“Why the hell am I so stuck on her?” he asked his mirror image. “What does she have that is driving you so damn insane?”

Grinning slyly, Noah knew exactly what Nikki had that he wanted. She had the bad girl attitude that made her like to party. She had that rose tattoo that he was dying to trace with his fingers and see what results he would get. Then there was her body! “Man, I could get lost in those curves and never need anything else!” he groaned, knowing she was having a *big* effect on his body. Ironically, the part of Nikki that haunted him the most were the two big blue eyes that danced with laughter, excitement and some secret.

Shaking his head to clear the images of Nikki out, Noah tested the water. “Just right,” he grinned and stripped down completely. He could worry about Nicholette Masterson later, right now he just needed to chill and get down to breakfast.

“Well, if it isn’t the prodigal son,” Sam grumbled as he took a sip of his coffee. His bad attitude was because of his argument with Noah the previous night as well as the one he had with his wife. She was considering divorce, wanting to finally admit that there wasn’t a marriage worth saving. Ivy could have him if she really wanted him

“Leave him alone, Sam,” Grace defended her son. Noah’s attitude and anger the previous night was something she wished she would have had the nerve to do months ago. Noah had defended his family against something he thought was wrong. Smiling, she forced those thoughts down and motioned to Noah’s seat. “Come on, eat before it gets colder.”

Noah smiled at his mother and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Morning,” he said to her, completely ignoring his dad. He nodded to his sisters, saying good morning to them too before he sat down and placed a stack of pancakes on his dish.

“Hungry?” Jess teased, watching as he smothered the stack in syrup.

“Na,” he laughed.

Kay rolled her eyes and finished off her breakfast. “Can I be excused?” she asked. She had plans to intercept Miguel before her damn cousin got there.

“Go ahead, Kay,” Grace sighed, not wanting to fight with her now. “If you go to the Lopez-Fitzgerald house, ask Charity to come to the B&B so we can get to work.”

Anger flashed in Kay’s eyes. “Yea, no problem,” she gritted out.

Noah fought the urge to laugh. His sister was so obvious; too bad she was too oblivious to see that Miguel was head over heels in love with Charity. Last night had proven that to him. Kay left without even a wave back and the room fell into complete silence. Noah took this time to assess the situation. Jessica was staring down at her uneaten pancake, pushing a piece of it around on the dish. From time to time she would fidget in her chair, trying her best not to draw attention. Her eyes were filled with sadness and Noah thought he could see some unshed tears.

Turning his attention to his mother, he noticed that she hadn’t even touched the meal in front of her. She was playing with the spoon to her coffee, stirring it in her coffee slowly. Her eyes held anger and her posture was so rigid, Noah wondered if she had a board holding her back so straight. She was glaring at Sam and Noah could read her mind. ‘Get the hell out of here.’

Finally, Noah looked at his father. Everyone had thought Noah would look just like his father, and he did. The only difference between them was their eyes. Noah’s deep green ones were definitely a gift from Grace’s genes and his mother always said that Noah’s eyes revealed what was in his soul. Taking this time to look into his father’s eyes, he found nothing. They were empty and cold and Noah wondered how they had managed to stay married since the secret came out. His father stood and left the table without another word to the three of them. Sam left and Noah could hear Jessica sob.

“Damn him,” Noah pushed away his dish. “Come on, Jess, I’ll take you to the beach.”

“Really?” she wiped away a tear. “You want to spend time with me?”

“Of course,” he grinned. “Go get ready.”

“All right,” she sniffled and left the kitchen.

“Mom, you’ll be all right while we go hang out at the cove?” Noah asked, making sure his mother wouldn’t mope once they were gone.

“Yea, Noah,” she looked up at him. “I’m glad your home.”

“Me too,” he kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’ve got my cell if you need me. We’ll be at the beach and maybe the Ice Cream parlor.”

“Noah, just watch out for your sister, she hasn’t gone out much lately.”

“No problem,” he left the kitchen. “I’ll take care of Jess,” he whispered, waiting for his sister. “And then I’ll take care of Dad!”

~*~Chapter Nine: The Enchanting Nicholette Crane~*~

Nikki decided to forgo the limo and take her blue Mustang convertible to the Country Club. Pulling up at five minutes after eleven, she climbed out and let the valet park her car. So she was late; who really cared? It was, after all, only five minutes. At least she came. Walking up the stairs and into the foyer of the main building, she found the person that cared: her father. He stood there, a brandy in his hand (was he ever *not* drinking?) and talking with some younger gentlemen.

“Nicholette!” her father forced a grin and waved her over.

Nikki rolled her eyes and headed over to where her father stood. She acknowledged the three gentlemen with her, one of which was very familiar. “Brad?” she was surprised.

He almost called her Nikki, but realized that Julian didn’t use a nickname for her. Instead, he changed his tactic to use her full name. “Hello, Nicholette,” he winked. He had to talk to her. “Mr. Crane, would you mind if I stole your daughter away?”

“Not at all, Bradley,” Julian grinned. He had known this boy since he was just a mere tot. Sure, he was going to the local college and working at the Book Café, but the Lauer Corporation would be a lovely addition to the Crane Empire.

“Thank you sir,” Brad nodded to the other two men and offered Nikki his arm. She gladly accepted it, needing to get away from the strangers that were leering at her. They walked outside onto the patio arm in arm.

“Thanks, Brad. I really didn’t want to meet those other two,” Nikki unlinked their arms but held his hand instead.

“So, Miss Crane,” he teased. “You could have told me who you were, Nikki, I wouldn’t have cared.”

“Well, you certainly didn’t tell me the extent of your situation either, Mr…” She left his last name hanging for him to fill in.

“Bradley Lauer,” he stated in an air of false authority. “But feel free to call me Brad.” He bowed to her slightly.

“Nicholette Crane, but call me that and die,” she teased as he lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss. “Sorry about leaving like I did this morning. I hope you got my letter.”

“Yes and at least you left one. I was disappointed that I didn’t get to wake with you there, but I understand the circumstances,” he continued to walk along the gardens with her.

“I must say, I was surprised to find you here,” she giggled, “especially after last night.”

He laughed, turning and pulling her into his arms. “Tell me about it. I was pleasantly surprised when you came in,” he leaned down and kissed her. “My parents don’t approve of my career or my choice of a college, but they love that I’m so near a place to find ‘a suitable match’.”

“Funny,” Nikki put her arms around his neck, her eyes twinkling, “my parents make me come here whenever I visit so I can find a suitable match.”

“Then, Miss Crane,” Brad dropped his voice. “We are a match made in heaven,” he kissed her.

“Yes, Father, it’s working like a charm. Nicholette and Bradley Lauer are getting along famously,” Julian congratulated himself with his speech. Perhaps this would earn him his place as heir again. His daughter could be married by summer’s end, with the right strings pulled, and the Crane’s could secure a new gem in their global crown.

“Julian, just make sure they stick together. I will call the Lauers to gain pressure on Brad. Perhaps they can stay at the mansion during a vacation and see the pair together. Nicholette won’t know what hit her.”

“Good idea, Father. I’ll make sure Nicholette and Bradley spend plenty of time together…perhaps a day on the Crane Yacht?”

“Finally, Julian, you are using that brain of yours. Allow them reign of the Crane compound and the planes. Let them have fun!”

Julian laughed. “Now about Sheridan…”

“Julian, Sheridan is my worry now. *You* make sure Nicholette is engaged to the Lauer boy before the end of the month!”

“Yes, Father,” he sighed and hung up. “Lose one worry, gain another,” Julian groaned and watched as his daughter kissed the man she would one day marry…one day very soon.

Nikki’s eyes were closed as Brad kissed her lips much like he had the night before: deeply and passionately. His hands were on her waist, slightly under her cotton tee, caressing her skin there. Nikki enjoyed his kiss and touch, but she wasn’t thinking about Brad right now. In her mind, she was with Noah. Something about that tall brunette with the honest green eyes drove her insane. It wasn’t that she couldn’t enjoy her time with Brad, but he wasn’t Noah.

He pulled away slowly and she sighed, opening her blue eyes that were hazy with lust. “Well, that was almost as good as the body shots,” she teased.

“You’re beautiful, you know?” he caressed her cheek softly.

“I’ve been told something along those lines before,” she joked. “What do you say we blow this joint and have brunch somewhere else?”

“I don’t know,” Brad smiled. “I kind of like the jealous glare we’re getting right here,” he motioned to some other men that had been lined up for suitors earlier.

Nikki glanced around at all the looks and laughed. She waved to one strawberry-blond boy that was glaring at the back of Brad’s head. “Come on, Brad. I’d like a picnic on the beach.”

“That does sound temping. How did you get here?” he asked, starting to walk back so they could order a basket to go.

“My Mustang. You?” she was surprised yet pleased when he placed his arm gently around her waist.

“Don’t live far so I walked. I didn’t think I’d be staying long or meeting such a babe here,” he chuckled.

“Funny, that’s the same reason I took the Mustang. Wanna drive it?” he asked as they waited for their food.

“Hell yea,” he laughed. “My car’s in the shop anyway. I was driving Dan’s last night.”

“Yea, what do you drive?” Nikki asked, watching as his muscles tightened when he took the basket from a waiter.

“A Vet…”

“You drive a Corvette?” Nikki was surprised, though she didn’t know why.

“Mhmm, a cherry red convertible in fact,” he led her outside and had the valet bring around her car. “They’re fixing the CD changer.”

“Well, Brad, I’m impressed. Here I thought I was going to have a boring morning with some stuffy prep-school student that was going to convince me that being rich is fun while regaling me with tales of his latest trip to meet some Prince.”

Brad laughed. “Guess my Prince William stories are out of question?”

Nikki laughed. “Yea, I’d say so.”

“Damn, now how am I supposed to entertain you?” Her car pulled up and he opened the door for her, slipping the valet a tip before climbing into the other side.

“I can think of far more things for that mouth to be doing than talking, Mr. Lauer.”

“Why, Miss Crane, you will have to explain to me what you have in mind,” he winked.

“Oh baby, I’ll do a hell of a lot more than explain,” she leaned over, her breath tickling his ear. “I’ll show you.”

“What are we waiting for? Harmony Cove here we come!” he sped off to the beach.

Julian watched the pair drive away. His father had just called to tell him the Lauers would be in town on Friday and spend a week in Harmony. They were all for the wedding of their youngest son, Brad, to Nicholette. In fact, they wanted him married as badly as he wanted Nikki off his hands. “Soon, my darling daughter, I will have you and that pesky mother of yours out of my hair. It’s time for Julian Crane to earn his empire back!” He turned and strode inside. Time for another drink before he went to work.

~*~Chapter Ten: Seaside Fun~*~

Nikki had convinced Brad to swing by the mansion and his place so they could change into something more suitable for the beach. After all, she was planning on swimming; there were male lifeguards down there. She had chosen a skimpy lilac bikini. The top had two sets of strings: one that tied behind her neck and one that tied just under her chest. The bottoms barely covered her firm butt. When she walked out of the mansion with only jean shorts covering her bathing suit, Brad’s eyes bugged out of his head.

Nikki laughed. “Like what you see?”

“Love,” he grinned. He was in a pair of bathing trunks and a t-shirt. “Babe, you are going to be the hit of Harmony Cove.”

“Good,” she hopped into the car. “Let’s go…”

“Whatever the lady wants,” Brad started the car again and took off for the Cove.

Noah set up two towels and fell onto one of them, basking in the bright summer sun at the beach. Jessica had wanted to go into the water, having spotted some friends of hers splashing in the waves. What was he going to say? She was seventeen; she had the right to ignore her brother and go swimming. Besides, it gave him time to check out the action on the beach. Looking around, he noticed a few girls he had graduated with sitting over by the lifeguard stand. He chuckled; some things never change. Checking out some of the other people around, he spotted Sheridan and Luis causing a ruckus in the water and his Uncle Hank with Beth Wallace.

“Great, just what I need, Aunt Beth,” he laughed. Of all the people in the world, getting stuck with Beth as an Aunt would be hell.

Shaking his head, he continued to look for someone, anyone, that he knew and could go sit with. Of course, he wasn’t finding any of his buddies around; they had probably crashed sometime early this morning after partying somewhere in town. Sighing, he was about to give up and just catch some much-needed sleep when she spotted Nikki walking hand in hand with someone he had never seen before. “She sure as hell works fast!” Noah fought the jealousy that coursed through his veins.

“Who does?” his Uncle’s voice floated in the air, waiting for an answer. He and Beth had headed over to Noah after spotting Jess in the water.

“No one,” he laid back, deciding that tanning would be a much better idea. “You’re in my sun.”

“Sorry, man,” Hank laughed. “See someone you’d rather be hanging with than your kid sister?”

“No,” he closed his eyes, wishing that he hadn’t seen Nikki in that lilac bikini top and jean shorts that showed off her pierced naval and rose tattoo. How had she gotten out of the house like that? His hands itched to touch the skin that was revealed by her outfit…and that which was covered was tempting too.

“Oh, I see,” Hank laughed. Beth gave him a look, which asked what he was laughing about. Silently, he motioned to Nikki who was heading for the enclosure with some other man.

“Hey, that’s Brad,” Beth smiled at the pair. “He works at the Book Café. Real nice guy…that is one lucky woman!”

“Thanks for the info, Beth,” Hank rolled his eyes. Sometimes this woman was so oblivious; he often wondered if she was dropped on her head as a baby. Other times he was sure she was hit in the head one too many times. Could it be the fumes caused by the coffee?

“Hank, let’s go back to Sheridan and Luis, please,” she begged, not wanting to be away from Luis if she could help it. He might be engaged and she may have said she would give up, but that didn’t mean she was actually going to do it.

“Fine, fine. Noah, if you want to talk, you know where I am.”

“Whatever. Now get out of my sun!” He waited until the pair’s shadow was gone before he even peeked around. His eyes immediately sought out Nikki, who was settle a lot closer to Brad than he liked as she removed her sandals. “Man, get a grip,” he grumbled. “She’s out of the picture.”

Nikki sighed as Brad took her hand. She didn’t want to settle down with one man now that she was in Harmony, but Brad was just too much fun to pass up. He was willing to forgo the conventions that were required of those with money. Brad didn’t care about what the rich thought of him; he was true to himself. He loved the beach and working at the Book Café; he thought that as long as he was educated which school he attended didn’t matter. She could get used to hanging out with him; she could show all her sides and she had grown tired of being such a hard ass all the time.

“So, where do you want to sit, babe?” Brad asked, stopping a second to scan for an open area of sand.

“Right there,” Nikki pointed to a little area surrounded by rocks that would give them some privacy and still allow her to watch the guys that were playing Frisbee and relaxing in the sun.

Brad smiled. The area was perfect for some time alone with her despite the crowded beach. He led her over to her selected area and helped her set up the beach towels they had grabbed from the mansion. Placing the basket in the shade caused by the rocks, he helped her sit before joining her. “Want to go for a swim or eat first?”

“Definitely a swim,” she nodded, standing and pulling down the jean shorts ever so slowly to tease Brad. His groan made her smile and she stepped out of the shorts, throwing them by the basket. She felt his eyes travel her from her sandaled feet, up her tan legs and across her flat abdomen, pausing at her voluptuous breasts and then moving to meet her eyes.

“Are you trying to kill me?” he asked, his voice was strained as his hormones fought for control of his body.

“Maybe,” she winked, running her tongue hungrily over her painted red lips. He groaned again, his eyes closed and his lips parted. When he opened his eyes, they were dark with desire. “I guess you like what you see,” Nikki teased, placing her foot on a rock beside him so she could undo the buckle to her sandal. Brad reached out to touch her leg and she smiled.

“Baby, you’re gorgeous,” he sighed, running a finger over her calf.

She giggled. “Thanks, you aren’t so bad to look at yourself. Come on, Brad, I want to get into the water.”

Brad closed his eyes and imaged that little lilac bikini and her well-tanned body covered in the salty seawater. Groaning again, he got up and immediate removed his shirt and shoes. “Ready,” he smiled.

Nikki kissed his lips lightly and winked. “Come and get me,” she teased, taking off for the water’s edge.

Brad didn’t need a second invitation as he took off after Nikki, who was halfway down the beach.

Noah flipped onto his stomach, leaning on his arms as he watched the activity on the beach. He could see Nikki running, the bikini offering little support. The scene reminded him of the classic clips from Baywatch. He laughed at the thought of Nikki playing one of the female lifeguards in a bright orange bathing suit.

Sighing, he noticed that Brad wasn’t far behind her, trying his hardest to catch her and drag her into the foaming ocean waves. He was running fast, but Nikki had one hell of a head start and some great speed despite the sand. Noah noticed that she seemed to be heading on a collision course with Luis.

“Well if it isn’t Noah Bennett,” the sweet female voice was followed with a hand roaming his muscled back. Flipping over, Noah came face to face with Lauren Palmer, his girlfriend from senior year.

“Hey, Laurie,” he forced a smile. Laurie was a stereotypical cheerleader type. Her long blond hair was pulled back in a French braid, revealing two stunning blue eyes. She was tall and thin, but years of back flips and handsprings had left her well toned. Her usually pale skin was tanned from the summer sun and she wore an aqua tankini. She wasn’t near as curvy as Nikki; in fact, she had the chest of a fourteen-year-old, but she was still very attractive. Her features were soft and she used makeup to bring out her best facial features.

“Didn’t know you were back in town, Noah,” her tone left no question that she was trying to hit on him.

“Only got into town yesterday,” he replied, wanting to go back to watching Nikki run along the shoreline.

“You should have called. I would have stopped by to see you,” she placed a hand against his chest. “You always did look wonderful without a shirt on.”

“What can I do for you, Laurie?” he asked tightly. He just wanted her to go away so he could pout.

Now was her chance and she planned on taking it. “Want to go out tonight?”

He wanted to say no, especially when he sat up and glanced at Nikki. Watching the object of his desire be pulled into Brad’s arms for a kiss made the jealousy surface and he realized two could play at that game. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Right on,” she pecked his lips softly. “See you then, baby.”

“Yea,” he watched her leave. He couldn’t believe what he had agreed to, but it was too late to back out now.

Nikki ran from Brad, laughing like a child. She had never had so much fun in her entire life. Glancing back at Brad, she never saw her soon to be Uncle walking out of the ocean to follow his fiancée. Luis also didn’t notice Nikki, having been distracted by Sheridan’s wet blue bikini.

“Nikki, watch out!” Brad called, trying to catch up to her.

It was too late. She ran right into Luis and would have fallen had he not grabbed her fast enough. “Woah, where’s the fire?”

Nikki was breathing hard from her sprint across the sand. “Sorry, Luis, I was running from some guy.” She stepped out of his arms.

“Nikki, is something wrong?” he asked her, concerned about her.

She laughed. “No, Brad and I were just having some fun,” she swung around to find her playmate. “Right, babe?”

“Yea,” he finally caught up and put an arm around her. “Hey, Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald, Ms. Crane.”

“Brad, no need to be so formal,” Luis smiled. “It’s Luis and Sheridan, please.”

Brad nodded. “Enjoying some time off?” Brad asked, wanting to bring Nikki back to their area of the beach.

“Yea,” Sheridan joined her fiancée, slipping an arm around him. “He doesn’t get out much,” she laughed.

Nikki joined in her laughter. “I bet because you keep him inside in outfits like that, Aunt Sher.”

Sheridan blushed and hid her face. Luis laughed and hugged her close. “She’s unto us, Sher.”

The group laughed. Sheridan noticed how comfortable her niece seemed with Brad and wondered if there were feelings there. Before she could find out, Brad spoke. “As much as we’d love to stay and chat, I brought lunch for us and I’d like to eat it before it’s sun baked.”

“I totally forgot about lunch,” Nikki laughed. She had been having far too much fun to think about food.

“Well, I hope we can all get together soon,” Sheridan replied, watching them leave.

“What are you thinking, Sher?” Luis asked, knowing the gears were turning in his fiancée’s head.

“I wonder how much of those two being together is influenced by my brother.”

“Knowing your niece, not much; now come on, let’s have some fun,” he dragged her back to the blanket.

After eating lunch and lounging around a while, Nikki and Brad went swimming in the cool water. They splashed around like children and Nikki started to wonder if she was falling for Brad. He caught her watching him in the waves and swam over, pulling her close for a surprising kiss.

Nikki became lost in the feel of Brad’s lips on her own, but again she didn’t picture Brad when her eyes closed. Instead she saw Noah. She felt his strong arms around her, much like they were the previous day at the airport. Nikki hated that she was thinking about him.

Pulling away slowly, she looked into Brad’s gray-blue eyes and allowed herself to really look at him. She could be very happy having him around for the summer before she was shipped off to another school. He was damn good in bed, willing to have a lot of fun and make a fool of himself and he wasn’t afraid of her family. Smiling, she hugged him.

“Having a good time, doll face?” he asked as they headed back to their towels.

“Yea, I am.” When they arrived, she noticed an ice cream truck and her eyes glowed.

“You want some, Nick, I’ll run and get it for you?” Brad asked, wanting to make her happy.

“Hell yes, I haven’t had ice cream from that truck since I was six!” her eyes became even brighter.

“Chocolate or vanilla?” he grabbed his wallet and started for the truck.

“Chocolate!” she giggled and laid on the beach towel. It was certainly fun being fawned over. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sunlight beating down on her cool skin. Nikki knew that Brad would be gone for a while; the lines at those trucks could go one forever at a beach like this. She was relaxing, allowing her mind to drift, when a shadow was cast over her.

“Back all ready, Brad? I figured the kids at the truck would have kept you there forever…”

“I’m not Brad,” Noah replied, looking down at her glistening bikini covered body.

Nikki’s eyes popped open and she found herself looking right into Noah’s green eyes. “Noah! What the hell do you want?” she asked, her temper flaring. She might not be able to control her subconscious, which wanted her to be with Noah, but she sure as hell could control herself while awake. Noah had insulted her mother and her family; she wanted nothing to do with him.

“Came to say hello. See if you were feeling better after yesterday’s little…spat,” his voice held no emotion.

“I’m fine. If you don’t mind, I’m kinda here with someone and I don’t want him to think I’d be with the likes of you,” she closed her eyes again. “You’re in my way.”

Noah looked at her body, the long tan legs, firm stomach, and full breasts. She was gorgeous. Damn, he wished his hormones would control themselves; he knew that one night with her would be mind blowing. He also knew that she would never have any part of him. Somehow he had blown it without even trying. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out or something.”

“Not with you,” she replied without even opening her eyes. She knew they would give her away. Noah had an effect on her that she never would admit to in a million years. How was it possible that someone she knew for less than twenty-four hours could drive her insane? Maybe she needed to talk to Aunt Sheridan…

“Fine, whatever. You know how to reach me,” he left, not giving her a second thought.

Sighing, Nikki was glad he was gone. Like her Aunt Sheridan, she knew that after time the power a man held over you faded and you saw his real colors. Noah would reveal himself to be a lot worse than hatred for the Cranes. He’d hate her too if he realized who she was. Feeling a tear roll down her cheek at that thought, Nikki knew it was best to stay away from the Bennetts. There were just some groups that couldn’t mix.

Brad returned not long after and joined her on the towels. They shared their ice cream and talked about the places in Harmony where they could hang out and have a good time. Nikki decided then and there that Brad was going to be just one of the many men she had as part of her summer fling and she was definitely going to enjoy it. Before she could recommend that they leave, her phone rang.

“Nicholette,” she picked up, knowing it was probably her family.

“Nicholette, dear,” her father’s voice sounded cheerful on the other end. She knew he had something up his sleeve.

“Yea?” she rolled her eyes.

“Your mother insists that you bring Brad to dinner tonight. She’s dying to meet the young man.”

“I bet,” she sighed. Where was the catch? What was her father planning?

“So, bring him by at about six. Your Aunt and her fiancé will be here as well. We’ll have a grand time,” he smiled into the phone. Julian had many plans for his daughter. In fact, he had the staff planning a party in her honor and planned to bring her siblings home; even Alistair planned on being there to force an engagement between Nikki and Brad. The poor girl would never know what hit her, much like Ivy all those years ago.

“I guess *asking* if he had plans would be out of the question?”

“Indeed, we’ll plan for you two to be here…”

“All right, Father,” she sighed again.

“Good, until later darling daughter,” Julian hung up.

“Whatever,” she hung up as well. “Guess what, Brad.”

“What?” he asked.

“You’re coming home for dinner.”

He could tell she wasn’t happy and he didn’t know why. Brad had never been to the Crane estate. “Hey, babe, we’ll handle it.”

“Sure we will…come on. We’ll go get you changed and I’ll fill you in on things you need to know about the family.”

“Cool,” they packed up and headed for her car.

Part Three