Because Of You

[lacheygirl98]

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with Nick or Vanessa. This is a fan fiction and written for entertainment purposes only.

CHAPTER ONE

Nick fidgeted in his seat, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. He could have been at a game today, it was a beautiful spring day and baseball would have been a better choice. But instead he was here, sitting on a church pew and witnessing two people exchanging their eternal marital vows.

He glanced sideways at Vanessa and saw the smile on her face, the light in her eyes. She seemed quite content watching a wedding before her eyes, but then why shouldn't she? He was well aware that she wished she was the one at the altar.

Coming home to Cincinnati had always been one of his favorite things to do. And this time he was here to support one of his oldest and dearest friends. Jake was marrying his long time girlfriend Jennifer and he should be happy for his friend. But at that moment, he wished he was anywhere but there, because weddings didn't make him cry the way they used to.

Once upon a time he could cry at anyone's wedding, even people he barely knew. Just the knowledge that two people loved each other with their heart and souls and were commiting themselves to the other was enough to bring out ever emotion in his very sensitive soul.

But he had found out last year that married life was much harder after the blissful wedding day. The vows of eternal everlasting love and for better or worse were not always kept. And even if you wanted to make it work until your dying day, sometimes the choice was out of your hands.

Jake and Jennifer were declared man and wife and began kissing, and at that moment Vanessa turned her head and smiled into his eyes. He could see her tears moistening her warm chocolate brown eyes and he couldn't help but smile at her and squeeze her hand.

Afterwards they congratulated the bride and groom and then headed to the reception. Nick got caught up in talking to all his old friends and forgot for a moment how upset weddings made him. But then when Jake's brother made a toast, he suddenly remembered his own wedding day. And it overwhelmed him so much that he got up from the table and walked outside the reception hall for a breath of fresh air.

In moments Vanessa had followed him. He felt her hand on his back and he slowly turned around and looked at her. She looked incredibly beautiful in a pink shimmery dress, her long brown hair pulled up on the sides in a sparkly clasp.

"Are you okay" she asked him as Nick stared at her and wondered if she knew the real reason he was feeling so upset. He didn't want to get into it, they had talked this out way too many times to rehash it all again.

So he cleared his throat uncomfortably and waved his hand dismissively "Well you know sweetheart, me and weddings don't really go hand in hand" he tried to make light of it but he could see she was not pleased.

"Your friend just got married, can't you be happy for him" she asked him and he looked at her and knew she was right.

"Of course I'm happy for him, it's just that......"

"Just that you hate weddings, I get it Nick" she rolled her eyes and he looked at her and wondered how long it would be before she left him too....

"It's just going to take time to think of marriage in a way that makes sense. I know I want to get married again, it's just that right now the thought of it scares the hell out of me" he confessed as Vanessa's eyes softened.

"It scares me too" she admitted and he looked at her stunned.

"But you want to get married" he reminded her.

"Because I love you Nick" she said sweetly and he felt his insides melt. "I love you too sweetheart" he gently reached out and placed his hands on her cheeks, looking inside her eyes and feeling happiness there.

"I just want to know we have a future. I'm scared that you're always going to think back to your last marriage and think that's the way it's going to be with us" Vanessa said.

Nick shrugged "I just know that marriage is hard and there are no guarantees" he said quietly.

"There's no guarantees with anything but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith" she told him.

Nick sighed "Can't we just drop this right now. I need more time, I don't want to make a......."

"A mistake" she pulled away from him and he felt his heart sinking.

"No, I didn't mean that. I just don't want to make a hasty decision before I feel ready" he said.

"Okay, I understand. Let's just take it as it comes, okay baby" she asked as Nick smiled at her "Okay baby" he said as he leaned down and gave her an intense and lingering kiss.

"Now will you come dance with me" she flirted as he winked at her "Absolutely" he put his arm around her and they walked back into the reception.

A slow song was playing as they walked towards the dance floor and he pulled her into his arms. He held her close against him, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly.

He was in love with her, a love that had taken him by surprise and enveloped his heart. She was in there now, taking over his heart and his soul, in a way that had surprised even him. He had not been prepared for it to happen again so soon, but yet, there was no denying it. He was in love with this woman and he knew she wanted a future with him.

He had always wanted the same things as she did. A house, a wife, children running around. It was all he had ever dared to dream of. She was willing to give him all that. She was handing it to him on a silver platter. Yet he was afraid to take that leap, so afraid that he didn't have it in him to make a marriage work.

But yet as he held her close and gently carressed her hair as they slowly swayed to the music, he knew he could never let her go. He was going to have to find a way to get past his fears and allow her into the most guarded corner of his soul. His biggest fear was that he might not be able to do that.

[LuvlyEyedLachey]

Awww, I feel bad for Nick :( Hopefully he can overcome his fears of marriage. I love this story already, girl!:D

[a7xnsl98d]

I like this story! Great job!:D

[Superstar]

Great Job!! I Like this Story!!:)

[OhioluvsNick]

nice story:)

[lacheygirl98]

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it. I'm going to post another chapter soon.:)

[lacheygirl98]

CHAPTER TWO

After the reception they went back to the hotel. Vanessa could sense that Nick was still shaken by the days activities and it made sadness engulf her heart.

She knew he loved her, didn't doubt it for a second. But at times she could feel him pulling back, just a little. Almost as if he were afraid to give her every inch of his heart.

She understood his hesitation. He had been through so much heartbreak. And although he had allowed love back into his life, she knew he was scared. At times she could sense that he was afraid if he said or did the wrong thing that she would walk out the door on him too. If only there were a way for her to reassure him that would never happen.

Stepping inside the hotel room, she watched as he threw his keys and cell phone on the nightstand. He shrugged his jacket off and fumbled with his tie...

"Need help..." she was there in an instant, reaching up and detangling it for him, pulling it away and starting to unbutton his crisp white shirt.

"Thank you" he gave her that intense look she loved so much. A look that didn't need words, but yet managed to give her chills all the way down her spine.

Then Vanessa reached up and pulled Nick's shirt off of his body, letting it fall to the floor as her eyes appreciated his strong, firm chest. She looked up at him again and saw something in his eyes that made her heart flip over.

He didn't say anything, he didn't have to. His eyes always told her everything she needed to know. And as she looked up into those mesmerizing blue eyes, Nick reached back behind her and pulled the clasp out of her hair.

Her hair came spilling down her back and his hands were right there, weaving through her luscious mane as she looked up at him feeling immense love in just that simple gesture.

"You're so very beautiful" he whispered and she closed her eyes as his hands touched her cheeks. She knew he had thought his former wife was the most beautiful woman in the world, yet he had never told her the same exact words. But that didn't matter to her anymore. She knew he was spellbound by her beauty, she could feel it in the gentle carresses against her cheek and the soft succulent kisses against her neck. She knew he adored her and desired her. She wanted to be his...forever.

Lifting her face up she met his eager hungry lips and they were warm and inviting. Her arms encircled his neck as she pulled herself closer to him, meshing her body with his and feeling the evidence of his desire for her.

As he kissed her, he pulled down her dress and she could feel it fall to the floor but she didn't care. She couldn't stop kissing those full delicious lips, she loved the taste of him and wanted even more.

She opened her mouth and felt his moist tongue and let out a soft moan at the feel of him. She kissed him back deeply as his hands touched her soft breasts over and over again until she was melting into him.

His lips finally left hers and as that happened she finally heard him speak "I love you so much" he told her and her heart swelled with enormous love for him "Love you too baby" she managed to whisper as she watched him finish undressing.

In moments they were on the bed and she could feel his hands all over her body, touching, kissing, caressing each part of her as if he couldn't get enough. She had never had a man make her feel this way, as if she were the only thing he had ever wanted in his entire life.

As his lips trailed up her body, pressing soft, sweet, delicious kisses along the way, he finally reached her lips and gave her an incredibly tender kiss. Then he looked at her, his eyes filled with passion but also with so much more. He gently stroked her hair as his eyes drank her in.

"You're my life now" he told her and for some reason his words brought tears to her eyes. She knew what he was trying to tell her, she understood exactly what he meant.

He was scared, he was hesitant, he wasn't ready to fully commit to her yet. But she was the one he ultimately wanted, she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Those few words were almost more than her heart could take as she reached up and brushed her fingers along his scruffy cheeks "And you're mine" she told him and saw his eyes fill with emotion.

She reached up and drew him down towards her, pulling his firm body over hers and wrapping all of herself around him. He slipped inside of her and she was right there waiting for him, letting him possess her in a way nobody else ever had before. She was his now and she was going to make sure that he always knew that with her there would be a future, with her he would finally find his happily ever after.

[xokristenox]

Oh gosh, I love it so far!! :)

[MissSunshine98]

I friggin' love this story. More please?

[NJLforever]

Another great story by Always, I mean lacheygirl98:D

[MissSunshine98]

More pllllleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaase

[lacheygirl98]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to write the next chapter now. Stay tuned.....;)

[lacheygirl98]

CHAPTER THREE

Nick could feel someone slightly shaking him and he reached up and covered his eyes. "What" he mumbled as the shaking continued.

"Get up you sexy man" he heard his girlfriend's voice and slowly his eyes opened and he looked up into her beautiful freshly scrubbed face. She was beaming at him, her hair wet and hanging down her back, wearing nothing more than a white towel wrapped around her very enticing body....

"What a way to wake up" Nick reached up and grabbed Vanessa's hand and pulled her on top of him.

She leaned down, pressing her lips seductively over his. He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her and letting his hands wander up through her wet hair...

"Why couldn't you wait for me to shower" he complained as his lips trailed to her neck.

"Because we need to get a move on and if I took a shower with you then we'd be there until the water was ice cold" she pointed out as Nick chuckled.

"You have a point" he said as she pulled herself off of him and got off the bed. "Yes, I do, now get up" she reached for his hand and Nick slowly got out of bed.

"What's with all the excitement? We're only going to a family barbeque at my mom's house" he told her.

Vanessa widened her eyes "What do you mean only? I love visiting your family and we don't get to see them all the time. Come on now, what could be more fun for a girl then pestering her boyfriend's mother for childhood stories about her man" she asked laughing.

Nick grabbed her face inside his hands "Why do I have a feeling that you're going to use these stories against me" his voice was stern, but the twinkle in his eyes gave away the tenderness he felt for her.

She was smiling up at him "Baby, don't be so worried. I'm only going to use them when I need to prove a point to our children" she said grinning.

Nick slowly carressed Vanessa's cheeks as his heart almost stopped "Our children" he repeated her words as she beamed at him.

"Yes Nick, all four of them" she said as he smiled at her lovingly "You make me feel as if that's really possible" his voice was a whisper, but he saw the touched look in her eyes.

"It is possible. I'd have your baby right now if you wanted me to" she confessed and Nick's heart flipped over...

"Vanessa" he looked at her awe struck. She was an amazing woman, he could sense it more and more everyday. More than her beauty or her spunky personality, it was the woman that lived inside her soul that got to him every time.

"I would Nick" she looked into his eyes, her chocolate brown eyes conveying her love and devotion to him. He wanted to trust it with every fiber of his being, but part of him was so scared.

"I know sweetheart and I would say yes in a minute, but I want to do this the right way...for both of us. You deserve nothing but the best of me..." he said softly.

"I have the best of you" she told him, as she reached up and placed her hands over his cheeks. And as she reached up and pressed her lips against his, he knew that this love was getting stronger each and every day.

"Baby, you're so sweet. But I just want to do it right. I want to marry you and have the children and the house and all of that. I really want to do it the right way. But I'm hesitant right now to take that step. Please...." his voice faltered because he was so weary. So weary of making excuses and so tired of seeing that hurt look in her eyes that she tried to mask from him.

"I understand" was her sweet reply and his heart flipped over. The truth of the matter was that he knew that she did. And for that he was grateful.

"I love you so much Vanessa, don't doubt that for a minute" he said tenderly as she beamed at him "How could I doubt that? All I have to do is look in your eyes" she told him.

He pulled her to him, holding her close and feeling enormous gratitude that he had found true love again. What were the odds that you could find it twice in one lifetime? He didn't know how it had happened, but he did know that he was a very lucky man.

"I better go take a shower before I rip this towel off of you" Nick whispered as he pulled away from his girlfriend.

She tilted her head, her long brown hair tumbling to one side as she gave him that sexy, seductive look that he loved so much...

"Rip it off of me..." she tempted him as Nick grinned.

"Wait a minute here. You're the one who's in a rush to see my mother" he reminded her.

Vanessa shrugged "She can wait. Her son has something urgent that needs to be done" she said as Nick winked at her.

"Urgent huh" he toyed with the top of her towel.

"Urgent and intense" she whispered as Nick slowly unwrapped the towel from Vanessa's body and it fell to the floor.

"What else" he whispered as he reached out to touch her soft bosom and saw her eyes begin to flutter close "He needs to......." she put her lips to his ear and uttered the most sensuously erotic words that he had ever heard. His heart and his mind and his body went into overdrive as he pulled away and looked into her eyes.

"I think we're done talking" he whispered as he covered her mouth with his and they both collapsed on the bed.

[MissSunshine98]

I love it. :) Can't wait to see where this goes. Their going to get married eventually right?

[jessandnickfan]

I love this story
please update more soon

[xokristenox]

Awwww! Fabulous! So cute :) Love it so far.

[OhioluvsNick]

nice story so far

[jessandnickfan]

please update more soon

[Superstar]

nice add!!
can't wait for more!!:)

[lacheygirl98]

CHAPTER FOUR

She loved to watch him with his family. She loved the way he treated his mother, showing such respect and love for her and making her laugh at all of his jokes. It warmed her heart to see a man show such love and care towards his mother, it showed her just exactly what kind of man he really was.

Then there was the bond he had formed with his step-father. Although Nick was extremely close with his own father, that had not interfered with his relationship with his mother's new husband of the last few years. The two men were very close, sharing sports statistics and debating over politics.

Then there was his brother, who had also been in town for Jake's wedding. Vanessa loved watching Nick and Drew together. They were best friends, but they also loved to tease each other relentlessly. It was fun to watch them, especially because she could see that these two men had a strong bond that could never be broken. They were so similiar in so many ways, both of them were men of honor and integrity.

And then there was Lea, and Vanessa could see that Nick adored her as if she were his little sister. And Isabella, Drew and Lea's one year old daughter was the apple of Nick's eye. Vanessa had seen that from the moment she and Nick had started dating. He would pull out endless pictures of her or shower her with stories of what the little girl had accomplished next. At the moment she had mastered walking and as Vanessa looked at Nick and Drew helping the little girl walk, it was clear to see that Nick was just as proud of her as if he were her own father.

This was a family she could marry into, that was the only thought in Vanessa's head that afternoon as she sat in Nick's mother's backyard during the family barbeque.

It was a beautiful day and Nick and Drew were tossing the football back and forth, so Vanessa decided to get up and join them.

She stood in between them, facing Nick and held out her arms. "Throw it to me" she said as Nick grinned "You sure you want to play, you might get all dirty" he said as she waved her hand "So what? Let's go, give me what you got" she told him and she saw his smile get wider.

He tossed the ball over her head and Drew caught it as Vanessa jumped up and down. "Hey now, that's not fair, you didn't give me a chance" she complained as Nick chuckled "Patience" he told her as Drew threw the ball back towards Nick and once again Vanessa tried to jump to get it but it went over her head and Nick caught it instead.

She stood there with her hand on her hips, giving Nick a look as he burst out laughing "Show me what you got baby" he said as he tossed it to her and she caught it.

Vanessa squealed with delight as she ran towards Nick and tried to run past him, but he was too quick for her and before she knew it, he had tackled her to the ground.

They both were laughing together, their bodies intertwined and as Vanessa opened her eyes, with a huge smile on her face, it suddenly all disappeared....

How could one man possess such mesmerzing blue eyes...she was spellbound for a moment as she gazed up at him. It almost felt as if the breath had left her body when she saw the way he was looking at her....

"You excite the hell out of me" he confessed and it was hard for Vanessa not to cry "Why" she whispered as he pushed her hair out of her eyes. "You're so full of life, not afraid to try anything, I love that about you" he told her.

Vanessa couldn't stop gazing into Nick's eyes as she felt her heart fill up with intense love at that moment "I love everything about you" she whispered as he leaned down and covered her mouth with his.

He kissed her, even though his family was just yards away. At that moment she didn't care because she was feeling overwhelmed with love for him...

"Excuse me....is this touch football or touchy feely day" Drew was smirking as Nick pulled away from Vanessa.

Vanessa had to laugh at the look on Drew's face and as Nick stood up and helped her to her feet, she burst out laughing as Nick threw the ball to his brother "Hey, she scored, she needed a reward" he said as Drew rolled his eyes. "My daughter is over there, she doesn't need to see this" he teased them as Nick put his arm around Vanessa.

"Never too young to teach her about love" Nick told Drew and Vanessa felt her heart flip over.

She had never heard him speak of his love for her in front of anyone else, not his family, the press....anyone. Just hearing him saying it out loud to anyone other than herself felt like progress to her. As Drew walked back over to Lea and Nick turned to smile at her, Vanessa wondered if he even realized it. When she saw that he didn't, it made her even happier.

It had come naturally for him and that made her heart sing "I'm going to help your mother clean up" she said quickly because she was afraid she was going to say the wrong thing that would ruin the moment.

"Okay sweetheart" he gave her a quick kiss and she walked away quickly from him and into the house. She saw Cate in the kitchen and she walked over to her.

"Need help" she asked as Cate smiled "I'm just about done, thanks dear" she said as Vanessa nodded. "I loved your macaroni salad, could I get the recipe" she asked as Cate gave her a surprised look "Did you really like it? It's a new recipe I just whipped up from scratch" she said.

"It was delicious" Vanessa said as Cate smiled "I'll have to write down the recipe. I'll give it to you before you leave" she told her.

"Thank you so much" Vanessa smiled at her and started to walk out of the kitchen when she felt Cate's hand on her arm. Surprised by that, she turned around slowly.

"Thank you" Cate said quietly as Vanessa stared at her "For what" she asked as Cate looked her in the eye "For making Nicholas so happy" she said and at that moment Vanessa knew for sure that she was going to cry.

"Oh no, why are you crying" Cate asked as she handed her a tissue.

"I don't know, I just feel emotional I guess. It just means a lot to me that you really think I've made him happy" Vanessa said as Cate smiled at her.

"You have, there's no question in my mind that he's happy. The light has returned in his eyes, there is genuine happiness in my son's heart again and it's all because of you Vanessa. You're very good for him and I can tell he's good for you too" Cate said as Vanessa nodded.

"Oh Cate, I've never met a man like Nick before. I didn't know men like him even existed. He's so charming and sweet, but yet so real and down to earth. He's just really easy to be with and he makes me so happy" Vanessa said tearfully as Cate beamed at her.

"Well isn't that what life's about" she asked as Vanessa reached out and hugged her "It sure is" she agreed and as she pulled away she saw the touched look in Cate's eyes and at that moment she wished more than anything that this woman would be her children's grandmother. She really wanted to be a part of Nick's family and have them in her life, it was overwhelming to her how much she loved these people in such a short time.

Then she walked back outside where Nick was laughing with Drew and his stepfather. She didn't feel bashful as she walked over to her boyfriend and sat in his lap, listening to his conversation as his arm tightened around her. She layed her head against his shoulder and sighed contentedly. She could get used to this kind of life.

[MissSunshine98]

i love it :) More soon please?

[jessandnickfan]

I love it
please update more soon

[xokristenox]

Awww that's so cute!! I definitely love it! :)

[lacheygirl98]

CHAPTER FIVE

ONE WEEK LATER

Vanessa arrived at LAX and walked outside to her waiting car. She was driven to Nick's house and as soon as she got there, she sprinted up the front stairs and turned her key in the lock.

She walked inside the house and began calling his name "Nick...where are you" she shouted, wondering if he was even awake. It was almost 10:00 in the morning, if he wasn't awake, then he would be soon.

But suddenly he appeared out of the office, and as soon as she saw him she went running into his arms.

"Well it's about time you got here" he teased her as he showered her with kisses. "I missed you" she murmered as she lifted her face just in time to feel his warm lips on top of hers.

His arms wrapped around her as he kissed her deeply. Vanessa felt contentment and peace wash over her. She was finally back in his arms, it had only just been a week, but sometimes a week could feel like years....

"What do you want to do today" he asked her as they finally pulled apart. She gave him a sultry look and he burst out laughing "Besides that" he told her as she giggled.

"Anything you want baby" she said as he grinned "Do you want to go out to breakfast" he asked her as she frowned. "Hmmm...well I already had breakfast, it's three hours earlier in New York" she reminded him.

"How about brunch" Nick said as Vanessa smiled "That sounds good" she said as Nick pulled away from her.

"I just have to check my e-mails" he told her and she followed him into his office and watched him answer a couple of e-mails.

"Ready to go" he asked as Vanessa sat on his lap "Wait, I want to show you something. I saw it on the plane, when I was surfing the net" she told him.

"Show me what" Nick asked as Vanessa grinned "Oh nothing, just this one gossip site had a poll and you are winning sexiest man alive" she told him as Nick raised his eyebrows "Maybe they think it's a joke" he said as she laughed "It's not a joke, it's reality" she told him as she finally clicked on the site.

"Oh they put some new gossip up, let me scroll down a bit" she began moving the screen down and just as she passed something, she suddenly felt Nick's hand over hers, stopping her from going any further....

Vanessa stared at the screen, then at her boyfriend. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. It wasn't on there earlier. If she had seen this, she never would have went on this site.

But it was too late, there in front of her was Nick's ex-wife and she was on a beach with her new rock star boyfriend. They were hugging, they were kissing, he was even carrying her the way Nick used to carry Jessica. Vanessa should know, she had watched every episode of Newlyweds.

She slowly turned and looked at Nick and saw the shock on his face and at that moment her heart sank. She stood up from his lap, suddenly feeling like an intruder when she saw the way he was looking at his ex-wife and her new boyfriend.

"Sorry" was all she could manage and finally he turned to look at her and she had to wonder if he even remembered she was in the room.

He didn't say a word to her at that moment. Just got up from his chair and walked out of the room as Vanessa fought back tears. What can of worms had she just opened?

She went in search of him and found him sitting outside. She sat down next to him. "Baby....."

"I'm okay" he finally said and as he looked at her, she could see his eyes were moist. Her heart sank even further at that sight.

"Those pictures weren't on there before...."

"It's not your fault" he said quietly as Vanessa stared at him. "But obviously you're upset" she told him.

Nick nodded "I won't lie. I didn't expect to see that. It's not the most pleasant thing to see your ex-wife moving on with another man. I know I shouldn't say that since I have moved on as well, but it's just....difficult" he admitted as Vanessa told herself to understand, she had to understand, she owed it to him.

"Is it because you still love her" okay maybe that was not the right question to ask.

He looked at her stunned "Sweetheart, it's not about that" he said as she looked him in the eye "Then what is it about" she asked as Nick sighed.

"I guess when I saw that, I somehow felt like a failure. Seeing someone else making her so happy when I couldn't do the same" he said slowly.

"How do you know she's really happy" Vanessa asked as Nick shrugged "I don't. But she did look happy in those pictures" he said.

"That doesn't mean she's truly happy with her life or herself" Vanessa said as Nick nodded "Maybe not, but it still hurts that someone else is giving her happiness when obviously I failed at that. It makes me wonder if I'm capable of keeping a relationship together" Nick admitted.

Vanessa's jaw dropped "Baby, don't think that way. You are an amazing boyfriend and I'm a very lucky woman" she told him.

"I'm the lucky one" Nick said as he gazed at her with affection.

Vanessa bit her lip "Nick.....are you jealous of Jessica and John? Do you wish that was you with her on the beach? Are you still in love with her" she had to know, she desperately had to know.

Nick reached out and tenderly stroked Vanessa's cheek "I'll always love Jessica, I've told you that. I know maybe that's a lot to accept but I can't just lock her out of my heart. I married her and she was an important part of my life and I will always care about her and want what's best for her. And I'll always love her. But we don't work and she doesn't want to be with me. It took me a long time to understand that, but I do now...." he hesitated a minute as his hand moved to her hair, as he gently stroked it, he looked her in the eye.

"I don't want to be with Jessica on the beach. I've let go of her and the only woman I want to be with....is you" he whispered as Vanessa felt a tear roll down her face.

"Thank you for being so honest" she said softly as he looked at her with love.

"I'm scared of the future, of so many things. But the more I'm with you, the happier I feel" he told her.

Vanessa reached out to hug Nick and as he held her close, she closed her eyes and felt true happiness.

She pulled away from him and he stood up. "Are you ready to go eat" he asked as he extended his hand to her and she took it.

Vanessa stood up to face Nick, reaching up and running her finger over his warm, plump lips. "I'm hungry, but not for food" she said as Nick gave her a wicked grin "For what then" he asked as her eyes danced at him. "For you" she said and the look he gave her in that moment rocked her to the core of her soul.

He took her hand and led her to his bedroom. He didn't say anything, just undressed her, with tender hands and a loving smile. And then he touched her, his fingertips sending chills down her body, his kisses tasting so sweet and delicious.

She peeled his clothes off, her hands loving his body, her mouth exploring every part of it. She wanted him....who in the world wouldn't?

He looked at her as he slid inside of her and the connection she felt to him was overwhelming. He began to move slowly, his blue eyes burning into her brown ones. She moved with him, seeing the look in his eyes and feeling encased with his love. He leaned down towards her as she allowed him even deeper inside of her.

"My beautiful Nessa" he whispered as he finally pressed his lips against hers and took her so far away that she never wanted to return to the real world again.

[OhioluvsNick]

good add:)

[jessandnickfan]

It was so good update
please update more soon

[xokristenox]

Awww I love it. :) It's an amazing story...just like all of your other ones. ;)

[lacheygirl98]

CHAPTER SIX

Nick bit into his french toast and watched his girlfriend devour her sandwich "I love a woman who likes to eat" he said as he winked at her.

"I'm a pig, just say it" she laughed as Nick grinned "I appreciate it. Too many women in this town starve themselves. I'm glad that's not who you are" he told her.

"No it's not, how do you think I got all these curves" Vanessa flirted as Nick grinned "And what great curves they are" he told her as he drank down some juice.

He put down his glass and saw her giving him an intense look "What's wrong" he asked as she studied him.

"I talked to my producers before I left New York" she told him.

"About what" Nick asked as he bit into his bacon.

Vanessa hedged a minute "Well they know I want to move out here and they finally agreed that I could just work from their L.A. studios, permanently" she said as Nick slowly put down his fork.

"Really" he asked as his inside did somersaults. He felt happy and scared all at once, and he didn't know why.

But she looked happy, immensely happy as she reached for his hand across the table "Now we can be together all the time" she said as Nick stared at her "Wow" he didn't even know what to say to that.

"And I was thinking that since I already have your key and everything" she gave him a meaningful look as Nick released a breath...

"I...I didn't expect this was going to happen yet" he said quietly as Vanessa nodded "Well we talked about it and the timing seems right. We've been together almost a year, isn't the next step to living together" she asked him.

Nick stared at Vanessa with a blank look on his face "I've only ever lived with my wife" he said without thinking.

"You mean your ex-wife" she corrected him and he didn't miss the hurt in her voice.

"Same thing" he said as she shook her head "Not even close" she gave him a dirty look as Nick sighed deeply.

"It's a big step Vanessa, I'm not sure...." he began, only to be interrupted by her.

"You're never sure of anything, are you Nick? Maybe you're not even sure of me" she couldn't help it. He had hurt her, he always seemed to hurt her, without even realizing it.

"How can you say that? I love you" Nick said earnestly as Vanessa shook her head "You love me but you won't give me any kind of commitment, nothing" she said as Nick felt guilt wash over him.

"Why are you pressuring me like this? You know that I'm not ready for this" he told her.

"When are you going to be ready Nick? Are you waiting for Jessica to get remarried so that you'll know for certain that you have no more chances left with her. Or are you just waiting for another chance for her to break your heart all over again" she was bitter and she wasn't going to hide it.

Nick looked at Vanessa stunned "This has nothing to do with Jessica" he said adamantly.

"Yeah right" she looked away from him. She would not let him see the tears in her eyes.

"Vanessa" he reached for her hand across the table and despite herself, she finally turned her gaze back on him...

"I love you baby" he said softly and her insides turned to mush. He loved her, she didn't doubt that. But why couldn't he love her enough...

"Sometimes I'm not sure we're ever going to get over that last hurdle" she said quietly.

"There is no hurdle. I'm just trying to take one day at a time. You have to understand that" he told her.

"It's hard sometimes Nick" she said.

"I know but when we started dating you knew what kind of place I was at in my life" he reminded her.

"That was almost a year ago. I know you loved her but when are you ever going to just let go of her and that marriage" Vanessa blasted him.

"It's not about that. It's just about me, not wanting to screw up again or do things the wrong way. I owe that to both of us. I would never hurt you and the fact that you look so sad right now is breaking my heart" he confessed.

Vanessa's eyes softened as she saw the sincerity on Nick's face "Okay, you know what? I don't want to push you. If you're not ready then the last thing I want to do is barge into your house and take over your life" she said.

"You are my life" he told her but she avoided his eyes. Sometimes she wasn't sure that was true.

"Will you go with me today to look at houses" she asked him.

"Absolutely" he told her as Vanessa nodded "Okay then. But I already arranged for all my things to be sent here. Maybe I should just stay at a hotel until I find a place of my own" she said as Nick looked at her shocked.

"What in the hell are you talking about? Vanessa come on now, of course you're going to stay with me until you find a house" he said and she looked him in the eye.

"Are you sure" she asked, suddenly feeling as if she were intruding on him.

"Of course I'm sure" he said quickly and she nodded "Okay" she said quietly.

They went back to eating and suddenly there was silence at the table. Nick could sense Vanessa was disappointed in him and part of him felt that same disappointment in himself.

Why couldn't he just take the next step in their relationship? Why was he still so afraid of getting hurt?

He wanted to give her everything he had, his heart, his soul, his very life. He loved her, more than he could even admit to anyone....even himself.

But yet he was holding back from her and in the process he was hurting her, and that was the last thing he ever wanted to do.

They finally left the restaurant and he reached for her hand. When he reached his car, he opened her door for her. She started to get in, but he stopped her.

"I am happy that you are moving out to L.A. It means the world to me that you want to" he said softly.

He saw tenderness in her eyes as she looked at him "I want to be closer to you, and I don't just mean geography" she whispered as Nick gazed at her intently.

As the breeze gently blew her hair, he reached out and pushed it out of her eyes "I want to be closer to you too" he said softly as she looked at him teary eyed.

"I didn't expect to fall in love with you, but I am Nick. And I don't want to lose you" she confessed as he pulled her into his arms.

"You won't" he promised as he carressed her hair and held her close against him. He didn't want to lose her either and he knew that meant he had to start taking down the walls that still stood between them. He only hoped that he would be able to do that.

[xokristenox]

Awww this is so cute! :) Good update!

[OhioluvsNick]

I like this story

[jessandnickfan]

I love it
please update more soon :D