Chapter 21

 

 

“I can’t believe I have you in my arms again.”  Nick hugged Brooke tighter.  “I can’t believe that any of this is happening.”

“I hope you’re happy about it.” Brooke giggled and kissed his cheek. 

“I may never let you go.” He answered.  “A few minutes ago my whole world had fallen apart, and now, now I’m holding you again.” He captured her mouth in a quick but passionate kiss.  When it ended Brooke looked into his eyes.

“I wish I could promise that it’s going to be easy, but it’s not.”  She cuddled into his embrace.  “You know, I want to know all about what’s happened to you since you’ve gotten home.  I want to know everything, how you got home, how it was to be back at work, how you came to be here, everything Nick, everything.”

“I’ll tell you everything.” Nick promised.  “I just don’t want to break this spell.”

“We’re going to have to.” Brooke smiled and reluctantly let him go.  “I have to set some people straight out there.”

“Your daughter?”  He asked.

“Among others.”  She walked to her desk and looked down at the picture of Ridge. 

“Forrester isn’t going to be very happy.” Nick came up behind her, wrapping his arms protectively around her waist, pulling her close against his body.  Brooke smiled warmly, it felt so good, so right.   “I think he thought he had seen the last of me.”  Nick added with a chuckle.

“I think you’re right.” Brooke agreed.  “Nick, this is going to be hard on him and I don’t want to hurt him.  I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“I don’t want you to either.” Nick let go of her and picked up a photo of Rick and Bridget.  “Do you think they’ll accept me?” He asked. 

“Rick will.” Brooke smiled.  “Bridget is more stubborn.  Once she has something in her head it’s hard to get her to budge, but I intend to show her just who it was that I fell in love with.”

“God it sounds so good to hear that.”  Nick was grinning from ear to ear. 

“What about Carla Nick?  Where do things stand between the two of you?” Brooke looked concerned. 

“Carla means the world to me Brooke, but I’m not in love with her and she’s not in love with me and we both realized that.  We talked long and hard.  We want what’s best for each other.  We’ll always care, we’ll always be friends and that’s how is should have been.  We want each other to be happy, but we knew that it couldn’t be together.  I needed a change and this job, it fell right into my lap.”  He was momentarily lost in thought.  Then he looked up at Brooke again.  “When I took this job out here it wasn’t just to be near you.”

“No?” Brooke gave him a pretty pout.

“Well, maybe 99% to be near you.” Nick laughed.  “Seriously, it was a great opportunity for me and even if we hadn’t reconnected I’d have wanted to stay.  Carla and I are over Brooke, we were over on the island.  I knew my heart was with you.”

“Can I ask you something?”  Brooke squinted and Nick felt like he was home again.

“I’ve missed that look of yours.”  Nick grinned again.  “And yes, you can ask me anything.”

“Why was she still wearing your ring?”  Brooke looked him in the eyes.

“Because I was stupid.” He admitted with embarrassment.  “I may have tried to rationalize it that I wanted her to keep the stone and that is true.  I gave it to her and I’d never take it back.  The ring is hers, not mine.  But that was just convenient for me.”

“How so?” Brooke wondered.

“You were with him.  I was hurt, I was jealous.  I wanted to show you that I had someone too.  I was so stupid.  I got so caught up in all the game playing that I didn’t even realize that I was hurting you and hurting me and ruining my chance at the best thing that ever happened to me.  I won’t make that mistake again.  If only I had come to you and told you the truth and told you I loved you and told you everything in my head and heart.”

“But you did.” Brooke took his hands in her own.  “At the waterfall and when we were getting on the planes.  Both times you told me you loved me.  I was the stupid one.  I was too scared to ask you how much you loved me or what you really meant.”

“We were both stupid and scared and stubborn.”  He squeezed her hands tightly.  “I should have said right then and there that I loved you and needed you and wanted to be with you, but maybe neither of us was ready for that.”

“Maybe we both had to discover the extent of our feelings by being without each other.” Brooke agreed.  “So what now?”  She asked him.  “Where do we go from here?”

“Anywhere we want to.  Everywhere.  We rediscover each other, we learn things we never knew, we rediscover ourselves too.”

“Where do we start?”  She asked.  “Nick, my life is a fishbowl, are you sure you want to put yourself into that?”

“Do you really have to ask?” He pulled her to him and kissed her.  “I’ve made a lot of mistakes Brooke, but I’ll never make that one again.  I will never walk away from you again.  Never.”

“Me either.”  She confessed with a smile.  “So what now?”  She asked again.

“Well first, I want us to do everything we wanted to do when we were on the island.  No matter how crazy it may sound.  I want to take you out for an ice cream sundae a mile high.”  He smiled.  “I want to get into a car and just drive with your head on my shoulder.  I want to dance with you, I want to dress up and celebrate with the best wine and all the foods we talked about.  I want to learn everything about you.  I want you to learn about me. I want to take you back into my arms and never let go.  And when you’re ready, I want to marry you Brooke, I want to make you my wife.”

“Oh Nick.”  She let go of him. 

“I know, it’s too soon.  I agree.  We need to be comfortable in each other’s worlds.  We need to get back to normal, but together.”  Nick stressed.  “We do need some time and I am patient, well a little bit.”  He grinned at her.  “But I know we’re going to be together in the end.”

“Can we slow it down a little?” Brooke asked. 

“How does the rest of it sound?” He wondered.

“It sounds wonderful.”  She leaned in and kissed him.  “Really wonderful.”

 

 

“Is she in there with Ridge?” Rick asked Megan, motioning to Brooke’s closed door.

“Uh, no.” Megan looked embarrassed.  

“What? What’s going on?” Rick asked.  “Look I know about Vegas, Dad told me so if they’re in there you can tell me.”

“Actually it’s the man.” Megan told him.

“The man?” Rick frowned.  “What man?”

“From the island.”  She answered.  “He came here earlier but your mother wasn’t back yet, he spoke to your sister and left.  But then he came back and told me in no uncertain terms that he was going to talk to Brooke and that he wouldn’t be interrupted.”

“Poor guy.” Rick shook his head.  “If only he had come a little sooner.”

“Did they really get married?” Megan asked Rick.

“In Vegas.” He sighed.  “He swore to me that he wouldn’t pressure her but he just couldn’t do it.”

“Maybe he didn’t Rick.  Your mother has loved Ridge for most of her life.” Megan gently touched his arm.  “Give her a little credit too.  She does know how to make up her own mind and if she didn’t want to marry him she could have said no.”

“Not to Ridge.” He looked at the closed door again.  “You know, when she talked about him I could see she really did care.  I wish she would have at least, oh hell, it’s not my place is it?”

“No.” Megan agreed. 

They both turned as the door opened and a laughing Brooke and Nick walked out. 

“After all that we’ll both be blimps.” Nick chuckled as he took her hand. 

“Only one taste of anything, those are the rules.”  She giggled and then saw her son and Megan.  “Rick, oh honey I’m so glad you’re here.”  She let go of Nick’s hand and walked over to Rick and hugged him. 

“Where’s Ridge?” Rick asked.

“He said he had something he had to take care of.” She answered with a squint.  “Honey, I want you to meet someone.”  She brought Rick over to Nick.  “Rick, this is Nick Parker, the man I’ve been talking about since the day I got home.  Nick, my son Rick.”

“Hello Rick.” Nick smiled and offered his firm handshake.

“It’s really nice to meet you Nick.” Rick smiled back.  “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get the chance but I want to thank you for everything you did for my Mom.”

“Well Rick, I appreciate that but your Mom did a lot more for me.”

“Don’t be silly, we did for each other.” Brooke linked her arm with Nick’s.  “He’s very modest.” She told Rick.

“So have you two had a chance to um, talk?” Rick asked.

“He knows about the baby.” Brooke confessed. 

“Um, yeah.” Rick stared at his mother in confusion.  “Um, what about, well you know.”

“Rick?  What’s wrong?” Brooke asked. 

“I think he’s heard the same rumor I did.” Nick answered for Brooke’s son.

“Rumors?” Rick looked from Nick to Brooke.

“Ridge and I aren’t married Rick.  I don’t know what Bridget heard or who told her but we are NOT married.”  She turned to Nick.  “And this is the kind of thing you’re getting yourself into.  Scared yet?”

“Not on your life.”  He laughed. 

“I don’t understand Mom.” Rick frowned again.  “It wasn’t Bridget who told me, it was Dad and he said that Ridge told him.  What’s going on?”

“This is worse than I imagined.” Brooke sighed.  “Nick, I’m sorry but I think I have things to clear up here.  Can I meet your friend Cindy tomorrow?”

“Sure.” He put his arm around her.  “We have a lifetime for all that.  Why don’t I leave you to settle things and I’ll go to my office and I’ll come back for you at, hmm.” He looked at his watch.  “With all we want to cover, let’s start early.  How about six?”

“Six sounds great. But come to my house, I don’t think I’ll stay around here too long.” Brooke answered.  “I’m sorry that this is such a mess, I really did want you to meet everyone else.”

“I will, we have plenty of time for that.” He gave her a quick kiss and then turned to Rick.  “It was really nice meeting you Rick and I look forward to getting to know you better.”

“Uh, yeah, me too.” Rick looked completely perplexed.  Brooke noticed and smiled.

“Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything.”  She promised.  “Just let me walk Nick out.”

She took his arm and the two walked off together.  Rick turned to Megan. 

“What do you make of that?” He asked.

“It looks like Mr. Parker is very much a part of your mother’s life.”

“She didn’t marry Ridge.” Rick seemed stunned.

“I guess not.” Megan laughed.  “I can think of at least one person who’s going to be very happy.”

“And a couple more who won’t.”  Rick reminded her.  “I wonder if I should tell anyone.”

“I think that should be up to your mother.” Megan answered.

“Things are going to be strange around here.” Rick scratched his head.  “She looked happy didn’t she?” He asked Megan.

“She looked very happy.” Megan agreed.

 

 

“Are you ready to go?” James asked Taylor.  He motioned for the check.  “I have the afternoon free, I’d be happy to go home with you, we can talk some more.”

“I need to get back to Forrester.” She answered with a sigh. 

“Hasn’t anything I’ve said gotten through to you?” James couldn’t hide his disappointment. “It’s the wrong place for you.”

“I need to work James.” Taylor insisted.

“Then work somewhere else, you’re a talented doctor, you can start a practice anywhere and if you’re not interested in going on your own I’ll ask around, I know I can find you something.”

“I have a job, at Forrester, and I am not going to let her get the last laugh.”

“I doubt Brooke is laughing at you Taylor.  I think this arrangement will only make all of you more uncomfortable.”

“So what?” She asked defiantly.  “Am I supposed to care about Ridge and his new wife?  Am I supposed to pussyfoot around just so THEY are comfortable?  I’m sorry James but it’s a matter of pride. I won’t shrink away.”

“You’re only going to cause yourself heartache.”

“I won’t stay forever, I just want to prove to them both that I can still stand with my head held high!”

“That’s not smart Taylor, not smart at all.  I don’t know what you’re trying to prove or whom you’re trying to prove it too, but it’s not a good idea.  Please reconsider this.  I can only see more hurt and pain for everyone.”

“I’m not going to just quit James.  I need to at least make an attempt.  I can’t let them think that they have that power over me.”

“Your going back is giving that to them Taylor.  I wish you would listen to me.  Will you at least compromise?”

“How?” She asked with a stubborn look.

“Wait until tomorrow.  You’ve had some wine, you’re tired, you’re hurt, you’re angry.  Go home, sleep and then go in tomorrow.”

“They’ll probably be honeymooning.”  She said so softly that James barely heard her.

“Is it that you need to confront them Taylor?  Is that what this is about?”

“No.” She answered quickly, turning away so he couldn’t see her face as she lied “Alright.  I won’t go in until tomorrow, and I’ll tell Eric that it’s not a good idea for me to be there.”  She turned back to face him.  “Oh James, I don’t want to be petty, I just want him to have to face me, I want him to see me and what he threw away.  I love him so much, I want him to see what he lost.”

“He will.” James said sympathetically.  “He will Taylor.”

 

 

“Cindy, I’m sorry I was so long.” Nick bounded happily into the office.  “Have I missed anything important?”

“Nick!”  She got up from the desk and approached him.  “You look okay.  Did you see her?”

“I did.” He smiled.  “It’s a long story, with several misunderstandings.”

“Nick?” She looked worried.

“I almost walked away, I almost blew it, but I thought about you and Carla and how you’d both tell me how stupid I was being and I went back and damn I’m glad I did.”  He grinned from ear to ear.  “She loves me, she admitted that she loves me.”

“Oh Nick.”  She put her arms around him.  “I’m so happy for you.”

“Not nearly as happy as I am.  Damn, I feel like I hit the lottery.  How am I supposed to work when all I can do is think of her?” He laughed.  “I know, I know, I have to.” He added.

“So tell me about it.  I need details.” Cindy pressed with a laugh.

“I got there and she wasn’t there, but her daughter was.” Nick began.

“Did you get to talk to her?  Did she know who you were?  Was she happy to meet the father of her brother to be?” She grinned but stopped when she saw the happiness vanish from Nick’s handsome face.  “Nick?  What?”

“Brooke wasn’t pregnant.  We thought that she was, all the symptoms were there but we were wrong.  She was undernourished and stopped menstruating.”  He explained.  “She never was pregnant, we never had a baby.”

“I’m so sorry.” Cindy said softly.  “But you still can.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He gave her a weak smile.  “But Bridget, that’s Brooke’s daughter, well she has her heart set on Ridge for her mother.”

“That’s not her choice.” Cindy adamantly stated.

“Damn right.” Nick agreed.  “But she figured the quickest way to ensure that Brooke would stay with Ridge was to get rid of the competition.  She knew about the pregnancy, well you know what I mean.”

“Yes.” Cindy nodded.

“And she knew that I didn’t.  Apparently Brooke had told her that she was going to New York to see me, she wanted to tell me in person but Bridget thought that with me there she could take care of it herself.  She told me that there wasn’t a baby, she made me believe not that Brooke had not been pregnant but that she had and that she had aborted it.  She wanted me gone, that’s for sure.”

“She sounds cruel Nick.” Cindy shook her head.  “How could she do that to you?”

“I’m not sure what to make of her, but she’s Brooke’s daughter and I’m determined to form some kind of relationship with her.  Anyway I was shell shocked and I walked out.”

“Where was Brooke?”  She asked.

“Oh yeah, she also informed me that Brooke was in Vegas, with Ridge, her new husband.”

“Nick no, she didn’t marry him did she?”

“I thought so.” He admitted.

 

 

“Amazing, I swear I could kill that guy.” Rick shook his head in anger.  He walked to the wet bar and poured himself some sparkling water.  “Mom?” He asked. 

“No thank you honey.  And Rick please, try not and judge Ridge too harshly, his heart was in the right place, he just wasn’t thinking.” Brooke smiled.  “Please don’t be too hard on him, we worked it out, I promise.”

“And this Nick?” Rick asked. 

“He moved here.” Brooke’s smile broadened.  She sat down at her desk and absently started arranging her papers.

“And you and he?” Rick wondered.

“We’re going to try.” Brooke couldn’t seem to stop smiling.  “We’re going to take it slowly, we need to get to really know each other, but I do love him Rick and he loves me.  What we went through bonded us, bonded us stronger than either of us realized.  He never left my head or my heart and I guess I never left his either.”

“Does Budge know this?” He asked her.

“No, not yet, but I intend to let her know and to let her know that I was very disappointed in the way she acted when she met him.”

“I think she had her heart in the right place too Mom.  Budge has a soft spot for you and Ridge.”

“That’s fine Rick, but to lie and try and intentionally hurt Nick?”

“She wants what she thinks you want.  And Mom, I have to ask, are you sure that this isn’t just some payback for Ridge?  Are you sure that once he’s proved himself you aren’t going back to him?  Are you sure that you don’t love him?”

“I’ll always love Ridge honey, but what happened with Nick is real, it’s very real and I was wrong to try and deny it.  I owe it to both of us to see just where it’s going to lead.”  She smiled at him.  “And I have a feeling that it’s going to lead to some wonderful adventures.”

 

 

“Something is going on here.” Deacon walked up to Megan and sat on the edge of her desk.  “So what is it Megan?”

“Don’t ask me.” Megan feigned innocence. 

“There isn’t a thing around here that gets by you.  Come on, I’m family, spill.”

“Brooke will tell you anything she wants you to know in her own time.”  Megan shook her head. 

“Ridge isn’t here, the minute Brooke got back it was all Mystery Theater 3000, Queenie is in her office having heart palpitations, Bridget is, well she’s just being weird, oh come on Megan, something’s going on.  You know you can tell me.”

“Talk to your wife Deacon.”  She insisted.  She knew that Deacon was far from a popular addition to the family and she wasn’t going to fuel any fires that were already growing far too strong. 

“I’m talking to YOU.” He said loudly.  “Why is this some state secret?  I’m not the press, I’m family and I work here.  You know you can trust me!”

“I know no such thing Deacon.” Megan shook her head. 

“What’s going on?”  Brooke asked as she and Rick came out of her office.  “What is all the shouting about?”

“Nothing that I can’t handle.” Megan assured her. 

“Brooke, can we talk?” Deacon asked his boss and mother in law.  “Or is my place here really just to placate your daughter?”  He challenged. 

“That’s enough Deacon.” Rick warned. 

“It’s okay honey.” Brooke gently touched Rick’s arm.  “You go on, I do have a couple of things to talk to Deacon about.”

“Are you sure?” Rick wondered why his mother was even giving this man the time of day.

“I’m positive.”  She smiled.  “Come on in my office Deacon, but we have to make it quick, I have a lot to do today.”

 

 

 

“No, she didn’t marry him. She came close, probably closer than she is even admitting to herself.” Nick scratched his head.

“What stopped her?” Cindy had to ask.

“Me.  Us.  What we shared.  Brooke couldn’t start a life with one man when she, and I quote, was in love with another.”  He grinned. 

“Oh Nick, that’s wonderful, you’re going to have your life together!” 

“It’s not quite that simple though.  I know she still does have feelings for him.  I think I’m in for a battle, but this is one I am not going to lose.” 

“But she said she’s in love with you.  How can there be a battle?”  Cindy didn’t understand. 

“There’s a deep connection, a pull and yes, a love between them.  She loves me, I believe that, I do, but she loves him too and he isn’t about to just walk away.  I think he’s going to do anything and everything to make her come around to his way of thinking.”

“You can’t let that happen.”

“No I can’t.”  Nick agreed. 

“So why are you back?  Why aren’t you together?” 

“I can’t smother her.” Nick laughed.  “I’m going to see her tonight.  Brooke wants to take it slowly, she wants to have a real relationship.  I think she’s right, we do need to get to know each other.  We’re going to go out and do things, things normal people do.  Cindy I’m already in love with her but I intend to make us both fall deeper and harder in love than ever.  I want to strip her mind of any doubts that she has, I want to show her that I am the man she needs to be spending the rest of her life with.”

“And you will.” Cindy promised him with a smile. 

“Yeah, I will.” He agreed with a new sense of confidence.

 

 

“Sit down.” Brooke gestured to a chair.

“Look, I’m sorry I got loud out there but I gotta admit I’m friggin’ pissed.  You claim you want to give me a chance and the first opportunity you crap out on me.  You promised to call me Brooke, you promised to fax me the photos, you said you wanted my input!”

“And I did.”  She said softly as she covered his hand with her own.  “Things just took a different course.”

“Ridge.” Deacon muttered.  “Prince Pathetic comes into your line of vision and all else goes flying right out the window!” He made a motion like a plane taking off.  “Same story, different day.”  He added with an exaggerated sigh.

“It wasn’t like that at all.” Brooke insisted.  “Not that I have to answer to you but I didn’t go to New York, things happened and Thorne took the trip.  I didn’t know about this so I had no chance to tell him that I wanted you included.”

Deacon was stuck silent.  He looked her in the eyes and believed her.  “I’m sorry, I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

“It’s understandable.” Brooke smiled.  “And I promise you, when Thorne returns you’ll be sitting at my side as we make our decisions.  Deal?” She held out her hand to him.

“Deal.” Deacon grinned and shook it.  “I’m sorry I went off on you.  I’ll go get back to work and let you do the same.”  He stood to leave.

“Wait.” Brooke stopped him.  “There’s more I want to talk to you about.”

 

 

“Everything is perfect.”  Ridge said to himself as he carefully gave the place the once over.  “She’ll remember, she’ll remember and this time she WILL say yes to me.”

 

 

“That was Debra Foster.”  Nick told Cindy as he wrote something down.  “She was withdrawing her application, she took another job today.”

“Oh that’s too bad, she really looked good, at least on paper.” Cindy picked up her resume. 

“But it was good of her to let us know.” Nick sat down.  “So is anyone coming in today?”

“We have Ethan Scott tomorrow morning, we had Debra Foster.”  She paused to cross off the name.  “We have Kelly Parsons tomorrow too.  No, no one today.  Are you going to take off?  See Brooke?”

“I might give her a call and see if she’d like to get together earlier…..orrrrrrrrr.”

“Or?” Cindy asked.

“I could call some of the other people and set up some interviews.  I need to start working and earning that big fat salary I’m getting.”  He settled into his chair.  “Maybe Mr. Scott or Ms. Parsons would be able to come in today?”  He picked up their files.

 

 

“Eric, do you have any idea where Ridge is?” Stephanie walked into her husband’s office and sat down.  “Something very odd is going on here.”

“I’m sure he and Brooke are just finishing up anything that has to be done and then they’ll be off to spend some time alone together.” He smiled at her.  “I know you’re not happy about this but Ridge loves her, this is what he wants and you’re going to have to try and support it.”

“That’ll be a cold day in hell.” She muttered loudly enough for him to hear.

“I’m serious Stephanie, Brooke and Ridge are just meant to be and nothing you can say will stop them.  You need to stop fighting and just accept it.”

“Never.” She gritted her teeth and glared at him.  “And I am sickened by your attitude.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way but I’m very happy for them, in fact I’m excited and I plan on telling them just how excited by throwing them the biggest celebration ever.”

“Over my dead body!” Stephanie stood.  “It’s bad enough we have to put up with her here, I am not going to welcome her into my family, not now, not ever!”

“She’s already a part of this family and I do NOT want Rick or Bridget hear you speaking this way about their mother!”

“Mother? Ha! A whore with worse parental skills than an alley cat!” 

“Stop it! You stop it right now! I warn you Stephanie.” Eric’s normally calm face was turning scarlet in anger. 

“Dad? Is something wrong?” Bridget walked in to see her father and stepmother glaring at each other.  “No, don’t tell me, this is about Mom isn’t it?  It’s about Mom marrying Ridge.”

“Never you mind about that.” Eric put his arm around his daughter.  “We may not all be thrilled but you are and I am and we’re going to show your Mom and Ridge just how happy we are.  Would you like to help?” He asked her. 

“You know it.” Bridget smiled.  “I’d do anything to make Mom and Ridge happy, anything.”

 

 

Deacon sat and waited.  He frowned as Brooke looked at him, opened her mouth and then stopped. “Whatever it is just say it.” He told her.  “I’m a big boy, I can take it.  What did I do wrong?”

“Deacon, why did you marry my daughter?” Brooke finally asked him.  “No wait.”  She stopped before he could answer.  “I think we both know the answer to that.”

“You’re so sure you know me aren’t you?” He angrily shot back.  “You’re so sure I don’t love her.”

“You may well have grown to love her.” Brooke said with a sigh.  “What’s not to love about her after all?  She’s young and beautiful and trusting and loyal, everything a man would be attracted to.”

“Any man but me?” Deacon challenged.  “Are you saying I couldn’t love her?”

“Even you Deacon.” Brooke conceded.  “I think you could easily love her.”

“Then what’s the problem?” He was growing impatient.  He hadn’t expected this from Brooke, they had been getting along so well.

“You’re a man of the world, Bridget isn’t worldly, she’s an innocent.  In my opinion that’s just not a good match.  Deacon you don’t belong with my daughter.  I want you to think about ending this marriage.  You could end up way ahead of the game if you do.”

“Ahhh, so this is how you’re going to get rid of me.  Going to try and buy me off?  Too late sweetheart, your ex wimp and his gorilla wife already tried that again, though why I will never know, it didn’t work when I first came to town and it ain’t gonna work now.”  He stood up and looked at her with disgust.  “She loves me Brooke, like it or not she loves me.”

“Th, they tried to pay you?” Brooke gasped.

“Yeah, just like you were going to.  You’re all the same.” He leered at her.

“No, no Deacon, I wasn’t talking about you coming out ahead financially.  I meant you have a job and maybe you could have a relationship with the woman you really love.”

“Oh? And who is that?” He turned back to face her.  Did people know about his meetings with Tatiana he wondered? Not that he loved her, he was curious about her and he’d enjoy f*cking her but he didn’t even like her let alone love her.

“Amber.” She said softly.

“Whoa! Now this is really getting good.” Deacon laughed.  “So this way you get rid of both of us don’t you?  Geez Brooke, I really had you pegged wrong.   And for your information whatever Amber and I felt for each other, it’s long gone.  The only connection we share is Little D.”

Brooke blushed but didn’t back down.  “You’re going to tell me you still don’t want her?  Are you Deacon?  After all, she is one of the main reasons you married my daughter isn’t she?  You did it to taunt us all.”

“That is exactly what I’m telling you!” He answered quickly.  “Amber is nothing more than a friend.  Sorry Brookie but you’re stuck with a daughter in law that you don’t like.  I can’t help you there.”

“Fine, fine, you don’t want Amber.”  Brooke was a little flustered.  “But you can’t tell me you married my daughter for love, you know you didn’t and so do I!  Face it Deacon, you may not want her now but you married Bridget to get to Amber.  You wanted to taunt us and you used Bridget, you used her.” Tears of frustration came to her eyes.

“You better watch it, just one word from me and you’d lose your daughter Brooke.  Believe me, she loves me and she IS loyal.”

“You keep telling me how much Bridget loves you, what about you Deacon?  Are you going to tell me you love her?”

“I do.” He said, suddenly his tone was soft and his expression changed too.  “I won’t let anyone hurt her.  Anyone! Geez, I never thought I’d have to worry that it would be you.”

“You really do love her.” Brooke seemed shocked as she sat back.  “I guess all this time you’ve spend with her you have come to appreciate her and maybe you even do love her, but Deacon, are you IN LOVE with her?  That’s important, it’s very important, without that your marriage will never survive.”

 

 

 

“And we will Bridget, we’re going to throw the greatest celebration that either of them has ever seen.” Eric gave his daughter a hug.

“Have you totally forgotten Taylor and our grandchildren?” Stephanie reminded Eric.  “Surely they won’t find anything to celebrate.”

“Enough!” Eric shouted at her.  Taylor and Ridge were over long before Brooke came home.  You have to find a way to lose your bitterness or this family is going to fall apart.”

“Stephanie, please tell me you’re not unhappy that Mom is alive.” Bridget looked pleadingly at her. 

“I’m happy she’s alive Bridget. Your mother and I will never be friends but I am happy she’s alive.  I am NOT, however, happy that she’s stuck her claws into my son again.  I won’t support that, I will not be a hypocrite and pretend otherwise.”

“It’s just a party.” Bridget said softly.  “Stephanie, they’re already married, you can’t change that.  Wouldn’t it be a lot easier on all of us if you just tried and accepted it?”

 

 

Nick hung up the phone and walked over to Cindy.  “Good news, they can both come today.   But the bad news is that they’re both coming over around he same time.”

“That could be awkward.”  Cindy agreed. 

“Well if they do come together we have to try and make it less so.  So while I’m talking to Mr. Scott you can talk to Ms. Parsons and then we switch.  That way we can both talk to both and try and make some decisions.”

“You want ME to interview them?”  Cindy asked with a look of confusion.

“Whoever we hire will be reporting to you, damn right I want you to have a say in who that is.”  He smiled at the stunned woman.  “I didn’t tell you that?” He asked her.

“Um, no.” She laughed.  “Are you sure you want that?  I mean I don’t have my degree yet.”

“I minor technicality. You’ll have it soon, you did register for those final credits didn’t you?”

“Before I even left New York, my classes start next week, but it’s night school Nick, that means it will take a bit longer.”

“Not a problem.” He assured her.  “Anyway, I’d really like to be able to make an offer today.  Both look great on paper and Carla likes them too.  Personally I’m leaning towards the man.”

“Any particular reason?” Cindy asked as she looked at both resumes.

“Well without sounding like a total ass it’s just that I am starting to feel a little outnumbered.”  He laughed. “We hired the admin that’s coming in Monday, a woman.  We have a receptionist starting sometime next week, another woman, the lawyer that Kat recommended is also a woman, then there’s you.  I just thought the office could use a little testosterone.”

“Don’t you give it plenty of that?” Cindy teased. 

“Okay, okay, I’ll just be outnumbered.”  He laughed.  “But give Mr. Scott an equal chance, that’s all I’m asking.”

“I will.”  Cindy smiled.  “Promise.”

 

 

“You can’t answer or you won’t?” Brooke challenged Deacon.  “Please, just be honest, if not with me, with yourself.  Deacon my daughter is too young to be married, especially to a man who doesn’t love her with all his heart and soul.  I know you don’t want to hurt her, I really do believe you, but don’t you think living a lie is going to hurt her more in the long run?”

“What makes you so sure we’re living a lie.  Deacon was losing conviction in his voice, but he didn’t like to back down, not to anyone.

“Are you faithful?  I doubt it.” Brooke shook her head.  “Sooner or later you’re going to be bored, you don’t want a wife, you don’t want to settle down, especially with a young girl like Bridget.  What then Deacon?  You leave her after she truly believes in your marriage?  And what if there’s a child?”

Deacon’s color went from red to pale. 

“She’s not is she?  Oh God please tell me she’s not.”  Brooke begged him.

“No, but you’re right, she wants to be.” Deacon admitted in a soft voice.  He looked up at Brooke.  “So what exactly do you want me to do? Go home and say, hey honey let’s get divorced?”

“I, I don’t know.  All I know is that I want my baby to have a normal life.  I want her to go to school, to date, to go out with friends, to just be happy and I really don’t think in the long run either one of you will be happy.”

“You’re not answering me.” He insisted. 

“You need to let her down easy.  Tell her you do care about her but that the marriage was a mistake.  Be honest with her Deacon and be honest with yourself too.”

“And where exactly does that leave me?  Suddenly no wife, no job, no nuthin’.”  He said with an angry look.

“I told you that your job is safe.” Brooke insisted.

“Oh yeah, like the old fart is going to keep me around after I dump his kid.”

“It’s not Eric’s decision, it’s mine.”

“And how are you supposed to explain that to Bridget?  Sorry sweetie but I just want to keep the guy who broke your heart around in case he might go for Amber and break your brother’s heart too?”  His words dripped with sarcasm. 

“I guess I didn’t think it though. I just wanted, I just wanted.”  Her eyes filled with tears. 

“They’re not children anymore Brooke, you have to let them live their lives and make their own mistakes.” 

“Now I suppose you’re going to go to her and tell her how I tried to ruin her life, and her brother’s?” Brooke looked sadly into his eyes.

“No.” He gave her a smile.  “I’m going to think about what you said and I’m going to think about what I need to do.  I know you love your daughter, I know you don’t want her hurt but I have to think about myself too.”

“I won’t let you down if you help me Deacon.  I swear I’ll be in your debt.  And I’m sorry.”  She added softly.

“Sorry?” He frowned.

“Sorry to have to ask this of you, sorry to put you in this position, sorry for not believing you when you said you do love her.  Maybe I’m wrong, maybe this whole thing is crazy, you were there for her the whole time I was gone, maybe you’re better for her than I give you credit for.  I just don’t know anymore.” 

“You know a lot more than you think.” Deacon said thoughtfully.  “I’ll talk to you later Brooke.  And thanks for treating me with respect.” 

“Do you mean that?” She asked.

“Yeah, I really do.”  He was stunned himself that he did.

 

 

 

“Nick.”  Cindy knocked on Nick’s open door.  “I’d like you to meet Ethan Scott, I’ve just interviewed him for the new position.”

“Come on in.” Nick smiled and stood up.  “Hello Mr. Scott.” He offered his hand and was pleased when the man returned a firm handshake.  “Has Cindy shown you around?”

“She has.” Ethan replied.  “You’ve set up quite an impressive office in a very short time.”

“I’m pretty pleased with it.” Nick smiled.  “So sit, sit, I have a few questions for you myself.”

“I’ll leave you two gentlemen.” Cindy gave them both a smile and left the office.

 

 

Megan looked up as Brooke left her office carrying her briefcase and her purse.  “Done for the day?” She asked her boss.

“It’s been a trying day.  I think I’d just like to go home and relax a bit.  I wanted to talk to Bridget but I haven’t been able to find her, though Joe said she hasn’t left the building.”

“Shall I tell her to call you if I see her?” Megan asked.

“Please.” Brooke sighed and pushed a strand of hair back from her face.  “I’ll be home, I’ll keep my cell on, I think I may lie out by the pool a bit.”

“Are you seeing Mr. Parker again?” Megan couldn’t hold back her curiosity.

“Tonight.” A genuine smile crossed Brooke’s face again.  “We have a date to well, do just about everything we missed while we were on the island.”

“Sounds like fun.” Megan winked.  “Enjoy yourself Brooke, be happy, no one deserves it more than you do.”

“Thanks Megan.  I’ll see you tomorrow.” Brooke gave her a wave and walked away.

“Ridge is not going to be a happy camper.” Megan said to herself with a chuckle.

 

 

“Did someone run over your puppy dog?” Tatiana asked Deacon as she entered his office, closing the door softly.

“Huh?” He looked up at her.

“You seem sad.  Are you?”

“Just deep in thought.” He answered her.  His eyes took her in from head to toe taking a long stop at her hips and her breasts.

“For God’s sake Deacon are you ever going to stop looking at me like I’m naked?”

“I’ve never seen you naked.” He looked up at her face.

“Fine.”  She threw her purse to the floor and reached for the front of her blouse.  She methodically opened each small pearly button.

“What are you doing?” Deacon growled at her.

“You won’t pay any attention to me until something is done, hopefully this will end some of your curiosity and we can get onto business.”  She spread the blouse open exposing a soft blue lacy bra with a front closure.  “You exasperate me.”  She opened the clasp and freed her breasts.  “Here.”  She took them into her hands and walked closer to Deacon.  “Look at them, touch them, do what you must and THEN can we become serious again?”

“You’re good.” He howled.  “And those are some bodacious tata’s you got there.”  He got up from his desk and walked over to her.  He slid his hands under hers.  “You can let go now, I’ve got them.”

She shot him a look of contempt but dropped her hands away.  “Are you satisfied?” She asked.

“I’m not sure you’re woman enough to satisfy me.”  He grinned and caressed her breasts, thumbs circling her nipples turning them to dark, rock hard pebbles.

“You wouldn’t know how to handle a woman Deacon, especially one like me.” She pushed his hands off of her and slipped the bra back on.  “Show time is over.”  She closed the clasp and then started working on the buttons on her blouse again.

“I’ve handled more women than you can even imagine.”  He walked back to his desk and sat down.  “But thanks for the show, next time how about a lap dance?”

“Things are going on here.” She ignored his comment and cut straight to the heart of her agenda. 

“Such as?” He stared at her.  He wasn’t giving anything away for free.

“I’ve heard that Ridge Forrester and Brooke Logan are either married or getting married and that Taylor Forrester is going to work here.”

“So far it’s all rumor.  I was just with Brooke and she ain’t wearing no wedding ring.”

“Proves nothing.  They are saying they married in Vegas, a quickie thing.  Perhaps they didn’t buy a ring doing it on impulse and all.  I imagine Taylor Forrester isn’t very happy.”

“I don’t give a sh.” He stopped.  “Yeah, I imagine she’s none too thrilled.  She wasn’t exactly doing cartwheels over Brooke’s return.  And sweetheart, you just exposed your hand.”

Tatiana gave him an angry scowl and then composed herself.  “Excuse me?  I do not understand what you are saying.”

“Don’t play sweet and innocent with me princess, I knew sooner or later you’d get careless.  Besides, if you claim to trust me and want my help I need to know the who’s, what’s and when’s don’t I?”

“Do NOT call me that!” She gave him an icy stare.  “What who, what and where did I tell you?  You talk in riddles.”

“I do?  I talk in riddles?” Deacon laughed.  “Princess you’re the queen of doubletalk.”

“I told you not to call me that!” She hissed.

“Got an aversion to royalty?” He frowned.

“You only call people you hate by those names.  I’ve heard them about Stephanie Forrester, Taylor Forrester and Brooke Forrester, not to mention some of the vile names you have for Ridge, Eric and Rick Forrester.  It must be difficult for you to be a member of a family you have such little respect for.”

“And once more I ask you, why do you care? What’s your connection?  And I KNOW you have one.”

“I have no connection to anyone here.” She scoffed. 

“Then why do you have heart palpitations every time the name Taylor comes up hmmm?” He grinned at her.  “Gotcha!”

 

 

 

“What the?” Brooke squinted as she walked into her house.  She could smell food and hear very soft music coming from upstairs.  “Must be Rick and Amber.”  She sighed.  “And I so wanted to be alone.”  She dropped her purse and briefcase on the couch and kicked off her shoes.  She picked up a pile of mail and absently went through it.  “No, I won’t let them change my plans, they can do what they want and I’ll do what I want, and sooner or later they’re going to have to find their own place to live.”  She started up the stairs so spoke loudly, loud enough for her son and daughter in law to hear.  “Because unlike Stephanie and Eric, I don’t run a boarding house.”  She walked up to the master bedroom and stood at the door.  It was obvious that the scents of food and the sound of the music were coming from inside her own bedroom.  “Sorry guys but this room is off limits.”  She announced as she opened the door but she stopped as her mouth fell open.  “Ridge?” She whispered.  The room was decorated with silky fabrics that were obviously Japanese.  There were posters on the walls and on the dresser a plethora of Japanese delicacies were laid out.  “Ridge what are you doing?”  She turned to the man who lay on her bed wearing a bright red kimono. 

“Yours is on the back of the bathroom door.”  Ridge answered with a smile.  “Go get changed, your sake is waiting.”  He motioned to the small glass on the nightstand.

“Ridge, what is going on?  What is this all about?” She asked with another squint as she shut the bedroom door.  She didn’t want Rick or Amber to walk in on this.

“I was thinking about some of our best times Logan, our most romantic times, and I remembered the night we created Nagano right in this room.  I figured what worked once should work again.  I set the mood, now just relax, change and come to me.” He held out his open arms. 

“I’m not sure this is a good idea.”  She looked at the short, sexy robe.

“You had no problem walking around for months letting Tarzan see your breasts, you can put on a simple robe for me.”  He said with a touch of anger.

“Let’s not go there again Ridge, you know how things were on the island.”

Hrumph.”  He growled, then cleared his throat.  “Forget the island, just put it on so we can capture the mood.  I worked hard to get the room just right.”

“It’s beautiful.”  She looked around.  “But you shouldn’t have done this Ridge.”

“I’m going to recreate every memory we have Logan, every good one that is.” He added with a wink.

“That shouldn’t take too long.” She muttered.

Logan?” He frowned. 

“You can’t go back Ridge, what was good and romantic once might not be now.  We can’t recapture the past.”

“We can build a future then.” He told her, tapping the bed.  “Come on Logan, I went to a lot of work for this, indulge me a bit won’t you?”

“I, I.”  She shook her head.  “Oh Ridge.” She walked to the bed and sat down next to him.

“Go put on your kimono.” He reached and stroked her long blonde hair. 

“You have a selective memory.” She gestured to everything in the room.

“What? Have I forgotten something that was important?” He looked around, straining to see what he had overlooked.

“You forgot the most important thing.”

“We already were married.” He smiled.  “I tried to fix that but you weren’t ready.  Maybe this will help convince you hmmm?”  He reached for her hand but she pulled it away.  When he looked up at her her eyes were filled with tears.  “I hope that those are happy tears.”  He reached to wipe her cheek and was stunned when Brooke cringed from his touch.  “What?  What did I do wrong?  I thought you’d like this.  What can I do to prove myself?  I was thinking about building a huge sandcastle for you, but I didn’t know how to get you to the beach and I knew you wouldn’t want sand in the bed.”  His attempt at humor didn’t achieve the desired effect as Brooke’s tears flowed even more freely.  Logan what?  Tell me, talk to me.”

“It’s so beautiful.”  She sobbed softly.  “You have always been so good at creating magic for me.”

“It’s easy Brooke because you are magic.  You inspire me.” He took her hand and clutched it tightly.  “I love you.  Marry me Brooke, please marry me.”

“I thought we already went through this Ridge.”  She sighed.  “I thought I explained to you over and over how I felt.”

“I know I shouldn’t have done it in Vegas, I realize everything I did came out wrong and I am not going to rush you, I swear I’m not, just put the ring back on and we’ll wait, we’ll wait until you’re ready.”

“I told you why I couldn’t marry you Ridge, weren’t you listening?” She asked. 

“You’re using him Brooke, you’re using him because you’re afraid that I’ll hurt you.  I won’t, I will never hurt you again.  Look.” He spread his arms wide.  “Look at this room Brooke, it’s a monument to us, to what we were and to what we can be.”

Brooke held his hand in her own two hands and stoked it gently and lovingly.  She looked around the bedroom at everything Ridge had done, then she turned to face him.  “Do you remember that night Ridge?”  She asked him.

“Of course I do.” He grinned.  “It was so perfect, so beautiful and so wild.  My wild, wild Logan, how I loved you that night, how I love you now.”

“I remember that night too Ridge.”  She released one of her hands and touched his cheek.  “I was so in love and so happy.  We were so in tune, so perfect together.  It was like we were one heart, one body.  When you made love to me you knew just how to touch me, where to kiss me, how to please me.  We were never so connected in our lives, never.”

“I knew this was the right thing to do.” Ridge said proudly.  “I knew if I could remind you of where we’ve been that you’d realize where we belong.  I knew if you remembered our night, our magical night.”  He grinned and stroked her hair.

“I remember our night Ridge, I remember it better than you can imagine.”

“Then give in to it Logan, give in to me, to us.  Let’s recreate the entire night right now.  Let me make love to you, let me show you just how in tune we still are.”

“The entire night?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh yes, and I remember just what you like.” He winked.

“And when we get to that one part then what?” She asked.

“We start all over again.” He laughed.  He was thrilled, it was happening, his Logan was his again.

“That seems to be our entire history doesn’t it?” Brooke asked him.

Hmmmm, it can be if you want.” Ridge purred.  “Let me undress you, let me show you how much I want you.”  He looked down at the robe and how it was now lifted from his lap. 

“I’ll say it again Ridge, selective memory.” Brooke let go of his hand and sat up.  “Nothing ever changes, it never will.”

“It will only get better.” He answered.  “Now let me feed you something.  I got sushi, your favorite.”

“I’ve lost my taste for sushi Ridge, that tends to happen when you spend months on an island in the rain with no way to start a fire and nothing BUT raw fish to eat.”

“Oh.” His face flushed.  “I wasn’t thinking, but I have other things, I have some wonderful chicken and beef and there is rice and sake and well, if you don’t want it I’ll call for a pizza, as long as I have you I don’t care.”

“I remember that night.”  She said again, her face lost in thought. 

“Well shall we, umm, get DOWN to it?” Ridge grinned.

Brooke had to smile.  She looked at him and touched his face again.  “We were so hot that night.  I remember being so sated, so serene.”

“We’ll get there.” Ridge promised.  “But we need to work our way slowly, we have a lot of new memories to build.”

“And thirsty, we ran out of champagne.” She reminded him.  The look on her face gave Ridge a chill and he didn’t know why.

“I uh, didn’t get any, but I can go for some.” He told her.

“I was the one who went for some.” She said.  “I broke the spell, I left our bed.”

“Well then let’s not risk that, let’s stick to the sake.” Ridge suggested.  He had a sick feeling that he couldn’t shake.

“Little did I know that it would be the last time we shared a bed.” Brooke reminded him.  “Little did I know that while I thought we could never be more connected that you would leave me.  And you did Ridge, you not only left me but you made me sign a paper to say that we were never married.  NEVER MARRIED!” She shouted.  “Do you have any idea the pain that I felt?”

Logan?” He gasped.  “Please, don’t think about that, it’s the past, it’s over, this is our new chance.  We finally have our time.”

“If I had a dollar for every time you or I said that, well I’d be richer than I am.” She said with a bitter laugh.  She suddenly recognized the music playing.  “Unforgettable.”  She said softly.  “It seems I am very forgettable to you.”

Ridge got up and started to tear the posters from the walls, he pushed the food into the wastepaper basket, he pulled the silk from the lamps and the bedpost.  “I’ll do it differently, I didn’t think, I didn’t think.”

“What shall we try next Ridge?” She asked him.

“Anything, anything you want, just love me Brooke.” He begged her.

“Hmmm, Barbados was lovely, but then that all started with a betrayal didn’t it?”

“But I came for you, I knew I was wrong and I came for you.”

“And you married Taylor in the end.” She reminded him.  “Big Bear!” She smiled and snapped her fingers.  “We made snow angels, we skied, we made long, sweet love.  Oh no, wait.  You left me and married Taylor.”  She looked him in the eye.  “Detecting a pattern yet?”

“This is different, I swear it is!” He grabbed her hands.  Logan please.”

“You did suggest the beach.”  She smiled.  “Sandcastles right?”

Logan?” He looked terrified.

“Our wonderful, beautiful wedding.  What happened then? Hmmm?  Oh no wait, don’t tell me, I know.”  She looked him in the eye.  “Our marriage was invalid right?”

“I didn’t know she was alive.  I wanted to be with you, I divorced her Logan.”

“And yet you told her it was only ‘for the children’ right?  But even if that was only to make her feel better, you still ended up going back to her.  Shall I go on?  Would you like to talk about some more highlights of our love?  How about that beautiful gown you created for me?  I wasn’t supposed to know about it but well, I did and I was so happy.  I couldn’t wait for that moment out on the runway.  Imagine my surprise when Taylor walked out in my gown?”

“You know what happened, you know what I saw.” Ridge said in a feeble attempt to defend himself again.

“You saw me kiss Grant goodbye.” She told him.  “And yes, I do understand how you could misinterpret it.”

“Thank God.” He said in a whisper. 

“But what I can’t understand is why you didn’t come to me for an explanation.  Instead you had to humiliate me and break my heart too.”

“It’s over, it’s done, it’s the past Logan.”

“The past has a habit of repeating itself, especially with us Ridge.”  She walked to the bedroom door and opened it.  “I told you in Las Vegas that I couldn’t marry you.  I told you the reason was because I loved another man.  I was honest Ridge, I was honest with you.  You swore that you understood that you’d ease off and let me do what I had to do.  Even though you claimed that I’d come back to you in the end you still said you’d let me be.  This isn’t letting me be Ridge! In fact it’s just a reminded of why we don’t work, why we never worked and why we never can work.  Go home Ridge, I just want to be alone! Go home!”

 

 

“I’m going to offer him the job.” Nick told Cindy.  They were in his office, Ethan was waiting in Cindy’s office.  “I think we’re in agreement.”

“I think he’s wonderful.” Cindy agreed.  “And so did Carla.”

“And I think if Ms. Parsons is good we can hire her too, then I think we’ll have a good starting staff.  Agreed?” He asked.

“Agreed.” She smiled.  “This is so exciting.”

“So do you want to make the offer or shall I?”

“Oh Nick, you’re the boss, you make the offer.”

“He WILL be reporting to you.”

“He might not like that Nick, he has the degree and I.”

“You’ll have it soon and Cindy, you have the experience that you can’t buy with a degree anyway.  Go get him and we’ll see if he’s ready to take the job.”

 

 

Tatiana took a bite of the tasteless sandwich and listened to the woman going on and on.  She had trusted her instincts and it had paid off.  She knew that the pretty blonde secretary would know the personal details and gossip about everyone and that reaching out in friendship would help her quest.  She put down the food, took a sip of her iced tea and wiped her mouth with her napkin.  “So you think he’ll end up back with Taylor?  I thought after all the talk about his being married to Brooke Logan.”

“I got it straight from Brooke that there was no wedding, just rumors.  And yeah, I think that because Brooke seems to not be ready he’ll turn to Taylor, it’s his pattern.” Megan explained.

“How so?” Tatiana was careful not to look TOO interested.  She was giving nothing away.

“He loves them both.  He can’t seem to ever really let go of either one.”

“I’m sure that the women aren’t very happy about that.  Do they hate each other?”  Tatiana asked with a slight look of interest.

“They’ll never be friends, that’s for sure.” Megan explained.  “They’ve always been rivals.  Somehow it seems that Taylor usually comes out ahead.”

“How?  I thought that he married them both?” Tatiana asked the woman. “Do you mean that now that he is not with Brooke he will turn back to Taylor?”

“The rivalry is very strong.” Megan told her.  Taylor has the one ace that Brooke doesn’t have, the children.  I think that has always hurt Brooke, that she never gave him a child.  She was pregnant by him, but she lost the baby, both times.  Taylor being the only mother to his kids gives her the advantage.  It means a lot to her, that I know.  But still, I’m sure that at some point he will be back with Brooke, but just the same at some point he’ll be back with Taylor too.  I wish that he could find true happiness with one of them.  I know he loves Brooke and Brooke adores him, but I think maybe he’s more comfortable with Taylor, and they do have the children.  Both Taylor and Ridge adore their kids and I think they’d really do anything to give them a happy home.”

“Devoted parents, that is honorable.”  She answered, calm on the outside, seething on the inside.  “Do you think Taylor would take him back though?”

“In a heartbeat.” Megan answered.  “I saw her when Ridge came back with Brooke, even though they were already divorced, she was hurting.  I know she is still in love with him.  I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he turns up at her door and she lets him in, and lets him into her bed too.  Taylor has always been in love with Ridge and I think there is nothing in the world she wants more than to make him her husband again.  And with Brooke backing away she may just get her wish.”

And with that a new plan formed in Tatiana’s mind.

 

 

“Bridget are you sure this is a good idea?  Your mother seemed to have had a rough day.  Maybe it’s not the best time to visit her.”

“Megan said she went home to lay out at the pool, we won’t be intruding.” Bridget answered her husband.  “And I need to know what really happened, I don’t understand all the different rumors going around.  Ridge swore to me they were married.”

“And like I said, Brooke didn’t seem married to me.” Deacon shook his head.

“Did you ask her?” Bridget wondered.

“I told you, I went in to ask why I wasn’t kept in the loop about New York and she said Thorne went instead and that when he updated her she wanted me there.”

“See honey, that proves I’m right.  Thorne went, she was with Ridge.  They’re married.  But he’s at work and Mom’s home waiting so we can have some time to visit her.”  She pulled her key from her purse and inserted it into the lock.  “Come on.” She led him inside.  “Mom?” She called out. 

“She’s probably outside.” Deacon surmised after they got no response. 

“I’m going to make some of that tea she loves baby, why don’t you go out and join her?” Bridget suggested as she walked into the kitchen.

“Yeah, alright, whatever.” Deacon shrugged.  He wasn’t sure that Brooke would appreciate this visit, especially after their long conversation earlier, but he was trying to think, he had to make some decisions and he didn’t want to upset Bridget so he had agreed.  He walked to the patio door and opened it.  The sunlight was bright and he had to use his hand as well as his sunglasses to shade his eyes.  He shut the sliding glass doors and walked towards the pool.  Suddenly he stopped. He blinked, not believing what he was seeing.  His body immediately reacted.  She was a goddess.  He had always thought her attractive but he had never expected to see this.  He gulped nervously, unable to turn away from the beautiful nude woman lying on the lounge chair.  Her tan was complete, not a single line from a swimsuit, Brooke must do this often he thought.  Then he remembered the island and smiled.  How he envied that man, imagine stranded all that time with that.  She was perfection, her breasts were two peaks that he would do just about anything to explore.  The golden patch of hair beckoned him with desires that he had never even imagined.  He had sudden thoughts of burying himself deep in that patch of heaven.  He imagined how she would taste, the look on her face as he pleasured her.  His thoughts were wrong, unpure and he didn’t care, he wanted this woman like he had never wanted a woman in his life.  He seemed glued to the spot, unable to move, unable to do anything.  He desperately did not want to alert her to his presence.  He was too immersed in his fantasy.  His rock hard pen*s throbbed in his jeans.  Everything but this woman was forgotten, no longer was he thinking about his wife or his job or anything else, just this glorious woman.  He knew he had to turn away, he realized that she believed that she would have total privacy, that she would resent his intrusion, but still he couldn’t look away from her.  Finally he found his footing.  Backing up, still not turning his eyes away he started to backtrack his steps.  Brooke would never know, they would leave. His fantasy would be his forever, something he could call up when he was bored or uninspired with his child bride.  Maybe Brooke was right, maybe he did need to end this farce, maybe he really did need a real woman.  After his encounter with Tatiana and now Brooke he was surer than ever, he needed more.

“Mother!” Bridget gasped loudly.  Deacon was stunned, not realizing she was behind him.  “What on earth were you thinking?  Oh my God, are you trying to prove Stephanie and Taylor right?”

Brooke sat up and squinted at her audience.  “Oh for goodness sake Bridget, I’m just sunbathing in the privacy of my own yard.”  She reached for her sarong, stood up and tied it around her waist, totally ignoring her uncovered breasts. 

Deacon gulped again as his erection grew harder. 

“Your boobs!” Bridget chastised her.

“Sorry, I’m just not used to this, I was finally feeling comfortable again.” Brooke pulled the towel from the chair and draped it around her shoulders, covering her breasts.  “Better?”

“I can’t believe you were doing that.” Bridget shook her head, her face bright red.

“Like I told you, I wasn’t expecting anyone.  Amber called and told me that she was taking little Eric and meeting Rick to go out for pizza so I knew I’d be alone.”

“Well you aren’t.” Bridget looked at Deacon.  “And you’ve embarrassed my husband.”

“Bridget stop.” Deacon told her.

“I’m sorry Deacon, I had no idea that you’d be here.”  Brooke walked over to the poolhouse.  “I’ll go put on a swimsuit, I’ll be right out.”  She walked in. 

“I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately.  She seems to have no pride.” Bridget told Deacon. 

“I guess with all that time on the island.” His eyes were on the door where Brooke had disappeared. “She’s sure in good shape.” He couldn’t help adding to Bridget’s dismay.
 

 

Ridge was frustrated, both physically and emotionally and he was in a vile mood.  He stormed past Megan, ignoring her as she tried to hand him messages.  He waved his mother away as he sped past his own office.  He pushed open the doors to the fitting room where his latest creations were being pinned and fitted on the lovely new model by Eric. 

“Hello Ridge, I didn’t expect you back and I thought I’d lend a hand.” 

“I can handle it.” He gruffly answered. 

“It’s not a problem for me son, I’m rather enjoying getting to know Tatiana.” He smiled at the young woman. 

“Who?” Ridge asked, then he looked up at the girl.  “Oh, the new spokes model.  We haven’t met.”

“Then we must remedy that.” Eric said in a cheerful voice.  “Tatiana, this is my son Ridge, the very talented Ridge I may add. Ridge, this is Tatiana.”

“Tatiana what?” Ridge asked with a frown.

“Just Tatiana.”  She said in a deep, sultry voice.  “I’d offer my hand but I am afraid I am pinned together and the dress might just fall.”  She gave him a sly smile.

“We couldn’t have that now could we?”  Ridge finally managed a smile.  “Go on Dad, I can take it from here.”

“What about Brooke?  Why aren’t the two of you off doing.

“Never mind Brooke.” Ridge cut him off. 

“But?” Eric looked perplexed.  “You should be on your honeymoon.”

“Yes, we should.” Ridge agreed.  “But she refused to marry me.  Now enough about her, you go on, I’ll handle this.”

“Ridge, I’m sorry.” Eric said softly. 

“Yeah, well I am too.”  He took the pins from the table and walked up to Tatiana.  “I didn’t imagine the sleeve that way, would you mind if I tried something else?”

“It’s your dress.” She smiled. 

“Ridge, we’ll talk later.” Eric told him.

“Nothing to talk about really.” Ridge said quickly.  “By the way Dad, is Taylor in the office today?”

Tatiana held back her catlike smile.  Everything was falling into place.

 

 

 

“So how was your day?” Nick handed Brooke a bright bouquet of wild flowers. 

“After you left?  Horrible, until now.” She gave him a hug and a quick kiss on his lips.  “These are beautiful.”

“No more beautiful than the woman holding them.” Nick smiled.  “And sorry Princess but that kiss just won’t do.”  He pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep sensual kiss.  Mmmmmm, now that was much better.”

Yyyes.”  She said, catching her breath.  “Come in, please.”

He put his arm around her waist as they walked inside together.  “Wow.” He said with a whistle.  “Fancy place.”

It’s home, well sort of.”  She shrugged.  “I’m thinking about moving.”

“Really?” He gave her a questioning look.  “Care to explain why?  I can tell there is a story there.”

“One that I really would rather forget, but I’ll give you the abridged version.  Ridge came over and tried to pressure me, well not really pressure me, he was trying to make me remember our past.  He wanted me to reconsider marrying him.” 

“And did you?  Remember the past I mean?” He asked her without too much concern.

“Did I ever.” She said with a sad smile.  “You know Nick, this house has too many ghosts, too many memories and most of them are not good.  I’m just not sure if I’m just reacting or if a change is what I really need.”

“I have lots of closet space and a nice big bed ready to share.”  He looked up hopefully.

“Now don’t you do this too.  I just need time.  I need to really start to feel normal again.”

“Kind of hard with me around, I’m not exactly your normal type.” He teased.  “But I did promise not to pressure you.  Maybe I need to learn about subliminal suggestion.”  He looked over at the darkened TV screen.  “Think I can buy a commercial or something?  Nick Brooke! Be with Nick!  It’ll go through your head and you won’t even know why.”

“You’re so cute.” Brooke laughed.  “And I don’t need that to want to be with you, I already do.”

“Good.” He grinned and pulled her to him again.  Their mouths met in another deep kiss. 

“You’re crushing my flowers.” Brooke pulled the bouquet from between them.

“I’ll buy you more, I’ll buy you a whole shop full.”  He winked.  “I hope you really like them, I thought about roses but they’re so cliché.”

“They’re beautiful and very thoughtful.”  She looked at the assortment of flowers.  “This one, Nick we had this one!”  She touched the exotic bloom.  “I wore it in my hair.”

“I know.  I can still see you wearing that, your sexy little sarong and a smile.  I made sure he gave me a couple of them, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you with them either.”

“You didn’t like me wearing just my sarong.” She giggled.

“Sure I did, but it was frustrating.” He laughed.  “But very memorable and enticing.”

“Let me put them in water and we can go.” Brooke looked towards the kitchen.  “Come with me.”

“Sure.” He followed her into the clean and modern kitchen.  He sat on the tall stool in the center island while she got a vase out of a cabinet and took it and the flowers to the sink.  “So tell me about your day.” 

“I hired two people, a woman with a good financial background and a guy from Oxford, very smart, very good.  I think my assistant likes him.”  He chuckled.

“I would hope so if you’re going to be working together, or do you mean that in the junior high sense?”  She teased.

“You know me way too well.” He laughed.  “I guess he’s what you’d call a hunk.”

“YOU are what I’d call a hunk.” Brooke said as she turned to admire his clean blue shirt and tan pants.

“Ah, but a hunk of WHAT? That’s the question.” He grinned.

“A hunk of sexy man, that’s what.” She licked her lips.  “A very sexy man.”

“Well I went with that look because I was going to be with a very sexy woman and I thought it was a good fit.” He teased.

“We are.”  She said shyly.  “So, um since you’re new in town would you like me to suggest some places?” 

“Actually I did my homework.  The Internet can be used for a lot more than chatrooms, message boards and porn you know.” 

“So I’ve heard.”  She smiled. 

“And I asked a few people too.  I was told about a great steakhouse, a burger joint, an ice cream place to die for and a couple of romantic places to well, what’s the word? Spoon? Neck?”

“Sounds heavenly.”  Brooke put the last flower into the vase and held it to Nick.  “How do they look?” She asked. 

“Beautiful.” He answered, but he was looking at her tanned breasts as they rose and fell in the white halter-top she wore with her aqua linen pants. 

Brooke blushed and looked down at herself.  “Seems my breasts have been the object of more than one conversation today.”   

“Do I want to ask?” He asked her.

“Nah, not really.” She laughed. 

“You don’t mind me appreciating you do you?” He asked her.

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.” She answered honestly.  She put the vase down on the table and walked over to him.  She let him take her back into his arms.  “This feels so right.” She sighed.

“I want to make love to you Brooke.” He kissed her neck and the top of her full breasts.

“I want that too, but I can’t, not yet.” 

“Why?” He asked her.  “It’s not like this is our first date or anything.”

“But it is.”  She protested.  “And Nick, I want it to work, I want to really discover each other just like it was a first date.”

“But that’s silly.” He held her face and came in for another deep kiss.  “We’ve already connected on the deepest plains Brooke, physically and emotionally.”

“Please try and understand.  I just want to do this right.  I’m not saying this is forever, just humor me please Nick.” 

“I just don’t know why you want us to torture ourselves.”

“Being together isn’t torture.”  She held both his hands.  “We already know how great the sex is, I want to know everything else.  If we just hop into the sack how will our relationship grow?”

“I can show you something growing.” He pulled her against him. 

“Nick that’s not fair.”  She laughed and pulled away. 

“You want me as much as I want you.”

“I never said that I didn’t.”  She admitted.  “Give me a month, just a short little month. Please?” 

“A month?” He gasped.  “Brooke that’s an eternity.”

“A couple of weeks then.”  She reassessed her original thought. “We can take a couple of weeks to just get to know each other can’t we?”

“You’re making this very hard.” He emphasized the last word. 

Stooooooooop!” She giggled. 

“I’m sorry but I happen to love you Princess and it’s very difficult to not want to show you just how much.  But if this is what you really want I’ll move heaven and earth to give it to you.  Crazy as it is.”  He had to add.  “Because I really do love you.”

“I love you too.” She said softly.  “Now will you take me out on a date please?”

“My lady, your wish is my command.” He said with a mock bow.
 

 

“Don’t move.”  Ridge instructed Tatiana.  He adjusted the pins on the sleeve and stood back to admire not only his work but the woman wearing the dress.  “Beautiful.”  He smiled. 

“And it feels good too.” She told him.  “The fabric has just the right amount of give and yet it stays so smooth.  How do you manage that?”

BeLieF.” He muttered.  Tatiana knew that she had said the wrong thing but she knew that she couldn’t just leave it now.

“What is that?” She asked. 

“A chemical treatment for the fabric, it keeps it from wrinkling.  Brooke invented it.”  He explained in a monotone. 

“I see.” She touched the flowing skirt with her well-manicured hand.  “I can imagine that it is quite a lucrative discovery.  How did Ms. Logan come to be in a situation to do this?  I thought she was a business woman, a CEO.”

“She was a chemist first, it all came together for her with BeLieF, but I’d really rather not talk about Brooke or BeLieF or the past if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.”  She smiled at him.  “Shall I put on the other dress?”  She looked at the gorgeous red gown on the hanger in the corner of the rack.

“Let me help you out of this one.”  Ridge walked behind her and carefully lowered the zipper.  “Just let it fall and step out of it.” 

She did as he instructed.  Once the dress had fallen off of her she stood in front of him in nothing but a pair of blue lacy panties.  She covered her breasts with her hands.  “Will you bring it to me?” She asked him.

“You can go behind the screen if you want.” He gestured to the screen standing near the rack of clothing. 

“It’s not necessary.”  She told him.  “I’m not ashamed of my body or embarrassed.  It’s almost like you’re my doctor.  No reason to hide from your eyes.” 

“Fine.”  He walked to the rack and took the dress off of it’s hanger.  He then walked over to Tatiana.  She reached out for the dress, moving her hands from her breasts.  She watched Ridge watch her from the corner of her eye.  She could tell that he was appreciating the view.  She couldn’t move too quickly, she had to entice him, to make him want her, pursue her and if necessary, have her.  But she also had to make it slow enough for him to let Taylor feel that there was a chance to rekindle their own relationship.  It would be like walking a balance beam, but Tatiana loved a challenge.  She slipped the dress on and let it fall naturally over her body.

“Hmmm, that’s not quite right.”  Ridge inspected the dress and his model.  He tugged and smoothed, moving the dress into the position where he felt it belonged.  Tatiana’s nipples hardened as Ridge’s hands caressed the bottom of her breasts through the silky material.  “Better.”  He stood back.  “But still not right.”

“It’s tight in here.”  She indicated under her armpits. 

Yes, and the neckline isn’t plunging like I wanted.”  He walked to her and used his finger to hold the long vee down.  “It should be more like this.  It’s going to have to go back to the cutters.”  He said angrily. 

“Shall we move on to something else?”  She asked him. 

“The black one.”  He said.  “You get out of this, I’ll get it right to the cutters and you can put on the black one.  If you don’t mind I think we might have to make this a late night.”

“I have no plans.” She told him.  But in truth her plan was working at a pace she couldn’t even imagine.  She blushed as her stomach growled. 
“I’ll get us something to eat.” Ridge laughed.  “I haven’t had anything either.” His face turned dark as he remembered the disastrous meal in Brooke’s bedroom, but he pushed the thought away.  “I’m in the mood for sushi.  Do you like it?”

“Love it.”  She lied.  She would eat shoe leather to make this work. 

“Great.” He smiled as she slipped off the dress and handed it to him.  This time she made no play of modesty and didn’t cover her breasts. 

“You go and I’ll get the dress on.”  She gave him a sexy smile and let her body rub against his as she walked to the rack.  He didn’t see the cat like grin as she felt his erection.  Maybe she could move faster than she wanted.  As long as Taylor wanted him it would all fall into place.

 

 

“You know your mother is NOT going to be happy to see us again.” Deacon frowned as he and Bridget approached Brooke’s door for the second time that day.

“Mom isn’t home.  I think she and Ridge are on a date.” She smiled.  “So does Amber.  And when she and Rick asked us to join them for pizza and some movies how could I say no?”

“Easy, N O no.” Deacon shook his head.  He wasn’t in the mood for a family scene, not when his head was in such turmoil over his marriage and Brooke and everything else but he didn’t want to upset Bridget.  Things would be bad enough soon and he wanted to spare her as long as possible.  “I just hope it’s not one of Amber’s chick flicks or one of Rick’s Harry Potter, Star Wars, Spiderman kid vids.” Deacon rolled his eyes. 

“I don’t know what movies they have but I’m sure we’ll have fun and then when we get home we can put on one of your sexy movies and play along.  What do you say to that?” She giggled and batted her eyes at him. 

This was going to be harder than he had ever imagined.

 

 

Brooke giggled and held her hand in front of her mouth as she attempted to suppress a burp.  “Sorry.  But it IS your fault.”  She smiled at Nick.

“Hmmm, and I forced you to get the extra chili on your burger?” He teased.

“And the cheese fries too.” She added.  “Nick I’m going to weigh a ton if we keep this up.  Not to mention raising my cholesterol sky high.”

“Not from just one night of gorging ourselves.”  He laughed.  “Are you having fun?”

“You know I am.”  She took his hand and gave it a squeeze.  “But I am going to have to say no to the ice cream, I’ll burst.”

“Me too.” He rubbed his belly.  “I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt so full.”

“It’s a good feeling though isn’t it?” She asked him.

“Do you still do it?” Nick wondered.  Brooke knew exactly what he meant.

“Yes.”  She blushed.  “Half the time I horde things, put half my meal away to save it and the other half I just eat until everything is gone.  It’s embarrassing to eat in front of people.  They’re either acting worried that I’m not eating or making all kinds of comments about my healthy appetite.”

“Feel free to be yourself with me.” He wiped the corner of her mouth with his napkin.

“I do.  Oh Nick I just feel so comfortable with you.”

“Like a worn old couch?” He asked with a frown.

“Like I’m where I belong.”  She intertwined her fingers with his.  “I feel safe and secure and happy and free.”

“Hmmm, okay, that’s good.” He said.  “But usually feeling comfortable and safe is like saying boring.”

“There is NOTHING boring about being with you.” Brooke assured him.  “What I’m trying to say is that everything just feels so good.  There’s no stress.”  She looked at him.  “Well maybe a little.”

“I stress you out?” He raised his eyebrows. 

“I stress myself out.  I swear I’m not playing games Nick.  It’s just that being here alone with you, I feel such a strong desire and I wonder why I made those silly rules.”

“Rules are meant to be broken.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“But these rules feel right too.  Hard, but right.  I know we need this time Nick.”

“And silly me agreed to give you this time.”

“Us.” Brooke reminded him.  “This is for us, for both of us.”

“No Princess, it’s for you.  I already know what I want.”  He smiled.  “But I do like this getting to know each other stuff.”

“So do I.”  She agreed with a broad smile.  “So what next?” She asked him.

“How about a walk on the beach?” Nick suggested.

“Well, that’s not exactly new to us.” Brooke argued.

“A California beach is.”  He argued.  “But if you don’t want to.”

“I think I like the idea of something old done in a new way.”  She looked deeply into his eyes.  “But then I like doing just about anything with you.”

“And I like doing everything with you.”  He couldn’t resist the sexual tease.  He knew that Brooke was finding it harder and harder to resist him, them, their love and he knew that when she was ready it was going to be the beginning of their new life together.

 

 

“Ridge.”  Taylor stopped short, almost running into her ex-husband as he carried the gown towards the fitting room.  “I didn’t expect to see you here this late.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here at all.” He nervously looked down at his feet. 

“I’m at a fork right now Ridge and I just don’t know which road to take.”

“I know how that feels.” Ridge sighed.  “Can I help?”

“Maybe you just did Ridge. Just seeing you like this is too hard.  Maybe it’s best that I just tell Eric thank you but no.”  Hey eyes glistened with unshed tears. 

“Doc, I, I.”

“Don’t worry about me Ridge, I’ll be fine.  You should go home to your wife.”

“No.” Ridge shook his head. 

“You can’t be so busy that you can’t even leave on time Ridge. I know Brooke must not be happy.” 

Taylor we, I, Brooke, we’re not married.  We didn’t get married.”

“You didn’t?” Her voice was reduced to a hopeful whisper.  The tears stopped and she looked up at him.  “You’re not married?”

“No, and we’re not going to be married.  Not now, not ever.” 

“I, I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.” He looked deep into her eyes.  “And maybe I’m not either.”

“What are you saying Ridge?”  Did she dare hope?

“I’ve done some crazy things Doc.  I’ll never regret leaving to find Brooke, I’ll never regret bringing her home.  But maybe I got carried away in it all, maybe I let the past take over my present, maybe I, maybe I.”

Shhhhhh.”  She smiled and touched his lips with her finger.  “I never stopped loving you Ridge.”

“I don’t know how you can even stand talking to me.”

“It, it wasn’t easy when I thought.”  She stopped. 

“I’m not sure where I am, where I belong anymore Doc.  I’m not sure of anything anymore.  I thought I knew, I thought it all made sense but everything just exploded into nothing.  Everything I believed just wasn’t real.”  He was momentarily silent.  Then he took her hand and looked into her eyes.  “I never meant to hurt you.”

“But you did.” She said honestly. 

“Maybe someday I can make it up to you.”  He sighed.  “I threw it all away didn’t I?”

“Come home Ridge.”  She whispered. 

“Home?” He asked.  “Doc my head isn’t straight right now.  I’m not sure if I.”

“The children miss you.  I miss you.  But I know you’re not ready.  So just come home, you can stay in the guestroom until you’ve had time to think, to decide.  I never wanted our marriage to end Ridge, but it did.  Now maybe, just maybe we have a chance to fix it.  But I won’t push you and I won’t beg you.  I just want you to know that you can come home.”

“Doc.”  He pulled her into his arms and held her.  He was so confused.  He wanted to be loved.  He needed someone to validate him.  Maybe it wasn’t Brooke.  Maybe it had been Taylor all along.  “Do me a favor.”

“Yes?” She asked.

“Take this into the fitting room.  I need to get something else, then I’ll meet you in there.  We can talk.  Okay?”

“Okay.” She agreed with a smile.  “And Ridge, I’m really sorry that she hurt you.”

 

 

“You’re falling asleep.” Nick pulled her closer to him.  Brooke had her head on his shoulder and her eyes were closed as they drove in his new Mercedes convertible.  “I think that our parking trip will have to wait for another night.”

Mmmmm.”  She purred.  “But I don’t want tonight to end yet.  Come home with me.  We can have some coffee and maybe watch a movie, cuddle on the couch?” She suggested. 

“Shall I stop at Blockbusters?” He asked.

“We can just do an on demand thing, there has to be something decent we can pick.”  She leaned in and started planting soft wet kisses on his neck.  “Or we can just watch TV.  It’s not the show I’m interested in, it’s the company.” 

“Shows, movies, we never did talk about our tastes.  I wonder if we’re compatible?

“Oh we are.”  She wrapped her arm around his back and leaned in closer, her head now resting on his chest. 

“I bet you like stuff like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.”  Nick ran his free hand up and down her arm.

“No fair, you know I like Tom Hanks because of Cast Away.”  She teased.

“That DID come in handy.”  Nick laughed.  “But still, I see you liking romantic comedies and maybe a good thriller.  Maybe even a sad dramatic flick.”

“And I see you sitting down with the Die Hard collection digging into a tub of popcorn shouting YippeeKiYay along with Bruce Willis.” Brooke laughed. 
“I do like Die Hard.” He confessed with a laugh.
“And I bet you like Lethal Weapon.” She challenged.

“The first and the second ones only.”  He answered. 

Hmmmm.  And I bet you have a secret stash of old videos too.”

“What kind of videos are you talking about young lady?” He asked with a chuckle.  “For your information I don’t have a single Debbie Does Dallas or Deep Throat or anything like that in my collection.  Not that I’ve never seen one.”  He had to add.

“I was talking about Porky’s and Dumb and Dumber and Something About Mary.” Brooke giggled.

“Damn, the woman knows me waaaaaaaaaaay too well.” Nick laughed along with her.  “But I also like a good quality comedy, not just the slapsticky kind.  I love Bull Durham.”

“Oh me too.” Brooke agreed.  “How about Field of Dreams?  I cry every time he sees his father.”

“Well I don’t cry, but I like it.” He admitted.  “And I’m a sucker for the old black and white classics.  Casablanca, Citizen Kane.”

“We’re very compatible.”  Brooke purred. 

“I already knew that.” Nick kissed the top of her head.  Then he turned serious.  “Brooke, I want to make love to you.”

“Would you settle for some good old fashioned necking?” She asked.

“I guess I have to huh?”

“Yup.” She smiled and touched his face.  “I may even let you get to first base.”

“Honey, I’ve already hit a grand slam, I won’t settle for less than a double.” 

“Works for me.” She smiled and relaxed. 

 

 

“Oh hello, I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” Taylor gave Tatiana the once over. 

“Hello?” Tatiana wasn’t quite prepared for this moment.  She had wanted it to be her doing.  She had wanted to be in total control when she first came face to face to the woman who had given her life.  She shook herself slightly to regain her composure.  Maybe this could work for her anyway.  She saw that Taylor was carrying one of Ridge’s gowns. 

“I’m Taylor.  Ridge asked me to bring this gown in here.  I didn’t realize he was doing a fitting.  You must be the new model.”

“I am Tatiana.” She said in a regal tone. 

Something about this woman made Taylor feel uneasy.  She couldn’t put her finger on it. Perhaps it was jealousy.  She was young and beautiful and she knew that Ridge had had his hands all over her.  That must be it, she thought.  “It’s nice to meet you.  How do you like Forrester?”

“Which one?” Tatiana asked her with a frown. 

“The company.” Taylor smiled. 

“Oh yes.  I like it very much.  And I like Ridge Forrester and Thorne Forrester very much too.” Tatiana answered with what could only be called a smirk.  “Where is Ridge?”

“He, he said he had to get something.”  This girl made her nervous, no doubt about it.  There was something familiar about her and yet Taylor knew she had never met her.  “Are you having a fitting?” She asked, too nervous not to say anything.

“Duh?” Tatiana answered with a catty laugh as she stood proudly in the Ridge Forrester design. 

“Well, I, I guess I should be.”

“Hey Doc, I see you’ve met Tatiana.” Ridge bounded into the room.  He smiled at his ex and then at the young woman.  “We have three more dresses to do tonight and then I’m free.”

“Have you, um, did you think about it?”  Taylor didn’t want to have a personal discussion in front of this woman, she made her very uncomfortable. 

“I’m thinking the guest room and being with you and the kids is a very nice idea.  But I just don’t want to give the kids the wrong idea.  Neither one of us is sure just what it is we want.” He walked up to Tatiana and started adjusting the gown. 

Taylor wanted to scream out ‘I am’, but she would not do that in front of the sexy young model.  “We can discuss this later, at home.”  She stressed the last word, not sure why, but knowing that she wanted to get one up on the girl.

“Are you going to reconcile?” Tatiana asked.  “The same day that you did not get married?  Americans are very odd sometimes.” 

“Ridge, I think this is something that we should talk about alone.” Taylor was angry now.

“Okay, you’re right.  You go on home Doc and when I finish up I’ll come over.  Just leave the key or something.”

“I haven’t changed the lock.” She answered.  

“Oh, okay.” Ridge smiled, returning his attention to the young model.

“Okay then, I’ll see you.” Taylor said, disappointed that already some other woman had his attention.  Well she would make sure that once he got home he would see just which woman he wanted to be with and it wasn’t Brooke or Tatiana.  “Okay then, I’ll see you later.”  She repeated.

“Uh huh.” Ridge said absently as he pinned the long slit on the skirt.  He didn’t even look up as Taylor walked out.

“She’s very pretty.” Tatiana commented once the door closed. 

“Huh? Oh yeah, she is.” Ridge was immersed in his work and the beautiful woman in front of him.  His head was parallel to the vee in her long legs and he swore he could smell her musky womanhood.  He was so hard that it hurt.  He rarely reacted to a model this way.  At least he hadn’t in years.  He had thought he was immune but there was something about this woman.  She reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.  “I know just what I’d like to put my finger on.”  Ridge was shocked that he had voiced his thoughts.  He turned red but Tatiana just looked down at him and smiled. 

“Maybe some day I’ll let you.”  She purred and spread her legs slightly, giving him the shock to see that she was no longer wearing the sexy blue panties.  “Maybe someday very soon.”

Ridge didn’t know what came over him.  He seemed to have lost all control as he pushed the fabric of the dress away and buried his head deep between her legs, his mouth, his tongue savoring the taste of this beautiful young woman.

“Yes, yes.  Oh that is so good.” She moaned, pushing her mound against him.  She smiled like the cat with the canary as she let Ridge bring her to a fast and hard orgasm.  She had them all right where she wanted them.

 

 

“Put me down, I feel like I weigh as much as an elephant tonight!” Brooke giggled and protested as Nick carried her into the house.

“You’re a feather, a LARGE HEAVY feather, but still a feather.”  Nick lifted her up higher in his arms. 

“You’re crazy!” She giggled.

“Crazy in love with you.” He agreed. 
“The couch, put me on the couch.” Brooke giggled.

“Mom!” Bridget gasped as the light went on.  “What’s going on?” She asked accusingly as Brooke looked to Nick and then to the crowd sitting on her couch.  “Why are you with this man?  Where is your husband?  Where is Ridge?” Bridget demanded.

 

 

 

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