Chapter Eight


“Come on sweetie, we’re going to have so much fun in the kiddie pool.” Donna held onto her niece’s hand as she led her on. Hope laughed as she skipped along.
“Swim!” She said excitedly.
“I wonder where Mommy is.” Donna said, more to herself. She hoped Brooke was opening up a bit and allowing herself to have some fun with Nick. She worried that the hold Ridge had on her was too strong. Brooke needed to truly let go or her life would be filled with pain. But Donna knew how stubborn her sister could be and how badly she had wanted a life with Ridge. “She needs to remember what he did, she can’t let go of that image, not yet.” She said. “Ridge is not the answer for her, not anymore.”
“Widge.” Hope parroted.
“Forget I said that.” Donna laughed. “Mommy doesn’t need to think you miss him.”
“Mommy!” Hope said excitedly as the entered the pool area.
To Donna’s surprise Hope was right. Brooke was there, she and Nick were in the pool and they seemed to be having a wonderful time. Brooke was screaming and giggling as Nick splashed her and she attempted to splash him back. Donna stopped Hope as they stood there watching them. Brooke was having fun, she looked so young and free and happy and how could she not. “My God, he looks even better without clothes.” Donna laughed to herself. Then she let out a gasp as Nick cornered Brooke in the pool. But it wasn’t Nick that caused her reaction, but her sister. Brooke had reached up to Nick and pulled him into an embrace and then a very hot looking sensual kiss. “Go Brooke!” Donna cheered. She watched intently as Brooke and Nick appeared to be oblivious to everything in the world except each other. The kiss deepened and seemed to go on forever. “She’s going to get herself in trouble if she keeps this up in public.” Donna giggled to Hope. “But good for her, good for her. Come on cutie, let’s go make our presence known.”


“Now that’s what I call a kiss.” Nick said with a grin when the couple parted lips.
“Ummmm, no argument from me.” Brooke purred like the cat that had swallowed the canary. “I don’t know what it is that you do to me, but please, don’t stop. I haven’t felt this good in ages.”
“Happy to please.” He laughed and touched her face. “You know, you’re so much prettier when you smile.”
“Not too fond of my tears huh?” She asked with a squint.
“Even with tears you’re beautiful, but isn’t this nicer?”
“Much.” She put her arms around his neck and moved into his arms.
“I just hope you’re not trying to move too quickly.” He warned. “I don’t mind helping you out of the bad times, but I don’t want to just be a stepping stone.”
“You’re not.” She said softly. Letting the buoyancy of the water help her she straddled his waist with her legs and started planting kisses on his lips and neck and face.
“Whoa.” Nick laughed and pulled back a bit. “Didn’t I come in here to remedy this situation?”
“Oh.” Brooke blushed slightly when she felt him harden against her belly. “Shall I stop?” She asked innocently, planting another kiss on his lips.
“Nah., I’ll survive.” He pulled her tighter against him. “Besides, I kinda like it too.” He grinned and pulled her back into a kiss.


“So you’re really going to do this?” Thorne asked with a laugh as Ridge picked up a pencil and rolled it around his fingers. “You’re going to let them set you up? Mother and Massimo?”
“It’s just a party. You’ll be there too won’t you?” He asked.
“I don’t know Ridge, seems like an ambush. Besides, I’m sure Mother and Massimo would resent me cramping your style.” He laughed.
“I need some moral support.” Ridge put down the pencil and looked at his brother. “I made a mess of my life Thorne and I’m paying for it, God am I paying for it. I’ve lost Brooke, I’ve lost Dad, I’ve lost Bridget too.”
“You need to forget about her.” Thorne warned.
“It was stupid, I was so stupid to let that happen. I guess I really didn’t get over Taylor’s death as much as I thought I did.”
“I hate to say it Ridge, but I think you moved way too quickly with Brooke, I mean I know you two have a history okay, but you should have slowed it down. You never took time to really mourn for Taylor.”
“I did mourn her Thorne, what I have with Brooke doesn’t have anything to do with that. We DO have a history, that’s why it was so easy to just pick it up again. It may seem fast but Thorne, I’ve always loved Brooke, we blew it so many times and I just didn’t want to let that happen again.”
“Then why Ridge? Why Bridget?” Thorne asked him.
“Confusion. That’s all I can say Thorne. I was so damn confused. First Taylor dies, then I find out about Massimo then Brooke and Deacon and I was hurting and Bridget was hurting and we were there for each other and things got strange and they got out of hand and I know they shouldn’t have, they really shouldn’t have. I hurt her, I hurt Brooke, but I know I was wrong and I know what I want and I want Brooke.”
“Did you tell her?” Thorne wondered.
“I’ve tried to, but she won’t talk to me.”
“Can you blame her?” Thorne asked with a frown.
“I need her to listen Thorne, but no, she calls Popeye!” Ridge angrily pounded on the desk.
“Popeye?” Thorne looked puzzled.
“Dominick Payne.” Ridge explained.
“The sea captain?” Thorne asked. “How does Brooke know him? Why would she call him?”
“You got me. I mean, I know she met him at Marone and they talked or something. But I had no idea she considered him a friend. I don’t like it at all. Massimo is pushing him at Brooke. Popeye? The guy has no class at all. Brooke doesn’t need to be around someone like him.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing.” Thorne tried to comfort his brother. “Anyway, Brooke is away so you don’t have to worry about that. I just don’t know why you’re letting them do this party thing. You’re really not going to throw yourself into circulation are you?”
“Maybe it will make Brooke jealous.” Ridge suggested.
“Brooke is too mad to be jealous right now big brother.” Thorne shook his head. “And I don’t think making her jealous is a very smart thing anyway, not after Bridget.”
“She loves me Thorne, she may try to hide it but she does. Brooke loves me and we will be together. But it will be harder with Mother and Massimo on my back, so if I let them think I’m going to move on, I think I can get them to back off.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game Ridge. If Brooke does still want to make it work with you she isn’t going to like this.”
“I’ll take care of Brooke, don’t you worry about that. Once I get her home I am going to romance her until she can’t even remember why she was mad. And then baby brother, I am going to marry her.”


“Nick.” Brooke moaned and moved her lips from his. “We can’t do this here.”
“You’re right.” He agreed. He let go of his tight embrace but took her hands in his. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“You didn’t.” Brooke smiled and kissed him.
“I kind of lose my head with you Brooke, I know we haven’t known each other long, but somehow it feels different, I feel like you’ve always been a part of me.” Nick smiled at her and gently touched her cheek. Brooke blushed and turned away.
“Oh look! Donna and Hope.” She pointed and waved at her sister.
“See, I did it, I embarrassed you.” He told her.
“No.” Brooke blushed. “I just, I.”
“I know.” Nick smiled and let go of her hands. “Let’s go see that pretty little girl of yours shall we?”
“Okay.” Brooke agreed.
They swam to the steps and got out of the pool. Donna watched them and couldn’t help notice how Nick couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Brooke. “He’s a keeper Hope.” She told her niece. “I hope Brooke can see that. I really like this guy. Come on, let’s go see Mommy.” She took the child’s hand and led her to Brooke. “Looks like you two get a little better aquatinted.” She teased as Nick joined them.
“Hi Donna.” Nick shook the water from his hair. He kneeled down in front of Hope. “Hi honey, did you have a fun day with your Aunt Donna?”
“Yes.” She beamed. “Can I have ice cream?” The innocent and hopeful look she gave Nick made him laugh. He turned to Brooke. “Mommy? Can I get her an ice cream?”
“Donna? What did she have today?” Brooke asked with a squint.
“PB and J and apple juice and a couple of cookie.” She answered.
“Okay then, you can have an ice cream.” She turned to Donna. “Do you have some change? I don’t have my purse. Oh, I suppose I could charge it to the room.”
“Let me get it.” Nick offered. “If you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Brooke grinned. “One condition though.”
“Yeah?” Nick asked.
“Cherry Vanilla cone for me.” Brooke giggled. “Donna?”
“Chocolate, double.” She laughed.
“Point the way ladies.” Nick said as he took Hope’s little hand in his own.
“Right down there and then make a right by the water cooler.” Brooke pointed.
“You two behave while we’re gone.” Nick said with a laugh. Then he leaned over and kissed Brooke. She blushed and touched her lips. “Bye.” Nick grinned and he took off with Hope.


“Well?” Donna turned to Brooke after Nick and Hope walked away. “So tell me.”
“Tell you what?” Brooke squinted and squeezed the excess water out of her hair.
“Don’t play innocent with me Brooke, this is Donna. So tell me. What happened? Where did you go? What did you do? And does he kiss as good as it looked?”
Brooke turned beet red. “Donna, stop.” She protested.
“You like him, I know that.” Donna grinned.
“Oh God Donna, I just, I never expected to feel this way.” Brooke put down the towel and sat down. “It’s so confusing. I don’t even know myself.”
Donna sat next to Brooke and took her sister’s hand. “What’s wrong?” She asked with concern. She wondered if she had read it all wrong.
“I’ve never been so attracted to a man in my entire life. Even Ridge.” Brooke blushed even brighter.
“Oh, that’s all.” Donna let out a sigh of relief.
“It’s not nothing. Donna I did things I never do, I mean, not with someone I barely know. But he makes me feel so, so, so right. I feel comfortable with him. I just don’t understand anything anymore.”
“And this is bad?” Donna wondered.
“It’s confusing.” Brooke confessed. “Donna I let things go way too far. I didn’t stop it, I didn’t want to stop it.”
“What happened?” Donna was surprised at this. “What did he do? Did he push you?”
Brooke looked up at her and the look on her face was painful. “He didn’t push anything, it was me. I pushed him, I’ve been pushing him all day. I want him so badly that it hurts. If it was up to me.” She stopped and thought. “Well, it was Nick that stopped me.”
“How far did you go? If you don’t mind me asking.” Donna wondered.
“Too far. Not far enough.” Brooke bit her cuticle. “We, he, I. Donna I’ve never felt anything like that in my life. Never. And I’m no shrinking virgin. I have a healthy libido, I’ve had a good sex life.”
“You had sex?” Donna gasped.
“Yes. No. Well, yeah, I mean, I, he.” Brooke sighed. “Poor Nick.”
“Poor Nick?” Donna frowned.
“I had the most intense experience and Nick, he stopped, he was thinking of me and himself too I guess. He doesn’t think I’m ready and I guess in a way he’s right, but Donna, I want him so badly I can taste it.”
“Then go for it Brooke. Trust your instincts.”
“My instincts are telling me I’m crazy. My instincts have steered me wrong so many times, how can I trust them and yet how can I not with Nick? My head is spinning but when I see him, all I want to do is touch him and kiss him and be with him. Am I insane? I barely know him Donna but he makes me feel so happy.”
“Happy is good.”
Brooke looked down at her hands. “A few weeks ago I was wearing Ridge’s ring, I even hand his wedding ring on my finger.”
“Is this about him?” Donna asked.
“I don’t even miss him right now, yet a part of me is feeling unfaithful. Can you understand that at all?”
“All those years Brooke, you two were tied for all those years. But what was it for you? Did he ever put you first? Was it ever just the two of you in a relationship? In a marriage?”
“No.” Brooke softly admitted.
“Then why the guilt? You ended it. You told him no. You meant that didn’t you?”
“I did.” Brooke answered.
“Then why the guilt over moving on?”
“It’s so fast.”
“Fast? Brooke it’s been years, you’ve tried for years and years and you finally opened your eyes and said no. It’s not fast, it’s a long time coming. And Brooke, if you think Nick can make you happy then you grab it. You deserve it.”
“But everyone will talk.”
“Why do you even care?” Donna wondered. “Those who love you will be happy for you and support you. The others? Who cares? You’re not worried about Stephanie Forrester are you?”
“It’s not that easy to turn it all on and off Donna.”
“I’m sure it’s not. But this is your life Brooke and you need to live it for you. Not Ridge, not Stephanie, not anyone but you. Well, you and Hope.”
“I must be confusing her. She thought she was going to be living with Ridge and his family and now I show up with Nick. My baby must think her mother is a screwball.” Brooke laughed nervously.
“If you ask me, Hope really took to Nick. And I did too. Hey, I’m not telling you to run off and marry him, but if you and Nick can find something together, then I say go for it Brooke, grab it and hold on and have fun and be happy. God knows Ridge hasn’t made you happy in a long, long time.”


“Put it right there.” Massimo instructed as the many people worked on making the Ocean Club into the perfect setting for his party. Stephanie walked up to him checking an item off on her list.
“Good, that’s perfect.” She told him. “I didn’t think we’d have time but we made it.” She smiled.
“And the guests?” He asked.
“Everyone that I wanted has said yes.” She said with a triumphant grin.
“Did you invite ANY men?” Massimo chuckled.
“His brother will he here.” She answered. “This may do him good too. I know he loves Macy and I hope that they can get it back, but she’s holding back too. Maybe this will open both their eyes. Anyway Thorne will be there for Ridge.”
“And that’s it?” Massimo frowned.
“No, there will be other men, but most will be firmly attached to wives or girlfriends. Massimo I want Ridge to see all the opportunities life has for him. And I’ve hedged my bets too.”
“How so?”
“A trump card, or two. Brooke Logan will soon be a distant memory.”
“I think she will be anyway. Ridge is hurting, but he knew in his heart that he needed a woman like Taylor, not a slut like Brooke Logan. And she ran out on him. His pride is hurt but he has to see she played him for a fool. He won’t suffer long, not over her.” He turned to one of the staff. “Not there, I want the floor open for dancing.” Then he returned his attention to Stephanie. “So who is the special woman? Someone from his past?”
“Actually more than one woman, and yes, from his past. Women who are worthy of our son’s love. Women Taylor would have approved of.”
“Good, good.” He smiled.
“I just hope that Brooke doesn’t catch wind of this. I’d not put it past her to try to crash this party and win him back. She hates to lose.” Stephanie looked at the doors to the room. “Maybe we can hire bouncers.”
“It’s already handled and they will be discreet.” Massimo assured her. “But I don’t think she will be a problem. I believe that she is otherwise occupied right now.”
“By whom?”
“Apparently she’s taken an interest in Dominick Payne.”
“The captain?” Stephanie asked. “He’s a rather gruff looking man, but yes, he is much more suited to Brooke and her ilk.”
“He’s a good man. He deserves better, but he’s been at sea for a long time. I can’t begrudge him a little catting around now can I? I rather doubt he sees her as anything more than a bed warmer.”
“As long as she’s away from my family I don’t care who she beds.” Stephanie scoffed. “Anyway, I need to go and make sure the caterers have things under control and I must go home and change too.”
“Yes, yes you do that. Now where is Ridge? Have you spoken to him?”
“Not since earlier, but he assured me he’d be here and on time too.” Stephanie took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Tonight is going to be a turning point for all of us. Our family is finally going to be free of Brooke Logan, forever.”


“Okay cutie pie, I don’t think Mommy will mind this little detour do you?” Nick tickled Hope’s tummy and the little girl giggled. “Nah, me either.” He grinned. “And I promise, as soon as we’re done here, we get the ice cream.” He held her tightly and walked into the small boutique.


“I’m still not thinkin’ this is a good idea Ridge okay.” Thorne looked at his image in the mirror, checking his hair and then he turned to see his profile, flexing and pruning. “I just don’t know why you’d do this if you really want to try and get Brooke back.”
“I need to get Mother and Massimo off my back, it’s harmless Thorne.” Ridge gave him a wink. “Hey, maybe it will be worth it. You might meet someone.”
“I’m not lookin’.” Thorne told him. “And neither should you. You know that I’m more determined than ever to get Macy back. I love her Ridge, I love her and she loves me. There’s never really been anyone else. I can’t even think about being with another woman.”
“It’s just a party.” Ridge shrugged. “It’s not like you’re cheating on Macy. Just have some fun and as for me Brooke’s away anyway. All I’d be doing is killing a night. I’m going to find out where she is and I’m bringing her home Thorne, but if I do this tonight it will get them off my back and it will be easier to concentrate on Brooke.”
“Any idea who they invited?” Thorne asked.
“Knowing Mother, probably models and the like. She wants to distract me.” Ridge grinned.
“Well, just be careful Ridge because if it gets back to Brooke and she was even thinking about forgiving you.”
“I know, I know, it could all blow up in my face.” Ridge conceded.


“Cherry Vanilla.” Nick handed Brooke a cone. “And double Chocolate.” He gave Donna hers.
“Thanks Nick.” Donna said after taking a lick. “Was there a crowd?”
“We had a little detour.” He said with a wink to Hope.
“What did she do?” Brooke asked.
“Hope was a little angel and I just had a stop to make.” Nick answered. He looked down at the little girl and laughed. Her Vanilla ice cream had made a long trail down her chin and onto her bathing suit. “Looks like we had a little leak.” He took a napkin and carefully patted the ice cream stains on the child.
“Tanks Nick.” Hope beamed. “Mommy, Nick is cool.” She announced to Brooke.
“Well, yes, yes he is Hope.” Brooke blushed in agreement.
“Um, what time is the reservation for tonight?” Nick asked with a glance at his wristwatch.
“Bored already?” Brooke teased.
“Not in the least, but I did leave a small crisis and I’m feeling a little guilty that I’m here enjoying myself.” He pushed his sunglasses up into his hair.
“Do you have to leave?” Brooke asked with concern. “You can’t stay for dinner? We can make it an earlier reservation.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He promised her. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Maybe you can call in and find out if things were going better?” Donna suggested.
“Hmmmm.” Nick rubbed his chin. “If I do that, they may guilt me into coming back. Nah, I’ll risk it.”
“Well the reservation is early anyway, I don’t like keeping Hope up late so I made it for 6:30.” Brooke explained. “You can get on the road afterwards.”
“Please don’t think I’m anxious to leave because that couldn’t be further from the truth.” He said with a smile. “I’m really glad you asked me to come.”
“I’m really glad you came.” Brooke said as she looked deeply into his eyes. “Really glad.”
“No ice cream Nick?” Donna noticed he didn’t have a cone.
“I ate mine on the way back.” He answered with an embarrassed shrug. “Couldn’t let it melt now could I?”
“What flavor did you have?” Brooke giggled.
“Guess.” He challenged.
“Mmmmmmm, Butter Pecan.”
“Nope, try again.”
“Mmmmmmm, Strawberry?” She guessed.
“Nope.”
“Mmmmmmm, Fudge Ripple?”
“Close, but no cigar.”
“Give me a clue.” Brooke laughed.
“Come here.” He crooked his finger at her. Brooke got up and walked up to him. “Sit.” He tapped his lap.
“Hmmmm.” Brooke giggled but sat on his lap. “Are you going to whisper into my ear?”
“Nope.” He brought his lips close to hers. “I’m going to let you figure it out for yourself.”
“How?” She asked. Then she looked up and saw the gleam in his eye. “Oh.” She simply stated.
“Think you can?” He asked.
“Let’s see.” And with a soft laugh she moved her mouth to his, her arms snaking around his neck, kissing him deeply and intently. After a few minutes Brooke pulled her mouth from his. She let out a deep, contented sigh. “I love Mint Chocolate Chip.” She exclaimed. “And somehow, this was one of the most interesting ways I’ve ever sampled it.”
“I’ll be happy to share any time.” Nick answered before stealing one last deep kiss.



“I don’t believe her Dad. What’s wrong with her? What’s wrong with him? I mean, I don’t want him with Mom but he claims to love her. How can he go along with a farce like this?” Rick paced back and forth in front of Eric’s desk.
“I can’t understand a thing Stephanie has done Rick. It’s like I never knew her. As for Ridge, he’s giving both of them too much power. He took the first step in getting help, but a party to meet eligible women? That is just so bizarre. Leave it to Massimo Marone to do that.”
“Do you think I should tell Mom?” Rick asked his father.
“No, let her have some peace. She doesn’t need to worry herself about Ridge or Massimo or Stephanie. We’ll bring her up to date when she comes home.”
“That couldn’t be too soon for me.” Rick admitted. “I really miss her.”
“How did she sound last time you spoke to her?” Eric asked.
“She sounded good. She seems to be getting better Dad, but I wonder if that will all change when she gets back into Ridge’s hemisphere.”
“We can’t let that happen. We need to keep her happy and focused and busy. I’m glad that Donna is with her, I just wish that she would let us come to see her too.”
“She’s not avoiding us Dad, she’s just trying to clear her head. Did you talk to her?”
“No. I’ve decided to let her be, but I did tell Megan to tell her I’m here for her, whenever she needs me.”
“You still love her don’t you Dad?” Rick asked.
“I’ve always loved her.”
“Yeah, but I mean love, like in love. Do you think you and Mom could ever, well?” Rick looked up hopefully.
“I guess one is never too old to want his parents back together.” Eric smiled. “Rick, I don’t know. So much has happened, so many things in both of our lives. But I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have my own fantasy about it. I’d love to have her back as my wife. I should never have let her go, I should have tried sooner. I’m not sure how long it will be before she’s ready for another relationship, but if I have any say, it will be one with me.”


“Pretty.” Donna said in approval of the dress Brooke had put on for dinner. It was cream colored with thin straps and a full flowing skirt. She wore matching strappy low-heeled sandals and her hair was pushed into a gentle upsweep. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks. For some reason I had a lot easier time choosing tonight.” Brooke laughed. “Is Nick back yet?”
“No. Where did he go?” Donna wondered.
“He said he had something to take care of, maybe he decided to make that call after all. I hope he can stay.” Brooke sighed.
“It’s been really good for you having him here. I haven’t seen this Brooke in a long time.”
“Have I been so different?” Brooke wondered.
“You seem so happy and carefree now. Before you were always tense, always seemed to be looking over your shoulder.”
“Waiting for the other shoe to drop.” Brooke added. “I’ve made some bad choices in life haven’t I? But I would probably do it all over again. I’m not going to deny my love for Ridge Donna, as badly as things turned out this time, we had some really special times and I loved him more than I ever loved anyone.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m not asking you to forget your memories honey, just put them in perspective.”
‘I know, Ridge is my past. I think I’ve finally come to grips with that.”
“Because of Nick?” Donna was worried. She wanted what Brooke found with Nick to be real and not just a step in getting over Ridge.
“No, before Nick. I know it didn’t seem that way Donna, but it’s true. I was already coming to grips about that, it’s just that Nick has opened my eyes to the fact that there can be happiness. I just feel so optimistic about the future now.”
“With Nick?” Donna asked.
“Maybe, maybe not, but there will be a future for me and I will be happy, in fact today I was happy. That’s a wonderful start isn’t it?”
“It is.” Donna agreed.
“Well, maybe.” Brooke checked her reflection and giggled.
“Maybe what?” Donna wanted to know.
“Maybe being with Nick opened my eyes a little wider than they had been. He’s a wonderful man Donna. I can’t seem to stop smiling or thinking about him.”
“I think he’s good for you, but I want you to be careful too Brooke.”
“You don’t trust him?” Brooke asked with a squint.
“I do, he seems very nice. I like the way he makes you happy. I just don’t want to see you just using this as a way to get over Ridge. I want what you have with Nick be about you and Nick, and not Ridge. Does that make sense?”
“Perfect sense.” Brooke smiled. “And believe me, I’ve thought about that too. When I’m with Nick I don’t think about Ridge, I just enjoy being with Nick. I know I need to be careful. I don’t want to fall into any old patterns or start new self destructive ones with another man, but I think we’re on the right track.”
“Good. Then I will end this silly lecture.” Donna walked over to the bed where Hope was napping. “Shall I wake up curly top?”
“She’s going to be so cranky, she didn’t nap at all today, she was so excited to be spending time with all of us. She wouldn’t stop yapping about Nick.” Brooke laughed. “I guess I’m going to have to make sure we come back from dinner early so she can get to bed.”
“I’ll bring her back and she can bunk in with me. That way you and Nick can have a little time together before he has to leave.”
“I don’t want you to have to sleep with her Donna, that’s beyond the call of duty.”
“She’s my niece and I love her, it’s not a problem Brooke, really.”
“It would be nice to not have to rush back, maybe Nick and I could take a walk or something before he leaves.” She turned and looked at Donna and Hope. “Thanks Donna, I owe you one.”


“Where is he?” Massimo said angrily as he looked out the door again. “Stephanie, have you spoken to him lately?”
“He’ll be here.” She said in a calm voice. “It’s early, give him time.”
“The guests are starting to arrive, I wanted him here to greet them.”
“I think his making a grand entrance will be even better.” Stephanie touched his arm with affection. “He’ll be here Mass, he will and it will all be wonderful.”
“I’ve made some calls, Brooke is NOT in town, we won’t have to worry about her.” He turned and longingly looked at the bar.
“Go get a drink, I’ll wait here for Ridge.” Stephanie instructed him. “Calm down Mass, this is going to be a wonderful night, a night Ridge will never forget.”


“It’s getting late, do you think he had to leave?” Brooke frowned as she looked at her watch. She was disappointed and more than a little upset with Nick. “I should have known better than to trust a man.”
“I can’t see him just leaving and not telling you Brooke, that doesn’t seem to be his style.” Donna came in with Hope behind her.
“His style? Maybe I don’t know his style at all.” Brooke looked at Hope and couldn’t help smiling. “You look beautiful honey. Thanks for fixing her hair Donna.” She told her sister.
“We had fun didn’t we Hope?” Donna asked the child.
“I’m hungry.” Hope announced.
“Well that’s it.” Brooke told Donna. “He’s not coming and we’re not waiting, my daughter is hungry so we’re going down to dinner.”
“Can’t we just give him five more minutes?” Donna asked. “Nick seems so sincere Brooke.”
“Nick is cool.” Hope giggled. “He got a blue shirt.”
“No baby, his shirt is white.” Brooke explained. “Blue is her favorite color.” She told Donna. “So in her little world, everything should be blue.”
“No Mommy.” Hope argued. “Nick got a blue shirt.”
“Hope, it was white.” Brooke corrected her.
“Actually, she’s right.” Nick said as he walked into the room wearing a brand new blue shirt. “And she had excellent taste, she picked it out.”
“Nick.” Brooke gasped. He was clean and showered in a new blue shirt and crisp khaki pants.
“We snuck off on a little shopping trip before we got the ice cream. I didn’t think it would take me so long to get ready tonight.” He explained.
“That’s why you weren’t here?” She asked with a smile.
“I had to look my best and I sure wasn’t going to keep you or Donna or Hope waiting while I hogged the bathroom. I went to the locker room but it was crowded. Sorry I was late. I had to wait for a shower and then I forgot to buy a razor, old habits die hard.” He chuckled. “Then I did make a phone call. Am I forgiven?”
“Yes.” Brooke smiled broadly.
“See Mommy, blue.” Hope said proudly.
“It sure is blue baby.” Brooke grinned. “Are we ready for dinner?”


Massimo smiled appreciatively at the array of women in the room. There we blondes, brunettes, redheads, tall and short, large breasted and small but all beautiful and all here in the hopes of building a life with his son. “Ah Ridge, you will be like a beggar at a banquet, how will you choose?” He laughed and turned to Stephanie. “You did a wonderful job, they are magnificent, he’ll never be able to choose but ah, what fun he’ll have trying. I’ve set up a room in the back for him.”
“A room?” She asked.
“A wonderful room Fanny, with a large bed, a Jacuzzi, a bar and lots of privacy. When he finds the woman or women he wants to be with, he can go and make sure that they are, er, suited.”
“You want him to bed them? Here? Now?” Even Stephanie was astounded by this.
“If it’s his wish yes. He’s a Marone Stephanie and he has hot blood running through his veins. Those women are his for the asking, all ripe, waiting to be picked and he will, if I have any say in it our son will be bedding at least one of them tonight.”
“I hope you supplied condoms too.” She scoffed.
“I did, as well as other amenities. Ridge will want for nothing. Now tell me, who is your ringer? Who do you think will garner his attention?”
“She’s not here yet, but she will be.” She sighed. She was beginning to think that maybe this was too much too soon even for Ridge. “But Mass, these are good women, upstanding women, women like Taylor! I’m not sure that this bedroom setup is the right thing. I want a real relationship for him.”
“I just want to provide him with every resource he could possibly want.” Massimo assured her. “If the situation warrants it, I want Ridge taken care of. Believe me, it will all be very tastefully done.”


Donna was enjoying watching Brooke and Nick even more than she was enjoying her dinner, and her swordfish was excellent. She smiled at Nick and then turned her attention to her niece. Hope was playfully eating her spaghetti and meatballs, making the typical child mess, and loving every minute of it. “Want some help?” She asked Hope as she tried to spear a tiny meatball with her spoon.
“Nick.” Hope said with wided eyed wonder, looking up at the man.
“You’ve been summoned.” Brooke giggled. “At least this will spare me another fish story, at least for five minutes.”
“Ouch.” Nick said in mock pain. He got up and walked over to Hope.
Brooke eyed Nick’s plate with envy. He had ordered a New York Sirloin, french fries and a large Caesar Salad. While Brooke was enjoying her salmon and steamed veggies, she wished that she had been a little less health conscious. With a quick look over at the preoccupied Nick, she reached to his plate and grabbed two of the golden fries and quickly stuffed them into her mouth.
“I saw that.” Nick said sharply.
“Hmmm, must have eyes in the back of your head.” Brooke frowned.
“Help yourself gorgeous.” He winked at her. “What’s mine is yours and all that.”
“I just wanted a taste.” She said with a blush.
“Uh huh.” He handed Hope the spoon. “I think you’re all fixed up now sweetie.”
“Tanks Nick.” She giggled, much like her mother.
“Now for you.” Nick walked over behind Brooke. She felt the heat of his body against hers and his mouth on her neck. He kissed her softly and then whispered into her ear. “I have a lot to offer you, just ask.” And with that he brought a forkful of the rare meat up to her mouth. Brooke closed her eyes and let him feed her. Never had a bite of meat tasted better or more forbidden. She practically purred as she chewed it and swallowed.
“Mmmmmm. That’s good.” She told him. He smiled and then captured her mouth with a kiss. It was deep and sensual.
“More?” Nick asked when he ended the kiss.
“What are you offering?” Brooke looked up at him playfully.
“That’s up to you.”
“Yes please.” She almost whispered. She was feeling a tingling, just like she had earlier in the day. She wanted this man, she wanted him badly.
“Okay.” He said, putting a crispy fry into her mouth.
“Oh.” Brooke sounded disappointed and Nick had to laugh.
“Perhaps you wanted something more substantial?” He suggested. His fork centered on another piece of meat.
“Yes.” Brooke said, but she pulled him to her, this time brazenly claiming his mouth with her own.
“Wow.” Nick gasped when she finally released him. “Now this is a dinner invitation I’ll never forget.”
“I hope not.” Brooke smiled and gave him one more kiss. “Because I know I never will.”


“This is too much.” Ridge cornered Thorne and pulled him outside to the patio. “I don’t know what the hell Massimo and Mother expected but this is insane.”
“I can’t believe how many single women they have in there. Man, this is going to turn into some kind of a cat fight.”
“Thorne you gotta help me.” Ridge begged. “You can take some of them off my hands, please.”
“I’m trying to get Macy back Ridge.” He answered. “I can’t compromise that okay?”
“I’ll help you, I’ll explain, Thorne come on, I can’t do this.”
“You’re going to have to because I just can’t Ridge, I can’t.” Thorne shook his head and left Ridge alone on the marble seat.
“Shit. If this gets back to you Logan.” Ridge said aloud.
“I heard about the engagement and the wedding and I really couldn’t believe it.” Ridge turned to the sound of the soft feminine voice. “I guess nothing I said got through to you did it?”
“Tricia.” Ridge smiled and stood up. “I thought you went back to New York.”
“Only to close up shop. It was hard for me but I liked it here.”
“So what brings you here tonight?” He asked. She sat down and Ridge took a seat next to her.
“Your mother called me. I had second and third thoughts, but then I decided that I owed Taylor one last try.”
“What?” He asked. “A try at what?”
“To help you.” She said, taking his hand. “I know your mother has other ideas, she seems to think I’d be the perfect woman to fill Taylor’s shoes, but Ridge, that is not why I’m here. I’m really worried about you. Did you listen to nothing I said?”
“I’m fine Tricia, at least I will be once Brooke comes home and I can make her see some sense.”
“You know how I feel about Brooke.” She told him. “But that isn’t even the issue here.”
“It better not be cause I’m not listening to anyone else bad mouth the woman I love.”
“This week.” She scoffed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He muttered angrily.
“I was there Ridge, I was there and I saw it start, at least I should have seen it. I feel like a failure because I wasn’t able to stop it. It was wrong, it was so very bad for you and for Bridget.”
“They told you.” He sighed deeply.
“I told you about transference. I explained it to you. I tried to show you the dangers, but unfortunately I only saw it happening with me and with Brooke.”
“I know it was wrong, I do Tricia, it’s over, believe me I’ve seen the light.”
“At who’s expense?” She wondered. “Now she has no relationship with her parents, she lost what she had with you, she’s running away and you could have prevented it. You should have prevented it.”
“I have to laugh.” Ridge said with a trace of sarcasm.
“You find this funny?” Tricia frowned.
“In the fact that mother invited you thinking that you’d be the perfect replacement for Taylor. She’d be very angry if she could hear our conversation.”
“She loves you, but her ideas are outlandish and unproductive. Ridge I’m practicing here, I’d like to help you, I’d like to take you on. Are you willing to give it another try?”
“It’s over with Bridget. I’m fine Tricia, I love Brooke and she loves me and once I can make her understand about Bridget we’ll be fine. Maybe you could help her! Would you talk to Brooke?” He grabbed her hand. “If you want to help me Tricia, this is the way to do it!”


“The storm is getting worse.” Donna announced. “Look out the window.”
Nick and Brooke both looked up at her and then out the window of the restaurant. “It is bad.” Nick agreed. “I hate to end the day like this but I think I’d better see you all back to the room and get going. I have to be on a ship tomorrow.”
“It’s not that bad.” Brooke argued. “Can’t we just have one more glass of wine and beer?”
“Brooke.” Nick took her hand. “I hate this more than you do, I really do. But I promise, as soon as I get back I’m coming back here to see you again, that is if you want me to.”


“She’s here!” Stephanie announced to Massimo. She sounded like a giddy schoolgirl but when he spied the woman he had to take a double take.
“Fanny, she, she looks just like, like his wife.” He stammered.
“That’s because Karen is her twin sister. She’s a lovely woman, smart, refined and beautiful. She comes from good genes. In fact, if Ridge and Taylor hadn’t married, I would have been more than happy to see him with Karen.”
“Was he ever involved with her?” Massimo couldn’t take his eyes off the woman. “Or was it too difficult?”
“Actually she got involved with Thorne.”
“Oh no, then this is not good.”
“It’s fine Mass. Thorne ended up with Macy and she is still the one he loves. Ridge and Karen never really had a chance, but now they can. I know he’ll be happy to see her.”
“He’s with Tricia now.” He informed her. “I like the woman, but I wonder if perhaps she’s not quite right for him at this juncture.”
“I know.” Stephanie agreed. “But she is also smart and cultured and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
“Anyone else you’re going to surprise me with?” Massimo asked her.
“It’s Ridge I’m surprising, and no. I think he’s going to connect with Karen or maybe Tricia, at least he’ll stop mooning over that slut.” She looked over at Karen, who was talking to Megan and another girl. “I think I’ll go and greet Karen.”


“We just made it in time.” Donna wrapped the thick towel around Hope while Brooke brought in another pile from the bathroom. “I never saw a storm get so hard so fast.”
“It’s bad.” Nick agreed. “And I’m sorry to say that I’m really going to have to hit the road before it gets any worse, it’s a long ride back.”
Brooke gave him a forlorn look and handed him a towel. “I wish you didn’t have to leave, but I understand.”
“I wish I didn’t either.” He smiled and used the towel to dry his hair.
“Will you call me, so I know you got back safely?” Brooke asked softly.
“You mean you actually answer that thing?” Nick teased.
“I’ll answer all your calls.” She promised.
“Deal.” He winked. “Let me just make a couple of calls before I leave.”
“Can I make you some coffee?” Brooke offered. “You had a couple of beers and I hate to think of you driving in this storm after that.”
“Coffee would be great.” He told her. “I um, I need to do these calls in private, it’s just business but it’s sensitive.”
“I understand, use my room.” Brooke pointed to the closed door.
“I won’t be long.” He took his cell phone from his pocket and went into Brooke’s bedroom.
“He’s so sweet.” Donna commented. “And he really likes you Brooke, that guy is a goner.”
“Ya think?” Brooke asked with her characteristic squint.
“I can’t believe you have to ask.” Donna laughed and let go of Hope. “Okay cutie, I think we need to get you into your pj’s now.”
“Donna, I’ll do that.” Brooke answered.
“You need to be able to say goodbye to Nick.” Donna teased. “And I think you’ll want some privacy.”
“You’re so bad.” Brooke smiled. “But you’re right too.”


“Brooke and I are oil and water Ridge, I can’t be the one to talk to her, and frankly I think she did the right thing in walking away from the wedding, though I don’t think much of the dramatics she used in doing so.”
“That wasn’t her intention. She was hurt and scared and she wanted to go through with it but she just couldn’t be sure. I need to make her sure and if someone like you stood up for me it could help it happen sooner. I need her Tricia and my kids need her too.”
“Your kids? Ridge come on, this is Tricia you’re talking to. I know how your kids felt about her, they tolerated her at best. You may want her but don’t use them as a crutch, it’s unfair to them and to Brooke. If you two are going to have some kind of a life together you need to do it truthfully and the truth is your kids don’t want her taking their mother’s place.”
“They love her.” He protested weakly.
“Do they?” She wondered.
“They do. But they do love Bridget too. I confused them about Bridget didn’t I?”
“By having her live there, practically being a mother to them? Yes Ridge, you did. You confused them and Bridget and yourself. You did project her into Taylor’s role. At first it was just as the caregiver and while that may not seem harmful, it was. Then you started wanting more.”
“No, that wasn’t how it was. I don’t know why it happened!”
“You wanted more because you started healing. And Bridget was there, and Bridget was so much like Taylor. Ridge what happened wasn’t so strange when you consider the whole thing. And then when you learned about what Brooke did to her, well the protective brother or father figure came out, but you both read it differently.”
“I don’t know what to say. You’re right but you’re wrong too. I was confused, what I did was wrong, but I never stopped loving Brooke. I mean I was very angry with her, so disappointed in her. Deacon? I still have a hard time with that. No matter what was going on in her life there’s no excuse for what she did to Bridget.”
“But you’ve gotten past that?” Tricia asked with raised eyebrows.
“I’ve forgiven her.” Ridge answered, telling Tricia more than he realized he had.


“She wants a story.” Donna came out of her room and joined Brooke. “But she wants it from you. Did Nick leave?”
“He hasn’t come out yet.” Brooke answered with a look at the closed door. “I guess you’re going to have to tell him goodbye for me.”
“No way Brooke. He’s going to have to wait.”
“He’s anxious to get back.” Brooke argued.
“Well he’s going to have to spare a few minutes.”
“It’s late Donna, too late for Hope to be up and very late for Nick to have to be driving. He can go, I won’t make it harder on him.”
“This is not good.” Nick shook his head as he came out of the bedroom. “This is really bad.”
“What’s wrong?” Brooke looked up at him.
“The storm, it’s worse than we knew, the roads out of here are closed, flooded out. I’m stuck till morning. I called the front desk and there’s not a room to spare. They said there’s a place in town but the roads there are getting flooded too. Add to that that my little disaster on the Cortez is getting worse and now I have to send someone in my place.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I could try to make it through but that old bucket of rust I borrowed would never make it. I guess Massimo was right when I told me to get my own car, but you know me, never want to be landlocked. Damn it!”
“The storm will be over by morning.” Brooke said calmly. “You’ll stay here, we have two bedrooms, I’ll sleep in with Donna and you’ll take mine. Problem solved. At least that one is. As for your disaster, I’m sure that in the morning you can make plans to get there.”
“I can’t put you out of your room, or Donna out of hers.” Nick looked around. “The couch looks comfortable enough, I can sleep there.”
“Oh Nick no.” Brooke protested.
“I’ve bunked in a lot worse places. It will be fine and I thank you.”
“I don’t mind sharing a room with Donna. We’re sisters, we’ve done it before.”
“Brooke, he’s right.” Donna broke in. “Hope’s already in the bed, probably asleep. I’d hate to have to disturb her. Nick doesn’t mind the couch.”
“Donna!” Brooke gasped.
“It’s fine Brooke.” Nick said. He stretched and yawned. “Just one favor. Can you set your alarm or ask for a wakeup call? I really need to be on the road as soon as possible.”
“What time?” Brooke asked.
“Five?” Nick shrugged.
“Make it six.” Donna told him. “Please.”
“Six.” Nick agreed.
“I guess I should go tell Hope her story.” Brooke looked at Nick and then Donna. “Can you get Nick a pillow and a blanket from my closet?”
“Sure.” Donna smiled.
“Thanks.” Brooke smiled at Nick and then went into Donna’s room to her waiting daughter.


Ridge was still disturbed by his conversation with Tricia. He wanted to forget what happened with Bridget, he wanted to forget about Deacon and he wanted Brooke back, now the images were flashing through his head again and he found he couldn’t shake them. “Hope. She’s his, his.” He said aloud. “Brooke why? Why?” He knew he had to stop this or he’d never get things back into perspective. A drink, he needed a drink. He turned to find Thorne but came face to face with someone who shocked the hell out of him. “No, no, it can’t be.” He rubbed his eyes, trying to make the vision disappear.
“Ridge, it’s me, Karen.” The blonde came up to him and took his hands. “Karen.”
“Karen.” He whispered softly. “I thought, I thought.”
“I know.” She told him.
“After all this time I still.” He shook his head. “I should have realized it was you. I’m sorry Karen, I’m sure you must think I’m half-insane.”
“Only half?” She asked with a chuckle.
“I was just going for a drink, will you join me?”
“I’d love to.” She linked her arm with his. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
“I didn’t know you were back in town.”
“Two months, but I’ve been laying low.”
“And all this time have you been with your, um.”
“Mother Ridge, I know she wasn’t by blood, but she will always be my mother. Yes, I was with her for a few years, but then I went to Switzerland. I was working at one of my father’s companies there. He and I have gotten very close and he asked me to come back to LA. So here I am.”
“Are you married? Have you been?” He steered her to the bar. “Two champagnes.” He told the bartended.
“No, I haven’t married. After that fiasco with Connor I sort of shied from that institution. But I haven’t been lonely. I’ve dated and work has kept me busy.” She took his hand and held it softly, looking into his eyes. “I’m so sorry about Taylor, I didn’t hear about it until well after the funeral. I would have come.”
“Thank you.” He answered. “I still miss her, we all do.”
“She was a wonderful woman. But it’s good to see you seem to be doing better.”
“Come on Karen, I’m sure you’ve heard all the torrid details about what’s happened since her death.”
Karen blushed and looked away.
“Mother must have said something when she begged you to show up at this event of hers.”
“She told me about the wedding to Brooke, and yes, I read about it. I’m sorry about that too. I know you and Brooke share a long history. I’ve read about her too, Thorne, some man named Whip, she’s been busy.” Karen smiled.
“Brooke hasn’t had a lucky time of it Karen, but this was supposed to be different. I messed up.”
“Well, sometimes we just have to live and learn and move on.” She took a sip of her wine. “And this is a good start for you.”
“I was just flashing on that first time I saw you.” Ridge’s eyes widened. “I was more stunned than tonight. You and Caroline are very different, but similar too. I wish you could have known her.”
“I feel like I do. Thank you for giving me her diaries, it really did help me learn about her. It’s funny, all my life I felt like a huge part of me was missing, and she did too. You know she almost made me fall in love with you all over again.”
“What?” Ridge laughed nervously.
“Well, Blake did a pretty good selling job and long before I met you or Thorne I was head over heels in love with you. Things happened and we didn’t. Then I left, but I brought those diaries with me. I didn’t read them right away, but when I did a lot of those feelings came back. Silly isn’t it? Maybe that is part of the reason I agreed to come tonight. I was single, you were single, maybe something could click.”
“You came to seduce me?” He asked.
“Would that be so horrible?” She put her arm through his again.


It wasn’t the noise of the storm that woke Brooke, but the sudden lack of noise and the stifling heat. She sat up and looked at the clock to see what time it was, but the bright blue numbers were darkened. Then she realized, the air conditioner was off, the power was off. She pushed the offensive covers off and walked to the window. Pulling back the blinds she saw lighting flash through the sky and the torrential rains still coming down hard. But she was hot, so very hot. The sweat was making her thin white nightgown cling to her body and the thought of putting a robe on was just more than she could bear. She walked to the door and opened it. Slowly she tiptoed into the living room area. Nick was asleep on the couch; covered by the thin sheet and Donna’s door was firmly shut. She walked to the door and opened it. The air felt good, but not good enough. She knew it was crazy but she was hot, so very hot. She stepped out into the rain and let it pelt down on her body. Her sheer nightgown was immediately drenched and gave her about as much coverage as cellophane, but she didn’t care. She stood and was watching another bolt of lightning light up the sky when suddenly she felt someone grab her arm. The strong fingers held tightly and roughly turned her around, pulling her into his arms. His mouth claimed her in a hard, proprietary way. Her own arms snaked around him, she couldn’t get close enough. The kiss deepened and his body hardened against hers. Suddenly that thin nightgown felt like it was far too thick. It was offensive and it was unwanted, unneeded. Brooke moaned and looked down at him. He wore nothing but soaking wet blue-grey boxer shorts and all Brooke wanted to do was tear them off of him. Silently she broke off the kiss and took his hand. Without a word he let her led him back inside, into her bedroom. Brooke closed the door and then pulled the nightgown over her head, dropping it to the floor. She walked to him and started to tug off his shorts.
“Brooke wait.” He said, breaking the silence. “If we do this, there’s no turning back.”
“Do I look like I want to turn back?” She asked him.
“You’ll be mine Brooke, and I won’t let you go, not to him, not to anyone.”
“The only place I want to be is with you.” She reached down and tugged his shorts down. Nick stepped out of them and kicked them out of the way. Brooke looked down at him and smiled. “You want me as much as I want you.” She reached down and touched him, first gently and then she stroked him harder. “Now Nick, I can’t wait one more second.”
Nick lifted her into his arms and deposited her onto the bed. He climbed on top of her kissing her, stroking her, touching her until she was ready to scream.
“Nick, oh God Nick.” She wound her legs around his waist and pushed herself against his straining manhood. Then she reached down to guide him into her hot center. “Yes, oh yes.” She moaned as he filled her. “Nick.” She whispered as he began to move harder and faster in and out of her. “Oh Nick.”


“I don’t understand.” Karen pulled the blanket up around her, hiding her body, but not her embarrassment.
“I’m sorry Karen, I really am sorry.” He was as shocked as she was, and he didn’t know how it had happened, why it had happened or even what it meant.
“I’d have understood if you’d called out Caroline. I would have understood it completely.” She said as a tear escaped from her eye. “I’d have understood if you’d said Taylor, or even Brooke, but Bridget Ridge? You called me Bridget Ridge, you made love to me but you called me Bridget.”


“Mmmmmm.” Brooke giggled as she kissed his chest and his neck. “You’re wonderful Nick, we’re wonderful.”
“You’re more insatiable than I am.” He laughed and pulled her into his lap. He kissed her deeply and then just held her against him. “I’m not sure if I have it in me to go another round.” He laughed.
“Uh huh.” She giggled and drew imaginary lines across his chest. “Wimp. It was only three times.”
“Four.” He answered.
“That one didn’t count, you didn’t do any of the work.” She licked her lips suggestively.
“What am I going to do with you Brooke?”
“Anything you want.” She cooed. She started to kiss his neck.
“This is real Brooke, you know this is real. We’re not going to wake up tomorrow and pretend this didn’t happen. We need to talk about it.”
“Mmmmmm, talking is so overrated.” She reached down and cupped him, stroking softly as he grew harder in her hand.
“I’m serious Brooke. This isn’t going to be easy. People are not going to accept this, they aren’t going to accept us.”
“Us?” She looked up at him.
“I told you before we started, I’m not playing games, this is serious, this is real Brooke.” He was starting to get angry. If she was playing him he was going to have none of it.
“I like the sound of that.” She smiled at him. “Us.”
“There is no room for Forrester there Brooke, that’s over now, totally and completely.”
Brooke frowned slightly and then sighed. “He’ll always have a place in my life Nick, he was my husband, he was my lover for so long, and we still work together.”
“You played me for a fool didn’t you?” He pulled back from her.
“No.” She grabbed him and pulled him back into the arms. “I want this Nick.”
“I’m not a substitute or a stepping stone Brooke.”
“No, you’re not.” She promised. “Nick, I wanted this, I made this choice, we made this choice. I want to be with you, only with you, no one else.”
“Not even Ridge?” He asked.
“Ridge who?” Brooke answered.
“Not funny Brooke.” Nick tensed up.
“We can waste our time talking about Ridge, or we can make love. Now what would you rather do?” Brooke asked him.
“I’d rather start this night all over again and get into my car and drive through the rain, roads out or not. I warned you Brooke, I tried to stop it before we crossed that line.” He muttered. .
“You don’t mean that.” She felt tears forming in her eyes.
“I do if I’m just a fling Brooke. I don’t fall in love often and I don’t fall in love indiscriminately. And I don’t like to be used to get over another man. Right now I’m not feeling too sure of anything.”
“You’re in love with me?” She whispered softly.
“I’m getting there.” He admitted.
“Oh Nick.” She hugged him tightly.
“Don’t you dare turn this into pity!” He almost shouted at her.
“Pity?” She pulled back and looked at him. “Nick, you don’t understand.”
“Maybe I do, more than you could even imagine.” He tried to get up but she pulled him back.
“I didn’t want to be in it alone Nick, but now I know I’m not.” She turned his head so he was looking into her eyes. “I’m falling in love with you too Nick, I am, I really am.”
He looked uncertain, but she nodded and a tear fell from her eye. He smiled at her and she smiled back. “Wow.” He laughed. “Hell Brooke, I hope you’re prepared for the journey of your life. Are you ready to set sail with a man unlike anyone you’ve ever known before Brooke? Are you ready to take chances and to reach for the stars because if you’re not.”
“I am.” She stopped him with a soft kiss.
“Do you wanna be my first mate Brooke? Do you want to sail with me? The seas won’t always be calm but I can promise you it will never be boring and you’ll never have to worry or wonder about me. When I give my heart I give it one hundred percent Brooke, when I came to you tonight I mean it, this is real, this is us. Are you ready to take that ride? Will you stand on deck with me over the rough waters Brooke? Will you?”
“Aye aye Captain.” She answered as she climbed back into his waiting arms.



“I don’t know Fanny.” Massimo repeated. “They went to the room, they were there for quite some time, then she came out, she was crying. She ran out and he followed her. I don’t know anything more. I have my men looking for them.”
“Did anyone else see them, did anyone talk to him?” She looked frantically around the room. “What about Thorne or Tricia?”
“I spoke to Thorne, he didn’t even know Ridge had left. Tricia left before it even happened. Now you need to calm down, it may be nothing.”
“I don’t like this.” She shook her head.
“Maybe it got too intense. Stephanie this could be very good for us. He went after her, now you need to remember, he did NOT go after Brooke Logan. This is a very important thing to note. He went after this woman. Maybe she IS the answer to our prayers.”
“But Massimo. Why did she run?” Stephanie asked. “Why did she run from him?”


The bright sunlight woke Brooke. For a moment she was confused and a little frightened when she found herself entrenched in the arms of Captain Nick Payne, their legs wound around each other, their bodies naked and close. Then she remembered it all and she smiled. “Nick.” She said softly. She cuddled tighter into his arms and relaxed. She closed her eyes but opened them when his lips moved to her neck, kissing her, as his hand slid between her legs, touching and exploring her.
“Good morning.” He said softly.
“Mmmmmm.” She moaned as he slid one finger, and then another inside of her. “Nick.” She moaned again.
“The air is on again.” He commented casually, but his strokes began to increase and his kisses moved from her neck to her lips.
“I have to leave.” He said sadly.
“No, not yet!” She gasped and closed her legs, preventing his hand from escaping.
“Shhhhhhhhh.” He kissed her lips tenderly. “Not that soon, but yeah, this morning.” He told her.
“Nick?” She looked up at him. “You’re happy aren’t you?”
“Ecstatic.” He grinned. “And when I get back, we have a lot to talk about.”
“Let’s not talk right now.” She giggled.
“No, I don’t really want to talk right now either.” He moved up and leaned down over her. “I have a lot of other things in mind for the moment.”
“Good.” She laughed softly kissing him as he climbed on top of her. “Oh Nick, oh Nick.” She moaned.


“Yes!” Donna threw her fist in the air in a triumphant gesture. Her first clue had been the abandoned couch, but she had also feared that he had left for Los Angeles. Then she heard the telltale sounds from Brooke’s bedroom. “Oh Brooke, I really hope this is everything you deserve. I hope that he is going to finally be the man to make you happy.”


Ridge handed the woman a steaming mug of coffee and sat down next to her. He looked at the dying embers in the fireplace but couldn’t seem to summon the energy to get up and spark it. “I’m worse than you even think. I’m a mess and I need to make you understand just what happened last night.”
“We made love.” She answered. “It was highly inappropriate, but I suppose if I were honest with myself I’d have to admit that I’ve always been attracted to you and that a part of me always wanted this.”
“You don’t know though, you don’t know everything that happened before. I’ve hurt everyone, I’ve ruined everything. I need help damn it, I really need help.”
“We need to talk about this Ridge, we need to decide what it meant and how far we want it to go, if we even want it to go anywhere. Too many peoples lives are intertwined in this, it’s like we didn’t just go to bed together but we brought your whole family in there with us.” She sighed and leaned against him. “I don’t know why I don’t regret it. I don’t know why I don’t feel more guilty. I should, we both should.”
“I ran out of that party, I left everyone. I started to chase after Karen, but then I just didn’t care.” Ridge said, more to himself than to his companion. “Then I went into that bar.”
“And you found me. I was sad and lonely and not quite sure what to make of that little party your mother threw.” She smiled at him. “She had no idea that it would affect me so much, but then neither did I.”
“Nothing will ever be the same again.” Ridge put his arm around her and gently stroked her arm.
“Nothing has been the same for a long time, not since Taylor’s death.” She reminded him.
“You cared about her, you really liked her.” He looked into her caring eyes.
“She was a good woman. She was and I looked up to her. I wanted to be more like her. But that’s not why I went to bed with you Ridge, that had nothing to do with Taylor, it had to do with you and with me and with a desire that I must have kept hidden for a long, long time. When I was away I thought about you. I didn’t think I would, I never expected to but at the oddest moments I’d see your face. I guess that should have been a clue.”
“So what now?” He asked. “Do you want to forget it, like it never happened? Can you?”
“I don’t think so.” She admitted. “But we’re going to hurt a lot of people. Even if nothing ever happens again, if they find out about last night it will hurt them.”
“So is that what you want? To keep it a secret?” Ridge asked.
“What would you say if I said I’d like to see you again? What would you say if I said that I think there could be more? Would you want to try? Would you even if it meant we were betraying people who loved us?”
“You made the monsters go away.” He told her. “They were gone last night and I didn’t call you by the wrong name. Did I?” He looked up with a touch of fear.
“You only called me by my name Ridge, you only called me Macy.”


Nick hugged Hope and put her down. “Now you be a good girl for Mommy and Aunt Donna and I promise the next time I see you I’ll take you swimming.”
“And ice cream?” Her little eyes lit up.
“Well of course ice cream.” He laughed. He walked over to Brooke and gently took her into his arms. “I won’t be gone long. A week, two at the most.”
“It will feel like an eternity.” She rested her head against his chest. “We’ve just found each other Nick, I don’t want you to go.”
“I’ll call you as often as I can.” He promised. “It won’t be long. And just keep thinking about all the things we’ll do when we see each other again. Believe me, for the first time in my life I’m not looking forward to a sea voyage. I promise there won’t be as many after this.”
“You’ll be careful won’t you?” She touched his face. Nick grabbed her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed it.
“I’ll be so careful that my crew won’t even know me.” He said with a laugh. “Brooke, what we have is good, it’s real and I can’t wait for us to really face the world together. We’re starting a wild adventure, this is only a short detour.”
“I know.” She smiled at him and kissed him. “Please hurry home.”
“Are you going to stay here at the spa till I get back?” He asked.
“I don’t think so.” She answered him. “I came here because I was lost and confused. I’m not anymore. I know just where I belong, where I want to be. I’ll be waiting at home for you Captain Payne.”
“Don’t let them get to you Brooke, be strong, for you, for Hope and for me too.”
“I will.” She promised.
“Okay, I gotta go.” He pulled her to him for one last long kiss. “I’ll talk to you in a day or so.”
“Goodbye Nick.” She said as her eyes pooled with tears.
“Goodbye Brooke.” He gave her one last short kiss and then left the bungalow.
Brooke stood at the door and watched his car until it was gone from her sight. Then she turned to Donna. “Let’s pack. It’s time to go home.” 

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