| Chapter Four Heidi Cole followed her new boss down the hotel corridor, her thoughts centered on her new assignment. Protect Nick Carter. She and Billy had spent the last three days on the phone, sending faxes, and going over the plan to protect Nick. They had also been in contact with the appropriate authorities and the three factions were working in tandem. Before she had agreed to take the job, Billy had warned her that Nick wasn't happy about the rest of them knowing and not to expect a warm welcome from him. That point had been reiterated when Billy picked her up from the airport. Mr. Carter thought he could handle the situation on his own. "Are you sure this is the wisest way to handle this?" Heidi asked Billy as they neared the room in which she'd meet the Backstreet Boys. "Yes" he answered sharply, too sharply for in the next instance he was apologizing. "I'm sorry Heidi, I didn't mean to bite your head off. Everyone's been jumpy the last few days and Nick's not made things any easier. I know we've talked about it already, but I really do feel you going undercover as his 'girlfriend' is the best way. Whoever his stalker is, won't suspect that you are here to protect him. He'll believe just what we want him to believe. Besides, us big burly guys are hard to miss," he replied as he stopped in front of the door. "Ready?" Heidi nodded and Billy opened the door and waited for her to enter. The scene that met her eyes was nothing short of chaos. Five voices were raised in anger, one voice louder than the rest. "I didn't ask for your help. Why can't you understand that? Just leave me alone!" Heidi's eyes met Billy's and she knew then that she'd have her work cut out for her. "Guys" Billy called gaining the rooms attention. "I'd like you to met Heidi Cole. Heidi is going to be working closely with us on the stalker situation. Heidi, meet the guys. Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and Nick Carter." Heidi met each man's eyes as she shook their hands, that is, all except for Nick's. He stood away from her, refusing to shake her hand. Instead he let his eyes rake over her. From the top of her head to the toes on her feet, there wasn't an inch he missed. Heidi rolled her eyes and smirked. So the little boy wanted to play. "Mr. Carter. My face is up here, NOT down there,� she said as she used her hands to indicate her face and her bosom and lower. Nick's face turned red and anger flared from his eyes. "Just what is her job going to be?" he asked as he looked to Billy for an answer. "She'll be posing as your girlfriend," Billy paused as Nick spit and sputtered. "No way! Absolutely not" Nick said heatedly. "You might as well resign yourself to it Nick. That's the way it�s going to be until we catch this guy. No one will suspect Heidi. She'll be hid in plain site, a part of the entourage. Its not like we could hire another man. He'd be seen from a mile away,� Billy said, his tone indicating the end of the argument. Nick didn't like it, not one little bit. "I bet she can't fight her way out of a paper bag,� he taunted as he moved close enough to touch Heidi. Without a word and faster than was expected, Heidi had Nick face down on the floor, his arm held behind his back. "Don't think that just because I'm a woman and that I look defenseless that I can't take a man your size down,� she warned before getting up, releasing Nick. She turned her back to him, the act announcing he was not a serious threat and asked Billy, "It's been a really long day. If you'll show me to my room, I'd like to turn in." "You'll be sharing a room with Nick and I'm sure he won't mind showing you the way. Here's your key. Have a good night!" he said with a wink. "This is insane. What did I do to deserve this?" Nick whined as he led Heidi to his... their room. "I don't understand why I have to share a room with you. I don't even want you here" he complained as Heidi hung her clothes in the closet. "Don't your girlfriends normally share your room when they travel with you?" she asked as she pulled her pajamas out of her bag. "Yeah, so?" "So, if I'm playing your girlfriend, wouldn't it look funny if I slept somewhere else?" she asked. Nick sighed. Logic sucked! "I guess your right." He was quiet for a few minutes as he waited for her to return from changing. Well if they had to pretend, didn't that mean they had to practice? An evil smile flashed across his lips and a plan began to form. He'd make her so miserable that she'd beg to quit. Heidi emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a pair of pink plaid flannel pants and a pink tank top. Nick noticed her toes were painted in that same pale shade and he inwardly smirked. What a girl! "Hey Heidi, since were supposed to pretend we're dating, shouldn't we practice?" he asked when he came to stand behind her. Heidi whirled around and came face to chest with Nick. How did a man that big move so quietly? Taking a breath and a step back she asked, "What do you mean?" already having a feeling she knew where this was going. "I mean, people are supposed to believe that we're an item right? Well don't you think we should perfect our technique?" he explained, before placing his hands on her shoulders and lowering his lips to hers. It wasn't a gentle kiss, but a hard, demanding, bruising kiss. Without thinking, Heidi hooked her foot between Nick's feet and kicked his leg out from under him. When he lay on the floor at her feet, she propped her hands on her hips and stated, "Let's get one thing straight Mr. Carter. I'm here to protect you, not to entertain you. Don't ever try something like that again,� she warned as she grabbed the extra blanket out of the closet and settled on the couch. Long after the lights were turned off and Nick's light snores could be heard, Heidi lay awake. Why did the kiss keep running through her head? Why could she still, hours later, feel the heat of his body? And more importantly, why, if she didn't want him to kiss her again, was she disappointed by that thought? Saving Nick Carter Chapter Five Main Page |