Chapter 2
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Having checked into the Nuevo Vallarta Mayan Palace, Nick and I dragged our suitcases along the path through the resort to the �red� building. It wasn�t a quick walk, even with Dominic pulling two of my three suitcases but we finally made it onto the elevator and then into our rooms. I eagerly looked around the suite that would be my home for the next week. The set-up was simple. There was a small cooking area complete with a table, adjoined to a living room. There were two small bedrooms off to one side, and a small bathroom, connected to both. I quickly glanced into the two bedrooms and automatically chose the slightly larger one. I had more suitcases after all� Exhausted from the long flight, I collapsed back on the huge bed and started flipping channels. Recognizing a familiar face, I sat up and began avidly watching the episode of CSI. Who would have guessed that the investigators would be even sexier when speaking in a romance language? There were even subtitles for my poor unilingual self. �Allison?� Dominic inquired curiously from the doorway, �What are you watching?� �CSI in Spanish if you can believe it.� �Are there subtitles?� �Yeesss�� �Terrific!� My partner exclaimed, bouncing through the entry and flopping down next to me on the bed. I made a mental note to regulate his daily intake of caffeine. After five minutes of dividing my attention between the hot criminalists and my equally hot partner (note to self � make a list of utterly platonic adjectives describing Dominic to be used instead of hot), I gave in and asked my burning question. �Nick, you don�t watch CSI in English� why are you watching it in Spanish?� �Why, for the pleasure of your company of course.� Yeah right. I wish. �The real reason Nick?� �Well� I�m sorta trying to teachmaselspansh�� He mumbled, clearly embarrassed. �What was that?� I asked, making the most of the chance to see him squirm. �I said 'I�m trying to teach myself Spanish'!� �Don�t be silly!� I said, giggling, �You can�t teach yourself a language by reading subtitles!� �How do you think I learned to speak French?� Nick responded, in a defensive tone. I threw up my hands in defeat and turned my attention back to the program. Nick�s POV During the first commercial I found the time to conduct an inner debate over whether or not pulling the �yawn move� on my gorgeous partner would be a good idea at this point. I was fairly sure that, subconsciously, she had feeling for me but to my knowledge she was still dating that Union-Jack toting sex machine Collin Hewitt. Ah well, in the worst case scenario, I could apologize (after being slapped in the face) and claim that it was simply a friendly gesture and that I had nothing but brotherly feelings for her. I could assert that I had no intention of ever crossing the line from friendship to romance. In short, I could lie through my teeth. That line? Well, my personal feelings have already crossed over. In fact, from where I�m standing, it looks more like a dot. If I had the chance to kiss Allison, I would, slime ball boyfriend be damned. Anyway, back to the original debate. If I was unsuccessful with my �move� it would make my planned seduction even more difficult. However, as wiser men than I have theorized, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. I yawned and slid my arm around my partner�s shoulders. A second ticked by and then another. I hadn�t been slapped yet. That was probably a good sign. Another second. Ally shifted closer and leaned her head against my chest. Ah, sweet citrus shampoo! By the halfway point in the episode, I had completely given up on the attempt to connect the English words with the Spanish sounds. There were three reasons for the abandonment of my project. Firstly, I was tired from the long flight. Secondly, Allison�s warm breath tickling my neck was driving my senses haywire and destroying my concentration. Thirdly, this show was proving to be incredibly interesting. I could completely identify with the lead CSI, Gil Grissom. This was a man completely dedicated to his work. He was quiet and intelligent. The bewildered expression his face acquired when presented with a puzzle was VERY familiar. He seemed to be an enigma to the people around him. Only one person, his second in command Catherine Willows, seemed to understand him. Willows reminded me of somebody, though I couldn�t think who. Catherine was a fascinating character, full of fire. She was quick of wit, sarcastic, and always ready to take charge. She was great with people, and seemed to genuinely care about her coworkers. She was also sexy as hell� That was when it hit me. She reminded me of Ally. I was actually disappointed when the credits rolled. Of course, my happiness could also have stemmed from the fact that Ally sat up as the episode ended. �Alright Nick,� Began my partner, in a mock serious tone, �If we�re going to continue our friendship, you�re going to have to answer this question correctly. Are you a Sara/Gil shipper? Hmmmm� which was Sara? Oh, right. She was the snobby, brunette with workaholic tendencies. I refrained from asking what a shipper was. Ally had explained it to me years ago when going through some adolescent phase. It had something to do with being a couple. Sara and Gil would not make a good couple. Two workaholics? They�d probably move into the office� �No.� I replied firmly, hoping that was the answer Ally wanted to hear. A brilliant smile spread across her face. �Good. I�m not either. In fact, I�m way more in favour of Cath and Gil ending up together. Don�t you think they�d make a great couple?� �Oh, absolutely.� I agreed quickly. Although, considering my earlier thoughts, my answer to that question was probably biased. This had to be a sign that Ally and I were meant to be.
