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Chapter 1

The phone ringing pulled Abe from dreamland. She didn�t bother opening her eyes as she reached for the phone.

�Hello.�

The sound of her voice when he woke her never failed to cause a tingle to go through him. It was soft and warm and wrapped around him as he lay in yet another hotel room. Talking to her made him feel like things would be okay.

�Hi.�

�How was the show?�

�Eh�the fans loved it, so it was good.�

�Good.�

�How�d your day go?�

�Pretty good. I got all the contracts out.�

�Good.�

She waited through the silence for him to tell her what was bothering him. Most nights, he was a little wired from the adrenaline rush leftover from performing. Tonight he was quiet and that meant something was up.

�Bella?�

�Yeah?�

�You�re still comin��right?�

�I�m still comin�. I�ll be there on Friday.�

�Okay.� His voiced sounded distant.

�Is that all you�re worried about?�

�I�m not worried.�

�Uh-huh,� she replied, amused.

�Saturday is the last show�of�everything.�

�Yeah.�

�Bella, what am I gonna do?� Panic was creeping into his voice.

�You are going to enjoy it. It�s kind of like your graduation. You�ve accomplished so much and you need to take a moment to recognize it.�

�But I don�t know what I�m gonna do.�

�And that�s okay for now. Don�t jump ahead. Focus on the moment, because it will be gone before you know it and you want to remember it with a smile.�

He felt himself begin to relax. �Hey. Did you do that? You know stay in the moment.�

�Oh please! At my high school graduation, I was glad I was out of there and I kept thinking, it would be better in College. I skipped my college graduation, because I started a tour the day after my last final. And I was hoping it would be better in the real world.�

�What would be better?�

�Life, the world, me. I�d be thinner, prettier and not invisible.�

�You are beautiful,� argued Nick.

�I�m glad you feel that way, but was so fat and out of shape and so not what everyone else was. But I tell you when I really got scared. It was when I finished the tour with Creed, because I had decided even though I was a better me that I wasn�t going out on the road as a crewmember anymore. I wanted to do something else. I was terrified I would have to back to it, because no one would give me a chance and my money would run out.�

�You had nothing to worry about.�

�I got lucky, because Roger took a chance on me. So did Billy and Rich.�

�Bella, do you still think you are better?�

�No. I�m better. I�m happy with me, but lets face it. I�m not a size 0, which is the preferred size of most women in the business. I�m changing for them. I�m healthy and don�t want to be thinner. I�m normal, but still��

�Do people give you shit?�

�Most don�t, but this isn�t about me. Let�s get back to this evenings show, which is about Nick Carter and the rest of your life.�

He stomach tightened.

�The good news?�

�Shoot.�

�You don�t have to figure it all out now or even Sunday. You have time. Relax a little and think about it.�

�Yeah,� he agreed.

�Bad news?�

�Bad news?�

�Yep. Bad news is you can only do that for a short time.�

�Then what?�

�Then you have to get off your butt and get on with the rest of your life.�

�What if I don�t want to?�

�That�s why God brought us together and I will kick your butt.�

�Promise?� She could imagine him wiggling his eyebrows.

�Silly.�

�I was goin� for sexy.�

�Blondie, ya got that in spades.�

�So do you, Bella.�

********

�So what�s got you dreamin�?�

She jumped at the sound of her boss� voice. �Whoops. Sorry about that.�

�No worries. Checkin� your flight,� asked Billy Patrick, glancing at her computer screen.

�Actually, I was checking the cost of earlier flights.�

�Anxious to see that boy band of yours,� he teased and saw her cheeks color. �Is it doable?�

�Yeah.�

�So why don�t you do it?�

�You�re the boss and you know the schedule we have.�

�That I do, but I also know you worked you butt off to get those contracts out ahead of schedule.�

�But Rich may need.�

�Rich may need what?� The other half of Shaman Entertainment Group�s partnership stuck his head in the Abe�s office.

�The kid here is jonesin' to see herself a boy band.�

�Billy!�

�You are heading out Friday right?�

�Yes,� replied Abe.

Rollin� his eyes, Billy said, �But she�s checkin� flights to leave sooner.�

�Really, it is no big deal. I was just curious.�

�Let�s see here,� replied Rich, walking over to the desk and turning her monitor to get a better look. �So, they're in Dallas on Wednesday�and look Billy, it says here there are several flights to Dallas on Wednesday.�

�You don�t say.�

�I do.�

�Please,� begged Abe.

�Since you said the magic word, you may head out on Wednesday.�

�I was saying please for that.�

�I know, but I�m your Boss.�

�I am too,� stated Billy. �And we say do it.�

�Your sure?�

�You takin� your laptop and your cell phone with you?�

�Yes.�

�Then we can get you if we want to,� replied Rich.

�Yeah, we know where you live.�

�You guys rock!�

�We know,� stated Billy. �So you going to tell the boy band you�re comin�.�

She thought for a moment. �Nah.�

Chapter 2

This sucked! Where was she? Nick listened as her message played. Beep.

�Hey�it�s me. I didn�t think you�d be out working tonight. Call me when get this message�bye.�

Dejected, he tossed his phone on the shelf in his wardrobe road case. Behind him AJ entered the dressing room singing a tango. Wonderful, everyone was in great mood, but him. He�d been a good mood when he came off stage, but when he couldn�t reach Abe to tell her about the show his mood bottomed out. Well, he could console himself with the fact she would be there in two more days.

�AJ would you stop!�

�I�must�dance.� AJ gasped as if he were crossing the desert looking for water. Howie said, �As you can see Abe, some things never change. Like AJ.�

AJ continued to dance her back and forth across the room, but everyone was watching Nick who still had his back to them.

Shaking his head, Kevin pointedly said, �So, ABE what are you doing here?�

Finally, the fog cleared around Nick and he spun around. She was there, doing the tango with AJ, who conveniently spun her toward him. She twirled into his arms and he kissed her. The room went still as almost everyone watched in stunned silence.

�Y�all close your mouths. It ain�t no big thang.� AJ motioned for everyone to go back to what they were doing. �I�m serious folks. This a good thing.�

Pulling back, Abe whispered, �Surprise.�

�Really.�

�I guess we let the cat of the bag.�

�Yeah. Screw�em if they got a problem with it.�

Her brow creased.

�Bella, no more hiding.�

With a resolute nod, she agreed, �No more hiding.�

Roger cleared his throat causing Nick to glare at him over Abe�s head.

Roger said, �Everyone ready to go?�

�Yeah,� replied Nick, grabbing his cell phone.

�All righty then, lets head out. Good to have you back Abe,� he replied with a wink.

�Thanks Roger.� She replied and felt her boyfriend�s protective hand on the small of her back. �Chill Nick.�

�Like I said, screw�em.�

�He knew I was coming.�

�He did?�

�Yes,� she chuckled. �Hello laminates. How did you think I got in?�

He looked at the credentials hanging round her neck. �Oh.�

�Will you move,� ordered Pat, nudging Nick out of the way.

�Hey,� exclaimed Nick.

�Hi Pat!�

�Good to see you Abe,� said the bodyguard, picking her up and hugging her.

�Pat! That�s my girlfriend!�

�She�s my friend.� He replied, setting her back on the ground. �You two ready? Remember Abe, stay in front of Nick.�

�I will. Wait. Where are we heading.�

�There is a van to take us back to the hotel. We fly out tomorrow morning for Phoenix.�

�So we�re staying in Dallas tonight?�

�Hi Abe. Yep, same place we always do,� replied Brian, on his way out.

�Four Seasons in Los Colinas?�

Kevin said, �That�s the place.�

�Interesting.�

********

�Bella?� Nick called, as he walked across the suite, towel drying his hair.

�Yeah?� Her voice floated in through the door to the balcony.

�What�cha doin� out here?�

�Relaxing. Looking at the sky.� She felt his arms circle her waist and pulled away. �There are fans watching.�

�So?� He attempted to wrap his arms around her again, only to have her pull away again and headed inside.

He followed her in, but she didn�t allow him to speak.

�Nick, I�m not hiding, but I�m not ready to be that public. You have two more shows and this tour is done. Can we ease into this?�

Pulling her close, he conceded, �Yeah, we can.�

�Thank you.�

She sighed and allowed her hands to trace patterns on his bare back, causing him to shivered. His arms tighten around her. He felt her soft, warm breath scroll across his chest.

�I have good memories of this place.�

�You do?�

�Yep. It may sound silly, but this is where I first figured out I had lost weight.�

�You�re kidding,� replied Nick, sounding genuinely surprised.

�I kid not. I had my first big shopping spree at the Galleria.� She laughed, �Which result in my first fight with AJ.�

�Let me guess. It was trying to dress you like a stripper,� chuckled Nick.

�Bingo!�

�Thanks for coming sooner.�

�You can thank Billy and Rich. They caught me checking earlier flights and told me to come on early.�

�I will thank them. They seem like good guys. You still like it there.�

�Yeah, I really do. I�m learning so much and they really are good guys. I lucked out.�

They fell silent, still holding each other. She could tell he was worried. He had stopped swaying to the music playing in his head.

�You�ll figure it out Nick. Just not tonight.�

�How do you do that?�

�Do that?�

�I don�t know. I had a feelin� you were worrying about what�s next.�

�Nothing comes next.�

�Wrong. Sleep comes next, then another day and another show.� Going up on her tiptoes, she brushed her lips across his. �Come on Blondie. Let�s get some sleep.�

He allowed her to lead him to the bedroom. Once snuggled in bed, they both drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 3

Abe slid under the covers and snuggled up behind Nick. Her legs tucked in behind his. The soft cotton of one of his baggy T-shirts pressed against his back gave way to the soft skin of her legs.

�Hey,� he said, in a soft sleep warmed voice. �How was dinner?�

�Good. We went for Italian. Does this mean you forgive us?�

"I didn't," he attempted to argue. He felt her lips brush the skin between his shoulder blades. �You did,� she giggled.

�I didn�t want to share you.�

�I know, but it was just one night. After tomorrow, we don�t know when we will see each other again.�

�You sound like he�s your boyfriend,� he said, turning to face her.

�Nick,� she chided. �AJ�s my friend and I miss him just like I miss my friends from home. You are my boyfriend and you, I�m taking home with me.�

�That�s right.� He pulled her closer, enjoying the way she molded to him. He searched out her lips for a lingering kiss. �So what did you talk about?�

�The same things you and I talked about the other night. He�s worried about what comes next.�

�He is?�

�You sound surprised.�

�I thought I was the only one��

�No baby. He�s scared too. Kevin has a way of landing on his feet. Howie too. He has so many irons in the fire he will probably be the next Donald Trump.�

�With the same hair,� laughed Nick.

"No way. If Lee doesn't prevent it, I will hunt him down and take care of it, but some how I don't think hair loss will be a problem for him. Now Brian..."

They both laughed.

�Yeah and Brian has it all worked out,� stated Nick, growing quiet.

�He thinks he does, but only time will tell.�

�What do you mean?�

�He is going into a part of the industry where being a Backstreet Boy means close to nothing.�

�At least, he has a plan.�

�That�s the same thing AJ said,� replied Abe, with her fingertip, she drew lazy circles on his chest. �And I told him the same thing I�m telling you, which is you will have a plan.�

�It�s cool how you believe in him and me.�

�All the way.�

Again their lips met, but the kiss came to an abrupt halt when Abe started laughing.

His head raised off the pillow. "What?"

�Oh just thinking about AJ and his usual candor.�

�What did he say now?�

�He asked how the sex was.�

�What!�

She laughed harder. �Imagine his surprise.�

�You told him?�

�No! But he guessed when I told him it was none of his business.�

�Did you tell him, I wasn�t pressuring you? That we are taking our time?�

�Yes and he wanted to know why.�

�Man he is a nosy little bastard,� he grumbled.

�Yes, he is, but he made some valid points.�

�Like what.�

She could tell his eyebrow was cocked, even in the dark.

�Like I love you.�

Nick quickly responded. �And I love you.�

�Yeah. He also said we need to, and I quote, �need to stop circling each other. It�s not like ya ain�t never done it before or ain�t never gonna do it again.��

He chuckled. �Anything else from Mr. Sex Therapist?

She gently pushed his shoulder, rolling with him until he was on his back. Her voice became soft. "Just one. Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, we should make the perfect moment."

She sat up, her knees straddling his hips. They both shivered at this first intimate contact of bare skin. She discarded her T-shirt.

Her name floated out on the breath he�d been holding. A charge surged through his body immediately bringing every nerve ending to life. His heart was racing and his breathing had quickened to match hers. His back arched and he lifted to meet her, needing to join with her a soon as possible. He needed no light to lose himself in her. His ears took in every nuance of their breathing, every sigh and whimper escaping her lips. His nose welcomed the smell of their scents mingling. His body welcomed the heat of her, of them. Pulling her down, he took his time in tasting her mouth, pulling on tongue and nipping her lips, before diving in fully. She lifted he went with her, wrapping his arms around her to pull her tight. Tasting her skin. Feeling the tickle of her hair against his skin. Reveling in her fingers tangling in his hair as he teased her with his tongue. All the while he remained joined with her completely. The need finally taking over as they began to moved together. Easy�it was a single thought floating across his mind. Being with this woman was as easy as breathing and as life sustaining. The realization slammed into him and shook him to his core. Never had he been so in need of someone and yet so sure she would meet that need. His arms tightened more.

�Nick?� She whispered close to his ear.

Something had changed. It didn�t frighten her, only brought the urge to comfort. His hold loosened on her as he drew his hands up to cup her face.

Just before his lips captured hers, he gasp, �God, I love you, so much.�

It was her turn to tighten her hold on him. He had brought her to life and was her lifeline. Never had she thought she would find anyone who could want her the way this man did. Because of his wanting and needing her, she was able to let go and give in to the force that pulled them together in everyway possible.

Feeling her shudder, he again wrapped his arms around her. Burying his face in the hollow of her neck, he melted into her.

Again his ears heard the changes in their breathing. His tongue tasted the salt of their sweat on her skin and the plumpness of her now kiss-swollen lips. He felt the strength of her arms and legs, before her body relaxed. His nose sought their scent, which was now a single note of fragrance. His body welcomed the cooling of the outside while still joined in her heat. Her fingers were still tangled in his hair, which she used to tilt his head back to accept her kiss.

Against his lips she breathed, �I love you.�

He pulled her back with him as he lay down. �Thanks for making the moment perfect.�

�We,� she emphasized. �Made the moment perfect.�

BELLA'S STORY Installment One ~ What You Need Installment Two ~ Heartbreak's Interlude Installment Three ~ All I Need

"All I Need" is a work of fiction.
The characters and events portrayed are fictitious,
and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.

Used with Permission
Copyright ©2004
All Rights Reserved
No part of this text may be copied or reprinted
without the author's permission.

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