Lani stared at him in amazement. This guy really thought she should recognize him. She concentrated on his face but she still couldn't place him. "No, I really don't know who you are. Are you ever going to enlighten me?" Lani uttered a small laugh. This was just insane, sitting here talking to a complete stranger that had broken into her store. She should be calling the police and having him arrested.

Nick considered his reply for a moment. "I'm in a singing group." He said hesitantly.

"Oh well, that explains it!" Lani offered her musical laugh again. "I pretty much only listen to classical music. I don't know most of the current singers. So are you popular?"

Nick smirked as he looked down at his torn clothes. "I guess you could say that."

"I'm really sorry. Those insane girls were your fans?"

"Yeah..fans..." Nick winced as his finger touched an open sore on his arm. "They love me."

Lani watched as he investigated his bruises, scrapes and cuts. He really was a good looking man. And friendly too. Probably someone she get along with very... "Stop it!" she chastised herself. "He's famous, girlfriends all over the place and definitely not interested in you. Just stop!"

"Well, I guess I should be going. Thanks for letting me stay for awhile." Nick pushed himself off the pile of skids with a groan. "I'll see you around?" He started to walk towards the stockroom door slowly.

"Wait!" Lani called out and then clapped her hands over her mouth.

Nick turned back, trying to hold in his grin.

"I set the alarms. You can't go out. Do you mind waiting until I'm ready to go? Shouldn't be more than a few minutes." Lani's mind wandered. What the hell was she doing? He could leave. The back door was on a separate system. What was she thinking?

"Alright." Nick sat back down. "I really should get these cuts looked after though." he said ruefully. "Infection and all, you know." He stole a glance at Lani. She was really pretty. Not total knockouts like some of the girls he had dated, but then..he had never stayed with any of those girls, had he? They had never wanted him, Nick Carter. They wanted Nick Carter, superstar and unfortunately or fortunately, he didn't always feel like a superstar.

Lani stopped her frantic cleaning efforts and came over to sit beside him. "You really are banged up, aren't you?" She touched his cheek tenderly. "For people that supposedly like you, this is a hell of a way to let you know."

"I'm used to it." Nick half smiled. "It's a little annoying sometimes, but I guess I asked for it when I chose this profession to be in."

Lani nodded as she continued her assessment of his injuries.

Nick placed his hand over hers and pulled it away from his face. "What's your name?"

Shyly, she looked down at the ground as she answered. "Lani, Lani Richards." She gazed up at him again. "You're bleeding." She tipped her head up more, inspecting the small cut on his lip, touching it lightly with her fingertips. Nick took the first step. He lowered his head to hers and gave her the briefest of kisses.

"Nice to meet you Lani."

He captured her mouth with his, taking her moan of surprise as encouragement to continue. In spite of herself, Lani grasped his shoulders and returned his kiss passionately. She felt his tongue flicker across her lips and she opened her mouth to let him gain entrance. Their tongues battled erotically as their hands began to explore. Lani felt Nicks hand slide smoothly under her shirt, the palm of his hand warm against her skin and she forced herself to pull away from him.

"Nick..stop..please..." she paused, trying to regain her breath.

Nick looked at her in confusion. "I thought..we were..."

"We were..oh yes...and we will..I hope..just not here." Lani looked at him hopefully as she straightened her blouse.

"Not here?" Nick raised one eyebrow at her.

"I think..I would like to get to know you better, Nick Carter. But not here on a pile of dirty skids, if you know what I mean." She kept her head down, examining the cement floor as she scuffed her toe along a pile of dust.

Nick placed one finger under her chin and lifted her face. "I think I would like to get to know you better too, Lani Richards." He kissed her again and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Okay!" Lani jumped up and looked around the back room with a dazed smile on her face. "Wow..okay...my car is just outside, we can go out here." She grabbed her purse and pulled the door open.

Nick leaned against the wall and smirked at her. "What about the lights?"

"Oh yeah." Lani flipped the switch. "All set." Nick still stood in the dark, his blonde hair gleaming in the scant light from the high set warehouse windows.

"What about the alarm system?"

Lani covered her mouth with her hand. "I don't...I mean..I didn't..don't. There is no separate alarm for back here. It's already armed." she finished lamely.

"So you told me that just to keep me here?" Nick grinned wickedly as he walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders.

Lani nodded.

"And you really didn't know who I was?"

"I still don't." she protested. "I've never heard you sing or anything. As far as I'm concerned we just met."

"We did." Nick kissed the top of her head and gathered her into his arms. "And I can't wait to get to know you better."

The End