In a way it was hard to imagine...she was a slight girl, and as a kid was surely just a slip of a thing, yet she claimed she'd had to fight at least once a week due neighborhood kids teasing her about the almost below poverty level conditions in which she lived with her Mom and assorted boyfriends. But then, at the age of ten years old, her young life had taken a turn for the better. Lulu had casually mentioned that her Grandmother Rose had been granted full custody. Nick found himself wanting to know more about this spirited young woman who had turned his world upside down, but he could tell she was being careful so as not to reveal everything. A fleeting glimmer of pain was present in her eyes when he casually inquired about her Mother.

 

"She...she actually left for the first time, when I was eight," Lulu said quietly. She turned her head away from him, sadly gazing through the car window, seeing nothing, remembering...

'Hey," Nick said, reaching out to touch her chin, "over here."

 

"I'm sorry, I...it's...it's hard talking about her." Lulu forced herself to brighten up, saying with a mock pout and irrepressible laugh, "No fair, Nicholas Fallin, like the 'hot shot' attorney you are – "

 

Nick groaned at the label the other lawyers around LSOP teased him with incessantly, Lulu laughed even harder, " --you have questioned me successfully, revealing absolutely nothing about yourself, and now it's too late, I've run out of time - I'm home," she said exasperated, smiling playfully and leaning in to softly grab his silk necktie as if to choke him.

 

"It's not too late Louisa..." Nick said seriously, a question in his suddenly hoarse voice, "We don't have to stop...talking," knowing that they most likely would stop talking at some point in the very near future if they were alone together too much longer.

 

Nick would never forget. It was two weeks ago to the day that they had been alone in Lulu's new house during a workday. They had walked over directly from the courthouse, after trying their case successfully and then serving as witnesses to the marriage of Jeanette and Danny, two homeless teens. Lulu had looked so wistful and melancholy standing there expressing her doubts about the house, the wedding, everything -- that he had reached out in that moment to instinctively comfort her. At her receptiveness to his touch, his libido had taken over from there. It would happen once they were alone again, he knew it -- he'd dreamed of it. He couldn't wait.

Was his gulp audible? How far gone was he to associate her question with a double entendre that he knew was unintended? Let's just say he was over the edge. The promise he had made to himself, to directly drop a slightly buzzed Lulu at her door after leaving The Incline was blown all to hell, with her one breathily asked question.

"HELL YES!" was the answer in his head, what came out was, "If you're sure it's okay?"

 

"Yes, it's okay," she told him reassuring him and herself, "I want you too." Lulu turned beet red and hastily added, "I meant, I want you to...Oh God, that sounded different from what I intended." Nick was laughing softly, and looking at her with his heart in his eyes, "It's okay Lulu...c'mon." Before she could exit, Nick was coming around to the passenger side. Nick was such a gentleman, unfailingly polite, and almost chivalrous at times she thought with a small smile.

 

Well, except for that one time soon after they met, when he had told her to "shut the hell up," but she was being a bitch and had insulted him, so she really didn't blame him at all. The way she had behaved when she had discovered he would be working at CLS, still shamed her to this day. Her apology about it in the car earlier tonight was heartfelt, despite the desire coursing through her. Nick Fallin had fascinated her and attracted her completely from the moment she had met him.

 

She remembered it well. Confident in her decision to accept the Associate Director's position at CLS the following day, she had been relaxed and happy during the wrap-up of her interview with Nicholas Fallin at Fallin & Associates. Corporate law was not for her she had decided. Though the money was tempting, she knew pushing papers for two years, and being the resident gopher would be an ordeal for her, so she had decided to take a pass. Sitting across the large mahogany table, and watching the handsome and intense young man studiously going over every page of her resume and work history, would have ordinarily made her a bit nervous, if of course, she had been hoping to land a spot at the prestigious firm. But since she had made up her mind about CLS, and couldn't wait to start -- she had decided to have a little fun with one Nicholas Fallin.

He hadn't said a word in five minutes and was just letting her stew apparently. She leaned on the table, in an incredibly relaxed manner, shiny brunette head cocked to one side, and her hand cupping her chin. Nick looked up, and Lulu had smiled sunnily. Transfixed, he didn't drop his eyes for at least a beat. He ducked his head back down, almost shyly, and went back to reading.

Lulu sighed, "So, do you uh...like corporate law?" Nick kept his head down, and muttered affirmatively.

 

"What do you like about it?" she asked.

 

Nick still reading, replied facetiously, "Oh, the hours." Lulu guffawed, so Mr. Strong and Silent could actually crack a good one -- will surprises never cease, she wondered.

 

She insisted he answer her question though, "No really, c'mon..." Nick had then gone on to answer somewhat awkwardly, that he, "Liked the business dealings and being in the thick of things."

"Un-hunh!" said Lulu, nodding and smiling happily, now even more confident that she had made the right decision to work at CLS, as a love for wheeling and dealing was not her forte.

Nick looked at her like she had just grown two heads, "Do you always behave this way when you're applying for a job?"

 

"Well, I like to know what I'm getting into," she said saucily. Nick could no longer contain his delight with her, and he let a smile a mile wide get away from him. He quickly reigned in his reaction to her as best he could, and just like that, the smile was gone. He had then stated ever so seriously, that his father was "very interested in hiring her."

 

Nick wouldn't give this girl the satisfaction of knowing she had gotten to him in a major way, and he was not even close to admitting that this beautiful young woman intrigued him like no other had.

 

He had no problem however, with acknowledging a helluva strong attraction. He would definitely be cutting back on his CLS hours when she started at F&A, he thought. He'd set her up in the small office directly across from his. But just as his mind started to wander a bit at the possibilities, she had announced that she had "appreciated," his Dad's interest, and that she would be taking another job. WTF?!!

 

Trying hard not to look crestfallen, while at the same time being a bit perturbed and baffled at his own reaction to her announcement, after all he had just met her, Nick saw that she had stood up, and was holding out her hand to thank him for helping her make her decision. Talk about your back handed compliments. He shook her hand, all the while wondering what his Dad would say at letting this smart young attractive attorney slip through his fingers. He knew Burton liked Lulu, and had thought she'd be a real asset to the firm, so Nick felt a twinge of disappointment for that reason, not to mention for a few personal reasons of his own. He resignedly let his hand hit the table after she turned to go. She opened the sliding door to the conference room, and exited smiling, her hair bouncing on her shoulders.

 

DAMMIT, Nick thought, as he watched her silhouette move away through the frosted glass, I forgot to ask her where she'd be working! He didn't question his vaguely desperate need to know of her eventual whereabouts, but he did know, he was definitely going to make it a point to find out, even if he had to call every law firm in the city.

 

Lulu's smile had dimmed the moment she left room. Okay, she thought, that wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. She had felt a twinge of loss the moment she left him, and wondered if she'd ever see him again around town. She found herself hoping she would. Little did she know that in only six hours hence, she and Nick Fallin would meet again, proceed to knock heads, throw insults, and reluctantly be assigned a case to work on together. Fate, she thought...

Since that day, she wondered if resentment towards Nick for turning her world upside down in the space of one day had contributed to her initial bitchy attitude.

Nick cut the engine, and hopped out. Before she popped her seatbelt, Nick had opened her door, and was extending his hand. He clasped her fingers and gently pulled her up and out, refusing to let her hand go. They followed the path to her door. Lulu felt like a giddy schoolgirl, and this time she was positive it wasn't the wine.

 

Her townhouse was on the small side, dark red brick; it was an old English Tudor style structure. She put the key in the door, and told him to step back, as she had a few pets running around, he quickly did as she asked. She urgently told him not to move until she had more lights on, and when the pale lights began to flicker, he saw why. There were 2 tiger striped kittens that had been shredding newspapers to their hearts content in the middle of her foyer. "I had six, I've only got two more to give away," she said by way of explanation. He started to step in, and heard bounding thumps growing louder, and coming closer, "What in the hell?!" Nick said alarmed.

 

"Nick, er...stand back okay?" Lulu said. Just then a majestic black German shepherd came bouncing up to Lulu from her utility area, standing up and putting his paws on her shoulders, and barking happily. Lulu's knees almost buckled at the weight. On his hind legs he was as tall as Nick. "Hi Dell, good boy, GOOD boy!!...It's okay Nick, he won't bite you!" Lulu looked over at Nick, and thought this is a man who never had a dog, as his face held total surprise -- and he was eyeing Dell cautiously. "Uh...gee thanks, that's good to know Lulu," Nick said subdued and sarcastic.

 

Lulu laughed, she found herself admiring how he stood his ground. Brian hated her pets, and Dell in particular hated Brian, mainly because Brian would flinch and act scared around him. Nick was wary, but that was it.

Lulu thought she'd better put her menagerie out on the enclosed patio and yard while he was there, so she scooped up the two kittens and escorted her brood out the back door.

 

"Sit down, I'll be just a minute," she called back to him. Nick took off his suit coat, sat down on the sofa, and loosened his tie, exhaling, "That little witch, she could have told me she had a dog, make that a brontosaurus, before giving me a heart attack -- what was that, a test?!"

 

Lulu came back into the house, wondering at what his reaction would be. "Sorry," she said sheepishly.

"Oh...sorry...you're sorry?!" He reached out and tumbled her into his lap, Lulu surprised, squealed! "I need a change of underwear because of that horse with fangs, and you're SORRY?!" Nick said in mock anger, and Lulu went off in peals of laughter, soon Nick couldn't restrain himself either, and the smile that never failed to steal her breath away lit up her room.

 

He suddenly bent down to her mouth, and covered it whole with his, breathing her in. She continued to giggle, but was overcome with desire simultaneously, and leave it to Nick Fallin to make her feel something brand new and different every time she was with him. Her white silk shirt came slowly undone, and the white lace demi-cup bra peeked out from between its folds. Nick was laying open mouthed kisses along Lulu's swanlike neck, while she gently caressed his nape through the curls. As usual, it was rapidly getting away from them. "N-Nick...aah...um, don't you want to talk?" Lulu gasped as his fingers softly ran along the edge of her bra, he had looked down, and wondered at the perfection of her petite figure, God - she was glorious.

Nick realized Lulu had not expected this onslaught so soon, so he gradually began to back off, holding her in his arms, but not letting her go. He kissed her temple and brow, "I'm all ears." He gave a deep satisfied sigh; just embracing her was heaven.

Lulu shivered, and when Nick felt it, he drew her shirt across her. Lulu brushed a dark gold curl in place across his brow, only to see it spring up again. She smiled and pointedly told him she wasn't cold, staring into his eyes. Nick's look of intent at her remark that indirectly stated her desire for him, made her head swim. Nick decided to put one issue to rest, he wanted Brian out and for good, and he needed to here her say it, "What are you going to do, Lulu?"

 

She knew what he was asking, and though he deserved an answer before they went much further, she really didn't know how she would break it to Brian, consequently she didn't know how to answer Nick. "I - I'll talk to him soon, tomorrow maybe..." she said quietly, twirling a lock of his hair around her finger, trying to direct Nick's thoughts elsewhere.

"Lulu..." Nick said, growing increasingly agitated, because that wasn't good enough. He was impatient, and wanted to know when she would tell Brian it was over, "What will you tell him?" He was pushing for an answer, maybe one that she didn't have yet. It occurred to Nick in that instant, it wasn't what she would tell Brian that he wanted to know, it was what he wanted Lulu to tell him. Was it unfair, to force an admission from her, when he hadn't revealed the depth of emotion he felt for her either? Sure it was. But the way he looked at it, he was all hers, literally, at the snap of her little fingers, and she had to know that. While she on the other hand, was promised to someone else. He wanted it over now, and he wanted her to tell him that specifically.

 

"I don't know yet," Lulu had stopped caressing him, and was sitting very still. She sensed a storm brewing.

 

"Other than it's over, what else do you need to tell him," Nick said persistently.

Lulu was sitting in Nick's lap, and here they were getting ready to go at it. She made to move away, put a little distance between them so cooler heads would prevail. Nick, stubborn yet not stupid, apologized, "Lulu, I'm sorry - I shouldn't have pushed you...but I think you know the way I feel."

No, I don't," Lulu replied, looking at him.

"C'mon, Louisa," Nick said exasperated, "do I have to tattoo it on my forehead?" Nick was acting as if she was supposed to have known what was in his heart. The truth was, Lulu had no idea, or maybe she was filled with too much self-doubt to accept the obvious.

 

"Nicholas, you've told me less than nothing about how you feel...I'm not a mind reader you know," she pouted. Damn, Nicholas thought...how did she do that -- just on a dime, turn everything back on him. She might be a better lawyer than he was after all.

 

Lulu slipped out of his arms, and stood up. Her hair was mussed, lips swollen from his kisses, and her white silk blouse was open down the front -- lacy bra peaking out at him. He groaned -- his eyes running up and down her small curvy frame, he put his head back on the sofa, a bit dejectedly. Why couldn't he have kept his mouth shut, and just kept on kissing her? It wasn't like him to delay his satisfaction any longer than necessary, yet he had stopped to "talk." God, here was one more reason why Lulu was the one. He wanted to please her more than he wanted to please himself. Except in this instance, Nick wanted Brian out of the picture -- and he wanted her to tell him definitively it would happen, and soon.

 

"Let's get back to the subject at hand." Nick countered.

 

"Which is?" Lulu said stubbornly.

 

Your fiancé," Nick said angrily, knowing what he said and the way he said it would hurt Lulu, he surprised himself at the ferocity behind his words.

Lulu standing there, exposed in more ways than one, felt his words like a lash. Her face crumbled a bit, and seeing how he wounded her, Nick was horrified, and felt sick inside. He stood up, and reached out to her in apology, "I'm sorry, Lulu...I'm sorry, for saying it that way."

 

"What way? No, no...you're uh...exactly right, that's what he is," Lulu replied softly, a tear running down her cheek. She was engaged to one man, yet here she was making love to another man in her home, she thought. Nick could apparently read her like a book, did he want her to feel guilty enough to acquiesce in everything he suggested, which was telling Brian it was over as soon as possible, and not looking back. He was good, because she was almost tempted to do just that at his words. But Lulu wasn't the type to cave without a fight.

 

Nicholas Fallin," Lulu said firmly.

 

Uh-oh, Nick thought, there it was, the whole name -- his mother used to do that, and it usually meant he was in deep shit. Boy, he had really blown it, here he was, right where he wanted to be, and he was going to get kicked out on his ass. Way to go Fallin, he thought -- everything is going your way, and you step right in it, and ruin everything.

 

"I...I...don't...know what to tell Brian. I've known him for 7 years, and up until 6 months ago, marrying him was what I thought I wanted for my life. For 7 years, he's been my closest friend...his parents have been as supportive of me as if I was their own daughter. I don't want to hurt him anymore than necessary. So I have to consider just how I'm going to tell him, I owe him an honest explanation I know...but maybe in this

instance...honesty isn't the best policy. I just have to be as tactful as possible Nicholas, please understand..."

 

"I don't care how you tell him, you can lie to him if necessary -- but you need to tell him, and soon."
"Nick --"

 

Nick, talking over her, and pointing his finger back towards the vicinity of her bedroom, "I'm serious Lulu, he's coming in this Friday on his damn break, and I won't stand for him staying here and - "

"Oooooh, so that's it..." Lulu interrupted, enlightened yet pissed. "You...you think that I could...a-after what you and I...," she couldn't even finished her sentence she was so outraged. "I would NEVER do that, I couldn't do that, Nicholas!"

"How the hell am I supposed to know that? You don't tell me anything either Lulu, you're wearing his ring, you've just about closed on a new house, and he's still planning to come here this weekend!" Nick's voice scratchy soft voice, cracked with emotion.

Lulu finally saw the situation through Nick's eyes. She did owe him something. Giving a small soft sob at the naked emotion in Nick's eyes, Lulu walked to her fireplace mantle. Nick saw her slide the ring off her finger, place it there, and turn back to look at him with her heart in her eyes. He swallowed hard at the gesture from Lulu, dropped his head, and looked up at her through those long dark gold lashes of his.

 

"I'll give it back to him, when I tell him. I don't know what I'll say...but I know what I won't say. I won't tell him I never loved him. I won't tell him that because it would be a lie, I've known him a long time. Up until six months ago -- what I felt for him, was all I knew. But this is what I'll tell you Nicholas, regardless of what you feel for me, you've given me a gift. I now know there's something more. My eyes have been opened to what I was missing with Brian, it's not only about...passion...but other things too. It's about my heart stopping then starting up again, and beating triple time when you walk in a room, it's about missing you when you're not at LSOP, it's about feeling happy when I see you smiling, it's about feeling incredible things that I've never felt before in life...I…think...I think it's how a woman is supposed to feel with her man, and if I hadn't met you, I never would have known that." Lulu gave him a beautiful watery smile.

 

Nick, speechless and overcome, moved towards her. She hadn't said it all, but she had said most of it. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her, and next time, it would be her turn to hear from him. He slowly pulled her towards him, pressing her against his chest, and nuzzling the top of her head, which stopped right at his heart. He embraced her tightly, and felt her arms go around him snugly, he never wanted to let her go. This was enough, Nick thought, this was more than enough for now.

 

TO BE CONTINUED...