CONTENT WARNINGS: This story is an ADULT Nick & Nat story. It contains explicit sex (m/f), [Nick/Nat]. If such content would offend you, do NOT read and hit the DELETE key. PERMISSION IS GRANTED to archive this story at FKFANFIC Archive, FKFANFIC2 Archive, FK FTP site, and JADFE Archive ONLY. Anyone else must ask for permission from me first. It will also be available at my fiction site at http://nitemar.home.att.net/ . DEDICATION: You can blame the posting of this story on a new FK convert, Laura, and her challenge to write an adult story without having the woman being in satin and lace. A special thanks to my longtime beta reader Nightlady and thanks to Laura for her help as well! DISCLAIMERS: The Forever Knight characters belong to Columbia Tri/Star. No copyright infringement is intended. -------------- The Robe By Nitemar June 2003 -------------- Slipping on her pink terrycloth robe after her bath, Natalie smiled to herself as she thought of last night. She couldn't have imagined a more perfect evening with Nick. They had attended a gallery opening belonging to an "old" friend of Nick's, the guests a mix of vampires and humans. But the way Nick introduced her to his friends made her feel like something had changed between them, that he regarded their relationship as something deeper. Looking back on it now, she wasn't sure what had caused the change in the way Nick treated her last evening. She recalled how he often grasped her hand, entwining his fingers through hers as he guided her through the crowd or held her around her waist as he spoke with the other guests, almost possessively. Nat stared at herself in the mirror. She had always been attracted to Nick, whether she had admitted it to herself or not. She certainly would never have admitted it to anyone else. In the past year her feelings for Nick had started to show through to others around her and undoubtedly Nick as well, but she always denied it out loud. Her heart would be screaming 'I'm in love with you, Nick', while her lips spoke of only their friendship - until last night. The time at the gallery had been nice, but the best part of the evening was after they left. Instead of walking directly back to the car, Nick had detoured her to the park across the street so they could enjoy the summer evening. It was a magical night. As they strolled among the trees, she had asked more about the guests at the gallery and from where Nick knew them. Soon the conversation subject had turned to them and he revealed that he had fallen in love with her as she had with him long before that night. As Natalie dried her wet hair with the towel, she recalled what Nick said about how he had been afraid in exploring any deeper relationship, despite how he felt. Being a vampire made things complicated on many levels, he had said. They even talked about some of the issues involved, some of which he had spoken of before, but only as excuses. Natalie replayed their conversation in her head. They had both confided their feelings for each other. She couldn't say what had steered the conversation from talking about the gallery and Nick's friends or what had caused them to reveal what they did now. Nick had said he wasn't afraid anymore to take the chance, but he warned her of the possible repercussions that may be involved, most importantly LaCroix. He discussed with her the seriousness of what a change in their relationship could mean, needing to be sure that she was fully aware of the risk. He confided that if anything happened to her because of his decision to take a chance, he would regret his selfishness in fighting for her love. She had made him promise to never regret loving her, no matter what happened. He agreed as he held her in his arms under the starlit sky and told her, 'Living without knowing what may have been is worse than anything that could possibly happen as a result of loving you.' She pulled the robe tight around her, its comfort mimicking how she felt now as she remembered Nick's words just before he had kissed her - not as a friend, but as someone in love. Nat didn't know what the future for them held, but she was determined to find out. Her inner thoughts were interrupted as she heard the doorbell ringing. Had it been ringing long? Nat walked quickly to the door, wondering who it was at this late hour. She opened the door with the chain lock still attached and saw Nick standing there with a wide grin. She quickly closed the door to unhook the latch and opened the door wide. "Nick! I didn't know you were coming over," she said excitedly. Nick appraised her attire and her damp hair and realized he had interrupted her and caught her in a bath. Embarrassed, his smile fell. "I'm sorry, Nat. I should have called." He started to back away. Nat reached out for his arm and pulled him inside, locking the door behind him. "Come in, Nick. It'll only take me a minute to get dressed." She led him to the couch and continued, "Why don't you sit here and I'll be right back." Since she had opened the door, he had been listening to her accelerated heartbeat and smelling the flowery scent of her shampoo. As she had led him across the room, Nick had breathed deeply to take in her scent and became aware of her arousal too. When she started to turn towards her bedroom to get dressed, Nick held tight on to her arm and pulled her towards him into his arms. "Come here a minute," he said huskily. His lips descended on hers as his hands slipped through her damp hair and held her close. As he kissed her mouth, his tongue traced along her lips and tasted her. She eagerly parted her lips to allow his probing tongue, leaning into his body. She felt his hardened ridge in his jeans press against her and she moaned into his mouth. Dazed by his kiss, as they parted Nat mumbled, "Why did you say you came over?" Equally drugged by the kiss, Nick said, "I didn't say." Looking into her eyes, he continued. "I was driving, thinking about you, about last night... and how long it has taken for us to finally say... to finally admit... and I just ended up in front of your building." "And what were you thinking about exactly?" she probed. Nick smiled teasingly. "Of being with you in the park last night, of all the things we finally put into words, all the things that we said." "Wonderful things." Nat again sensed the same connection they had made last night. When they had voiced hidden feelings last night, the feelings they had already for each other had become much stronger and could no longer deny. "And what it might mean for us," Nick added as he enjoyed the glow on Nat's face as she gazed into his eyes. He took the time to study her eyes, her lips and her entire face in a way he never could before. He had always hidden the way he observed and appreciated her. He didn't have to do that anymore. His hands slid along her neck as he caressed her soft skin. His eyes glanced over her flesh exposed at the edges of the robe she wore. "You like this robe a lot, don't you?" he asked teasingly, forgetting for a moment what he came to talk about. When Nick pointed out her robe, Nat grew pink with embarrassment. It was an old, comfortable robe that made her feel warm and cozy. It wasn't the only robe she had, but she wore it when she needed that warm comforting feeling, and definitely when she didn't need to look attractive. It was funny - she had worn it at Nick's when she had spent the night there before. She certainly wanted him to be attracted to her, but maybe she was subconsciously afraid, too - afraid of the vampire, afraid of rejection. But now, after their illuminating confessions last night, she felt embarrassed for him to see her in this ratty old thing. "It's just a comfortable old robe," she muttered, looking away. "I think it's sexy." Nick grasped her hands and laced his fingers through hers, tightening his grip. Nat snapped her head back up. "Nick, come on. I know like this old thing, but I also know it's not sexy," she challenged him. Nick's face remained serious. "It is to me, Nat. You know what I have thought every time I see you wear it?" Nat shook her head. Nick slid his hands along the edge of the robe where it crossed in front of her, following with his eyes. He gently curled his fingers under the fabric to touch her bare skin under the robe, caressing her warm silky flesh. Nat gasped with his touch and waited to hear what he had to say. Slowly drawing his eyes away from where his hands caressed her skin, Nick looked back up into her eyes. "When I see you in this robe," he started slowly, "I can only think of the treasures that lie beneath this terrycloth and how badly I want to take it off you and see for myself." Nat's heart beat rapidly and she moistened her lips with her tongue. Was Nick asking for what it seemed like he was? She reached her arms around his neck and pressed her hips into his body. Nick gasped at her contact and understanding the meaning, gently loosened her arms from around his neck and slid his hands under the shoulder of the robe. Slipping the robe from her shoulders, Nick exposed her neck and shoulders fully to him. His lips caressed the warm skin exposed to him and, making his way down her neck, paused near the pulsing artery there as her blood called him. But he continued kissing along her shoulders as his hands slid the robe lower. Nat slid her fingers through his golden locks, holding his head close and encouraging his mouth's caress. She moaned as his lips moved towards the mounds of her breasts and his mouth captured one peak as his fingers teased the other. With Nat encouraging his attentions, Nick continued his mouth's caresses while tugging on her sleeves to pull the robe lower. Nat briefly removed her hands from his hair, letting the sleeves slip from her arms and the robe dropped to the floor. Nick paused as he looked over Nat's body appreciatively. "You're beautiful, Nat." His hands caressed over her waist and hips to finally rest on her rear and he pulled her naked body against his jean-clad arousal. Nick captured her lips, kissing her passionately, wanting to give and take the greatest pleasure. Nat fumbled between them, reaching for Nick's shirt to divest him of some clothing, but Nick tensed at her intent. "What's wrong?" "My skin... It's not warm," Nick said, feeling self-conscious, afraid of Nat's reaction to his cool skin. Would Nat be turned off by his naked body? She knew what his skin was like as a doctor, but would it be different to a woman in love? "Nick. I know what your skin is like," Nat said as she reached for the buttons of his shirt and started undoing them. She slipped her fingers under the open shirt, tenderly caressing his flesh. Nat pulled the shirt free from his jeans and pushed it from his shoulders. Her hands caressed the wide expanse of his firm chest lovingly. With each caress, Nick relaxed and became more comfortable with Nat's desire for him. These hands caressing him were not doctor's hands examining her patient. When she leaned forward and kissed his skin, he knew for certain she desired him. Then she teased his nipples to hard points and Nick sucked in his breath at the sensation. His hands slid over her waist, the feel of her soft skin under his fingers, and slowly slid a hand to cup the heated mound between her legs. His finger slid gently along the edge of her folds and he heard her whimper in response. Nat paused in her attentions to his chest and gazed into his eyes, seeing matched desire there with a slight hint of golden hue. Her heart beat wildly in anticipation of where this was leading, where she hoped it was leading. Suddenly, having just made his decision, Nick grasped Nat behind her legs and shoulders and lifted her into his arms determinedly. He kissed her passionately on the mouth and carried her into the bedroom, setting her gently to the floor at the side of her bed. Cupping his hands to frame her face, Nick tenderly pressed his lips to hers as if with caution. "I love you, Nat." Nat grasped one of his hands from her face and, lowering herself onto the bed, encouraged Nick to follow her. As she lay back on the pillows, Nick quickly toed off his shoes and followed her onto the bed, softly kissing her legs as he slowly made his way up her body. As he drew closer to her feminine treasures, Nick heard encouraging moans from Nat and felt her fingers slip through his hair. He deeply inhaled the musky scent, licking and kissing her inner thighs, only momentarily pausing over the artery pulsing with her warm blood. His attentions turned to her center of desire and he tasted her, swiping his tongue along her feminine folds. Nat squirmed under Nick's caresses and licks, tingling in anticipation as his touch came closer to her womanhood. "Oh, Nick," she moaned at his first lick along her folds. She raised her hips to meet his mouth and he delved his tongue along her inner folds. Nick was rewarded with Nat's feminine juices as he lapped Nat's fleshy folds, swollen with blood. He held her hips as his tongue focused in on her swollen nub of pleasure, causing Nat's fingers to close tighter onto his hair. Pulling his mouth away, he asked, "Do you like that, Nat?' Nat was overwhelmed with the sensations that were driving her to ecstasy. When Nick pulled away, it felt like torture, and she pushed his head back to the source of her body's pleasure as she moaned incoherently. Nick gently chuckled at her response and continued to tease and pleasure her where she directed him, her fingers rhythmically tensing in his hair. Then he felt her body tense and finally turn limp as her orgasm flushed through her, her heavy breathing and rushing heart flooded his senses. He licked a few more times as her body calmed and looked up at her, a satisfied look on his face. Nat's entire body felt like jelly as she felt Nick gently lick her folds a few final times, her heart rushing with the remains of her orgasm. She looked down her body at Nick as he lifted his head. He smiled at her, his golden eyes shining. As she stared at him, she realized he still had his jeans on. This just had to be rectified... after a few more moments. Nat pushed herself to sit and grabbed Nick's jeans. "These have to go, Nick," she said as she popped the snap and undid the zipper. But before she could start to push the jeans over his hips, Nick stilled her hands. Nat looked up at Nick with a questioning gaze. "Nat," he said huskily, "Please wait." Confused, Nat searched his face. "What's wrong, Nick?" Nick closed his eyes, trying to gain control, and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, the golden hue was almost gone. "We need to talk first," he said as he lay down beside Nat. Nat turned to face him, more confused than ever. She lay her hand on his chest and asked, "Nick, what is it? Did I do something wrong?" She gazed at him worriedly. Facing her as they lay on their sides, Nick gazed into her eyes. "Oh no, Nat. It's not you." He cupped her face in his hands, caressing her skin. "We just can't go any further without talking about something. I know I should have said something before things got this far, but..." Nat wondered what it could possibly be that made Nick stop. She waited for Nick to continue, to explain why he didn't want her to touch him, why he didn't want to be inside her. "You saw the change in my eyes before?" he asked. "Of course. I've seen that in you before. Is that what is bothering you, Nick?" Nat started to caress his chest, trying to show him she loved all of him as he was. With Nick's heightened senses at the moment, he couldn't concentrate with her continued touch. He covered his hand over hers on his chest, stilling the movement. "That's only part of it. Sexual desire brings out the vampire. For a vampire, sex is linked to the blood," he started to explain. Nat watched Nick's pained face as he tried to explain. Nick took a deep breath before continuing. This was a difficult thing to talk about for him. "It means that if we go any further, if I... I need to bite you, I need your blood." Nick looked down, embarrassed by how he was asking her. He should have brought this up before they were caught in the rush of passion. "You need my blood to have an orgasm?" she asked, thinking she understood what he was trying to say. He looked back into her eyes. "I'm sorry, Nat. I should have said something before." Nat smiled at him and touched his face with her hand, caressing his skin lovingly. "You just need a little, right?" "Yes. But there is always the danger of not stopping. I don't know if I can. The aroma of your blood is so intoxicating to me." "Nick," she gently interrupted. "I trust you." She gazed into his eyes, willing for him to hear her words clearly. "I don't know if I trust myself." "You won't hurt me, Nick." Nick's eyes watered with unshed tears at the confidence and faith Natalie had in him. He only hoped he deserved it. His hand pushed her hair back from her face and he kissed her lips, softly at first. Then as he deepened the kiss, his tongue probing into her mouth, the passion reignited through his body. Nat reached for Nick's jeans again, this time sliding them over his hips with Nick helping to squirm out of them and kicking them down his legs and onto to the floor. Finally, Nat was able to explore Nick's nakedness freely, her hands caressing along his sides and back. Nat cupped his rear and pulled him against her body, his hardened shaft pressing into her. Nick reached between Nat's legs, pushing inside her with a finger to test her readiness and was rewarded with abundant moisture. Shifting on top of her, he guided his shaft to her opening and slid inside, sighing as he felt the warmth surround him. "Nat, you feel so good," he mumbled into her hair. Nat grasped his head and guided him to look at her. She captured his lips in a kiss as his hips found an age-old rhythm, sliding in and out of her tight center. Her hips rose to meet his thrusts, making the thrusts penetrate deeply. The sensations in his groin escalated as he focused on Nat. His mouth devoured hers and his hands explored her breasts and neck. He strained as his shaft grew harder than he ever remembered, piercing into her deeply and rapidly. He needed relief soon, but he wanted to keep the vampire at bay a bit longer. Nat noticed Nick's readiness and his avoidance of allowing the vampire his due. She broke their kiss and turned her head, exposing her neck for him. Gently she pulled him to her neck, giving him permission. Nick accepted her invitation and licked her neck, taking in the scent of her blood. His fangs dropped and he kissed the pulsing skin. Gently he slid his fangs into her flesh and he heard her gasp softly. The first rush of her blood into his mouth was ecstasy and after another thrust of his engorged penis into her core, his bloody semen spilled into her. He drank her blood as his orgasm subsided, seeing in her blood all she felt, all that she treasured in her blood. He saw how much he truly meant to her, how long he has been in her heart. He withdrew his fangs, stopping the blood flow and licked over the wounds. He pulled back, shifting his weight off of her. Concerned about her, he called to her. "Nat?" She turned her face lazily towards him with a smile of contentment. "Yeah?" "You're okay," he said in relief, wrapping his arms tightly around her. "I didn't take too much," he mumbled into her hair as he held her close. "I knew you wouldn't," Nat said confidently. "But you are going to have to tell me about all the things I saw when you drank from me. Were those your memories?" Nick pulled back and gazed into her eyes with his sparkling blue ones. "I'll tell you everything you want to know," he said and softly kissed her. ---- Hours later, after more exploration of each other's naked bodies, Nat lay curled at his side drawing lazy designs on his chest with her fingers. "Is that robe really sexy to you?" she asked, remembering what had started all this. Nick chuckled at the question. "You have to ask that after what happened tonight?" He turned on his side facing her and encircled his arms around her. "Actually," he whispered as he nudged his nose against hers, "It's not what you wear that makes you sexy. It's the woman you are, the woman I love. I'd find you sexy in a burlap sack," he said as he nuzzled against her neck and tenderly licked the twin wounds again, helping them to heal more quickly. Nat pulled back and looked at him questioningly. Seeing the doubt on her face, Nick explained, "I have seen many women over the centuries in all kinds of clothing, all kinds of styles, doing all kinds of things to try to attract the men they want." He traced the back of his fingers along her cheek as he spoke softly. "But I have never met a woman as beautiful as you, someone I could trust with my soul as I do with you." Nat studied Nick's face as he spoke to her, seeing the deep love and trust he had in her. His deep blue eyes reached deep into her soul and touched her heart. She gasped with the intensity of his gaze. Then Nick smiled teasingly. "But I think I like you best in this," he said, glancing down at her body. Nat looked down at her body to see what he might be referring to. She had nothing on, of course, except the sheet that draped over them. She looked back up at Nick. "Nothing?" "Nothing... except for one thing," Nick said, remembering what he had wanted to talk about before the discussion over her robe distracted him many hours ago. He leaned over the side of the bed and grabbed his jeans. Sitting up on the bed, he searched the pockets until he found what he sought and held it in his closed palm. Tossing the jeans back to the floor, he turned back to Nat as she sat watching him curiously. He focused again on her face as she waited. "I would be honored if you would wear this," he said as he opened his palm for her to see, "and marry me." Nat looked at Nick's open hand to see the most exquisite diamond and emerald ring. She stared at the glittering jewel, her mouth hanging open in surprise. She looked up into Nick's face as he wore the widest grin she had ever seen on him. She carefully picked up the ring in her fingers as if to feel for herself that it was real. Closing her hand tightly over the ring, she quickly grinned and threw her arms around him, holding him tight. "Oh, Nick!" As he held her close, he spoke, "I know we still have a lot to talk about, about our circumstances, and I know this seems sudden, but after finally saying what we both felt for so long, I just..." Nat pulled back and smiled at his attempt to explain his apparent impulsive proposal. "Nick, yes, I will marry you." She quickly captured his lips, pulling him close to her body again. Nick reached for the ring in her hand and slipped the ring onto her finger, admiring how it looked as the only item his bride-to-be wore. He softly and reverently kissed her left hand where the symbol of their promise was adorned. Nick held her tight, savoring the feel of her against his skin and took the time to appreciate what he never thought he could have. His lips slowly traveled along her neck, shoulder and breasts as he learned every inch of her body and became familiar with even more of her intimate responses. Nat moaned softly at his touch as she caressed his back and held him close. How did this all happen so fast? Why did it take so long? As Nick worked his way back to her mouth, kissing her passionately, she realized just how late it was. "Nick," she mumbled into his mouth. Nick pulled back just slightly. "Mmm-hmm?" "Stay the day with me?" Nick just smiled happily. "I plan to." Nat continued to try convincing him, his words not having sunk in yet. "I have blood bags in the fridge and these drapes were made extra heavy, and..." Nick kissed her again, stopping her flow of words. Nick's simple statement finally sank in. "You'll stay?" she mumbled. Pulling back, Nick said, "Yes. I wouldn't dream of being anywhere than right here. I know about the blood bags and the drapes." "But how..." "Later, Nat," he insisted as he kissed her again, exploring her with his lips as well as his hands. Nat could no longer think coherently and gave in to the feelings Nick was creating in her. ---------- As the lovers caressed and kissed and explored, dreaming of their lives together, the pink terrycloth robe lay forgotten on the living room floor. As the sunlight filtered through the living room curtains and danced across the heap of pink fabric, a new day was beginning in Toronto. A very special day. Finis Comments welcome at nitemar@att.net Stories archived at http://nitemar.home.att.net