Nichelle woke up the next morning feeling, not surprisingly, refreshed. She knew she would. The only respectable amount of sleep that she had received was whenever Justin had stayed with her.

She stretched, long and lazy pushing the hair from her face. She was, however, surprised to find a single long stemmed white rose in a clear crystal vase on the night stand. Nichelle simply stared at it at first but then a slow smile began to grace her face. She reached over to touch the petals and something caught her eye.

Hmm a note

She unfolded the tiny sheet of paper and read it aloud to herself. “Nicky, hope you like the rose, a little reminder of our first date. I didn’t want to wake you this morning because the drool on your pillow told me I wore you out last night.” She stopped, laughed out loud and looked at her own pillow, which did indeed have a dark wet spot on it.

“Ah, gross!” Nichelle exclaimed and continued to read. “I knew you would look, pretty nasty I know.” She stopped and laughed again. “Anyway, the point of this little note was to let you know that I had to make an emergency trip to the airport.”

Nichelle put the note down for a second, her smile fading.

He just left? Just like that?

The thought of him just running out on her without so much as a good-bye sealed the deal. He was a no good son of a bitch just as he had been in high school and she was a fool to think he would stick around after he had gotten what he wanted.

“Bastard.” She threw the note down onto the floor knowing the rest of it was an apology of sorts but she wasn’t going to hear it. Swinging both feet over the edge of the bed Nichelle went to find her dog and hopefully to stop Baby from whatever havoc she was wreaking.

“Baby! Baby come on out you dumb dog.” Normally the puppy was barking frantically around this time. She had, in recent years, become Nichelle’s natural alarm clock.

Nichelle searched the bathrooms, the small kitchenette and the bedroom once more but there was no sign of her Terrier. Panic was the only thing on her mind.

“I never get a fuckin’ break with this dog!” Frustrated to no end, Nichelle ran her fingers through her hair and called for Baby once more. “Where on earth…” then she gasped.

Justin! That asshole stole my dog along with my sex!

“This is war. This is mother fuckin’ war now bitch!” With that said she picked up the vase with the long steamed white rose floating in it and smashed it onto the floor with a sinister grin.

******

“Hey man! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were coming down for a surprise visit. Had to get away from Kirsten huh?” Justin pulled Trace into a hug while his bodyguards proceeded to take his friends bags to the limo. Baby trailed behind happily sniffing at Trace’s feet.

“Well dumbass if I’d told you it wouldn’t be a surprise. And Kiears, she’s over exerting herself with the wedding. Plus she understands that you're like blood. Couldn't let you spend Christmas alone!” Trace laughed and looked down. “Which girls’ dog is that man? I know you didn’t pick out this Paris Hilton lookin’ dog on your own.”

Justin rolled his eyes as they situated themselves in the limo and drove off. “Man don’t worry about it. Her name's Baby.”

“The girl’s name is Baby? Hmm sexy, that’s a nickname right?”

“No, stupid. The dog’s name is Baby.”

Trace nodded and smiled. “So, what’s the girl’s name?”

Justin turned back to his friend with a scowl on his face. “There ain’t no girl.”

“Boy quit lyin’. I’ve known you since we were in diapers. Don’t bullshit me.” Justin once again rolled his eyes and put Baby into his lap. “Plus, Lynn already told me.”

“What?!”

Damn it mama!

“You know she can’t keep shit to herself. Nana and Papa probably know too.” Trace had to laugh at his best friend’s expression. “Just spill it. I’m gonna meet her anyway when you return the dog so just fill me in.”

He sighed and continued to stroke Baby’s soft fur. “I met her less than a week ago but I think I’m in love with her.”

“Whoa! I wasn’t expecting that. I just said tell me her name man, goddamn!”

“Well you asked, so I’m telling you. And her name is Nicky.”

Trace thought for a moment. “Nicky hmm? That’s cute too. What’s her last name? What does she do?”

Justin sat a moment contemplating whether to tell Trace that none of that was any of his business or that he himself didn’t even know the answers to questions. He’d just told his best friend that he may be in love with a girl he’d only known a week and knew really nothing about her. He felt more like a psychopath the more he thought about how much he really didn’t know her and the depth of his feelings for her.

“Justin, yo earth to JT. We’re at the hotel kid.” Trace’s voice brought him back from his own thoughts. He blinked once then stepped from the limo and fell into step next to Trace with Baby, once again, trailing behind them.

45 minutes had passed since she had completely decimated Justin’s gift and thoughts of a way to get him back for making a fool of her were the only things running through her head.

Maybe I should send a hundred pizzas to his room…yeah…no. He’s not staying in the hotel anymore smarty. Or I could…

Nichelle suddenly had an epiphany. She was a writer; a damn good one she might add and he was Justin Timberlake. She finally gave into the urge to let a sadistic smile bloom across her face. She grabbed for her notebook and began scribbling down mental notes she’d been taking of Justin since she’d met him.

She would bask in the glow of his humiliation and downfall, using the intimate deals of his life that he had so willing bestowed upon her the night before.

He’d been holding her close, long after they’d made love for what seemed like the millionth time but the craving still lingered. He was willing to make her body hum for another million more.

“What’s going on in your head?” Justin asked suddenly, cutting through the silence.

Nichelle continued to listen to the falling rain outside. The thunder had stopped a while ago but she still clung to Justin as if her life depended on it. But hearing his question made her wiggle away some, putting some distance between them.

“…I dunno. What are you thinking about?” She rolled her eyes. She was a journalist and she couldn’t come up with any other question but the same one he’d asked her.

“You.”

The pure honesty in the answer made her suck in a quick breath. Nichelle wasn’t sure why the answer had left her more dumbfounded then the question. She hadn’t expected him to answer so quickly or even at all. Especially not like that.

It also frightened her to think that he was analyzing her; trying to figure her out. Maybe he had sensed her secret agenda? That definitely couldn’t have been it. If he had figured her out she was pretty sure she wouldn’t be wrapped up in his arms listening to the steady beat of his heart.

“Me? How so?” She tried being nonchalant about her inquiry but her heart sped up slightly at the anticipation of his next answer.

“Yea, just trying to figure you out. It’s like one moment you’re stubborn and sassy with the worst sailor’s mouth out of any woman I’ve ever known. Then the next you’re soft spoken, gentle and sweet. I don’t know which one I like better but I know I want you around long enough for me to find out.”

Justin turned to her, the last part of his speech he spoke as he gazed down at her. Nichelle was stunned into place. She’d never heard such an underhanded declaration in her life.

And it was the sweetest thing she’d ever been told.

Without being able to help it he let his lips caress her neck, taking care of the delicate skin he was offered. His tongue darted out to tease her and she gasped in surprise. The sound that came from Nichelle knocked her back to reality.

She was getting caught up in his sweet talk and soft lips that she was forgetting the pep talk she’d given herself after Ramir about never letting a man control her mind, body or soul. As Justin continued to leave a trail of fire down the side of her neck Nichelle felt a giggle bubble deep within her. It was the only thing she could think of to release the ball of arousal that was forming in her belly.

“What’s so funny?” Justin asked lifting his head, an amused but confused look on his own face.

“I was just wondering how long it took you to get your BA in pimpology.” She continued to giggle uncontrollably.

He smiled. “It’s not learned baby, I was born into pimp status.” He winked and let her giggle for a while longer before his face became solemn as her laughter died down. “Seriously though, all of what I said it wasn’t a line. I don’t sweet talk just anyone. You have to be special.” Justin winked and patted her cheek playfully.

“Oh really? How many special girls do you have roaming around?” Nichelle began to listen intently as he spoke of women he’d been with, some famous and some not but regardless of that she was taking mental notes of names and descriptions.

Just in case of a moment like this.

Let’s see, where to start? The byline could read…Nsync front man takes a nose dive in the charts as well as into bed with every willing uterus walking.

Nichelle giggled in delight at the possible start to her story. Oh, you are sick bitch Nick. She was in writer’s heaven until a loud voice followed by a bark knocked her from her thoughts.

“Lucy you got some ‘splainin to do!” Her eyes widened as she recognized the bark and the voice.

Her pen immediately hit the floor. “Fuck.”

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