FATE'S SECOND CHANCES

Chapter 5

East still had a smile on his face when Nicole left. That girl was a menace to him yet she kept him on his toes feeling challenged to the extreme. Wanting to pull her in his arms and never let her go. He almost lost his control if not for that stupid door. His nose was hurting and there was this red welt on his forehead. The price of love. Yet still East was hopelessly in love wanting to prove himself to her all over again.

But first he had to fix the awful mess of boxes in his hallway. He had already sorted his stuff for his bedroom but the rest he still had to unload. He was not good in organizing things unlike Nicole. Remembering back then how she loved to even fix his dorm room. He could not stop thinking about her. He worked for a steady 2 hours and East felt pleased at the results. He cleared his hallway organizing his stuff in his coming new home. It looked cozy with his own personal touch. It was a very humid as he wiped sweat of his forehead. It was time to freshen up. East wanted to check the amenities of the place. The pool area would be the best place to explore and cool off. Later on he had to go grocery shopping and do some work on the architectural designs he had made for Tuscany. There was still in depth illustrations that had to be ironed out in time for the Board presentations.

East dressed himself in his board shorts a towel slung on his shoulder. He felt good about the place not as lavished as his penthouse unit in New York but just right for his taste. Even the staff were really nice, a far cry from the distant attitude of New Yorkers.

The pool side was kidney shaped it's blue waters inviting. Even the ambiance relaxing with white umbrella seats mixed with brown whickered lounge chairs. There was even a spa area. It was perfect. The pool was empty except for a girl gracefully swimming. In her black g-string bikini. She had curves in all the right places. Her long legs tanned and shapely. He can make out his breasts from afar so rounded and full slightly popping out for his viewing pleasure in her bikini top. She reminded him so much of Nicole's body which he knew inside out. Nicole was all that. No other woman could excite him more.

Curiosity got the better of East wanting to at least see the face the awesomely sexy girl. He was a pretty good swimmer as he executed a perfect dive near the girl creating quite a splash beside her.

East was surprised to find a sputtering Nicole glaring at him in anger. Her aqua blue eyes breath taking no matter how furious she was.

You again! she cried out loud. Can't I live in peace around here. My house, then the pool!

East looked amused instead and grinned widely her anger humoring him as he placed his arms up in surrender facing her.

C'mon Nicky I didn't know I just wanted to take a swim myself. he said still smiling. Why he was explaining himself he had no idea.

And get out East! This is my pool time and to have you here is the most shitty thing possible! So please leave. She sent dagger looks at him but he didn't seem bothered one bit standing his ground.

This is a resident's pool and I intend to enjoy it. If you can be so kind to share it makes it even more wonderful! he declared with a smirk on his handsome face.

Nicole looked at East. How totally infuriating this guy can get and not to mention so good looking. Drop dead good looks. How broad his chest looked and all muscled. That glorious abs so tight she wanted to run her fingers all over him. His dark brown hair was now wet with it's natural light flecks brushed back. He was looking at her now with an almost boyish rueful expression on his face but the mischief was in his eyes.

Stay away! she warned. she had no right to ban him from the pool. He had every right to be there.

She swam away from him as far as possible with him swimming after her.

C'mon Nicky have mercy. he cried. Can you stop hating me just for once. Everything I do makes you mad. Let's just stop please Nicky. he begged her. His expression serious and contrite.

Let's stop fighting Nicky please. Let's call a truce all you need is to learn to forgive and give me one more chance. That's all I ask. I'm far from the East you used to know. I'm not the same happy go lucky party animal kind of guy I was before. I've learned things the hard way. Losing everything I had wasn't easy. Being abandoned by people I thought really cared about me.

All the pain he had been through showed in his face. Nicole felt herself soften not knowing what to say. But she also learned the hard way. The betrayal of East still etched in her mind. The pain cutting through her. She was still dwelling on past hurts being unfair to East.

Maybe you've changed East but I'm not the same naive girl who believed in everything you said. Like you I've grown up and this time this Nicole will never get hurt again.

She was striking him with her words. Will he always be punished for some incident that was not really his fault? East felt as if Nicole had slapped him. He took a deep breath prefering to remain quiet. What East could only say was straight from his heart.

You may have changed Nicole but nothing changes my love for you. I love you Nicky you might hate me now but I'll still be waiting for that second chance with you. he said quietly looking directly into her eyes.

Nicole took one look into East's deep-set eyes and knew he was telling the truth. It would be different the second time around. Deep inside she knew she still loved East . Her feelings had never changed. But she had Kevin now who treasured her so much. She was afraid to gamble on East scared she might get hurt again.

I have a different life now with Kevin. He's made me feel so happy. I won't go throwing it away just because you entered my life once again East. she could only say to him not meeting his gaze.

In spite of Nicole's words he just wanted to hold her in hìs arms and kiss the pain of the past away make her feel how much he loved her.

He couldn't control himself as he pulled her closer to him only to find his fingers tangled in her bikini straps undoing the knots as it left Nicole naked in front of him.

Nicky I..he stammered the first impulse he thought was cover her. She was too shocked to resist. His chest warmly enveloping her. This time he could not control himself any longer as he kissed her his lips capturing hers with an intensity that rocked them both. There was love and undeniable want in that kiss. Nicole was responding wrapping herself naked in his arms her breasts tight against his chest. God how much he loved her wanted her desperately. He was teasing her neck sucking gently teasingly as she moaned again capturing her willing mouth.

Nicole was lost pressed against East. He was kissing her with all the pent up love he felt as he murmured his love for her. But realization struck her what she was doing. She was making a fool of herself falling for East all over again.

She could only free herself as she covered herself with her fallen bikini top pushing East roughly as he staggered his eyes still in a trance. His expression stunned speechless.

Stay away from me East and don't you ever do that to me again! she said angrily as she slapped him hard a big red welt on his face.

Nicole knew East didn't deserve that slapped she wanted it as much as he did. On his face was just raw hurt as she swam away from him. He was still standing there in the middle of the pool with the saddest eyes watching her go. Nicole could feel herself shaking feeling tears falling down her face. I'm sorry to hurt you East but this is for the best. Things had to stop. She could not afford to hurt Kevin who meant the world to her.

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