Little White Lies - Nick x Belle (Rediscovering Love)
āEarth to Belle! Is anyone in there?ā
The light shove to her shoulder brought Belle out of her deep thinking state - something she didnāt realize had happened until, well, until they brought her out of it.Ā
āYeah, Iām here! Sorry, what happened?ā She asked her friends, clearly oblivious to whatever the three of them had been talking about moments ago.
"We were talking about that stripper from your party.ā One of her friends, Janice, informed her with a wide grin, a flirtatious glimmer in her eyes.Ā āYou know, the sexy one you were lucky enough to get a personal dance from. What I wouldnāt do for one of those.ā She chuckled and the other two joined in on the laughter.Ā
Those words, and the way she said them, irked Belle a bit. She could feel a strange, not very positive, sensation pooling within her gut.Ā
āFrom him, you mean.ā One of her other friends, Anna, joined in with a coy smirk.Ā
āDuh. Who fucking else? With his ass and that cock?ā Janice laughed out loud even though she made sure to keep the last of her sentence in a slight whisper since they were in public after all.
Belle rolled her eyes and let out an almost disgusted sounding scoff at her words - not because she disagreed, but because of how they were talking about him. Like he was a piece of meat and nothing more, while also acting like theyād jump at the chance to see him again. But next time, to do more than just watch.
āOh, please, Belle. Donāt give us that crap,ā Janice said to her when she heard that scoff, the grin still on her lips.Ā āYou enjoyed it as much as we did. Probably even more since you got the best part of it. And he sure as hell was enjoying it, too. He couldnāt take his eyes off of you!ā She exclaimed, giving her friend a gentle shove.
Belle nearly blushed at that.Ā āIt was just part of his job, Janice. He had to act interested.ā She lied, but they didnāt have to know it was a lie. Because it actually wasnāt. Belle knew it wasnāt because Nick had to act interested, it wasnāt because it was his job to do what he did; no, it was because he actually enjoyed it, because he actually wanted to. His own words. She remembered everything he had told her. About how no one made him feel as aroused as Belle did -he even had to take pills with others -, about how no one else made him feel as good or as wanted as she did, and how with all of his other clients, it was just a job, but with Belle? It was so much more. And her heart skipped a beat just remembering those things he said to her.Ā
āYeah, well, he acted pretty damn interested. He was practically begging you to touch his cock!ā Janice laughed that slightly annoying laugh which pulled Belle from her thoughts.Ā
āAnd hey, didnāt you two know each other or something? Because you two acted like you saw ghosts and then he leaves and you go after him.ā The third friend, Ruby, added and Belleās cheeks turned red again.
āYeah, what was all that about, anyway?āĀ
Did they really have to bring that up? Talking about Nick was tough enough as it is, but to bring up the past? She wanted to avoid that. The memories and all the pain that came with them. Sure he apologized and somewhat explained his reasoning for leaving, but...still. It hurt like hell. And it still did to this day and thatās why she had to say goodbye to him. Thatās why she changed her mind the next morning about continuing to see him.Ā
During the night they shared, which was beyond incredible - far more than any night she had with Gaston - Belle began to rethink her engagement and even though about seeing Nick again. She thought that perhaps if they could talk about what happened and put the past behind them, then maybe...maybe they could fix things. Because she still loved him. Deeply and she probably always would, but...but then she began to think about what he did, what happened between them and how he left her without word. An event that broke her, that devastated her and...well, things happened. And thinking about those things made her doubt being with Nick again, it made her terrified, even, so she couldnāt chance it. Their night was spectacular, but thatās all it had to be. One night.
āNothing. He was just some guy I shacked up with before Gaston, thatās all.ā Belle shrugged, hating to lie like that. Not because she hated lying to her friends, but because Nick wasnāt just some guy. He was so much more than that and she hated talking about him in that way, despite everything, but she didnāt want her friends to know the truth and she didnāt want to get into that pain.
āOh, well, lucky you.ā Janice said, almost sounding jealous about it which made Belle roll her eyes.Ā āBy the way, when you kicked us out...he was still there, wasnāt he?ā Janice asked with a quirked brow.Ā āDid you two...?āĀ
Belle shot her a look. āAre you actually asking me if I cheated on Gaston?ā She asked a little harshly. They didnāt need to know what happened between her and Nick that night because the answer to that question was yes, but she didnāt want them to know. So, what better way to avoid it than answering it with a question? One that would make Janice feel stupid for even asking it.
āNo! I...No. Sorry, Belle.ā She quickly retracted which is what Belle had hoped for.
āAs if she could ever do that. Who would even think about cheating on Gaston?ā Anna scoffed and Belle, again, rolled her eyes.Ā āBelle has the best looking guy in town.ā Which Belle strongly disagreed with. Sure, he was good looking, but the best? Sheās seen better. Last night, in fact. She didnāt know why her friends adored Gaston so much. He was just so...superficial. And a bit arrogant. If he was hearing this conversation about himself, heād be soaking it up.Ā
āI donāt know about that. I mean, not anymore. Not after what we saw last night.ā Janice quipped with a grin, obviously speaking about Nick.Ā āAnd we saw a lot of him.ā Belle could see Janice was no doubt thinking about Nick naked, she was practically fucking him in her mind right now and Belle was starting to seethe.
āTrue. Maybe we should have another party...ā Anna suggested, shooting Janice a smirk.Ā
āParty? Please. I think Iām going to request a private showing. I think he does that. Iām going to find out!ā She laughed and that did Belle in.
āHe actually doesnāt do that.ā Belle was quick to speak up, maybe a bit too loud.
Janice narrowed her eyes, almost glaring.Ā āWhat? How do you know? The place I called -...āĀ
āHe doesnāt do that. Some of them do private showings, but not all of them.ā Belle didnāt know if that was true, but she had to think of something. Anything so Janice, or any of her friends for that matter, didnāt contact Nick. The thought of any of them, especially Janice, shacking up with Nick made her stomach churn painfully. An image she wanted to get rid of. And after her night with Nick, well...the thought of him with any other woman left Belle a bit bitter. Though she knew she didnāt have a right to feel that way. She was engaged and she basically ended things with Nick.
āHow do you know?ā Ruby questioned softly. She was the least calm out of the three. She didnāt seem interested in Nick, but the look on her face made Belle think Ruby suspected something between her and Nick. They were best friends and Ruby even knew about Belleās hesitance and doubts about Gaston. Well, somewhat anyway.
āHe told me.ā She stated, knowing they would be confused as to how and when.Ā āOkay, fine. Look, he did stay for a little while after you all left. He apologized for how he acted when he first saw me and wished me good luck in my marriage, nothing else happened.ā She shot Janice and Anna a look in hopes to take away any suspicions they had.Ā āBut I did thank him for the show and uh, may have asked him about private showings.āĀ
āI was drunk, Anna.ā She reminded. āBut he told me he usually only does parties. He mentioned having a few friends that do private showings, he just prefers not to. And he doesnāt even do sex.ā She shrugged and saw Janice frown and that almost made Belle smile. āI was kind of disappointed about. Again, drunk. Nothing would have happened. But yeah, no private showings and no sex. Said he knows some other guys who do.ā She could see the look of disappointment on Janiceās face and Belle had to continue to hold back that smile.
āWhatever. No big deal. I really shouldnāt, anyway.ā Janice sighed.Ā āI just couldnāt help the thought.ā She shrugged and Belle relaxed into her seat once again.
Ā It seemed Nick would be left alone, thankfully. But...at the same time, she felt a little concerned. She hoped her lie wouldnāt cause trouble for Nick, especially if they did happen to call his agency and ask. What if she cost him some clients? Some money? Money that he probably needed.Ā Shit.Ā
āI gotta head out, girls. Lunch break is over.ā Ruby said and the other two stood up, mentioning how they had to head back too and Belle stood up as well.Ā
She was glad their lunch date was over because now she had to call Nick. She had to let him know about her little white lie she told her friends...even though she basically told Nick they couldnāt talk or see each other after that night. But truth be told, she regretted doing that. She hadnāt stopped thinking about him since their night together and watching him walk out of her life, again, hurt immensely. He seemed heart broken and she wouldnāt forget the look in his eyes, yet he seemed understanding given her situation and even wished her the best of luck. She frowned and pulled out her phone, going to her contacts and immediately searching for Nickās number.Ā
Ironically, she put in his number after they said goodbye. She said goodbye even though she wasnāt ready to. She said goodbye even though she didnāt want to and now...now she had a reason to contact him again. An excuse to talk to him again. To hear his voice, to see his face. She desperately wanted to see him again, even though she knew she shouldnāt. But being around him made Belle feel happy that night. Even for just those few hours, being with him made her feel good and loved and adored. Being with him took away any concerns, frustration or stress sheād been feeling lately. Being with him just made her feel...carefree and happy. Two things she hadnāt been feeling as of late, certainly not with her engagement, certainly not with Gaston. But Nick made her feel things she hadnāt felt in a while - love, adoration, joy, pleasure and desire. And beyond that, even. And if he made her feel all of that in one night, then it had to mean something. It did mean something. But it shouldnāt. She shouldnāt let it mean anything. Her mind screamed at her to put the phone away. It was the smart and logical thing to do.
āHey, Nick? Itās Belle. I need to tell you something...ā SEND. Yup, smart and logical. Good job, Belle.Ā
