Broken Hoses, Unbroken Hearts
by Nightlady
© 1998

WARNINGS: Explicit Sex (M/F) (Nick/Natalie)

ARCHIVE PERMISSION: Permission to archive to JADFE ARCHIVE IS GRANTED. All others must ask permission.

DISCLAIMERS: The Forever Knight characters belong to Columbia Tri/Star. No copyright infringement is intended. This story and all other characters are copyrighted by me.

All Comments may be sent to: clonstar@swbell.net or forevrnite@rocketmail.com

Yet another entry into the 'Domestic Chores Smut Stories" series <G> Hope you enjoy it!

Nick stood in front of his open fridge contemplating its contents. It didn't take him long as the fridge held only a half a dozen green wine bottles and a covered container that contained a vaguely orange colored slurry. He sighed and reached for the covered container. Carefully lifting the lid, he sniffed. His eyebrows rose in surprise; this latest protein shake of Nat's actually smelled pretty good! He got a glass from the cupboard and poured a small amount into it. Bracing himself, Nick took a small taste of the glass' contents. "I don't believe it," he said to himself, "for once, she's managed to brew up something that doesn't taste like it came out of an old oil drum!" The shake wasn't nearly as good tasting as the contents of one of the wine bottles would have been, but it was a huge improvement over Nat's many, many previous attempts to find a substitute for the blood Nick needed to survive. Smiling happily at the knowledge that he'd actually have a good report for Nat, Nick filled the glass and carried it over to the large leather couch. He looked at his watch, only 5:30pm. He had the night off and Nat had worked a day shift today. He'd give her a few more minutes, then call her at home with his good news.

He smiled. With any luck, she might be willing to come over and they could watch a couple of movies and, perhaps, snuggle on the couch. Nick sighed; he wanted to do a lot more than snuggle, but he didn't want his beast to frighten Nat. They had been at odds lately, both wanting more than they currently had. Nick was afraid that in the end he would be unable to avoid hurting Nat, either physically or by breaking her heart. He blamed himself. He knew that he was far too involved, emotionally, with her, but he couldn't help himself. In all of his long existence, no one had ever touched his heart the way she did. He knew that he should move on, allowing her the chance to have a normal life, but he also knew that if he did, his heart would break, too.

He'd just finished the serving of the protein shake when his phone rang. Nick listened as his answering machine picked up the call but, when he heard the somewhat tremulous voice that began to leave a message, he quickly grabbed the receiver, a worried expression on his face.

"Nat! What's wrong?" Nick inquired.

"Oh, Nick, thank goodness you're there." Nat said, sounding as if she were close to tears. "I hate to ask this of you, but could you possibly come and pick me up? My car broke down and I'm stranded on Arlington Ave., just across from Cedarvale Park."

"Stay in the car and I'll be right there." Nick told her. He waited only until he heard her agree, then headed for the garage.

It took almost forty minutes, because of traffic, for Nick to reach the spot where Nat waited for him. He parked the Caddy just behind her car and hurried to Nat's car. As he approached, he saw the passenger side door open and Nat emerged from the car.

"Thanks, Nick. I really appreciate this." She said quietly.

Nick looked at her, seeing the smudge of what appeared to be grease on her cheek and the disheveled appearance of her clothes. He reached out at lightly traced the smudge with his thumb. "I'm glad that you knew you could call me." he said softly. "What happened with the car?"

"I think a hose broke." Nat explained. "I was driving along and all of a sudden all this white smoke or steam or something started billowing out from under the hood." She glanced shyly at him. "Normally I'd have just called for a tow to the garage, but after that little surprise the city gave us yesterday..." She broke off and shook her head.

Nick looked puzzled. "Surprise?"

Nat looked at him and laughed. "That's right, you probably haven't even opened your pay envelope yet." She said ruefully. "Well when you do, you're going to find a lovely piece of paper in it telling you that as soon as the council passes a new budget, they'll send you this month's pay." She shrugged, "While that might not pose a problem for you, it makes life a bit uncomfortable for the rest of us."

Nick looked slightly embarrassed. He hadn't opened his pay envelope; he didn't really need his salary and he'd just tossed it onto the table when he'd gotten in this morning. "You're right," he admitted to her, "I hadn't checked it yet." He tentatively placed an arm around her shoulders. "Let's take a look at your car and then we'll see what we have to do to fix it." He smiled as he felt Nat relax against him.

Nat leaned against Nick, feeling for the first time since her car had died, that everything would be okay. She always felt calmer in Nick's presence except, of course, when she was dying of frustration over their lack of intimacy, and now was no exception. She walked to the front of her car and watched as Nick reached for the hood release. "At least it has had a chance to cool down." She said, looking at a reddened area on the palm of her left hand. She hadn't realized how hot the latch might be and had managed to scald her hand slightly.

Nick glanced at her and, noticing the burned mark on her hand lifted it to his mouth and softly kissed it. He saw Nat close her eyes briefly, but she didn't try to free her hand. "Better?" he asked softly.

Nat smiled and nodded. "Much."

Nick lifted the hood and looked into the engine compartment. As Nat had thought, the problem was a broken radiator hose. In fact, two of them had broken. He looked around the area, and decided that it would be easier to effect repairs back at his loft. He closed the hood and, once again holding her in his embrace, walked Nat back to the Caddy. After seating her in the front passenger side seat, Nick got in the driver's side. "I've got some duct tape and a couple of empty gallon jugs in the trunk," he explained. "I'll wrap the hoses and we'll fill your radiator with water from the taps over in the park. That should hold you long enough to drive back to the loft. I'll follow you in case you run into any problems with it on the way."

Nat looked at Nick with relief. "I hate to be so much trouble." She said.

Nick leaned over and kissed her softly on the forehead. "You're not any trouble at all. I'm pretty sure that I have some hose back at my place that will fit. I can fix this for you in no time." He gave her a smile and handed her his cell phone. "Why don't you call and order some Chinese take-out to be delivered to the loft? That way, you can at least get some dinner in you."

Nat looked happily at him. "THAT sounds wonderful!" She watched as he got out of the car, then began to dial.

Nick left her sitting in the Caddy as he quickly did the temporary repairs. Soon, they were both driving toward the loft. The repairs held until just as Nat was pulling her car into a spare bay in the garage.

"Whoa, that was close!" Nat said as she got out of the car. A sound from behind them, caused both Nick and Nat to turn. The deliveryman with Nat's dinner had just arrived. Nat reached for her purse, only to have Nick stop her. "My treat; after all, I was the one who suggested it." He told her.

Nat kissed him on the cheek. "You are too good to me," she said, softly.

Nick pushed a strand of hair back from her face. "You deserve only the best."

Nick took the bags from the deliveryman and walked back to Nat. "I'll come up with you. I'll have to let the car cool down before I start to work on it."

Nat slipped her arm through his. "Good, I hate eating alone." She looked at him. "Did you by any chance try that new protein shake I left in your fridge this morning?"

"Yes, I did." Nick said, a bit smugly.

"And?" Nat prompted. She mentally braced herself to hear yet one more of Nick's many excuses for not being able to drink the shakes she brought him.

Nick gave her a big grin. "And, it was actually pretty good." He laughed at the stunned look on her face. "I know, you never thought that you'd hear ME say THAT." He teased.

Nat gave his arm a squeeze. "I was starting to have my doubts." She confessed. "And the way the past couple of days have gone..." She shrugged, and laid her head on his shoulder as they rode up in the lift.

Nick could feel every nerve in his body screaming at him to drop the food and take Nat into his arms. He managed to control himself, knowing that he might not be able to keep from harming her if he gave into his desire for her.

Nat closed her eyes and imagined what it would be like to have Nick hold her and really kiss her. She loved any sort of physical contact with him, but she longed for much more than brotherly pecks on the forehead from him. 'Enjoy what you have now, Lambert!' She mentally told herself, yet as the lift came to a halt, Nat couldn't help but wish for more.

Once in the loft, Nat was pleased when Nick poured another glass of the protein shake as sat, drinking it, as she ate her meal. She felt close to Nick, and this simple act of eating made her feel even closer.

Nick almost hated to see Nat finish eating. The quiet, mundane act of exchanging small talk over nourishment made him feel very human. The chance to feast his eyes and soul on Nat only increased his pleasure. Reluctantly, he rose saying, "I guess I'd better get started."

Nat chewed her lower lip for a moment. "Would you mind if I came down and kept you company while you work?" She asked.

"I can't think of anything I'd like better." Nick smiled, as he gazed into her eyes. He held out his hand, and gently clasped hers as he helped her to rise. Together they went back down to the garage.

It only took a few minutes for Nick to remove the old, broken hoses. A quick check of his automotive supplies produced a new hose of the correct diameter. With Nat standing close to his side, and handing him various tools, Nick was able to get the first new hose in place without difficulty. He loved the fact that he could feel the warmth of her body and smell her scent as he worked.

The second hose proved more complicated. Nick frowned as he realized that if he let go of the hose and the opening it slid over, the hose would slip off before he could tighten it in place with a ring clamp. He turned his head to Nat, "Could you get that small ratchet wrench and tighten the clamp around this while I hold it in place?"

"Sure," Nat replied. She picked up the needed tool and, in order to reach the clamp, slipped under Nick's arm so that she was standing in front of him. She could feel his arms on each side of her and, when she leaned back slightly, Nat felt his cool, firm body against her back. Nat's eyes widened as she felt what could only be an erection, pressing against her butt. 'So, he DOES have more than brotherly feelings for me!' She thought happily.

Nick caught his breath as Nat wiggled in front of him. Her closeness was driving him wild, and he was all too aware of the growing hardness in his pants. He hoped that she might not notice it and struggled to keep himself under control. When he felt her lean against him, and then heard her heartbeat increase, he knew that she had to be aware of his reaction to her. He held very still as Nat tightened the clamp, wanting to spare her his overtly sexual reaction, yet longing to act upon it at the same time.

Nat finished with the clamp and sat the tool down. Instead of slipping out of Nick's embrace, she turned to face him. She had noticed that his erection had continued to grow and had noticed how still he'd become.

Nick looked down into Nat's soft blue eyes and knew that if he could blush he would be redder than a beet. He cleared his throat. "Nat, I'm sorry..I..please understand that I can't help how you affect me." He stammered.

Nat looked Nick straight in the eyes. "I understand that," she said softly. "I feel the same way toward you."

Nick saw the hope, the desire, and most importantly, the love in Nat's eyes. "I do care for you, Nat. Much more than I should. I'm afraid that if I let myself act on how I feel, I might harm you."

Nat nodded. "I see." She took a deep breath then plunged ahead. "Nick, I'm in love with you and I have to know. Do you love me?" She held her breath waiting for his answer.

Nick looked at her and knew that he couldn't lie to her. "More than my own existence." He said hoarsely. He started to try and explain why his love for her was wrong, and how dangerous it could be for her, when Nat laid two fingers on his lips.

"Nick, shut up and kiss me." She said, her eyes shining with joy.

Nick hesitated for only a second, then slowly lowered his lips to hers. As he found her soft, full lips, he knew that all his good intentions were chaff in the wind. He pulled her against him, and plunged his tongue into her parted lips. He tasted the sweetness that he'd only dreamed of before this moment. His hand cupped the back of her head, his fingers tangled in her soft, silky curls. He felt her response, full of passion and need, and it served to inflame his own desire. He broke the kiss and looked into her passion-filled eyes.

Nat felt her senses explode as she gave herself to Nick's kiss. All of her suppressed need came bursting out in a response that left her panting to catch her breath. She was suddenly, acutely aware that she was grimy with grease and dirt. She looked at the splotches on Nick's forehead, where he'd pushed his hair out of his eyes. 'Well, Lambert,' she thought, 'might as well hang for a sheep as a lamb.' Holding Nick's gaze she said in a seductive voice, "You know, we both could use a shower."

Nick tilted her chin so that she looked up at him. "I happen to have a very nice, large shower upstairs. Would you care to join me in it?" He saw the slow smile that lit Nat's face, as she nodded yes. He scooped her into his arms, and carried her toward the lift.

On the ride up to the loft, Nick again found Nat's lips, losing himself in their warmth. When the lift stopped, he opened the door and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom. There he placed her on her feet, and slowly began to undress her. He undid the buttons of her blouse and slipped it from her shoulders then unfastened her bra. His hands trembled slightly as he freed her full, soft breasts. Ever so gently, he cupped them in his hands, lightly squeezing them as he ran his thumb across their sensitive nipples. He watched as Nat closed her eyes and gasped and felt her lean into his hand.

Nat loved the feel of his cool hands on her skin. When he toyed with her breasts, she shivered with the wonderful waves of pleasure that raced through her body. Her hands, seemingly of their own volition, found the buttons on Nick's shirt and quickly undid them. She slid her hands across his now exposed, pale chest as she removed his shirt. She reached for his belt and, watching him to be sure that he didn't object, loosened it. She felt him slide his hands down her back and undo her skirt. She stood before him, wearing only her nylons, garter belt and a small black lace thong, watching his face as he ran his eyes over her body. Her lips broke into a smile as he leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, "You are even more beautiful than I dreamed." Then she felt his hands easing the garter belt and thong over her hips.

Nick slowly eased the rest of Nat's clothing off. He could feel his manhood pressing painfully against the restricting fabric of his jeans. When Nat undid the waistband button and unzipped them, he sighed with relief. Nick stepped out of his shoes, and as they fell about his ankles, his jeans. He could see his penis tenting out the fabric of his briefs and he felt a shiver of need wash through him as Nat carefully pulled them down, fully releasing his very erect shaft. Her frank look of admiration as she viewed him inflamed his need to take her. He stepped out of them and removed his socks then, taking her hand, led her to the bathroom. Once there, he quickly turned on and adjusted the water as Nat pulled her hair up and out of the way.

They stepped into the rushing water, allowing it to beat soothingly upon their bodies. Nick pulled Nat back into his arms, again kissing her, and let his hands roam down her smooth water slicked skin. He cupped her butt in one hand while the other played with her breasts. He felt her hands as they traveled along his back, then gasped as one slide along his stomach and found his engorged member surrounding it with soft warmth that made him moan with pleasure. He ravaged her willing mouth, his tongue demanding and fierce.

Nat could feel the force of Nick's passion and she met it with her own. Pressing her body against him, she lightly rubbed her wiry curls against his thighs as she sought to relieve the ache between her legs. She wanted him to touch her everywhere and to touch every inch of his body. At last, she pulled away from him and reaching for the soap, worked up a lather. With caressing movements, she began to wash his chest, moving down across his firm stomach until she reached his manhood. She dropped to her knees and lovingly soaped his scrotum and penis, taking her time and fondling him as she did so. She delighted in hearing Nick's low groans of pleasure. Then she traced the hard muscles of his legs. She felt Nick's hands under her arms as he urged her back to her feet. His eyes were shining with passion, but she noticed with joy, they were still a clear blue color. So far, his beast was at bay.

Nick's hands almost ached with his desire to caress Nat's curves. He helped her to her feet and in a voice that was hoarse with passion murmured, "My turn." Turning her so that her back was to him, he began to soap her back, then pulled her against him as his hands came around and kneaded her breasts and caressed her abdomen.

Nat's breathing grew faster as she felt his hardness against her rear as his hands seemed to awaken every nerve in her. When he slid his hand between her legs, she groaned with her need to have him touch her there. She could feel his lips, cool against the warmth of the water as they nibbled and kissed the nape of her neck and her throat. He turned her in his arms, and his mouth first on hers, then moving lower to her throat and finally to her breasts. He took one already erect nipple and suckled on it, flicking his tongue across the delicate tip. Nat's hands gripped him in gratification as her body reacted to his actions. He found the delicate core of her pleasure and softly stroked it. Nat writhed with rhapsody as wave after increasing wave of exquisite joy swept along her nerves. Finally, she could stand it no longer. "Please Nick!" She begged, "I want you in me. I want to feel you come inside of me."

Nick heard her plea and turned her in his arms. "Nat, for me to complete this, I have to have blood, FRESH blood." He managed to say. He could feel his beast, at last, screaming to be released.

Nat looked into Nick's face. She could see the gold glints in his eyes as his beast emerged. She knew that he was giving her a chance to say no, to not risk her life at his hands. She knew that no matter what the result, she wanted to take that risk. In a firm, confident voice she told him the feelings of her very soul. "Nick, I want you. I love you. I know that there is a large risk, but I am willing to take it for us to be able to fully express our love. I trust you and I have faith that you will not harm me." She hoped that he would have faith in himself and in their love.

Nick looked at Nat and prayed that she was correct. He nodded and bent his lips to hers. As he deepened the kiss, he lifted her off her feet. Nick felt Nat's legs wrap around his hips as he found the slick warm opening that he so desired. As he slid into her, Nat threw her head back and cried out with pleasure. She allowed her body to sink onto his cool hard shaft, feeling it fill her. She used her arms around his neck to enable her to thrust herself up and down on him.

Nick felt Nat's movement, and bracing himself in the corner of the shower, began to thrust his hips in time with hers. The tight feel of her muscles as they rubbed sensuously against his penis sent thrills of sensation through him that he'd only fantasized of until this moment. His mouth was busy, kissing, licking, and sucking at her lips and throat. Nick felt his fangs descend and the sweet scent of her blood filled his head. Even as he longed to taste her, to know her every secret, he held back, fearing that he would not be able to control how much he took. He would gladly forgo his own gratification rather than risk her life.

Nat could feel herself on the edge of orgasm, and she could tell that Nick, too, was poised at the brink of his own climax. She felt the sharp tips of his fangs as they touched the skin of her throat and she sensed Nick's hesitation. Her heart filled with love and desire, she suddenly pushed her neck sharply against them, forcing them into her pliant flesh. As they penetrated the pulsing vein, that sensation acted as a catalyst that pushed her over the edge and into a powerful orgasm that racked her body with shudders of the most intense fulfillment she had ever known. The sudden mental bond with Nick that his drinking from her produced, brought tears to her eyes as she felt how deeply he loved her, his fear that because of his beast he would be repellent to her, and that she would leave him because of the beast. Nat reached into the bond, trying to convey her unconditional love and her need for him to him.

Nick startled as Nat's blood suddenly filled his mouth; delicious beyond anything he'd ever tasted. Nat's feelings and emotions filled him, warming the coldness of his existence with their depth and beauty. The power of her love for him overwhelmed his beast's desire to glut upon her life and, even as his own climax raged through him, Nick was able to withdraw his fangs from her neck. His mind was swimming with the knowledge he'd received through their bond. He kissed the marks on her neck and then looked into her eyes. He saw the reflection of his own deep love in them. He slowly became aware that the water was now quite cool and, still holding her in his embrace, turned it off. Holding her steady, he set Nat on her feet, and then reached outside the shower for a large, soft towel that he wrapped around her.

Nat leaned against Nick, cosseted in the warmth of the towel and of his love. She felt him drying her and when he lifted her in his arms to carry her to the bed, snuggled against him. There she curled against him as he lay beside her, his arms forming a protective barrier from the world as he wrapped them around her. She smiled sleepily as he murmured his love for her in her ear. They had a lot to talk about, decisions that would have to be made but, for now, she was content to be held safe in his embrace and to allow sleep to claim her.

The end.