Long Way to Perfect (Whitney/Ethan) - Ch 6 - sorry it's been so long
by soaphater
 
 

CHAPTER 6

“Secrets….” Nicholas let the word roll around on his tongue. Under any normal, ordinary conditions, that word was cause him delight and joy, usually because he would be the one using it to his advantage. But he was thrown off-balance, feeling out-of-sorts, with someone now trying to use it against him. And, of all people, Whitney! Sweet, compassionate, innocent Whitney! He narrowed his eyes at her, and thought almost immediately….gorgeous, sexy, unattainable Whitney….unattainable until now. Nicholas had always prided himself on being able to seduce and bed any gorgeous young female, but Whitney had stayed so out-of-bounds to him, since the first day he arrived back in Harmony. He knew her as that bitch Theresa’s best friend, and one of his annoying ex-brother’s best friends. He had known little about her initially, until all hell broke lose with that Chad-guy, and her sister, and her dad, and now, the knowledge that his father, the great and mighty Mr. Julian Crane, was now dating Whitney’s mother seriously. So that had forced the two to at least try and put aside their differences, with their parents so in love. Nicholas made an almost imperceptible face. He still wasn’t too thrilled with *that* relationship, but for now, there was nothing he could do about it. If there was the slightest chance he could get together with Whitney before things took a turn down marriage lane for Julian and Eve, he would jump at it.

But what did she know? And how far would she have him go?

“So, Whitney, what exactly are you talking about….secrets? whose?” Nicholas queried her, watching her closely, carefully. Whitney stared right back, those stunning doe-brown eyes, all innocence and calm.

“Nicholas, I think you know what I’m talking about. I know about you and Theresa, but only me. Do you want to keep it that way?” her voice had become sharper than she’d wanted. But, she had to rush her words out before she lost her nerve. She knew she’d struck a nerve when she had initially broached the topic. And because of his reactions, she also knew that she was on the right track. But, this couldn’t last for long. She would actually now have to go in search of that truth, those secrets, that she was convincing Nicholas she knew all about.

Nicholas leaned his lean frame back in the café chair.

“Are you threatening me, woman?” he wore an almost amused look on his face, his voice with tones of slight wonder. He had to figure out how to handle this, and quickly. If Whitney told, even Ethan, or her mother, about what she knew, he’d be screwed 5 ways to hell and back, and kicked out on his ass.

“Look,” he tried again, all suaveness and assuredness, Whitney a little alarmed at the change. Was she not on the right track after all?

“You don’t have to blackmail me to go along with whatever your little schemes are, Whit,” he said gently, reaching across the table to take her tiny bronzed hands in his larger ones. He gazed into her eyes, holding them long enough for her to get the full import of what he was saying, and meaning.

“Look, I am not an Ethan-fan, and I am definitely not a Theresa fan – so, of course, the last thing I want is to see them together. I hate Ethan because he’s the favorite, even though he’s no more kin to me than you are, and he hasn’t really done anything to me…but Theresa has deserved every last ounce of my disrespect and hatred. So, of course, I would love to see her miserable. It’s the only way I can get back at her for….” Nicholas let his voice die away. Whitney perked up and leaned forward.

But she suddenly had to bite her tongue, to keep from saying, “For what?” Because, of course, she’s supposed to know that already! So, instead, she smiled her lovely smile back up at him, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.

“So you’ll help me, then?” she asked softly.

“Of course, I will!” Nicholas declared, bringing her hands up to his lips, to kiss her knuckles gently. Whitney flinched inwardly. This will be harder than I think, she thought to herself, fretfully.

At that moment, of all people, Ethan walked up to their table.

“Well, isn’t this a little cozy,” he remarked, his face a tight mask of a smile. Whitney jerked her hands away as though she’d touched hot coals.

“Ethan!” she exclaimed, her voice a squeaky squeal, so shocked was she to see him again.

“Hey, Whit – I thought I’d come back and pick up our conversation where it dropped off a little while ago – I didn’t think you’d still be here…..with Nicky,” Ethan said his ex-brother’s name, but his eyes were riveted to Whitney. Nicholas leaned back, lazily, like a powerful large wild cat, his eyes narrowed, watching them with amusement.

“Oh we were just catching up, Ethan – nothing to get all bent out of shape about…” he drawled, his tone riddled with mirth and sarcasm. Nicholas stood up suddenly, and bent down over Whitney’s head, kissing the top of her curls. Her eyes grew wide with shock.

“Whitney? I’ll pick you up from the hospital later tonight? Just call my cell when you get off, okay?” And with a wave and a toss of his head, he was gone, leaving Ethan staring dumbly at his retreating back.

Finally, he turned to Whitney, and fixed her with a quizzical expression.

“What was that all about? Are you two going out tonight??” his tone was one of disbelief, and Whitney was still shaken by Fox’s exit.

“Uhhh….” She didn’t know what to say, but knew that it was do or die, right here and now. Either she was going to grow some she-balls and fight fire with fire, or be the wuss she was used to being, and back down yet again.

“Yeah, Ethan – we’re going out tonight,” she said, more firmly than she felt. Inside, she was quaking. It felt eerie, out of control, scary to be so devious. How had Theresa managed to do it for so long??
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 7
Chapter 5
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