As Marcus got to his feet, Nicci swallowed, and for some reason, even though he started to walk round them, she knew he was coming for her.  She could feel the tingles running up her spine as he stopped behind her, and she knew she wouldn't be able to hide her reaction to him as his breath on her neck made her nipples peak.  Her breath caught as his lips pressed against her neck. But it was his soft words that made her heart skip a beat, she could hear, and feel he meant it and the relief was so intense she could feel the wave of warmth it created wash over her.<br/><br/>She had hoped, so much, for acceptance, and as he spoke to everyone Nicci couldn't believe just how wonderful it felt.  The last jigsaw in the puzzle slipping into place. She felt whole, and so full of hope and happiness the room seemed full of light.  'Family......' she thought, her stomach flipping somersaults inside her, he was offering more than he knew....<br/><br/>She'd thought he would move away, his mission complete, so his hot mouth lighting her up once more made her weak with want, she couldn't breathe as he tilted her back, her eyes wide and overwhelmed by the masterful way he took her. Until, that was, his lips crushed hers and they closed, and she slipped into the velvet heat his mouth created. She could feel the whimper break free just as his lips did, and she ached with such longing for his tongue to finish what it had started.  Opening her eyes, feeling dazed and disorientated as he righted her, his clear instruction left her feeling so overwhelmed she couldn't make them focus until Marcus was back sitting my Mila.  He'd whispered it with such authority she knew he was right, she'd never forget it and a soft smile spread on her face.  He was so wonderful to have allayed her doubts and given her that peace.<br/><br/>As she watched him kiss Mila her smile grew until she was grinning like a Cheshire cat, the feelings of happiness and security he'd given her building more and more.  She looked around the people she sat with.....<br/><br/>Mari: So sexy, so full of life, she'd kissed her with such compassion, and Nicci was determined to earn her love, she couldn't imagine a more wonderful big sister, Mari seemed to have meaningful words at her fingertips and a strength which made Nicci want to be sheltered in her arms and long for her praise.<br/><br/>Mila: So beautiful, so full of a strength she didn't realise she had, the gentle petals of the flower she was, growing so straight and true, no-one could fail to love her. She couldn't wait to know her better, to share this life with her.<br/><br/>Marcus: More than just a sexy, powerful man, even though those were things things that drew Nicci to him instantly, she could feel the deep longing in him that she also shared and more than anything else that made her want to work in any way she could to please him and help him to create a reality of their dreams.<br/><br/>Bo: The man who seemed to want her in deep and complex way, who she wanted so much to find peace and love in equal measure, who had so much love to give it softened every movement of his hard frame and powerful aura, and his eyes couldn't hide the real need inside him for belonging.<br/><br/>They all had touched her heart....... How was it that in just one day.... no.... not even that.... how was it she felt, she knew, she'd found friends, lovers, a family of people who's common goals could make something so special and so worthwhile it shone like spun gold in her heart?<br/><br/>She hugged her knees to her chest, putting her chin on them, and stifling a sleepy yawn, tonight she would sleep in her new home for the first time, and wake up to share the day with her new .....family.......  She knew there were going to be ups and downs, the roller-coaster all ready had been pretty hair-raising.  But the one thing that had changed for her tonight, was that she knew without a doubt she would stay to the end and try her damdest to make this work, that she couldn't have chosen four more wonderful people to try and achieve it with.  She couldn't stop smiling, her cheeks feeling the ache of the warm glow inside that couldn't help but show on her face.  She felt, for the first time in her life, that she really did have a chance of real happiness........