Nico leans down gently, placing a kiss to my forehead before he leans up and begins quickly untying me. A wave of pleasure in the form of relief rushes through me as each limb is untangled until I’m laying on the bed limp and exhausted.
Carefully, Nico scoops me into his arms as he carries me to the bathroom where the tub is running. When did he even get up to turn it on? My head is in a daze as he slowly steps into the jacuzzi tub, lowering us until we are submerged by the warm water. I sigh softly as I relax into it while Nico begins gently massaging every inch of my body.
I’m like dough in his hands as I melt into his touch. We sit there for so long that we end up draining the water when it goes cold before filling it back up.
I’m currently hanging halfway out of the tub as Nico rubs my back as I speak.
“You know, it sounds silly, but when I got here, to this house…it felt like…I don’t know. Like coming home.”
His movements pause and I close my eyes and internally curse at myself. Great job. You freaked him out.
Slowly, I turn to see how bad the damage is when I find him watching me with a steady gaze.
“Yeah?” he asks.
I cringe at my stupidity.
“Sorry. Forget I said anything. I think I’m still orgasm drunk,” I laugh before facing the wall once more.
Nico resumes his work, rubbing my lower back as he speaks.
“It could be, if you want it.”
“Hm?” I ask.
“Your home. Here, with me. If you wanted it to be.”
I give him a sympathetic smile as I turn to face him. I appreciate him trying to make me feel better for sticking my fat foot in my mouth but he doesn’t have to placate me.
“I appreciate you saying that but isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?”
He shakes his head simply. “Not at all.”
I frown for a moment before a laugh escapes me.
“Nico, you’re not even single. You’re dating my sister, and you’re offering your home to me. Offering to share it, share a life. Don’t you think that’s jumping the gun a little?”
His hands stop moving as his eyes burrow into mine. For some reason, I don’t want to look at him. I don’t know why, exactly. Maybe I’m just embarrassed I brought this topic up to begin with. Maybe I don’t want to hear his response, especially involving Carly. Maybe I’m just a little chicken shit.
“This place was just a property I owned until you stepped inside. You made it feel like a home. It’s not just you that feels that way, Cass. I didn’t even go back to my penthouse after you left. I’ve been living here because I haven’t felt this…good in so fucking long.”
I’m surprised by his words, but of course he doesn’t stop there.
“As far as I’m concerned, Carly and I are through. We have been for a long time. Of course, we have to have a conversation, but I’m not focused on that. Not when I literally have my future in the palm of my hands,” he says as he grips my sides pointedly.
I shake my head.
“Let’s pretend she will take the breakup well, which prepare yourself, she won’t. What? Are you going to show up for Christmas on my arm? That will be a little awkward don’t you think?” I laugh sarcastically.
“Absolutely,” he agrees. “But you’re worth all of the awkward holidays, the misplaced judgment and any goddamn whisper in the world. I’m not going to toss aside our chance to be happy because the way we met was…”
“Unconventional?” I supply.
A rough laugh escapes his as he nods.
“To say the least.”
I smile at that as his hand begins tangling through my hair.
