“You’re so beautiful like that… Your face all pink, your eyes tired. And an expression that tells me you just got exactly what you wanted.”
And he’s right. I reallyhavegot exactly what I wanted. And I’m not talking about the sex.
I’m talking about Nick O’Connor.
I’m happy.
And I could never want anything else.
58
Nick
“Ican’t believe it. You’re finally about to show me yourpièce de résistance?” Casey asks, teasing me as she leans against the bathroom door.
“I told you, you need to relax.”
“Then what was that on the sofa?”
“That was to relaxme.”
She bursts out laughing, shaking her head. “Your magic jacuzzi. I don’t even want to think about how many women you’ve used this littlerelaxationtechnique on.”
I grab her by the waist and spin her towards me.
“No one, Casey. And no other woman has ever been in this apartment.”
“Nick, you don’t have to…”
“I have to say it. You deserve to know.”
“O-okay,” she stutters uncomfortably.
“Now, let me show you how to really relax.”
I take her hand and she sits on the side of the bathtub, as I light the last few candles.
“Wow, you’ve thought of everything. Candles, music… Is this supposed to convince me to do something I don’t want to?” she jokes, before slowly lowering herself down into the water. “Oh, my God!”
I laugh, satisfied.
“This reallyisyourpièce de résistance,O’Connor.”
“I thought I’d already showed it to you.”
“This is way better,” she says, leaning her head back against the side of the bath.
“Should I be offended?”
She isn’t listening to me. She lets the bubbles carry her away, as I grab the glass of wine she left on the side and hand it to her.
“Is there anything you can’t do?” She takes a few sips of wine, then places it back. “I could live in here.”
“Come here,” I tell her, taking her hand.
“I’m fine where I am.”
“I want to give you a massage. Come on.”
