Page 52 of The Question of Us
I looked between the two grinning faces. “Fuck the both of you. I’m going for a shower, and then I’m going to order two plant-based burgers and an ancient-grain-and-root-vegetable salad from that organic deli we passed yesterday. After that, I’m going to find the arts channel and watch black-and-white movies until it gets dark enough to sleep. A perfect evening.”
Gazza’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. I’m outta here. Catch you guys later.” He all but sprinted for the door, and I turned back to Nick, whose complexion had turned a sickly shade of grey.
“What the hell is a plant-based burger?” he asked suspiciously. “Or an ancient grain, for that matter?”
I shot him a sunny smile. “Never you mind. Your arteries will thank me.” I spun and headed for the bathroom with Nick on my heels.
“My arteries willnotthank you. My arteries are just fine.I’mfine. Ancient grains are bad for you. I read it somewhere. Too much... dust.”
I snorted. “Dust?”
He hesitated. “Well, they’re ancient, right? Been around on a shelf a while. Can’t be good for you.”
I spun at the doorway to the bathroom and Nick almost ran into me. I pushed him back and patted his cheek. “I refuse to dignify that with a response. But we are in agreement on one thing. You are most certainlyfine.” I looked him up and down, taking my time. “So, I’ll tell you what. If you agree to try the food, I’ll run a bath... for two.”
“That’s bribery.” Nick’s mouth curled up in a slow, sexy smile and he leaned closer, putting his lips against my ear. “And I like it. Who knew that ancient grains and plant-based burgers could make my dick hard?”
I laughed. “So, I take it that’s a yes.” I glanced behind me at the generous spa bath, then back to Nick. “It’s gonna take some time to run it deep enough. Whatever shall we do to fill the time?”
Nick eyed me like he might very well eat me alive. “I have one or two ideas about that.” He crowded me into the bathroom and kicked the door shut. Then he pressed a line of kisses up my throat until his lips hovered over mine. “Knock-knock.”
“Idiot.” I grinned and opened for him and his tongue slipped inside to tangle with mine. Strong arms snaked around my waist and he lifted me onto the vanity.
“The bath,” I mumbled against his kisses.
He pulled off, frowning. “What?”
I nodded to the bath. “We’re supposed to be filling it.”
“Oh.” He gave a wry smile and broke away.
While he was busy with the bath, I started to hum “Georgia on My Mind” by Willie Nelson, and Nick’s surprised grin was all the encouragement I needed. The song was one of my all-time favourite ballads and the five years I’d spent as a tenor in my high school choir ensured I could at least hold a tune. With the water running, Nick perched on the edge of the bath and watched me sing, an appreciative smile spreading over his face.
I wasn’t quite done when he pushed to his feet and took me in his arms, kissing me softly and abruptly ending the song. “You’re a man of many talents, Madigan Delaney Church.” He stared deep into my eyes. “I might have to reconsider the whole Willie Nelson thing, cos damn, that was sexy.”
I snorted. “There’s a difference between liking the legend’s songs and waking up to the man’s ponytail in your bed.”
Nick’s eyes danced with humour. “Very true. In that case, the wig remains off limits in the bedroom. Now, how about we get naked and test out the bath?”
I grinned and nipped his lower lip between my teeth. “You have the best ideas.”
“I know.” He ignored my eye roll and removed his phone from his pocket, scrolling for a few seconds before setting it down on the vanity. The dulcet tones of Willie Nelson singing “Georgia” in that warm conversational style of his filled the room and bounced off the tiles.
A small smile played on Nick’s lips and he held out his hand for me to take. “May I have this dance?”
Startled at the question, it took me a moment to reply. Was he asking me to dance? Nick Fisher—dancing? For some reason I couldn’t get my head around it. “Talk about hidden depths.” I regarded him with amusement.
He responded with a smile. “There’s clearly a lot we don’t know about each other. We should change that.”
“Agreed.” I slid my hand into his. “But fair warning, I’m not very experienced. Clubs were never my scene.”
He eyed me kindly. “Me neither. But there’s nobody watching. Just you and me.”
I held his gentle grey eyes and nodded. “Just you and me.”
I wasn’t sure exactly what Nick had planned, but I sure liked the direction this was heading. I wriggled my butt off the vanity and slid to the floor. Nick let go of my hand and made quick work of my shirt, throwing it aside. He slid an arm around my waist, locked our free hands together, and pulled me close. I thought about teasing him with the fact that he’d relegated me to the follower position but kept my mouth shut. There was something special about the moment. Something unexpected and precious. This was a Nick I’d never seen, another peek behind that gruff curtain he used to keep the world at bay.
He let go of my hand and tipped my chin up with his fingers. “You are so beautiful. I can’t believe how lucky I am.” His heated gaze penetrated mine, and something astonishing fluttered inmy chest and beat its wings. Something I’d known was coming but which ambushed me, nonetheless. “Dance with me?”
