Chapter 178: Raw and Unpolished (6)
Georgia’s POV
"Nick, can we shower first? I feel sticky," I asked softly, and he gave me a quick nod.
Without hesitation, he began stripping off his clothes piece by piece as we walked into his en suite. And wow... he wasn’t exaggerating—his bathroom was massive.
My jaw nearly dropped. "Two vanities? Is this bathroom made for couples?" I asked, eyeing the double sinks, the oversized shower, and the ridiculously large bathtub.
Nick’s lips curved into that boyish smile of his. "My father is obsessed with having grandchildren. He gave me this penthouse as a gift right after high school. He asked me and Liam what we wanted. Instead of a car, we told him we wanted out of that toxic mansion. So, he gave us each a penthouse—probably thinking we’d sneak girls in here and, eventually, give him grandkids."
He chuckled. "And look at us now. I’m about to turn thirty-three on Sunday, Vicky’s twenty-eight, and even Reagan’s still single. My father is practically pulling his hair out."
"Oh. My. God." I gasped dramatically, turning to him with wide eyes.
Nick paused mid-motion, his brows furrowing as he twisted the shower knob. "What? What’s wrong?"
I crossed my arms, doing my best to keep a straight face. "Did you just scam me so you can give your father a grandchild?!"
The way his face fell was priceless. He rushed toward me, cupping my cheeks with both hands, his voice low and urgent. "Gods, no, Georgia. I’m not trapping you. I swear, I’m serious about you. This—" his eyes burned into mine "—is about us. Not him. Never him."
The panic in his expression was so over-the-top, I couldn’t hold my composure anymore. A laugh burst out of me, loud and unrestrained. "Relax, I’m kidding!"
Nick exhaled heavily, narrowing his eyes as if deciding whether to scold me or kiss me senseless. "You little minx..." he muttered.
I grinned, tugging him toward the running water. "Come on, love. Let’s shower."
The shower started off perfectly normal. Just warm water cascading down our bodies, steam rising around us, until I realized Nick’s soapy hands had been lingering in one very specific place... my breasts.
I tilted my head back against his chest, narrowing my eyes at him through the mist. "Nick... what exactly are you doing?" I asked as I tried rinsing the soap off the rest of me.
"Washing you, obviously," he replied, voice dripping with mischief.
I huffed, half-exasperated, half-melting from his touch. "Then why are you only washing my breasts? Hands off, Captain. I’m trying to finish up here. We have work tomorrow, remember? After this, we’re sleeping."
His low chuckle vibrated against my back. "Sleeping? Are you kidding me? I let you shower first because I was expecting another round before bed. Don’t tell me you tricked me, Georgia."
I spun slightly, laughing at the ridiculous accusation. "Tricked you? I don’t recall ever agreeing to another round." I stuck my tongue out at him playfully before shutting off the shower and reaching for the towel.
Nick caught my wrist, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous kind of determination. "Then let me remind you."
Before I could react, he pulled me back and crashed his lips onto mine. The kiss was fierce, hungry, a perfect storm that stole my breath and replaced it with fire.
"Mmm...!" I moaned against his mouth, jolting when two of his fingers slipped inside me. My knees nearly gave out under the assault.
He broke the kiss just to grin wickedly, his lips brushing against mine. "Liar. You’re already soaked. Don’t pretend you weren’t expecting me to be inside you."
Flustered and breathless, I tried to keep my composure, though my laughter betrayed me. "Am I? I... I didn’t even notice."
His smirk deepened, the kind that promised I wasn’t escaping the night without surrendering completely.
Nick plucked the towel straight from my hand, ignoring my protest, and began gently drying me himself. His touch was firm yet tender, every stroke purposeful. "Come on, let’s get you comfortable in bed," he murmured, his voice husky and low. "You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined having you there... finally, on my bed."
I let out a soft laugh, raising a brow at him. "Just your bed? That’s it?" I teased.
He shot me a look that was both amused and dangerous. "No. What do you take me for—some old man with limited imagination? I’ve pictured making love to you in every corner of this place... and beyond.
Every room, every surface. Even outside this penthouse." His tone deepened with every word, conviction blazing in his eyes. "I want you everywhere we go, Georgia. I want every spot to hold a memory of you—of us. So that whenever you return, you’ll remember only one thing: how good it felt when I was inside you."
My breath hitched. My mind betrayed me, instantly painting images of us in those places—kitchen counters, against windows, tangled in sheets, stolen moments in unexpected corners. God... what is wrong with me? I was becoming just as much of a pervert as he was.
And yet, my body reacted before my thoughts could catch up. Heat pooled low in my belly, my core tightening, already wet and aching from nothing but his words.
After drying me off, he did the same to himself—quick, efficient, almost like a man on a mission. Before I could even process it, his warm hand slipped into mine, our fingers entwining perfectly as he guided me back toward the bed.
When we reached it, he stopped, turning me gently to face him. His hands came up to cradle my face, his forehead pressing against mine as his eyes locked onto me with a fierce tenderness that made my chest ache.
"Georgia," he whispered, his voice steady but full of unspoken urgency. "From tonight onward, promise me something. No matter what anyone says about us, whether it’s Violet, my father, or anyone else, you won’t let their voices matter.
The only thing that counts is what we feel, right here." His thumb brushed my cheek, and my heart clenched at the sincerity in his gaze. "I want you. Only you. And no one, not even my family, can change that. Promise me you’ll trust me, that you’ll listen to me, and not let their words poison what we have. Can you do that, love?"
Emotion swelled inside me, making my throat tighten. His words, his conviction, it was everything I had been longing to hear. I placed my hands over his, holding him closer.
"Yes, Nick. I promise," I breathed out, my voice trembling with relief. "I’m sorry I ever doubted us. I should have told you about Violet right away. But from now on, I’ll trust you... your words, your actions, everything. I’ll trust us."
His lips curved into the softest, most devastating smile, and then he kissed me—slow, reverent, sealing that promise with a warmth that melted every last piece of my hesitation.
Fated.
I heard a tiny voice in my head say it. Deep in my heart, that’s what it feels like, as if we are fated in this lifetime. He feels like home, a home that perhaps I had in my past lives, if it was even possible.
This man right here is mine, and no one can ever change that.
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Thank you for the Golden Ticket Kris_K16!