Page 30 of The Question of Us (Fisher & Church #2)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Madigan

There were a lot of details to nail down if we were going to have the slightest chance of success, but with the bloodstock sale not finishing until mid-afternoon, it was far too dangerous for Nick and me to be wandering around Kettleworth or doing any reconnaissance on Marty’s road.

We had zero idea how long he and Freddie planned to stay at the sales, and there was always the chance they’d call in at Kettleworth on their way back to the stud or catch us driving by his house.

Finding a safe spot for me to park and wait close to the house while Gazza and Nick did their thing would have to wait until the next day, Thursday, when there should be plenty of people and party business coming and going from the house to cover our activity.

Gazza, owing to his cover story, was not as constrained as we were.

Not long after we returned, he strolled into our room wearing a pair of faded jeans, a black-and-white chequered T-shirt, and a pair of black Vans.

He announced that he was going to take his car and check out the local tourist attractions and vineyards.

Before I could argue, he countered my predictable protest by saying that it wouldn’t matter if he was seen by Marty since the man already knew Carey was a tourist. It might even bolster his story.

I tried to find something wrong with his reasoning but couldn’t, dammit, and I figured, after the whole argument in the car thing, the outing was likely as much about getting some space from me as it was about being stuck inside.

I’d want some space from me too if I were him, or Nick for that matter.

I glanced at the man in question, who was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. Nick had been ominously quiet since we’d come inside and I knew I’d fucked up with both of them. I had some ruffled feathers to smooth, but I wasn’t quite sure how to go about doing it.

“If you find a nice bottle of red, grab yourself a couple,” I said by way of a peace offering and handed Gazza some money.

His expression softened and his eyes lost that wary look they’d held since the argument. “Thanks, Boss.”

He was about to leave when I added, “Nick said you were amazing in the auction room. A natural. I should’ve trusted you. I’m sorry.”

Gazza offered up a grin that went some way to making me feel less of an arsehole.

Then he pulled me into his arms, tossed my wig to the floor, and noogied my head.

Then he pulled a face. “Man, I hate you in this wig. Makes you look like a slightly disturbing younger version of Willie Nelson. And if I’m honest, I’m not that much of a fan of the older one. ”

I gave him a shove. “I do not look like Willie Nelson.” I turned to Nick for support, but he was staring at me with a slightly dismayed expression, like Gazza’s words had struck an unwanted chord.

“Maybe a little bit Willie.” He held his thumb and forefinger a tiny bit apart. “And now that I’ve seen it, I can’t unsee it.”

Gazza nodded enthusiastically. “See, it’s creepy, right?”

Nick grimaced. “Yeah, let’s keep that wig out of the bedroom from now on. It’s kind of weirding me out.”

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 will not thank you. My arteries are just fine. I’m fine. 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 certainly fine .” 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 in my chest and beat its wings.

Something I’d known was coming but which ambushed me, nonetheless. “Dance with me?”

I smiled and leaned my head against Nick’s shoulder. “It will be my pleasure.”

Approval rumbled in his chest, and he began to slowly but expertly move me around the small space, ignoring my awkward attempt to follow.

“Stop trying to lead,” he rebuked me with obvious amusement. “Just for once in your life.”

I chuckled. “Pot, kettle. But okay.” I relaxed in his arms and he immediately took charge.

“Much better.” He pulled me tight and buried his lips in my hair.

“You really can dance.” I couldn’t hide my surprise.

Nick gave a soft snort. “I get by. Davis taught me, if you must know. He was quite the dancer.”

“Then he did a good job.” I gave myself fully to Nick’s direction and let my body be guided by his skilful hands as our hearts beat in rhythm and his warm breath brushed over my bare skin.

The bath filled and steam misted the mirror.

We danced, stopping now and then to divest each other of clothing until we were both naked.

At one point, Nick broke away to stop the bath from overfilling and I was sure that would spell the end of things.

But he picked up where he’d left off, opened the door to the bedroom to give us more room, and time once again drifted like a warm sunny day.