Chapter 28
Claire
I finally felt like my life was falling back into place. With my newfound loving family, an amazing boyfriend, a job I loved, and a new house on the way, I felt a peace inside me that I wasn’t sure I’d ever felt.
I was running late getting home because of an accident on the expressway. When I finally pulled into Simon’s driveway, I saw Nick’s car parked along the curb. Walking into the house, he and Simon were sitting outside on the patio.
“Hey, you two.” I smiled, wrapping my arms around Nick’s neck.
“Hey, baby.” He turned and kissed my lips.
“Hi, sis. How was your day?”
“It was good, detective.” I furrowed my brows. “What happened to your eye?”
“A suspect didn’t want to cooperate.”
“Ouch. It looks like it hurts,” I said.
“Nah, it’s not bad.”
“Where’s Grace and the kids?”
“They’re at Stefan’s house visiting Alex.”
“Are you ready to go see my new house?” I grinned at Nick.
“Definitely. Thanks for the beer, Simon.”
“Anytime, Nick. You two have fun.” He smiled.
I grabbed Nick’s hand and walked him down to the house. Inserting the key into the lock, I opened the door, and we stepped inside.
“Wow, Claire. Look at this place.”
“You should have seen it before.” I laughed. “What do you think?” I asked as I took him on a tour.
“I think you did an excellent job.” He gripped my hips and kissed me. “It’s a beautiful home.”
“Thank you, Dr. Russo. I have visions, you know.”
“Oh yeah? What kind of visions?” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“See this island?” I walked over and placed my hand on the quartz countertop. “I see us sitting here in the mornings having coffee together before we head off to work while the sun shines through the windows.”
“I see it, and I love it.”
“This area is where a sectional will sit. I envision us sitting on it together, snuggling each other after work, and talking about our day.” I grabbed his hand and led him to my bedroom. “The bed will sit on this wall with a nightstand on each side. One side is where my things will sit, and the other will be where your things sit.” I led him into the large bathroom.
“Wow. Look at that shower. Six people could fit in there,” he said. “Stefan’s crew did an amazing job with the tile.”
I opened the door to the shower, and we stepped inside. “See these two shelves right here?”
“Yeah.”
“I envision your shower essentials sitting there.” I smiled. “Your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and whatever else you have.” I grabbed his hand and led him out of the shower and over to the cabinets, opening one of the large drawers. “When I open this drawer, I see your things sitting in it.” I led him to the huge walk-in closet. “When I walk in here and look at this side,” I pointed to the left, “I see all of your clothes hanging there and your shoes neatly placed on the shelves above.”
“Claire, you have a lot of visions.” His brows furrowed. “It’s almost as if you see me living here.”
“I do and would like you to. That’s if you want to live with me,” I said nervously.
“Seriously? You’re asking me to move in with you?”
“Yeah, Nick. I am. I don’t know if you’re ready to live with me. Hell, I don’t know if I’m ready to live with someone, you know, with my OCD and all.” I smirked. “But this is a new house, and I want us to move into it together. I love you.”
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him. “I would love to move in together.” He held me tight.
“Are you sure?” I broke our embrace.
“I’m positive. Are you sure?”
“I’m one hundred percent sure. I wouldn’t have asked if I weren’t.” I smiled.
“God, I love you so much.” His lips met mine.
“I love you too. Come on.” I grabbed his hand.
“Where are we going?”
“To look at furniture together.”
“I thought you already bought all the furniture?”
“I was waiting until I asked you to move in. It’s our furniture, and we should pick it out together.” I grinned.
Nick and I arrived at the furniture store, where Chloe, the woman Ava and I had already worked with, greeted us.
“They close in an hour. I don’t think we have enough time,” Nick said.
“We have enough time.” I smiled.
“I’m obsessed with this sectional.” I sat down. “What do you think?”
“It’s comfy and has cupholders. I love it.” Nick grinned.
We walked over to the dining section. “Oh my God. Look at this table for the kitchen. It’s beautiful,” I said.
“I agree. It’s very nice,” Nick said.
I glanced at Chloe, and she gave me a thumbs up.
“Let’s go look at bedroom sets,” I said, leading Nick to the bedroom section. Placing my hand over my mouth, I inhaled a sharp breath. “I love this set!”
“Wow. This is really nice.” He ran his hand across the dresser and opened a few of the drawers. “I like it.”
“Like it or love it?” I asked.
“Love it.” He smiled.
“Chloe, can you show us the king-size mattresses?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
We followed her to the mattresses, and I threw myself down on the one I loved the most.
“Nick, get over here!” I patted the other side of the bed. “This mattress is amazing.”
He lay beside me, and I could tell he loved it.
“Chloe, do you think I can spend the night here?” Nick asked, and she laughed.
“Do you love it?” I asked.
“Yeah. The only problem is I might never want to leave it.”
“Sounds good to me.” I smiled as I rolled on my side and stared at him.
“The bed also has a massage feature,” Chloe said.
“Shit. Now, I’m never getting out of it.” Nick grinned. “I really want this mattress.”
“Me too.” I smiled.
Nick climbed off the bed and helped me up. “The store closes in ten minutes,” he said.
“I know. I think we’re done. Thank you, Chloe. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Claire.” She winked. “You two have a great night.”
“You too, Chloe. Thanks again,” Nick said.
We walked out of the store, and he glanced at me.
“Why didn’t you have her write up all the furniture and order it?”
“Because it’s already been ordered.”
“What?” His brows furrowed as we climbed into his car.
“I purchased it all last week.” I chewed my bottom lip as I stared at him.
“What happened to wanting to pick out the furniture together?” A smirk crossed his lips.
“We just did.” I grinned.
“Have I told you how adorable I think you are?” He raised his thumb and softly ran it across my lips.
“You can tell me again back at your place.” I smiled. “In bed, fully naked.”
We’d barely made it through his apartment door before a trail of clothes lay on the floor. His hand gripped my wrists as he held my arms over my head while my back sat against the wall, one leg wrapped around his waist. The warmth of his lips against my neck made my skin tremble while he thrust in and out of me. Our moans intensified, and I thanked God nobody was on the other side of the wall.
“I love you so much, Claire,” Nick spoke breathlessly.
“I love you too,” I shouted as an orgasm tore through me.
“Fuck, Claire,” he moaned, halting and exploding inside me.