After getting your bags, you rode with Nick back to his house. You’re impressed that Nick’s house actually feels like a home. Both of you are completely exhausted, and after grabbing a bite to eat, Nick convinces you to lie down and take a nap with him.
You can’t believe it, but you actually fell asleep before he even manages to make it into bed. You aren’t positive, but you think he used the smirk to convince you to share his bed. You hadn’t planned on it, but you slept the rest of the day and through the night.
You woke up to find Nick still sleeping with his arms tight around you. You realized in that moment that there is no place you’d rather be than with your best friend, who also happens to be gorgeous and wearing nothing but some underwear apparently. You could feel the muscles of his chest against your back. Just as you are about to snuggle even closer to him, the phone rings, startling you and waking Nick up. He smiled when he saw you and reaches over you for the phone. You wondered if you are sleeping on his side of the bed.
“Hello,” pause. “Hey man. Yeah she’s here.” Another pause. “I can hardly believe it either.” Pause. “Even more so,” he said while looking at you. “Well actually she’s already in my bed. I may just keep her here.” “I never kiss and tell you know….” Long pause. “Sure, you can talk to her.” He handed you the phone.
“Hello,” you said. You were greeted by Kevin’s slow sexy drawl asking how you ended up in Nick’s bed so quickly. You laugh and explain that it was all completely innocent, but that you think he used the smirk on you. Kevin laughed with you then. You handed the phone back to Nick and excuse yourself to the bathroom, not seeing Nick stare at you as you walk away. Nick got rid of Kevin and waited his turn for the bathroom.
You hurried to get yourself downstairs, trying to shake the image of Nick getting out of bed in his boxer briefs alone. His hair was a mess and he had just a hint of stubble on his chin. There was a little crease on his left cheek from the pillow. All in all, he was utterly irresistible. It was a good thing he wasn’t doing anything right then that you should be trying to resist.
Nick joined you about ten minutes later for a bowl of cereal. Neither of you can believe that you slept the entire rest of the day before and all night. You knew that you had needed the rest though. Nick made some comment about how it was easier to sleep with someone close by. Nick had plans for the two of you for the afternoon. He wanted to take you out on his boat. A relaxing day on the water is just what you need. The two of you lounged around the house for most of the morning while you unpack a little bit, putting your things in the guestroom.
The two of you finally left for the boat around lunchtime. Nick wore red swim trunks and a white t-shirt. You wore a teal two piece suit with shorts over the bottoms. You brought along some pants and a long sleeve t-shirt in case you get too cold out on the water. Nick was ever attentive to you and even made sure you learned how to steer the boat. He finally stopped the boat and dropped the anchor. You looked around and note that you can still see land, but you really can’t make out details in the distance. Privacy. It was a wonderful thing.
Nick helped you put on sun screen and you couldn’t help but enjoy how his hands felt on your shoulders and your back. You returned the favor and end up giving him a shoulder massage. You are intrigued by all of his tattoos. On most men, you didn’t really care for tattoos, but on Nick, they looked like they belonged. You and Nick end up just lying in the sun relaxing and talking for the better part of the next three hours. Nick decided that you need to head back to the house and get out of the sun and the two of you head back. You couldn’t imagine a more perfect day.
Nick went upstairs to get a shower while you returned a call to Leighanne. When Nick came back down wearing a tank top and sweat pants, you told Leighanne you had to go since your “dream man had arrived.” She laughed at you and let you off the phone. Nick walked over and kissed your cheek before sending you to get your own shower with a swat on your butt. You turn around and fuss at him.
“Keep your hands off of the merchandise Mister Carter!”
Nick smirked at you, the little shit. “So…” he said walking to you slowly. “How much does it cost to get to touch the merchandise?”
Nick looked way too serious to suit you. But this was not unlike the teasing that the two of you had been doing for years. Well. Except that he was standing in front of you now. “It’s very expensive,” you say.
“Well, I’m a successful singer. I can probably afford it. How much Babe?”
You thought about it for a moment. Then you started to look at him. You circle him slowly, studying a few of his tattoos that you can see on his arms. You finally speak. “You’d have to hold my hand while I get a tattoo.”
“You want a tattoo?” he asked surprised.
“Yep, got the picture in my suitcase. I was gonna ask AJ, but since you are in such a vulnerable condition, I’ll use you. If you want to pay the that price, that is.”
“All I have to pay to get to touch you is hold your hand?” he ased. You nod. “Deal. I’m there for you. Now, come over here so I can do some touching.”
You played innocent. “I beg your pardon?”
“You. Come here so I can touch you. We had a deal, remember?”
“But Nick, when you get to hold my hand, that will be touching me.” You turned and headed up the stairs.
“You are sooo sneaky Kate. I promise you that I’ll get even with you for this.” You just laughed and headed for the shower.
When you came back downstairs, you found Nick in the kitchen drawing. He looked so serious. “Whatcha drawing?”
Without looking up, he tried to answer,  “sumpin for you.” You laughed at him trying to talk with three different colored pencils in his mouth. You tried to get a glimpse of his artwork. “Nof peekingf!” You backed away and pretend to sulk.
Nick finally put down the pencils and steps away from his work. You step closer and gasp. Nick has made something incredibly beautiful for you.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“Nick, it’s unbelievable.”
“It’s yours. I mean, it’s for you if you want it.”
You look up at him and instantly know that he made the design for you to consider as a tattoo. It has symbolism from your life surrounding a tree. You notice the tree has yours and Nick’s initials on it and smile. It is perfect. “I love it!”