Chapter 17

"I want to stay. I'm not about to go home after I've already almost made it there." Jane cuddles into Nik's chest, breathing in his cologne. Nik gives her a kiss on the top of her head, happy that she isn't going to leave him.

The two of them spend the next few hours of the plane ride snuggled up together while talking about plans for the week, what sights they want to see, what Nik wants to show Jane, and all sorts of fun ideas. Nik hasn't had a woman stay at his true home for more than a day so having someone as lovely as Jane for an entire week excites him. He is so glad he decided to cancel his plans for the week to see this through.

"We will be landing in fifteen minutes." A voice shouts to the two lovers from the cockpit. They are almost there.

Jane gets back into her seat, finally leaving the comfort of Nik's lap, buckling in. She isn't sure if it's necessary. She has never been on a private jet and isn't sure how rocky the landings can be. Nik also buckles himself in and reaches his arm across the aisle way, searching for Jane's hand. Jane grabs onto him, grasping his large hand, giving a few rough squeezes in anticipation.

"I don't remember if I've thanked you for all of this yet. Thanks for inviting me Nik. You were right the other day. Spending my break from work trying to catch up on household chores is no way to enjoy time off. I guess I've just been in survival mode these last few months."

"No worries. We all get like that. Fortunately, I have my assistant to take care of some of those other concerns so that I have more time to myself. I'd consider myself pretty lucky given how much freedom I have despite being the CEO of a large corporation." Nik shares a warm smile with the brunette, ready to get her to his home to have her all to himself.

The plane lands at the port in California. With one of the scarier parts of this trip over, Jane breathes a sigh of relief. She grabs her bag and carries it down the stairs. With her feet firmly planted on solid ground, she waits for Nik. She is itching to get into a pool right now. Something about the California heat and the idea of relaxing really turns her on to the idea of swimming while soaking up some sun. Her skin hasn't seen the light of day in far too long.

A car is waiting for them across the way. Nik leads Jane to the car, throwing her bag into the trunk and hopping in behind her. His driver pulls out of the port, speeding off in the direction of Nik's large estate. Nik greets his driver and then focuses his attention back on Jane. She is staring out the window, a grin on her face. He can see the excitement in her eyes from their reflection on the warm glass.

This moment brings him back to one of their first car rides together. He will never get used to this part of her. Seeing her eagerly exploring her new surroundings with those gorgeous orbs establishes some of that childish innocence of hers that is so irresistible to Nik. Seeing her so joyful, so filled with glee over simple things like a beautiful background whizzing by inspires awe. Nik could watch her like this for hours.

Unfortunately, they make it to his home in less than thirty minutes. The entire ride may have been silent, but it was a comfortable silence. Nik exits the vehicle first so he can get to Jane's belongings before she does. She is on break, so Nik doesn't want her to lift even one finger. Jane gets out next, straightening out her clothes to appear more presentable. It's interesting that she does this because no one else is going to be there. It's just Nik and Jane for the next bliss-filled week.

Nik shows Jane the way, leading her to the front entrance of his large home. Jane examines the brick building. Jane considers it much too large for it to be a simple 'home.' It is three stories high, covered in ivory brick with emerald vines of ivy here and there. There are so many windows that Jane doesn't have time to count them before she finishes climbing the marble stairs. Nik unlocks the door, ushering Jane into the foyer.

The inside is just as astonishing as the outside. White, spotless, almost unlived in. Jane is impressed but also saddened by that last thought. This elegant home deserves to be appreciated. Houses shouldn't be spotless. Real homes have dust and dirt and fingerprints littering every surface. Life is too fast to keep everything so clean. Jane focuses her attention on wherever Nik is leading her. She pushes those thoughts from her mind, realizing that Nik is a single adult male in his thirties with a paramount career and no time for family. Men like him don't need to settle down until they are in their fifties. It makes sense that his home wouldn't be covered in the mess that accompanies that sort of life.

Nik walks through the halls of his home, explaining each and every room. There are two kitchens, countless bathrooms, and bedrooms. He has a personal movie theater, an art studio, a library, a pool, anything one would need to keep themselves entertained.

'He has to be lonely living in a place like this,' Jane thinks to herself.

Eventually Nik shows Jane to his room. Nik opens the French doors revealing a masterpiece of interior design. A California king-size bed with a luscious white and gray bed set. A marble fireplace sits on the opposite side of the room. It's an electric fireplace but still beautiful, nonetheless. A large flat screen hangs on the wall above the mantel. There are gray wooden beams accenting the ceiling, tying together the color scheme of his room.

Jane drops her bag when she sees the balcony. She rushes over too it, flinging open the door, running up to the white iron banister that separates her from the ground below. Nik chases after her, worried that she is going to hurt herself, but stops when he sees her hanging onto the railing. The wind ruffles her hair. The sun shines down, enhancing all her curves and other beautiful features.

'What a woman,' Nik marvels. Nik stands just behind her. He drapes his arms over her shoulders, resting his head on top of hers.

"Are you having fun?"

"Nik this place is incredible. How on earth do you live somewhere like this and ever want to leave? I would be such a hermit because I wouldn't need to go outside."

"It is beautiful, but it gets pretty lonely," Nik admits. Jane's energy dies down a bit. She understands that feeling. She walks back to the master bedroom to enjoy it a bit further. Whoever decorated this house is a genius when it comes to interior design. They managed to make every massive room still feel so cozy and welcoming. Jane sits on his bed, her feet dangle above the ground below. Nik chuckles at the sight.

"So what should we do today? There is still plenty of daylight left. Do you want to go swimming?" Jane tries to keep her enthusiasm hidden. She desperately wants to dip into the pool and feel the warm water roll over her skin. Nik nods.

"That sounds nice. I guess I will go get changed then."

"Hold on Nik, where am I going to be sleeping? I need to get changed too so I might as well change in the room I'll be staying in. I could even unpack a little."

"Oh. I haven't thought that far. I guess I just assumed you would be sleeping in my room." An embarrassed expression covers Nik's face as he rubs the back of his flushed neck. He feels silly for assuming that.

"Oh okay." Jane places her suitcase on the bed, unfazed by his response. She unzips it, rummaging through its contents until she finds her swimwear. She pulls off her shirt and shorts, stripping down to her bare form. Nik watches, loving every inch of her body as she reveals it to him. Jane pulls on her bikini.

Jane's bikini is high waisted and strapless. The cups of her top are made with a firmer fabric and some boning to provide support. It's a beautiful shade of dark red that Nik can't seem to describe properly in his own words. Jane picks up her dirty laundry, turning around to face Nik who is still staring at her breathtaking body. "Where do I put this?"

"Oh yeah right. I have a hamper in the bathroom over here." Nik shows Jane the way. Jane tosses her laundry in the hamper. Nik enters his walk-in closet, leaving the door wide open in case Jane wants to see the show. It's only fair. He grabs the first pair of swim trunks from his closet that he spots and gets dressed quickly, eager to see Jane soaking wet. He thanks whatever beings above granted him this opportunity to swim with Jane. The weather is perfect for a dip.