Chapter 16: Alone time

Dani got another chance of watching Nico sleep the next morning. He seemed completely dead to the world, lying on his stomach, one arm thrown over her middle, while the other, on which his head was resting, was pushed underneath a pillow. He faced in her direction and so she could clearly see his dishevelled hair, that was hanging in his face, for once free of the gel that usually held it back. Tenderly she brushed one of the strands back and smiled when it fell right back onto his forehead. The expression on his face was relaxed and peaceful and, she couldn't believe the word popped into her head when it came to Nico: cute. She checked the clock quickly and was surprised when she saw that it was already past nine and he was still asleep. As quietly as possible she slipped out of bed, grabbed some clothes from the dresser and made her way into the adjoined bathroom. She grabbed a quick shower that she really needed after the day, and the night, before. She didn't blow-dry her hair though, because she didn't want to wake Nico and also because it was warm enough already outside. In her shorts, shirt and barefoot Dani then made her way into the kitchen, grabbed a cup of coffee and walked outside into the garden. She hadn't really seen much of it last night and so she took her time exploring. It was much bigger than it had looked in the dark and she squeaked quietly when she found the small private beach that came with the house. For a moment she sat down on the sand and watched the waves, enjoyed the wind in her damp hair and sipped her coffee. It was such a peaceful scene and after the last weeks and months she could surely use some peace. However, what provided her with more inner calmness than any vacation ever could, was the fact that she and Nico had finally figured out what they were to each other. There would be no more longing looks and disappearances. Yes, she knew that this was not a fairy tale and they would disagree and fight. She would babble and annoy him and he would stay silent on too many things. Dani also wasn't really sure if she still had a job when she got back, because who knew what would happen with V3. And yet, she wasn't worried, because Nico would be there and he always had her back, even when he had been evasive and it had looked like he didn't want anything to do with her.

Life with him would never get boring and after Ray, this was the first time that she truly trusted a man again. Nico would never cheat on her or betray her. And he never lied, no matter what the circumstances were.

He was quiet, mysterious and closed off; at times cold and aloof. But Paloma had been right: He was transparent when he looked at her. Last night in the way he had made love to her, looked at her and touched her, his feelings had been plain as day. He expressed what he felt for her not only in words and she had never felt so cherished. She only hoped, that he knew that she felt the same way about him.

When her cup was empty she walked the path back up to the house and took the dirty dishes from last night inside with her. The left overs of the paella were sadly not save-able after a night out in the open, but they had simply forgotten about it the night before. She had just dried the pan when Nico came into the kitchen. He wore cut off sweats and a grey shirt and his hair was combed, but not styled yet. It was wet though, so it seemed like she wasn't the only one who thought a shower was in order.

"Good morning," he said when he saw her. He smiled at her and it reached his eyes, made them a bit lighter. Seeing him this happy and unguarded hadn't lost its magic yet, and Dani was sure she smiled back at him with a dopey smile.

"Good morning," she replied once he broke the good morning kiss he gave her. "Did you really sleep until ten or were you up during the night?" she asked him, slung her arms around his middle and was struck again by how tall he was when she looked up at him. Without her heels, her head barely reached up to his shoulders.

Her question made him chuckle and pull her tightly against him. "I know it's not common knowledge, but I like to sleep in when I can, once in a blue moon. And I can't say that I slept very well these last couple of days," he told her and placed a soft kiss between her eyes when she squinted, because she didn't like the fact that he lost sleep over them fighting. Even if she hadn't slept much either. "Also, someone wore me out last night," he added with a smirk.

"I wore you out?" she lifted one eyebrow and tried not to giggle. "Maybe you have to work on your stamina." Nico only laughed and she joined him, before kissing him thoroughly.

"Did you already eat breakfast?" he asked once they came up for air.

"No, just had a cup of coffee."

"If you're up for it, there's a small cafe right next to the market in town. They have great bocadillos and coffee. Afterwards we could buy groceries at the market. It's only a ten minute walk along the beach."

"Sounds good. I should get changed though and get my hair done."

Nico playfully tugged on her shirt. "You look good to me."

"So do you, and still I doubt that you will walk into town on your sweats," Dani pointed out.

"I might surprise you. Maybe I always dress like this in private." He was still teasing her and only his twinkling eyes gave him away.

"Says the man who only owns tailored clothes," she rolled her eyes at him, pecked his lips quickly and then went to get changed, because now that they had talked about food, she realised that she was starving.

"We should go swimming later," Dani commented as she watched the sea while they walked along the beach.

"Sounds good," he nodded, pulled her closer to him with the arm that was wrapped around her middle and kissed her hair. It seemed to be a move he did a lot when she didn't wear heels, she noticed. Dani let him know how much she liked him being affectionate by giving his butt a squeeze, because she had her hand in the back pocket of his jeans as they walked with their arms around each other.

"So, tell me, Mr. 'I speak five languages', is Spanish one of them?"

"In fact it is," he confirmed her suspicions.

"What are the others? You know, just because they might come in handy during our future travels," she tried being nonchalant.

"French, Arabic and German," he told her.

"Arabic and German? Really?" She had suspected that Italian would be one of the languages.

"Seals were stationed in Iraq and I had some missions later in Syria and Lebanon. And German was important when I was stationed there for two years during my basic training."

"You've travelled a lot. All I got to see was Disneyland and the family resort down in Orlando every couple of years."

"You could enjoy your time there with your family. And we still have time to travel. Just say the word and we'll go wherever you want to go," he shrugged unimpressed.

"Nico, I am a single mom with a daughter in college. I could never afford it." Dani pointed out, because she needed to. She couldn't get wrapped up in the dream of it.

Nico stopped them and wrapped both arms around her middle this time. "I think we should talk about the money issue some time, but not now, ok? However, this is our time away from all of the drama and also our chance to get to know each other as a couple. I want you to enjoy it without any worries." He placed a finger on her lips when she opened her mouth to protest. "Honesty, right?" he asked her and she only looked at him, waiting for what he would say. "I have more money than I could ever spent in several lifetimes. I have houses and planes and they don't cost me anything more when we use them than when the planes are on the ground or the houses are empty. I might let you pay for groceries, if you insist, doctor, but only if you tell me which places you want to see while we're in Europe."

Dani thought about his words and even if she didn't like it, she had to admit that he was right. She would let Nico spoil her for once and do so without any bad conscience. They would have to talk about their daily life and finances at some point, but that could wait for now.

"Fine, you win, Careles," she gave in and the smile on his face was worth it. This time it was her who went up on her tiptoes and kissed him. "And now feed me before I starve! After I will tell you where else you can whisk me off to on your white horse, my prince." That actually made him laugh out loud and they resumed their walk.

After eating their way through the market with different sausages, hams and cheese they bought way too many groceries, but couldn't resist. Of course, Nico insisted on carrying most of it back to the house what Dani, for once, gladly let him do. It was way too hot already for her to want any exercise.

They stored their purchases and quickly changed into their swim wear. Dani was already lying on one of the deck chairs when Nico made his way outside, only in his swim shorts and black flip flops.

"My, Mr. Careles, no black diving suit?" Dani teased him, but her eyes wandered over his body. She had seen it all before, even without the swim trunks, but it was still a new and exciting difference from his usual black suits.

"You want me to change again, Dr. Santino?" he replied and placed his towel on the other chair.

"Come here, you," Dani held her hand out to him and pulled him down on her chair when he took it. "If I send Paloma or even TK a picture of you like this, they'll have a heart attack," she giggled as she ran her hands over his naked chest.

"Speaking of TK: Have you called him already like you wanted to?" he ignored her comment.

"No, I'll do that later when I know that Lindsey is home and I can call her as well. I don't want to spend any more time on the phone than I have to."

"Whatever will you do instead?"

"I can think of something," she flirted, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"Me too," he said in that sexy, husky voice of his and leaned in. Dani closed her eyes in anticipation of the kiss, but opened them quickly when she was suddenly yanked off the chair and found herself in Nico's arms. Before she really knew what was going on, he let himself fall into the pool with her and Dani had barely time to screech. When she came up spluttering Nico laughed; but he laughed even more when she started splashing water in his face. Dani stopped and stared at him because this was really the first time that she saw him laugh, really laugh; uncontained belly laughter and it looked so good on him. Once he stopped he pulled her close and Dani could stop treading water.

"You look happy," she said, "it's not a look I've seen on your face too often."

"I am," he confirmed and turned them around in the water so she was pressed against the edge of the pool.

"Good, me too." She wrapped her legs around his waist and held on to him.

"So, Barcelona tomorrow for two or three days, then we come back here?" he asked, referring to their talk on the way back.

"Yes, or have you changed your mind?" Dani didn't want to go anywhere he didn't want to be.

"No," he shook his head and brought his lips down to her neck, "I'm just calculating how much time I have before I have to share you again." When he unclasped her bikini top a moment later Dani knew exactly how he planed on spending their alone time- and she wholeheartedly agreed.

TBC