He had been in this daze for weeks. He almost wondered if the anesthesia from his surgery had ever worn off. The numbness hadn't quite left him.
A loud, morose sigh left his lips as he sauntered out the screen door, stepping onto the balcony that overlooked his spacious backyard. He hated having a mansion. He didn't feel at home in this big, empty house. He gazed out into the dark yard, an empty feeling forming a knot in his stomach. He hated feeling this way. At the moment, he hated everything.
His head tilted back as he gazed up towards the sky, admiring the stars. Okay, so maybe he didn't hate everything.
"Making a wish?"
The familiar voice cut through the thick smog around his brain. His jaw dropped slightly... he hadn't expected her till the next night. Wiping the sour look off of his face, he forced his trademark smirk. He wouldn't let her see him this way.
"Well how 'bout that," he breathed, turning to face her. "My wish just came true."
When he caught a glimpse of her, his breath caught in his throat. He had never seen a woman with beauty quite like hers... and he had seen his share of women.
"Smooth one, Casanova," she replied, rolling her eyes.
He winked at her and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms tightly around her. A slice of pain shot through his shoulder, but he ignored it. Nick showed no signs of weakness. She fell into his warm embrace, and he ran his fingers through her soft locks. It felt so good to hold her again. He heard her sigh, and he frowned.
"What's the matter?" he asked her, the silver moonlight illuminating the concern in his blue eyes.
She gently pushed away from him, though she remained in his arms.
"I should be asking you that question," she said.
Her eyes narrowed at him knowingly. She was no fool when it came to reading emotions, especially his. Nick tilted his head back, eyeing her with a confused stare.
"Nothing's wrong with me, sweetheart," he said, offering her an assuring smile. "You're here."
"Nick, stop," she said, placing her hands firmly on his chest and shoving him away. "Don't put on that facade. Nobody else buys it... what makes you think I will?"
His grin immediately fizzled into a grimace. He should have known he couldn't fool her. To this day, he never had.