Page 149 of Wisteria and Cloves
"Early," Nicolaus replied with a slight smile. "Sunrise is the best time—the water is like glass, and we'll have the morning light to ourselves. I'll wake you at Four-thirty."
"Four-thirty?"I squeaked, then caught myself. "I mean, that sounds lovely."
Julian chuckled, the sound warm against my back as his arms tightened briefly around my waist. "Don't worry, he'll make it worth your while."
Nicolaus's eyes glinted with amusement. "I promise the early hour serves a purpose. The cove is at its most beautiful at dawn." His gaze softened as it swept over me. "Besides, I've arranged for coffee or tea if you prefer, and breakfast to be packed and ready."
"Well, when you put it like that..." I smiled, already imagining what the sunrise would look like reflecting off water. Something about the idea of experiencing a new day with Nicolaus—quiet, thoughtful Nicolaus—felt right in ways I couldn't quite articulate.
"Though I don't have a swimsuit." Thinking of the small details. When we went shopping that isn’t something we had gotten.
“We can get something delivered…or you can always swim naked.” Julian teased, eyes darkening as he looked down at me.
I blinked at him, my cheeks heating up, “You can do that? “ I glanced to Nicolaus as I heard Julian give a sound of surprise. Nicolaus's eyebrows rose slightly, a hint of surprise crossing his composed features at the question.
"If you're comfortable with it," Nicolaus said, ever considerate but surprise colored his tone. "The cove is completely private—no one else is around for miles. But I can arrange for a swimsuit to be delivered if you'd prefer."
I considered it, thinking about how free I'd felt under the stars with Miles, how Christopher had made me feel beautiful and unashamed in my own skin.
"Maybe, I'll decide when we get there." I said, surprising myself with my boldness. "It might depend on how cold the water is."
Julian's breath caught audibly behind me, his fingers tightening slightly at my waist. Nicolaus's expression shifted almost imperceptibly—a flicker of heat in his usually composed gaze that made my heart beat faster.
"As you wish," Nicolaus said, his voice lower than before. "Either way, I'll have towels and a robe ready for you."
I nodded, feeling a pleasant flutter of anticipation in my stomach. "I'm looking forward to it."
"As am I," Nicolaus replied, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he glanced at Julian. "I should let you get back to work. I just wanted to confirm our plans."
Julian nodded, but made no move to release me from the circle of his arms, but I didn’t move. "Don't stay up too late planning," he said with a knowing smile. "You'll need your rest for such an early start."
Nicolaus's lips curved slightly. "I've already made most of the arrangements. Though I may do a final check of the weather forecast." He paused at the doorway, turning back to look at me. "Wear something comfortable for the drive. And perhaps bring a light sweater so if you are cold after the swim.”
"I will," I promised, already mentally cataloging what I might pack.
After he left, Julian and I sat in comfortable silence for a moment. His fingers traced lazy patterns along my arm, and I found myself relaxing completely against him.
"He's been planning this for awhile," Julian said quietly. "I've caught him researching the last few days."
"Really?" I asked, turning slightly in Julian’s lap to look at him. “He’s been planning this?”
Julian gave a small nod, his hand still resting warm and steady on my waist. “Nicolaus doesn’t do anything without intention. I’ve seen him checking the weather all week. Even asked Christopher for a specific kind of thermos that keeps coffee or tea hot for hours.”
A soft laugh escaped me. “That is very sweet of him.”
“It is,” Julian said, voice low, like a secret he was letting me in on. “But it’s more than just being thorough. Swimming—it’s not just something he’s just good at. It’s something important to him. It’s where he feels most in control, most himself. When he’s in the water, he isn’t thinking about anything else.”
I leaned into Julian’s chest, letting the words settle around me. “And he wants to share that with me?”
Julian’s arms curled around me a little tighter. “He does. He wants you to feel what it’s like when everything quiets inside. For him, swimming does that. And I think… maybe he hopes it’ll do that for you too.” That thought gripped me in an overwhelming way, not because I doubted Nicolaus’s intentions—far from it. But because the act of him sharing something so personal, so grounding, felt like being handed the key to a locked part of his soul.
I exhaled slowly, letting myself feel the weight and the wonder of that.
“And the second part of the date?” I asked, trying to play it casual, even as curiosity sparked alive in my chest. “Any hints?”
Julian pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes dancing with amusement and something a little more protective. “He has had it planned for days. But you’re not getting it out of me.”
I tilted my head at him, attempting my best sweet expression. “Not even a clue?”
