Chapter 181: Upside Down
Georgia’s POV
I woke at dawn, the soft light slipping through the curtains, and instantly noticed the space beside me was empty. Nick wasn’t in bed. The ache in my body was enough of a reminder of why I felt like I’d been hit by a train.
Last night’s memories crashed back—every touch, every kiss, every moment of him claiming me over and over until I couldn’t even lift a finger. My body was wrecked, but my heart was soaring.
I expected him to still be dead asleep, drained from everything we did... but no. The bed was cold, and he was already gone.
Slipping into the robe draped on the chair, I padded out of the bedroom, curious. Then I caught it—the scent. Rich, savory, mouthwatering. The kind of smell that lured me like a siren call through the vast space of his penthouse.
And there he was, standing shirtless in nothing but his boxers, standing there with such ease, cooking like a real chef.
"Hi..." My voice came out soft as I walked closer, sliding my arms around his waist from behind.
"You’re up early too," he said casually, as if he wasn’t singlehandedly making me fall for him more with every second.
"Yeah... I was actually planning to cook for you. But looks like you beat me to it. What are you making?" I asked, resting my cheek against his warm back.
"Pulled roasted pork with caramelized onion sandwich," he replied without missing a beat.
My brows shot up. "Wow, this early?"
He chuckled. "Don’t be too impressed. The pork’s just leftovers. I only caramelized the onion and grated some cheese."
I smiled against him, heart melting at how he downplayed it, when really, just the smell was enough to drive me wild. "Still, it smells amazing. What can I do to help?"
"You can make some drinks. Coffee for me. There’s juice in the fridge if you want it," Nick said, voice still husky.
"Nah, I prefer coffee on weekdays," I answered with a grin, already spotting the coffee maker and making my way to it. But inside, I was still buzzing, thinking about how surreal it felt—waking up in his arms, in his home, and now, making breakfast together like this.
"What are you doing on Sunday?" Nick asked casually as he started assembling the sandwich on the island counter.
"At home, probably. Maybe I’ll do some gardening. Wendy and Katie will be going to a birthday party after her piano lessons," I replied, pouring sugar into the coffee.
"Wendy and Katie are inseparable, huh?" Nick said, glancing at me with a soft smile.
I chuckled. "Well, Katie thinks Wendy is her grandma—since she never had one. And Wendy treats Katie like her very own grandchild. Sometimes, I honestly feel like the outsider when those two are together," I joked as I stirred the coffee.
Nick chuckled but then leaned against the counter, eyes glinting with something more serious. "So... it’s okay if I invite you somewhere?"
I looked at him curiously, handing him his cup. "Where?"
"My mom’s. She wants to meet you," he said without hesitation. "And since it’s my birthday on Sunday, I want to spend it with the people I love."
My heart skipped. The weight of his words sank deep into me.
"I thought your birthday celebration was on Saturday?" I asked, just to be sure.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Saturday is for the Knight family and the company—loud, formal, exhausting. But Sunday... Sunday’s just us. More intimate." His arms slid around my waist, pulling me close until I could feel his warmth seeping into me. He lowered his head and kissed me gently, lingering as if to seal the invitation with his lips. "So, will you come?"
I smiled against his mouth. "Of course, I’ll come. I wouldn’t miss it for the world."
We settled onto the stools by the counter, my heart still racing—not just from the kiss, but from the realization that he wanted me there, by his side, in the most important parts of his life.
Meeting the mom is kind of nerve-wracking. But it will surely sink in later when I am fully awake from the coffee.
"By the way... should I still come tomorrow?" I asked, my voice careful but curious.
Nick paused midair with his coffee, his eyes snapping to mine. "What do you mean?"
"You know... because of what Violet said." I tried to sound casual, but deep down, the thought of her causing a scene made my stomach twist. "I’m just worried she’ll make trouble if she sees me there."
"Trust me, remember?" Nick said firmly, his tone calm yet unshakable. "Here’s what we’ll do—Vicky can pick you and Ella up. She already brought it up with me, and I told her I’d think about it. Honestly, I think she’s already figured out what Violet’s planning.
If you arrive with Vicky and Ella, Violet won’t dare cause a scene. She’s never seen Vicky as a threat to Reagan or Liam, and she won’t risk embarrassing herself in front of everyone."
He set his cup down and reached for my hand, his thumb brushing reassuring circles on my skin. "Just stick close to them while Liam and I are busy entertaining guests. When the time’s right, I’ll come to you."
I could tell he’d thought this through, and he was right. He’d only just stepped into the company spotlight, and tomorrow’s event was important. I wasn’t about to act like some spoiled princess demanding all his attention.
Besides... it was also a perfect opportunity for me to mingle, make connections, and maybe even find potential clients. Who knew? Tomorrow could be fruitful in more ways than one.
I leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek, smiling as I whispered, "I get it. You’ll be busy, but don’t worry—I’ll be busy too. Probably handing out business cards."
He laughed, that warm, low sound that never failed to melt me, and pulled me into his arms.
"Just trust me, love," he murmured against my hair. "You’ll see soon enough."
His words made my heart skip and stumble all at once. Why did it feel like he was planning something that would turn my world upside down?