Part II: Chapter 27

The appointment turned out to be in-room massages.  As soon as the spa team had walked in their suite she was instantly taken back to a time five years before when he’d brought it up and then she’d mentioned how she’d never actually had a professional massage.  That fact had long changed, now she’d had many.  Actually, her first had been prenatal.  Probably because he’d been in her thoughts so much when she was pregnant with Cody, for obvious reasons.

Funny, five years later and he’d just spontaneously proposed on the balcony not two hours earlier.  Even more ironic? Instead of freaking out like she should have—coming out of such a horrendous marriage—she had been completely honest with him and now she felt light as a feather.  Just perfect.

It was so strange…

She just felt oddly at peace with all the craziness in her life.

As much as Justin liked to jump the gun a little bit, she was learning that it was just his personality and she was totally okay with that.  He was easy to reel back in.  And he got her.  Not too many did.  It was awesome.

By the time their therapeutic treatments were finished, they were both thoroughly relaxed.  In a fluffy white bathrobe, Cassidy climbed on top of the giant white linen bed and sunk into it, feeling like a nap might be a good idea.  When Justin appeared moments later, adorned in a robe very much like her own, he climbed up with her—on top of her.  She was instantly finagling the belt that held his robe together.

Smiling, his mouth pressed into hers.  “How you feeling?” he asked with a hum.

“I feel good.”  His robe untied, she smoothed both hands inside the fluffy cotton and around his back, the robe falling around her like a blanket.  He wasn't completely naked underneath, just a pair of black boxer-briefs.  His warmth was more soothing than any blanket or covering.

Letting out a deep sigh, he allowed his weight to sink into her and nestled his face into the crook of her neck.  It was a full-body hug; and it was pure heaven.

Her smile must have spanned from one ear to the other.  It all just felt so amazing.  Everything that involved him felt amazing.  

The warmth of his breath tickled the side of her neck just before his smooth lips pressed into her.  “I love being here with you.”  He was humming again.  It was the most pleasing hum she'd ever heard in her life.

She was humming in reply before her words left her lips.  “Me too.”

“Should we stay in for dinner or go out?” he asked, and then pressed a kiss against her jaw.  

“Stay in,” she answered with absolutely no hesitation.  

Justin shifted to her side, one leg and and one arm still tangled over her and his robe still partially covering her.  It was a bit warm, but she didn't care.  Cassidy hadn't felt this relaxed in longer than she could remember, possibly ever.  When Justin's lips pressed into her jawline one more time, his breathing calm, she knew he was on the verge of sleep.  Bringing a hand to his head, she traced her fingers through his recently cut hair then listened as he hummed with content again.  She felt it in his chest and couldn't help but think of how there was no other place on Earth she'd rather be at that moment.  Then she closed her eyes, and moments later, drifted off to sleep.

Cassidy woke to the spatter of rain hitting the deck outside.  They had left the balcony doors open and she could smell the moisture in the air.  It was dark and Justin was tangled up against her.  The robes had been kicked off, as well as the sheets, but the body heat was making her sweat.  She had to get up.

Carefully she maneuvered her body out from under the grip he had on her—both an arm and a leg strung over her—grabbed a white t-shirt off the back of a chair, and quietly stepped outside.  It was a beautiful night, even with the tiny droplets of rain falling from the sky.  It wasn't cold, maybe 65 degrees.  The view was even more amazing at night then it had been in the daytime.  The moon was in full view, not blocked by the scattered clouds.  She could see for miles.  

In her bare feet, she moved across the concrete deck and stuck a toe in the infinity pool.  The water was perfect, and too inviting to ignore.  Without hesitation, she tore off what little clothes she came out in and submerged herself completely.  Then she made way to the edge like she had earlier in the day.  A view like this could never get old—just sand and ocean and sky.  She'd needed this trip.  She'd needed it bad.  

The fact that Justin knew how much she needed it without her saying a word amazed her.  The fact that he'd just whisked her away all on his own accord, it only solidified to her how truly amazing he was and how lucky she was to have found him after all these years.  Life had been so busy she hardly had time to stop and think about everything, but when she did she couldn't help but be thankful.  Seeing Justin at the game, just barely two months earlier, was the best gift anyone had ever given her.  She felt like finally things were going her way after all the shit she'd gone through over the last few years.

He'd told her that he'd never stopped thinking about her during the past 5 years.  When she really stopped and let herself admit it, she had never stopped thinking about him either.  And it hadn't just been the sex or how good he had made her feel physically. Justin had done something no other man had ever done to Cassidy.  He'd been supportive in a very non judgemental way when he didn't even know her.  He'd left a mark on her and it was something that her mind would go back to often, especially when things had been bad.  

But she'd never forgotten the amazing way he'd touched her.  And not just how it had felt, but how he'd made her feel.  It was a connection, even way back then. She couldn't deny it.  Not knowing all she knew now.  For some reason her mind wandered to her defunct marriage with Jason Brown.  Hindsight was so enlightening.  She remembered the dissapointment she'd had the first time they'd been intimate.  It was funny to think back on it.  In her head, she'd compared him to Justin and he'd come nowhere close to satisfying her in that way.  Her grin was wide as she thought about how lucky she was and how happy Justin made her.  A buzz of emotion filled her inside.  It was like her glass was completely full for once, almost ready to spill over—and that was a fantastic feeling.

Inevitably her mind settled on the accounts of earlier that day and his spontaneous marriage proposal. She did want to marry him, with all her heart, but she was nowhere near ready.  He'd understood and that had meant more to her then she could ever express.  

This is what a real, healthy relationship felt like.  It felt amazing.  She must have been the luckiest girl on the planet to have found something so perfect and true.  She couldn't stand to be away from him one minute more.  She hopped out of the pool, striding naked across the deck until she came to the cabinet with fresh towels, and hurried back inside.  Cassidy couldn't get back to him fast enough.  She just wanted to touch him and be close to his warmth—his love.  It was magnetic, the desire she felt to be close to him right at that very second.  She couldn't fight it even if she wanted to.

Justin watched Cassie step inside from the back patio.  Her hair was wet and she was wrapped in a fluffy hotel towel.  He'd opened his eyes only seconds before, his subconscious becoming aware that he was alone, bringing him to just moments before he saw her returning to him.  She really was a sight.  One he could never get enough of.

"What were you doing, baby girl?" His voice was groggy and came out much more hoarse than he expected.  He cleared his throat as she dropped her towel and slid onto the bed next to him.  Immediately he was sucking in a deep breath at the sight of her slender but curvaceous frame.

"I was hot," she answered, bringing a hand to his forehead and smoothing it up his head.  "I decided to go for a quick skinny dip."

"Damn, I missed that?" That was so not fair.

She giggled softly and whispered "sorry" before pressing her lips to his cheek.  Immediately he was curling his arms around her. He just couldn't have her close enough.  "Thank you so much for bringing me here."  Her cheek was pressed into his chest and words came out a little muffled.  He realized he should probably give her a little room to breath and lessened his hold just enough to do that.  Her chin raised and she looked up at him as best she could.  "This is amazing.  You're amazing.  I love you more than I could ever say.  You have no idea how deeply I feel for you."

Cassidy's words meant so much.  To hear her speak such honest truths, with such emotion behind them, it made his heart swell.  He couldn't help it, he was crushing her with his arms again.  He just couldn't hold her tight enough.  Tenderly he pressed his lips into the top of her head.  "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me," he told her, the meaning coming from the deepest part of his soul and then some.  "I will do everything in my power to make you happy for as long as you will have me.  I mean that with everything that I have, baby. I've never felt like this with anyone.  Ever."  And that was the god's honest truth.

After a glorious twelve-plus hours of sleep, the couple woke feeling refreshed and recharged.  Justin had breakfast delivered to the room where they ate on the patio out by the pool.  The bit of rain from the night before was gone and the morning was absolutetly gorgeous.  They truly were in a beachside paradise.  Cassidy was in Heaven.  She didn't even find herself worrying about Cody.  She'd talked to him first thing and he was having a blast with Grandma Lynn.  They'd make the switch later, Justin's parents to hers, but Cassidy was so comfortable and content she wasn't even worried about that.  She had faith in Justin's team. They would not let any harm come to that precious little boy.

It felt amazing to have such confidence in the people around her.  It had been a very long time since she'd had so many great people in her life.  She just couldn't stop thinking about how happy she was.

And the happiness didn't stop as Justin surprised her after breakfast, all of their golf equipment "spontaneously" arriving.  Matt had shipped everything to the resort so they could play.  Cassidy was beyond excited!  

That feeling of contentment and consuming happiness continued fully throughout the day, including an amazing round of golf—she played fantastic considering she hadn't played in awhile.  Cassidy knew Justin was impressed with her skills, to the point that their playful competitiveness turned into real competitiveness.  She found this side of him completely irresistible—and she couldn't stop thinking about how someone she'd have thought would have nothing in common with her, had everything in common with her.

They were laughing as they made way into the clubhouse at Puerto Los Cabos after the round was over.  It was a gorgeous day and the lounge had an amazing view. Justin pulled out a seat for Cassidy at the bar and then sat down beside her.  T took place on the opposite side of Cassidy. He had been razzing Justin about Cassidy being the better golfer of the two.  That wasn't exactly true, but it did great things for Cassidy's ego.  Funny how much she felt like she'd bonded with Justin's security after all they'd been through recently.  She appreciated how much T did not hold any judgements based on how she and Justin had originally met.  

After ordering cold drinks and a couple of appetizers, Cassidy let out a long sigh of contentment.  "This has been the perfect day," she voiced, sort of sing-songy, her eyes locked on the wall of spotless glass windows overlooking the course and the backdrop of the beautiful blue ocean.  

She felt Justin's hand brush her back between her shoulder blades.  "I couldn't agree more."  He was grinning when her eyes finally caught his.  She thought about leaning in for a kiss but decided to spare Dre from the PDA.  They'd have plenty of time for that later.  "I'm starving."

"Me too," Cassidy agreed. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, almost time for "the switch" back home.  Justin had his Blackberry sitting on the bar, waiting for confirmation that everything had gone well.

"We're having a nice dinner tonight so make sure you save some of your appetite," he told her.

"Where are you taking me?" she immediately asked.

"Somewhere amazing," was all he replied.

"Everywhere you take me is amazing," Cassidy smirked, a breadth of suggestion in her tone.

"Oh geez..." T remarked.  She imagined there had been an eye roll along with it.

Cassidy turned to the hefty man and patted his massive forearm.  "Sorry," she grinned.  Justin was chuckling on the other side of her.

It was at that moment that deep voices entered the room behind her.  Cassidy found herself looking automatically, worried it could be someone to cause a fuss.  She learned instantly that it was exactly the opposite as in walked basketball great Michael Jordan and a highly respected producer from ESPN that she had actually worked with when she'd been with the network.  A rush of excitement hit her like a wrecking ball straight to the chest.  She about nearly fell of her barstool, but somehow managed to contain herself.  Outside she was playing it cool, but on the inside fireworks were exploding!

Discreetly she reached over, gripping Justin's knee and squeezing, probably a little too hard as he was quickly prying her death grip off his leg.  The two very powerful men were heading straight for them, Cassidy was already smiling with acknowledgment, reminding herself not to get too excited.  This could open the door for her that she needed so badly.  The right conversation could land her with a job.  It was time to network.  She had to do this right.

Watching Cassidy schmooze was like watching the mechanics of a well oiled machine.  Both men were eating it up.  Of course he'd met Mike before; they'd played golf at numerous celebrity tournaments together and he'd caught him at different social events.  Justin couldn't recall meeting the big wig producer, Jim Benson, but that didn't mean he hadn't.  It didn't matter, they were absorbed with Cassidy, reminiscing about a time when she was covering an event and some scandal had erupted backstage.  It was something he'd had no clue about, which apparently was thanks to Cassidy doing such a good job at keeping the focus elsewhere.  

It was obvious that she was highly respected in her field.  She'd come a long way from the camera frightened young woman he'd met five years earlier.

He looked up as Mike was patting his shoulder, laughing, "you hooked a good one," he was telling Justin.

"I did," Justin agreed, proud and confident.  

"You call me when you're ready to come back to work," Jim was saying to Cassidy.  Justin knew she was just screaming on the inside.  "The door’s open."

"Thank you so much, Jim.  I definitely will."  

The men said goodbyes and headed to a table across the room, just as the bartender was setting appetizers down in front of them.  Justin immediately grabbed a fancy rolled taco and took a bite.  He'd barely started to chew when Cassidy was squeezing his leg again.  Covering the grip she had on him with his own hand, he finished chewing and then leaned into her ear.  "I love you... But calm down.  You need to play this cool."

Then he watched as she visibly sucked in a deep breath, obviously trying to get a grip.  Her brown eyes held the most loving twinkle as she turned her face his direction.  "I love you," she whispered.  "Thank you."  She pressed one sweet kiss to his scruffy cheek and then swiveled on her stool towards the food, grabbing a lettuce wrap and taking a bite.

Just then his Blackberry buzzed against the bar.  The text read "package delivered safe."  Justin sighed with relief and passed the phone to Cassidy so she could read it. Her smile was evident and wide.  Their boy had safely arrived at the Nickel’s.  It seemed like all their cards were finally lined up.  Life was good... no better than that.  Life was great.  He couldn't have asked for things to go any better.

When they climbed into the car less than an hour later, Cassidy was still high with excitement.  She hadn't realized how much she missed working until presented with an opportunity to work. Before it had just seemed like it would have been too difficult, but with all the emotional support she had at around her now, it seemed more than possible!  Somehow, she was doing a good job at keeping all the craziness to herself.  She'd shown enough excitement already.  

Justin was sitting next to her, scrolling through emails on his Blackberry. He caught her attention when he made a "hmmmm" sound out of nowhere.

"What?" she asked.

"We need to decide if we want to do the family interview."

"Oh..." Cassidy remarked.  This again.

If it was going to help things calm down, she was ok with it.  She just wasn't sure if that would be the case.

"When do we need to give them an answer?"  she asked.

"Try yesterday."

Automatically she grimaced.  "You decide.  It's your call."  It was too big of a decision.  She couldn't do it.

With a quiet smirk, Justin remarked, "I think I need to talk to my manager on this one."

"Your manager?"

"Mom," he clarified, that handsome Timberlake grin smoothing across his face.

Cassidy was fine with that.  "Good idea."

Next thing she knew his phone was dialing and he had it on speaker.  Lynn Harless answered after just two rings, but she didn't bother with hello.  "We dropped him an hour ago.  Everything went fine.  He was wonderful...perfect angel."

Cassidy couldn't help but smile at that.  She noticed Justin was smiling too as he stared down at the dark gray device in his hand.

"I'm so glad, but I'm calling for other reasons."

"Oh," she replied.  "What's up?  You guys ok?"

"Fantastic," Justin answered enthusiastically.  "...you're on speaker by the way."

"Hi Cassidy," Lynn quickly greeted her.

"Hi Lynn."

"So why are you calling me when you should be enjoying your time alone together?"

"Well, as my manager, and my mother, I wanted to know your feelings on us doing the thing with NBC."

"Ohhhh....." Lynn drew it out.  "Is Jeff bothering you because I told him to wait until you returned."

"Just email," Justin responded.

"Well, to be honest son, if we must discuss this right now... I really feel like you and Cassidy need to follow your instincts on this one and go with your gut.  You know, you were 11 years old when you did Star Search.  Obviously very different, but Cody is only 4 and a half.  If you want to put him on TV you need to be really sure about it first."

Lynn's words rang very true to what Cassidy was feeling, but at the same time Cassidy had no idea that Justin had been on Star Search at age 11.  She really needed to see that!

"You're so right, mom.  Thank you."

"No problem, baby," she replied in her southern drawl.  "Now go relax and stop thinking about work stuff."

He smirked.  "Yes ma'am."

"Love you."

"Love you too," he responded with sincerity and ended the call.  Then he looked straight at Cassidy.  "She has a good point."

Cassidy nodded in agreement.  "She does.  You were on Star Search?"  There was absolutely no pause between her two sentences.

Justin's eyes instantly widened.  "Why yes I was..."

"Oh, you need to see that," T's deep voice piped up from the front.  "He was a cute little thing."

Cassidy was laughing out loud at that.  "I really do need to see that," she agreed.

Quietly Justin whispered, "don't worry, I have it at home if you really want to."

"We should let Cody watch it," she thought out loud.  She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before.  "He needs to really see what you do."

"Maybe we could show him things more recent," Justin suggested.

"I don't know," Cassidy immediately countered.  "Some of your more recent stuff is a bit suggestive... might be better for him to see you perform as a kid.  Besides, he could see how much he looks like you."

"He's not even 5," Justin remarked.  "You really think he'll care?  I mean, it's not dinosaurs or Tarzan or basketball."

Cassidy leaned in and pressed a warm kiss to his lips.  "He adores you.  He'll love seeing what his daddy does."

"Awww...." Justin sounded sappily.  Then he looked her straight in the eye.  "I can't wait to show him."

(c) BrandyRae 2013