Read Deep Surrendering: Episode Six for Free Online Page A

finished my third taco.
    Was it that obvious?
    “Just have too much going on in my brain. You ever feel that way?”
    He nodded. “All the time.”
     

     
    For the rest of the day, I really wanted to be alone. I had Carl take me back to my place, and he asked me how I was going to spend the rest of my evening. I said a bath, some takeout, and reading more of my book.
    He went to the trunk and got out some boxes.
    “Ladies first,” he said, nodding to me. When we got through the door, Carl set the boxes down and then tipped his hat.
    “Let me know if you need anything else. It’s been a pleasure to see you again, Miss Marisol.” He smiled and I thought about giving him a hug. Would that be weird? Yes. It would.
    “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it,” I said. He gave me a little wave and shut the door.
    I emptied the boxes and shook my head.
    Inside was another bouquet of lilacs, a basket of my favorite body wash and other bath items, candles, a plastic glass, and a tiny bottle of champagne. The other box had some of my favorite snacks, including a miniature box of my favorite chocolates.
    He’d thought of everything. He must have been planning this for a while, or he had people to go out and get all these things for him. The latter was probably the case. Carl was certainly at his beck and call.
    I got situated in the bath, poured myself a glass of champagne, and grabbed my phone. It had a waterproof case, so I didn’t worry about dropping it in the tub. I pulled up video chat and called Fin.
    His face popped up on the screen, and I almost squealed with glee.
    “Hey! I was just sitting in my tub, and I wanted to thank you for everything,” I said.
    “I wasn’t sure if I was going to hear from you today or not. I wasn’t sure if your day of freedom would include me.”
    What? Was he serious?
    “Of course it would involve you. It only happened because of you. How many contingencies did you plan for?”
    He chuckled. “Nearly everything. Hurricane, monsoon, apocalypse. I wanted you to have the perfect day.”
    I did. Except for missing him, it was the best. Not having responsibilities for one day was something I hadn’t experienced in a while, and something everyone needed now and then.
    “I loved it so much. Thank you.”
    “You’re so very welcome, Mari Cherry.”
    “And thank Carl for me. He’s the best.”
    Fin nodded. “He is, absolutely.”
    I sat back in the bath and switched the phone to my other hand. “So, how was your day of not freedom?” I was sort of joking. “I was a little worried about you, honestly.”
    He shook his head and leaned back in his chair. I could tell he was in his office in Germany. Or in someone’s office in Germany, judging by the furniture behind him.
    “I’m fine, Marisol. I can take care of myself. I have for a long time.” His tone was tight, and I knew I was stepping on dangerous territory if I continued that particular line of conversation. So, in honor of my day of freedom, I let it go. I didn’t want to fight with him today.
    “You know, you need to angle the phone down juuuussssttttt a little,” he said, holding his hand up to show a little bit.
    I looked down. The water was sloshing just below my breasts, and he probably couldn’t see them since they were out of range of the camera. Honestly.
    “Hey, this is my day. You had yours yesterday.”
    “And I didn’t get to see you naked yesterday. I was kind of hoping you’d send me some pictures or at least a short video.”
    I rolled my eyes. I drew the line at sexting, because you never knew who could get a hold of your phone. I didn’t want there to be a permanent record of my nudity.
    “Fine,” I said, sitting up a little and angling the phone down. “Happy?”
    “I would be if I was with you and could touch you. You’re so lovely, Marisol. Has anyone ever told you that?”
    Sure, I’d been complimented, but he took it to an entirely new level.
    “Maybe. But I like it when you say