Chaos & the Geek (Grace Grayson Security #1) - Elizabeth Stevens Page 0,6
less comfortable than Patrick’s and the huge fire under the even bigger TV suggested this room wasn’t used so much as it was meant to be admired. I felt like I’d fallen into one of the most expensive lifestyle magazines on the planet.
A noise to my left made me look at a huge galley kitchen where Kit was standing at a coffee machine. The cupboards were white and the top was white-flecked black granite or marble or something. The dining table was huge as well – a great glass and metal construction with dark grey upholstered chairs to sit at least twelve.
But it was the view that got me. I found myself at the window and had to stop myself pressing my hands against the glass. The room faced the opposite side of the building than the road across which I’d lived until a few minutes ago. And under us was serious beauty. It was still early enough that the sun was on its climb over the buildings and shining off the struts of the huge bridge across the river in the background. On either side of the river, grass and trees spread out and I could just make out people hurrying about their days.
“Carmel will clean whatever hand prints she finds,” a smooth voice said to my left and I snuck a look up at Kit.
He was holding a mug out to me and I took it, not caring if it was to my taste or not.
“It’s beautiful,” I said softly.
He nodded, staring over all that beauty while I took a moment to stare unabashedly at his. “It is.”
“And you thought my place was sweet, Bert,” Patrick said, and I turned to look at him with a small smile.
“It is something.”
“Hey, where’s my coffee?” my brother glared at his best mate.
“Kitchen,” Kit replied then turned his attention back to me. “We’re going to have to head out soon. I don’t know when I’ll be back. But make yourself at home–”
“Fuck knows someone should,” Patrick laughed.
Kit turned his patented brooding glare on him. “Sure. Anyway, there’s an en suite to your room. Carmel stocks all the bathrooms with basics in case the team stay over. Use whatever you want. If there’s anything you can’t find, my bedroom’s through those doors. Bathroom’s the door on the right. Help yourself.” He looked down as he pulled his phone out of his pocket, which was vibrating. “Hawk, can you show her to her room?” He nodded to me then answered the phone, “Grayson,” and walked away.
“Come on, then. He’ll be antsy to get going when he’s done.”
Patrick led me to the opposite side of the penthouse than Kit’s bedroom – probably for the best – and down a hallway.
“So, there’s a study of sorts down this way. I know you like using the kitchen table, but it’s there if you want it.”
“Shouldn’t I ask Kit first?”
“Nah, it’s a spare. His office is over the other side. Don’t worry about anything, Chaos and I will take care of it, okay?”
I nodded absently as he waved his arm through a door and I peeked in. “And all this because it was Champers Day,” I sighed as I took in the huge room that I was supposed to call mine.
“What do you mean? Champers Day?” Patrick asked, following me into the room.
There were a couple of doors along one wall, two bedsides and a giant bed covered in plush pillows and covers, a chest of drawers next to the door, and a huge window between me and a balcony. There was a TV above the chest of drawers. Otherwise, the room was basically empty.
“Bert?” Patrick pressed.
I blinked. “Oh, I got my first chapter finished. My supervisor loved it,” I huffed. Like it mattered anymore. My world had imploded and my thesis just felt so unimportant right then.
“What?” Patrick asked and pulled me to face him. “That’s amazing!”
I gave him a sorry excuse for a smile. “That’s why I was working all night–”
“Bert, let’s not pretend you don’t do that far too often.”
My smile grew. “Yeah, okay. But I wanted to get it finished before our meeting and she loved it. It’s by no means perfect yet, but for a draft she loved it.”
Patrick hugged me. “We’ll do Champers Day…” I heard him frown.
“As soon as you’re free,” I finished for him.
“Yes. I’ll ask the boss for some time off.”
“Hawk!” the boss in question called from the other room.