After I Fall (Immortal Billionaires #1) - Melissa Sercia Page 0,38
freakshow on display for them to gawk at. “Um, cool. I’ll leave you all to it then. Have fun.”
I bolted out of there before anyone could say another word. But I couldn’t drown out the giggling that I’d left in my wake. It echoed off the marble floors behind me until I’d reached the foyer. I was about to burst into tears until I turned the corner and ran straight into Ozi. Literally.
Ozi stood in the foyer looking disheveled. His face was pained and sweaty. Like he had just run a marathon. He gazed at me mysteriously. Probably wondering why I wasn’t in the guest house with the others. I wondered that myself. But I had enough of the gossip and excessive taunting.
“Hi. Do you know if there’s a bus or taxi I can get out here? I’m going to head back to the city,” I said.
His eyes widened. “Why? What happened? I have plenty of beds for you to sleep here.”
I hesitated. I didn’t want to be a snitch. The last thing I needed was to give Tori and her evil minions another reason to talk shit about me. “I’m just tired and I don’t feel like partying. I need a quiet place to lay down. Honestly, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d rather just head back to my place.”
Ozi contemplated what I said. His face ranged from a flash of emotions that I couldn’t quite place. But it seemed to only add to his stress and exhaustion. “Raven, I don’t know what happened and it’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it, but the city is three hours away. I would offer my helicopter but it’s already one AM and my pilot is probably asleep. Look, I have plenty of space here. I’ll see to it you get a quiet room upstairs where you won’t be disturbed… Please stay.”
I really didn’t want to trek three hours back to the city and his house was more than comfortable. But being in such close proximity to Ozi was nerve wrecking. All I wanted to do when I looked at him was tear his clothes off. I didn’t want to be that girl. The one Tori and Mara were convinced I was. But there was a spark between us that was getting harder and harder to resist.
“I just need to sleep. That’s it.”
He smiled. “If you are worried about having a repeat of our little kiss downstairs, don’t. I will not force the issue if it makes you uncomfortable. You have my word that no one will bother you tonight. Especially me.”
I was a bit disappointed that he gave up so soon. Even though that’s basically what I’ve been asking him to do. Ugh. What was wrong with me?
“Okay. I’ll stay. Thank you.”
His eyes lit up. “Perfect. Follow me. I’ll show you to your room.”
I followed Ozi up the spiral staircase that led to a lavish upstairs level. The floors were marble and the windows were dressed in red velvet drapes. The décor was Southern Gothic meets Italian Renaissance. The halls revealed rows upon rows of doors, much like the downstairs wine cellar. Again, I wondered why a man living by himself would need so many rooms?
We stopped at a door that was nestled in an alcove. “Here you are, Raven. Let me know if you need anything. There’s a call button next to the bed that rings directly to my staff. They will bring you anything you want at any time. And if you have any questions or concerns, I’m just the third door down on the left…There’s also a lock on the door if it makes you feel better.”
He must have seen the apprehension on my face. “Oh, I don’t think that will be necessary but thank you for letting me know.” I didn’t want him to think I was afraid of him. As persistent as he’s been, he’s also been a gentleman.
“All right then, goodnight, Raven.” He bent down and placed a light peck on my forehead.
Every cell in my body awakened. Just the slightest touch from his soft lips sent my senses into overdrive. What kind of magic did he possess that he could just get under my skin like that?
“Goodnight, Ozi.” I went in and shut the door before I was tempted to make out with him again.
The bedroom mirrored something out of an expensive European hotel. “Oh wow,” I said under my breath.
The four poster bed was wrapped in gold threaded netting,