apology for his outburst and the subsequent demise of my mobile. ‘Anyway, it’s not an emergency and nothing was taken, so they’ll let me know when they can get an officer out.’
‘Oh.’
He pushes off his shoulder and wanders over, having a quick peek at the book I just replaced on the shelf. ‘Reading up?’
‘Just browsing.’ He’s standing close to my side, shoulder to shoulder, and my eyes are pulling in their sockets to get a glimpse of his back again, this time a close-up. I can see the crest of . . . I’m not sure what it is.
Becker looks out the corner of his eye and catches me frowning, but he ignores it, and I suspect it’s because he knows exactly what I’m trying to look at. ‘Let me show you something.’ His warm palm slips across the top of my bare back until his arm is draped across my shoulders. A delightful warmth descends, engulfing my naked body. ‘This way.’ He keeps me close as he takes us to the far side of the room, where the glass wall stretches from one end to the other and from floor to ceiling. On our approach, all I can see is an old brick wall across open air, but as we near, the Grand Hall below begins to come into view until we’re standing at the foot of the wall, staring down on the enormous treasure chest of antiques and art.
‘Wow,’ I breathe, taking it all it. I’ve been down there, been lost amid the organised chaos of wonderful furniture and treasures, but from up here it looks beyond incredible. I can see everything, with the exception of the section directly below that leads into the main building. This mezzanine floor is a late addition to this grand old building, and undoubtedly built to Becker’s specification so he can guard what he deems his treasure. It’s spectacular.
‘Pretty cool, eh?’
‘It really is,’ I agree, reaching up and touching the glass to check it’s there, feeling like I’m floating above the room. Looking down, I have a flashback and see myself fidgeting awkwardly among the priceless objects. I also see myself looking up to where I’m standing now and seeing the shadow of a man. The man standing next to me. ‘How long were you watching me?’ I gaze up at him to find he’s already looking down on me, a hint of a smile gracing his lips.
‘Every second.’
‘Why?’ I knew it. I’d felt it. It’s the same delicious feeling I still get when he’s close.
He considers my question for a moment, his lips pouting in contemplation, but his eyes never wavering from mine. He laughs under his breath and turns me in his arms, having a feel of my sexed-up red locks before scanning my face, thoughtful. Then his head tilts to the side a smidgen, telling me he’s really thinking about this. ‘I stand here,’ he begins, eyes still roaming my face, ‘and look down on my grand hall, often wondering how I could ever pick out the most beautiful thing in there.’ His hazel eyes creep on to mine. ‘I’ve never been able to. Nothing has ever stood out as being particularly more incredible than anything else.’ His fingertip trances lightly over my eyebrow as he takes a deep inhale of air. ‘Then one day I looked down and saw you.’
I breathe in and hold it, trying to remain still as his finger affectionately traces the contours of my face, not wanting to disturb his flow. Nothing could have prepared me for that. My heart just melted and my hopes just skyrocketed.
His touch shifts, slipping on to my nape, his other hand joining it there. I feel his fingers lace together, and then my head is tilted back and he closes the small gap between our torsos, bringing us together, sealing our skin. He looks at me with a determined stare and robs me of air, having me swallowing repeatedly to try and win it back. The sincerity shining in his eyes overwhelms me.
‘You must have been surprised,’ I say quietly.
‘Oh, I was.’ He laughs mildly. ‘I know you don’t believe in The Fates, but I hadn’t stopped thinking about you and your annoyingly gorgeous face and blinding red hair since I first saw you on the street. Then you turned up here.’
‘That’s because I was stalking you.’
He smiles, and his lips drop to mine, swallowing me up in a soft, adoring kiss, my eyes closing in contentment, my