Mrs. Bentley’s rooms.”
She nods, distracted.
Maybe she doesn’t like the place.
I find the thought depressing.
Feeling a little deflated, I take her up to the second floor, where there are four guest bedrooms and the master suite. The view from the picture window in the master bedroom is stunning and the reason I bought the house. Ana wanders in and stares out at the scenery. “That’s Ajax Mountain, or Aspen Mountain, if you like,” I inform her from the doorway.
She nods.
“You’re very quiet.” My voice is tentative.
“It’s lovely, Christian.” Her gaze is wide-eyed and wary. Striding over to her, I tug her chin, freeing her lip from her teeth.
“What is it?” I ask, searching her eyes for a clue.
“You’re very rich.”
Is that all?
I temper my relief. “Yes.” I’m reminded of how quiet she was when I first took her to Escala; that’s where I’ve seen her like this before.
“Sometimes it just takes me by surprise how wealthy you are.”
“We are,” I remind her, yet again.
“We are,” she breathes, her eyes widening further.
“Don’t stress about this, Ana, please. It’s just a house.”
“And what did Gia do here, exactly?”
“Gia?”
“Yes. She remodeled this place?” Ana asks.
“She did. She designed the den downstairs. Elliot did the build.” I rake my hand through my hair, wondering where she is going with this. “Why are we talking about Gia?”
“Did you know she had a fling with Elliot?”
I pause for a second, wondering what I should tell her. She knows nothing of Elliot’s dissolute habits. I sigh. “Elliot’s fucked most of Seattle, Ana.”
She gasps.
“Mainly women, I understand.” I shrug and hide my amusement at her shocked expression.
“No!”
“It’s none of my business.” I hold up my palms; I don’t really want to discuss this.
“I don’t think Kate knows,” Ana squeaks, appalled.
“I’m not sure he broadcasts that information. Kate seems to be holding her own.” He’s discreet, so that’s a plus. Her eyes are on mine, and I’m trying to work out what she’s thinking. “This can’t just be about Gia’s or Elliot’s promiscuity,” I whisper.
“I know. I’m sorry. After all that’s happened this week, it’s just…” She lifts her shoulder as tears well in her eyes.
No. Ana. Don’t cry. I fold her into my embrace. “I know,” I murmur into her hair. “I’m sorry, too. Let’s relax and enjoy ourselves, okay? You can stay here and read, watch godawful TV, shop, go hiking—fishing, even. Whatever you want to do. And forget what I said about Elliot. That was indiscreet of me.”
“Goes some way to explain why he’s always teasing you,” she says, her cheek against my chest.
“He really has no idea about my past. I told you, my family assumed I was gay. Celibate, but gay.”
She giggles. “I thought you were celibate. How wrong I was.” She draws me closer, and I sense her smile.
“Mrs. Grey, are you smirking at me?”
“Maybe a little. You know what I don’t understand is why you have this place.”
“What do you mean?” I kiss her hair.
“You have the boat, which I get, you have the place in New York for business—but why here? It’s not like you shared it with anyone.”
“I was waiting for you.”
“That’s…that’s such a lovely thing to say,” she whispers; bright blue eyes meet mine.
“It’s true. I didn’t know it at the time.”
“I’m glad you waited.”
“You are worth waiting for, Mrs. Grey.” I run my finger beneath her jaw, tip her lips toward mine, and kiss her.
“So are you.” She smiles. “Though I feel like I cheated. I didn’t have to wait long for you at all.”
I grin in disbelief. “Am I that much of a prize?”
“Christian, you are the state lottery, the cure for cancer, and the three wishes from Aladdin’s lamp all rolled into one.”
What? Even after yesterday?
I still, trying to wrap my head around her compliment.
“When will you realize this?” She semi-scowls at me. “You were a very eligible bachelor. And I don’t mean all this.” She waves an arm at the view. “I mean in here.” She rests her hand on my heart while I flounder for something to say. “Believe me, Christian, please.” Holding my face, she brings my lips to hers, and we’re soon lost in a healing, searing kiss, her tongue sparring with mine.
I want to christen the bed.
But we can’t. Not yet.
I pull away, my eyes burning into hers, knowing how strong she is and how much she could wound me if she chose to…by leaving.
Don’t go there, Grey.
“When are you going to get it through your exceptionally thick skull that I love