is a welcomed comfort, with the temps having taken a dramatic nosedive in recent weeks. What I’d guess is the Bugatti’s engine hums along at speeds I couldn’t begin to calculate. Which is probably a good thing, with Lucian behind the wheel.
My stomach twists from the force of acceleration pressing down on my body. “Why the blindfold, though? I’d at least like to see death before it hits me.” I squeeze the edge of the seat, desperate to hold onto something.
The sound of his chuckle is one I’ll never tire from. Dark and wicked, it seems to have a direct link to the muscles in my thighs and prompts me to cross them all the time. “I promise it’ll be worth it.”
“Death?”
He chuckles again, twitching my thigh. “The blindfold.”
“If you say so.”
Ten minutes later, I can hardly stand it anymore. My temples itch with the silky fabric tied tight enough to keep me from peeking.
Thankfully, the vehicle rolls to a stop. His hand slides out of mine. The car door slams. In seconds, a blast of autumn air hits my side, and at the warm grip on my arm, I climb out of my seat. A gentle tug prompts me to step cautiously, one hand out in front, while the other remains imprisoned in his grasp.
We come to a stop, and something is curled into my palm. Cold and metallic, with teeth along the edge. I’m guessing it’s, “A key?”
The blindfold slips away, and I focus past the floating objects, my vision coming into sharp focus on the sign overhead.
Vellichor.
I glance down to the key again, and to Lucian standing beside me. “What is this?”
“Yours.”
A cold, tingly sensation slithers beneath my skin. Confusion renders me momentarily dizzy, and I stumble back a step to be caught by his arm. I open my mouth, my throat tight, trapping words inside my chest.
“I finalized the paperwork with Rhea the other day.” His words add to the confusion, spinning in my head like an alphabet hurricane.
“Rhea?”
“The day I accompanied you on errands. You went out to the car. I told her if she was interested in selling at any point, I’d like first refusal.”
“So, you ... you … bought this? For me?” I swallow hard at the first sting of tears. Trembles settle in, and I exhale a shaky breath. Any minute now, I’m going to wake up. This will all have been a dream. Lucian. Laura. Blackthorne Manor. All of it.
Don’t wake up. Please don’t wake up!
“If you’re not interested in running it, we can hire management staff. Whatever you nee--”
Before I can stop myself, I leap into the air, wrapping my arms around his neck, and he catches me. Tears swell in my eyes, which I fight to hold back, because why the hell am I crying when I’m happy?
He sets me down on the pavement and seizes my lips in a kiss. “This place brought you comfort, when everyone shunned you. I’d have paid twice as much. For you.”
The blur in my eyes sharpens to his face as the tears slip down my cheeks. “I can’t believe you did this. Thank you.”
He thumbs the moisture away and tips his head, staring at me as if he’s searching for any sign of doubt. “I take it that’s a yes? You’re interested?”
With a chuckle, I nod. “Definitely.” I rise up on my tiptoes and kiss him again.
“So, then, are you going to stand out here in the cold, kissing me all day, or are you going to open the door to your bookshop?”
My bookshop. Mine. Excitement swells in my chest at the thought of that.
“Rhea agreed to help you out, show you the ropes, though she mentioned, you had a pretty good handle on things having spent so much time here. I have someone who can help you with the financials. If you’d like, we can hire a cleaning crew and contractor to fix the place up a little.”
“That doesn’t leave much for me to do.”
“You’ve got books to read. Lots of them, because a good saleswoman should know her product inside and out, after all.”
A giggle escapes me. A freaking giggle. I never giggle, but this man has me so giddy, I can’t help it. “Lucian, did you buy me a bookstore just so I’d have a place to read books? You know I’d do that just about anywhere, right?”
“I’ve spied on a few of your baths, yes. But in this case, no. I bought