Page 14 of Heart of The Night

He leaned closer, his gaze intense. ‘With you, everything just falls into place, Cara. Even the words.’

I swallowed, my chest tingling as I held his powerful stare. ‘There you go again,’ I said, my voice almost a whisper.

Just then, a soft chime indicated our arrival. Smiling, William drew back as the doors glided apart, revealing the vestibule I had revisited so often in my dreams. His front door remained the same inviting shade of deep brown, and my heart fluttered at the sight. Had what lay beyond that door changed, or would it remain a faithful echo of my memories?

William motioned for me to proceed, still wearing a subtle smile. My pulse raced as I neared the door, a sensation that puzzled me. William and I had slept together several times since that first night, yet being here, on the threshold of where it all began, seemed to ignite the same potent excitement I had initially felt. A thick, tangible expectancy lodged itself in my chest, making even the act of breathing a conscious effort. I reached up, removing the rose resting over my ear and slipping it into my purse, anticipating that things would quickly get heated.

A palpable tension built as William reached around me to key in the door code.

‘Is your girlfriend home?’ I asked, casting him a sideways glance.

‘What?’ His hand paused on the handle as he looked at me, frowning.

My chuckle filled the silence. ‘Last time, you pulled my leg saying you were expecting your girlfriend home soon.’

Recognition sparked in his eyes, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. ‘Ah, that does sound like my sense of humour.’

‘Yeah, you’re a real charmer,’ I shot back.

Chuckling, he pushed the door open, revealing the interior of his luxurious flat. A sense of familiarity washed over me as my gaze darted around. Cream-coloured walls served as the backdrop for contemporary paintings, their bold strokes of colour contrasting sharply against the muted palette. Yet, everything was exactly as I remembered.

Straight ahead, the open-plan living area was bathed in the warm, mellow glow of an exquisite crystal chandelier, its light softened as it bounced off the dark wooden floor. Modern black leather sofas, sleek and unassuming, faced each other, divided by an ornate, low coffee table of deep brown wood. Beyond the sofas, floor-to-ceiling windows showed a breath-taking view of the London skyline, the city’s twinkling lights winking back at us.

The overall effect was one of understated elegance, a perfect blend of modern luxury with nostalgic touches of classic design. And, just as I remembered, it felt distinctly like William – sophisticated, surprising, and with a depth that demanded exploration.

I paused a few steps inside and removed my shoes, letting my eyes wander appreciatively. As I set my purse and medal down on the dark brown console table by the door, a flood of memories came rushing back. It was here, on this very floor, that remnants of my underwear had been left in the wake of our heated first encounter.

A playful grin pulled at my lips as I turned to William. ‘I just remembered something – what did you do with my knickers?’

Closing and locking the door, he replied, ‘Drenched them merely by existing.’

That wasn’t wrong.

‘Very funny. I meant after we first met. You ripped them apart, and I don’t recall seeing them again after that.’

His eyes met mine, his gaze sharp. ‘Oh, those – I kept them. They’re in my nightstand. I sniff them just before I go to bed every night. Helps me sleep.’

I gave his chest a gentle shove, rolling my eyes. ‘Stop teasing. I genuinely want to know.’

He laughed, his features gleaming with mirth. ‘Regrettably, I threw them in the bin, so if you ever want to leave your underwear behind in the future, feel free. This time, I vow to treasure it.’

I shook my head, a chuckle slipping out. ‘You’re mad.’

He shot me a look, his eyes full of affection. ‘About you, absolutely.’

Smiling, I shifted my gaze to his living area, my eyes tracing the walls. ‘Did you furnish this place yourself?’

‘No, Mum lent a hand. I’ve always been partial to her style.’ He crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping across his own flat as if taking in the familiar surroundings anew. There was a curious sense of detachment, as though he had started to overlook the details of his own home, having lived within its walls for so long that they had subtly blurred into the backdrop of his everyday life.

‘She’s got impeccable taste,’ I said, thinking of his parents’ Chelsea residence.

‘I think so, too.’ William nodded. ‘I love how she balances the classic with the contemporary.’

‘Exactly. Did she choose these paintings?’

His gaze followed my pointing finger. ‘No, we selected them together. The whole interior design was a collaborative effort.’

‘I see. How long have you lived here?’

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