Page 25 of Another Story

“But not for a lack of trying, I’m sure,” he responds, dropping his arms and stepping forward, and it nearly soothes me.

I close my eyes as I feel him near, hearing the floorboard squeak as he steps closer. I can sense him coming toward me, and it reminds me of our first kiss.

Of his sheer determination to shatter my world.

“Don’t,” I say, opening my eyes to meet his. “Let’s dissect this ridiculous contract so I can get on with my night.”

His facial features don’t speak of a man who’s just been rejected. No, his smile makes me wonder if this is a small victory in his eyes.

“First things first: how much are we talking?” he asks, peering down at me. I hate his height. I hate the way I imaginehim pulling me against him and having to bend toward me to steal a kiss.

“What? Afraid to put your money where your mouth is?” I hiss out.

“Let’s not talk about the placement of things and mouths.” I hear his smirk even though he’s turned to walk inside. “Come in.”

I hesitate and he looks back at me.

“Yes?” he asks, pausing.

“Should I take my shoes off?”

His shoulders follow the turn his head has already made. Then his torso and his feet. Green eyes linger on my face, down my neck, and over my breasts. All at once, I’m hit with the sounds we made against the bookshelves when no one was around to warn me.

He peruses my bare legs beneath the hem of my floral dress and stops at the black stilettos currently pinching my toes—a splurge to make me feel better the day we put my parents in the ground.

They hadn’t been out since then, and it feels like my feet have grown in that time.

“You can do whatever you’d like.”

His voice is a quiet murmur, but there’s no mistaking the heat behind them. Not when it’s accompanied by a gaze that could burn a hole through me.

“Although, I don’t think there’s anything I like more than the sound of a confident woman in high heels.”

Confident.

I take the word and mentally tuck it away. I’ll need it for this meeting.

“Dinner is ready. Follow me,” he instructs, and I do follow him, allowing the click of my heels hitting the wood floor to fill me with even more confidence.

We walk through the empty home. There are no pictures, no sign of being lived in, no furniture to speak of. That is, until we step into the dining room just off of what should be the living room.

A long table sits in the center of the room, with candles lit and food spread. Assorted fruits, cheeses, salad, and what looks like a lasagna. Two chairs are positioned across from each other. Only those two chairs meet the table, as if the others had just been cast away in an attempt to have us seated closely together.

“You seem to have gone through a lot of trouble,” I say as his hand meets my lower back. When I jerk away, I swear I hear a chuckle as I choose the seat closest to me. “Completely unnecessary.”

“You’ll let me know how enjoyable life is if we’re only meant to do the necessary.”

He takes the seat across from me, and it’s only then that I’m able to take in the breathtaking view of the woods behind him. Large windows make up the entire wall, and I try to contain my sigh, but it spills from my lips.

“Even the impenetrable Eloise is affected by this beautiful view.” He leans in to grab the bottle of wine, gesturing toward me with it. I shake my head and he shrugs, pouring himself a glass. “A worthy investment.”

“Did you purchase this home?” I ask, trying to keep the shock from my voice.

“I did.”

“Why?” Who would choose to be stuck here?

“Again, I consider it a worthy investment,” he answers, patience in his measured words.

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