Page 18 of Edging Obsession

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My body feels heavy like a wet blanket even though Miles and my parents have been supportive. Today, the doctor releases me to their care. We leave the hospital with my bag of medication and follow-up instructions, and a duffel bag my mother brought from my apartment. My dad and Miles are at odds regarding me staying at his place. Miles is adamant about overseeing my care, medication, and therapy. It doesn’t sit well with my dad, and he continues to bring up possibilities and what ifs, which Miles shoots down.

I lead my dad over to the side. “Daddy. I’ll be in good hands. He saved my life. That’s gotta mean something. Besides, Miles said you’re welcome at any time.”

He eyes Miles and then me. “Sweetheart, your mother and I are concerned. Yes, we’re thankful for him risking his life for yours, but we don’t know anything about him.”

I kiss his cheek. “Then come over tomorrow. We’ll have lunch or dinner, whichever is best for you and Mom, and you can ask him questions.” It hurts my heart to see him so torn. “Please, Daddy?”

He pulls me into a tight hug. My dad has been fighting tears since they found me unconscious, and he’s not about to give into them now.

“We love you, Jules. You mean so much to us. Don’t ever forget it.”

Mom, Dad, and I group hug, and it’s set they’ll come tomorrow for lunch. The car ride is quiet. I notice an SUV behind us, and I assume it’s Miles’ bodyguard. For the majority of the ride, I look out my window or gaze at Miles while he’s driving. I rest my head sideways, admiring his long thick hair, beard, and non-stop muscles, which remind me of a warrior. My rock and roll warrior. To top it off, his manly woodsy scent textured with leather only heightens my desire for him. I’m in a depressive state, yet Miles’ presence keeps me afloat.

He catches me staring. “What’s up, Jules?”

“Nothing.”

I turn to look out the windshield. Miles doesn’t push the issue, so the rest of the ride is comfortable silence. We pull up to a high stone wall and iron gates. Miles punches in a code, and the gates open onto a tree-lined road. Tree trunks the width of two people jutting skyward until I can’t see the tops. A gorgeous white house comes into view to the far left, but Miles continues down the road until another humongous house appears. A towering house of wood, stone, and an expanse that could house a couple of families. I scrunch my neck to view it through the front windshield as the car comes to a stop. A man and woman are standing outside the front door.

Miles is outside my door, extending his hand, and I take it to exit the car. “This is beautiful.”

Tall evergreens stand guard near the house. My mouth hangs open as I soak in this majestic place. Wood beams run parallel and angular, positioning enormous windows on both sides of a stone entryway.

He brings me over to the woman and man who are waiting for us. Miles shakes hands with the man and gives the woman a side hug. “Jules, this is Anna and Markus. Anna is my personal cook, and Markus is my butler. They, along with several other household staff, will make sure the place is in order, and you have what you need.” He turns to them. “Anna and Markus, meet Jules. She’ll be living here.”

I put my hand out to shake Anna’s, but she pulls me into a hug and pats my back. “It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Jules.” She puts me at a distance. “It looks like I’ll need to fatten you up. Please let me know what your favorite dishes are, what you dislike, and if you have any allergies.”

“Thank you, Anna.”

Her response surprises me because I thought household staff are supposed to act a certain way. Maybe Miles has a closer relationship with them.

I’m still sluggish from all that’s happened, although seeing his house and meeting these people has perked me up.

Markus takes my offered hand and says, “If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask, and I mean anything.”

I give him a little nod, accentuated by a smile. “Thank you so much.”

Miles runs his hand along my back. “Let me show you the rest of the house.”

I’ve never seen anything like it. The house sits on a raised tuft of land on a lake. All you hear are birds chirping. White ceilings and distressed wood beam accents run throughout the house in all kinds of directions and decorate the windows, which are the main walls. The color scheme is browns, tans, whites, and a spritz of color here and there. There’s a stone fireplace rising to the gable rooftop. The living room is the first thing we walk into, and candles burn on a cocktail table and the fireplace mantel. Winding to the left, the living room blends into an open kitchen. Deep wood cabinets and marble countertops run along two walls and there’s a vast island dividing the kitchen from the oak table that seats twelve. From here, you look out onto a beautiful wood terrace topped with cozy couches and chairs, another fireplace, a huge grill, and a small kitchen. A pontoon and speed boat are hitched to a private dock.

The entire place is a warm hug. I can’t believe I’ll be living here. Miles comes behind and catches me against his chest, his breath fanning my neck, leaving kisses behind my ear.

He asks, “What do you think, Jules?”

I pivot in his arms to face him. “It’s wonderful.”

“Do you think you can live here? Find it therapeutic?”

My fingers hold his chin, the beard tickling my skin, and I kiss his lips. “Yes.” Too broad for my arms, I wrap them around him and say, “Thank you, Miles.”

A smooth turn and scoop of my hand, and he leads me to the upper level. There are at least five bedrooms and one on the other side of the open upper hallway that looks down into the living room and kitchen. Miles opens a door, and his scent fills me like a bubble bath, soothing my aches, and coaxing me in. Straight ahead is a king-size four-poster canopy bed facing a window that runs from half the roof to the floor of the room, facing the lake. Another fireplace adorned with two leather chairs and ottomans is on the opposite wall of the door. The room expands the upper floor of the downstairs living room. The adjoining bathroom also has windows overlooking the forest. A four-seated whirlpool substitutes the bathtub. A shower big enough for four has large circular rain showerheads imbedded in the ceiling, and is closed in by a three-fourth glass wall. There is a long stone vanity, and two sinks lined by mirrors.

I’m at a loss for words. Miles carries me out and stands me in front of the window across from the bed.

“These are reflective windows. We can see out, but no one can see inside.”

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