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“It’s not her idea,” Ryan bit his lip. “She doesn’t like to be out of control.”

“From the little we’ve gleaned from her previous relationships, I don’t blame her,” Andrew agreed. “I’ll ask. If she hates the idea, we’ll get rid of it.”

“She’s pulling up. Let’s go out to meet her,” Ryan nodded his agreement.

“Three days is too long to go without her,” Andrew muttered.

“You had a work trip,” Ryan reminded him.

“Aren’t we rich enough to not have to work,” Andrew asked.

“You may be but you’d be bored after a week,” Ryan retorted. They opened the large double doors out onto the circle drive in front of Andrew’s home.

“At least we have four days with her here,” Andrew sighed.

“Maybe we’ll get snowed in for a week or two,” Ryan grinned as he leaned forward to open Annabel’s door.

“Hello,” Annabel stepped into his arms. She brushed her lips across his and sunk into her first embrace from them in three days. Her grumpiness settled and her heart raced. “It’s good to be here.”

Ryan stepped back, allowing Andrew to fold her into his arms. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured.

“I’ve missed you too,” Annabel said. “At least our trips coordinated so we didn’t have to be apart longer.”

They stepped into the large foyer and Ryan closed out the winter weather. “Four days alone sounds like heaven.”

“I have plans for you,” Annabel gripped his hand.

“Let me take your coat,” Andrew offered.

She shrugged out of it. “What has you wound up?”

“How do you… I don’t know anyone who reads people better than you,” Andrew laughed. “I have a question I want to ask but I’m a little nervous about asking.”

“Is it something you really want,” Annabel asked.

The door opened to allow in Felix, Andrew’s butler. “I’ll take your case upstairs, Miss Annabel,” he murmured as he stepped around the trio.

“Thank you, Felix,” Annabel smiled. “Are you getting time off as well?”

“This is my last task and then I’m off to visit my granddaughter,” Felix smiled.

“Good for you,” Annabel smiled. When he disappeared up the stairs, she took Andrew’s hand. “Ask. I won’t be angry or upset. If I don’t like it, I’ll be honest.”

“The room is done,” Andrew said. “I want you to see it but I want to take you in and for it to be a complete surprise.”

Annabel heard Ryan suck in a breath and hold it. “What have I done to make you two think I’m not open to what you want?”

“Nothing,” Ryan let out his breath and rolled his eyes. “This is outside your comfort zone.”

Annoyance tugged at her but she realized they were actually nervous. She stepped closer to Andrew and held him close. “I’ve been cranky for two days. When I left, the entire office sighed. I’ve missed you both. There’s truly little you could do right nowto piss me off other than telling me you aren’t staying and must rush off for another trip.”

“Too many damn trips since the holidays,” Andrew grumbled as he held her close. Her arms around him and her words soothed his nerves. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a silk mask. “Will you wear this just until we get into the room?”

“This? This is what you were nervous about?” Annabel took the mask from him.

“We know it takes away your control,” Ryan jumped in.

“No. It’s sweet and thoughtful,” Annabel said. “You don’t plan to do anything other than lead me into the room but you know how important being in control is for me and so you worried about upsetting me.”

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