Page 49 of The Hermit

Dominik comes to stand beside me, and it reminds me why I’m really here.

We’re married.

Folding my arms around myself, I move away from him. I can feel his eyes on me as I explore further.

The dining room holds a black table and six chairs. There’s no art on the walls, and each piece of furniture is a statement piece.

The man has good taste.

When I walk into the kitchen, Dominik says, “I’ll leave you to make yourself at home.”

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“To shower and work.” He waves a hand at nothing in general. “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I’ll put your luggage in your bedroom, which is on the second floor. The second room on the right.”

I watch as he walks away, feeling like a fly that’s being lured into a spider's web.

“One hell of a beautiful spider’s web,” I mutter as I walk to the fridge.

I’m surprised to find the fridge stocked with water and various juices. I help myself to a cold bottle of water, and as I take small sips, I peek into a laundry room.

Not a single thing seems to be out of place.

I open a random door and stare at the pantry that’s easily the size of my bedroom back home. The walls are lined with shelves that are stocked with food and other supplies.

Good God, we can probably survive months up here in the mountains before we’d have to venture out.

I remember hearing Dominik is a hermit, and now that I’ve seen his house, it confirms it.

Why did he bring me here? It can’t be just because I don’t annoy him.

There’s no way I’ll believe a man like Dominik doesn’t expect anything from me.

A chill creeps down my spine, and it has me rushing out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

I pass a closed door and head for the second bedroom. When I step inside, my luggage is neatly placed by a closet. There’s a kingsized bed covered with white bedding that has a mountain range printed in black on it.

There’s an empty table and a stool, and another door, which I guess leads to a bathroom.

I shut the bedroom door behind me, and seeing a key, I quickly lock it before walking to the window. Staring at the mesmerizing view, my teeth tug at my bottom lip.

I won’t be able to stay in this room forever, and I’m not stupid to think a locked door will keep Dominik from coming in.

It’s only then I realize Dominik gave me my own room. He’s not insisting that I share a bed with him.

My eyes widen at the thought and hope trickles into my chest.

So far, he’s gone out of his way to set me at ease. The closest we’ve come to being intimate are the two times he kissed me on the forehead.

I glance over my shoulder at the locked door. “Do I dare trust him?”

DOMINIK

After showering and putting on a pair of black cargo pants and a T-shirt, I head to my office.

Knowing Grace is in the house somewhere, the air feels different

I key in the security code that opens the door, and stepping into my office, the lights automatically come on.

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