Page 4 of After the Red Carpet
“That means a lot to me,” she said before planting a soft kiss on his mouth.
“Ella, all I want is for us to be together and live the life we’ve dreamed of.”
“The last time around, I think we suffered from feeling pressure, confusion, or doubt, not trusting that our feelings were mutual. Maybe we didn’t know in our hearts that we belonged to each other. This time, I want to make sure you know that, and that you know I do too.”
Warmth swept over his face.
“Finn, there’s something I need you to know and remember, something you can trust in the deepest part of your soul. It will help take the pressure off so I don’t need to worry about being flawless, living up to a fantasy, or always saying or doing the perfect thing.”
“What, baby?”
“I choose you. I choose us. Always.”
WHEN THE JET LANDED, A TOWN CARwas waiting to whisk them home. Ella held Sweden’s carrier on her lap as they drove through the most exclusive part of Beverly Hills. “We’re here,” Finn announced as the gates opened. “It’s just up this private drive.”
“Wow,” Ella muttered, wide-eyed as they pulled up to the front of the circular driveway, a fountain in the center. She’d seen photos of his house, but it was somehow even grander in person.
She stepped hesitantly out of the car, while Finn spilled out with the confidence of coming home. “Wait here. Let me unlock the door and turn off the alarm. The driver can run the luggage upstairs. He can take Sweden too,” Finn instructed, taking the pet carrier. “I want us to walk inside together.”
Ella nodded and the men set off on their tasks. She waited, breathing in the crisp night air and admiringthe imposing gray house with white trim and mammoth windows, surrounded by perfectly manicured plants and flowers. Finn returned and took her hand. “Come on, my love,” he said. As they stepped into the foyer, Ella’s eyes flitted from the dark wood floors to the light gray walls, massively high ceilings, and grand, spiral staircase. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
She beamed. “It’s amazing.”
“Are you hungry? I’m sure that Joyce, my cook, loaded the fridge for us.”
She shook her head. “I’m still full from the food on the flight. But if you’re hungry . . .”
“I’m not. Would you like a tour?”
“It’s kind of a lot to take in all at once. I’m trying to stay grounded by focusing only on you. Maybe we could go to your bedroom and save the tour for tomorrow—is that okay?”
“Of course. It’s just upstairs,” he replied, showing her the way. When they arrived at the open door, he said, “After you, my love.”
She stepped into the sprawling bedroom, immediately noticing the tiered crystal chandelier hanging high above. She mumbled, “Oh, wow,” a smile dancing across her face. “It’s nothing like I imagined. I thought it might be, well . . .”
“What?” he asked.
“A bachelor on his own and all, I guess I assumed it would be hypermasculine. But if I were going to fantasize about the most dreamlike, serene bedroom, this would be it. The furniture is gorgeous,” she said, admiring the walnut bed frame with mother-of-pearl inlay. “This must feel like sleeping on a cloud,” she remarked, running her hand across the silvery-gray sateen comforter. “Oh, and this vanity and love seat are absolutely beautiful, like out of a fairy tale. I’ve never had anything like this before. Oh, andlook here! These are so lovely,” she gushed, meandering over to a table by the windows and picking up a small vase filled with pale pink rosebuds. “They smell so sweet.”
He smiled brightly. “I’m so glad you like it. It’s all new. For you, Ella.”
“What?” she asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise.
“This has all been done in the last two days. My decorator took care of everything. She’s been working around the clock, texting me pictures so I could approve each item. I wanted our home to be perfect for you, especially this room. I hope it can be a sanctuary, an oasis.”
Her eyes became misty. “You did all of this for me?”
He caressed the side of her face and nodded.
“It’s like something out of a fantasy. How did you possibly . . .”
“I know you, Ella. I told her that you love things with history but that you’re also the most modern person I know. I insisted that nothing should ever be brought into this house that doesn’t have romance to it, because that’s how you make me feel.” He wiped a tear that had fallen from her eye and continued, “The furniture is art deco inspired. Since that style originated in France and you left Paris to move here with me, I thought it would be a nice way to merge our worlds. We chose this bedding because I could picture you lying on it. I could visualize just how piercing your green eyes would look against the cool gray.”
“Finn, I don’t know what to say,” she said with a sniffle.
“You don’t have to say anything. I promised that when you moved here, it wouldn’t be my world; it would be ours. There may be all kinds of changes you want to make around here to make it feel like home, but I wanted to get a head start.”
“You are the sweetest, most romantic man I’ve ever known,” she said, taking his face in her hands and kissing him softly. “Oh, and look! You even got little Sweden a kitty bed.”
