Page 5 of After the Red Carpet
“There are a few scattered throughout the house. They said this was the softest, most lush kind. There are also bowls set up for her.”
She ran her hand down his bicep and pulled him close. He wrapped her in his muscular arms. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He dropped a kiss in her hair. “You are so welcome.” After a moment, he asked, “Should we unpack and get ready for bed?”
“That sounds divine.”
“Here’s our closet,” he said, leading her into an enormous walk-in with rows of built-in clothing racks, shoe racks, drawers, and mirrors. Three round white ottomans filled the center of the monstrous space.
She laughed and remarked, “This is literally bigger than my last apartment.”
“My things are on that side over there, and I’ve cleared out the rest for you. It will be a couple of days before your belongings arrive from Paris, so I asked my assistant to pick up a few things for you: robes, pajamas, jeans, tops, the long sundresses you love, workout clothes, bathing suits, and a few pairs of sandals and sneakers. There should be underwear and socks in one of these drawers,” he said, opening several. “Ah, here they are.”
“Finn, I . . . I . . .”
“What, baby?”
“I just can’t believe you did all of this. You didn’t have to go to such trouble. The only thing I need is you.”
“It was no trouble. It’s just a few things to make you more comfortable and at home. Of course, if there’s anything else you need, we can buy it. There are toiletries in the bathroom. I think I remembered everything you use, your face wash, lotion, toothpaste, perfume.”
She ran her hand down the light teal silk robe hanging in the closet, which had been picked out for her. When she turned back to him, she said in a sultry voice, “Let’s get ready for bed. I want to feel you.”
A little while later, Ella emerged from the bathroom wearing her new robe, her long, spiral curls flowing freely. Finn skimmed his fingertips across her wrist, and then onto her cheek. They began kissing tenderly and with increasing intensity. She untied the sash to her robe and let it fall to the floor.
“My God, you’re beautiful. I think it every time I’m with you like this,” he said.
She slipped her fingers under his waistband and pulled his boxer shorts down, stopping at the indentation above his tailbone. Running her hands down his muscular thighs, she fell to her knees and took him in her mouth. He moaned with pleasure. When he couldn’t take it anymore, he helped her rise to her feet, picked her up, and carefully laid her down on the bed. They made love intimately, kissing each other until they both groaned in ecstasy.
“I’m completely in love with you and I always will be,” Finn whispered, staring at her in total adoration.
“And I’m completely in love with you. Finn, I’m so happy to be here.”
He kissed her forehead, reached over to switch off the light, and then scooped her up in his arms. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
“Mmm, I was right. It was like sleeping on a cloud,” Ella said as she stretched and turned to face Finn.
“Good morning, my love,” he said as he pulled her body against his.
“What time is it?”
He craned his neck to look at the clock. “A little after nine. It seems that we somehow skipped the jet lag and got right on LA time. Benefit of being two world-class travelers, I suppose.”
“I think it’s because we feel so cozy together.”
“That we do,” he agreed, brushing the hair from her face. “What do you feel like doing? Do you want to get a workout in? Or are you hungry?”
“Yes to both, but first show me everything,” she replied, breaking into a wide smile. “I’m ready to see where we live. Come on,” she said, dragging him out of bed. “I’m too excited to wait.”
They quickly got dressed in their gym clothes and then wandered through the house hand in hand. Ella’s eyes widened as they entered each new room. “And obviously, this is the kitchen,” Finn said.
“Wow! It’s a chef’s dream,” she cooed, running her hand along the white marble island. “Oh, and you have eight burners. How wonderful for entertaining friends. Look at all this produce,” she remarked, admiring the bowls overflowing with fresh fruits. “Avocados are my absolute favorite.”
“We have avocado and lemon trees out back. Plus, Joyce goes to the farmers market a couple of times a week to pick up fresh, seasonal food.”
“I’d love to go with her sometime.”
“I’m sure she’d enjoy the company. There’s just one room left on our tour. I’ve been saving it for last.”
