Page 12 of Strange Seduction
I wanted to be mad that he left so quickly, but I knew him—he needed to handle business and get things in order.
Probably had a list in his head, ticking away tightly.
So I figured I might as well explore a little, maybe find the room full of gifts in this penthouse.
The space was ridiculous in the best way.
Everything was bright and open, bathed in this golden afternoon light that made the marble floors gleam and the glass balcony doors sparkle. It smelled like lemon, clean linen, fresh flowers, and expensive polish.
It was so quiet, too. Well, except for the low hum of the much-needed air conditioner.
I slipped off the couch and walked barefoot down the hall, trailing my fingers along the wall. One door was cracked slightly. Something inside smelled faintly of jasmine and flowers.
My curiosity made me push it open.
Found it!
And nearly lost my breath in the process.
The room looked like something out of a fairytale. No, not a fairytale.
Something way fucking better.
Rose petals. Everywhere.
They were scattered across the bed like they’d been hand-placed one by one. Crimson, soft, lush. The duvet was a crisp white that made the color pop in the most dramatic, luxurious way. There were more fresh flowers in tall glass vases on every surface—roses, lilies, hydrangeas, and my favorite, peonies—all blooming and fragrant like they’d been picked with care.
The man must’ve dug up a meadow.
A part of me wanted to record this for my Insta, ready to show off just how much my man loved me. But I decided to give @cosmic.carmena break while I was here. That way I could spend my time focusing on my Teddy Bear.
At the foot of the bed sat a stack of gift boxes, some wrapped, some with silk ribbons draped lazily open as if he hadn’t quite finished or couldn’t wait for me to find them.
Above the headboard, pinned delicately to the wall in soft calligraphy script, was a banner.
Welcome Home, Baby.
I covered my mouth with one hand, eyes stinging with heat that came from nowhere and everywhere all at once.
He did all this?
For me?
I took one slow step inside, then another, scared I might wake up if I moved too fast. There were candles on the dresser, unlit but already scented—amber and vanilla, a warm and comforting scent.
I sat down on the edge of the bed and pressed a hand to my chest.
God, I could feel him in every inch of this room.
His thoughtfulness.
His stubborn, romantic heart.
The way he always said he didn’t know how to show his feelings, and then did something like this.
I stretched out across the bed and let my fingers run through the rose petals. I couldn’t stop smiling, even as tears pricked the corners of my eyes. He wanted me. After everything we’d been through and all the years of long distance, he still made room for us.
Fuck.
