Page 24 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version
I check out the bathroom next, which he stocked with all the products he asked me about. He bought my favorite coconut shampoo and conditioner, brown sugar body wash, face cleaner, shaving gel, razors, and a teal loofa. I pull the green towel off the rack and hold it up against my body.
Extra-large.
I didn’t even ask for towels and if I had, I would have requested the biggest ones he could find. He really thought of everything, which makes me feel like such an asshole for calling him an asshole.
A perfume bottle sits next to a brand-new pack of toothpaste and a toothbrush, and I pick it up. Amber Romance from Victoria’s Secret. How did he know? I spray myself with my favorite scent and leave the bathroom.
I walk over to the floor to ceiling windows and gasp when spotting a balcony, which I didn’t see when I first toured the apartment. Reynold also failed to tell me about it. I unlock the deadbolt and step out to the sounds of honking since this room faces Fifth Avenue. It also has a breathtaking view of Central Park. Two chairs and a small table fit on the small deck, and I’m already imagining sitting out here to watch the sunset.
“Savvy?!” a tiny voice calls out to me.
I leave the banister of the balcony and return to the room, closing the door and locking it. Seconds later, Adeline runs into my room and slams into me with one of her ferocious hugs.
“I’m sorry,” Reynold says, trailing behind. “I tried to tell her not to bother you.”
Adeline plants her chin into my stomach to look up at me. “Am I bothering you?”
I wink at her. “Never.”
She releases me and turns to Reynold, crossing her arms. “See, told you Dad.”
He raises his brow and gives me a pointed look. I shrug and he shakes his head with a smile that does things to my body: his blue eyes light up and a cute half-moon forms around his mouth on one side.
“Dad made dinner, and he said you have to join us. He said you have to sit next to him too.” Adeline’s energetic words rush out. She takes hold of my hand to lead me out of the room.
Guess I’m going to dinner.
“Adeline Lee, you know that’s not what I said. I said we’d ask if she wants to join because it’s not required,” Reynold sighs.
Addy giggles and pulls my arm so I can lean down. Next to my ear, she whispers, “Eloise and Kelly told me to say all that.”
“I heard that,” Reynold growls. He grabs Adeline by the waist and starts tickling her. Addy laughs and squeals and she releases my hand to run away from her dad.
He chases her while snarling like a monster and she screams all the way to the dining area where Eloise and Kelly are sitting and dinner is being served.
I feel like I'm intruding on a family dinner.
Reynold helps Adeline in her chair, then sits next to her. I stand off to the side.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“I think I'm just going to...” I point my thumb over my shoulder.
“Sit down, Savannah.”
Fuck. Why’d he have to say it all sexy and demanding like that? He pulls out the seat next to him and I sit like a good girl.
I blow out a breath and silently question why I’m here. Was this a mistake? Because after everything he’s done for me—the room, the towels, the perfume—there’s no way I’m not crossing the boundaries we’ve set.
Chapter 6 - Reynold
Savannahisquietduringdinner. She appears uncomfortable at first. I’m assuming it’s because of whatever prompted her to try to back out of joining us. She only relaxes when we start eating and share stories about our lives.
“How’d you two meet?” Savannah asks Eloise and Kelly and takes a bite of creamy spinach stuffed salmon.
“I was the photographer at Ginger and Bruno’s wedding in Hawaii and Kelly was DJ’ing,” Eloise says with a smile and a blush. “I’d just finished my duties, and I really wanted to shake my ass on the dance floor, so I go up to their booth and request a Bad Bunny song.”
“Someone always wants to hear a Bad Bunny song,” Kelly adds and shakes their head.
