Page 67 of Deepest Obsession

What’s mine is yours.

“You good, Soph?” Blaze’s voice is amused.

“Great,” I say. I can’t take my eyes off of Alexander, and he meets my gaze with a cool, calm stare.

How can he keep his composure when he says stuff like that? And how can he be so willing to take care of me? He’s even offered to pay my rent. Which, to be honest, I see as a huge red flag.

I learned from watching my mother that being financially dependent on a man can ruin you. But what am I supposed to do? Tristan wants me to get close to Xander. Moving in with him—while making sure he doesn’t try to force out my secret—seems like the best move.

And that means holding up my end of the deal. No more income.

The guys leave, and I only stay in the hot tub for a few more minutes. I may have to quit the coffee shop, but I still have my book. And this is some prime writing time.

So I dry off and head back to the bedroom.

Maybe I’ll be able to distract myself from the mess my life has become.

Upstairs, I get changed and grab my laptop. Xander has a sitting room off of his bedroom that I haven’t seen him use much. With a smile, I settle onto a dark green couch in front of an empty fireplace. I swear, it’s like he has a little apartment inside this house.

Just like—

No.

Oh god.

How have I not put together the pieces until now?

The bathroom, with the giant tub and the big window, just like we always planned it. A sitting room off of our bedroom so I’d have a place to escape when his family stayed with us.

A writing room for me on the first floor, with French doors and lots of windows looking out into a forest.

Letting out a breath, I turn back to the bedroom. Where had we decided to put the writing room? In the back of the house, of course. Close to the kitchen?

Without it even registering in my head, my feet take me back downstairs. The floors are cold against my bare feet, but I hardly feel it.

We’d designed many houses together in our spare time, but there was one that was our favorite. And now, walking through the hallways, I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.

How could I forget?

Passing through the kitchen, I notice that the cabinets are painted black, just like Xander likes, and the countertops are white marble—just how I always said I wanted them.

A few rooms down, I find a pair of French doors painted white. With only a moment’s hesitation, I push them open.

Once I flip the light on, I gasp. A small chandelier hangs over a desk in the middle of the room. Large windows look out over the yard and the dark forest. A small, red couch sits in a small corner, just like I always wanted.

It’s... perfect.

And he did this for me. For us.

With a breath, I remember his words the first time he brought me here.

I want to see you in my house.

“Xander,” I call out, turning back down the hall.

Where is he meeting with the guys? His office?

Making my way across the house, I call for him again. And again, once I’m closer.

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