Page 153 of Enthrall Shadows
“Don’t you want me to?”
He waved his hand. “I’m blunt. You’ve learned that about me. I don’t play games, ever. So, here’s what I’m going to do. The Jacuzzi is on. I’m going climb in and soothe my weary bones. Turns out I’m not the fit stud I used to be. Need time to recoup.” He smiled. “You’re welcome to join me and I’d love it if you would. You and me under the night sky. Just like old times.”
He headed out of the kitchen.
“You’re going now?”
“No pressure. Leave if you want. I won’t be offended. I’ll have a driver take you home.”
“Thank you.”
He pivoted to face me. “I had this vision,” he added. “Me in the Jacuzzi, watching you strip naked before me. Me with the best seat in the house.”
Butterflies went crazy in my chest.
“But I’m fine with whatever you decide.”
Watching him go, I tried to comprehend that he wanted more time with me.
“Henry!” I called after him.
He paused in the doorway.
“I’ll join you, if you’re sure?”
He came back for me, grabbing my wrist and leading me through the house like we were on another adventure together.
We strolled by a replica of a famous Roman statue and swapped an amused glance. Farther down, a vast canvas hung boldly on a white wall, shades of gold set with lavish tones.
“Oh, I’m in love.” I moved closer to inspect the masterpiece.
“One of mine.”
I stared at him in awe. “You painted this?”
“We both have a thing for rich colors, apparently.”
“We do!”
Although his dark carved frame was worth a small fortune. I felt the familiar persuasion of an art piece that tempted the voyeur to reach out and brush their fingers over the masterful strokes—the miraculous allure of fine art.
I smiled, feeling a flurry of contentment that we had a common passion.
Happiness—it springs up when you least expect it and finds its way to you when you’ve wondered for so long if you’d ever visit its shores again.
We continued onto the terrace.
Next to the swimming pool was a generously-sized Jacuzzi. And there, scattered around it and atop the bubbles, lay countless rose petals.
He was showing me that what we’d experienced in Florida meant something. We’d connected on a deeper level.
“Did you do this?” I asked.
He ran his fingers through his hair as though he was unsure how I felt.
“Henry, you planned this?”
“Came out here half an hour ago. Wanted to surprise you when you woke.”
