Page 43 of Someone Like You

Large floor-to-ceiling windows gave a sweeping panoramic view of the city and the springs beyond. Upscale appliances, marble counters, a large marble island, and gorgeous hardwood floors created a state-of-the-art kitchen and keeping room.

I moved from the kitchen to the dining room and beyond to the den and then the bedrooms before I finally returned to the living room, where the two men were arguing. Throughout the time I walked around the penthouse, I could hear their low voices, and it seemed as if they were having a heated argument, but the moment that I stepped back into view, they instantly stopped.

“It’s a beautiful space. Massive. High end. I’m sure it’s pricey, so I’m not sure why I’m being shown this particular property. It’s fully furnished already. Even the bathroom is stocked with linens. Whose place is this?” I asked, looking between the two men.

“Yours if you want it,” Casimir stated boldly, those dark, flashing eyes holding my gaze.

Jude cleared his throat, but other than that, he said nothing.

“Excuse me?” I asked, looking at Casimir as if he’d just lost his mind.

“Dr. Champagne, my friend, though it seems he’s lost his mind—his proposal makes sense. He closed on this place a week ago and had it furnished according to his specifications, including down to the linens and cookware. The company hehired finished the job yesterday, and he just received the keys this morning. He’s offering you a place to stay during your transition.”

“What is this? A joke? I can’t stay here,” I stated and immediately turned away and headed for the front door.

Casimir was quick. He moved behind me and grabbed my arm, and I steeled myself against his touch. Though my back was still to him, I could feel his gaze on me. I was familiar with the liquid desire that I knew was in his eyes, and I could feel how desperately he wanted to crush my lips with his.

I closed my eyes briefly to regain control before I pulled free from his grip and turned around to face him.

“It’s not a joke, Giselle. You have no idea what you’ve done for me. There is no way that I could ever repay you for what you’ve given me.”

“I haven’t given you anything.”

For a moment, I think we both forgot that Jude was there as we became engaged in an intimate back-and-forth.

“You’ve given me everything. My freedom, my strength, and my courage. All those were things that I had lost in the last few years, Giselle.”

“I did my job, Casimir. I tried to help you and Bethany navigate the tumultuous waters of your marriage. But I failed.”

“No, you didn’t. You helped me to see the truth and restored my courage to face that truth. My independence from that family is the only way that I can get back to the heart of the man I once was. That marriage was a farce, and we were only holding on to it because of the look it gave us within the community.”

“You are my patient—”

“Stop saying that,” Casimir bit out that last word through clenched teeth as his jaw worked overtime.

“Well, it’s true.”

“It’s not. I’m your former client. We no longer have that doctor-client relationship, and you know this. Stop treating me like you have to . . .”

“Have to what, Casimir? Keep professional boundaries intact? Maintain a distance between what is expected within the medical community and what you seem to be seeking?”

“Do you even know what that is?” he asked in a hushed voice that sounded as if he held some pain. But that could not be. Nothing had occurred between us more than a couple of kisses. It wasn’t like we’d had a relationship at some point.

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t do this,” I replied and swept my arms around the penthouse.

“You could. You’re just being too stubborn.”

“What is it that you expect from me, Casimir?” I scoffed.

“Listen, just stay here until you get someplace that is suitable for you while JR works on something more affordable and suitable for your needs.”

I shook my head. “I cannot—”

“You can,” he stated forcefully.

Jude stepped up beside Casimir, bringing our attention back to the fact that we weren’t alone. And I was grateful for that because I was getting lost in Casimir’s overwhelming presence.

“Listen. How about you stay here for the interim, as Cas suggested. And I’ll work hard on finding you what you need.”

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