Page 112 of Caught Looking

“Not just any condo. Open the door.”

She was even more confused when the door opened without any key or lock. Because this was the penthouse and I’d already keyed us in. It was dark so I began flipping on lights.

Annalise gasped. “What is this, Seth?”

“Our hideaway. A place no one else will ever be except us and the cleaning crew.” It came decorated. The look was sleek and modern. Blacks, grays, and whites mostly. “We can redecorate or leave it as is, but I didn’t envision this as the place we snuggle up and watch movies.”

Her eyebrow arched. “So what is this place for then?” She ran her fingers over the back of the black leather couch, took in the utterly unnecessary gas fireplace, then moved to the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the Gulf of Mexico.

“This is our vacation home,” I said simply. “We don’t get a lot of opportunities to travel outside of work. Sometimes I want to sweep you away and pamper you. This building has all the perks of a hotel. Room service, a concierge, the works. All without leaving town.”

I had her now. The confusion was gone, replaced by curiosity. “A vacation home.” Her eyes flitted over the sleek kitchen. I pulled her towards the rec room.

“This penthouse wasn’t built for a family. It was built for relaxation.” The room housed a hot tub, bar, and loungers. I hit a button and the windows slid open to the balcony.

“That’s sleek,” Annalise nodded with appreciation.

“We can enjoy that later.” I closed the door and pulled her to the opposite end of the penthouse. To the primary bedroom and bathroom. “What do you think?”

The king-sized bed sat against the far wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave us an unencumbered view of the night sky.

“Nice.”

“Check out the bathroom.”

I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, only my gift was watching Annalise take it all in. She didn’t protest like she might have in the beginning. Now she knew there was no stopping me once I had an idea. That it was best to just go along and accept the benefits of my wild impulses.

“I don’t think I’ll mind unwinding here one bit. Even when you’re out of town,” she teased.

Which was how I knew I had her. “Baby, you can come have a spa day here any time you want.” Not only was the soaking tub and rainfall shower worthy of relaxing, but there was a full-service spa in the building too.

Anything I had was hers. Whatever she needed I would give to her without question. I had waited a long time to feel like I could be myself around someone and not worry about getting stabbed in the back. For that alone I would give her anything. But I was also madly in love with her, so she also had my heart and soul in her hands. “What do you think?”

She spun in a circle. “I think Roscoe is going to enjoy doggy daycare when we’re here.”

“I put turf down for him on the balcony just like at the condo. In fact…” I opened what had been a second walk-in closet and let Roscoe out. “I had it converted into a posh pet kennel just for him.”

Annalise blinked as she peeked inside. Roscoe had an actual kennel he could hide inside, a hammock, and a plush bed. There was even a little doggy kitchen where his food and water were set out.

Roscoe circled the penthouse just like he’d done this morning when I came to set things up. Then he came to sit in front of Annalise. She absentmindedly scratched his head.

While I waited.

“What if you get traded?”

That wasn’t the first question I expected but I was ready for it. “I’ll retire. I’m not living in another city ever again. But if you get traded I will follow you.” I had won my awards and made more money than any one person should have. But Annalise still had a few years to conquer more hills and climb more mountains.

“You’ll follow me?”

“Anywhere you go. I’m yours.”

Roscoe nuzzled her hand some more. “This is real?” Her hand was so close.

“So real.” And since she wouldn’t take the hint, I got down on my knee and loosened Roscoe’s collar, removing the ring. “Can we mash our names up and spend forever together? Will you marry me, Annalise? I want to make this as real as humanly possible.”

Roscoe looked up at her too, like he knew this question was important.

Her gaze locked on the ring, then Roscoe, then me. “Forever, huh?”

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