Page 39 of Eternal

She giggles under me, “Soren, I’m okay, really. I feel excellent today.” She throws me a lazy grin, and I catch it.

Fuck, this woman is going to be the death of me. I can’t control myself around her or even think straight, for that matter. What the fuck is she doing to me?

“What was the call about?” Freya asks again, her attention pulled away from our embrace to the pancakes that are starting to burn. She curses under her breath as she flips them over. I don’t know why I’m nervous to tell her I’m moving us to Colorado. I don’t know how she’ll react.

“Well, I made a decision for us.” Her eyes snap to me, causing me to take a moment. “I’m relocating my business to Colorado and would like to move there. I’ve purchased a house already.”

“Oh, okay.” She sounds chipper like it’s not even a bother for her.

“Okay, as in, you’re okay with the move?”

She looks up at me, giving me her full attention, “Why wouldn’t I be? It’s just an adventure for us.” When she smiles at me, my heart flutters.

I don’t say anything but wrap her securely in my arms, scooping her up and carrying her away to the bedroom.

“Soren, the pancakes are going to burn!” She squeals, laughing as I plop her on the bed.

The woman is dangerous for me. She kills all rationality, and the only thing in the world that matters to me is her. I have to distance myself from her; if I don’t, I could risk getting hurt. But for now, I’ll enjoy myself.

After the honeymoon,I tell myself. It’ll be for the best.

Part II

Chapter seventeen

Freya

SorenandIwerehoneymooning for two weeks, but we finally arrived back in the United States. As soon as we land, Serena calls, but I don’t pick up. I’m still on cloud nine from our time together. Soren blindfolds me as we get into our Lambo.

I giggle. “Where are we going?”

I feel a grin growing on Soren’s face as he leans in to tie my blindfold, his cheek brushing with mine. “We are in Denver but have some driving to do.”

He kisses my lips, then leans back a little. “I think I might have to do this again when you’re naked and tied down.”

I press my thighs together, my body warming to the idea.

He places another kiss on my forehead before getting in on the other side, and we start our trek to wherever he’s taking me.

At some point, I fall asleep but wake up to the feeling of the car stopping. Soren speaks with someone else as his fingers work on my blindfold’s knot to untie it. It’s sunset, and there are mountains surrounding us. In front of us, there’s an iron gate with the Astor insignia embellishing it.

I turned to Soren wide-eyed. “This gate is beautiful. Can we see the house, please?” I beg.

Soren’s eyes darken, but he continues to drive on. We make it home, and it’s my dream house. I scrambled out of the car and bound the steps through the front door. The smell of someone cooking radiates from the kitchen. I turn to face Soren and hug him.

“This house is so beautiful. I just love it so much,” I gasp.

“I’m glad to hear it. Listen, darling, I have to go to dinner with Luca tonight. I won’t be back until late tonight. A hairstylist is stopping by in about 40 minutes to do your hair as you requested. Enjoy the dinner the chef is preparing for you, and explore the house. I've deactivated your phone until I can get a new one for you. The only room you can not go in is my office, and it is locked. Also, do not leave the house. ” He turns and grabs a duffle bag sitting next to the door before walking back out. I couldn’t even get a word in.

I frown, head spinning from the sudden coldness. I make my way to the kitchen, where a large island and a covered plate are sitting, a TV remote rests in front of it. Dread spikes down my spine as it all hits me at once. I don’t have access to a phone, my husband immediately abandons me after our honeymoon, and I’m in a brand new home in a foreign state.

Fucking great. Maybe tomorrow will be better.I pick my plate up and make my way to the living room. I eat while watching TV, the same way I would in Seattle,lonely and sad.

The hairstylist came at the time Soren had arranged. He’s quiet and only seems interested in getting the job done. We decided on a rich chocolate color, something completely different that I’d never done. I can barely recognize the girl in the mirror when we are finished.

Whether it’s for better or worse, it’s still to be decided.I pour myself 3 fingers of cognac and return to my seat, bringing the bottle with me.

Now I understand why my mother is an alcoholic. If she was abandoned like this a lot in the later years of her marriage with kids, yeah, the bottle is sure to keep you company. At some point in the night, I fell asleep watching TV on the couch, bottle in hand.

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