Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
It takes a while before I can see our end destination. At the top of the hill is a lusciously green patch of grass with a luxurious manor set right in the middle of it. A cleanly polished wooden deck wraps around the massive brick building. The mansion has floor to ceiling windows, a flat white roof, and a chandelier in the main room. I can see right through the kitchen to the in-ground pool out back.
“Do you live here by yourself?” I gasp before realizing how rude that may seem.
John chuckles.
“My son and I lived here together until about six months ago. We had a bit of an argument and he decided he needed his own space. He moved back into the city, so I’m here at the estate by myself.
I gasp.
“Your son needed more space? But this place is huge!”
John chuckles.
“Well, you know how young people are. But yes, my son is a piece of work, I’ll give you that much.”
The vehicle pulls up by the front walkway and Henry swiftly runs around back to open the car door for us. As we step out, John asks the chauffeur to call up Jocelyn and see if she can prepare the spa with robes and towels, and to leave a bottle of champagne and two glasses beside the jacuzzi for us.
Surely, he’s aware I did not just so happen to pack my bathing suit for our date at Central Park.
The jacuzzi sounds quite nice right now however, so I don’t object. We cut through the lower level of the house, which looks like something straight out of Home and Garden magazine. It’s utter luxury, and I gasp at the details. Everything follows a luxe Scandinavian theme. Everything is lightly colored from the beige wood floors to the white stone countertops. Green, leafy plants hang from the ceiling and tasteful artwork is positioned on the walls.
The backdoor leads us out onto a cobblestone patio, which finally takes us to a large structure that slightly resembles a rustic log cabin. A middle-aged woman, Jocelyn, greets us at the door.
“Mr. Miller, the spa is all set for you. I have turned on some light music and set the lights on low. The bottle of champagne is uncorked and the first glasses poured. Let me know if you should need anything else.” She opens the door and gestures for us to go past her. I try to hide my astonishment at the utter luxury.
Damn, I’ve never even been to a hotel that treats you this well. This is John’s daily life?! How does he still come across as so modest and humble? I would have never guessed he lives this extravagantly.
We enter the A-frame structure and I am once again blown away. The building didn’t look too big from the outside, at least in comparison to the main house. However, once inside it seems to be a never-ending maze of rooms.
The first room consists of a large fireplace, plush sofas, and a billiards table set quaintly beneath the high chapel ceilings. Beyond this is a kitchenette and rest room area with a small bedroom loft floating above them.
Around the corner is the spa. The main focus is the jacuzzi of course, its exterior wrapped in stones of varying size and color. The jets have been turned on and water is bubbling at the surface, a veil of steam drifting off the top. In the back corner of the room is another small room, which John explains to me is a dry sauna heated by wood placed into a compartment on the outside. Wow. Fancy.
John points me in the direction of a private dressing room.
“Sweetheart, there’s a robe inside. I know you don’t have a swimsuit with you, so do whatever feels comfortable for you. No pressure. We don’t have to use the jacuzzi. I’ll light a fire and we have a hammock we can sling up to admire the stars.”
I appreciate that John’s thinking of me. I realize just how respectful of an individual he truly is.
“No, I’m okay,” I say with blushing cheeks. “I’ll be comfortable in the robe only.”
His blue eyes gleam, and we both depart to our separate rooms to change. Sure enough, I find a fluffy white robe waiting for me, and slip it on over my curves. It’s naughty to wear nothing but the terrycloth but I like it. I slip my feet into a pair of similarly fluffy sandals, and then meet John outside.
He’s standing in an identical robe before a small table holding the champagne glasses. He hands me my glass and lifts his in a toast.
“To us,” says with a nod. “I’ve really enjoyed my time with you, sweetheart.”
My heart flutters as I look into his blue eyes.
“To us,” I repeat in a small voice.
We both swallow, and the champagne is dry and bubbly slipping down my throat. He sets his glass down and then takes mine from me, setting it on the table next to his.