Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
We were silent during the elevator ride. When we got to his penthouse, I was shocked to see a self-cleaning litter box set up and ready to go, as well a bag of expensive cat food and dishes for food and water. “Where did all this come from?”
“I had someone bring it while I got your dinner. Should I put Felix in a guest room until he gets settled?”
I loved how he just glossed over that like it was something anyone could do. I chewed my lower lip, trying to decide. I wanted to curl up with Miles in his bed, kiss him, and let him help me forget how scared I’d been, but I was a mess. I should get myself together first. He’d overwhelmed me with the things he’d said as we stood by Eudora’s house. Then the fire had happened, and now I was here. When I walked out the other day, I hadn’t thought I’d ever be in his penthouse again, but being here felt so right.
“Ben?” Miles looked up from where he’d been petting Felix through the holes we’d made in the box. “Are you okay?”
“No. I’m…scared and confused and….”
“Why don’t we take Felix to one of the guest rooms, then you can decide where you want to sleep when you’re ready to go to bed. You’re welcome in my room any time, but it’s your choice.”
I followed him to the nearest guest room and closed the door as he set Felix’s makeshift carrier down on the floor. When I untaped the flaps and carefully pulled them back, I expected Felix to jump out and take off, but he climbed out slowly. He wandered around for moment, then jumped up on the bed and stretched out on his side like he did when he wanted belly rubs.
He’d always been a chill cat, but this was almost miraculous after what he’d been through. He started purring as soon as I petted him.
“I think he likes it here,” Miles said.
“He sure seems to.” Was that a sign? “Thank you for letting me bring him.”
“Benjamin, he—and you—can stay here as long as you like. I want you here, remember? You’re safe with me. From now on, I won’t hide anything from you.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Do you still not understand how much I lo—care about you?”
I stared at him. Had he been about to say he loved me? Did he? “I believe you. Would you…um…would you hold me for a moment?”
Miles pulled me into his arms. I clung to him and buried my face against his neck. My breath caught when I inhaled the acrid smell of the smoke on his shirt. “I’m so sorry about your clothes.”
He hugged me tighter. “It doesn’t matter, baby. Nothing matters but you standing here, alive and safe and willing to let me hold you again.”
Somehow, his kindness made me cry. Tears poured down my cheeks, soaking his shirt. He ran his hands up and down my back and kissed the top of my head. “I’m here and I’m not going to let you be alone until we take out every person who wants to harm you.”
“I lied to you. I applied for the job because my family wanted me to spy on you. I passed on fake information.”
“You did that to protect yourself. You didn’t give away anything important. And I was testing you, tricking you.”
“You were right to.”
“I wasn’t right to keep doing it once I knew how I felt about you. I should have told you what I knew and asked how I could help you. I’m sorry.”
With his apology, the last of my uncertainly drained away. “I want to stay in your room tonight. I want you to keep holding me.”
He scooped me up in his arms. “I want that too.”
“Should we close Felix in here?” I asked.
“Will he be scared if he can’t get to you?”
He looked as content as ever, but I didn’t want to risk it. “Maybe.”
“We’ll leave the door open so he can come find you.”
“Are you sure? He might get on your bed.”
“That’s not going to bother me.”
I studied him for a moment. “I wouldn’t have thought you were a cat person.”
“I’m not, but I can learn for you.”
“Miles—”
He put his finger on my lips. “You don’t need to say anything. Let’s get ourselves cleaned up and go to bed.”
We showered together. As tired and overwhelmed as I was, my body couldn’t help but react to Miles naked, wet, and so close. But Miles focused on washing me, going no further than placing kisses on the back of my neck. When he’d gotten us both clean, he bundled me into a towel and carried me to bed.
“Are you spoiling me so I’ll never want to leave?”
“Maybe.”
He handed me a set of pajamas and underwear.