I nod, the thought of tomorrow not scaring me as much as it once did. “Yeah, I think that would be good.”
“So, what do you want, Kas? Have you always seen your future in London, or did you want to head off elsewhere?”
“Well I always dreamed of a sunset somewhere, but mostly, I was just happy to wake up the next day.”
“Kas.”
“Don’t give me the sad voice. It’s over.”
He nods.
“And now… I want a career, I want to actually be good at something and make myself a life. I want a home, a place where I feel safe and want to return to. I want to not look over my shoulder every five seconds to see if anyone is trailing me. I want to look forward and not wonder if I’ll even have a future to worry about.”
“And me?” The vulnerability in his tone makes my heart ache.
“You? I want you right by my side.” Wide smiles spread across both of our faces as he reaches over and laces his fingers with mine.
“I like the sound of that.”
One of my favourite songs starts playing on the radio. Resting my head back, I belt out the lyrics like I have no cares in the world as the warm air whips past my face.
“I like you like this,” Spike says once I’ve finished my terrible rendition.
“Like what, making you go deaf?” I ask with a laugh.
“Relaxed. Happy.”
“It’s nice to have forgotten most of my worries, I must admit.”
“Well, let go of the rest. You’ve got nothing to worry about for five whole days.”
“Five days?” He nods. “Are you going to tell me where yet?”
He tilts his chin to point out of the windscreen, and I turn to look.
“Holy shit. Don’t joke,” I say with amusement when the rolling hills before us drop away to reveal the most stunning manor house in the distance.
“I’m not joking.”
“Spike,” I squeal. “I can’t go in there. They’ll think I’m one of the cleaners.”
“Only you’re not. You’re a guest with everything the place has to offer at your feet.”
The car draws closer, past all the perfectly tended lawns and bright blooming flowers.
Spike brings Zach’s car to a stop beside the others that would look more at home in a fancy showroom, and I stare up at the impressive building.
“I thought places like this only existed on the TV,” I mutter, not entirely sure how I feel about walking inside as a guest. “Why here?”
“I have it on good authority that this place is one of the best.”
“Who from?” I ask, my brows drawing together as I try to think who he might know who has the money to stay here.
“Biff. I called in a favour,” he admits with a shrug.
“I don’t want their charity, Spike.”
“It’s not. She just got me a good rate. The rest is all me. I want to spoil you, let you have a few days out and… thank you.”
“Thank me. What for?”
He turns to me, his eyes softening as they bounce between mine. “For showing me that just because I’ve been burned, I don’t need to hide. For bringing meaning back into my life. For giving me a chance.”
“Spike,” I whisper, leaning into his touch when he lifts his hand to my cheek. “I should be the one thanking you. You’ve saved me over and over in only a few days.”
“I guess that makes us even then,” he says with a smile.
“I guess so.”
“So, do you fancy it? Or I can drive us back to the city.”
I think of the delights that might be hiding for us inside that building. I imagine us both in fluffy robes, having a couple's massage, drinking champagne for breakfast, and late nights watching the sun go down over the countryside beyond.
“Oh, I fancy it.”
“Good. Let’s go.” He kills the engine and shoulders the door before jogging around the bonnet and opening mine for me.
He helps me down before getting our cases from the boot, and with his arm around my shoulder, we walk toward the entrance.
The inside is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. My eyes flick around, not knowing where to look first.
I expected the member of staff who greeted us to look us up and down and turn her nose up like we didn’t belong, but from the second she looked up from her desk, she was nothing but welcoming.
“Would you like some help with your bags?” she asks softly after handing over our key and giving us all the instructions we might need.
“No, we’re good.”
“Okay, the lift is just over there. You’re on the fourth floor, room 402. If you need anything at all, just call down.”
“Thank you,” we say simultaneously before turning the way she pointed.
“This is insane,” I whisper, looking around at the most luxurious lift I’ve ever stepped foot in.
“It looks good on you, though.”
“You think?” I ask as he stalks toward me.
“I do.”
The lift dings before he manages to back me up against the wall, and although I’m disappointed not to have his hands and lips on me, I don’t want to get caught before we’ve even stepped inside our room.
“This way,” he announces, taking off down the hallway with our bags.
“Whoa… this isn’t just a room, it’s a…”
“Suite. I know.” He turns on me, a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Spike,” I breathe. “This is all too much.”
The plush carpet, the rich ruby red walls, the huge sofas and the open fire. I don’t know where to look first.
“It’s nowhere near enough, Kas. I don’t have much. This isn’t normal life for me either, but it’s time for a fresh start, for both of us.”
I smile up at him, my heart thundering in my chest in a way it never has before. The fear I’ve been all too used to is gone, replaced by just how strongly I feel for this incredible man who’s looking down at me like I’m the only woman in the world.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Tiny. Now…” he says, reaching
