Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I could only stare, trying to take it all in. My entire apartment would fit in his kitchen with room to spare. The thought of him even being at my shabby little place made me blush. Never mind all the time he spent there with us. The awful little sofa he slept on with me.
I was embarrassed. Horribly so.
But I forced a smile to my face. “Asher, it’s incredible.”
He gave me a strange look but took my hand. “Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”
My head swiveled constantly as we toured the condo. Asher showed me the room he had for AJ. It was the first one off the hallway, with a spectacular view of the city. It was painted a cheerful blue, and it held a double bed and dresser. Some Lego and a couple of other toys waited for AJ, who was far more interested in those than the room, the en suite, or the rest of the place. He sat down, eagerly reaching for the Lego, waving us off when Asher asked him if he wanted to come with us.
The other two rooms were more neutral than the room AJ was going to sleep in, and I had a strange suspicion that it had been painted recently. Asher assured me that we would be able to hear AJ if he needed us in the night. “I bought a monitor,” he said proudly.
After showing me the gym, he tugged me through the living room and past his office, leading me to his bedroom. Once again, I was speechless. I was certain I had never seen a bed so big. It dwarfed the room, the beautiful black-and-white comforter setting off the iron bedframe. Aside from the nightstands and a chair in the corner, it was the only piece of furniture. The dark colors with splashes of blue and gray were masculine and suited him.
He had a large walk-in closet and an amazing bathroom. I counted seven shower heads and an overhead rainfall shower in the glassed-in enclosure. A large slipper tub was in the corner, a set of long narrow windows at the perfect height to see the view as you relaxed in the tub. The entire condo bespoke wealth. It was rather overwhelming. I was at a loss for words.
Asher wrapped his arms around me, drawing me back to his chest. “Breathe, Rosie. Just breathe,” he soothed, as if sensing my inner turmoil.
“It’s so…incredible.”
“It’s where I live. That’s all.”
“I’m embarrassed about you being at mine,” I admitted.
He spun me around. “What?”
ASHER
I was horrified by her words. “What?” I asked, meeting her eyes, aghast to see how pale she’d become. The moment we’d stepped into the condo, I’d felt her withdrawal. She became tense. Her smile brittle.
If I’d had any idea seeing this place would do that to her, I never would have brought her here.
“My place—” she began.
I cut her off. “Is your home. You welcomed me there. I loved every single second I spent with you there.” I looked around. “Bigger isn’t better, Rosie. A fancy tub doesn’t make it a home. You make it a home. I felt that every moment I spent in your place.” I stepped back, running a hand through my hair. “I wanted to bring you here so you could get comfortable in my space too. So we could go to either spot and feel relaxed. I didn’t do it to upset you or make you feel embarrassed. God, that is the last thing I wanted.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just so…vast.”
“And empty.” I cupped her face. “Every moment since I came back to this condo, I felt its emptiness. I couldn’t wait to get you and AJ here to bring some life to it. To make it feel like home, not just a place I sleep.”
Her entire body relaxed. “Really?”
I kissed her. “Yes. I want to see you everywhere. Curled up on the sofa. Sitting by the fire. I want to watch you cook in the kitchen. I’m looking forward to building Lego with AJ and being able to see you as you move around. I’m going to fill that tub and watch you lie in it and relax. I want to be in there with you. Then I’m going to take you to bed and make love to you all night. I want to be able to see you everywhere, so when you’re not here, I have something to hold on to until you are back again.”
“Asher,” she whispered, her eyes bright.
I leaned my forehead on hers. “You mean so much, Rosie. So much. I would never do anything to hurt or embarrass you. I’m sorry. I didn’t think how this place would make you feel.”
“I’m overreacting,” she admitted. “It’s so incredible. Really incredible. It just…”
“What?” I asked tenderly. “Finish it. Tell me.”