I guess he wasn’t entirely unaware of her and Lowen’s incursions after all. That thought made me amused.
I padded into the ensuite bathroom, all thoughts vanishing as soon I got my first look at what awaited me.
The room was almost as big as my old apartment, with a complicated light fixture reminiscent of a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The space was decorated with a mixture of textures that worked well together. White marble paired with wood cabinets, gold sconces and tiles that were very art deco. The walls were painted a color somewhere between black, charcoal and blue.
Perhaps my favorite part of the room was the walk-in shower that was big enough to accommodate an orgy. It took up an entire side of the room and had gold fixtures.
A tub was stationed opposite it. I was already dreaming of the bubble baths in my future.
Since I was on a deadline, I headed for the shower and turned it on.
While it warmed up, I examined myself in the mirror. I looked pretty good for someone who’d had little sleep the day before. There was a flush to my skin courtesy of Liam’s blood and my hair had reached a level of untamed wildness that was impressive.
Steam began to accumulate in the shower. I stepped inside, letting the water pound my body. My muscles began to relax as I hummed to myself.
This was the life. A hot shower in a bathroom fit for a king after a day sleeping on the equivalent of a cloud. I couldn’t think of anything better.
This, right here, was why I was so resistant to his gifts. It was easy to refuse something you didn’t want. It was much harder when he played a modern-day Lucifer, tempting you with your deepest desires.
Sometimes those you didn’t even know you had.
I lingered for longer than I should have under the hot spray, letting it wash away my worries.
Who cared if this place was a dream wrapped in a wish?
I was Aileen Travers, the woman more stubborn than anyone else. There was no way a bathroom, even one as ostentatious as this, was going to sway me from my principals.
I’d still walk away. Promise.
Fifteen minutes later, I finally managed to tear myself away from the shower. Stepping out, I wrapped my body in the fluffy towel hanging within reach before heading toward the attached walk-in closet.
The room’s design was as extravagant as the bathroom’s. Its size could have made it a small bedroom. Instead, it had been turned into a clothes palace.
A leather ottoman sat in the middle of the room with a fancy chandelier hanging above it. On both sides of the room, there were places to hang clothes with dresser drawers waiting under them. A full-length, free-standing mirror separated them with floor-to-ceiling shoe racks on either side.
To my surprise, the clothes I’d brought from the Gargoyle were already hanging side-by-side with clothes that I knew weren’t mine. The pair of boots I’d stuffed in the duffel bag sat next to several pairs of foot wear that I’d never seen before.
Without checking, I knew everything would be in my size. The perk of having a sire as wealthy as Thomas.
I selected a simple pair of jeans that would stand up to dirt and mud and a short sleeved black top that had a relaxed fit around my torso.
Finished, I slid my feet into a pair of boots that were as comfortable as the ones I’d brought. I headed out of the room, shooting one last glance at the return vents.
It had been quiet since earlier. Ominously so.
I assumed that meant Inara had freed herself from the trap and was now planning her revenge.
Hopefully, her schemes were targeted at Thomas and not me. If for no other reason than it would be amusing to watch the pixie queen and my sire in a cold war.
Then again, there was a good chance I might get caught in the crossfire.
I headed downstairs, following the sounds coming out of the kitchen. Rounding the corner, I found Deborah slumped over the island with a distant look on her face as she played with her bowl of ice cream.
The lilac color and large chunks of chocolate waiting inside made me stop in my tracks.
I drooled a little, drifting a step closer against my will.
Black raspberry ice cream from my favorite local shop. My kryptonite and my forbidden fruit.
