“Ohhhh,” she murmurs. “Pretty.”
There’s something so fucking pure watching her. So innocent. It feels like a gift being able to experience this first with her.
“There’s one more thing to make it even prettier.” I move back to the switches on the wall. “This one on the right turns on the lights in the tub, and then you turn the dial to whatever color you want.”
When I switch it on and turn it to purple, her mouth drops open as she stares at the glowing water.
I chuckle softly and lean against the doorframe. “Enjoy your bath, Anastasia. I’ll be gone early tomorrow.”
“Patrick.” Her tone is soft, and when I turn to look at her, she bites her bottom lip. “T-thank you.”
“You’re welcome, little one. Sleep well. You can lock the bedroom door before you go to bed if that makes you feel safer.”
She doesn’t reply. She doesn’t have to. The way she brings her hand to her heart and smiles at me says it all.
When I get to my bedroom and strip out of my suit, my mind races at a million miles an hour. There are so many questions I don’t have the answers to, but the one thing I know without a doubt is that Anastasia is mine. Even if it’s only platonically. I’m never letting her go. She’s too special. And I’m too fucking selfish.
10
ANA
Bath time has become my favorite thing in the world.
Even though I’m a prisoner, I feel like a princess. This past week has been strange, but it’s also been amazing.
Every morning when I wake up, I find that Patrick has left me a note to say he’s gone and will be home for dinner. He also reminds me that there’s breakfast and lunch in the fridge.
His housekeeper has shown up three times, and each time she’s here, I stay out of her way, even though she tells me I don’t have to. We don’t talk other than a few words here and there. Despite that, she gives me this warm, motherly vibe that makes me feel safe. Instead of getting irritated with me when I don’t speak, she just keeps up a steady stream of chatter anyway as if we’re having full conversations.
Every night, when Patrick comes home, we sit in near silence as we eat together. He always brings two meals to the table while I have one. Then he shares his with me. Sometimes, I feel like a raccoon, gobbling up everything in sight. He doesn’t seem to mind, though. Actually, I think it pleases him. There isn’t a scale in my bathroom, but I’m sure I’ve gained at least five pounds since I’ve been here.
I shouldwantto leave. To run as far away as I can. He bought me, after all. And for some insane reason, that doesn’t bother me. The thought of leaving has me in a panic.
He’ll want something from me eventually, though. Men don’t buy women just to let them live freely in their penthouse and expect nothing in return. I may be naïve, but I’m not completely stupid. There’s always a catch. Which is why I keep my walls high and my mouth closed as much as possible.
By the fourth day she shows up, Helen seems to have decided that’s no longer working for her.
“Come on, honey. I’ve let you sit in silence long enough. It’s time we have some girl time.”
She stands in my doorway and holds up a bottle of alcohol. I look up from the book I’m reading to study her. Has she been drinking already?
“Come on. I can tell you want to. Let’s go. To the living room where we can gossip like teenage girls and drink Patrick’s whiskey.”
When she snaps her fingers, I get moving, not wanting to upset her. She follows me out and plops on the sofa. There are already two glasses on the coffee table, one of which already has some of the gold liquid in it.
“Do you like whiskey, Ana?” she asks as she starts pouring us both a hefty amount.
“I’ve never had it.” I’ve never had any kind of liquor.
She hands me one of the drinks, then picks up her own and holds it in the air. “Then we must change that, sweet girl. To a new life, yeah?”
I stare at her, unsure of what she means. Why is she holding her glass up so high?
“You’re supposed to clink your glass with mine, dear. It’s called a toast. It’s like a prayer, but with alcohol.”
That doesn’t sound quite right, but who am I to argue? So I raise my drink to hers and smile as we tap them together.
“Now, we drink.” She takes a huge swig, then stares at me expectantly.
