“Oh my God.” Her hands cover her mouth as her eyes widen.
The walls are filled with built-in shelves, and each shelf is stacked with books. There are two spiral metal staircases located in opposite corners, connecting the first, second, and third floors. The first floor has a fireplace, wide couches, and a couple of wingback chairs. The second and third floors are simply a walkway in front of the bookshelves and are open to the first floor, giving a clear view of the skylight above. Each wall has a sliding ladder that helps me reach the top shelves.
I might be tall, but I’m not a giant.
She steps forward and begins to wander around like a kid in a candy store, and I stay back to watch her explore. Her head tilts toward the ceiling, the sunlight shining down on her, illuminating her face as she closes her eyes and smiles.
I want to capture this moment. I want to remember her just like this.
No stress furrowing her brow. No anxiousness tainting her confidence.
She gets to be her happiest self right now, and it’s beautiful.
When Savannah steps further away, I follow her as she skims the titles of all the books on the shelves she can easily reach.
“There’s a lot of mystery and horror here. I think this is every publication by Stephen King,” she observes.
I lean my shoulder against the bookcase next to her as she pullsItoff the shelf. “I bought this place a few years ago as an investment. The plan was to renovate and rent it out, but then I walked through the property, and I couldn’t let it go.”
Savannah blinks. “This place is yours?”
“Yes.”
“So when you said that it was exclusive, you meant…”
“This is my private library. No one else comes here besides me.” I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “And now you.”
Savannah wraps her arms around the book, holding it close to her chest as if she’s guarding herself. “Why?”
“Why not?” I challenge.
She shakes her head. “I’m sure I could think of a million reasons why not.”
“Touche.” Taking the book from her arms, I replace it on the shelf and pull her into me. I encircle her in my arms, bringing us chest to chest. “I brought you here because you’re the first person I’ve ever wantedherewith me.”
She peers up at me. “Again, why?”
“This is my space. This is where I go when I need to get away. I tune everything and everyone out when I’m here. I get lost in different worlds and time periods, escaping reality for a while.”
Savannah rises on her toes and brushes her lips against mine. Then all too quickly, she pulls away. “Show me more?”
I can’t deny her. I’d give her every cent in my name. She could ask me to cut off my head, and I’d do it with a smile on my face.
Dropping my arms, I snag her hand again, needing the connection. “Anything you want.”
Savannah leads the way excitedly, pointing at just about every book we pass and asking questions.
Have I read it? Would I recommend it? What was my favorite scene? And so on.
Eventually, we make it to the second floor, and she stops at the new additions to my collection.
“I love this book!” She squeals as she grabsUnexpected Foreverby Eliza Peake. “I binged this book in one day. Ooo!” She reaches forThe Devil’s Melodyby Luna Tix. “And this one.” Savannah pauses and takes a long look at the bookcase. “These are all romances.”
Did the temperature turn up in here? Why is it suddenly so hot?
I’ve admitted a lot to her today, so why does showing her this make me feel like I might throw up, cry, and die all at the same time?
“That they are,” I confirm.
