“What did you expect?” Her mind intrigued me. What did she think of when she looked at me.
A devious smile tipped her lips upward. “Oh, you know. Black walls. Red curtains. Maybe a hidden room full of…interesting toys.”
Julian laughed so hard he had to grab the back of the leather couch to keep from falling on his face. “Oh, trust me, he has all those things. This is just the muted version of Dante that he considers acceptable to the outside world.”
“Not that he lets people in here.” Alexander scoffed from my kitchen, where he popped open four bottles of sparkling water and carried them our way. He handed the first to Harper.
Harper took a long drink and padded around the room in her socked feet. Exhaustion lined her face, but I managed to keep from telling her she should get some rest.
Letting her explore my space—curated though it was for public consumption—gave me a strange sense of peace.
She met my eyes in the mirror hung on the far side of the room. “Will I get to see every room?”
“Yes.” I nodded and managed a smile. “Nothing is off limits to you, Harper.”
“Good.” She continued her slow appraisal, but her eyes grew heavier by the minute.
Once she’d explored the open living room, dining room, and kitchen, I tipped my head toward the hallway. “Would you like to see your bedroom?”
“Mybedroom?” Her emphasis on the word came with lift in her voice.
I chuckled and led the way. “I have four bedrooms here. You’re welcome to sleep in any of them, but I was concerned about us waking you up. It’s up to you if you want to sleep in your own room tonight or in one of ours. Again, this is your home now too. Pick and choose at will.”
“I would love to sleep in the same bed with all three of you. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about waking me up, and even if you do, it’ll be a welcome change from the last few months.” Sheyawned, covering her mouth with one hand and setting the last of her sparkling water on the counter.
I’d left most of the lights off this morning when I headed to work, and the muted glow accentuated her curves as she walked toward me. I walked her to the bedrooms, opening each door to let her see into them.
Julian’s room was a wash of blues and greens. Alexander’s boasted maroon and gold. Mine, well, she’d been right about mine. Black and red like I was some kind of vampire hiding away in a gilded coffin.
She squealed and bounced on her toes when I opened my door. “I knew it.” Laughing, she spun into the room and held out her arms. “I love this place.” Her spinning brought her flush against my chest. “I’ve missed you.”
“We missed you too. And we’ll show you exactly how much once you’ve rested.” I brushed my thumb over the dark shadows bruising her eyes. “It’s good to have you in my arms again, Harper.”
We readied for bed and fell into a heap of arms and legs. The relief of having her with us again lulled me into a deep and dreamless sleep.
I woke at dawn and scooted from the bed, tapping Alexander’s and Julian’s legs to wake them. They followed me into the kitchen and the three of us cooked a wholesome and healthy breakfast for all four of us to share once Harper woke.
Julian grinned when the shower started. “You think she found the clothes?”
“Are you kidding? Harper is way too curious not to have explored every inch of that room, and probably all the others.” Alexander flipped the eggs and piled them onto a plate.
“Good thing you have a personal shopper.” Julian finished the bacon and set it aside. “Even better that he’s a dude who doesn’t blink an eye at odd requests.”
Harper stepped out of the bedroom wearing a pair of gray slacks and a white blouse, with her freshly washed hair curling around her face and a brilliant smile that brightened her entire face. “That shower is incredible.”
She’d slept longer than I expected, making me wonder if she’d slept properly since leaving New York.
I’d made it today’s mission to ensure she had every comfort available to her. She might not suspect this about us, but lavishing her with care, affection, and anything that might make her life easier was about to become a daily part of her life.
Julian handed her a glass of water and winked. “Wait until you see the hidden room.”
“Oh?” She shot a look my way, a look so full of raw desire that my cock responded in an instant.
I tamped down my need and focused on Harper.
“We made breakfast. Would you join us?” I waved toward the heavy oak table that took up a large portion of the dining room. I preferred heavy, old-fashioned furniture despite most of my design consisting of sleek lines. There was power in the old things that people often overlooked.
Harper sipped her water and slid into a chair at the side of the table.
