Chapter Twenty-Seven
Alexander foundElizabeth in the bedroom, sitting cross-legged on the bed with River next to her. She’d found the remote control for the television, and the strains of “White Christmas” filled the room as Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney serenaded one another. She absently stroked the cat’s fur, and tears shone on hercheeks.
“What’s wrong,chérie?”
She startled, a tiny yelp escaping her lips. “I love thismovie.”
He wandered closer as the two lovers on screen embraced. “I haven’t seen it inyears.”
With a sniffle, Elizabeth swiped at her cheeks, then patted the bed next to her. As the final strains of the song played, she twined her fingers with his. “I missed the first hour. But it’s on every day until Christmas. Maybe…we could watch ittogether?”
“Nothing would make me happier. Except one thing.” Alexander brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Come withme?”
Elizabeth let him help her off the bed, but rather than lead her out of the room, he took a sharp turn into the darkened closet. “Please tell me you didn’t buy me more—” Her hand flew to her mouth as he flicked on the light. While they’d been gone, Alexander had asked Samuel to rearrange the space to accommodate Elizabeth’sbelongings.
She ran her fingers over the empty shelves and hangers. The few clothes Marjorie had sent over—the ones she didn’t bring to Maine—hung lonely, and Alexander held his breath. What if she saidno?
“Elizabeth? Will you move in with me?” Alexander wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. “I hate the idea of you sleeping anywhere but in a bed we share. Everynight.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her lower lip tucked under her teeth. The azure depths of her gaze reflected so much. Fear, relief, uncertainty, and…perhapslove?
“What if you find out Isnore?”
“You do. These soft little sighs that are among my new favorite sounds, for that means you’re safe and sleeping next tome.”
Some of the doubt receded, leaving a hint of excitement in her eyes. “What if I’m aslob?”
“Then Samuel will bring in the housekeeper more often. I’ve seen your flat. I’m not concerned.” Alexander would find a counterpoint for every one of her arguments. His negotiation skills had been honed in the boardroom for more than adecade.
She pursed her lips, and uncertainty tookover.
“Elizabeth, I need you in my life. I need to come home to a house we share. To know you’ll always come home to me. You’re the one I want to see every morning, the one I want to share coffee with, shower with, spend holidays and vacationswith.”
As she took a shuddering breath, he laid his heart bare. “I want to start the new year living with the woman Ilove.”
“Samuel was on the phone earlier. Talking about an appointment on Saturday.” She arched herbrows.
“Movers. If you agree, anything you want from your flat can be packed up, and we’ll find a spot forit.”
“You have a whole home already filled,” she protested. “None of my stuff will fithere.”
“Any of your things—even that abysmally out-of-date furniture, will find a home here.” Alexander didn’t know why she’d possibly want to keep any of her furniture, but he’d find a spot for every single piece if shewanted.
“I can’t give up mycouch.”
“The upstairs studythen.”
Elizabeth started to laugh, bracing a hand on one of the closet shelves as she tried to catch her breath. “That old thing…is a piece of crap.” A half-sob, half-snort escaped, and she leaned her whole body against the door jamb. “Half of the springs are broken, and it’s always smelled vaguely of friedrice.”
“You’re sending me up. And enjoying it.” Snagging her around the waist, he hoisted her over his shoulder. Elizabeth shrieked with laughter and pounded on hisback.
“Let me down, youcretin!”
“Oh, you’ll go down all right.” Alexander slid her off his shoulder and onto the bed, then caged her with hisbody.
“I had you going,” she said as she met his gaze, joy and lust dancing in hereyes.
“You did. And you’re going to pay for that. But you never answered my question. Will you move in with me?” He couldn’t get enough of this woman, and as her chest heaved and she grinned up at him, he tried to decide just how many times she’d come before he let her off theirbed.
