I follow Rowan into a room at the end of the hall and stop dead in my tracks, because if downstairs was the living area of my dreams, the dark and moody bedroom before me is everything I’ve ever wanted.
The dark navy paint is illuminated only by the small lights around the edge of the room, allowing a soft glow that soothes my mind. The bed in the middle of the room is perhaps the largest I’ve ever seen. The crimson sheets match the vibe of the room so perfectly that my body begs me to crawl between the soft-looking sheets and spend the rest of my life in this room.
Rowan watches me as I step toward the bed, brushing my fingertips over the soft fabric, but remains silent.
“This is your spare room?” I ask.
“Something like that,” he replies, finally tearing his eyes off me. He moves to a set of drawers on the other side of the room and pulls something out before dropping it onto the bed. “These should fit you. Get changed and come downstairs when you’re ready.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he disappears from the room.
For long moments I remain rooted in place, confusion tugging at the corners of my mind. Nothing that has happened tonight makes sense.
I mean, am I surprised my grandfather insisted I go on a date with a man who clearly has no respect for women? No. Not in the slightest. If anything, I’m surprised it’s taken so long for him to do it. But everything that has happened since Rowan appeared in front of me has been confusing as hell.
I slip my bag off my shoulder and drop it on the bed before reaching for the clothes he left for me. The soft black pajamas are similar to some I have at home. I hold the top up and frown when my eyes shift to the size and brand.
These are exactly the same as the ones I have, size included.
It’s just a coincidence, I think to myself.
I glance over my shoulder to make sure Rowan closed the door behind him before quickly changing out of my dress. It’s a relief to slip off my heels and change into something soft and comfortable, and by the time I’m stepping into the hallway, I feel like a whole new human.
One of the many reasons my mother could never bond with me is because I never showed an interest in being a perfect princess. Where she wanted to dress me like a doll, I favored jeans. Where she wanted me dressed in designer labels to show off the family’s wealth, I was happy shopping at Walmart.
I’m the black sheep of my family, and I made peace with that a long time ago.
I pad down the hallway, my feet bare against the soft carpet.
Despite the size of the house, its warmth wraps around me as I make my way down the stairs.
I’m halfway down when more than one voice catches my attention, but they’re too far away for me to hear what they’re saying.
Maybe he’s watching television while he makes me something to eat.
I pause at the bottom of the steps, my eyes snagging on a familiar bag sitting at the bottom, causing my brow to furrow.
That can’t be the one from my closet…can it?
Shaking off the ridiculous idea, I continue into the open living area.
Rowan’s voice cuts off mid-sentence when he notices me enter, his eyes darting into the pantry and back to me again.
“Hannah…”
But he doesn’t get a chance to finish his sentence before someone else steps into view.
“Hi, Little Doe.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ASHER
Did I break just about every road law the state of New York has to get here as quickly as possible? Yep.
But I wasn’t about to let Rowan take the brunt of our girl’s frustration when she finds out that Rowan hasn’t been as absent from her life as she thought he had.
Plus, we may as well rip all the Band-Aids off at once.
