“Zander! I’m so glad to see you. How is everything at your house?”
“They sealed the place up completely. I don’t think they’ve missed a single hairline crack. The contractor explained theheating phase has almost peaked. I pretended I could hear the tiny screams of the bedbugs as they vaporized.”
His sound effects made Essie giggle and helped disperse her anxiety. “Thanks, I needed that.”
“Are you worrying about the next event?” Zander asked, walking forward to wrap his arms around her.
“The ball? No, not really. I’m excited by it. The organizer is already talking about making the dance an annual event. I can’t wait to see everyone’s outfits. I bet you’ll look hot as a centaur.”
“I get to be a centaur? That’s exciting. Why do I have a mental picture of hoofed feet and a tail?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but we need to make that happen now,” she said with a laugh. “Or I bet you’d be equally amazing in a tuxedo.” Her mouth watered at that thought. Those wide shoulders were a tailor’s dream.
“I’ll put my thinking cap on to see what I can come up with,” Zander said, “if I can get a kiss.”
Closing her eyes, Essie raised her lips for him. When his mouth didn’t press against hers, she peeked up at him. “Aren’t you going to kiss me?” she asked.
“Oh, no, Little girl. I asked you for a kiss.”
Essie raised up on her tiptoes to deliver a steamy smooch. His arms tightened around her, and when she leaned back to end the exchange, he hugged her against him. “Uh-uh, Little girl. That’s only enough for one hoof. I’ll be lopsided if you don’t kiss me again.”
Of course, she wasn’t going to argue with that logic. Pressing her mouth to his, Essie lost herself in the passion that welled between them. Zander cupped her jaw as he took control. She curled her fingertips around his broad shoulders and held on to the heat building inside her. Rubbing her pelvis against him, Essie allowed herself to show him how much she wanted him. When he lifted his head, she could only stare at him.
“Little girl, I thought you moving in with your aunt was the best day of my life.”
“It’s not?” she asked, worried that she’d done something wrong.
Zander shook his head. “No. Every hour I get to spend with you is better than the hour before.”
“I agree.” Essie pressed a hand to her stomach and took a deep breath. She turned to her desk and grabbed the keys. “Sara gave me the keys to the master suite today. She cleaned the rooms and suggested we might like to stay on the third floor. Together.”
“Are you ready for us to take that big step, Little girl?” he asked, studying her face closely.
“Yes.”
That simple answer made him smile. “Let’s go check out the space. Have you been up there before?”
“Never. That level has been closed off for as long as I remember.” Curious by nature, Essie couldn’t wait to see Esther’s old rooms. The prospect of sharing a dedicated space with Zander excited her in an entirely different way.
“Let me make a quick stop in my room.”
When Zander returned, he held a small case in his hands. “Just some supplies in case we need them.” Before she could ask what they were, he held out his hand for hers. She eagerly linked her fingers with his. The sensation of his warm flesh against hers distracted Essie from her curiosity about the bag. A hunch that they’d find something much more important filled her.
With her mind racing a mile a minute, Essie didn’t chatter as they walked to the grand, curving staircase. The feeling that eyes were watching her prickled the skin of her back about halfway up the stairs. Essie checked over her shoulder to see if she was imagining an observer.
Stopping in her tracks, she steadied herself on the smooth, wooden railing as Edmund and Esther had taken shape hand in hand below the large picture of the couple in the vestibule. Gasping at the sight of her aunt, Essie whispered, “They’re together.” She pressed a hand to her heart as her eyes filled with happy tears to see themtogether again.
“Who, Little girl?” Zander asked, turning to follow her line of vision. “Esther and Edmund?” he asked.
“You can see them?” Essie asked with excitement.
“The portrait? Of course.”
“No. They’re standing right in front of the picture.”
“Who is?”
“Edmund and Esther. I could only talk to Edmund before. Now they’re reunited and holding hands,” Essie explained, sure he would think her imagination was on overdrive.
