Page 105 of The Tower

I look up, surprised as much by his use of my given name as by his soft tone.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m great,” I say, wiping away a runaway tear. “It’s just—thank you.”

He tilts his head, clearly not understanding, but he offers me a gentle smile as the elevator opens directly into a lavish suite that takes my breath away. All cream and gold and crystal, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. A marble fireplace anchors one wall of the living area, while an enormous bouquet of white roses dominates a central table. It’s elegance and style combined, and yet somehow still promises comfort.

“Welcome to the Celestial Sky Suite,” Grimm says, watching my reaction closely. “Too much?”

He actually looks worried, and I find it endearing. “It’s beautiful,” I assure him, stepping further into the space, then moving through the room, exploring everything. A bottle of champagne waits in an ice bucket, alongside a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries.

I look back to Grimm. “But why here? Why tonight?”

“I told you. We need someplace secure after that encounter with Bane.”

“Surely there were about a million other options.”

“And,” he adds striding toward me, “tomorrow may be trying. I thought you deserved a bit of pampering in advance.”

“Oh.” My insides go a little gooey. “The hard ass Liam Grimm has a softer side.”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “Don’t tell.”

“Never. But I am curious as to how the press has gotten it so wrong for so many years.”

He steps closer, the humor that was just in his eyes shifting to something darker. “They haven’t. I am hard, and I can be cruel.”

One more step. Then another, then one more until he’s only inches away. He reaches out and brushes my cheek. “And I protect what’s mine.”

It takes me a moment to get my breath back. When I do, I lift a brow. “Ownership, Mr. Grimm?”

“I claimed you, didn’t I? Body and soul. Everything,” he murmurs. “If that’s not ownership, it’s pretty damn close.”

I shiver, but not from fear. “Yes,” I say. “Everything.”

His eyes darken at my agreement, and he steps closer, eliminating what little space remained between us. His finger traces my jawline, a touch so light it’s barely there, yet it leaves fire in its wake. I expect him to yank me to him, to cup my neck. To kiss me with a force that bruises. Instead, he simply holds out his hand, mischief dancing in those eyes as he politely says,“Let me show you the rest of the suite.”

Bastard. But I’m smiling inside as I think it.

I twine my fingers with his, and he leads me to a bedroom dominated by the largest bed I’ve ever seen, strewn with rose petals and already turned down, as if extending a naughty invitation.

“The honeymoon suite?” I ask, turning to him with raised eyebrows. “Something you need to ask me?”

“It was the most secure option,” he says quickly. “And it seemed appropriate.”

“Appropriate?”

“After tonight, the whole world will think we’re …”

“A couple?” I supply.

“Fucking, at least.”

I nod, wondering if that’s really all this is, because I’ve caught too many hints, too many soft looks, not to at least wonder about the possibilities. Especially since despite all my walls, Liam Grimm has snuck into my heart. At least a little bit.

I’m just not sure I’m ready to tell him so.

I turn away so that he can’t read my thoughts on my face, then wander into the bathroom, a marble-and-glass sanctuary larger than the studio in my apartment at Reed Tower. I catch my reflection in the ornate mirror—cheeks flushed, eyes bright with anticipation, the delicate fabric of my gown clinging to curves in a way that would never show up on a Reed Cosmetics’ billboard with my father running the show.