Falling with Grace - Page 148

It stood two stories tall, the banisters also in bamboo, but the backside resembled a rainforest, the entrance obscured by large, flat green leaves on both short, fat trees as well as tall, skinny ones.

I took the wooden path to the entrance and pushed through the glass door, which opened into a walk-through kitchen and living space. The wall-to-wall windows opened the space to the outdoors, where a private pool overlooked the lapping Gulf.

Beside the pool were cushioned patio chairs and loungers, a barbecue area, and three short steps to the sugary sand beach.

I let loose a quiet squeal as I rushed through the kitchen and living room, past the floating stairs to the left, and out through the large, open door leading out to the patio.

“Oh my God.” A soft breeze moved my hair off my shoulders. “Someone pinch me. I’m dreaming.”

I spun around and rushed through the kitchen and up the short staircase.

The second floor consisted of one space, the master bedroom, and in the center of the room was a king-sized bed.

Twisting on my heels, I collapsed on the plush mattress, the white comforter as soft as baby ducks. I rolled off the bed and walked behind the half wall used as a headboard and partition, separating the two spaces.

The open bathroom spanned the space with a stone walk-in shower adorned with three shower heads and a private toilet room in the corner.

I placed my hands on my hips. “No bath?”

“On the contrary.”

Jumping in place, I spun around, my heart in my throat, my stomach left on the floor.

Elias pointed towards the balcony. “You get to enjoy the scenery while soaking.”

“You move like a ghost. You know that?”

A faint smile pulled on his lips as he stepped through the double sliding doors and onto the balcony, offering privacy.

The ivory-white tub sat to the side, bordered by pebbled walls and flooring, creating a naturalistic ambiance.

“Wow.”

His hands slipped over my hips, his chest warming my back. “You’ve said that.”

“There aren’t any other words.”

He rested his chin on my shoulder. “Well, while you’re searching your vocabulary, you can get settled.” He spun me in his arms and cupped my cheeks while looking down at me. “I have some business I need to attend to, and then I’m all yours.”

All mine…

His lips brushed my forehead, heat striking a perpetual fire through my belly.

He was all mine.

I gripped his sides. “Thank you.”

He kissed the top of my head. “The little things you are grateful for are refreshing.” His hands slid down my arms, gripping them as he pulled away. “I’ll be back later in the evening.”

“Okay.” I nodded. His foot hit the top of the stairs. “Elias…please be safe.”

He paused, tipped his head to the side, and descended the stairs.

I swallowed hard as I spun around, taking in the opulent space around me. I stopped, facing a large wooden dresser. Taking two steps, I gripped the rounded wood knobs on either side of the rectangle and slid the drawer open.

Stacked in perfect little squares were my clothes. The top drawer provided underwear, bras, and a bikini I’d never wear. The second was shirts, the third shorts, pants, and a flowery skirt.

Beneath the dresser were a pair of flip-flops, not the foam Walmart kind I’d get during the short summers in Illinois, but fancy, hard-bottomed soles with braided strands between the toes.