Chapter 41
If you insist on spoiling me
Kazimir
After two more rounds of heart-pounding sex where we came so hard we both forgot our names, we made our way back to my house. I was so famished, I could’ve eaten my own restaurants out of business.
“This red velvet cake is out of this world,” Harley says before sliding the last bite between her lips. “I still can’t get over the fact you remembered I told you it was my favorite flavor of cake when we were in the Hamptons.”
Sweetheart, I remember everything about you. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Don’t judge me, but I’m having a generous slice tomorrow morning with coffee for breakfast.”
“I might follow in your footsteps.”
She grins.
I shift in my seat. “Ready for your next surprise?”
Her eyebrows jump. “Because lip smacking cake from one of the best bakeries in New York and expensive champagne aren’t enough?”
“That’s not an answer, Goldilocks.”
“Is that why you cut our time short at the hotel?”
“Still not an answer.”
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes in a dramatic fashion. “If you insist on spoiling me, who am I to say no?”
“That’s the spirit.” I reach inside the pockets of my sweatpants, pull out an eye mask, and dangle it between us.
She frowns. “There are blackout blinds in the bedroom.” She tilts her head to the side. “Or are you planning on taking it up a notch—or ten—for round four? I wouldn’t mind role playing the pages of—”
“I had something else in mind.”
She shoots me a suspicious side gaze. “What?”
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise.” I wave the eye mask.
“I’ll bite.” She snatches it from my fingers and puts it on.
She squares her shoulders. “I’m ready for my surprise.”
I can’t help my smile. “I’m going to get up and guide you upstairs.”
She nods.
When she’s standing, I grab hold of her hand and drag her to the stairs before sweeping her in my arms.
She yelps and she wraps her arms around my shoulders. “You should’ve given a girl a warning.”
“Demanding much?”
She giggles.
I climb each step.
“I’m already loving the surprise because it involves you treating me like I’m a princess.”
“I’m treating you the way you deserve to be treated.”
Her mouth opens and closes.
“You don’t have to say that.” She finds her voice.
“I’m not one to bullshit people. I say it like it is. I mean every word, Harley.”
She tightens her arms a little more around my shoulders.
She’s been short changed by all the men that have come before me—
This stupid fake arrangement doesn’t make sense anymore.
I push the thought away.
Now isn’t the time to make things awkward between us.
We reach the top step, and I trail down the hallway until we stop in front of a door. I drop her to her feet.
“I’m not sure why, but I feel compelled to say this before even knowing what you have in store for me. You are––bar none––the best roommate I’ve ever had.”
“You say that because I don’t bring questionable people over from hookup sites.”
She laughs. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to your unexpected sense of humor.”
I boop her nose. “Ready for your surprise?”
“I’m dying with anticipation.”
I open the door and guide her inside. “All right, you can remove the mask.”
I hope she likes it.
With one swift hand movement, she yanks it off her face.
Her eyes are enormous as she takes everything in.
After a few long beats, she flips around to face me. “Kazimir Lindstrom, what have you done?” Her eyelashes flutter like crazy.
“Last week, I was busy with the Grazie Mille drama”—and doing a damn good job at avoiding you—“while you kept My Little Bookish Heart in business—”
“Excuse me.” She hooks a closed fist at her waist and adopts a defiant stance. “Do you know the percentage of people who forget to use gift cards? Huge. I wasn’t going to be another statistic and turn you into one by default. You’re welcome.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m a neat freak—”
“Didn’t notice.”
My lips flatten in a thin line.
She cringes. “Sorry I interrupted you.” Her tone is sheepish.
“During the renovations, I insisted on having multiple storage rooms throughout the house. Chaos gives me the hives.” I rub a hand at the back of my neck. “I figured I’d transform this room into a library. The designer called it a reading nook.”
“When did you do this?”
“I contacted my designer on Wednesday. She asked me for measurements and photos. I waited for you to get into a taxi and head to Number 22 to capture photos of the brunch. The designer arrived half an hour after you had left––to play it safe.”
She does a little happy dance. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“Even though the design team worked at lightning speed, it isn’t finished.
The designer still needs to get more lighting, and pretty curtains for the window.
The area rug she ordered won’t arrive for another two weeks.
Since this is your room, she suggested you select the chair and ottoman.
Artwork will be here mid of next week.” Right now, her reading nook is nothing more than a room with bare shelves.
“And her team needs to come back to install the rolling ladder.”
She gasps, inhaling all the air in the room.
“A rolling ladder? A freaking rolling ladder? Did you say that or did my ears fail me?”
I nod. “You heard right.”
She places a hand against her heart. “I’ve always wanted one. It’s top of the list for any book lover.” She opens her arms out. “This is a dream come true.”
“I’m––”
She lunges at me, landing on my chest, circling my waist with her arms. “Thank you for… everything.”
I kiss the top of her head. “It’s my pleasure.”
She glances up at me, misty-eyed. “You don’t understand.
” Something catches in her throat. “Reading is so important to me. When I was a kid, books allowed me to expand my vision beyond my parents’ narrow view of the world.
Since we didn’t have much money, the library was my happy place.
Without stories that allowed me to believe anything was possible, I would’ve followed in my parents’ and sister’s footsteps.
” She pauses. “And that would’ve been a tragedy. ”
This is the first time she’s shared so much about her past.
Curiosity prickles at my brain.
What has her family done to warrant that last statement?