Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Eva
We arrived at the Kessler Building and took the elevator upstairs.
“Where are we going?” I asked, looking down at our clasped hands.
During the ride back from the hotel, Kain had remained quiet. But I felt the frustration pumping off him.
“Up to my penthouse,” he said in a calm tone, but I still heard the irritation.
“Are you okay?”
He cut me a look that said we needed to talk. Was he angry with me? Dennis was a painful thorn in my side, and I didn’t know how to get rid of him.
The elevator door opened onto a wide hallway with gleaming hardwood floors.
A luxurious rug ran along the center. Gorgeous art hung on the light gray walls with recessed lighting and sconces that belonged in fancy hotels.
He had an eclectic collection of art ranging from abstract to charcoal illustrations and fantastical beings that harbored magical powers.
We came to wide doors made of dark wood.
A screen was embedded into the wall beside it.
He waved a hand in front of the screen, activating it.
Then he punched in a code and pressed his palm to the surface.
A click sounded, and the two doors unlocked, swinging out to the side.
I stood there feeling as if I’d just entered a palace.
Opulence greeted me, and for a moment, I felt out of place.
Kain squeezed my hand, pulling me through the doors and onto the marble floor. I glanced around the massive room with an open layout. Tall windows offered a spectacular view of the city.
“Wow.” I walked toward the windows to look out. “I’ve never seen Brookline like this.”
He took off his jacket, draped it over a chair, and ambled over to stand beside me. He tucked his thumbs into his pockets, looking out at the streets, contemplating.
“From this perspective, the town is beautiful,” he said, his eyes still trained on the outside. “It’s hiding all the darkness lurking in the shadows.”
I studied his gorgeous profile. The flickering lights from outside reflected onto his angular face, casting a contrast of dark and light dancing across the bridge of his nose, the high cheekbones, the chiseled chin, and the tattoos on his neck.
He was a beautiful man, and right now I was mesmerized by his magnetic presence. He exuded a beauty that was etched in darkness, pain, and resilience. I didn’t know how I knew that. The vibes he gave off and the emotions he elicited from me painted him as a unique character I wanted to study.
I turned around, taking in his penthouse. Comfortable couches adorned the living room space, with a horizontal fireplace underneath a white mantel that held an illustration resembling a collage of thoughts. It leaned against the white wall, a focal point of the room.
Not too far away was a long wooden dining table and eight elegant chairs.
I walked by a spacious bathroom with light green walls and a rack of plush towels and entered the kitchen area.
I gasped at the quartz countertop and island, custom cabinetry, and smart technology appliances, including a TV that could be swiveled around.
The elegant lighting fixtures and stylish backsplashes made the space inviting and welcoming.
A round table with four chairs sat near a window.
The two books on the table told me Kain spent more time at that table.
Overall, his penthouse looked nothing like his simple office.
“Stay here tonight.” He looked at me, and I saw pain in his eyes. He needed me.
I stepped closer and touched his face. “Okay, but I need to let my grandfather know I’m not coming home tonight.”
“I already told him.” He threaded his fingers through mine.
“When?”
“When I went to get my car at the hotel. You were waiting for me in the lobby.”
“What did you tell him?” I imagined Grandpa asking a million questions.
“That we were staying out late, and I was taking you around town afterward.” He traced my chin with his thumb, sending shivers through me. “I also told him we were officially dating, so tonight you get to see where your boyfriend lives.”
My jaw dropped open. “How did he reply?”
“Have fun.”
“He did?” I didn’t understand my grandfather’s affection for Kain. It was as though he trusted him before I even got to know him. But then again, Grandpa had excellent intuition.
A smirk lifted the corner of his lips, softening the hard expression from earlier.
“He told me to tell you not to worry about him. His bingo friends fed him dinner, and he was going to be staying late at their place. He’s up fifty dollars with the title King of Brookline Bingo.”
“As long as he’s having fun, I’m happy.” I gestured to his space. “Did you hire an interior designer? Your home is eclectic and posh but also welcoming.”
“Yes. I couldn’t come up with all this by myself. I’m only good at drawing and painting. You saw my office. That needs a designer’s touch.”
“Wait, what? You draw and paint too?”
“Yes.” He led me over to the artwork on the mantel. “I did this. It took me a while.”
Up close, I studied the fantastic winged creature sitting on a modern balcony of a high-rise and a forest of flowers behind an intricate iron gate.
A foggy blend of colors obscured the path.
More fantastic beings flew in the gray clouds, blocking out the sunlight.
Beneath the ground was another interesting world of vines, flowers, and doorways.
On their own, these images didn’t go together, but the way he drew and the colors he chose for them created a cohesive artwork that worked beautifully.
“You’re an amazing artist. I love how this shows darkness and light working well together.”
“Want to see more?”
“Yes!”