Chapter Seven
COBY
Once I was dressed in the new clothes Ocean procured for me—a plaid brown, pink, and cream pleated hemp skirt with a cream chenille sweater, flesh-toned tencel tights, and thick socks that reached my knees along with the pink ribbon that I tied under my clothes and around my waist today—he took me back to the room I’d hidden in last night.
Until the moment I stepped inside the now sunlit room, I assumed I’d misheard him.
A library.
Ocean had a library.
No. I had a library. He’d said it was mine, and there was no mistaking that once I saw inside.
Last night, I’d been too traumatized to react to the stunning architectural art that was now my room, but today I had no such reservations.
Letting out a screech loud enough to make my fiancé wince, I let go of his hand and ran to anything that caught my eye while Ocean droned on about everything the room had to offer.
As if it were an extension of my princess palace, the interior of the library was highly ornamental—baroque, airy, pink, and white.
Directly across from the door, across the short expanse of marble floor, was a paneled window reaching at least twenty feet high, if not more.
I could see the sound below and the sun kissing the gently lapping waves.
In front of the window was a weeping cherry tree about eight to ten feet tall.
I assumed it was fake until I faintly touched one of the pink petals and discovered it was real.
The soil was set inside a stone enclosure for watering.
There were arched alcoves along both walls that housed empty bookshelves, and more on the upper levels, which had curved Juliet balconies like the one in my bedroom.
The seating area in the center of the room looked cozy, and I was pleased to find the stylish sofas as comfy as they looked.
Spotting the winding stairs tucked discreetly away, I squealed again and eagerly ran up them, ignoring Ocean’s warning to be careful.
The mezzanine level connected both sides of the room, and even though there weren’t any books yet to marvel over, I couldn’t help holding out my hand as I passed, imagining my fingers brushing across all kinds of spines.
Moving over to stand at one of the Juliet balconies, I was unaware of the huge grin on my face until I noticed Ocean with his phone raised, snapping a picture.
“Wait, I wasn’t ready!” I screamed. I was never good at being photographed by others. Hunter was the only one I trusted because I knew she’d never let me take a bad photo. A candid of me just sounded horrifying, especially when someone who looked like him with eyes that could see.
Ocean studied the picture and then tapped a few buttons before tucking his phone inside his pocket. “It’s perfect. Now, come down here and thank me for your gift, wife.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice.
I skipped down the stairs, which only seemed to piss him off if the glower was anything to go by. As I approached, I smiled, and that seemed to soften him a little, so by the time I was standing in front of him, most of his scowl was gone.
His irritation didn’t stop him from lifting me off my feet, and it didn’t stop me from wrapping my legs around his waist. “You’re testing me, Coby.”
“You like it.”
Ocean made a noncommittal sound before using his hold on my butt to lift me higher and knock me off balance. The move jostled me forward, and somehow my lips found his.
Okay, fine. I kissed him.
And Ocean kissed me back—like he owned me, like I was the only thing he’s ever wanted and now he had me.
He kissed me in my dream library right under the skylight he had installed so that I could see the stars while I walked through worlds.
I didn’t want to fall for this crazy-ass man, but it was starting to feel like I wouldn’t be able to help it.
“Thank you,” I said once he stopped kissing me and set me back on my feet.
“Ain’t shit.”
“It is to me. I never knew how sweet you are,” I said as I caressed his cheek. “And generous.”
Ocean laughed at that while nuzzling my palm. “Other people would disagree.”
“Mmh…that’s okay. Call me selfish, but I want this side of you only for me.”
“Then that’s the way it will be. Come on.”
“Where are we going?” I asked as he tugged me toward the door.
“We’re going the rest of the tour.”
I took one last look at the library before following Ocean out. I could see it and enjoy it whenever I wanted, and that felt… amazing. “I feel like I’m taking over your home,” I whispered a little guiltily.
Ocean stared down at me unflinchingly as we traveled the hall towards the stairs. “It’s your home now too, mo aingeal.” When he reached out to brush his fingers down my arm, I couldn’t help falling into him. “Take as much as you want. I can think of no better person to give everything I have.”
“You mean that?”
“Of course.”
I eyed him skeptically. “You barely know me.”
“I know enough,” he returned.
It was a good thing his focus was ahead of him, not on me, because I didn’t want him to know how easily he made me melt.
It took almost an hour to do the full tour.
The penthouse was huge—so big that calling it an apartment didn’t feel right.
I’ve certainly never known an apartment to have its own ballroom.
Ocean showed it to me, along with the gym, the pool, and the rooftop terrace.
The rest of the apartment was a blur of extravagance until he finally showed me his room.
“It’s nice,” I said as I walked around. The room’s dark interior screamed masculinity, and the massive bed beckoned me as I ran a finger over the heavily starched bedding. “Not as pretty as mine,” I teased, “but it suits you and it…smells like you.”
The scent of his cologne lingered in the air along with the smell of freshly washed sheets. His staff was incredibly discreet and swift. Not once did we see any of them during the tour. It felt like we were blissfully alone even though we weren’t.
“I’m glad you approve,” he said as he leaned against the wall by the door.
I didn’t respond as I walked over to his nightstand and boldly opened the drawer to see what he kept inside.
Nothing.
Not even a box of condoms.
Thinking maybe I guessed his side of the bed wrong, I walked to the other side and found the same thing. Nothing at all.
Tossing a frustrated glance at Ocean, who was watching me with his fist covering his mouth to hide his grin, I hurried over to the double doors and found the closet with only a few suits hanging inside. No box of secrets or even a junk drawer.
His bathroom was just as cold and sterile, so when I emerged crestfallen, Ocean noticed immediately.
“I don’t understand,” I said so softly that I’m surprised he heard me.
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for, and maybe I can help.”
“You!”
“I’m right here,” he barked while throwing out his hands.
“No! I mean everything that makes you who you are. There’s nothing here.
You seem to know everything about me down to my wildest dreams, but the only thing I know about you is that you’re dangerous.
You don’t—” I paused with a hiccup when the answer dawned on me with the crushing weight of a sledgehammer. “You don’t really live here, do you?”
“Yes, Coby. But only when necessary.”
“Then why am I here if this isn’t your home?”
“Because where I live most of the time isn’t safe for you. At least until after the wedding.”
“Tell me why,” I demanded. When he hesitated to answer, my mind formed a conclusion of its own that my mouth didn’t hesitate to share. “Let me guess…it’s where you keep your other bitch?”
Ocean pushed off the wall and closed the distance so quickly I barely had time to do more than stumble back. “Is that the kind of man you take me for?”
“I don’t know, stalker. You know everything about me, but I don’t know shit about you.”
“Then ask.”
“Okay, what’s your favorite color?” I asked just to be a smart ass.
“Red,” he answered without missing a beat. “What else?”
“F-favorite TV show?” I stumbled to ask.
“I don’t watch TV.”
“Favorite book?”
“I don’t read.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have time, Coby. Anything else?”
“But you’re here with me now,” I argued. “You’ve been here all morning showing me around.”
“I made time.”
“Okaaaay,” I drawled, starting to feel like a bitch. “What’s your favorite memory?”
“The day I saw you.”
“Okay, Mr. Smooth. Be for real.”
“I am, mo aingeal.” His phone started going off, but he paid it no mind as he waited for me to interrogate him some. “Anything else you want to know?”
“Just one…why can’t I go home with you?”
“Because my father will kill you, and even though he needs to die, I’m not willing to use you as bait.”
Ocean’s phone started going off again, so he ripped his phone out of his pocket and checked the screen. When his gaze lifted, they were so cold and dark, I knew…
Someone was about to die.
I didn’t think for one second that it was me, but when he took my arm and led me out of his room, his touch was far less gentle than before.
Abel was in the hall, armed to the teeth and waiting for him when we stepped out.
He trailed us at a distance as Ocean and I made our way back up to the third floor.
“Ocean?” I whispered once we reached my cage and he deposited me inside. The muscle in his jaw was beating a steady rhythm. “Is everything okay?”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. You’ll be safe here,” he said. The assurance only made me feel less so—not because I didn’t believe it, but because he felt compelled to give it.
“Do I have a choice?” I snapped as I yanked my arm away from him. “You’re locking me in. Again.”
Ocean hesitated before turning away to leave and tossing over his shoulder. “The door’s not locked, wife.”
He made a swift retreat, and I was left alone trying to answer one question.
What the hell was going on?