Chapter 35
The next morning, I’m woken by a trail of soft kisses starting at my bare back and working their way up to my shoulders, then my neck, before ending with a gentle nip on my earlobe.
“Hmmm,” I mumble, slowly blinking awake. My entire body feels deliciously sore, especially between my legs, a kind of ache only Calvin knows how to give.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he murmurs against my ear.
Still half-asleep, eyes closed, I flip onto my back and stretch out my arms, silently asking for a hug.
He chuckles softly but indulges me anyway.
As he pulls me into his arms, he flips us so I’m now sprawled on top of him, my head nestled in the crook of his neck.
I can’t help but inhale deeply. He smells so good, fresh and clean, like he just stepped out of the shower.
“Why do you smell this good so early in the morning?” I ask, nuzzling closer as I keep inhaling his scent. He smells good enough to eat, and the thought makes me mischievous. I lightly suck on the skin of his neck, earning a low groan from him.
“Because we have a lot to do today, and we should get started,” he says gruffly as his hand slides from my bare back to cup my ass.
I hum against his skin, still intent on leaving a mark. But then his hand comes down with a light swat on my ass, making me pause.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” he warns, playfully.
I prop myself up on his chest and meet his amused gaze. “Who says I can’t finish it?” I challenge, raising an eyebrow.
He smirks. “Me. Because we have an appointment in less than an hour, and I need you to shower, eat, and get ready so we can leave.”
That gets my attention, and I grin. “An appointment? Ooh, sounds intriguing. Where are we going?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there,” he says, effortlessly maneuvering us out of bed with me clinging to him like a koala.
“You’re lucky I love surprises,” I tease, resting my head on his shoulder.
He chuckles. “I know.”
As he carries me toward the bathroom, a sudden realization hits me. “Uh, Cal, I’m naked.”
“I know. Dylan left this morning.”
Relieved, I let him set me down gently on my feet in front of the shower. “Shower. Now,” he commands with a kiss to my temple before stepping out.
I’m ridiculously happy as I step into the shower, the warm water washing away the remnants of last night. Once I’m done, I find my pink towel hanging nearby, courtesy of Calvin. Wrapping myself in it, I head out to find him.
He’s seated in the living room, laptop balanced on his legs, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. Beside him is a bag from L’éclat d’Or, the fancy café we used to frequent when he was here a few months ago.
I decide to eat before getting dressed, so I make my way over and open the bag, pulling out my favorite: golden avocado toast. Before I can sit down on the couch, Calvin grabs me by the waist and pulls me onto his lap.
I giggle, squirming slightly. “Now you smell good,” he says, burying his nose in my hair and inhaling deeply.
I frown playfully, turning to look at him. “Are you saying I didn’t smell good earlier?”
He smirks. “No, you didn’t. You smelled like sex. But now, you smell like you again.”
I gasp in mock offense. “I smelled like both of us! And, for your information, most men in romance books love it when their women smell like them.”
He crinkles his nose in amusement. “Good thing I’m not a man in a romance book, then.”
I roll my eyes at him, laughing softly as he presses a kiss to my shoulder. The moment feels easy, the kind of comfortable intimacy that warms me to my core. With my toast in hand, I sit on his lap, savoring the quiet as he focuses on his laptop.
Once I finish eating, I slip off his lap and head to my room to get dressed.
I choose a pair of wide-legged jeans that fall effortlessly to my ankles, pairing them with a sleek black short-sleeved top. To elevate the look, I add short black heels, a matching purse, and a simple watch. For an extra layer of polish, I drape a light coat over my shoulders.
When I step back into the living room, his attention shifts from his laptop to me, his gaze warm and appreciative. A slow, genuine smile spreads across his face, and it sends a delightful flutter through me.
“You look so beautiful,” he says softly, standing up to meet me. He leans in to press a gentle kiss to my lips.
“Thank you,” I reply, my cheeks flushing as his words sink in. I feel a giddy anticipation bubbling in my chest, excitement building for whatever he has planned.
He holds out his hand for me to take, his eyes sparkling. “Shall we?”
We step out of my apartment building, the crisp September morning air waking me up even further. Calvin leads me by the hand, his pace steady and relaxed as we walk. After about five minutes, we stop in front of a towering, gleaming building.
I frown, looking up at the elegant structure. “Why are we at a hotel?” I ask, confused. The modern architecture, valet parking, and impeccably dressed doorman all scream luxury hotel.
Calvin chuckles softly, his hand squeezing mine. “It’s not a hotel. It’s an apartment building.”
I blink at him, still skeptical. “No way. I’ve passed by this place so many times and always thought it was a hotel. Look at it! It’s too fancy to just be apartments.”
“Well, it’s definitely not a hotel,” he says with a smirk, leading me inside.
The lobby is even more opulent, with marble floors, chandeliers, and plush seating areas. I gape at it as we make our way to the elevator. “Okay, but why are we at an apartment building?” I ask, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.
He doesn’t answer right away, just presses the elevator button and gives me a knowing look. As the conversation we had last night clicks into place, my jaw drops.
“Oh my god,” I mutter. “Is this about Dylan and me living together?”
“Smart girl,” he teases, pulling me closer as we step into the elevator.
“Cal,” I start, exasperated, “this seems like such a waste. I only have two months left until I graduate. There’s no point in my moving now.”
His expression softens, but his tone is firm. “You promised me. And as your boyfriend, I’m not comfortable with you living with your ex… whatever he was. If the roles were reversed, how would you feel?”
I sigh, biting my lip. He has a point. If Calvin were living with someone he used to sleep with, I’d lose my mind. Reluctantly, I nod. “Okay, fine. But this still feels so unnecessary.”
“Not to me,” he says with a smile, and I can’t help but roll my eyes.
When the elevator dings, we step out into a pristine hallway where a tall, impeccably dressed blond woman greets us. Her French accent is unmistakable. “Monsieur Stirling,1 always a pleasure to see you.” Her tone is warm as she eyes him with a smile that’s a little too wide for my liking.
Calvin, however, doesn’t even notice. His attention is fully on me as he introduces us. “Blair, this is Juliette. She’s showing us the apartment options today.”
“Enchanté,”2 Juliette says smoothly, extending her hand toward me. Her perfectly manicured nails catch the light, gleaming like tiny daggers.
“Nice to meet you,” I reply, keeping my smile polite and closed-lipped. Without missing a beat, I step closer to Calvin, sliding an arm around his waist and leaning into him. A not-so-subtle declaration of mine.
Calvin chuckles under his breath, clearly catching on. His arm slips around my shoulders, pulling me even closer, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head. The warmth of his gesture sends a little thrill through me, even as I keep my gaze firmly on Juliette.
Juliette clears her throat, her smile tightening just a fraction. “Shall we begin the tour?” She spins on her heel with a confidence that makes her ponytail swing like a metronome.
As we follow her inside, Calvin dips his head to murmur in my ear, “Blondes aren’t my type, you know. Pretty brunettes with fiery attitudes? Much more my thing. But I’ve got to say, I’m loving this cavewoman energy.”
I stifle a laugh, swatting his arm lightly as I whisper back, “Behave.”
Juliette leads us deeper into the apartment, her heels clicking against the glossy floors.
The moment I step inside, I’m hit with a rush of awe.
The space is stunning. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across the walls, offering a panoramic view of the city skyline.
Sleek, modern furniture fills the expansive room, and the sunlight streaming in makes everything look golden and ethereal.
“Whoa…” I breathe, taking a hesitant step forward. “It’s beautiful.” I glance back at Calvin. “But it’s way too big for me.”
I don’t even need to see the rest. It’s the kind of apartment that screams power couple, not single student.
Calvin leans casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed and a faint smile playing on his lips. “You can have anything you want,” he says. “Just say the word.”
For a moment, I’m caught between the breathtaking view and the man looking at me like I hung the moon. My heart swells, and I can’t help but smile back at him, knowing he’d move heaven and earth to make me happy.
Juliette chimes in, “We also have a smaller two-bedroom unit that is fully furnished. Shall I show you that one?”
I nod eagerly. “Yes.”
The two-bedroom apartment is perfect. It’s spacious enough to feel airy but not so large that it’s overwhelming.
The view is breathtaking, a panorama of the city that makes my heart skip a beat.
I can already imagine the little corners where I’ll study, relax, and daydream during my last two months here.
“This is the one,” I say softly, turning to Calvin with a smile that I can’t contain.
“Then this is the one we’ll take,” he replies. His gaze lingers on me, warm and full of something that makes my chest tighten in the best way.