Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Simon
It had been one hell of a day, and I was looking forward to going home and relaxing.
I stopped on the way home and picked up a pizza for myself since Louise didn’t get the chance to go grocery shopping today.
I suppose I should have told her about Bella, but I didn’t think about it.
I tried not to think about her because I was still angry at the entire situation.
“Have a good evening, Nick. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You too, Simon.”
I entered the building, said hi to Burt, and took the elevator up to my penthouse. All I wanted was food, a shower, and silence. When I stepped into the foyer, warmth hit me. An unbearable warmth. Then I heard music. I closed my eyes for a moment. Bella. Of course.
I kicked off my shoes, and when I reached the living room, I stopped.
What the fuck? Bella was crouched on the floor in front of my fireplace with a camera in her hands.
That wasn’t the problem. The problem was my fireplace.
More specifically, the fucking pumpkin patch she’d constructed in front of it.
There had to be at least ten pumpkins lined across the hearth.
There were orange ones, white ones, green ones, tiny ones, big ones.
Not real pumpkins, but fake ones. Candles were scattered between them, along with faux leaves.
My fireplace was on, flames flickering behind the display.
I stood there holding my pizza. She took her hand and shifted one of the pumpkins an inch to the left, then took a picture. She tilted her head, moved it back, and took another.
“Why me?” I spoke silently, looking up at the ceiling.
I’d seen enough, so I cleared my throat. Bella jumped, turned around, and placed her hand over her heart.
“Oh, my God. Jesus, Simon. You scared the hell out of me!”
“What the fuck is going on here?”
“What do you mean?” Her brows furrowed. “You mean the pumpkins?”
“Yes, Bella. The pumpkins.”
“I’m working.” She cocked her head. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
“In my fireplace?” I asked.
“In front of your fireplace, Simon.”
“Why?”
“Because I needed a fall lifestyle shot.”
“And that required my fireplace being turned into a pumpkin patch?”
“Yes,” she said. “Geneva called me today and told me she needed indoor content for their fall campaign. I’ve been shooting all over the city, but I needed some indoor lifestyle photos, and your fireplace is perfect.
Don’t worry. I’ll have it cleaned up in a second.
You’ll never know the pumpkins were here. ”
“Bella, we talked about this. This is my sanctuary, which has never seen a pumpkin.”
“Your sanctuary has excellent lighting.” She grinned.
“Bella.”
“Simon.” Her eye narrowed.
I stared at the display. I hated to admit it. It looked good. But it didn’t look like my penthouse living room. That was the problem. I didn’t do clutter or seasonal shit. My eyes diverted to the coffee table, where a large light-blue pumpkin with a black bowtie sat.
“What the hell is that?” I pointed.
“Oh, that’s Harold.” Bella grinned. “Isn’t he cute?”
“It’s hideous. Get rid of it. It doesn’t belong on my coffee table.”
“I’ll put him away after I get the final shot,” she said.
I’d had a shit day. I was tired, hungry, and standing in the middle of my once-peaceful penthouse, surrounded by pumpkins. This was a problem.
“I suppose you’re not going to share your pizza. Are you?” she asked.
“Didn’t you go to the store?”
“Yes. But then I’ll have to make something, and I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Tell me about it,” I sighed, walked into the kitchen, and set the pizza box on the island. “Didn’t I tell you when I left this morning that this house better be spotless when I got home?”
“It is.”
“No, it isn’t. Your display of pumpkins says otherwise,” I said.
“For the last time, Simon. It’s for my job. The pumpkins will be gone shortly.”
“Clean them up now, and I’ll let you have a piece of pizza.”
“Oh, you’ll let me? Didn’t your parents ever teach you to share?”
“Bella.” I stared at her.
“Simon.” She placed her hands on her hips.
“Clean up the pumpkins and join me for pizza.”
“Thank you.” She grinned.
Rolling my eyes, I reached up into the cabinet, took down two plates, and set them on the table along with the pizza box.
“All cleaned up.” Bella smiled, walking back into the kitchen.
“Good. My house isn’t your work area. You need to find somewhere else to photograph still life images or whatever you call it,” I said.
“But your home is beautiful. Well, it could be with a little more décor,” she said.
“Excuse me?”
“Have you ever decorated for fall?”
“Absolutely not! I’m a man. Why the hell would I decorate for fall?”
She shrugged as she took a bite of her pizza.
“See, this is what I’m talking about.”
“What?” she asked.
“You think because I’m letting you stay here for a month, you own the place. It’s been twenty-four hours since our arrangement, and you’re already breaking the rules.”
“Am not,” she said.
“Are too.”
“Listen, Simon. I can’t help that you came home during my photo shoot. I was going to make sure it was all cleaned up before you got home. So, I didn’t break any rules at all.”
I wasn’t going to sit here and argue with her. But to be honest, it was a little fun.
“You have sauce right there.” I pointed.
“Where?” She brought her hand up to her face.
“There.” I pointed to her cheek.
“Is it gone now?” she asked.
“No.” I took my napkin, leaned over, and gently wiped it away while my eyes stared into hers. “There. All gone.”
“Thanks.” She smiled.
That fucking smile, and the way her eyes lit up. It was perfect enough to make my cock spasm.