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He relaxed slightly, taking her hand and pulling her toward the bed. “You see this, these scratches? When I was younger, I was fascinated with wood-carving and decided to reshape this bedpost. Maggie caught me before I could do any real damage.”
“Did you get into trouble?”
“No, she told my parents the cat must have done it.” He waved his hand around the room. “My point is, this is our house. It’s lived in. We spill drinks on the carpets; our shoes scuff the wood floors, and there are fingerprints on the walls. Yes, some of the furniture is antique, but it’s been use
d for centuries, so why stop now?”
Her hand traced down the bedpost. “It’s all so much.”
“I hope not too much. I want you to feel comfortable while we’re here.”
She surveyed the room again. “I’ll do my best.”
He was still holding her hand but reluctantly let it go. “So, I’ve determined we should sleep for a bit, and then I’ll take you on a tour of the house. We can start in the picture gallery and end in the library, where I hope you’ll be spending a lot of your time writing and researching.”
She was a little sad he released her hand. “That sounds good.”
He leaned over, kissing her forehead. “My room is down the hall if you should need me.”
“Okay.”
He moved toward the door, and she followed, leaning against the doorjamb and watching as he entered a room two doors down.
She stood a moment, shaking her head. How was this happening? Why was this happening? What had she done in her life to deserve to be standing in the ancestral home of Reece Collins, with him at her beck and call?
He was at her beck and call? “Hey, Reece?”
He opened his door, peering down the hall. “Pardon?”
She smiled. “I just wanted to check something.” She closed the door, turning to inspect her surroundings. The first thing she truly noticed was the bed; it was enormous and could easily fit three people. It looked like heaven calling to her, and she couldn’t wait to be swallowed up in it.
“Yee-haw,” she yelled, as she kicked off her shoes, taking a running leap for the bed, throwing her body into the center of the mattress, and sinking down into the covers. She pushed up to a sitting position and left her feet dangling off the side, at least a foot and a half from the floor. The bed was on a platform and included a stepping stool. She had always loved this type of bed. They looked so regal.
Sitting here like this, she felt like the princess from the “Princess and the Pea”, wondering if she’d feel the pea under the mattress. She laughed at her silliness, throwing herself backward to gaze up at the canopy. She was lying in a four-poster bed, complete with canopy and bed hangings. She had lost her mind. There was no way this was real, but she was going to enjoy this delusion for however long it lasted. Fairytales had nothing on this.
~ ~ ~
Two doors away, Reece heard a whoop and knew she had taken a running leap into the center of the bed. He laughed out loud, sensing she’d have that reaction.
He found himself truly enjoying getting to know this girl. She was so genuine. He doubted there was one fake bone in her body. She spoke in the same way she thought, and she held nothing back. That’s what he liked about Americans; they meant what they said and said what they meant. He wished he knew more people like that.
He hoped this time away from the stress of movie making would nourish and revive his soul. He was getting tired of it all. He just wanted a moment of peace and time to reflect on his career and where it was going. Was that too much to ask?
It was all Marcus’s fault. If his brother would only listen and take his wishes into account, instead of worshipping the all mighty money god, he doubted he’d be feeling so much discontent.
When he was running for the plane, he had no idea that his life would turn in this direction. He was excited, for once, to see where it would lead. Meeting Nicole may have been a blessing in disguise. He felt more peaceful and at home with her than with anyone in a long time, including his family. Everyone wanted something from him, but Nicole did not. She just liked being with him, without any wants or demands. What a refreshing change.
He had no idea what he was going to do now that he had her here. He didn’t understand the need to show her the real him, but he knew that if anyone could appreciate the real Reece, it would be Nicole.
He wanted to show her everything that made him the man he was today. He wanted to walk her through his life, his dreams, and maybe help her make her dreams come true too.
Reece closed his eyes, falling into a dream. Nicole was standing on the lawn at the cliff house, staring out at the waves as they crashed on the rocks below. She had a serene look on her face as she watched the sunset. Her white dress was blowing back against her legs, and her lips were curved in a contented smile. Her cheeks grew rosy from the blowing wind.
He walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and she leaned her head into his shoulder, snuggling her face into his neck. He laid his cheek against the top of her head, and as his eyes closed, peace found him at last.
Reece smiled in his sleep at the picture his wishful thinking had created.
~ ~ ~
