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My eyes travel around the room, taking in the open-concept space. The furniture is… interesting. Nothing matches, yet somehow it works. There’s a long maroon couch with a glass coffee table in front of it, stacked with books, and a few olive green and taupe chairs that complete the sitting area.
Beyond that is the kitchen. The counters are made up of two gray marble slab islands with a sink and stovetop built in. Dark wood cabinets provide storage below and match the tall cabinets built into the wall adjacent to the islands. The double oven built into the wall of cabinets looks professional enough to be in a Michelin star restaurant.
“You don’t need to stand by the door,” Kade says, leaning against one of the counters.
I blink, barely noticing that Gabriel is still at my side. “This place is ridiculous,” I mumble, still taking it all in. Though I wouldn’t mind taking advantage of that kitchen to make cookies or pastries. Maybe a cheesecake or some tarts. Baking has always been a hobby of mine, something to distract me when school gets overly stressful. Plus, I have an insane sweet tooth. There’s hardly ever a time the cookie jar on the counter in my kitchen is empty.
Next to the kitchen is a full dining set with enough seating to fit a small army. It is also surrounded by windows.
“Evidently, sunlight isn’t a concern,” I comment in an absent tone as I walk further into the room.
“That’s right,” Lex confirms, dropping onto the couch and grabbing a book from the coffee table. He cracks it open as he kicks his feet up, then props a pillow under his head. “We don’t burn… or sparkle, in case you were wondering.”
I wasn’t.
“I’ll take you to your room and show you around on the way,” Gabriel says from beside me.
“I don’t need a tour of my glorified prison cell,” I snap without a thought. As tired and defeated as I am, that fiery anger still rages on in me.
Lex whistles from behind his book, and it makes me want to throw something at him.
“You can have anything you want here,” Kade says, pushing away from the counter to walk closer. My back stiffens in response to his proximity, but I don’t move. “Anything at all. I certainly don’t think you would receive the same in prison.”
A muscle twitches in my jaw, a subtle reminder that if I continue clenching it this hard, I’m going to end up with a migraine. “Iwantto go home.” My voice takes on a defiant tone, to which Kade smirks at.
“I do enjoy your sharp tongue.”
“Fuck off, Kade,” Lex says in a light tone without looking up from his book. “Give the girl a chance to get in the door before you start tormenting her.”
Kade keeps his silver gaze on me a moment longer before sauntering away.
Atlas is gone too, I notice. I’m not sure when he disappeared—I was probably too enraptured by this insane house to pick up on his departure. I’m not sure what I was expecting—a stone castle in the middle of nowhere perhaps?—but a modern, mostly glass mansion wasn’t it.
I lift my book bag onto my shoulder and sigh. “Let’s go,” I say, waiting for Gabriel to show me the way.
He leads me to a wide hallway off of the kitchen that I hadn’t seen when we first walked in. The high ceilings leave ample room for the painted canvases hung on the otherwise plain white walls, and pot lights cast a golden glow down the hall. It leads to a second, more formal living room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and skylights. The dark gray furniture in this room all matches and appears to be more for show, not as though it’s actually comfortable to sit on.
I follow Gabriel around a corner to a set of double doors. He opens one and gestures for me to walk in ahead of him. When I hesitate, he offers a faint smile that makes something flutter in my chest. Instead of trying to figure out what in the hell that is, I walk inside, and my mouth drops open.
This bedroom is in the corner of the house, so both outside walls are floor-to-ceiling windows that look out into the forest along the property. There’s nothing but darkness to see right now, but I have a feeling the view during the day is nothing to scoff at. The queen bed faces the windows, and in the corner of the room is a gray lounge chair that matches the bedding, a gold free-standing lamp, and a small glass table with a vase of fresh white orchids.
They know my favorite flower.
A chill runs down my spine, and I hug my jacket closer as I’m reminded that these guys know way more about me than I know about them.
“It’s pretty plain,” Gabriel says. “If you want anything to personalize the space, let me know and I’ll have it delivered. And there’s a library in Atlas’s office if you’re looking for something to read. I know you enjoy books.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, nodding silently. While I’m definitely curious about the aforementioned library, Gabriel knowing one of my favorite hobbies is yet another reminder of my current circumstances. I’ve always loved to read, though. And while I haven’t had much time for reading anything aside from textbooks and assignments, that passion has stayed with me.
“There’s a bathroom around there,” Gabriel says softly, pointing toward the break in the wall on the far side of the bed.
I set my book bag down next to where Lex left my duffle at the end of the bed and walk around to the wide-open bathroom. There looks to be a door that will slide across for privacy, and not only does it have his and hers vanities with sinks on opposite sides of the room, but two showers as well—and a soaker tub in between them.
My hand flies to my mouth when I catch my reflection in the mirror. I look like shit. Pale complexion, dark under-eye circles, and smeared eyeliner. Fair enough; I look as awful as I feel. Not to mention, my hair is a tangle of dark brown waves that could definitely use a wash; dry shampoo only lasts so long.
“Do you need a minute?”
I startle at the sound of Gabriel’s voice and turn toward him. What I need is to get the hell out of here. Instead, I say, “Several.”
