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Still, I understand her reasoning for not coming and not wanting to be a bother. That’s the only reason I agreed to let her stay by herself, knowing she would feel guilty for intruding. Instead, I let Kaden send a personal maid and a private nurse over.
Telling her she can come to visit anytime she wants to doesn’t feel like enough. Between missing and worrying about her, and feeling out of place here, the past few days of staying with him haven’t managed to make me feel at home yet.
As I sit on the soft, tan, leather couch, looking at the decorations and pictures hanging on the walls around me, I can’t help thinking that this place must have cost him a fortune. Each piece of framed art here probably costs as much as my and my mother’s combined decorating budget for our entire place.
I have to admire his excellent taste, though. For a man, he has everything decorated perfectly, with matching color schemes and matching patterns. It’s actually impressive.
It’s weird sitting on an expensive couch in front of a rock fireplace big enough to be in the lobby of a hotel and watching the birds fly by the enormous panes of glass. The tiny apartment I share with my mother could fit in the room I’m sitting in three times over.
But I’m slowly getting used to the days here with him, saying goodbye to the life I know too well. It’s nice being around someone who treats me well, the way a man should treat a woman. Even if he’s just pretending…
I can’t help thinking how lucky his next wife will be, a real one. He treats me better than anyone ever has, and I’m only here temporarily. He meets me in the morning with a cup of hot coffee and my favorite peppermint creamer. Plus, he always hangs up a new dry towel in the morning after he showers before me.
Kaden’s doing some work in his home office, and I’ve spent the time alone getting to know the rooms in the mansion. No matter how many times I go through it, I seem to find new and exciting places every time I wander. Right now, I decide it’s time to check out my favorite element of the house, the beautiful commercial-style kitchen.
I’ve seen it on my walks before, but it excites me every time nonetheless. I walk across the floor, finding where the wood meets the tile and transforms from a brilliant pine to a white swirled marble. I run my fingers along the black granite countertops, noticing the tiny flecks of glitter shimmering when the lights overhead hit it just right.
We’ve been eating out nearly every day since I moved in.Maybe I’ll try to up my ‘wifely’ duties and cook for us tonight instead,I think, grabbing the handle of the enormous double-door fridge. As it swings open, I realize the contents within are scarce.
I shrug my shoulders and close the doors, moving to the cabinets to find anything worth eating. A voice sounds from behind me as I open and shut doors, still no food in sight.
“We just moved you in a few days ago, and I don’t know why you’re even looking in the kitchen.” Kaden laughs.
“Oh my God, you scared me! You can’t sneak up on me like that!” I say, grabbing my chest. It takes me a moment to slow my racing heart.
He grins deviously. “Why are you so jumpy, darling?”
My body trembles at him calling me something men call their real wives. It shocks me how much I enjoy hearing the word leave his lips, forcing my eyes to look at them.
I bite my own, watching his movements, and then snap back to attention when he continues. “Are you planning on cooking something?”
I nod, pulling myself together as much as possible. Cooking was the plan, if I can manage to avoid the distraction of Kaden.
“Then we’re going to need to go shopping because you won’t find a hint of food here!” Kaden grins again, unbothered by his sad excuse for a pantry.
“Okay, yeah. When do you want to go?” I ask, nervously pinching my palm.
He gestures at the door. “I’m ready when you are.” He starts heading toward it, but I quickly stop him, stammering to speak as he walks away.
“Hey, can I have a minute to get ready first?”
He rolls his eyes playfully. “Fine. But I’ll be waiting for you in the car!”
He walks out the door as I head down the hall, looking for our bathroom to freshen up.
Hopefully, I can find it in this maze…As I wander around, I spot an area that looks familiar enough to be the right way. I walk around for a few minutes but find it surprisingly fast.
I must be finally getting to know my way around here!
I head into the bathroom to freshen up and make sure I’m presentable. I have been lazy today and haven’t taken the opportunity to look in the mirror, so now’s my chance.
But, thankfully, I look fine. I run my fingers through my curls a few times to smooth them and spritz on some body spray. I walk to the bedroom, change from my sweats into jeans, and start heading out the door to meet Kaden when my phone rings. It’s my boss!
“Hello, sir!”
8
KADEN
