Page 266

He leaned over the tub and kissed me slowly enough to make staying behind considerably more difficult.

“You sure you have to work?” I asked when he pulled away.

“Yes.” His eyes dropped to my mouth. “And we both know if I get into this tub with you, neither of us is leaving this bathroom tonight.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea.”

He chuckled and kissed my forehead. “Take your time, Mouse.”

“I will.”

After he left, I settled deeper into the hot water and watched the snow drifting beyond the windows. The orange blossom had grown stronger in the steam; the jets worked steadily against my back, and for the first time in days, I had absolutely nowhere I needed to be.

I could stay in the bath for an hour or climb out in five minutes. I could bake something, stand on the terrace and watch the snow, read one of Lachlan’s books, crawl into his bed, or interrupt whatever terrifying mafia business he was doing in his office.

No one would stop me.

I smiled and glanced toward the locket beside the sink.

Mamá, I made it.

My chest tightened painfully when Rafael came to mind.

Papá.

Neither of them had survived to see this, but wherever they were, I hoped they knew I had escaped.

For the first time, the life ahead of me belonged entirely to me—and I already knew who I wanted beside me while I figured out what to do with it.

After washing and drying my hair, I wrapped myself in a towel and realized Lachlan had forgotten one important detail.

Clothes.

For someone so determined to take care of everything, he had left me naked in his bathroom while every stitch of clothing Aria had bought me sat down the hall.

I went into his closet and pulled one of his black T-shirts from a shelf.

It nearly reached mid-thigh.

Perfect.

Barefoot, I wandered down the hall.

Light spilled from his office, so I peeked inside.

Lachlan sat behind the desk with papers spread in front of him, his laptop open, his forehead creased in concentration.

He looked up, and his gaze traveled down my body before lingering on my bare legs. The crease between his brows disappeared.

“You look good in my shirt.”

I smiled and continued toward the kitchen before he could tempt me into abandoning my plan. If I were hungry, he must be too.

I found bread, butter, cheese, and everything I needed for a simple tomato soup. Nothing complicated, but warm and easy.

By the time the sandwiches were browning in the pan and the soup was simmering on the stove, I heard footsteps behind me.

Lachlan’s arms circled my waist, and his lips brushed my shoulder.