Page 40 of Queen’s Gambit

Ella smiled, her eyes flicking back and forth between the two of us.

I want to do it. I was going home in the morning anyway. This way you have privacy all night.

She winked, making me blush. Walking over to the bed Ella grabbed her bag, loading it with her sketch pads and books before putting on her jacket. Walking over, I gave her a tight hug.

Thank you.

You’re welcome, and I want all the details when I get back.

Ella smiled at me, then waved to Eddie before heading out and closing the door. The room turned quiet with a heaviness in the air.

“Here, let me take these. I love lilies.”

Taking the flowers from Eddie, I went over to my nightstand and picked up the vase that I’d kept from the last bouquet he had gotten me. I was so spoiled.

“I know. I remember everything you tell me,” he said.

I didn’t think I could blush any harder, but Eddie managed it.

“You are so different, Eddie. I’ve never known a man like you,” I said, walking into the bathroom to get water.

“How so?”

“I know you would do anything necessary to get ahead, and yet there is such kindness and generosity in you. Take these flowers, I don’t think for all my father’s money that I’ve ever seen him give my mother a flower in my entire life.”

“Does that mean you want me to stop?”

I chuckled.

“Don’t be silly, of course not. I just find you…I guess I wish more men were like you and less like my father. He’s ruthless, stubborn, and, at times, cruel. People are nothing more than a number and a means to get whatever he wants. I’ve seen him in action and he doesn’t care about how an order will affect their lives or others. Not even if they were to die. It’s a selfish mentality and no matter what he has, he hungers for more like it is an addiction. I realize now that he’ll never change and I need to accept that my father is not the man I wish he was.”

Placing the bouquet in the vase, I pulled the ribbon that kept them together and fluffed the flowers out. The bright orange and pinks looked like they were arranged to mimic a sunrise.

Turning, I stopped and nibbled my bottom lip as I stared at Eddie. He’d taken off his jacket, and the top buttons on his dress shirt were open, but it was the rolled-up sleeves showing off his defined, tattooed arms that had me drooling. He leaned casually against the doorway, and my brain couldn’t form a single word.

“I hate that he treats you like that, Ana. One day, you’ll be free of the tyranny,” he said, but I still couldn’t seem to make my mouth work other than to lick my lips.

Eddie smirked and plucked the flowers from my hands. I followed him on autopilot out to the sitting area, where he sat the vase on the corner of my desk.

“I’ll order us food, and then I want to talk to you about something,” Eddie said.

Sheer panic gripped my throat. I knew Eddie loved me, but his serious tone made my heart race and my mind spin.

Trying to keep the terror off my face, I grabbed us each a water from the small fridge and sat down at the table. Eddie ordered what sounded like enough food for ten people and said he’d meet the driver at the gate. He hung up and sat down beside me, placing his hand on top of mine. I swallowed hard as his eyes scanned my face.

“Just say it. Whatever it is, just say it,” I said, steeling myself for the blow. What if fighting for me was just too much and he was throwing in the towel? What if….

“Marcus had an idea...and it’s a horrible one. But...I feel like I need to mention it.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding and scolded myself for worrying. I really should know better when it came to Eddie.

“Okay, I’m open to ideas, as long as it’s not like his last suggestion for us all to dance naked in the foyer,” I said.

Eddie chuckled and then sighed and looked down at his fingers, slowly doodling on the back of my hand.

“No, there is no dancing in this idea.”

It was rare to see Eddie unsure of anything. He was always the one dragging me out of the terror tornado. Reaching out, I placed my other hand on top of his, forcing him to look at me.