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He leans down so he fills my entire field of vision.
“It’s just an apartment,” he murmurs soothingly. “I’d rather you and Milton be safe. Now…” He extends a hand to me. “Let’s get you two upstairs.”
I only hesitate for a moment before I take his hand. Warmth flows up my arm and through my body at his touch, and I follow him in a daze toward the elevator.
The ride up is quiet, too. I’m not sure how to handle this.
And then we reach Lucas’s door. And he types in his passcode and gestures for me to step inside.
What. The. Fuck.
This might be the nicest apartment that I’ve ever seen. It’s a gorgeous open-concept living area, with a waterfall island in the kitchen and a living room surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the picture-perfect Philadelphia skyline. The interior design of the furniture and decor looks straight out of a catalogue. And in the far corner, there’s a spiral staircase that leads to a second floor.
I definitely do not belong here.
“Do you want the full tour?” Lucas asks, oblivious to my wonder. He drops his keys in a bowl in the entryway, then heads toward his kitchen. “Or do you want something to drink?”
I swallow roughly. “Water would be great. Thanks.”
He grabs two water bottles from his fridge—that’s fully stocked and organized, I can see it from here—before approaching me. “Here. I’ll show you to the guest suite so you can get Milton comfortable.”
I’m suddenly terrified that Milton is going to ruin something in this perfect castle.
The sight of the guest suite doesn’t help matters. It’s an entire little apartment down the hall from Lucas’s main living area. The end of the hallway opens into a tiny kitchenette and living room area, similar to that of a hotel suite. When Lucas opens the door to the bedroom, I can make out a queen-size bed and an attached bathroom—shower and tub combo included.
“Jesus, this is bigger than my apartment,” I finally blurt out. “You just have this in your house for no reason?”
Lucas shrugs, the movement stiff and slightly awkward. “My brother used to stay here between deployments.”
I duck my head, wishing I could take back the tone of my question. To change the subject, I put Milton’s cat carrier on the bed and unclip his leash. He jumps out with a nimble hop and sits, his tail curling around him as his head swivels to take in his new surroundings.
“Might want to close the door if you don’t want to give him free rein of your palace,” I suggest.
Lucas’s lip twitches as he steps over to the door. “My palace?”
I drop onto the bed with a tired breath. “Yes. Your palace. This place is incredible, Lucas.”
When the door clicks shut, the reality of this moment finally registers.
I’m in a bedroom. An enclosed space. With Lucas.
I’m in a bedroom with Lucas.
“I’m very happy to hear it lives up to your standards,” he says in a silky voice. Then he nods at Milton. “Does it live up to his?”
We both watch as Milton jumps off the bed and starts his sniffing path around the room. When he reaches the giant chaise lounge in the corner and immediately throws himself down into the pile of pillows with a loud purr, I snort. “I think he’ll be fine.”
Lucas releases a relieved exhale that he tries to hide. I have to smother my own smile at the sound of it.
“So, what do I need to order for him?” he asks, pulling out his phone. “I’m assuming he needs food—”
“I have his food.”
“And a bed—”
“I have his bed.”
“And a litter box.” He pointedly lifts an eyebrow at me.
