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He led her up to the third floor and walked down the hallway to the last door on the left. He held the door open for her, and she stepped into the sky.
Three of the four walls were completely made of glass, and she had a good view of the world around her. The room was beautiful and she knew the view would be glorious during the day.
“This is the master bedroom,” Blake started. “It has a view that stretches far into the forest. From over there, you can see the brook that cuts through the forest on the east side. Those walls are one-way mirrors, meaning you can see outside, but you can’t be seen from outside.
“Cool huh? It can feel pretty exposed, though, so you can bring down the drapes if it helps you feel more secure.” He pressed a button on a remote and curtains rolled down from somewhere behind the ceiling.
Blake saw the look on her face and grinned. She turned to him and rolled her eyes. “Show off.”
“Funny,” he said. “Your brother said the same thing about you.” Eleanor turned around with a retort, but he continued with his speech. “That’s about all. Anything you need will be provided for you, all you need to do is ask. I hope you find it all to your taste. Welcome to your new home, Eleanor Bennett.”
She hadn’t heard him very clearly at first. When his words hit her, and their meaning, she turned to him, confused. In that moment, cold reality came crashing down on her.
She really had just gotten married to her brother’s best friend.
Chapter 8 - Blake
Eleanor looked around the bedroom quietly. Her entire mood had changed, and she seemed like an entirely different person.
Blake watched her curiously, his hands tucked into his robe’s pockets. He could see something on her face. Sadness? Realization? Fatigue? He wasn’t sure which it was.
He felt sorry for her. She had been dragged into this arrangement despite her vehement reluctance. Blake had expected her to pull out at the last minute, and had been surprised when he saw her walking down the aisle.
Even more shocking was how well she had played her part, despite what her true feelings might have been. She went along without complaint or hesitation, and was the major reason that their plan had any hope for success at all.
All of that had changed now. Now that they were alone, and the world saw them as a legitimately married couple, the reality of the situation seemed to be settling on her heavily.
There was nothing he could do about it now, sadly. His only hope was that the rest of their plans moved on smoothly, and she could have her freedom in a few years.
He had seen glimpses of the free-spirited young woman that Xander had told him about, and he seriously doubted that she was going to want to remain married to him any longer than was necessary. Not when she was so young and so full of life.
He watched her as she made a slow circuit of the master bedroom, investigating her new home. She peered into the bathroom and the walk-in closet, moving slowly as she went.
When she stood in front of the windows overlooking the forest, Blake joined her. “So? What do you think?”
There was a short pause before she replied, “I think that you have a really beautiful home.”
Blake nodded. “Thanks.” They watched the darkness together for a long moment in silence, neither knowing what to say to the other person. After a few minutes, Blake said, “Would you like anything else? Dinner?”
Eleanor turned to face him and shook her head. “No, thank you. I don’t have much of an appetite tonight.”
“Right.” Blake rubbed his hands together. “Well, let me know if you need anything. Anything at all.”
Eleanor gave him a weak smile. “I will, thanks again.”
The silence stretched between them again, and this time, it was more awkward than earlier. Blake rubbed the back of his neck, thinking of what to say next. Nothing came to him for a long moment, and the silence swallowing them became painful to bear.
Fortunately, Eleanor yawned.
“Of course, you must be exhausted,” Blake said.
She nodded and glanced at the king-sized bed in the middle of the room longingly. Blake followed her eyes to the bed and felt the now familiar stirring he’d been experiencing the whole day every time he looked at Eleanor.
He knew that it was self-deceit to pretend as if he didn’t want to share the bed with her. It looked so cool, and welcoming; all they needed to do was get in and get comfy.
After the day they’d had, it was nothing less than they deserved. A quiet moment together, reflecting on the lives they’d once had, and the future they were to face. Together.
The suggestion was at the tip of his tongue. He was so close. He was definitely tempted enough that it seemed like a good idea to him.
