“Two million dollars?” My jaw hung open.
“Completely worth it. As long as you love living here, this is it.” He winked. “I’ll be right back. I need to let her know before someone else puts their name in for it.”
He waltzed away from me. I stared at the bedroom. Did we need this much space? It was only the two of us. We certainly could downsize. But I knew that Vaughn was going for a certain image. He needed this apartment. I was along to give him my stamp of approval. He wasn’t going to show me something that was a typical newlywed starter home. We weren’t exactly in the market for a fixer upper.
We weren’t the kind of couple who spent their weekends repainting rooms and sanding floors. I doubted that was something we would ever do. Vaughn liked expensive beautiful things. But two million dollars? I shook my head. I couldn’t worry about the mo
ney. I trusted Vaughn. Nothing we saw this morning was anything but luxurious. One thing was certain. No matter where we lived, I wouldn’t have to take the stairs—they all had elevators.
I heard Vaughn’s voice carry along the hallway. It sounded as if one of them must have disagreed with the offer. I wandered out, but they stopped talking abruptly.
I saw the scowl on his face. “I’ll be right back in, Kate.”
I bristled every time he used my alias. “Is everything all right?”
“Oui.” Eloise smiled.
I pivoted and retraced my steps. A few minutes later he returned. “All set. Eloise is confirming the offer now.”
“Did things get heated about the price or something?”
“No. Just lost in translation, perhaps.” He squeezed my shoulders. “She is headed back to her office now.”
“Don’t we have to wait for a counter offer or something? Isn’t there tons of paperwork we need to fill out?”
“It’s slightly different. But an offer is a contract. We were the first ones to get one in. The apartment is ours.”
I looked around his shoulder to make sure we truly were alone. “Aren’t you worried that this can be traced to you?” I lowered my voice just in case.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Not when I’m paying cash.”
“You what?”
He smirked. It was something calm and devilish. “It’s taken care of.”
“You make it sound so simple. As if you bought a new pair of running shoes.” I stared at him in amazement. “You just bought a two million dollar flat in Paris.”
I didn’t know what the feeling was rushing through my veins. It wasn’t fear. Was it adrenaline? Did this somehow excite me? Did I like being pulled into the game with him?
He snaked a hand around my waist before I exited the bedroom. “Wait.”
I searched his eyes. He gently nudged me against the wall. I smiled when he descended toward me, catching my mouth with his. I wrapped my hands around his neck.
“There are so many things I’m going to do to you in this bedroom.”
“Are you?” I whispered. I could feel the heat spreading through my body.
“I am. Everything you want,” he promised. “Like last night.” He kissed me. “And this morning.”
I sighed into the next kiss. I already loved the new bedroom and there wasn’t a single piece of furniture inside. Not a curtain. Not even a throw rug. But it was ours.
He pulled my hands over my head, securing my wrists. He nipped at my lips and my ear. “Can you see us here?” he asked. “Do you think you’ll be happy living here?”
“Yes.” It was true. I could picture eating dinners and drinking wine. I saw us watching old movies and curling up in bed. I could see the hot sizzling sex playing out all over this flat.
“Good.” He rocked into me and I realized how worked up he was. He was rock solid, pressing into my hip. “I want you to be happy in this new life. I mean it, Em.”
“I am happy.”