When we reach the house, Ryder is standing on the front steps, his black shirt unbuttoned and his hardened chest exposed.
He eyes the car as it rounds the water fountain, but before the driver can park, Adele jumps out of the car.
“I’m home!” She rushes toward Ryder. “I’m home!”
Smiling, he scoops her into his arms and kisses her forehead.
For several seconds, the two of them remain locked in an embrace, trapped in their own world. From where I’m sitting, it’s clear that access to outsiders isn’t easily given.
“You can step out now, Miss Jane.” The driver lets up an umbrella as he opens my door. “Welcome home.”
I walk toward Ryder as Adele leans back.
“Are you mad at me?” she asks him.
“No, Adeline.”
“Disappointed?”
“No.” He smiles. “Not at all.”
“Am I getting a long lecture later?”
“Definitely.”
“Figures.” She sighs. “Can we make dinner together first? Spaghetti?”
He nods, setting her down. “Take out everything we need and set the table. Call out for me when you’re ready.”
“Can we make brownies, too?”
“I’ll think about it.”
She rushes through the open doorway, and Ryder looks over at me.
“Would you like to come inside with us, Autumn?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“There’s always a choice.”
“Well, in that case,” I say, shaking my head, “No.”
“Why not?”
“I desperately need a nap. Besides, my new boss told me that this marks the end of my assignment.”
“It does.” He steps closer, keeping me pinned to the spot with his gaze. “I thought you wanted to talk to me, though.”
“Write me a raincheck.”
“I’d prefer to redeem it now.” He takes my umbrella and slips a hand around my waist, pressing his hand against the small of my back.
Ignoring my request to leave, he leads me through the front door, and I bite my bottom lip to prevent my jaw from dropping.
The inside of his home mirrors the luxury pages inArchitectural Digest. The grey stone walls give way to towering ceilings that hold sparkling chandeliers. A fireplace crackles infront of floor-to-ceiling windows, flickering its warmth onto the cold grey and blue furniture.
A collection of violins and cellos guard in front of his marbled double staircase.
