Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
I shake my head, laughing. “Nope. I’m sure. Completely, utterly, one hundred percent sure.”
“Well then.” He lifts his coffee mug in a toast. “To new beginnings and quick decisions.”
The rest of the meal passes in a blur of warm smiles, shared bites, and the occasional brush of fingers. By the time we step outside, the snow has stopped, leaving the city blanketed in white.
Cole tucks me into his side as we walk, his arm a solid warmth around me. “So, what’s the verdict on this new Christmas tradition of ours?”
I lean into him, smiling. “I think it’s a keeper. Though next year, I vote we skip the life-threatening situations leading up to it.”
He chuckles. “Deal.” His car pulls up and he assists me inside. “I have someplace to take you. I want to show you your Christmas present.”
As if on cue, a sleek black car pulls up to the curb. Cole opens the door, assisting me into the plush leather interior before sliding in beside me. He leans forward to murmur something to the driver before settling back, his hand finding mine.
I tilt my head, curiosity piqued. “Where are we going? I thought we were heading home.”
An enigmatic smile plays at his lips. “I have someplace I want to take you first. Call it one of your many Christmas presents.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I think I’ve had my fill of surprises for the next twenty-four hours, Cole. Between Russian mercenaries and unexpected house guests, I’m not sure my heart can take much more excitement.”
He chuckles, bringing our joined hands to his lips for a quick kiss. “I promise, this surprise involves significantly less adrenaline. Trust me.”
“Always.” The word comes without hesitation, without doubt.
As the city lights blur past the windows, I allow my mind to wander, trying to puzzle out our destination. A new restaurant? A private art showing? With Cole, the possibilities are endless.
Twenty minutes later, we’re pulling up to a building I’ve passed a hundred times—one of those gorgeous old industrial conversions with huge windows and exposed brick. Cole leads me inside, and I’m immediately struck by the light. Even in the early morning, it floods the space, catching on pristine white walls and gleaming hardwood floors.
“What is this?”
“This”—he pulls a set of keys from his pocket—“is your new atelier.”
I stare at him. “My what?”
“Come on.” He takes my hand, leading me through the space. “Main gallery here. Private showing room through there. Your personal workspace is upstairs, with a view of the park. And here . . .” He opens a door to reveal a series of workstations. “Room for your team. I was going to hire them all too but decided I’d leave that to you. Once your collection is revealed on New Year’s, your life is going to change drastically. You’re going to have so many orders, demands . . . you’re going to need a good team.”
“Cole.” My voice catches. “This is . . .”
“Yours.” He presses the keys into my hand. “The security system is state of the art. Biometric locks, reinforced storage, surveillance—”
I lean into him, my heart so full it feels fit to burst. “This is incredible, Cole. Truly. I don’t know how to thank you.”
He presses a kiss to my temple. “You never have to thank me. Seeing you happy, knowing you’re safe and doing what you love . . . that’s all I want.”
I twist in his arms to face him, my hands sliding up to cup his face. “I love you, Cole Asher. More than I ever thought possible.”
His smile softens, his eyes shining with emotion. “I love you too, Sloane. Now and always.”
I spot one of the cameras in the corner and can’t help but laugh. “Really? More cameras?”
“What can I say? I like seeing you when you’re sleeping . . .” His arms slide around my waist. “Next to me. And I want to know when you’re awake . . . when you aren’t next to me.”
“That’s either the most romantic or the most stalkerish thing you’ve ever said.”
Cole’s embrace tightens as he chuckles. “I prefer to think of it as romantic, but I suppose there’s a fine line.”