Page 128 of The Curse of Redwood

“You’re probably right.” I took a sip and felt all tingly inside. The wood crackled in the fireplace, and as I stared out the window at the snow, I smiled. I never thought Redwood would feel so homey and warm. “But it’s still cool.”

“Indeed, it is.” Zeke poured hot chocolate for himself before walking around the parlor. He glided a hand along the piano in the corner of the room. Then, he went over to the mantel, moving his hand along the top of it before stopping at the clock I’d often caught him staring at.

“Any special meaning to that clock?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Not really. Mother bought it from an old clockmaker when I was just a boy. So many families have come and gone from this house, yet the clock has never moved. It was the one constant in my life. Each second that ticked by was a reminder that life did go on, even when I felt so trapped.”

“You’re not trapped anymore.” I kissed his shoulder and rested my head there.

“I have never felt more free.” He slid an arm around me.

Over the past month, we’d gotten Zeke a social security card and an ID. It had been challenging, but a guy I used to bang helped me figure it all out. Best part was he never asked me why I needed it—mainly because he always did shady shit and had no room to talk. Zeke had been amused when I explained how I knew the guy.

“I used to be a bigtime whore before meeting you, okay?”I had told him.

He had laughed and pinned me against the wall before taking me hard. Staking his claim. Not long after that, Zeke had gone to the bookstore and saw that they were hiring. The owner recognized him from all the trips there and had hired him on the spot.

I was proud of him. He was getting pretty good at this wholebeing humanthing.

“Remember when you took me to your library for the first time?” I asked, as we left the parlor and moved at a slow pace down the hall. “You showed me all your books and said they helped keep you company in your isolation.”

“I remember.”

“You finally got your wish.” I turned to him. “You get to live like you’ve always wanted. Free and among the living.”

He reached up and caressed my face. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Maybe. But tell me again just in case.”

“I love you truly and deeply, Carter Jones. And when we get home, I will show you exactly how much.”

My pants got tight as all my blood rushed south. “Promises, promises. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

He smirked. “Are you challenging me, little dove?”

“Always,” I said.

Zeke grabbed my hand and led me down the corridor and back to the entrance hall. He stared up at the Christmas tree with wonder in his eyes before placing a hand on the railing of the stairs. Almost like he was saying goodbye. And then, he turned toward the door and walked outside.

I followed him and shivered when the cold air nipped at my face.

“Don’t you want to stay longer?” I asked, slipping my hand into his.

Zeke turned back once we were in the courtyard and stared at the mansion. “No. I have the closure I need.” His blue eyes moved to me. “I’m ready to begin the next journey in life.”

“Oh yeah?” I unlocked the car and cranked the heater once we were inside. “What kind of journey is that?”

“The one where I get to spend every moment with you.”

“Even though I’m a pest?” I asked, leaning over to him in the seat.

He chuckled before pressing our lips together. He tasted like chocolate and spice, and I dipped my tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss.

“Careful, little dove,” he said with a growl. “You know how much I adore your wicked little tongue.”

Grinning, I flicked my tongue ring against my teeth to tease him, and then I put the car in reverse. I drove through the open gate and flipped on the windshield wipers as it started to lightly snow.

Zeke cast one final glance at Redwood before moving his gaze forward and grabbing my hand. “Let’s go home.”

Neither of us looked back again as the mansion faded in the distance.

One chapter had come to a close, but we still had a whole book left of adventure. Of love. And I couldn’t wait to treasure every page.

The End