Until You Loved Me (Silver Springs #3)(69)

“Don’t get any ideas,” he said. “That belongs to the housekeeper.”

“You have a housekeeper? And you’ve never mentioned it?”

“I didn’t think it mattered. Maggie won’t bother us.”

“When does she come to the main house?”

“If I’m here, only when I ask her to—which means I’m desperate for food or laundry or both.”

“You have her live in a separate house for the sake of privacy?”

He winked at her. “You got it.”

He hadn’t shown Ellie the bedrooms yet, just the basement, game room, gourmet kitchen—with its massive stone hearth, kitchen utensils hanging over a sizable island, copper-hooded stove and stairs leading down to a wine cellar—and living room, with its even bigger stone fireplace, enormous flat-screen TV, leather couches and ottoman.

“How often will I be able to use the gym?” she asked.

“Whenever you want,” he replied.

“When do you work out?” She hoped to avoid showing up at the same time. She’d failed in her New Year’s resolution to maintain a good exercise routine, didn’t want him to notice just how out of shape she was.

“Are you thinking you’d like to work out together?”

She laughed. “The opposite, actually. I was planning to stay out of your way.”

“How could you get in my way? There’s plenty of equipment. I forgot to show you, but there’s even a steam room you might want to use after you’re done with your workouts.”

“I can’t get in a steam room or a whirlpool, not while I’m pregnant,” she said. “Raising my core body temperature wouldn’t be safe for the baby.”

“Good information to have. You’ll want to avoid those, then—along with the wine in the wine cellar. I guess my house is fraught with danger.”

He had no idea that he posed the biggest threat—maybe not to the baby but to her peace of mind.

“Should we go up to your room?” he asked.

“Sure.”

He led her back through the house and up a wide, curving staircase. “There are four bedrooms, one of which is on the main floor, but I think you might be most comfortable here.” He stopped by the double doors at the end of the hall to show her a room with a giant four-poster bed sporting an expensive-looking duvet and linen set, heavy furniture (something the room demanded since it was so big) and a bathroom with a walk-in shower.

“This is perfect,” she said. “If we don’t get along, we won’t even have to see each other.”

“Except my room is right next door.”

She’d guessed as much. “Why don’t I take that room on the main floor you just mentioned? I mean, with the size of the house, there’s no need for us to cram ourselves into the same section.”

He seemed surprised by the suggestion. “What if you need me?”

“I have a cell phone.”

“This will work,” he said as he carried her suitcases to the closet.

The problem was, she’d always be listening for him to come down the hall... “We can try it out, I guess. See if we need more space.”

He shot her a curious look. “What are you planning to do in here?”

“Nothing. I’m just...used to living alone.”

He shook his head. “Damn, you’re skittish. Well, I’ll try not to cramp your style.”

Perhaps she hadn’t sounded grateful enough. “This is beautiful, though. Really beautiful.”

His expression said those words were too little, too late, but she couldn’t believe she’d truly offended him. Surely he had plenty of other people to praise and envy him and his belongings.

“Do you have any preference on what I cook for meals?” she asked. “What types of groceries you’d like me to buy?”

“Other than organic, no. You can make whatever you want, but there’s no need to shop. Just email a list to Maggie. She’ll take care of it and stock the fridge and cupboards.”

“Oh, because I won’t have a car, right?”

“I have two vehicles here—the Porsche I drive to and from the city, if I don’t have luggage, and the truck I use in town. Feel free to take the Porsche whenever you need to go somewhere.”

“Did you say Porsche?” she asked.

“You can drive a stick shift, can’t you?”

“My first car had a standard transmission. But I’d rather not be responsible for such an expensive vehicle.”

“It’s insured,” he said as if she was crazy for worrying about that sort of thing. “I’ll let you get unpacked and relax. It’s been a long trip.” He started for the door.

“Hudson...”

“Yes?” he said as he turned.

She couldn’t stay here. She had no doubt she’d enjoy it, but...how was she going to feel when she fell back to earth? “I’m thinking I’ll be more comfortable if I rent a small place of my own in town.” Something that wouldn’t be too hard to leave when the time came...

He frowned. “Why? You’ll have everything you could possibly need here.”

“That’s just it. This feels...odd. I’d rather take care of myself.”