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I DON’T COME UP TO the roof very often. To be honest, I don’t generally spend much time back at my apartment, which is something that has definitely changed over the last few weeks. I’ve been mostly caught up in everyday life, building my business and making it profitable. I’ve rarely taken the chance to enjoy my surroundings or time spent alone with my own thoughts. I’ve finally had the opportunity to view the world through a different set of eyes, through Emi’s eyes, and I’m anxious to see her view of the world from the roof.
Stepping over the threshold onto the roof, the humid air immediately hits me in the face. I’m actually thankful that Emi has been able to go without the sweater today. She still has the slight discoloration on her arms, though they’ve finally faded to soft butter yellow. It still hurts my heart like a fist straight to my chest when I see it, but she’s healing. She’s coming out of her shell. I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing her personality as she heals and strengthens every day that she’s with me. And let me tell you, it’s a hell of a thing to witness. The man that shoved her into that dark, cold box that she’s been forced to live in should be given a one-way ticket to that special room in Hell that’s been reserved for him and his counterparts. Those being anyone else evil and twisted enough to snuff out the light in such an incredible human being as Emi.
Looking over my shoulder, I watch as Emi follows me through the doorway. She steps closer to me as the door closes behind her and I watch as her eyes widen at her surroundings. When I designed this building, I decided to give it a flat roof with the intention of making it into a private oasis. Over the years, it’s been grown and utilized by all the tenants and has become a beautiful, secluded getaway. There is a steel and glass railing surrounding the entire border of the building that stands just under four feet in height. The steel bars framing the glass give the illusion of safety without obstructing the view.
The entire space has been landscaped with raised flowerbeds and planters in various sizes. There are paths covered in pea-sized gravel leading around the entire rooftop, culminating in the middle with plush oversized outdoor furniture. It’s the perfect place to relax and escape the confines of everyday life and demands.
I don’t know why I haven’t brought Emi up here before now. If anyone has something they need to escape from, the need to find a little paradise in the middle of a mundane existence, it’s her. Watching her now as she takes in her surroundings – enveloped by the vast oasis of greenery and newly blossoming flowers, the fragrance of Spring filling her lungs and awakening her senses to the possibility of a new life – is truly a magical experience.
“Wow,” she gasps as she releases my hand and steps ahead of me. Holding her arms out to her sides, she spins around in a circle slowly as the smile on her face grows wider. My chest expands with pride at the sight of pure joy glowing in her angelic features. “I had no idea this was here.”
“Yeah.” I walk several steps behind her as she slowly follows the path around the garden, knowing that it’ll lead us to the center where we can sit while I give her the gift pinned tightly against my hip. “I wanted something secret and special just for the tenants in the building. It was a lot of fun to design and watch it all come together.”
“You designed this?” She stops walking and turns to face me and I remember that I haven’t told her yet about the building. “Wait, did you design the building?”
Busted. “I did.”
“No wonder you have the top floor.” She giggles as she turns around and starts to move again along the path. “I guess that’s a perk of designing the building. You get first pick of the best apartment.”
“Yeah, about that.” I watch as she turns back to face me. “I own the building.” My teeth clamp down on my bottom lip as I wait for her to say something else. She just stands there watching me for what feels like forever, chewing the inside of her cheek like she’s thinking of what to say, and my lungs freeze as I wait anxiously.
“Huh,” she finally says on an exhale. “I had no idea.”
I finally release the breath that was held captive in my chest as she turns back to the path ahead and starts to move again. I don’t know why I was expecting that conversation to go differently. Neither of us say anything else as we walk, her several steps still ahead of me. When we reach the center of the roof, I move ahead and motion for her to sit on the stuffed love seat before sitting next to her and moving the package to my lap. She folds her hands together and waits for me to speak and I chuckle as her eyes jump from the package to my own eyes and back again.
The corner of my mouth tilts up in a crooked smile and I reach one hand out to move a wayward wind-blown hair away from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear. My heart grows three sizes when she doesn’t flinch away from me, and I’m amazed at how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time. I want to open myself up to her – just slice open a vein and bleed out the truth about my growing feelings for her.
“So,” I begin, reaching out to wrap my fingers around her small hands which are still folded together on her lap. “I’ve been thinking about what you’ve told me about yourself. About your dreams and desires growing up.” Her brows knit together making an adorable wrinkle in the middle of her forehead as she raises her gaze to mine. “I’ve really enjoyed having you here, Emi.”
“I’ve enjoyed being here. I feel comfortable here.” That makes me smile.
“I’m glad. But I don’t want you to have to sit around all day while I’m out working or stuck in meetings. I took you away from your job at the diner.” She starts shaking her head back and forth and I push on before she can interrupt me. “I don’t regret getting you out of that town, Emi. Don’t think for one second that I regret anything I’ve done. I’ll never regret getting you away from that monster.”
She turns one of her hands over and wraps her fingers around mine. My stomach flips wildly when her thumb runs back and forth over the back of my hand – such a simple gesture but it means so much considering where we started. But it’s enough to help me to continue my train of thought.
“I wanted to get you something to help you. Something to remind you to chase your dreams, no matter how big or how many obstacles you think have gotten in your way. I probably went a little overboard, honestly. But I want you to know that I will support you, in whatever capacity you need.” Releasing her hand, I raise my hand to cup her cheek and wipe a tear away with my thumb. She presses her cheek against my hand, so I keep it there for several seconds longer than probably necessary.
Releasing a sigh, I grab the box in my lap with both hands and hand it to her. Her eyes stay locked on mine as she grabs the box with both hands, not looking down until she has it lying in her lap. Slowly she pulls the open flaps on the box to the sides and gazes at the contents for so long I’m sure she’s gone into shock and my nerves have detonated once again.
She hates it.
She’s angry that I got it for her.
She’s going to think it’s too much.
“OhmyGod,” she rushes out on a breath, so quietly that I nearly missed it. It’s probably too much, but I know that she’s missed being able to take her pictures. She told me how it was something that her mother supported her on and encouraged her to pursue a career in photography. I want to do that for her. I want more than anything to stand behind her and watch her achieve all her dreams. She deserves it more than anyone I’ve ever known in my life.
I got her the best, it’s supposed to be the top of the line in digital cameras. I even got all the attachments and additional lenses that were recommended for this particular model. Of course, the boxes still downstairs in the apartment contain a photo printer and a laptop, which she’ll probably actually get angry about but that’s beside the point. What’s the point in having a digital camera if you don’t have any way to enjoy the final product?
Her hands are shaking as she sets the box down between her feet. She reaches into the box and pulls the camera out, leaving everything else inside the box to look at later. I watch her curiously as she powers it on and goes over all the features and modes using the tiny display. Without saying anything, she stands and begins walking toward the railing at the edge of the rooftop. I stay seated, giving her space to explore through the lens of her new camera, knowing that she needs a few minutes to herself to enjoy it. She holds the camera clutched to her chest as she spins from side to side, looking out over the cityscape. Slowly, she lifts the camera to her face, and I watch as she presses her eye close to the viewfinder and presses the shutter button several times.
Obviously satisfied with the pictures she’s taken, she turns and my stomach flutters when I see the happiness in her smile. She skips closer to me, a movement that I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing her do since we’ve met. It’s surreal that she’s so much happier now than when I first saw her at the diner that she’s able to act almost giddy. She carefully sets the camera into the open box before standing to face me. Suddenly, she throws her arms around my neck and embraces me in a hug and I’m thrown against the back of the sofa with the force of her movement. My arms immediately wrap around her waist, pulling her into my chest and turning my face into the space where her shoulder and neck meet. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in the intoxicating scent of her coconut shampoo and revel in the closeness that I’ve craved with her more and more over the last few weeks.
“Thank you, Landon,” she says softly, her voice muffled against my shoulder. Placing her hands on my chest, she raises just enough to look into my eyes and I’m gutted by the unshed tears I can see glistening in her eyes. “I don’t know what to say. This is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever been given. You have no idea how much it means to me.” Her voice is breaking with emotion, and I want nothing more than to bring back the happiness. I’ll give anything to see her smile like she was not even five minutes ago, every day for the rest of my life.
Looking at me through hooded eyes, her gaze lowers to my mouth and I moisten my lips without thinking. I don’t move for fear of breaking our moment. My breathing shutters to a stop in anticipation of what I can only hope is coming next. Her hands trail up my chest and shoulders, cupping around the base of my neck and I gulp audibly in response to her touch. I wait patiently as she leans closer wanting her to make the decision on her own, I don’t want to coax her or force her movements and I damn sure don’t want to scare her away. I want her to make the first move.
My fingers dig into her hips, holding her tight enough to bruise but not able to loosen my grip. It’s a battle of restraint and taking everything I have in me not to toss her over my shoulder and march back downstairs to my apartment. I see the moment clarity overtakes her expression, the ferocity of her desire drying up her tears as her eyes move back up to my own and I see my reflection in the darkening blue of her eyes. She moves to straddle my lap before crashing her lips against mine, nipping and biting at my bottom lip until I’m forced to take over the kiss.
She melts against me immediately, her trust in me not to hurt her is a heady feeling and something that I will fight to keep. The tip of my tongue traces along her bottom lip, coaxing her to open for me, and our tongues tangle together. She purrs against my mouth, a rumble building in my chest in response to the sweetness of her taste. My kitten is a livewire as she presses down against my lap, electricity like a direct lightning strike blazing up my spine as my cock hardens against her.
Fuck. This isn’t happening here on the roof where anyone can walk out and see us. She deserves to be laid out on my Egyptian cotton sheets and worshipped, for me to take my time making her comfortable and sated. I break the kiss slowly and watch as she sits back and looks up at me.
“Can we go back downstairs?” she whispers.
“Anything for you, Kitten.” Closing her eyes, she whimpers softly at the pet name and my cock throbs against my zipper. I help her stand, making sure she’s steady on her feet, before grabbing the package and leading her back to the door.