Page 43 of Staking His Claim
He was looking past her at the old tree with its low, sweeping branches crowned with red flowers. “Now, I can see that that bough would be perfect to support a swing.”
“A swing?”
Switching his attention back to her, Yevgeny gave her a crooked smile. “Holly would love it.”
So it was about Holly...not just him.
For a moment Ella allowed herself to imagine him pushing Holly on the swing on a warm summer’s eve...she could even hear Holly’s laughter ringing out.
Then she pulled herself up short.
No.
This house wasn’t for Holly...it was for Yevgeny. Primarily because his penthouse apartment had grown too small for his requirements. Better she keep her mind on task.
“Let’s look inside,” she said briskly.
The Realtor waited in front of the white front door at the top of the stairs. A smartly dressed woman with dark hair and hungry eyes, she smiled at Ella. “Mrs. Volkovoy?”
Good grief! “No.” Ella felt herself flushing. She shouldn’t be here. She was starting to feel like an imposter. “I’m not his wife—I’m a lawyer.”
The Realtor’s gaze arced to Yevgeny. “You didn’t mention you were bringing your lawyer.”
“Ella is not my lawyer,” said Yevgeny through clenched teeth
“Oh.” The Realtor’s curious eyes darted between them. To Ella’s relief the woman didn’t ask any of the questions that were clearly burning to escape. “Perhaps I should let you browse—and we can talk afterward?”
“Perfect.” Yevgeny gave a grim smile. “We’ll catch up later.”
Ella couldn’t help wondering what the hell she was doing here as she rushed to keep up with Yevgeny’s long stride.
* * *
“Oh, wow.”
Yevgeny stopped at the sound of Ella’s breathy exclamation. She was standing in the middle of the living room, staring out the wall of glass sliders leading to a long veranda with a backdrop of verdant gardens and sea beyond.
“One could spend the entire summer living on that veranda,” she said, transfixed. Then she gestured to the sleek fireplace in the end wall. “But in winter the fire would make it warm and welcoming inside.”
“There’s a hot spa at the end of the veranda to make winter even more pleasant,” Yevgeny told her.
“How fabulous.”
“And a kitchen and dining area made for entertaining on the other side of the dividing wall,” he added. “The home theater and wine cellar are downstairs. But come and look upstairs.” He wanted her opinion on the bedroom and playroom where Holly would spend most of her time.
“This one. What do you think?” Upstairs he led Ella eagerly to the second bedroom.
As Ella scanned the bedroom from the doorway, taking in the bright sunny light spilling through the high arched windows, he saw her surprise register.
“But this isn’t the master bedroom. You wouldn’t occupy this room.” Her eyes held a question as they met his. “This is for a...” Her voice trailed away.
Yevgeny could see the realization dawning as she entered. He headed in after her.
The room was decorated in shades of rich cream and pale blue. A bed with an intricate white ironwork bedstead was piled high with a collection of soft toys on a patchwork comforter, setting the girlish tone. Overhead, a chandelier winked in the sunlight. There was a window seat beneath the arched windows with space for picture books.
He could imagine Holly seated there paging through her favorite book as she grew up. Perhaps he could even ask Ella to help him furnish the room in a similar style once the house was his.
“This...this room is for Holly, right?” Ella sounded choked up.
Yevgeny came to a stop in front of her. “Yes. Do you like it?”
She shrugged her shoulders helplessly. “What can I say? It’s perfect.”
For that heartbeat they were in perfect accord, no hint of the animosity that had dogged their relationship since their first meeting. Yevgeny held his breath, loath to say anything lest the instant of harmony shatter into jagged shards of discontent. Seconds passed, and they stood drenched in warm sunlight in the house Yevgeny wanted for a home.
Deep in his chest hope started to build. Ella was starting to see things his way....
At last he moved.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
“Ella?”
At the questioning lilt of his voice, her lids lifted. And she looked straight into his eyes. Yevgeny felt a physical jolt. He was so close that he could see the shades of velvet brown and glittering gold. Desire flared. And something more...something new and fresh.
Again the crazy vision he’d glimpsed on her doorstep earlier and dismissed rose up. It was cemented with how right...how happy...Ella appeared to be in this setting.