I had been tracing a square.
With our pizza makings in the backseat, Stefan put the car in the direction of our next destination. It wasn't until that moment that I realized I was going to be spending the evening at Stefan's home.
My sudden nervous tension reached an all-time max as Stefan steered the Caddy into the underground garage.
"This is where you live?"
From the outside the place was stunning, of course. Countless floors of expansive windows, high end amenities; a home like this was the epitome of luxurious living. A couple years back I had been researching potential places for me and Richard to live. This place had captured my attention immediately; catered dining room, spa, heated pool, and your own little movie theater right there. Everything about it had been right, except the price, and that was where that dream had ended.
As we pulled into Stefan's specified parking space it wasn't those things that made me as my question. It was the distance from my house.
Stefan observed my stunned reaction from the corner of his eye. "I do."
"Did you move here, on purpose?" I stuttered the words out. Watching me, keeping tabs on my life, he made it all sound so harmless. Was it?
Stefan's luxury penthouse style apartment was miles away from my home. Miles, as in, less than five from my house. If one were to drive, it would take under ten minutes to get from his place to mine. This couldn't be a coincidence, could it?
"I didn't move here on purpose, Greyson. Frankly, it wouldn't have mattered where I lived, I still would have watched over you. This place had everything I needed, and much more than I would probably ever use. It caught my eye and when I came to view it, I knew I had to call this home. When I first realized how closely we lived, I immediately worried. I wanted to see you again but I was terrified that I would see you out and about in your everyday life. Not just the way I saw you with your co-workers from the salon. If I would have seen you grocery shopping with your new sweetheart, it would have killed me."
"So why didn't you tell me sooner?"
He shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. I suppose I just feared we'd have this conversation in my mind it would go much worse than it is."
"I … " Was at a complete loss for words. Stefan had been honest about things thus far and had no reason to doubt that now. I just couldn't believe all along he was living mere minutes away. "It's just so … "
"Implausible." He finished.
Nodding my head, I agreed. "Yeah, it's just such a strange coincidence."
Stefan shrugged. "Maybe, or maybe it isn't. I didn't do this on purpose, but what are the chances?" Looking to him I saw what he was implying. While it wasn't the most believable reasoning, it still left me thinking the same.
"Destiny." The word blew from my lungs on a whisper. Saying aloud didn't feel strange as I had expected it would, it felt … true.
"Let's get inside. I'm so ready for some pizza and I'd love to show you around."
I nodded, following his actions of exiting the car as he took the bags from the trunk. We made our way to the elevator and as the doors opened Stefan motioned me forward.
"After you, pretty girl." My legs hesitated. The overpowering range of emotions suddenly settled in. Here I was, at Stefan's personal home. There weren't numerous employees within ear shot, and no one knew we were here together. It was impossible to stand my ground that this was purely a friend thing anymore. The tension between us had amplified all day and I knew there was no mistaking it, this tension was wholly sexual. My intentions were innocent but at the back of my mind I knew getting into this elevator would change it all.
"Grey?" Stefan asked after a few moments passed.
"Yeah?" I asked, looking into his face.
The sapphire of his eyes deepened, it almost looked as if a fire had ignited within him.
"Are you going to get in?"
Looking from the empty parking garage, to Stefan's face, I finally nodded. "Yes."
One foot over the threshold and I knew there was no turning back.
From the first step I had in Stefan's place, I was in complete awe of how breathtaking it was. Floor to ceiling windows provided a stunning backdrop for his place. Above the dining room was an office that looked over onto the exquisitely decorated living room. Beautifully colored paintings hung all over the white walls providing the place with a homey feel. The kitchen was designed with granite counter tops, top of the line stainless steel appliances and black cupboards.