Chapter 13

The crisp Seattle air was damp and fresh, carrying the scent of evergreens and salt from the bay. Chloe breathed it in deeply as she gazed out the window of Hendrix’s silver Tesla, watching the city streets fly by in a blur.

After all these years, she still wasn’t used to the luxury that came with being friends with Seattle’s most eligible bachelor. But she couldn’t deny that there was something thrilling about riding in his expensive car.

“You’re staring at me again,” Hendrix said, his lips quirking up in a smirk.

Chloe blinked, realizing she had indeed been gazing at her best friend and now boyfriend. At six-foot-three, Hendrix towered over most people and commanded attention wherever he went. His broad shoulders and angular features were striking, as was the intensity in his deep blue eyes.

“Just wondering how your ego fits in such a small car,” she teased, nudging his arm playfully.Their banter was familiar and comforting, though lately it had taken on a flirtatious edge that made her pulse quicken.

Hendrix chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “My ego makes room for you, darling.” His fingers grazed her knee, sending a spark of heat through her veins.

She glanced at Hendrix again, her heart skipping a beat at the tenderness in his gaze.

The trip to Paris had been a whirlwind of romance and passion, deepening their connection in ways Chloe never imagined possible.

She remembered walking along the river Seine at midnight, the lights of the city sparkling across the rippling water. Hendrix had pulled her close, his arm warm around her shoulders as they strolled in comfortable silence. In that moment, being with him was all she needed.

The next evening, he had booked them a private dinner atop the Eiffel Tower. As the sun dipped below the horizon, staining the sky with vibrant shades of pink and orange, Hendrix confessed his love for her.

“You are the best part of me, Chloe,” he said softly, gazing into her eyes. “My world is brighter with you in it. I want to share every sunrise and sunset with you, today and always.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Chloe could only kiss him in response. In that kiss were all the words she couldn’t say, a promise of forever and all that was to come.

Shaking off the memory, Chloe folded another stack of clothes and placed them in the box. Her apartment was nearly empty now, the bare walls echoing with memories of the life she was leaving behind.

Though excited to move in with Hendrix, she felt a pang of sadness at saying goodbye to this place. She had lived here for over five years, building a business and establishing her independence within these four walls.

As she taped up the final box, tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. Everything was changing, her old life giving way to the new path she would forge with Hendrix. Chloe took a deep, steadying breath, clutching the golden heart necklace he had given her in Paris.

Wherever their journey led, they would face each challenge and celebrate each victory together. She wasn’t losing herself, but rather gaining a partner with whom she could share all of life’s adventures.

With that reassuring thought, Chloe smiled and picked up her boxes. She was ready to start this next chapter with Hendrix by her side.

Hendrix insisted on handling the logistics of the move, wanting Chloe to focus on preparing for their new life together. She had protested at first, not wanting him to shoulder the burden alone, but he was adamant.

“You have enough to worry about with renovations on the shop. Let me take care of the rest, darling.” His lips brushed against her temple, his warmth and scent enveloping her. She relented, touched by his thoughtfulness.

True to his word, Hendrix arranged for movers to pack up her apartment and transport everything to his mansion. When Chloe arrived, her belongings were already unpacked and arranged, her clothes hanging in the massive walk-in closet adjacent to his.

“Do you like it?” Hendrix asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “I wanted you to feel at home here, to know that this is our space now.”

Chloe turned in his embrace, blinking back happy tears. “It’s perfect. Thank you for doing this, for making room in your life and your home for me.”

“There was always room for you,” he said softly. “You were the missing piece that made this house a home.”

Overwhelmed, Chloe rose up on her toes and kissed him. It was a kiss full of promise, of two lives intertwining and blossoming into something new and beautiful.

Here, in the warmth of Hendrix’s arms, Chloe knew she was home.

The next day, Chloe awoke to sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the events of the previous day flooding her senses. She was living with Hendrix now, in his sprawling mansion with enough rooms to get lost in.

Beside her, Hendrix stirred, his arm tightening around her waist. “Good morning, darling.” His voice was gravelly with sleep, his eyes blinking open to gaze at her with a warmth that made her heart skip.

“Morning,” she whispered, curling into him. “I can’t believe we live together now.”

“Best decision I ever made,” he murmured against her hair. “Being able to wake up with you in my arms is worth more than all the money and success in the world.”

Chloe’s chest ached with love for this complicated, caring man. “I feel the same way.” She tilted her head up, meeting his lips in a slow, sensual kiss.

“What should we do today?”

“Whatever you like.” Hendrix stroked her hair away from her face. “We have all the time in the world now that we’re living together. No more rushing or squeezing in time between your shop hours and my meetings. Just you and me and this big, beautiful house.”

The thought filled Chloe with warmth and contentment. No more stolen moments or impatient reunions. Now they could wake up together, have coffee and breakfast, go for walks or drives, cook dinner, curl up on the couch - all at their own leisurely pace.

“I vote we stay in today,” Chloe said, curling into Hendrix’s side. “Explore the house, unpack the rest of my things, cook something in that amazing kitchen of yours.”

“A perfect day.” Hendrix rested his chin atop her head, his arms tightening around her. “No place I’d rather be than here with you, Chloe. Making our house a home.”

Chloe smiled, listening to the steady beat of Hendrix’s heart. “Our home,” she repeated softly. A home filled with love, laughter, and possibilities as boundless as the future they were building together.

Hendrix tilted her chin up and gazed into her eyes. “Do you remember what you said to me the night we first kissed?”

Chloe’s cheeks warmed at the memory. “I said a lot of things that night.”

“You said we had all the time in the world to figure this out.” Hendrix brushed his lips over hers. “And you were right. We have the rest of our lives to explore this, explore us. I want to discover every little thing about you, Chloe. I want to know your favorite foods, movies, books. The places you’ve always dreamed of traveling. Your hopes, your fears, your secrets.”

“You already know me better than anyone else,” Chloe whispered.

“But there’s still so much more to learn.” Hendrix threaded his fingers through her hair. “A lifetime of adventures waiting for us. Of building dreams together. I want to take you everywhere, Chloe. See the world through your eyes. As long as we’re together, that’s all that matters to me.”

Chloe blinked back the sting of tears, overwhelmed by love for this man. This beautiful, brilliant, caring man who had somehow become her everything.

“Well, Mr. Romantic, you’ve convinced me.” She wound her arms around his neck. “Let’s start exploring. But maybe the house can wait until tomorrow.”

Hendrix’s eyes gleamed with understanding. “Whatever you want, Chloe. You’re the boss.”

“In that case, I vote we continue our exploration right here.” Chloe slid her hands into his hair and brought his mouth down to hers.

The kiss ignited a blaze of passion, desire flowing hot between them. But beneath the hunger was a tenderness even more profound. A bond of love that would guide them through every adventure, support them in every challenge, and lead them home.

Together, they had all the time in the world.