Roxanne looked at Richard, her mind whirling through a flurry of unvoiced questions. Is this truly what you want, Roxanne? Is this the right step for your future? She searched his face, taking in the intensity in his dark eyes.
Richard gently squeezed her fingers, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. "Please say yes," he murmured, holding her gaze with complete sincerity. "Every minute you are away from me, a part of my mind is constantly worrying about you. And now that you are carrying our child, that instinct is ten times stronger."
A faint smile curved the corners of Roxanne’s lips.
"Let me take care of you," Richard added softly, lifting her knuckles to press a lingering kiss against her skin.
Roxanne looked deeply into his eyes, her heart beating against her ribs like a trapped bird. Is he truly a good man? she asked herself, tracing the familiar lines of his jaw and the quiet warmth in his expression. Yes, a quiet certainty settled in her chest. I can trust him.
She offered a slow nod that quickly grew firm and decisive. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek with her free hand. "Yes," she whispered, a bright tear brimming at the corner of her eye. "I would love to move in with you."
Richard let out a laugh, pumping his fist once in the air like a victorious boy. He leaned across the small gap between their chairs, pressing his lips to hers before showering her cheeks, forehead, and temple with enthusiastic kisses.
"You have no idea how happy you just made me!" he declared, his face lit by a wide grin. "We need to finish our tea, head upstairs, and pack our bags right now. I am going to make a few calls to the estate so the staff can prepare for our arrival."
Before Roxanne could even offer a reply, Richard pulled his phone from his pocket and began dialing, issuing precise instructions. Roxanne leaned back into the woven chair, a genuine laugh bubbling in her throat as she watched the usually stoic man practically vibrate with giddy energy.
A few minutes later, Richard ended the call and slipped the phone back into his jacket pocket. He turned to her, his dark eyes sparkling. "Everything is set. Are you ready to return to the city?"
Roxanne smiled, giving a slow nod. "I am. But I would love to take one last stroll through the grounds first," she said, looking out over the manicured lawn. "It is so quiet here, Richard."
"Say no more," Richard agreed, rising from his seat and extending his hand to pull her up gently. He pressed a brief kiss against her cheek. "Let us take our walk."
They walked along the gravel pathways surrounding the estate, soaking in the late morning air, enjoying the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and sharing easy laughter as the last lingering tension of the past few weeks dissolved completely.
By the time they reached the city, the afternoon sun had begun sinking toward the horizon as their black Escalade navigated the quiet streets of the city, finally slowing to a halt before a set of grand wrought-iron gates.
Roxanne peered through the tinted window, catching her first glimpse of the sprawling estate tucked behind towering stone walls.
As the vehicle idled quietly at the entrance, Richard reached across the leather seat, sliding his fingers through hers to anchor her attention. Roxanne turned her head, meeting his steady gaze.
"Are you happy?" Richard asked, a quiet, gentle smile touching his lips.
Roxanne looked at him for a long beat, her pulse slowing to a steady rhythm. The interior cabin was dim, illuminated only by the faint glow of the dashboard lights, making his dark eyes seem even deeper, as though she and the child she carried were the only two things that mattered in his universe.
She lowered her left hand to her stomach, resting her palm over her abdomen, then looked back up at him with a firm nod. "Yes, Richard," she said softly. "Part of me wishes this weekend didn’t have to end. Everything about it was so peaceful."
Richard nodded, his thumb rubbing small circles against her knuckles. "I feel the exact same way. I am just grateful I got to share every second of it with you." His expression softened. "Whatever challenges we face from this day forward, I want you to hold onto what we built between us this weekend. Promise me?"
Roxanne nodded, leaning across the space separating them to press her lips firmly against his. "I promise."
The kiss deepened, his free hand cradling the back of her neck as he pulled her closer, the gentle touch sending a wave of pleasant heat through her veins.
The low, mechanical hum of the iron gates sliding open broke the silence, prompting them to pull apart slightly.
But before Roxanne could settle back into her seat, Richard leaned in once more, catching her mouth in one final kiss. A fluttering sensation bloomed in her stomach as she smiled against his lips.
Richard finally turned his gaze forward as the driver eased the SUV through the open gates and onto the winding driveway.
Roxanne’s eyes widened slightly as she took in the estate grounds. Lush manicured hedges lined the stone path, leading toward a lit marble fountain featuring a carved angel, where water cascaded gracefully into a wide basin.
"This is breathtaking," Roxanne whispered, taking in the grand stone facade of the mansion ahead. "How do you manage to live in a place this massive all by yourself?"
Richard glanced sideways at her, a subtle smile curving his mouth. "Well, I don’t live here alone anymore," he replied smoothly. "And the house is infinitely better now that my favorite companion has joined me."
Roxanne chuckled softly, tilting her head as she met his eye. "That was remarkably smooth, Mr. Vance."
"It happens to be the absolute truth," Richard said quietly. "I am truly glad you came home with me, Roxanne."
The Escalade glided to a smooth stop directly before the main entrance portico, where three uniformed house staff members stood in a neat row, waiting to greet the vehicle.
Richard turned to her one last time, leaning in to brush his lips over hers in a gentle kiss. "Welcome home, Roxanne," he murmured against her mouth.
Roxanne looked into his handsome face, her heart swelling with a deep sense of peace. She turned her head toward the grand entrance, taking a deep breath as a sweet sense of anticipation filled her chest.
She didn’t know it yet, but before the hour was over, everything they’d built over the weekend would be tested.
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