Ruby's Secret

CHAPTER 26

Ruby St. Clair's POV

"What do you think of this place?"

I looked questioningly at Roman as he asked me brightly. I smiled at him slightly trying to decipher what he meant by his query. "Are you asking about this place?"

"Yeah," he replied eagerly, spreading his hands before him as if showing me what this big apartment has to offer. "What do you think?"

I raised an eyebrow in his direction, surveying the ultra-modern New York penthouse before us. "It's big and very New York with those floor-to-ceiling glass windows. What are we doing here, by the way?"

Roman smiled widely, the way he beamed at me he was almost like a teenage boy who got approval from his teenage crush. "I'm glad it passes your liking."

I frowned at him openly not following the direction of our conversation. This was not what expected when he told me he knew a place where we could spend the day together. Besides, what would he do to this place when he already had an apartment? "Why does it matter if I like the place, Roman?"

He walked closer to my side and held my hands in his. "I need your approval before purchasing this house, wife."

My eyes widened at his words. This was the last thing on my mind. "Why do you need my consent before you buy this house? Besides, what would happen to the apartment you already have?"

"I am planning to get a new and bigger house for us, Red." He said as if it was the logical thing to do. "That small flat is not suitable for us anymore. Moreover, I am also planning to open a permanent office here so I can oversee my business in Spain while I am here."

"Really?"

He eyed me curiously while holding my hands firmly. "Are you happy with my decision?"

Am I? I also asked myself silently. I must admit that I didn't know how to answer him with his sudden question. Heck, I was not even sure I wanted how fast our relationship developed. It felt like I just blinked and there's a new progress liaison.

"Red...?" Roman inquired inquisitively.

I tried to give him a reassuring smile I could see the alarm in his expressive eyes. Even though I was not sure anymore where this relationship was heading. "I think this place is too big for us. I preferred the old apartment."

He rolled his eyes at me as if it was the most ridiculous thing he heard for quite some time. "But that small two-bedroom apartment is very small. I find it very hard to move freely from such a small place. It feels claustrophobic every time."

I laughed heartily, touching his cheeks gently. "Darling, I think we have a different kind of definition for the word 'small apartment'. Believe me, you haven't traveled yet to a foreign country on a budget. You haven't seen a real claustrophobic apartment in your lifetime, Mr. Vasquez."

He eyed me disapprovingly. "It doesn't matter. You know I am not used to those places and let me remind you that I am anything but small."

I gave him a haughty look while he had the nerve to grin wolfishly on my face. "Don't you think it's rather early for your innuendo comments, sir?"

He gave me a speaking glance at his private parts. "I am just telling you the truth, my darling Red. Look, your face is as red as your flaming hair. Who would have thought that this rebellious little beauty of the St. Clair clan was innocent and I am the one who caught this elusive exquisiteness."

"Roman..."

"So what do you think of this place, mi amor? He asked again, by now he was already standing an inch away from me. I could already smell his musky aftershave the scent I love. "We're getting out of topic."