The Endgame

Chapter 3

I truly underestimated southern money. This place is as grand as some of the palaces in Europe. Marbled floors, an onyx staircase, the silver chandelier sparkles as the daylight streams in through the skylights. I didn't realize I had been standing there for so long until Sean cleared his throat.

"Do you still want coffee, or would you like a guided tour?" a playful smirk on his lips. I roll my eyes and giggle. I will say he is equally blessed with charm and wit. I let my hair down and shake out the heat of the day. The AC in here feels heavenly and I absolutely dread going back to my room to suffer with my window unit that only works for an hour before freezing up.

"Well, why can't I have both?" I smile coyly and bat my lashes. His eyes roam over me as he crosses his arms before leaning against a pillar. Oh, I have him. I have him exactly where I want him. Poor fool. I take a moment to take him in fully. Tall, lean but broad, honey-colored hair and gray eyes. Though now that he is looking at me like I'm a meal, they seem almost blue. The butler bows his head before speaking.

"If I may sir, I would happily make coffee if you would like to take our guest on a tour of the estate. I will bring it to you when it is done." Sean ponders this for a moment before giving me a look as if to ask me what I prefer. I smile and nod.

"That sounds wonderful, Mavis. Thank you." Mavis bows again and dismisses himself. We take off our shoes and leave them by the door, which I don't love, but I understand the rules of the house. Sean bows to me in a goofy manner, overexaggerating his movements before speaking in a fake British accent.

"Now madame, we shall go to the east wing of the estate to start the tour in the grand ballroom." I'm laughing as he takes my hand. I touch the side of my glasses to make sure they are recording so I can fully map this place out later. We come to wooden French doors that are carved with flowers that I've seen planted around the estate. There are also woodland creatures around the carving as well. The doors open and once again, I am awestruck by the grandeur of this mansion.

The windows stretch nearly to the ceiling from the floor, and the wall is lined with French-inspired crown molding. The buttercream yellow of the room compliments the pair of golden chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. I walk along the edge of the room, peeking out of the windows into the vast gardens. Everything is in full bloom; bees flit from flower to flower. I watch two butterflies pass by the window in the fading light before I hear his footsteps behind me.

"I've seen many beautiful women in these halls, been on dates, flirted, all of it. I've had a few gorgeous women in my bed, in fact. But now that I've met you, I think you may have ruined all women for me." A small gasp escapes my lips as I turn. The playboy who has been witty and playful since we met is now stone-cold serious.

"Now sir, I'm sure you say that to all the gullible first-year girls you bring back here. Surely you can't think me that naive?" I arch an eyebrow. He has certainly surprised me and managed to catch me completely off guard with that comment. My sarcasm is serving as a disguise for my surprise.

"Well, whether you believe me or not does not change how I feel," he crosses the room and comes within mere centimeters of me, so close that I can feel the heat radiating off his body. My heart quickens as he draws closer ever so slowly. He braces his hands on the wall above my head, leaning closer. Just when I think he is going to kiss me, he turns his head to the side and whispers in my ear.

"In fact, it only makes me want you more, Elena, in whatever way you will let me." Him saying my name runs a chill down my spine and a warmth begins to build between my legs. I've never had a man speak to me this way. I've had crass and creepy advances for sure... but this is something else. I don't think people are normally this forward on a first... Date? Outing? Meeting? He's only known me for a day for crying out loud.

"You cannot simply have me. You have to earn me, especially since you almost ended me with your car." I whisper back. Poor fool will be dead before he ever gets the chance to try. He's showing me his home and offering me his affection upon first meeting? Too easy. He throws his head back and laughs.

"Will you really hold that against me? I swear I didn't see you." The sunlight catches his hair just right, making it look like spun gold. What I wouldn't give at this moment to run my hands through it, to grab the back of his neck and bring him back to be close. To kiss him. Wait. What? Elena, no. I snap out of it, reminding myself of my true goal in being here with him.

"Well, I'll only hold it against you if we don't finish the tour of this magnificent mansion." He laughs and takes his hands off the wall, allowing me to walk beside him to exit the ballroom. He shows me the studies, the parlor room, the bedrooms, the kitchen and all the other things of the east wing and main part of the mansion. We come back to the foyer where Mavis is waiting on us with a tray of coffee and some delicious looking pastries. My stomach growls as I realize it has been hours since I've eaten.

"Would you like to have coffee in your living room, sir?" Mavis asks Sean.

"That would be fine Mavis, thank you," Sean nods, and we both follow Mavis to this beautiful-looking living room. The eggshell walls and ceilings are complimented with pale blues and gold. It looks like a heavenly living room. Mavis sets the tray down between two armchairs and Sean motions for me to sit. I'm almost afraid to sit on the chair for fear of getting it dirty.

"You'll be fine. Mavis has cleaned up after me since I was a boy, and I was a wild child. Any dirt you may have brought in will be taken care of easily." I smiled and sat down next to him taking my coffee. Oh my god, it is wonderful, it's so flavorful and almost nutty. I must have moaned out loud by accident because Sean began to laugh at me.

"Have I ruined the college coffee shop for you?" Why does he have to be so devastatingly good-looking?

"Perhaps, but I wouldn't tell you if you did. I wouldn't want you to feel bad." Sean reaches for the leg of my armchair and pulls me to him.

"Well, if I have ruined it for you, that would just mean you would have to come here with me every day. I certainly wouldn't complain about that." That makes my cheeks flush a bright red, I'm sure, judging by the intense heat I feel. I giggle at his ridiculousness and try to change the subject.

"This room is beautiful. Did you decorate it this way?" For the first time since meeting him, there is a hint of sadness, but he quickly recovers and smiles as if reliving a fond memory as he looks around the room.

"No, my mother decorated it this way before she died. When she was battling cancer, she wanted to stay in this room because it has the best lighting when the sun rises and sets. So we let her do what she wanted with it. She told me this is how she envisioned her living room in heaven." He smiles warmly at me, seeming to be very at peace. Not having my parents since birth I really don't understand what is it to lose one. I place my hand over his.

"She sounds like she was a wonderful woman, I'm sure that was hard on you," I say. His eyes become glazed over as if in a far off memory.

"She was. She really was incredible." He says as he brushes away a tear.