Chapter 211.

Kylie stood in the middle of her apartment with her arms crossed.

Her eyes traveled around the living room.

Her home. Or what had been her home.

She looked toward the staircase.

Her stomach tightened. That was where everything had changed.

The memory came without permission.

Noah. His hands. The water. The panic. The stairs. The awful moment when her body had simply stopped cooperating.

Kylie shut her eyes. She shook her head. She wasn’t going to do that today.

She had spent enough time thinking about it.

Christian had found her somewhere else. Somewhere safe. He had told her she wouldn’t be staying here anymore.

And for once, she hadn’t argued. She knew he was right.

Her phone buzzed.

Christian: Downstairs.

Kylie looked at the message. Then typed.

Kylie: I’m coming.

She grabbed her purse and walked out.

She locked the door behind her. Then she stood there for a moment with her hand still on the handle.

Christian was already waiting outside.

He stood beside a white sports car that looked almost absurdly beautiful beneath the afternoon sun.

Kylie stepped out of the building.

She stopped.

Her eyes widened.

The car was sleek, low, bright white, with dark windows and a body that looked like it had been built for one purpose.

Speed.

Christian noticed the look on her face.

A slow smile appeared across his lips. "What?"

Kylie pointed. "Is that yours?"

"Yes."

Her eyes sparkled. "Can I drive it?"

Christian didn’t hesitate. "Sure."

She blinked. "Really?"

He pulled the key from his pocket. "Why are you acting surprised?"

"Because it’s your car."

"You’ve driven cars worth more than this."

"Not this one."

He tossed her the key.

She caught it. Her smile was immediate. "You trust me?"

Christian gave her a look. "Kylie."

"What?"

"We met at the racing spot twice."

She grinned. "And you still want to give me the keys?"

"I already know you can handle it."

Her fingers closed around the key.

Christian opened the passenger door. "Get in."

She smiled. "You really don’t want to drive?"

"No." He shrugged. "I want to see how fast you take it."

Her eyebrows lifted. "That’s a dangerous thing to say to me."

"I know."

She got into the driver’s seat.

Christian closed the door.

Kylie immediately ran her hands over the steering wheel. "Okay."

Christian settled into the passenger seat.

She looked at him. "Ready?"

He fastened his seat belt. "Always."

Kylie started the engine.

The car roared to life.

Her eyes widened. "Oh."

Christian laughed. "We’re about to get into trouble."

She grinned. "You knew what you were getting into."

She shifted into gear, and the car slowly rolled forward for approximately five seconds.

Kylie pressed the accelerator.

The sports car surged forward. "Jesus!" She laughed.

Christian laughed too. "Eyes on the road."

"I am looking at the road!"

"Then keep them there."

She glanced at him. "I’m allowed to look at you."

"Not while we’re moving this fast."

"You’re scared."

Christian snorted. "I’m not scared." He leaned back. "Start."

Kylie grinned.

She pressed the accelerator harder.

The engine growled, and the city immediately seemed to move faster.

Buildings slipped past the windows, and cars became streaks of color as thr car moved out of the garage, blurring everything.

Wind rushed through the slightly opened window, sending strands of Kylie’s hair flying across her face.

She laughed.

Christian looked at her.

She was glowing.

Just Kylie.

Happy, free, and alive.

"Next right," Christian said, givig her directions to the new apartment he wanted her to see.

She turned sharply. "That one?"

"Yes."

She took the turn faster than necessary.

Christian laughed. "Okay." He straightened.

"What?"

"That was unnecessary."

"But fun."

"Very."

She smiled. The wind spread strands of her hair across her gace.

He pointed ahead. "Stay left."

She moved into the lane. "How far?"

"Three lights."

"Then?"

"Second left."

She nodded.

The next light turned green.

Kylie accelerated.

Christian laughed again. "You really missed driving."

"I missed driving like this." She glanced at him. "Driving normally is boring."

Christian shook his head. The houses blurred past him in a breath. "I should’ve known better than to give you the keys."

She grinned. She accelerated again.

The city entirely blurred around them.

Buildings stretched into streaks of glass and concrete, and traffic lights flashed past.

The evening sunlight bounced off the windshield. The engine roared beneath them.

Kylie laughed.

Christian laughed with her.

The adrenaline did enough talking.

Then Christian pointed. "Left."

Kylie turned. "Now?"

"Now."

She took the corner. "That was close."

"I know." He laughed. "Keep your eyes on the road."

"They are."

They drove another few blocks.

Christian pointed toward an upcoming intersection. "Right."

Kylie turned.

The road opened ahead.

She looked at him.

He looked back. There was a silent understanding between the look they shared.

"Go," he said.

Her smile widened. She pressed the accelerator, and the car shot forward.

Kylie burst into laughter. "Thank God this road is free."

Christian grabbed the handle above the door.

She looked at him. "You’re holding on?"

"I’m not scared."

"You’re literally holding on."

"Because I like my life."

She laughed harder. "You’re an idiot." She yelled over the wind.

Christaun shook his head.

......

Thirty minutes later, Christian pointed toward a building ahead.

"That’s it."

Kylie slowed slightly.

Her eyes traveled upward.

The building rose above the surrounding structures, all glass and clean lines.

She frowned. "That’s it?"

"Yes."

She looked at him. "Where’s the apartment?"

"Inside."

She looked back at the building, and slowed down. "That’s not an apartment building."

"It is."

"That’s a luxury tower."

"Still an apartment building."

Kylie blinked at him. "What did you do?"

He said nothing.

"Christian."

He pointed toward the entrance. "Drive in."

She followed his instructions.

The security gate opened almost immediately.

Kylie looked at the guard, then at Christian. She drove down the private ramp into the underground garage.

The doors closed behind them, and she parked. The engine went quiet. For a moment, neither of them moved.

Kylie looked at Christian. "Where are we?"

"Your new place."

She stared at him. Reluctantly, she got out of the car. Christian followed, and walked toward the private elevator.

He pressed the button.

The doors opened, and they stepped inside. Christian pressed the highest floor.

Kylie noticed.

Her eyes narrowed. "Penthouse?"

He didn’t answer.

She looked at him. "Christian."

He smiled. "What?"

"Did you get me a penthouse?"

"I told you I found you an apartment."

The elevator began moving.

Kylie stared at the floor numbers. "You know I’m going to kill you if this is some ridiculous apartment."

"You’ll survive."

The elevator stopped.

The doors opened, and Kylie stepped out, then stopped. There was only one door.

One private entrance.

She looked at Christian. "This is definitely a penthouse."

He smiled. "Go inside."

She looked at the door, then at him. "You first." She took in a quiet breath.

"Why?"

She made a face at him. "Because I don’t trust you."

He laughed, unlocked the door, and then stepped aside.

"After you."

Kylie slowly walked inside, and froze.

The first thing she saw was the view. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the entire living room.

The city spread beneath them.

Buildings rose in every direction, and sunlight poured through the glass.

The living room itself was enormous.

There was a large cream sofa, a marble coffee table, a dining area, a modern kitchen, soft rugs, warm lighting, and fresh flowers.

Everything was already furnished.

Kylie stared. Then slowly turned around. "Christian."

He leaned against the doorway. "Yeah?"

She gestured around. "What is this?"

"Your apartment."

She pointed around. "This?"

"Yes."

"This is not an apartment."

"It is."

"This is a penthouse."

She stared at him.

He smiled. "You’re getting hung up on technicalities."

She chuckled. "Technicalities?"

She walked farther inside. She touched the back of the sofa, and then the marble counter. Then she looked toward the enormous windows.

"You did all this?"

"I found it."

"You furnished it." She pointed out.

"It was already furnished."

"You stocked the kitchen?"

"Yes."

She opened the refrigerator.

There was food, drinks, fruit, and everything.

Her eyes widened. She closed it, and then opened it again.

"Why are there lots of grapes?"

"You like grapes."

She turned.

Christian shrugged. "You eat them all the time."

Her expression softened. She walked toward him. She approached him, and moved a finger along his chest. "Why?"

"Because you’re not going back to that apartment."

Her smile disappeared slightly.

Christian continued. "Not after Noah."

Kylie looked down.

He didn’t touch her immediately. He gave her the space to breathe. "You don’t have to be scared of your own front door," he said quietly.

She swallowed. "I wasn’t scared."

He paused.

"But you shouldn’t have to wonder if you’re safe every time you walk into your home."

Kylie looked around.

The penthouse suddenly felt different.

It wasn’t just luxury.

It was distance. A new floor, a new door. A new place that didn’t contain the memory of Noah’s hands on her.

She walked toward the windows. "I like it."

Christian smiled. "Really?"

She turned. "Actually..." She looked around again. "I love it."

His smile widened. "I thought you might."

She walked toward the hallway. "Show me everything."

Christian followed.

The first bedroom was enormous. The bed was already made, and the room was warm and bright.

Kylie walked into the walk-in closet, and then stopped. Her mouth opened.

She stepped inside. "Christian."

"What?"

"Look at this."

He looked. "Closet?"

"That is not a closet." She shook her head, still smiling.

"What is it?"

"A small shopping mall."

He laughed.

She walked deeper inside.

There were shelves, drawers, shoe racks, and a vanity. Enough space for clothes she hadn’t even bought yet.

Kylie turned toward him. "How did you know that I would need this much space?"

"I’ve seen your closet."

She pointed at him. "You’ve seen a fraction."

"Apparently." He chuckled. "You’re you."

She laughed. Then she walked back into the bedroom. There was another room beside it.

She opened the door. "What’s this?"

"Your office."

Her expression changed.

She walked inside. There was a large desk, bookshelves, a comfortable chair, a computer setup, and a printer.

Everything she could possibly need.

Kylie slowly turned toward him. "Why is there an office?"

Christian shrugged. "You said you want to become a lawyer."

Her throat tightened.

He leaned against the doorframe. "I listen, Kylie."

She stared at him.bThe words landed harder than they should have.

Because she had spent years feeling like the parts of her that mattered most were the parts people ignored..

Kylie looked away. Her eyes stung. "You really went overboard." She smiled. "Thank you."

"You don’t have to thank me."

She walked toward him. "But I want to."

He smiled.

She stopped in front of him. "This is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

Christian’s expression softened. "You deserve nice things."

Kylie moved closer, and lossingly wrapped both arms around his neck, pulling him down. "Christian, normal people don’t solve housing problems by buying penthouses."

Christian smiled down at her. "I’m not normal."

He wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her in for a kiss.