Home > The Donor(22)

The Donor(22)
Author: Sandi Lynn

“It is. You’ll be able to see it for yourself later.”

I ran my hand along the gray down comforter that made up his bed. Across from it was a large fireplace and a massive TV that hung on the wall. A large cherry wood dresser graced the other wall with an armoire that sat in the opposite corner. The curtains that housed the tall floor to ceiling windows were the same gray as the comforter was. The room was decorated to perfection. Even the artwork that hung on the walls was of taste.

“Are you an interior decorator in your spare time?” I asked.

He let out a chuckle. “No. I hired an interior designer named Adalyn Grant. Her husband, Harrison, is a friend of mine. I bought this place in a foreclosure auction for practically nothing, but it desperately needed a remodel. So, I brought Adalyn in and she worked her magic.”

“I haven’t seen the rest of the house yet, but from what I can already tell she’s fantastic at her job.”

“She’s actually the best. Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the place.” He held out his hand.

Taking it, he led me down the stairs and showed me the media room which housed two sectionals, a pool table and a large TV that took up most of the wall. When we entered the living room, the first thing my eyes noticed was the grand piano in the corner. It just wasn’t any old piano.

“Is this a Steinway Grand?” I asked as I walked over to it and ran my hand over the satin ebony finish.

“It is.” He smiled.

“These cost like fifty thousand dollars.”

“Yes. They do.”

“Do you play?” I asked as I wouldn’t take my eyes off it.

“I do play. You must know something about pianos yourself if you recognized it was a Steinway right away.”

“My mother started teaching me the piano when I was about four years old. Actually, I don’t think I was even four yet. Her grandmother was a concert pianist who traveled the world. She taught her how to play. She told me her dream was to buy a Steinway Grand and one day she’d have one where we both could sit and play. After she died, and they sent me to live with my aunt, I was lucky enough that she had a piano for me to play. But I could only play it when she wasn’t home. If I even dared to try to play it when she was sleeping or hungover, she’d scream at me for an hour.”

“Did she play?”

“No. The house came with the piano and she liked to use it for a place to throw her clothes. She never wanted to learn to play. Who taught you?” I asked.

“My grandmother. She started teaching me when I was young just like your mother taught you. What cooking is to you is what the piano is to me.”

“Wow. I can’t believe it.”

“Sit down and play something for me.”

“Oh, my God. No, Grayson, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.” He placed his hands on my hips and made me sit down on the black tufted bench. “This is your chance to play on a Steinway Grand. Are you really going to turn it down?”

“I guess not.” I bit down on my bottom lip as I looked up at him.

I stretched out my fingers and took in a deep breath as I softly stroked a couple keys to get a feel for it and to listen to the magnificent sound it made. I started to play Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Before I knew it; I was lost in the music. I played as if I only played yesterday. Grayson stood there with his arm on the edge of the piano smiling as I unleashed my talent. I finished the song, and he slowly clapped his hands.

“Are you sure you’re not a professional in disguise?” He smiled. “I’m pretty sure you inherited your grandmother’s talent. That was phenomenal, Harper.”

“Thank you. God, it felt so good to play again. It’s been a long time. Your turn. I want to hear you play.” I smiled.

“I’ll play something for you later. Dinner should arrive any minute.”

 

 

Chapter 26

 

 

Grayson

When she said she could play, I had no idea she could play that way. Shit. Something we both had in common. Charles called up to let me know that dinner had arrived. The elevator dinged and two people dressed in black attire stepped out with large warming bags in their hands.

“Good evening, Mr. Rhodes. Would you like us to set up in the dining room?”

“Yes. It’s this way.”

I led them into the dining room. Harper took her seat, and I grabbed her a glass of water and myself a bourbon.

“What did you do?” Her face lit up with a smile.

“Not much.” I winked.

One server removed two large plates from his bag which consisted of filet and lobster tail, parmesan red potatoes and steamed green beans. The other server set the large salad in the middle of the table and a platter of fresh hot bread with honey butter.

“I’ll put the dessert in the refrigerator,” he spoke.

“Very good. Thank you.”

I reached into my pocket, pulled out some cash and handed each of them a generous tip.

“Thank you, Mr. Rhodes. Enjoy your dinner.”

“We will. Thank you.”

I took my seat across from her and picked up my fork.

“This looks delicious, Grayson. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I hope you like filet and lobster. After I ordered it, I started to have doubts and thought maybe I should have asked you first.”

“I love filet and lobster. You did good.”

“Just so you know, I had a backup plan if you didn’t like it.”

We talked over dinner about work. When we finished, she got up and started cleaning the table.

“Go sit down. You’re my guest and I’ll clean up.”

“You were my guest and still insisted on helping, so I’m doing the same thing. Plus, it’ll be quicker if we both do it. I’m eager to hear you play the piano.” She grinned.

“There’s dessert in the refrigerator,” I spoke.

She placed her hand on her belly. “I will definitely have dessert later. I’m so full. Dinner was delicious. Thank you.” She reached up and brushed her lips against mine.

“You’re welcome. I’m happy you enjoyed it.”

“Oh. I’ll be right back. I want to show you something,” she spoke with excitement.

“Okay. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

A moment later she returned.

“This is my baby.” She grinned from ear to ear as she held the ultrasound picture in front of me.

My heart started to rapidly beat, and a wave of heat took over me as I stared it.

“See. There’s the head and that right there is a little arm.”

I gulped and didn’t know what to say.

“Wow. I’ve never seen an ultrasound picture before. Do you know the sex?”

“I won’t know that until my next ultrasound in a few weeks.”

“Are you going to find out?” I casually asked.

“Yes. I want to know so I can decorate the nursery and start buying the color appropriate clothes. You know, blue for a boy and pink for a girl.”

“Sure. I don’t blame you.”

Looking at the picture was making me uncomfortable, and I needed to change the subject before she noticed.

“When are you due?”

Hot Books
» House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1)
» A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
» From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1)
» A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime
» Deviant King (Royal Elite #1)
» Den of Vipers
» House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)
» The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #
» Sweet Temptation
» The Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1)
» Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels #6)
» Wreck & Ruin
» Steel Princess (Royal Elite #2)
» Twisted Hate (Twisted #3)
» The Play (Briar U Book 3)