Worth Every Cent (Worth It 2)

Grayson

“Yes, I would like to order two steaks, medium rare, with a side of parmesan broccoli. I would also like to order two shrimp cocktails and two crème brulee for the penthouse suite. Mhm. That’s correct. Bill it to the room, and leave yourself a decent tip.”

Michelle walked around the massive expanse of the room I had booked without a second thought. I watched her while she gawked, her eyes taking in a decadence I had easily gotten used to in my life. The room was beautiful, and it filled me with pride that she was so taken by it. The vaulted ceilings lent a spaciousness to the room and the cherry mahogany hardwood floors felt solid under my feet. I watched her run her hand along the genuine leather furniture that filled the living room before reaching her hand out to flip a switch on the wall.

And the fireplace came alive.

“Gray! The fireplace is electric!”

I chuckled as I confirmed our order, then placed the phone back onto the receiver in the bedroom I had claimed.

A bedroom I was determined to paint in our sounds.

I made my way down the small corridor after Michelle, watching as she pushed into the other bedroom. The massive king-size bed had a canopy frame with curtains that hung down around it. Michelle took in the beauty of it with her eyes before she moved to feel the fabric beneath her fingertips.

“Is this—silk?” she asked.

“It is,” I said.

She jumped at my voice before whipping around and looking straight into my eyes.

“There’s silk just—draped over every inch of this place.”

“Do you like it?” I asked.

“It’s beautiful,” she said breathlessly.

I loved watching her take all of it in. I loved experiencing this world through her eyes. Everything was so new, so beautiful and unbelievable. I remembered a time when luxury like this still hit me in that fashion. I wanted to see more. To experience more of her joy as she took in the room I’d booked for us for the weekend. So, I walked over to a door against the wall and pushed it open.

And the sight that filled her eyes made her squeal.

I chuckled as Michelle ran into the bathroom and took in its decadence. The jetted tub that could easily fit two. The double vanity with marble countertops. The massive stone walk-in shower with a waterfall shower head. I buried the smile trying to crawl across my cheeks as Michelle’s jaw hit the floor. She walked past the toilet as her eyes took in the shower, however, and it flushed automatically.

“Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed.

And I couldn’t resist the laughter that bubbled up my throat.

I’d forgotten how I used to be taken by all of these things. I’d forgotten the joy and the relief that cascaded through my bones when I sat on a leather couch I could afford for the first time in my life. I leaned against the doorway as Michelle’s eyes connected with mine, and the sheer delight in them made me want to whisk her away. To jet her off to any part of the world so I could see it once again through her innocent, sheltered eyes.

“Once you make your way into the kitchen, you’ll notice an array of treats and drinks and alcohols. Help yourself to anything. Our dinner should be up within the hour,” I said.

“Oh no, no way. Even I know enough not to ever take anything from a mini-bar. Those things are, like twenty bucks a pop.”

“Michelle, we’re in the penthouse suite. All that shit’s included,” I said.

The look on her face was priceless, and it caused me to throw my head back and laugh. I walked into the bathroom and reached out for her, pulling her close to me so I could soak up her excitement through my pores. She was so vivacious and curious, and I enjoyed every second of it.

“Come on, let me finish giving you the tour of the place,” I said.

I walked her through the small kitchen and out onto the balcony. We dipped our feet into the private pool and looked out over the skyline of Chicago. I looked over at her and took in the dazzling lights reflected in her beautiful green eyes. There was no one else I’d rather be with in that moment than Michelle.

“I think I hear our food coming,” I said.

“What?” Michelle asked. “Did someone knock on the door?”

A resounding knock sounded against the door and her eyes widened.

“How did you know someone was there?”