Chapter 10 - The Locked Door
It was two in the morning when they returned to Mercer House.
The grand estate was quiet, illuminated by soft amber nightlights reflecting off the marble floors.
Julian and Claire walked down the long grand hallway together, their fingers intertwined. Instead of heading toward the grand staircase leading to the bedrooms, Claire pulled gently on his hand, leading him down the narrow stairs toward the basement.
Julian followed her with a soft, amused smile. "Where are we going?"
Claire led him through the heavy double doors into the industrial kitchen.
The room was pristine, dark, and still—stainless-steel prep counters gleaming under the moonlit windows.
Claire walked to the center island—the exact spot where she had sat three weeks ago with a bag of frozen peas—and hopped up onto the polished steel counter, her silver gown spilling over the edge.
Julian walked over to the kitchen entrance.
He reached out, caught the heavy brass deadbolt, and slammed it into place behind them.
CLICK.
The sound echoed off the cold tiles—the exact same sound that had terrified Claire three weeks ago.
Except tonight, there was no fear. Only heat, passion, and an absolute, unshakeable trust.
Julian walked slowly across the kitchen floor, unbuttoning his tuxedo jacket and tossing it onto a nearby chair. He stopped between her knees as she sat on the counter, his hands coming up to gently frame her face.
His fingers were warm, steady, and filled with a reverent tenderness that made Claire’s breath hitch.
"Three weeks ago," Julian murmured, his dark eyes locking onto hers in the quiet dimness of the kitchen, "I locked this door and asked you a question."
"You asked me if the service stairs had fingers," Claire whispered, her hands coming up to rest against his chest, feeling the fast, steady rhythm of his heart.
"And tonight," Julian said, his voice dropping into a deep, husky register that sent a shiver straight down her spine, "I'm locking this door to ask you a different question."
"What question, Mr. Mercer?" she teased softly, a brilliant smile lighting up her face.
Julian leaned in, resting his forehead against hers, his hands slipping around her waist to pull her flush against his body.
"Will you marry me, Claire Bennett?" he asked softly. "Will you stay in this house, rule this city beside me, and let me spend every day of my life protecting you?"
Claire looked at the man who had pulled her out of the shadows, who had fought her battles, healed her mother, and given her a life beyond her wildest dreams.
She leaned up, pressing her lips against his in a deep, breathtaking kiss that tasted of sweet champagne, promise, and forever.
When she pulled back slightly, her dark eyes were shining with pure, unclouded joy.
May you like
"Yes, Julian," Claire whispered against his lips. "Yes."
Outside the high frosted windows of the kitchen, the sun began to rise over Lake Michigan, casting warm, golden rays of morning light across the steel counters, illuminating the two of them locked inside—safe, whole, and finally home.
