You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 720

It was just past nine when Patricia arrived at Cloud Peak.

“Where is he?” she asked, washing her hands in the downstairs bathroom. Marian stood by, holding out a warm towel. Life at Cloud Peak had shifted subtly since autumn started. Patricia’s leg couldn’t handle the cold, so the floor heating was always on early. The sterilizer in the kitchen was always stocked with clean, heated towels. Little details like that were everywhere.

“He’s in the study,” Marian answered.

“Has he eaten dinner?” Patricia asked.

Marian shook her head. “I didn’t dare ask.” He came home looking like a storm was brewing, and she hadn’t had the nerve to say a word. She was worried she’d say the wrong thing and make it worse.

Patricia nodded. “Alright, I’ll go check on him.”

“Just… talk things out, okay? Don’t fight,” Marian said, sounding genuinely anxious.

“I know,” Patricia promised.

Upstairs, Oliver sat in his study, a proposal pulled up on his computer. His eyes were on the screen, but his mind was somewhere else, turning over the fact that Patricia had bought a new place. He kept telling himself he should look into it, just for his own peace of mind. But he also knew she hated it when he got too controlling. Still, not knowing bothered him.

A knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced over and saw Patricia standing there, holding a glass of warm water.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

He managed a small smile, his eyes lingering on her, searching her face for something. “Just work stuff. You just got back?”

Patricia nodded. “I bought Jackson a condo in Chelsea after work. We grabbed dinner too.”

For Jackson? The tension in Oliver’s shoulders eased a little. Even his hand on the desk seemed to relax.

He reached out his hand to her. “Come here.”

Patricia crossed the room and sat in his lap. He wrapped his arm around her waist, then slipped his hand under her sweater. The rough warmth of his palm on her skin made her shiver. She braced herself on the desk, trying to edge away, but he held her close.

“Is this okay, sweetheart?” he murmured.

“Not here…”

“Right here…”

He needed her, and waiting wasn’t an option.