Chapter 160

The sun was shining bright and the warm breeze hit Pearl's face as soon as she walked through the exit at LAX. She loved the sunshine and being back in LA made her feel close to Erik again.

"I thought you were staying at his place, why get a room at the Chateau?" Jim asked as he shielded her from a photographer that had noticed them.

"Nostalgia" Pearl said, smiling. She had Iris reserve a suite for Jim along with a bungalow for herself. She planned on staying at Erik's house in the hills most of the time, but it was nice to have a secondary spot and she didn't want to impose on his life. She had insecurities about it and needed time to work it out in her head. Plus, the Chateau worked hard at keeping the privacy of the guests and she felt safe there from the press. They checked in and Pearl assured Jim she would be fine. She walked into the same place she had shared with Erik that fateful night that he had cared for her. She still felt embarrassed but more so thankful for him and what he did for her. She changed her clothes and did her hair and makeup. She was meeting Erik at his house at 8 and she wanted to look good for him.

"Wow, you look beautiful, Pearl." Jim said, escorting her to the car. Pearl thanked him and smiled.

His house was one street over from Rhys's. It was on top of a hill completely surrounded by trees and a very tall, stone privacy fence. The house wasn't visible from the road. It was gated and there was a guard shack at the entrance. A man walked to their car and Jim explained who they were. "Ah, yes. Welcome Ms. Clarke. His highness is expecting you." He said. Jim rolled up the window. "His highness?" Jim said, making a face.

"It's going to be an adventure, Jim, what can I say?" Pearl said, giggling.

"It always is with you, Miss Pearl. It always is." He said.

They drove up a long drive and the house came into view. It was lit up and literally every wall was a large window that walked out to an outdoor living space all the way around the house. It was a modern architectural design and Pearl was in awe.

Charles greeted her at the door. "Come in, lovely to see you again, Pearl." He said.

"Charles, this is Jim, my security and my friend." She said. They shook hands and Pearl could see they were going to work well together.

"His highness is waiting for you on the back terrace." He said.

"Pearl!" She heard a voice say from behind Charles. Erik rushed to her and picked her up, spinning her around, holding her so tightly she thought he might crush her.

"Nightingale." He whispered. "I've missed you so much." He said, looking into her eyes.

"It's only been a few days." Pearl said, smiling.

"They felt like years." He said, breathing her in. He took her face into his hands and kissed her. "You look beautiful." He said.

"Thank you. So do you." She said. And he did. He had on a tailored suit and looked immaculately put together. She was looking forward to making a mess of it soon, she thought to herself.

He led her to a table set for dinner, on the back terrace. She walked out and put her arms around him, breathing in his smell that she had missed so much. "I'm so glad to be here." She said. He smiled and kissed her again. "You have no idea how glad I am." He said. "Wine?" He asked. She nodded. He poured her a glass and pulled a chair out for her. Pearl wasn't expecting dinner. She expected him to rip her clothes off as soon as she came in. That's what Rhys or David would have done. He pulled a chair out for her and invited her to sit. She thanked him and sipped her wine.

"This is so nice. Your house is beautiful.", Pearl said.

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it." He said. He moved his chair so he could sit next to her and kissed her hand. "How are you?" He asked.

"I'm much better now." She said.

"I didn't see you bring in any bags. Aren't you in town for a few weeks?" He asked.

"I, I rented a bungalow at the Chateau. I didn't want to burden you by staying here." She said, looking down.

"Nonsense. You're staying here. And if you don't feel comfortable with that, I will stay with you, at the Chateau." He said. She smiled and nodded. "Ok. I will stay here then, as long as it's ok."

"You bet your ass it's ok. I'm not leaving your side until I absolutely have to. Seeing you walk away at the airport in Tuscany ripped my bloody heart out." He said.

"It was like that for me, as well." Pearl whispered.

He looked into her eyes and said, "Let's just be completely honest with each other moving forward. No fears, no hinderances. I don't want to feel like I have to hold back or conceal my feelings or intentions with you and I promise I will not. I want you to do the same. Like staying here, for example. Why would I want you anywhere else than here with me? You never have to worry about that." He said, taking a drink from his glass.

"That sounds perfect, actually. But it's not easy for me. I'm sorry, I just am not used to that. I haven't had the best luck with people being honest with me. No one has ever been completely honest with me." She said.

"Well then, I'm glad I'm your first." He said, smiling.