Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedications & Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Other Books by LaShawn Vasser
The Room – A Sensuous Experience
By
LaShawn Vasser
The Room – A Sensuous Experience © 2017 LaShawn Vasser
All Rights Reserved
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead are entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
*EXPLICIT ADULT CONTENT*
WARNING
This novel is considered romantic fiction with erotic elements or erotica. This is for mature audiences only. This book contains adult profane language, mild violence, and strong sexual content.
Dedications & Acknowledgments
Thank you to my husband and children for all of your unwavering support. I love you dearly.
Chapter 1
Homes—they always spoke to her—but not like this.
“Incredible.” The words came out as an inaudible whisper. Wide-eyed, Robyn Levy wondered if she had ever entered a place where a living spirit was so familiar. It stole her breath.
A living spirit?
No, she couldn’t quite describe it that way. It wasn’t a supernatural feeling. Robyn knew what that felt like since she’d been in a haunted house a time or two. Those memories made the corners of her lips edge up. Robyn wasn’t ashamed to admit she was afraid of ghosts and wasn’t having it. No house was big enough for her and The Others. If they showed up, she was out, and not the dignified way. Robyn would put Jackie Joyner-Kersee to shame, screaming and running like a bat out of hell; never to return. Nope. She was not the one to deal with Spirits and Forces. Robyn would leave that to other people.
Still, the more she examined the space around her, a state of euphoria began to take over. An emotion so strong yet difficult to describe.
The feeling reminded her of the drug-like haze similar to the poppy field scene in the movie The Wiz . . . but that wasn’t exactly it, not quite.
It wasn’t like a presence she’d felt from within either, but more like the home itself was the total embodiment of a familiar life—a satisfied and well-lived one.
The unsettled feelings she’d been experiencing the past few months, eased the moment she walked into the “House on the Hill” as it was commonly known. Memories sprung up from the time she’d spent at the base of the hill. Those were always pleasant thoughts too.
The sheer energy of this place made her come alive. It was as if it understood that she had been searching for a home, somewhere to land, and it was calling out to her in some weird way, which was ridiculous. It was a house, an inanimate object. Homes didn’t have feelings.
Robyn shook her head as she followed behind her best friend and mumbled, “I should really stop watching that Psychics show.”
Robyn could see Eva Monroe’s eyebrows knitted together in concern as she stopped walking and half turned around. “What?”
“Nothing. Sorry. Please keep going.”
Slowly, Eva nodded then continued to walk and talk, giving Robyn a tour of the house. It was too bad this gorgeous home didn’t have the same calming effect on Eva as it did on Robyn. The stress and strain of this situation were written all over her.
They went from room to room with Robyn barely listening to Eva explain this and that. However, her feelings from earlier began to intensify the closer she came to one particular area of the house, exploding as she stood outside the master bedroom suite.
Robyn could finally identify the why of what she had been feeling. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
She peered through the double doors, and what she saw both delighted her mind and excited her soul. Her pulse sped up. Her mouth formed a perfectly shaped O. “Wow.”
Eva nodded in agreement. “Yeah. I know. I feel the same way every time I come into this house, especially this room.”
It wasn’t as if Robyn hadn’t seen more luxurious places. What freaked her the hell out was that this was the home she’d always dreamed about, and this particular bedroom was literally The Room of her dreams. It was a massive jolt to her system that someone seemingly built a house from floorplans stolen from her head. The resemblance was almost uncanny.
Chapter 2
“Thanks for helping me out on such short notice.” By the tone of her voice, it was obvious that Eva hadn’t seen Robyn’s internal freak-out which was a good thing. She needed to see the professional side of her.
Panic stricken, Eva walked from one end of the empty bedroom to the other. “Something told me that when I hired Dkor Interior Designs for this project, it would be a big mistake. I wanted to give Amber Novak a chance. I’ve known that woman since high school.”
Eva continued to pace around the master suite nervously rubbing her hands together while somehow managing to keep her leather-bound portfolio underneath her arm. “Can you believe they shuttered their doors and filed bankruptcy only weeks after they took my damn money? Then, left town.” Eva spit fire. “That witch knew when she signed the contract that her company would be unable to fulfill it. I’m so pissed!”
Robyn tried to remain the picture of calm even though she was screaming on the inside. She stood silently, masking her excitement and allowing Eva to vent. Her friend was so angry that one of her sparkling blue eyes began to twitch.
“I can’t even sue the bastards! I would end up spending more money on lawyers than the pennies on the dollar I’d get in return. I hope I don’t see her on the streets anytime soon because I might just choke the life out of her.”
The furious click-clack of Eva’s high heels on the white marble floors was starting to drive Robyn nuts. The noise intruded in her bubble of delight. Still, she kept quiet and cracked a smile in an effort to calm her best friend down. This was par for the course. Robyn understood every job had setbacks, and she would help Eva get through this one. Plus, it was fortunate that this was a project she could completely throw herself into, considering it was literally her dream home—at least back when she still had dreams.
In awe of the house, Robyn assessed every single detail. “It’ll be fine, Eva.” Slowly, she made a three-sixty turn absorbing all the architectural beauty. Someone had spent a lot of money to give this place character. The crown molding alone in a space this large had to cost a fortune.
Robyn was happy she came dressed to get her hands dirty. Unlike Eva’s high-fashion, ruffled blouse, knitted blue skirt, and matching peep-toe s
hoes, Robyn came ready to work. There weren’t any clicking of her own heels, maybe a squeak from her white Chucks, as she examined everything from top to bottom. Her stressed denim boyfriend jeans and fitted black hoodie was her serious get-to-work gear. It wasn’t how she would usually dress for a job interview, but this wasn’t exactly that. This was an emergency rescue. Also, the weather was changing. The drop in temperature and angry clouds above were another indication that winter would soon be making a full-scale appearance. As a matter of fact, if the weather report was right, it could snow anytime but would surely arrive by this weekend. So, unlike Eva, Robyn opted for the practical—gym shoes and not heels, especially peep-toes. She did not want to get caught in the snow in something like that.
Robyn sighed quietly and resumed watching her friend stalk around the room. “Eva, you keep going like this and you’ll for sure pop a blood vessel.”
Eva ignored her, but Robyn would do whatever she could to prevent that. It was funny, technically, Robyn was on a leave of absence. Lord knew she needed the break and wasn’t ready to give that up just yet. Still, if someone were to compare the two of them, they would have thought it was Eva who had recently returned from New York and not her.
Eva rattled off instructions. “You can do whatever you want with the place. They didn’t give me any specific instructions. Honestly, I don’t really care what you do as long as it’s finished in time for the party.”
Robyn channeled her energy back to scoping out the room. She was giddy with all the possibilities. They were endless, and she had been given free rein of the house. She inadvertently cut Eva off. “I’ll need a few more hands considering I’ve only been back in town a couple of months and hadn’t planned on setting up shop for a little while. Fortunately for you, I’ve already hired a couple of part-time assistants to help me with my day-to-day activities.”
Eva stopped her manic pacing. “Do you think you can do it?” The wrinkles on her forehead multiplied as the seconds ticked by waiting for an answer.
Robyn didn’t realize Eva was holding her breath in anticipation of her response. She was too busy making mental notes. The area next to the walk-in closet was the size of the living room in her condo. Robyn turned to tell her that and realized Eva was waiting. She responded quickly to alleviate her fears. “Oh . . . yes! Of course, I’ll do it. Everything in this mini-palace will be completely furnished and decorated by this weekend’s festivities. Some items might have to be borrowed, though.”
“Ohmygaaaaawd! I don’t know what to say!” Eva’s face visibly relaxed as she blew out a long breath.
Robyn crossed her arms and teased her, hoping Eva would calm the hell down. “You don’t have to say anything. That’s what friends are for. But, just so you know, you’ll owe me big. In the time that I have, a job this size won’t allow for even a twenty-minute nap, but I’m a professional, so I’ll get it done.” Sleep? Who needed sleep! If she were honest, there was nothing that would have kept her away from doing this project.
Eva screamed and almost jumped up and down like a twelve-year-old. “Thank you, so much!” She extended her arms and placed both hands on Robyn’s shoulders staring at her in disbelief until finally pulling her into a tight embrace. “Thank you . . . thank you . . . thank you! I knew you would come through for me; you always have. You’ve just saved my ass!” Eva was squeezing Robyn to death as she rocked her from side to side.
Robyn returned the embrace and laughed. “I can’t breathe, Eva. You’re holding me too tight.”
Immediately, Eva dropped her arms and let go. “Oh. Sorry.” She didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize Robyn from working her magic.
“I’ll have to call in a few favors from some of my New York contacts as well as a few from the locals, but we’ll make it happen.” It wasn’t Robyn’s first time decorating a property this size, but it was the first time in a long time she’d been excited about it. She couldn’t help but wonder if it had to do with this particular house or being back in her hometown. Maybe it was both.
“There aren’t very many properties like this in our little town.” Robyn couldn’t help but say to herself that absolutely none of them were ripped right out of her dreams as an afterthought.
*****
“I couldn’t believe I got the call to plan the housewarming party for this estate.” Now, slightly less frantic, Eva placed a hand on one of her slim hips and put her portfolio underneath the opposite arm. “Over the years, we’ve had some pretty impressive homes built, but nothing like this house.”
Robyn snatched her eyes away from the arched doorways leading to the bathroom to look at her friend. “I still think it’s weird that your party planner's duties extended to interior design. It’s not only odd but doesn’t usually happen.”
“True, but the owner requested that I coordinate everything because they didn’t want to have to deal with a million different people. Whatever the reason, I’m just glad they offered me the job. Something like this could make or break my career. That’s why I’m so nervous about it. More so, since the Dkor fiasco. It’s obvious, I’ve bitten off more than I could chew.”
“Believe me; I’ve had worse experiences. You’re doing great.”
“I don’t know about that, but thanks to you, I can focus on what I’m good at.”
Robyn glanced up at the cathedral ceilings then over to the fireplace. It was so large she could easily stand up inside of it. The floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides of the room were magnificent and were going to be hell to cover before Saturday.
As Robyn stared out the windows, she could only imagine the most breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Maybe coming home was indeed what she needed. After spending almost nine years away, and doing this exact same thing for other wealthy people, Robyn thought perhaps she’d lost her mojo—until today. Surprisingly, she found herself ready to get to work.
Eva’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Okay . . . let me just double-check a couple of things.” She pulled a piece of paper out of her portfolio. “I have the card you gave me with the information on where to wire the money, so I’ll do that as soon as I leave.” She extended her hand to Robyn and dangled the keys. “You’ll need these to get in and out of the house.”
“Thanks.” Robyn took the keys and put them in her front pocket. She reached into her backpack to pull out a camera and started taking pictures.
Eva’s perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised in question. “A camera? What’s that for?” A worry line reappeared. “I don’t think they want any media or paparazzi to know what we’re doing.”
Robyn laughed. “I’m not alerting the media. This is for me. It’s a common practice in my line of work. It’s for my design board.” Not that she needed any help remembering what this place looked like, but just in case. “It’s helpful to not lose the visual while I’m searching for things for the house.”
“Oh . . . okay. I get it.”
The camera flashed. “There’s a lot to do, so I won’t be able to measure the rooms. I’ll take some photos then have one of my assistants come back and do it.”
“I didn’t realize all the work that goes into decorating.”
“Most people don’t. They think it’s just making sure the colors match. Anyway, it’s especially important for a job this size.”
Eva whispered conspiratorially, as if they weren’t the only two people in the house, “You know, I might look all sophisticated, and like I know what I’m doing, but I’m so out of my league.”
“I’m pretty sure we all felt that way on our first big job. I know I did.”
“Really? I would never have guessed. Honestly, when they gave me the budget for this house, I’d never seen so much money in my life. It literally blew my mind.”
Most of Robyn’s clients didn’t have to worry about money. It was no object for them, but she could empathize with Eva. She remembered the very first time she was given a budget of a million dollars. It was orgasmic. “Hard to believe people even ha
ve that kind of money, huh? Let alone spend thousands on something frivolous like a rug.”
“True.” Eva sighed. “I’m just glad I didn’t give Amber any more money than I did. Fortunately, there’s still a nice chunk to be spent. It was my mistake to hire Dkor, so I’ll need to skimp a little on the party-planning side to make up for it. But I can do it. No one will be able to tell the difference.” Eva bit her bottom lip. “Wiring you the money will save on time too. I need you to have access to those funds ASAP. Thanks again for that tip.” She sighed as she looked around the room. “This project should have begun months ago.”
Robyn nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything on my end. Do you know what the owners are like? That’s the one blind spot I’ll have—not knowing their likes and dislikes.”
“I haven’t actually met the owners. I’ve been working with an attorney. What I can tell you is that the couple is relatively young and they don’t have any children. My guess is no pink or blues in any of the bedrooms. That’s just my opinion. In our contract, the attorney specified that the decorating is completely up to me, and I’m leaving it up to you.”
“Gotcha. All this house for just two people.” The excesses never ceased to amaze her. Robyn was moderately wealthy in her own right but, for the most part, stuck to simple things. It hadn’t always been that way.
Robyn pointed and snapped her camera at a large white wall. Fresh. A new beginning is what it represented. She had dreams of living like the rich and famous when she packed up her car and left this sleepy town nine years ago. Too bad she learned the hard way . . . being rich and famous wasn’t always what it was cracked up to be.
She turned her camera toward Eva and took another picture. It would be a nice little keepsake for her memory book. Robyn hoped she could freeze this moment in time so that when Eva started to feel burned out, she could remember how excited she’d felt at the beginning.
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