Read Earthbound Angels Part 1: The Heartthrob Fallen Celestial Stories Collection for Free Online

heavy red door, decorated with ornate ironwork,
opened and Erick appeared. He smiled and waved at her as he bounded
down the steps toward the car. She opened the door and get out so
that she could greet him properly.
    "You made it!" Erick exclaimed.
    "Yes, I did," she said, smiling at his
enthusiasm. "Why didn't you tell me that you lived in a
mansion?!"
    "I believe I hinted at it," he said, chuckling.
"I believe strongly that you're going to love it here."
    "Well, I most likely will as long as I don't get
lost."
    "Here, let me take that for you." Erick reached
for her laptop and tote bag. "I'll send someone down to get the
rest of your luggage for you."
    "Oh! Well, thank you, Erick. I have to tell you
that I'm not used to this type of treatment," she said, a little
seriously. "Normally, I kind of take care of myself."
    "I understand. But consider this part of the
perks of the job."
    Hollianne just laughed and shook her head. Then
she followed him inside where her jaw dropped. She was standing in
a foyer that could have held her entire townhouse. On either side
was a curving staircase leading up to the next floor. A chandelier
sparkled in the domed ceiling. She took in the elegant candelabra,
the wood-paneled walls, the grand piano, and the huge fireplace.
She could imagine an entire ballroom in here, complete with gowns
and suits, wine and hushed laughter, as elegant people danced while
musicians played.
    "Wow..." she breathed.
    "You'll get used to it soon enough. After a
while, you won't even notice."
    She laughed as she shook her head. "I seriously
doubt that, but I hope my jaw doesn't drop every time."
    "I'll give you the grand tour later then," he
said, chuckling. "But let me show you to your suite first," Erick
said, as he started to climb one of the staircases.
    With nothing to do but follow him, Hollianne
tried to see as much as she could before reaching the next floor.
Erick led her down a long wide hallway. The floor was covered with
a deep red carpet so thick, her feet made hardly any sound. He
stopped at a set of double doors. He stopped, opened them, and
stepped back so that she could enter.
    "Welcome to your new home-for a while at least,"
Erick said, smiling.
    Hollianne's jaw dropped once more. This couldn't
possibly be all hers for the foreseeable future.
    She had never lived anywhere so spectacular!

Chapter Ten
    It was not just a room. It was a suite of rooms.
The one Hollianne was standing in consisted of a sitting area with
a large stone fireplace. Two love seats and matching overstuffed
chairs sat in front of it. A coffee table and end tables completed
the ensemble.
    Just beyond this grouping was a very nice dining
table with four chairs around it. A doorway went into the bedroom
itself. The bed was enormous with a canopy and curtains tied back.
Off the bedroom was an en-suite that could comfortably hold a dozen
people.
    On the other side of the main room was another
entrance leading into a small but efficient kitchen. The overall
impression, surprisingly enough, was not one of overindulged and
expensive luxury, but one of comfort, well planned and tastefully
furnished. It was an apartment designed to make life as comfortable
as possible for the guest.
    "So what do you think?" Erick asked after she
had walked through the entire suite.
    "I think I can't quite believe that this is all
for me," Hollianne said, her hand flat on her heaving chest.
    "Well, I did think about putting you out in the
guest cottage, but I really felt having you under the same roof
would be more convenient for us both."
    "You have a guest cottage?"
    "Yes, actually I have three of them on the
grounds, plus a housekeeper's cottage. My housekeeper and her
husband live there. You'll be meeting them a bit later, by the
way."
    She didn't know why she was even surprised. I
honestly don't know what to say.
    "Just say that you like it. If there's anything
that you need, all you have to do is say so and it will be
supplied."
    Hollianne was