“I haven’t spent a lot of time on it,” I admitted. It was bright and roomy, and sparsely furnished: couch, flat-screen mounted on the wall, coffee table, area rug. So far, I’d let the walls remain white and the furniture bring the color. “I don’t want to buy things just to fill the space. I want pieces that mean something. Pieces with history and permanence.”
She looked at me thoughtfully. “Of course you do.”
I grabbed her hand and rubbed her wrist with my thumb. “Come on. There’s more to see.”
The kitchen was next, sitting off a small dining room beside the living area.
“This is huge,” she said.
I leered at her. “That’s what she said.”
She rolled her eyes, and they were filled with mirth. “Really?”
I grinned. “Made you laugh.”
But the kitchen really was big. Lots of counter space, a spot for an island that I hadn’t committed to yet, and a breakfast nook that I couldn’t find the perfect table and chairs for. But I had plans. Plans of cooking for lots of people. I wanted the big family events with friends and neighbors, backyard barbecues for no reason, other peoples’ kids running around, all of it. After the comment about history and permanence, though, I kept that part to myself. “I like to cook. You know that.”
She reached for my cheek, palming it as she tipped onto her toes to kiss me. Her eyes sparkled. “I do. You owe me a meal, in fact. But for now, show me the rest.”
Off the kitchen was the deck and backyard, which were the reasons I’d bought the house. I watched Devon’s expression as she took it in. The property was half an acre of grass, wide open and ready for games of tag and catch, nights spent counting the stars, or huddled in tents. Beyond it was a forest, tiny for the most part, but perfect and safe for kids to get lost in them for hours.
But the deck was the real star. It was a sprawling extension of the house, stretching and tapering into the yard, but I’d seen far more potential. I’d added a fire pit and a bench to surround it, designated a place for an outdoor kitchen that wasn’t there yet, but I’d already thrown sail shades over the area. One smaller section, off the master bedroom, was screened in and boasted a high-powered ceiling fan and more succulents than one man should own. I’d lined the whole of it with tiny lights that gave off a warm glow.
When I knew what I wanted, it was easy enough to make it happen. At least, when it came to things. People—Devon—were a whole other story.
“Holy shit, Aaron—you’ve been holding out on me,” she said now, her voice full of wonder.
I grinned and mimicked her question of earlier. “You like it?”
She swatted my arm and let me pull her into my arms. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you,” I said, stealing another kiss.
I made to pull away, but she held me tighter. What I wouldn’t give to sink my tongue into her mouth, to taste her, to finally feel what it was like to have all of her. My dick stirred, and Devon gave a low laugh.
“Something going on down there?” she murmured, running her hand down my stomach.
I caught her hand before it reached its destination. “I promised you a tour of the house,” I said.
Her lips tilted into a smile. “Show me the bedroom, then.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Ooh, big word from a big guy,” she purred, then giggled again as I led her back into the house.
I glanced at her, taking in her bright eyes, her slightly-flushed cheeks. I loved her. I was a fool for it, I knew it, but I loved her.
Down the hall we went, and I pointed out the bathroom and guest rooms. I stepped back as we got to the master, letting her go in first and take it all in. It was basic, same as the living room in that it had only the essentials. For me, that meant an area rug to sink my toes into, navy blackout curtains, a king-size bed, and an antique dresser.
She waggled her eyebrows. “This where the magic happens?”
I swallowed. “No.”
She stopped, tilting her head. “No?”
My neck burned and I rubbed it. “I’ve never brought anyone here, Devon. Only you.” My voice was rough.
Her eyes softened as she closed the distance to me. “That means…”
I held her gaze.
“Was that a master bath I saw?”
I narrowed my eyes in confusion. “Yes, but—”
Wordlessly, she pulled her dress off, the fabric slipping up and away from her skin. She wore a black cotton bra and black panties, and my mouth watered at the sight of them against her tan skin.
“Let’s take a shower.”
20
DEVON 4 MONTHS, 21 DAYS TO GO
AARON’S CHEST HEAVED as he looked at me, his eyes heating my skin as it traveled over every inch.
This man.
This beautiful, sweet, incredibly sexy man was going to ruin me, and I planned on fighting it until the bitter end.
