by Haley Travis
I’d never been any good at reading men, likely because I’d never really tried. It wasn’t time yet. Now that I was so close to this huge, attractive man who might possibly be slightly interested, my stomach was fluttering and I was likely over-analyzing every single thing he did.
CHAPTER FOUR
* Steve *
I knew that I should be focused on the details of my potential new home. Yet all I could see was Heather’s lovely face as her eyes grew wide, looking around carefully the second we walked into the condo.
“Wow,” she said again. “This is really stylish.” I could tell that she wasn’t trying to behave like a salesperson in the slightest, she was simply being honest.
We walked through the large kitchen, dining room, and living room area, then she walked straight to the corner, practically pressing her nose to the glass as she looked down. “I hope you’re not afraid of heights,” she giggled.
Coming up behind her, I knew that I was standing far too close, but couldn’t resist placing a hand on her shoulder as if to hold her steady. The way she looked up at me with a sweet grin turned my heart into a puddle.
“I like heights,” I smiled back at her. “They tend to put the fanciest things closer to the top floor, don’t they?”
We looked around the room again, then she asked, “Even the furniture is quite nice, but I suppose that you would bring in your own?”
Looking around, I contemplated. “Often you can just purchase all of the staged furniture along with the property,” I said thoughtfully. “Since I don’t have any furniture, and my taste is probably questionable, I’d be safer leaving it to the experts.”
We strolled through the two small bedrooms, the office, and the large master suite with the enormous bathroom, fancy tub, and rainfall shower.
“This is amazing,” she grinned. Her hair swung gently as she tilted her head to the side. “Wait, do you really need three bedrooms plus an office? Most people turn a spare bedroom into their office.”
Her face fell, and I knew it should not have amused me when she asked, “Are you married? Do you need the extra room for kids?”
My laugh seemed to put her at ease. “No, I’m not married. Yet. I’d like to think that it’s in the realm of possibility in the next five years, and would really hate to have to move again. I’d like to put down roots for good, so I’d like a place that would grow with me, should I need it.”
I loved the way she smiled, knowing that I’m single.
“Well,” she said, as we walked through each of the bedrooms again, “I can tell you that this place would definitely impress most women.”
“Does it impress you?” I asked as we returned to the dining room.
Her heel tapped nervously as she considered her answer. “I think it’s a really nice place,” she said as she looked around again slowly. “It’s large without seeming like a sterile museum. It’s still comfortable. I would add a bit more color, but you could do that by changing a few paintings and adding bright vases on the shelves.”
I nodded thoughtfully. “It’s in a great location, and has all of the amenities I need, but there’s just something missing.”
Heather snapped her fingers. “It’s too square. It makes every room seem like a lifeless box.” Standing beside me, she pointed to the largest sofa and coffee table. “If you put a really tall plant in that corner, angled the couch and table, angled those two easy chairs, it would soften the edges. Then you could turn the dining room table around this way, and the whole space would be elongated. Less boxy.”
I nodded, trying to visualize it. “I think you’re absolutely right.”
Her hair smelled slightly like apples when she flipped it over her shoulder to smile back at me. Her curvy little figure was so inviting that I found it awkward to keep my hands to myself. The urge to reach out and hold her was nearly overwhelming.
“Shall we go tour the second place?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” she said brightly, digging out the keys and locking the door behind us.
Watching her stare at the gigantic chandelier in the two-story lobby on our way out, I realized that she wasn’t used to the fancier buildings. It wasn’t clear why I liked that so much.
“How far is the next place?” I asked.
She checked on her phone, looking up the street and turning north. “It’s only three blocks, actually.”
“Are you all right to walk?” I asked.
“Of course.”
I looked down at her feet, admiring her shapely legs. “Just checking how high your heels were,” I chuckled. “I don’t want to cause you any pain.”
She laughed as we started walking. “I only wear shoes that I can walk comfortably in,” she said. “I’ve always thought that practicality is more important than fashion.”
“Thank goodness,” I said, quickly removing my tie.
I absolutely adored her smile as I rolled it up and stuck it in my pocket. Then I slipped off my jacket, rolling up my sleeves, feeling a touch of pride as I caught her staring at my forearms.
“That tie was brand new,” I explained. “It has a funny smell from the shipping materials. But if we’re focused on comfort and the job at hand, you’ll forgive me for being less formal, won’t you?”
“You can do anything you like,” she said as we crossed a busy street. “You’re the client.”
“Considering that you’re really the first person I’ve spoken to at length in my new home city, I hope that you’ll think of me as more than a client,” I winked.
The tiniest spot of pink touched her cheeks, then she pointed to the right. “I’ve only been there twice, but that restaurant is amazing,” she said.
Two buildings later, she led us into an even more impressive lobby. “Double wow,” she said, looking around. “This building is brand new, I think.”
“Completed four months ago,” I said, “According to Joel.”
As we got into the elevator, my skin suddenly prickled. For all I knew, Heather was with Joel. It could be a husband and wife operation. Although she looked a little bit young to be married, she was probably at least twenty-three. She might avoid wearing a wedding ring at work for any number of reasons.
“How did you end up working for Joel?” I asked as we rose to the forty-seventh floor.
She gave me a sly little smile. “We don’t discuss it at work, or in front of clients,” she said. My heart began to crack. If this gorgeous girl wasn’t single, and I didn’t have a shot, I didn’t know what I would do. “He’s my older brother. He hired me fresh out of school, and is teaching me the business.”
I breathed an audible sigh of relief, to which she raised an eyebrow. “I might pepper you with personal questions about my potential new home,” I explained with a grin, “And I’m glad he’s not your husband.”
Heather shook her head as we walked down the hall and she unlocked the door, leading us into another large condo. She made a little spin, surveying the room before flashing me that magical smile. “I really like it,” she said. “What do you think?”
It was impossible for me to resist any longer. Walking up to her, I held up my hand. She took it cautiously, seeming confused, but she didn’t pull away as I wrapped my other arm around her waist.
“Do you hear the music?” I asked as I began to slow dance with her, pulling her against my chest. “I think it’s a sign.”
Had she pulled back or stiffened, I would have released her immediately and apologized. But she instantly melted against me, as if she’d been thinking about this moment for the past hour as well.
As we slowly circled to imaginary music, I heard her tiny sigh of contentment. Her hand in mine felt so right. Then her head tipped up. “You realize this is terribly inappropriate?” she whispered shyly.
I nodded. “Terribly, yes.” Releasing her hand, I placed my finger under her chin, tipping her face up to mine. “It’s going to be even more inappropriate when I kiss you.”
I was crossing every l
ine, but watched her eyes carefully. Thankfully, she seemed completely delighted.
CHAPTER FIVE
* Heather *
Over the past hour, I’d been thinking about whether Steve would be a good match for me. So far, without having a chance to consult the list that was on my phone, he already was checking every box.
He was handsome, polite, and made me laugh. He obviously took care of himself. Although he seemed extremely well off, it was good enough that he was established and doing well for himself. I’d also hoped for a guy with an abundance of confidence, to make up for my lack of it.
It was one of those things that one dreams about, but it was very different in reality. When Steve began dancing me around the dining room of this impressive condo, I thought that he was just being charming.
Suddenly I was faced with the choice to either kiss him, or pull away. It was sweet that he was giving me the choice, and wasn’t actually being pushy. But I was torn.
Then I felt the tiniest twitch of his fingers tighten around my waist, and my body answered for me. Stretching up very slightly, our lips brushed together softly, sending an instant shock wave of tingling desire through every inch of my body.
He pulled me against him gently, his arms slipping around to hold me, making me feel tiny and precious with the simplest gesture. The electricity of our kiss took over, equal parts sweet and sexy swirled together. I didn’t want the moment to ever end, but my phone beeped from my purse.
Stepping back, I whispered, “Sorry. That’s Joel, I have to take it.”
“Of course,” he smiled gently. Good grief, his face was so beautifully sculpted it was a complete distraction.
“Hello, Joel,” I answered.
“How’s it going so far?” he asked.
“We’re just starting to check out the second property.” Steve flashed me a grin, then began walking around the space. “The first one is okay, but I think the second one has more potential,” I told my brother.
“Great. Thanks, sis. Give me a shout when you can.”
I put my phone away, and followed Steve to the huge living room window. “This space is definitely less boxy,” he said. “It also has a better view of the water.”
I tried to look around the room analytically, but my heart was still racing. “It seems a tiny bit smaller than the first place,” I said thoughtfully, “But I think that’s mostly because of the gigantic dining room table. Seriously, how often does someone have twenty-eight people over for dinner?”
“Good point,” he said, staring at the monstrosity. “Christmas, I guess?”
“Sure, but if it’s just once a year, you could rent a table for that day. Get a normal eight or ten-person table for the rest of the year. Don’t you think?”
He nodded. “That’s a good point. I guess I’ve never thought about renting furniture.”
“This home is staged right now to appeal to people who want to feel like billionaires for buying this place. Try to look at it as yours,” I suggested. “What would you do to make it specific for your own tastes and needs?”
Steve grinned. “Well, now that you mention it, I would certainly change that table.” I followed him over to the far corner of the living room. “If you have friends over, everyone usually congregates on the couches, don’t they?” he pondered. “There’s really no need for four separate easy chairs. A smaller couch would look better there, especially if it was backless.”
“Exactly,” I said. “The chair backs close off the conversation area.”
We went through the rest of the space, mentally rearranging and changing some of the furniture. The massive master bedroom was actually perfectly gorgeous, and was attached to a glorious walk-in closet.
I spun when I heard Steve chuckle. “To me, this is just a closet,” he said. “But from the way your eyes lit up, I assume this is important for women?”
I felt my cheeks burning. “It might seem silly, but having an illuminated shelf for your shoes and handbags would certainly make a lady feel glamorous.”
I turned back to stare at the perfectly arranged racks and shelves, while Steve came to stand directly behind me with his arm casually around my waist.
It was impossible not to lean back into his chest. He smelled absolutely incredible, which was one of the things from my perfect guy list. I didn’t think it was cologne, which usually prickled my sinuses and made me feel dizzy. It was just his natural pheromones, or maybe his soap. It was slightly woodsy, and just made him seem sexy and masculine.
His lips brushed the top of my hair. “I’m completely aware that I’m being far too forward,” he breathed. “I am inexplicably drawn to you, and am finding it nearly impossible to maintain a professional distance.”
“I don’t know if I want you to.” Did I just really say that?
Placing his hands on my shoulders, he stepped back. “Alright, I swear I’m concentrating,” he said briskly. Turning around to face him, his eyes were softer when he laughed. “I’ll need both your personal and professional opinions, please, because I think this might be the one.”
“Why are you in such a hurry to close today?” I asked, as we stepped into the enormous white and light gray marble bathroom.
He shrugged those broad shoulders, and I was filled with a very specific urge to see him shirtless. “I want to set everything in motion. I guess I just want to check it off the list.”
Nodding, I grinned. “I understand that completely.”
Stepping into the huge glass shower, I looked around. “I could certainly see this being a wonderful way to start the day.” Peering up at the big flat shower head, it was weird being fully clothed in this space. Glancing to Steve, I asked, “Do you want to check it out? It’s sort of fun in here.”
His lips quirked to the side. “If I’m with you in that tiny space, I don’t know if I can be held responsible for my actions.”
A tremor of lust shot through me. He wasn’t teasing. The intensity of his gaze said quite clearly that he wanted me. I wasn’t sure what I should do with that information, but my body seemed to be taking over for my anxious mind today, as my hand shot out to swing the door out for him.
CHAPTER SIX
* Steve *
Just two steps, and I’d have Heather in my arms. I knew that there were spaces and beds everywhere in this space, but the only thing I could truly focus on was kissing her. There was something about her sweetness, her vivacity, that was sparking things inside me I hadn’t thought about in years.
Striding into the shower enclosure, I grabbed her, tilting her back as I kissed lightly along her silky throat. Her soft little cry made my pulse surge. Moving up to those precious, perfect lips, I kissed her gently, slowly. The echoey shower made it feel like we were in our own private bubble, away from the entire world.
Her lips parted, filling me with absolute joy as she welcomed me deeper. Her delicate hands clasped around my neck, twitching and moving against my skin.
Sliding my hands down her back, I cupped the glorious curve of her firm, round ass. Pulling her against me, I lifted her, pressing her back against the tiled wall as she wrapped her legs around me to hold on.
She kissed me with a fire I wasn’t expecting, and her soft whimper in my mouth clearly told me that she might be open to the idea of tearing our clothes off right now.
“You are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen,” I murmured against her throat as her head fell back. “Heather, tell me what you need.”
Her eyes met mine, and all I saw was a flash of every single emotion at once. Then she tucked her head shyly and bit her lip as if she were thinking.
Or unless… was she nervous?
I realized that she was pinned in a four-foot square glass room with a strange man who was twice her size. In an instant I set her on her feet, quickly escorting her out of the shower enclosure.
“I’m so sorry,” I said quickly, keeping my hand on her lower back, but giving her some space. “I didn’t mean to corner you or make
you feel uncomfortable.”
She breathed a sigh of relief but didn’t step very far away. “No, I liked it,” she said. “It’s just…” She looked stressed. Then she murmured, “I’m just surprised, I think.”
“I’m so sorry, beautiful,” I smiled. “I realize that this is happening completely out of order. I’d like to take you for a nice dinner and get to know you, then start off with a few good night kisses. I’d like to do this in the normal, proper order of things. But I’m having a very unusual reaction to you, and finding it difficult.”