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Her eyes widened again at the large bedroom off the living room. There was even a gas fireplace. “This can’t be where I sleep. This must be your room.”
“It’s where you’ll be sleeping while we’re here. I’ll take the loft.”
“I can take that. You should sleep here.”
He set her suitcase on the bed. “There’s little privacy in the loft, but it’s very comfortable, so don’t worry about that at all. There is only this one bathroom, though.”
“Oh? I had visions of stepping to the outhouse to do my business.”
He smiled. “Grandfather had a bathroom added a long time ago, and it’s been updated since then. Just remember that there are two doors.” He led her from the bedroom’s entrance to a bathroom that sported a soaker tub Rowan oohed and ahhed over, a shower he could stand tall in, two sinks, and a roomed off toilet. She twirled around. There was that much open space in the blue and gray room.
“This is luxurious compared to mine.”
“I can’t imagine it’s very big, what with so many apartments inside that blue monstrosity you live in.”
“My condo building is not a monster. It’s vintage. And fun. I like it. But I do believe I’ll enjoy this while I’m here.”
She ran her hands along the side of the tub, bringing up a vision that was hard for him to set aside. He cleared his throat. “Well, I’ll leave you to settle in. We won’t get much done this evening as it’s already time for dinner. How about we take an hour, then you can make your salad, and I’ll grill steaks and asparagus. Will that work?”
Her eyes were shining when she turned to him. “That will be great. Gives me time to shower.”
He squeezed his eyes shut. It didn’t help. The picture of her, naked, in a shower big enough for two, slapped the sides of his brain until his mouth went dry. He backed out of the bathroom. “Just be sure you lock both doors if you do.” He turned to leave.
She caught up with him at the bedroom door. “Do I need to worry about water usage?”
“I wouldn’t go crazy, but no, you don’t.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you in an hour.” She closed the bedroom door, and he stood at the closed door for a long time, shoring up his willpower when he really wanted to open the door and suggest they make good on using that shower. Together.
He turned and climbed to the loft. He’d gotten rid of the twin beds when he remodeled, but a queen still downsized him from his Cali-King. Thankfully, it was comfortable.
He hit his head on the sloped ceiling. “Ouch.” He’d be fine as long as he remembered to duck.
Stowing his suitcase, he went outside to cut some wood and stack a ready-to-go fire in the pit for after dinner. If he had to spend all evening indoors with her, he’d go batshit crazy.
Chapter Ten
Rowan stared at the flames, more confused than she’d been in her entire life. Gerard was proving to be the quintessential host. He’d cooked a perfect steak with asparagus, both on the grill. She didn’t even realize you could cook vegetables on the grill. Outdoor barbecuing was as much in her wheelhouse as baking a soufflé.
Her salad kept pace, though. She’d been very happy to see the fridge stocked with a variety of greens and vegetables, as well as the makings for her signature homemade honey mustard dressing.
Away from the building they worked in, Gerard’s charm was evident. The perfect host, which presented a growing problem for Rowan. More and more, she wanted him to be not quite so perfect, maybe make a mistake. Or, even better, give her an indication about whether he still felt any tug in her direction. She’d said no to him twice now; though, that hadn’t been easy. Had Gerard given up on anything happening between them?
Gerard added another piece of wood to the campfire and sat back down in the chair near, but not too near, her. Something that had begun to both frustrate her and fill her with gratitude. Starting a fling with her boss was traveling down a path that meant nothing good for her. If only she could convince her traitorous body of that.
“Dinner was amazing. Thank you again,” she said.
“I only grilled steaks and asparagus. Easy to do.”
“Not for me. And you seasoned both to perfection.”
“Again, not much effort involved. Your salad was the coup de grâce, especially that dressing.” He waggled a finger at her. “You were holding out on me about your talents.”
She warmed under the rare compliment.
“I noticed there’s a cheesecake in the refrigerator,” he said.
She rubbed her overfull belly. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
