Page 157 of Finding Storm

But I sure as hell will never look at a mixing desk again without thinking of Stevie.

I drive the car up the dusty track that will one day soon be a driveway, and I park the car up in front of the building site.

I climb out of the car. Stevie gets out too.

I meet her round the front of the car, standing next to her.

“You brought me to see a building site?” she says.

“What do you think?” I ask.

“Well … it’s nice. As far as building sites go. I’ve not seen many, but I’d say it’s the best I’ve ever seen.”

I chuckle. “Such a smart-ass,” I say.

“Always.” She grins up at me.

I lean down and press my lips to hers. I’ll never tire of kissing Stevie.

I sling my arm around her shoulder. “One day soon, this building site will be a house, babe. With five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a double garage, and an outdoor pool. Six and a half thousand square feet of living space. With panoramic views of the lake and mountains.”

She tips her head back, looking up at me. “Did you get a job as a realtor and not tell me? ’Cause right now, I feel like you’re trying to sell it to me. Heads-up, it’s like a million south of my price range.”

“Try two-point-five million,” I tell her.

She lets out a low whistle.

“And I’m not trying to sell it to you because it’s already yours. Well, ours. Because I bought it.”

Her mouth drops open. She’s staring at me. Not blinking. And no words are coming.

Stevie is rarely speechless. She always has something to say. And when she doesn’t, it’s either really bad. Or really fucking good.

I’m praying for the latter.

“I know maybe it was presumptuous of me to go ahead and buy it for us. But I fucking adore you, babe. You’re my best friend. The only woman I’ve ever loved. And you really do give great head.”

“Oh, I know.”

She smiles, and I can breathe. She’s not mad that I bought it. Thank fuck for that.

My lips curve up. “You’re also stunningly modest. And sexy as fuck.”

“Also true.”

“So, will you live here with me?”

“In the unbuilt house? It could get drafty. And if it rains, we’ll be fucked.”

“When it’s completed, smart-ass.”

“Oh, well, in that case, I’d love to move in here with you when it’s completed.”

I grin. Then, I pick her up, lifting her off her feet, and I kiss her stupid.

“I know I probably got carried away,” I tell her when I finally let her up for air. “But I wanted to surprise you. I want you to know that I’m committed to you. That I’m here to stay.”

She smiles softly. “I already knew that, babe. But five bedrooms though,” she says, her fingers sifting through my hair. “There is only two of us.”