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“I’ll take it.”
I snort. “Of course, you would. Be careful as you go. I’d hate for your giant head to get caught in the doorway.”
He doesn’t laugh, but then I never expected him to. He turns and watches me with an intense look of yearning on his face.
“It was like that for me too, you know. You were special. I knew that the first time I laid eyes on you. You were—are—beautiful, smart, strong, and so fucking curious. But you were so young back then. Too young. The man in me knew I had to wait, but the teenage boy in me wanted you naked and begging every time you walked into a room. That’s why I kept my distance. I didn’t trust myself around you.”
“And now?” I cock my head.
“I still don’t, which is why I’m leaving instead of bending you over your desk. But I’ve waited a lifetime for you already. What’s a few more days, weeks, months? Just…” I wait for him to say more, my eyes fixed on his mouth as he licks his lips.
“Yeah?”
“Maybe make it days or weeks. Months might slowly kill me,” he admits, making me chuckle.
“Go. But remember, I need to talk to you all later. You gonna be okay with Blink knowing—”
He holds up his hand to stop me.
“I’d rather have a piece of you than nothing at all.” He stares at me a moment longer, then leaves me to ponder his words.
Collapsing into my chair again, I blow out a breath and will my heart to calm the fuck down before I keel over.
I don’t know how to untangle my feelings for Vega, but one thing is for sure. The man is playing havoc on my heart and ovaries.
Turning back to my computer, I refresh the screen and sigh when nothing new pops up. On a whim, I change the parameters of the search. I had been looking for a small house to rent until I could figure out if I wanted to buy. If so, where? But there is nothing, and the motel thing is going to get old fast. I hesitate for a moment. I’d not considered house-sharing because of the whole living with people thing. I’m not great at sharing space with people I like, but strangers? Hell no. Except I’m out of options, and it’s only temporary, right?
I hit enter before I can change my mind and get forty more hits than I did before. Reading between the lines, it’s easy to eliminate the weirdos from the regular Joes. That said, after some more factors—like distance to the gym—I whittle it down to two that look promising.
I note the numbers and names and grab my cell, deciding to call the one that interests me the most first. It’s out in the woods with no neighbors, has a pool and a gym, plus seven bedrooms. Clearly, they are not renting this place out for the cash, which is a bit of a red flag, but having access to a gym and pool without having to leave the house appeals to my inner hermit.
The other is a two-bed condo, meaning I’d be living virtually on top of them. However, it is within walking distance of this place.
I dial the number for the first place and wait for them to pick up.
“Hello?”
“Hi, I’m calling about the ad I just saw regarding a room you have available to rent.”
He is quiet for a minute, and I wonder if the fact that I’m a woman is a big no-no. I know most women wouldn’t feel comfortable going to live with a strange man, but I’m lucky enough to be able to handle myself. Besides, I sleep with a gun nearby and have a bunch of assassins on speed dial.
“I’m sorry, is it still available?”
Another pause. “Yeah... Do you want to come take a look around?”
“That would be great, actually. I don’t suppose you’re free now, are you?”
“Actually, now works. You know how to get here?”
“I’ll find it, don’t worry.”
“See you soon,” he replies before hanging up.
The man sounds about as happy to have a housemate as I am to be one. I jot down the address and grab my keys and phone before heading out, poking my head around Hank’s door to let him know I’ll be gone for a little while—in case anyone comes looking for me.
I’m glad I drove the truck today when I turn off the main road and find the side road little more than a dirt track. It’s not that I don’t think the bike would make it, but with the ground damp from the rain, the mud makes things a whole lot more interesting.
When I reach the end of the long driveway, the house appears through the clearing in the trees. It’s stunning enough to have me gaping like an unattractive fish.
