Unconventional

“And I’m telling you, it makes perfect sense for you to move in here too.”

I’d presented my argument rationally, and with good reasoning. Or at least I thought so. Julian on the other hand, had kept his tattooed forearms crossed over his yummy chest.

“For one, I have all the room in the world,” I said. “I’ve already made up bedrooms for Chase and Noah. If you let me make one for you, we’d all be together. Not just some nights, but every night.”

Julian seemed to consider this part, at least for a moment or two. Rather than answer, he grunted.

“Think about it,” I said. “You wouldn’t have to drive back and forth to the city each day. You’d save all that time and trouble.”

Our conversation took place out in the courtyard, as my sexy stonemason took apart the pieces of the stacked stone arch. The thing had stood for more than five centuries like this, totally untouched. Yet it had taken only one asshole inspector to have it dismantled.

“Plus, your cat would love it here,” I argued. “All the rooms… corridors… An endless supply of places he could explore.”

“She.”

I raised a curious eyebrow. “She?”

“My cat is female,” Julian nodded.

“Wow,” I teased. “Gotta say, that makes me a little jealous.”

Julian went back to unstacking the stone archway, laying it out carefully and sequentially so he could put it all back together again. He said nothing more, as I sat there way too long, just watching him work. Happily ogling his broad, muscular back and arms, as he bent to his heavy tasks.

“Well at least consider it,” I said, before turning away. “But… you know…” I hesitated for a moment, then decided to just let the truth go. “It would really mean a lot to me if you were here too.”

I walked inside, grateful to be out of the sun, and made my way up to my desk. From there I spent the rest of the day finishing permit and variance applications I’d been putting off. Getting all the rest of my paperwork squared away in anticipation of my last inspections, and to finally take ownership of the property.

Julian strode back in while there was still sunlight. He’d toweled down and cleaned up a bit. He’d even changed his shirt.

“Come on,” he said, extending one giant hand. “Let’s go.”

“Where were we—”

“To my place,” he said, pulling me in the direction of his truck. “To get some things.”

My feet scampered to catch up, even as my heart soared. “You’re staying?” I asked excitedly.

“For a little while at least,” he confirmed, opening the door for me. He helped me inside, lifting me into the high cab with two strong hands on either side of my hips. I imagined those hands slipping down to my ass, but it didn’t happen. Julian hopped into the driver’s seat, and a minute later we were rumbling down the road.

The terrain flashed by. Scotland was breathtaking, especially out here in the hills and farms, but it was the cities I’d always found especially beautiful. Centuries of history existed here, going back to medieval times and well before that. Even the oldest American settlements seemed modern by comparison.

“So how’s your family” I asked, as we rode into town. “Ariana. Jenna. And… Antonio?”

“Pretty much the same,” said Julian. His sheer height had him sitting with the seat all the way back. One beautiful arm extended, resting casually along the top of the steering wheel.

“Your little brother still tearing things up?” I chuckled.

Julian’s handsome face broke into an even more handsome smile. “Wouldn’t be Antonio if he wasn’t.”

We rode in silence, the rode sloping gently downward toward the sea. I felt a tightness, pulling at my throat. Forcing me to speak my mind.

“I have to ask you something,” I said, staring out the window. “And I need you to tell me the truth.”

Julian said nothing in response. His tattooed arm swayed gently left and right, as he made tiny adjustments to the winding road.

“You send money home,” I said flatly. “To your family. Yes?”

The big mason nodded slowly. “Yes.”