“I may have lied,” he said, trying to make me smile, “It’s usually a three-minute drive from here, but I’m going slowly, so it might take four or five.”
My laughter shook a bit of the tension out of me, and by the time we pulled up to a stylish red brick house surrounded by a tall cedar hedge fence, I felt a bit better.
We raced inside, and as I kicked off my shoes, I noticed that the entire first floor had large black and white photographs on every available wall.
“Wow, those are beautiful,” I said.
“Thanks.” He stashed the camera gear in a massive closet in the foyer, then came over to stand near me as I studied the photos in the open living and dining room.
“You took all of these?” I asked, walking around and observing every detail carefully. This space suited him perfectly – bold and thoughtful, yet completely fascinating.
“Yes. I did still photography before I moved on to video.”
“Absolutely amazing.”
His cocky grin made me feel that deep spark of heat in my belly again. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t asked anything about the sleeping arrangements.
“Come on upstairs,” Owen said. “I’ll find you something to sleep in, and you can stay in my bed. I’ll
take the guest room.”
Following him up the stairs, he went into the master bedroom and turned on the bedside lamp. “You should be cozy in here,” he said, smiling at me in the soft amber light.
Setting my purse on the dresser, a strange feeling of inevitability washed over me.
Owen really was absolutely fine with us staying in separate rooms. He hadn’t even touched me since we walked in the door. Somehow, the way he was so careful to make me comfortable made me trust him completely.
And want him even more.
6
_____
Owen
As I watched Brynn’s sharp gaze wander over every photo and knick-knack, every piece of furniture, I was relieved that I’d hired someone to help me arrange my house. I’d always hoped to impress a woman someday, when I brought someone home that I felt was worth keeping forever.
There was no question in my mind that Brynn was my woman.
She was fearless when it came to getting something done, yet timid when she spoke to me. Graceful and delicate, but with those full, womanly curves that begged me to touch her anywhere and everywhere.
Holding myself back was becoming more and more difficult, but the last thing I’d want to do is make her nervous or feel pressured right now.
Digging in my dresser drawer, I pulled out a well worn black t-shirt and a pair of bright green pajama pants. “They don’t match, but they’re super comfy, even though they’ll hang on you like a tent,” I said. “The bathroom is through there, so you can dry your hair.”
A crack of thunder rattled the house slightly, making her wince.
My feet stepped toward her, even as I tried to tell them to stop, but my hand needed to run through her hair. “You’re so beautiful, Brynn. I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Forcing myself to step back, I turned to dig out clothes for myself as she went to change. I usually slept naked, but that certainly wouldn’t do in this situation.
After yanking on a pair of dark blue pajama pants, I was pulling on a battered old gray t-shirt when I heard a little gasp in the doorway. Turning before I’d pulled the shirt over my head, Brynn’s wide eyes told me that she approved of what she saw.
“I’ve never heard of a woman getting changed so fast,” I laughed. She looked positively adorable in my clothes, and my mind flashed to someday down the road when she’d steal my hoodie as we curled up to watch movies on a chilly night.
“Thanks for taking care of me,” she said softly, laying her slightly damp things over a chair.
“Of course, sweetheart,” I murmured, snuggling her against my chest. “Is there anything else you need?”