Chapter 7
Grace
Jaw practically touchingthe gorgeous hardwood floor in Rowan’s house, I survey my surroundings. I’m free to ogle the place since he went back into the garage to fetch his purchases from the pet store with Ember hot on his heels. I thought the apartment was posh but this... his house is impressive.
Rowan’s two-story Mediterranean-style house sits between other equally gorgeous homes. Doing a three-sixty, my artist’s eye appreciates every piece of furniture, and all the paintings gracing the eggshell-colored walls.
The circular sunken living room is four steps deep and decorated with two semi-circle sectionals. One side faces a massive TV screen covering an entire wall, while the other side gives a view of the backyard through enormous picture windows. I can see a pool from here.
When I hear footsteps, I stop gawking and turn to see Rowan walking in and his puppy running behind him. I gaze at him with more confusion than ever. I just can’t get a handle on him. He’s a firefighter who lives in an enormous house on the swanky side of town. He drives luxury cars, dines in fine restaurants, and has spare apartments and vehicles to loan to the homeless. It doesn’t add up. I’m officially back to being suspicious and thinking there’s a catch to Rowan’s generosity.
I make sure none of that is reflected on my face, however. My forced smile drops when I see the exorbitant number of bags with the pet store’s logo that he rests on the floor.
“Wow, Rowan. I don’t think your puppy needs this much stuff.”
“I didn’t know what to get, so I got everything,” he says sheepishly.
“So going overboard is a thing you do often, then,” I tease, referring to all the things he bought me. The words are out of my mouth before I can think about them.
To my relief, Rowan looks at the bags and smiles. “Apparently.”
He seems different at home, more open. His smile comes readily. I think it’s because he’s so comfortable he’s forgotten to put on his cool mask. I quickly look away before he catches me staring at him and throws his wall back up.
“Would you like me to help you put those away?” I point to the bags.
“They’re fine here for now.” He sighs when Ember dives into a bag and wiggles inside. “On second thought, yes. This little one will destroy everything if I don’t hide them.”
Chuckling, I reach for the pup and pull her out of the bag. I’m officially in love with Ember. I eye Rowan through my lashes. Her owner is pretty damn cute, too. If only I could figure him out.
***
“You have a lovely home, Rowan,” I say after a bit of pizza. “Did you decorate?”
He grunts. “Sweetheart, if I did, there would only be a big screen, a couch, and the refrigerator right beside it stocked with beer.”
My giggles float around his kitchen. Does he realize he called me sweetheart? I don’t want to like it, but I do.
“I’m a simple man, Grace,” he adds.
“For someone so simple, you sure have a lot of fancy things,” I challenge.
Immediately, his expression shutters.
Swallowing my disappointment, I gobble down another slice of pizza.
“I’m sorry about this unimpressive dinner,” he says. “I can’t cook to save my life, but I excel at ordering meals.”
I smile. “I love pizza.” I look around his kitchen. The appliances all look new, as if they’re barely used. “Lucky for you, I’m a great cook.” I almost choke when I realize what I said. “Not that it would benefit you. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to come over and make you meals.” My nervous laughter erupts. I hate it. “I don’t know why I said that.”
Hot-faced, I pick up my beer bottle and chug.
Rowan studies me with blatant amusement before mercifully rescuing me. “Earlier at the park, you looked upset. Did something happen?”
“Yes. My life literally went up in flames.”
It gets quiet while I wonder how much to share.
“I haven’t been sleeping much.”
When I don’t elaborate, Rowan takes my hand in his. The one with the burn. He stares at my palm and then gently runs a finger around the reddened skin. I shiver. I want to pull my hand away because if he can send this delicious tingle down my spine with a slight touch, I might be in trouble.
“Nightmares?” he guesses.