“I have a signal,” I said, pulling up the weather. It sat there and spun. Thano searched everywhere for the weather radio.
Itching to get some ideas drawn out, I put my phone down and pulled out my pad and drawing pencil. “I’m sure it’s fine, Thano. The storm wasn’t supposed to move in until later. It’s probably just the winds before it.”
Thano was saying something from upstairs, but I totally tuned him out while I walked into the massive living room. The stone fireplace was breathtaking and would be the focal point of the room.
“Want a fire? It’s a bit chilly in here.”
I nodded. “A fire would be amazing.” Looking up, I took in the tall ceilings and exposed wood beams. “This room is amazing.”
“Thanks,” Thano replied with a smile.
I walked around in a circle. “What kind of feel are you looking for in this room?”
With a shrug, he stared at me with a blank express. “Warm and inviting?”
“Is that a question or a statement?”
The way he was looking at me had my heart melting into a puddle on the beautiful hardwood floors. “Um, well, I heard it on a show my mother was watching on HGTV.”
Trying like hell to hold it back, I busted out laughing. “Thano! Seriously, how do you see this room?”
His smile widened as he tossed one more log into the fireplace. He put two fire starters in and lit them both before shutting the screen and making his way over to me. When his hands landed on my hips, I swallowed hard and tried like hell to keep from panting like a dog in heat.
“Why do you think you’re here, ladybug? I have no fucking clue how I want this place to look. Like a cabin in the mountains and not a bachelor pad like my apartment. Nothing girly, but something that will make your heart stop when you walk in here and look at it.”
It felt as if a hundred-pound weight was on my chest. Did he mean to say when I walked in here or when any girl walked in? Jesus, it’s getting hot in here.
“May I ask you something?”
He winked and replied, “As long as it has nothing to do with what my vision is for this room.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “No. It doesn’t.”
“Then go for it.”
Pulling the corner of my lip in with my teeth, I chewed on it for a few seconds before releasing it and asking, “Why do you call me ladybug?”
He dropped his hands from my hips and took a step back. I instantly missed his warmth.
“What?”
He almost seemed surprised by my question, as if he hadn’t even realized he was doing it.
“Don’t get me wrong, I really like it. I’ve never had anyone call me anything other than my name, but why ladybug?”
Thano’s face turned white as a ghost. “I didn’t even realize I was calling you that.”
Pinching my brows, I pulled my head back. “Really? You’ve called me that a number of times.”
He ran his hand through that dark hair of his. The way it left it a hot mess had my lower stomach pulling with desire. What I wouldn’t give to run my own fingers through it.
“I was curious why ladybug that’s all. I swear, I don’t mind.”
Thano turned and walked to the back door. He opened it and stepped outside. Clearly, me asking him upset him. I decided to give him a few minutes alone and headed upstairs. Since it would be a guestroom, I would keep the décor simple, yet rustic chic. If Thano’s parents ever came to stay, I’m sure his mother wouldn’t want dead animals hanging off the wall in her bedroom.
Chewing on the end of my pencil, I wondered if Thano hunted. I’d need to ask. I could totally see an elk mounted on that fireplace downstairs.
As I moved about upstairs, measuring and making some rough drawings, I couldn’t shake the way Thano reacted when I asked him about the pet name. I was wishing I had kept my mouth shut seeing as it sent him outside.
When it seemed like he was going to stay out there longer, I headed back downstairs and found the master bedroom. When I stepped in I sucked in a breath of air. The large king-size bed was smack in the middle of the room.
“He said he had a mattress here. This is a work of art!” I mumbled as I walked up to the large four-post oak bed. It had more of a rustic feel to it and that told me a ton about Thano’s style. It was bold and beautiful, yet had a bit of a romantic feel to it. Turning to my left, I saw the one chair he said he had. With a smile, I ran my hand along the arm. Thano had a thing for old school charm. The chair and bed had a very French chic flare to them.