Off the Record (With Me in Seattle Mafia 3)

“Yeah.” I blow out the breath I’ve been holding. “That doesn’t shock me.”

“You’re the most loveable person I’ve ever met, A.” He leans in closer. My heart is pounding so hard I’m surprised he can’t feel it.

Finally, after the longest one-point-five seconds ever, his lips meet mine in the softest, sweetest kiss of my life.

But before he can take it further, I plant my hand on his chest and push.

“Okay, I’m getting mixed signals here, Annika.”

“I’m sorry.” I clench my eyes shut and swallow hard. “That’s not what I mean to do. It’s not that I don’t want you to kiss me.”

“Good.” He steps forward, but I put my hand up once more.

“But I can’t do this here.” I can’t help but reach out for him. I press my palm to his chest and feel his heart beating as quickly as mine. It gives me the courage to keep talking. “This house is full of horrors that I’ll never tell you about, Rafe. I just can’t. I don’t want those images in your mind. But at the same time, I don’t want to start something new with you, something really great, while in this awful house.”

“Looks like we need to go house hunting, then.” His lips twitch. “Do you want to call your realtor, or do you want me to?”

“What? Like today?”

“No time like the present. It’s only three in the afternoon. We can look at some places.”

I shake my head, but his eyes are completely serious.

“You want to go house hunting. With me. Today.”

“Yes.”

I laugh but reach for my phone.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

* * *

“I was so happy that you called,” Noreen, my real estate agent says with a grin. “Some new condos came on the market this week. And there’s a gorgeous townhouse I want to show you, as well.”

“We’re not in a hurry,” I assure her. “So, we’ll look at all of them if you have the time.”

“I certainly do.” Noreen winks and directs Rafe to park on the street in front of a brand-new condo building in downtown Denver. “As you can see, this is a new build. There are two and three-bedroom units with a four-bedroom penthouse unit still for sale, as well.”

“I’d like to see the three-bedroom. And the penthouse.”

“Perfect.” She smiles widely and escorts us inside. “The three-bedroom I’m about to show you doesn’t have to be the unit you go with. It’s just ready for walk-throughs. There are other same-sized units with better views—for a bit higher price, of course.”

“Of course.” I nod and follow her inside. Denver is damn expensive. Much more so than when I first moved here for my residency. But I like it here. My business is here. So, I’ll pony up a lot for a condo.

It’s a good thing that godforsaken house will bring in a nice amount of money.

“It’s spacious,” I say as I walk through the modern kitchen, complete with the farm sink I’ve always wanted. “And full of light.”

“Yes, these condos have been decorated beautifully,” Noreen says. “I’m going to go up to the penthouse to get it ready for you. Feel free to look around.”

“Thanks.”

Noreen leaves, and I turn to Rafe. “Well? What do you think?”

“It’s your place, A.”

I shrug a shoulder and look around the room, taking in the fireplace. The balcony. “Let’s look at the bedrooms. I need a guest room and an office.”

I walk down one hallway and find two good-sized bedrooms, each with its own bath. Then I retrace my steps and take the other hallway, which leads to the master.

“Wow, this is bigger than I expected.”

“That’s what she said,” Rafe murmurs as he walks up behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and kisses my neck.

It takes me so off guard that I spin and push back.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying it out.”

“Trying what out?”

“The bedroom.” He moves to me, and his hands glide from my hips to the small of my back as he pulls me close and nibbles my ear. My God, I might just slither down into a pile of goo at this man’s feet.

He was always good at this. But was he this good, or did I just block it out of my memory? Because holy Christ on a cracker, the man can kiss.

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

He grins. “Does it feel right here?”

I want to tell him that it feels right everywhere, but Noreen calls out from the kitchen before I can.

“Annika? Are you still here?”

“In the master,” I call back, my eyes on Rafe’s. “It’s a spacious unit.”

“Yes, the square footage is well worth the price tag.” Noreen grins. “Shall we go up to the penthouse?”

“Sure.”

We follow Noreen through the condo and into the elevator. Rafe and I are at the back of the car while Noreen pushes the button.

Rafe slips his hand into mine, laces our fingers, and gives me a squeeze.