Dear Heart, I Hate You

“You tell me,” she said with a slight smirk and a shrug.

“I could think of a few things.” I glanced around us at the busy lunch crowd. “But they don’t involve a single one of these people.”

Jules threw her hand in the air. “Check, please,” she said before we’d even gotten our food.

I had to laugh. This woman was downright perfect.

Naps Are Underrated

Jules

Lunch was delicious, and I think Cal was impressed with not only the food, but with Malibu as well. I wasn’t sure why I wanted him to love where I lived so much, but a part of me definitely did.

We were driving down PCH back toward my apartment when Cal asked if I could show him a property.

“Really? You want to see a house?” Surprised, I glanced at him before turning back toward the road.

“Yeah. Can we?”

I nodded. “Uh-huh. But you might have to act like you’re a client if other people are there.”

He gave me a devilish grin. “I can do that.”

“I’m sure you can.”

As I drove, my mind raced. What kind of property should I show him? Something in one of the few neighborhoods, or something over-the-top fancy?

“I already know what you’re thinking,” Cal said. “Show me something in an exclusive area. Is there anything?”

My mind immediately zeroed in on this house in The Colony. It was traditional Nantucket style, and I wondered if he’d be drawn to it because the style would be familiar.

“I have the perfect place,” I said with my own devilish grin as I pulled toward a security gate. When the guard approached, I flashed my Realtor badge and signed in.

“So, Miss Abbott. Tell me a little about where we are,” Cal asked, his tone professional.

“Well, Mr. Donovan, we are in a section of Malibu called The Colony. It’s literally one mile of the most exclusive and sought-after beachfront properties. It used to be the place to be back in Hollywood’s heyday. It was Celebrity Central; things happened here that we’ve watched on the big screen or read about in magazines.”

As I gave him the spiel, I started to get excited at the thought of how much history the neighborhood held. “The beaches are private, and although the public can access it in places, for the most part, they don’t. The homes typically range in price from fifteen to twenty million, but the property I’m showing you today is a steal at only nine ninety-five.”

I pursed my lips to keep from smiling as I pulled in front of the modest two-story home. To be honest, it didn’t look like much from the outside. This house, like most of those in the area, had been built in the early forties.

“This looks like the Cape,” he said as he climbed out of the car.

I knew he’d think so. “It’s Nantucket style in architecture, and was built in 1942. It has three bedrooms and three baths, and is roughly twenty-three hundred square feet,” I said as I opened the front door. “There’s also a two-car garage, and everything has been newly painted.”

“Holy shit,” Cal said as we walked through, no doubt stunned by the ocean view showcased by the floor-to-ceiling windows. “What a view.” He walked straight toward the double doors and opened them, stepping outside onto the brick patio and deck.

When I followed him out, he turned and grabbed me by the waist and positioned my body in front of his. He wrapped his arms around me and we stood like that, my back pressed to his chest, staring at the ocean in front of us for who knew how long. Nothing mattered as long as he held me that way.

“The beach is private?” he whispered against my ear.

“Mm-hmm,” was all I managed, the feel of his groin pressing against me more than a little distracting.

“What are the other features?” he asked, moving my hair to the side and running his lips along my neck.

“Um, the kitchen has all stainless steel appliances with warm wood cabinetry. There are two bedrooms and bathrooms on the main floor, and the entire upstairs is the master suite.” I breathed out as he kissed me again. “It’s floor-to-ceiling windows

up there as well. The view is unbelievable, and . . . Oh hell, who cares?” I said before turning around to face him, my lips meeting his as my need for him continued to build.