His Temptation, Her Secret

At first, she didn’t move. But then she unbuckled her seat belt and opened the door.

He was sorry if he’d insulted her. But he couldn’t believe she’d given up on herself so easily. There were options. There were always options. There was always an alternate strategy or approach to any situation. You just had to keep looking until you found the right one.

He led the way up the short, concrete staircase and opened his front door. The light was on a motion sensor and came on automatically in the foyer. The living room in front of them was dimly lit by the pot lights above the fireplace to the right side. And the deck and lighted garden beds were visible through the glass wall on the far side of the living room.

Her steps slowed in the doorway and she gazed around in silence.

“It’s big for one person,” he acknowledged.

“Big?” She took a couple of steps forward. “I was going to go with huge.”

“Yeah. I barely ever go upstairs.”

“There’s an upstairs?”

“The stairs are around the corner, across from the study.”

“Of course they are,” she said a little weakly.

“Are you thirsty?”

“We’re not staying.”

“Iced tea?” he asked, moving into the living room, taking the right-hand turn that led to the open-concept kitchen.

In front of the kitchen was a dining room and then a family room, where he spent much of his time. It opened onto the biggest part of the deck, where there was an outdoor kitchen and small bathroom.

He gestured to the oversize refrigerator. “I’ve got cold beer. Or there’s always wine.”

He glanced behind him, but Sage hadn’t followed.

He went back to the foyer. “Come in.”

She looked a little frightened. “Exactly how rich are you?”

“I don’t know how to answer that question. I guess I’m to the point now where I can do pretty much whatever I want.”

She took a couple of hesitant steps into the living room, taking in the furnishings. “Do you have a housekeeping staff?”

“There’s someone who comes in to clean. And I have a gardening service. It’s a big house,” he found himself defending. “But nobody lives in.”

She looked to her left, where a short hallway led to his study, his bedroom and the stairs to the second floor.

“Have a look around,” he invited. “Maybe a glass of water?”

“Sure,” she answered absently, wandering down the hallway.

“The wine cellar is locked, but I can open it up if you’re interested.”

“Water’s fine.”

He chuckled. He’d meant if she wanted to have a look. But he’d happily open a bottle of wine if she saw something interesting.

When he returned from the kitchen with two glasses of ice water, she was gone. He guessed she’d taken the stairs, so he followed.

“There’s no furniture up here,” she said, peering into one of the bedrooms.

“My wife…” He paused to gather himself. “Lauren wanted us to have several children. She expected we’d need the extra room.”

“I’m sorry,” Sage said. “I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.”

“It’s fine.” He’d told Sage about Lauren while Eli had slept.

Sage gave an apologetic smile. She seemed to sense he’d rather move on, and she obliged him, glancing in each of the five upstairs bedrooms. “You could fit three of my apartments in here.”

“It is roomy,” he agreed.

Mostly, he ignored this floor. It was a waste of space, but there was no way he’d sell the house Lauren had designed. And despite the wasted space, he couldn’t imagine having anyone live with him—except for Eli. TJ would love to have Eli live here with him.

He knew it was impossible. Though he’d stated a hard line with Matt and Caleb that night, there was no way he’d take Eli away from his mother, and no court in the land would let him do that.

Ironically, there was more than enough room up here for both Sage and Eli.

His brain took a pause. That would be perfect. It would be beyond perfect.

He turned to consider her, taking in her profile, his mind galloping along the idea.

“What exactly is your job?” he asked.

She glanced at him. “What?”

He handed her a glass of water. “What do you do in Seattle?”

“I told you, I plan events for the community center.”

“Is it administrative?”

“Mostly.”

“That sounds like a transferable skill.”

She caught his meaning immediately. “TJ, don’t.”

“Don’t shut the door on this, Sage. You could live here. You and Eli. There’s no reason why not.”