Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 29965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Because that’s what mattered, and it had taken her a long time to realize that.
15
The sun was starting to set when she finally reached the cottage, and the last rays of the sun illuminated the wraparound porch and pristine landscaping.
Chloe pulled the car to a stop in front of the porch and shut the engine off. When she got out, she stretched, her gaze landing right on the lake. She couldn’t help but smile at the warmth she felt. Everything looked the same. As far as she was aware, no one had been at the cabin in years, yet everything looked well taken care of, right down to the mowed grass.
Leave it to Clara to keep up appearances.
She grabbed her bags out of the back of the car, and then headed up the porch. The same rock that sat by the front door sat by her feet, and she lifted it. Chloe grinned when she saw the spare key.
After unlocking the door, she stepped inside and immediately smelled lemon. She turned the lights on and walked through each room, feeling her brows knit. The décor was completely different, sparse with a masculine touch.
Despite the change of scenery inside, Chloe instantly felt like she was home. It was strange being here all over again, after being away for so long.
She took the stairs slowly, looking at where the family pictures had once hung, but now white walls greeted her. When she reached the top, she headed toward the room she’d stayed in while here with her parents. The room looked exactly the same, right down to the bed and comforter. Memories assaulted her, and she swallowed, feeling emotions rise up as she remembered everything in vivid clarity.
The cottage was very clean for no one having lived in it for years, but then again, she didn’t doubt a cleaning service had been hired to do the upkeep on it. Her aunt was a stickler for neat and tidy.
And like a masochist, Chloe set her things on that same bed. It looked like she’d be staying in this room while here. After organizing her belongings, she went into the kitchen and started putting away the food she’d brought. When she opened the fridge, she felt her brows knit as she saw milk and eggs, yogurt and an array of other perishable items.
Why in the hell was food in the fridge? Was Clara renting the property out? That was the only logical and rational thing Chloe could think of.
But she shook her head and pushed it away, setting her groceries in the fridge and closing it.
For the next hour, she busied herself by making some dinner, then made a plate and headed out to the porch. It was just like old times, and the feeling of never leaving crossed her mind. After she finished dinner, she leaned back in the chair and stared at the stars. She started to count them aloud, just like before. The time seemed to blur as she counted those little, bright orbs of light, wishing she could be that far away, looking down at someone else.
“You used to do that when you were a kid.”
She gasped and stood up so fast her plate fell off her lap and broke on the paved patio. Chloe turned around. She stared wide-eyed at the man who stood in the back doorway, leaning against the frame, his arms crossed, the light from behind him making shadows conceal the front part of his body lightly.
Dominic. He was here.
16
Her body’s response was instantaneous. Heart pounding wildly, adrenaline pumping through her veins, she felt the same rush she had felt all those years ago when he’d held and kissed her.
“Uncle Dominic.” The words were breathless as they left her. He looked the same. Aside from a few silver hairs that reflected the moonlight, he was still all hard, powerful muscle and an imposing frame. It was awkward, to say the least, because all she could think about was what they’d shared all those years ago. Was he thinking the same? Picturing what they’d done?
He stepped onto the patio and moved toward her. Her throat was suddenly bone dry.
“I thought you were overseas.” She blurted out the words before she could stop them. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to be the first thing that came out of me.” And now she just felt like an even bigger ass.
“You’re fine, Chloe.”
His voice was deep, husky. It seemed more masculine after all these years, if that were even possible.
“I was overseas.” He didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t probe for more details. If he wanted her to know more, he’d volunteer the information.
A thick moment of silence descended upon them, and Chloe found herself shifting uncomfortably. She cleared her throat and never thought she’d be in a moment more awkward than the day after she lost her virginity to Dominic.