Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 159159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
“Look at this room.” She waved her hands to encompass the large dining room. It held a long rectangular table made of cherrywood, the light playing over it making it gleam a dark, almost bloodred. The sideboard was made of the same wood, that dark, rich red. The floor was tile, swirls of light blue twisting through a field of white, creating the look of sky and clouds—or the ocean on a stormy day. She loved the floor.
She went on through the archway leading to the other rooms and the stairway. It went both up and down. She looked at Ice for an explanation.
“Upstairs is the master bedroom. Guest rooms and bathrooms are on the main floor and beneath this one, we have the play rooms. Kick-ass home theater, billiards room, as well as a game room with VR, and all kinds of other cool games. And the indoor pool.”
“Are you kidding me? There’s an indoor pool?”
He nodded, watching her face. “It’s more like a spa. A full-sized pool, with a hot tub. It’s nice. At least I think it is, I’ve never actually been in it. I’ve never slept here.”
“You own this amazing house and you haven’t lived in it?”
He shook his head. “What the hell would I know about livin’ in a house? Never settled down before Czar gave us the big order. What am I going to do rattling around by myself in a house like this?”
She threw her arms out wide and turned in a full circle, joy bursting through her. “I would give anything to own a house like this. It’s a home, Ice. A real home. This is the kind of house you raise children in.”
He rubbed his chin. “Don’t know about that, princess. We have kids, I’d have to block off the stairs so they couldn’t go down to the pool. I’d worry about that all the time. Then there’s the staircase. What if they fall? If their bedrooms were downstairs and we’re upstairs, what if someone tries to kidnap them? Or they sneak out the window and I don’t know and can’t protect them. There’s other houses with different floor plans that might make it easier to raise children.”
He wanted children. The relief was tremendous. He had clearly thought about the hazards of raising children in the house. He might be just a little paranoid, but he wanted them protected. She loved that. She loved that children mattered enough that he’d actually given their protection thought.
He gestured toward the stairs and pointed up. “You need to get ready for bed. Meaning a shower or bath to help with the soreness from the ride.”
“I caught a glimpse of the flower beds, the landscaping rolling out beyond the kitchen. So many flowers, and I love the little garden.”
“The one outside the kitchen is all herbs. The one on the side of the house is flowers. The other side, where we get the most sun, is vegetables. I’m no good at gardening, so someone comes here a couple of times a week.”
“I saw a gazebo.” She glanced up at his face, hesitating. “There is a child’s play yard, Ice. I didn’t see much of it, but it seemed pretty amazing.”
She didn’t want him to think she was making an argument to raise children at the house. If he didn’t feel comfortable, then she would change houses in a heartbeat. She wanted to sit on the stairs and weep. This was her dream, dangled right in front of her by a gorgeous man who didn’t seem to be able to keep his eyes off her.
She just knew not to invest too much. Not her heart. Not her hopes. She’d been crushed too many times. When she really let herself love, she went all in. She didn’t know how to be any other way. It was just that he was giving her every little piece of her dream. Every detail. As if he had seen inside her and turned her fantasies into reality.
“If you keep getting that look on your face, Soleil, you give me no option but to take matters into my hands. If you want that shower or bath, you’d better look happy.” He made it a threat.
She turned to him and framed his face with her hands. “I’m terrified of falling in love with you.” She didn’t know why she’d told him the truth, but she had and now it was right there and he could push her off him and say there was no such thing. Their relationship was about sex, that bright, hot chemistry that sizzled and scorched, demanding they stay with each other until the attraction fizzled out.
“I’m terrified you won’t,” he answered.
Once again, he kissed her. This was no claiming kiss. Not rough. Not aggressive. This was sweet, gentle, almost tender. Her heart lurched hard and slipped closer to him. She wanted to grab it and pull it back to her, but it was impossible. Ice filled her with him. Her mind accepted him the way her heart did, and she couldn’t shut down and protect herself. She just surrendered to that gentle kiss.