Chapter 12 #2
But I already know. “Owl Hill Lane,” I say and take another sip of my coffee.
Declan’s face screws up when he looks at me. “That’s a very… storybook name. How did you know?”
“The landlady to this place used to live on that street. The house you’re looking at is a great house, though it probably needs some changes.”
“Will you come with me?” It shoots out of his mouth, taking us both aback.
“Tie her up,” Nugget calls out.
We both look at the bird and back to one another. “He’s super talkative in the mornings, ignore him.”
“Who taught him that?” Declan is entertained.
I hold my palm up, urging him not to press with the questions. “I was too scared to ever ask. But, uhm, the house…”
Declan steps forward. “Come on, you know the area. I could use the advice.”
“Is that a good idea?” My voice raises an octave.
He runs his thumb along the line of his jaw.
“A horrible idea.” He grins to himself. “But I don’t care.
Plus, if we weren’t sleeping together, then you wouldn’t hesitate.
Besides, the agent is from Chicago selling on behalf of an estate, so they don’t even know the quirky little details about this area.
Please?” His eyes are pleading, with mischief thrown in.
A long sound escapes my lips as I puff out a breath. “Okay.”
Not what I was going for.
“Great. I’ll meet you there at 4.”
“Yep.” But my eyes turn cautious.
We slowly trail behind the real estate agent dressed in a suit. Jimmy is in his forties and reminds me of the guy from that reality television show about California real estate that I watch. Everything he says feels like an upsell.
The house is empty of furniture and is incredibly big, but the view of the lake is to die for. Owning waterfront property is nowhere in my future. It’s far too expensive, but I have a brother who lets me drop in at their pristine lake house at any time.
We all stop when the agent opens the sliding doors to reveal the backyard overlooking the lake. It’s pouring rain yet again, so we admire the view from inside.
“The weather isn’t cooperating, but on a good day, you’ll get the sunrise and full sun until about mid-afternoon.
The dock was renewed only a few years ago, and it’s possible to add a pool if you really wanted, however the hot tub and sauna are perfect all year round.
You’ve seen the house now. There is room to negotiate, I think, as they’re looking for a quick sale,” Jimmy explains.
“The only neighbor is the house up on the corner by the main road, right?” I ask to confirm. “The Joneses, and they’re snowbirds, so they head down to Scottsdale in the winter,” I add, as privacy is important for Declan.
“Something like that, I think. How about I leave you two alone for a few minutes to discuss?” Jimmy suggests.
I was introduced as a friend, but Jimmy has given me a few questionable glares about that definition, especially when Declan made a joke about the master suite shower being the right size for two, with room to bend over.
Declan nods. “That would be great.”
I cross my arms and offer Jimmy an appreciative smile. The moment that he’s out of sight, I roll my eyes at Declan.
“This is ridiculous,” I inform him, yet I’m entertained. “One, that I’m here, and two, that you would need a house this size. This is a family house.”
Declan smirks before he takes a step, right to the doorframe edge. “I need a house for entertaining.” He seems to be reflecting.
I point out to the yard. “With a treehouse?”
He side-eyes me and shrugs. “I always wanted one. My parents were against it, always afraid I would fall out.”
Huh, I wonder if he is attempting to grab hold of something he missed.
“Okay, but what are you going to need five bedrooms for?” I challenge.
Declan raises a brow at me. “I’m sure I’ll have parties where people need to stay over.”
My jaw drops, and I gasp. “Oh. My. God. You also host those kind of parties?”
His eyes grow bold, and he chuckles. “That’s where your mind went?
I was thinking of people staying over because they’ve had wine or beer and can’t drive back to the city.
” Declan wraps his arm around my shoulders as he walks us back to the kitchen area.
“And no, to answer your question, I leave the hosting to Brent.”
Ease hits me, because for the past thirty seconds, an unknown jealousy boiled inside of me at the thought of him with someone else, both in his past or future.
I can’t think about it, I have no right to. “What do you think of the kitchen?” I ask to keep us on the friends-looking-at-a-house situation.
We stop in the middle of the kitchen and lean against the island, and Declan purses his lips out as he studies the area. “I would probably need to update the appliances, and I’m not so sure about the countertops.”
“You’re right about the appliances,” I agree. “But what’s wrong with the counters?”
He rotates his body, with his hands instantly landing firmly on my waist, before he lifts me up onto the counter, stepping between my knees and leaning in with his hands on either side of me. Our body heat collides, as he is dangerously close, and our eyes hold in what feels like a fire starting.
“I’m not sure if it’s sturdy enough for kitchen activities.”
“You mean cutting vegetables?” I pretend not to understand.
Declan glances down at his finger skirting the edge of my dress. “I was thinking along the lines of straddling or bending over and holding onto the counter for support,” he rasps.
“I don’t want to know your future plans.” It comes out playful, but really, it’s the truth. Is he lost in this moment or thinking about his future romps in the kitchen with whoever isn’t me?
“My only future plan involves grabbing dinner after this,” he says it so casually, but his damn thumb is circling my inner thigh.
I scoff. “I’m kind of tired of room service and takeout. How about I’ll cook at my place?” And twice in one day, we get the award for surprising us both, because I’m changing the scene on us and inviting him to my place, to cook. I’m not sure that’s in the fuck-buddy manual, but whatever.
“Sounds good.” He doesn’t seem to mind, nor does he seem worried about the rulebook.
“Okay.” I shake my head before thinking too deep. “But this counter, it’s your deciding factor?”
“Would it be comfortable to lie on?” He sounds far too serious.
“I think you’re going for uncomfortable, no?”
“Can you get a good grip?”
“I guess,” I volley.
“Sturdy then?” He questions again before he slides my body to the edge.
This man is so inappropriate, and I love it.
The clearing of a throat breaks our little scene, and we both look to the side to find Jimmy.
“It’s Naples quartz, that’s the best of the best,” he announces.
If only the earth would swallow me whole right now.
Declan smirks proudly then speaks directly to me in a low voice. “Let’s get out here and head to your place.”