Chapter Eight
Ifollow Lennox to his house. Though I put his address into my GPS, just in case we were to get separated, it looks like I won’t need it.
Like he told me, his place isn’t super far away.
In what seems like no time at all, we’re suddenly driving in a very nice, upscale neighborhood, where we head to the back.
Wow, his place is more than a freaking house.
Once we reach what could only be called his estate, illuminated by lighting that’s soft in the darkness of the night, I am nothing short of impressed.
As I follow him along his long, curved driveway, I note that there appears to be a lot of desert property around him, along with his giant stone freaking mansion in the background.
I guess being the captain of the Bears pays extremely well.
Anyway, whatever.
I sell places like this for a living, so yes, I am impressed, but it doesn’t affect my opinion of Lennox.
I’m still madly attracted to him, of course. But even better, so far, I like him as a person. With that being said, I’m not sure how this night is going to go, but I’m open to almost anything.
I definitely do want to talk and get to know him better, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’d also really like to find out what his full lips feel like on mine.
Oh, and his big, hard, strong body?
I wouldn’t be averse to feeling that pressed up against me too.
Maybe even on me…or above me…
“Phew.” I fan my face. “It’s getting hot in here.”
There’s no time to turn on the air-conditioning, though, as Lennox just stopped in front of the entrance of his house and parked.
I pull up behind him and cut my engine.
Lennox walks over to my car, and damn, if he doesn’t look fine in his faded jeans and a white short-sleeved tee that’s a perfect contrast to his messy jet-black hair. Not to mention, those sculpted biceps peeking out are impressive.
I noticed how hot he looked in the garage, but in the darkness of the night, he appears downright dangerous…in the best way possible.
Gah!
Luckily, I pull myself together just as he reaches my door.
I pop it open, and he says, “Hey, I hope I wasn’t going too fast for you. I thought I lost you at that one light right past the arena.”
Slipping out, I smooth down my miniskirt and wave my free hand. “No, you were fine. That light just changed really fast. But I gunned it and made it, no problem.”
Chuckling, he says, “I noticed that.” Then, raising one brow, he asks, “You still up for coming in?”
I laugh. “Well, we’re here, aren’t we?”
“Yes, we are,” he replies. “But you can always change your mind, Madison. You’re in charge of how this night goes.”
I appreciate his candor and his consideration.
Damn, I’m liking him more and more.
Smiling, I tell him, “Yes, I would still like to come in.”
He shoots me back a million-dollar smile. “Great. Let’s go in, then.”
Lennox leads the way, and I follow him into his big-ass house.
The entry hall is stunning, all hardwood and dark marble, and I have to let him know, “I swear, your house is next-level.”
“Thanks,” he says, chuckling. And then he adds, “I know you sell real estate, so would you like a little tour?”
I nod ecstatically. “Sure.”
I am curious to see the rest of his house.
After we cover most of two expansive floors, I determine that this man lives in my freaking dream home.
We finish up in a large living room, boasting more dark wood and traditional furnishings, and I have to admit, “Damn, Lennox, I want your house.” I raise a brow, and with a twinkle in my eyes, I say, “I have a cute little carriage house. Would you want to trade?”
Laughing, he replies, “As tempting as that offer sounds, I think I’ll stick with what I have.”
“Aww,” I pshaw, waving my hand. “You’re no fun.”
Mischief sparkling in his dark sable eyes, he says in a low tone, “I guess we’ll see about that as the night wears on.”
Not to be outdone, I volley back, “Yes, I guess we will.”
We end up seated on the sofa, where we talk for a while. We really do just focus on getting to know each other.
I learn he’s twenty-nine and grew up in Wisconsin, and hockey has always been in his life.
I inform him that I’m twenty-seven and have always lived in Phoenix.
I also find out that he used to play for the Chicago Blackhawks.
I tell him that before I started a career in real estate, I was a cocktail waitress in a casino.
“Oh, wow,” he says. “I bet you have some stories to tell from working there.”
“A few,” I admit, “but nothing too crazy. Most of the time, things were pretty routine. The best part of that job, though, was definitely the tips.”
“Yeah, I could imagine,” Lennox says.
We then pivot and chat about our families and our friends.
I guess the “friends” talk prompts him to mention that he’s hosting a small gathering this Saturday night.
“Nothing too wild,” he says, then shrugs. “I could be wrong, though. It may turn out to be bigger than I’m anticipating. That always seems to happen with my parties. But, in any case, would you want to come?”
“I would.” I sigh. “But I have plans with Claire to see a movie that night.”
Excitedly, he says, “That’s actually perfect. I’ll be inviting Easton and her. You could just come over with them.” He smiles at me mischievously. “This way, you can come to the party, and they’ll never suspect we actually know each other and that you were invited.”
“Oooh, I love it.” I giggle. “I think it’ll work too.
I’m sure Claire will want to come to the party instead of going to the movie, so when she calls to change our plans, I guarantee she’ll ask me to come along.
She won’t leave me hanging or blow me off.
Of course, I’ll say yes, I’d love to go to the party. ”
“You better come,” he warns with a teasing sparkle in his eyes.
“I will,” I assure him. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I rub my hands together, adding excitedly, “Oh my goodness, this is going to be so much fun.”
I mean a lot by that—getting to know him, exploring our attraction, and keeping it a secret from everyone, particularly Claire and Easton. It’s going to be a blast.
“It is,” he agrees. And then he says, “Damn, Madison, we’re so bad.”
I nod. “We are.”
Scooting down the sofa closer to me, he rasps, “And you know what else is bad, Ms. Ellery?”
Oh my God, he is so freaking hot right now. I think I might die. My heart is racing, and my face feels warm. The way this man is suddenly affecting me, just by sitting so close, is wild.
“What?” I squeak out.
Reaching forward, he tucks a wayward strand of my hair behind my ear.
Then, with his thumb gently stroking my cheek, he says, “The naughty things I’m fantasizing about doing to you right now, gorgeous.”
Oh. My. God.
Leaning my cheek into his hand, I peer up into his lust-filled eyes and say, “Then maybe you should stop thinking about those things and get down to doing them.”