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Angling him around in my arms to face the door, I reach over and set the lid on the firepit and turn off the radio. Circling my arms around his waist from behind, I nudge him toward the door.
“That is an awfully enticing idea, but gentlemen don’t take advantage of intoxicated persons.”
“Ugh. I’m going to live down calling you that someday.”
CHAPTER 36
One week later—Cameron
Pete squints out the window of the car at our destination. “This is the surprise you wanted to show me?”
He looks skeptical now, but once I get him inside, I’m hopeful that will change. Irene Crane, the agent I went through, informed me that the old two-story house was converted to a real estate office years ago before that business moved into town.
“The surprise is inside. Come on.”
When I unlock the door and get him inside, my adrenaline is in overdrive. Walking across the dusty hardwood flooring to the center of the main room, I extend my arms wide.
“I present you the Wenatchee Orchard Association office.”
Befuddled? Surprised? Wary? Maybe he’s a bit of all three. I can do a better job of selling this.
Dashing to the rollaway doors at the side of the room, I open them to reveal the next room. “Your office,” I declare, and then rush past the kitchen entryway to open the door to the other room. “And…Creations by Cameron,” I elaborate, indicating the more modest work area.
I assumed I’d get bonus points for giving him the larger office. I don’t need as much space as what he’ll need, anyway.
A puff of breath makes his chest rise. “You think we’d get any work done this close together?”
“More than we would if we weren’t.” He’d be texting me all day like he does now, and he knows it. “But if you’re worried that I’d be too much of a distraction for you, I could go upstairs.” Waggling my brows, I grab his hand and head for the stairs. “Come on.”
It’s hard not to laugh at how suspicious he looks right now, but I’m starting to see past his poker face. His tell is the slightest upward tick of the corner of his mouth.
Maybe I’m taking things too fast with the whole association idea, but he did agree and already discussed his plans with Randy to leave Fairway Foods. He’s been so worried about what I think of Randy’s intent to get backing from the shareholders to dismiss Dad as CEO for improper practices.
Number one—it wasn’t Pete’s plan. And number two—of course, I’m not excited about it, but I’m not the one who has to march into that battle. Randy does.
A part of me feels like we’re being mutinous sons, but it’s mostly overruled by the knowledge that my grandfather’s company will be better managed without my father’s involvement. People might actually enjoy coming to work and be hired and promoted based on merit. I have to commend Randy for having the grit to go through with it. It will probably wound him more than anyone.
We reach the top of the stairs that open into a living room. It’s not much to look at right now, but with any luck, Pete will see what I do—our future.
“Partially furnished.” I gesture to the burnt orange couch and coffee table that looks like it’s from the last century. “Isn’t that great!”
Shit. His upper lip has curled so high I can see his teeth. “Um, what about me says that I’m comfortable with used furniture?”
“Me?” Dragging my sweatshirt over my head, I toss it on the table.
Okay. We have a smirk. Guess I should have just gotten naked at the front door. My man is easy. Undoing the button of my jeans, I hold his gaze and slide my zipper down.
That earns me a chuckle. “What are you doing?”
“Being convincing?”
“I haven’t seen you all week,” he croons, closing the distance. “You don’t need to be that convincing.”
“I had clients.” I flinch when his cold hands slide over the bare skin at my waist. “And…I wanted something happy for us with what’s going on with the company next week. I know this hasn’t been easy for you.” He sobers at that, looking surprised that my concern is for him rather than myself. “Plus, I wanted to find a place.”
“I’m sorry about how things are right now, but you know my parents don’t care if you stay there whenever we’re here.”
“I know.” Sliding my arms around his neck feels like coming home, better than any furry throw blanket and couch-muffin ever did. I don’t know why I’m trembling. Maybe I’m still stupefied that I’m getting to live this moment right now.
