Page 92 of The Bitter Words

“Sure, but I have time and I’m not at that point. Why? What does this have to do with finding me a house?”

He shrugs. “I’m trying to figure out your motives. You bought a property from me not too long ago. Now you want something bigger and farther away from the beach. I’d hate to get you into another home and two years down the road, you need something different.”

I chuckle. “I would think you’d want me to purchase real estate at every opportunity.”

“Don’t get me wrong.” He shifts forward, giving me his full attention. “I do want that, but for the right reasons. Why do you think I oversee your entire process and not hand it off to one of my agents?”

“I thought the preferential treatment was because we’re friends and know things about each other that others can’t know.”

“That too, but I want you to be extremely pleased with my services. That’s why I’m asking these questions. I need to know where you see yourself so I can fulfill your wish.”

“That makes sense.” I rest back and gaze out the back window. “Give me a minute to picture what I need so we get this right.”

“Take your time.” He sorts some papers he has lying before him.

As I imagine my future, Livianna catches my eye in the backyard. It’s almost December, yet she’s in a black bikini, pacing near the hot tub and talking on her phone.

She keeps throwing her hands up and shaking her head. Whoever she’s speaking to, their conversation doesn’t appear to be going well. It reminds me of my last conversation with her.

I tug on my collar. She makes me…nervous and uncomfortable, so I told her I couldn’t help her with her design business, but I would find someone who could.

She didn’t like that answer and kept pushing me. I finallytold her I had a meeting to attend and I’d need to call her back.

I never did, but she still tries to reach out. My assistant has been instructed to take messages to keep Livianna at bay.

I gaze back at his computer and read over the questions he has that will assist him in finding the house I want to buy. What do I really want with this new purchase?

It’s not just a place to live while my other home is being redone. When I’m in the States, I plan on living in it as much as I do the Malibu property.

“Greg, in your professional opinion, what would you recommend for me?”

“If you want to buy real estate as an investment every day, I’m here for it.” He laughs it off. “Honestly, Jaxon. I believe you’re closer to settling down than you think. If I were you, I’d look for a safe home you could grow into.”

“Why do you believe that?”

The sliding glass door slides open. I turn to see a combination of hurt and anger swirling in Livianna’s eyes. She’s obviously upset, but when she notices me, she does a complete transformation.

She rolls back her shoulders, shoves the door closed, and smiles. “Hello, Jaxon Crowne. I didn’t know you were coming over today.”

Greg clears his throat. “Livianna.”

She breaks our gaze and faces him. “What, Daddy?”

“Put a cover-up on.” He subtly shakes his head and gestures to her clothes, or lack thereof.

“Oh, of course. I would’ve had this on if I had known you were meeting with someone here in the kitchen.” She takes the black lace material hanging off her forearm, wraps it around her shoulders, and works her arms into it.

As she does, I notice a tattoo of two pistols with their barrels crossed over each other on her ribs underneath her leftarm and another on her chest. I keep my eyes away from the one near her breasts.

The lace cover-up does little to conceal her body, so it’s hard to keep my gaze above her neck. I do it, though, and silently berate myself for letting my mind even think about her body.

“I was enjoying the hot tub.” Her speaking breaks into my thoughts. “Then I had to take a call. You should try it sometime, Jaxon.”

“What?” My defenses go up and my cheeks grow warm.

“Taking someone’s phone call. It could be important.” She slinks over to the table and sits with us.

“Livianna, Jaxon and I are in the middle of?—”