Page 131 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“What are we doing here?”

“Taking a look inside.”

Siena peered up at the black brick of the home. “Who lives here?”

John flipped open a keypad, and punched in the numbers to make the door unlock. “A friend, but he’s out of town. He’s trying to sell the place, and let me know the code to get in, so I could check it out.”

The door pushed open under John’s hand, and he reached back to grab Siena, and pull her inside with him. He shut the door behind them, and Siena’s laughter filled up the front hallway of the brownstone.

“Wait, shouldn’t the realtor be here, then?” she asked.

John shrugged. “Who cares?”

“Because it’s a break and entering charge, John!”

He only chuckled, and pulled her into his side. There, he could kiss her temple, and so he did just that.

She relaxed at the kiss. “At least you’re in a better mood than you were earlier.”

“Yeah, well, getting away from my family has its benefits.”

Siena frowned, but didn’t say more. John slipped his hand in with hers, and pulled her along. The first place he headed was for the stairs.

“I thought we were looking around?” she asked.

The two climbed the stairs to the second level, and then up to the third.

“Actually, there’s only one part of this place I’m interested in,” John said as they reached the top floor. It was an open concept space for what seemed to be an office on one side, and an artist’s studio on the other side. “Look up, babe.”

Siena did, and froze on the spot. “Holy shit.”

John grinned as he looked upward, too. The entire ceiling was actually inverted for an indoor pool that had been built into the roof. The pool was surrounded by heated frosted glass walls that provided privacy from the neighbors. It didn’t matter that it was February because it would feel like August inside the pool’s walls.

“Let’s go try it out,” John said.

Siena followed behind him at a slower pace as they climbed the stairs leading to the roof. “Are we really allowed to be in here?”

“Who’s going to tell, bella?”

She gave him a look. “Well, someone might.”

“Have some fun with me.”

“Kind of reckless, John.”

“Not even close to being reckless, Siena.”

She didn’t respond except to tug on his hand again. John simply tugged back, and pulled her the rest of the way up the stairs. When he opened the door to the roof where the entire pool was closed in, he got the first whiff of chlorine.

“Are you seriously considering buying this place?” she asked.

John tugged his shirt off, and then kicked off his socks, shoes, and pants. “Maybe. Do you like it?”

“I like your place in Queens, too.”

“That’s a rental.”

“I know, I just—”