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Chapter 9
Meg
Arm in arm, Paul and I walk through the massive home. The vaulted ceilings are still eye-catching in particular. It might take me more than a few visits to get used to them.
The house smells of cedar and patchouli—two scents that give an aged mansion its character. I haven’t spent much time up here yet, but I’m enjoying taking in all the aspects of the house’s ambience.
Paul’s arm around mine is snug and insistent. His firm grip tells me that he’s constantly seeking my approval on the house during our little tour.
And if I’m being honest, I’m happy to give it to him. He’s a very charming and handsome man, with his jet-black hair and mysteriously dark eyes.
His features are a striking contrast to his stepbrothers’, and I think that makes him all the more intriguing.
I freely admit I’m a little jarred by his incessant need to have me all to himself. As if I didn’t already see the competition among the siblings.
His brothers watch my every move, and they undoubtedly saw Paul’s eyes on me tonight. They might’ve felt the sexual tension between the two of us, too—but I have that with all of the brothers anyway.
I’m curious as to whether or not he’ll flaunt himself around the house for winning my attention for the evening. Or will he pretend that our private tour never happened?
I don’t know if he’ll regret it, though, once his brothers realize we haven’t joined their post-dinner leisure.
As I ponder these questions in my mind, which are multiplying by the second, Paul stops in front of his bedroom door.
He looks over his shoulder at me as he turns the handle, offering me a charming grin. A man in real estate has to have some charisma on his level, after all.
I play the game, pretending his beauty and seductive tactics have no effect on me. I want to seeexactlywhat he’s driving at.
Paul pushes the door open to reveal a dimly lit room much larger than my own. It’s filled with antique cherry wood furniture, from the cabinets to the bed.
The walls are decorated tastefully with book shelves, medieval paintings, and deep red curtains hanging from the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows.
I’m impressed. Generally, men have no sense of taste in their decor, but it would appear that he has spent a great deal of time in this room despite his travels, enough that he still calls it home.
I scan the walls until my eyes are drawn to the room’s focal point: the balcony doors, which are glass-paned. They allow a gorgeous stream of natural light into the room. I gravitate toward them, letting go of Paul’s arm.
I bring myself to the doors, turn the knobs, and pull them open. A gust of wind greets the bare skin of my face, and I squint for a moment, surprised by the cool air.
When I regain my bearings, I look out ahead of me to see a breathtaking view. The sun is setting, and the wind is rustling the leaves on the trees. There’s a hint of smoke permeating the air from the fireplace of the estate.
“Told you,” I hear from behind me.
Paul’s low voice startles me. I was so enraptured by the picture-perfect view of nature surrounding his home that I forgot all about him.
“You certainly did,” I admit. “I’ll have to give you credit. You’ve earned this bragging right.”
“Thisbragging right? You mean I don’t deserve them all?” he counters, a grin playing on his lips.
“I can’t check all of your real estate successes, but I can confirm that this is the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen,” I say.
“Well, I once thought this sunset was the most beautiful thing in the world, but I was wrong.” Paul stares into my eyes thoughtfully. “You, Meg, are the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen.”
Before I can even process his words, I’m swept into his arms. His strong embrace has me locked against him, and I’m instantly wet from all the excitement.
Paul brings his face close to mine. So close that I can feel his breath against my skin. So close that I know what I want to happen.
I lean my head back, tilt my chin upward, and close my eyes. I wait patiently for his lips to meet mine and for us to share a moment of passion.
Much to my surprise, rather than his kiss, I’m greeted by his fingertips. They first caress my temple and run through my hair to push a lock behind my ear.
