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“And the oil lamp is like one on a ship,” he guessed.
“Clever, right?” Ruby asked, taking a sip of her wine. “Hallie’s idea.”
“It’s my favorite part of this room,” he said. Aside from Hallie being in it.
The tour continued and he found himself paying closer attention to the details. He didn’t know how to put what he liked into words, but Hallie did. She seemed to know him as well as, or better than, he knew himself. The furniture was understated and classy. The colors were muted but interesting. And, as she’d promised at dinner last week, each room featured a unique punch of color.
“Okay, Gav.” Ruby put her foot on the first step. “Grab your new artwork and bring it upstairs. I want to see it.”
“Me, too,” he admitted, hefting the large painting in both hands.
The twinkle in Hallie’s eye made him wonder if she’d pilfered a nude photo of him and commissioned an artist. He hoped not. Though, if she had, he’d probably find it funny.
“The master bedroom is my favorite space in this house,” Ruby said as she stepped into his bedroom. Thankfully his laundry had made it into the basket this morning. He’d cleaned up knowing Hallie was coming over tonight. Though his plans for her in this room were not revealing a piece of artwork while Ruby looked on.
Gavin had to agree with her about the space, though. The upstairs bedroom spanned the entire width of the house, with balconies on both sides to take advantage of the dual lake views. The attached master bath featured both a huge soaking tub and a glass-walled shower, and the western-facing balcony was outfitted with a hot tub he hadn’t had the pleasure of using yet.
The focal point of his room was the enormous bed, with its tall, black leather headboard punctuated with decorative black rivets. Hallie ran her hand along the bold red bedspread.
“The same color as the car you didn’t buy,” she said, a teasing lilt in her voice.
His mind went straight to her on his bed, her blond hair a riot of waves around her on a backdrop of red. He’d seen every inch of her naked skin in the bright kitchen lighting, but he was looking forward to dimming the lights in here and stripping her bare. Then they’d try a few new things. Sexy, dastardly things.
“Open your art,” Ruby insisted, snapping him out of his fantasy.
He tore the seam in the packaging, laughing when he unveiled what it held. An oversize rendering of a bowl of ice cream, chocolate sauce and caramel and whipped cream like the sundae he’d shared with Hallie. The addition of fresh strawberries matched the vibrant red of the bedspread.
“It’s perfect.” He cupped Hallie’s hip and kissed her cheek. “I’m hanging it over the bed. You can’t stop me.”
“I can’t wait to see it hung,” Hallie purred, her long-lashed eyelids closing over her beautiful eyes.
A beat passed and then another before Ruby awkwardly cleared her throat. “I should be going. I forgot I had to pick up...something. From the store.”
She gave Hallie a quick hug, patted Gavin’s arm and fled the room. She called out, “Goodbye!” from the bottom of the stairs before the wide front door closed with an exaggerated slam.
“Is the meaning behind the ice cream that obvious?” A crease of worry appeared between Hallie’s eyebrows.
“Let’s hope not.” He chuckled as he ran his hand up her back. Leaning to whisper in her ear, he murmured, “I think she picked up on the sparks flying between us.”
“I noticed those, too.” Hallie tipped her chin and he kissed her, lingering over her delicious lips until she pulled away.
Her hands clutching the front of his shirt, she aimed hazel eyes up at him. “Now what?”
“Like you don’t know?” He grinned, happy to have her here, in his arms, in his house. “Rule-breaking time, sweetheart.”
“Skinny-dipping in the hot tub?”
He hummed, pretending to think about it. “That’s too tame. But your dare does involve water.”
“Uh-oh. Should I be worried?”
“A little. Did you bring a swimsuit?”
“Do I need one?”
“No, ma’am. You definitely don’t.”
