AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t know.” Clearing my throat, I go back to eating, my mind spinning a million miles a minute.
I can hear the clock on the wall ticking the seconds away, and I grow more and more anxious with each passing one.
Every so often, a hint of Tyler’s fresh scent hits me, and I squeeze the fork I’m holding, attempting to get a grip on my body that’s rapidly spiraling out of control. I’m hyperaware of every move he makes, and when I can’t take it anymore, I slide from my seat and grip the counter for support.
“Where’s your bathroom?” I ask, hoping he can’t see how wound up I am from just sitting next to him.
A small smile plays on his lips like he knows everything. “The one finished is upstairs at the end of the hall. Just watch out for the drop cloths everywhere so you don’t lose your step.”
“Okay.” Quickly making my exit, I go in the direction he pointed, and climb the stairs to the second floor. I walk around a couple cans of paint and a ladder leaning against the wall as I make my way down the hall, my mouth dropping open when I step into the bathroom.
It’s amazing in a way only a newly renovated bathroom can be. The floor is made of a blue and white Portuguese tile that I absolutely love, white subway tiles goes halfway up the walls before a light blue paint takes over, and a window on the far wall, if it was lighter out, would give me a view of the ocean, sky, and pine trees.
That’s what the two blues of the floor and walls reminds me of – the ocean and early morning sky.
Oval mirrors are mounted above a double sink on the left side of the bathroom with scalloped shell basins, and a countertop made of a beautiful white marble. I run my finger across it, feeling its cool, smooth expanse.
A jar of sea glass rests next to his toothbrush holder and I smile, thinking of how he probably collected those along the shore since he was a kid. I used to do that every summer with my dad when I was growing up.
I peak behind the navy shower curtain and see a large white tub that’s more than big enough to fit two people.
Damn it.
Gripping the curtain in my hand, my mind flashes with images of a naked and wet Tyler covered in soap as he runs his hands over his torso.
Oh, sweet baby Jesus.
That image is enough to make my knees weak and my face feel like it’s on fire. I wash my hands in cold water and then place them behind my neck, shivering at the icy temperature, but needing the shock.
After using the bathroom, I start making my way back down the hall, but as I pass a room with its door half open, I’m intrigued, and take a peek inside.
His room.
Oh my god, it’s…wow.
A large, almost floor to ceiling arched window, with two smaller ones on either side, is the centerpiece of the far wall, giving me an uninterrupted view of the ocean before me.
There’s just enough light left to see out, and it’s…I’m speechless. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.
He gets to wake up to this every morning. I wonder if he can see the sunrise from bed.
Speaking of, next to me sits a large, king sized bed, and I’m tempted to climb up on it to sit and watch the last of the day’s light snuff out the view, and reveal a sky full of stars.
But I don’t.
Stepping back out into the hall, I tear my eyes away from the window and take in the rest of his room. It seems he loves the sea. I mean, he lives on the water, yes, but it’s more than that. The ocean seems to bleed into his house. The colors, shapes, and feel of it are everywhere, bringing with it a sense of comfort and freedom. I can’t put it all into words exactly, but I really like it.
Not wanting to be gone for too long, I head back downstairs, and when I reach the bottom, I take in the den area that’s on the other side of the kitchen.
“I’m working on that room next,” Tyler says, startling me. “Sorry.” He laughs, seeing me jump. “I heard you coming down the stairs.”
“It’s okay. I was just lost in my head. I really like your bathroom by the way. You did a really good job.”
Running his hand down the length of my bare arm, a trail of goosebumps follows his path, and I close my eyes. “Did you look anywhere else up there?” he asks me in a low voice that flows through me like a river – taking me away to visions of him and me up in his big bed, losing ourselves in each other until the sun comes up.
I open my eyes to see his have gone a shade darker, and I tell him honestly, whispering, “I did. I like your room, too.”
I expect him to smile or crack a joke, but he takes my hand instead, leading me back into the kitchen. He’s cleared our plates from the island, and in their place is the cake he bought from the café today.
