AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You win,” he grunted, sliding his arms down so they were around her waist. “But that’s cheating.”
She rubbed him, squeezing his cock and watching raptly as his gaze glassed over and he tilted his head back. “All’s fair in love and war.” She leaned in, nuzzling his throat before pressing a soft kiss there. “You noogied me. That wasn’t very nice.”
He stilled her hand with a squeeze and Ava pressed the heel of her palm harder against his length. He gasped and shuddered, thrusting into her touch. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Good.” Ava pulled back, wiggling out of his arms and winked.
“Jesus, woman, you’re a tease today,” he said with a pout.
“But you love me.” She grinned and batted her eyelids innocently before Cole reached out, pulling her into his arms again.
He held her tight and tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. “I do.” Their kiss was slow and deep, a complete contrast to the taunting she’d tortured him with a moment earlier. Their lips melded together. Tongues tangling, Ava pressed into him, loving being wrapped up in Cole’s arms.
The knock at the door startled her. She pulled away reluctantly, not wanting to leave his arms to answer it.
A man in a suit that looked like it cost more than the deposit on this house was waiting for her. He shamelessly peered over her shoulder as she opened the door before ducking his head and peering at the gleaming crystal chandelier. It was a rescue from before the renovations had begun, and she’d painstakingly polished it to perfection.
“Afternoon,” Ava greeted with a polite smile.
“Hello.” He nodded, the complete lack of smile in response unnerving. “Maxwell Denyer.” Ava held out her hand to shake and he flicked his eyes down before continuing, “Attorney for the Lightning. Bryce Flaharty is involved with your company, yes?” he asked, motioning to their signage still decorating the front of the house.
Ava dropped her hand and forced another smile. She was pleased that the team’s solicitor had recognized their company name and was supportive of their guy, but this man was… intimidating as hell. “Yes, Bryce, Cole, and I are partners. This is our third renovation together.” She swallowed back the desire to cut their conversation short and get back to Cole, but knew she had to play nice. "So how can I help you?”
“I’m in the market for a property.” His words stopped her short. There was a potential sale here and she needed to step up the charm.
“Would you like to come in and see what we’ve done with the place?”
He gave her a curt nod after looking at his gold watch momentarily and Ava put on her most professional persona.
“Please, do come in.”
She showed him around, pointing out the changes they’d made to the layout to open it up while keeping the original styling in the renovations. The aim had been to restore the home to its former glory, not to remove the period pieces. The furniture wasn’t quite placed right yet—Bryce would primp and preen it until it was perfect—but the restoration work Cole had crafted was second to none.
White wainscoting on the walls and turned features marking informal dividers between rooms in the now open area created a timeless charm in the turn-of-the-century cottage. Dove-grey walls contrasted beautifully against the rich almost black timber floors that Cole had painstakingly sanded down and the painters had refinished. White gauzy curtains and modern furniture mixed with a few period pieces showed exactly how a family could make this space into their home and the splashes of colour in the rug and throw blanket lifted the room.
“It’s close to the river too, isn’t it?” Mr Denyer asked.
“It’s only a five-minute walk. The parks there are beautiful—perfect for a growing family. It’s the ideal location.”
“Restaurants?” he asked, tapping his chin with his forefinger as he paused in the kitchen and tested the drawers. They’d installed soft closing runners and hinges on every one, so even though the kitchen looked traditional, it suited modern use.
Ava led him through to the dining area and the courtyard backyard. The original owners of the house had built a lovely garden that only required a good clean, a relatively small amount of TLC compared to the rest of the house. “The Village is near the river. It’s set up on the weekend as farmers’ markets and surrounding the forecourt are a few cafés and two restaurants. At night there are often performers and during summer they do art classes and yoga in the square, that sort of thing.”
“The neighbours are friendly too,” Cole added as she closed the door. Cole had a particular fondness for Mr Moss, the elderly man two doors down. He’d tried to take his wheelie bin out, struggling to tilt it on the soft grass as he steadied himself with his cane. Cole had spent the day with him doing yard work, and a few days later, he and Bryce laid a concrete pad for his bins so that he didn’t have to struggle. Cole had stopped by for a Friday arvo beer every week since, and Ava added a few things to their grocery list so she could make him scones and other sweets. He was like the grandfather she’d lost too young, and he was becoming a fast friend for Cole.
“Mr Denyer, this is Cole, our other partner. Cole, Mr Denyer is the Lightning’s solicitor. He recognized our name on the sign as Bryce’s company.”
“Good to meet you, mate,” Cole responded, holding out his hand.
“Hmm.” Cole flicked his gaze to Ava and quirked an eyebrow as Mr Denyer continued to walk around, once again ignoring his outstretched hand. “I’m in the market for another investment property. This could work.”
“It would definitely be suited as a high-end rental,” Ava agreed.
“The design and location make it good for short-term rentals,” he added thoughtfully.
“Like Airbnb?” Ava asked. She swallowed. It was always a possibility that buyers would put the property to that use. But with three other houses in the street already available for short-term rent, and a severe shortage of long-term rentals in the area, she wanted to hold firm to their promise. And call her sentimental, but the stately old home deserved to be loved as much as the former owners had. The neighbourhood had character and it was a close-knit community. She wanted to do her bit to keep it that way. The easiest way to do that would be for it to be used as a home not a revolving door for visitors.
“Exactly like Airbnb. I have a portfolio of holiday rentals and was looking to add to it.” He fished out a card from his wallet and handed it to her. “Have your agent contact me. I’d be interested in putting in an offer.”
