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At that question, Victoria’s face becomes soft and even more angelic. She has the look of someone utterly and unconquerably in love. With books. With knowledge. My heart beats even faster, thundering and roaring in my ears.
“I do,” she says softly. “More than just about anything.”
“Me too.”
“Yeah?”
I want to talk about all the books with her. All. The. Books. All the books in the world that I love. This conversation could go on for days, and I don’t mind one bit if people find t strange or think I’m nerding out or whatever. I’m compiling a mental list in my head of all the favorites I want to discuss with her when I catch sight of the landscaper coming through the back door, looking bored, hot, and slightly annoyed. Just like that, thoughts of books go up in smoke.
“Oh shit. I came out here to find you because the landscaper wanted to discuss what you wanted. I know you want appliances to work, toilets that don’t look like hairy death on the inside, water that runs, ceilings that don’t cave in, and porches without holes, but I wasn’t sure what your vision was for the garden you said you wanted, and I wasn’t going to presume or assume, so…will you talk to the landscaper?”
Victoria grabs a strand of white blonde hair and twirls it along her index finger. My mouth goes dry, and my cock is instantly a block of wood or a rock of rockiness in my jeans.
“I don’t know what I’d say. I’m not good with that. I can’t draw or anything.”
“That’s not a problem. I can go with you if you like. We can sit out here. The house is pretty busy, and it’s nice out here. Peaceful.”
“Scorching hot.”
I grin. “That too. We can walk around. You can just list some of your ideas and talk about what flowers you like, what kind of shrubs or even trees, what you’ll like to see grass-wise, how far you’ll like the deck to go, and anything else you might want.”
“Anything?” Her eyes search mine. “That’s too far. I can’t let you fix up the house and the yard too.”
“You can. You can, and you will. This is pretty much a work of art, and I want to get it right.” For you. “These pictures will…uh…will live on forever.” Smooth, douchebag. Real smooth.
She still looks hesitant, but as the landscaper makes his way through the weedy sea to us, she tilts her chin and nods. “Okay. I’ll do my best, even if I have no idea what I’m talking about.”
“He will. He’ll probably come up with a design for you and get you to okay it. I promise, when this is done, it’s going to be so worth it.”
She studies me hard and nods slowly, still not quite convinced. I can’t imagine how she feels about this. It’s all very strange to her, as it should be. I came in here, took charge, and shelled out a crap ton of money, and we’re strangers. She probably thinks I’ve lost my mind. I know Granny and my brothers all do. Maybe Cass gets it, though I don’t know because I haven’t seen her since I left yesterday. I know she has a soft, romantic soul. Thinking about that reminds me that I need to ask her for some advice. This isn’t exactly a big, romantic gesture on my part, even though it kind of is. I’m not being subtle. The house is a gift to Victoria because she needs it, but after it’s done, then what?
I need to find another way to woo her. A way that doesn’t involve charging into her life and turning it upside down.
Books. Reading. Writing. Poetry?
She loves literature. She’s not just incredibly pretty, but she’s got a soft, kind soul, and she’s brilliant. She’s my perfect match in every way. I knew it from the second I heard her voice, even though that’s totally insane.
I normally have a pretty strong literary game, even if it’s just a hobby slash passion of mine, but I’m about to up it. Big time.
I might have the means to fix Victoria’s house, but what about beyond that? With my brothers, it might not have been easy for them, but falling in love with their ladies just kind of happened, and it worked out. Generally, as a family, we go out of our way to avoid forming connections, getting to know people, or letting them get to know us. How do I prove that I’m worth getting to know? How do I convince Victoria that I’m not creepy and crazy?
How do I convince my family of the same thing? I know why Granny is all up in a tizzy and aggravated with me. Because anyone we brush up against is intrinsically in danger. It’s a hazard due to the life we lead. I know I’m getting carried away, and thinking about a future with anyone is just plain nuts, but in my line of work, I have to think about the future. We move every so often, and we’re untraceable. What am I supposed to do? Just disappear? I know that’s why our interactions are limited. Mostly, it’s for everyone’s safety.
