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“So definitely ironic then?” Lee stepped in, pulling one of her bags behind her until it was bogged down in the shag carpet.
“This is like a museum.” I put Onyx’s dog bed in a corner near the white lacquer dining room table, and he padded over to sniff it, then flopped down.
“Actually, I think it’s a re-creation.” Lee ran her hand appreciatively over the mustard velour couch that looked brand new. “Someone took modern pieces and put them together in an homage to the seventies. It’s kind of spectacular… very lux. And I’m not being ironic.”
“I wonder if John and Kira have seen this.” I had a growing desire to rip down the wallpaper and pull up the carpet. “It’s crazy. Like a movie set.”
Lee kicked off her shoes and sank her toes into the carpet pile. “Derek, feel this stuff. It’s heaven.”
“You like this place?” I itched to renovate it.
“I wouldn’t want to own this weirdness, but I can appreciate it. It has style and a soul. It’s like an art installation or something.” She was pulling open the thick tasseled drapes to let in the late afternoon light and reveal the view of the airport runway. The gold foil wallpaper glistened in the sun.
“You’re willing to stay here?” I cocked my head, trying to read her expression. This was about as far from Lee’s gorgeous Mediterranean mansion as we could get. It had been a long day. We’d gotten up at three a.m. for the flight to New Jersey.
“It’s a million times better than living at your office. We have privacy. And it’s only going to be for a few days, right? Until Jimmy’s people pick up Tony.” She looped her arms around my neck and pressed her breasts into my chest. “I want to be alone with you.”
She kissed the corner of my lips, then down my jaw.
“I’m still not convinced that my place wasn’t an option. My realtor could hold off on showings until all this was over.” I caught her waist and pulled her even closer, loving the press of her against me. My cock stirred behind my zipper. I’d told myself I had to tell her about Ray before anything else happened between us. No more excuses. But damn, she felt so fucking good. I wanted to claim every inch of her body, take my time and explore while I told her how much I loved her.
“Absolutely not. You just put the house on the market. I know that’s a lucrative business for you. I’m not getting between anyone and making a living. Besides, this place is growing on me.” She unwound her arms from my neck and wandered to the swinging door that must conceal the kitchen.
“Come see this!” She turned over her shoulder to call me into the next hideous room. Her expression was like a kid on Christmas morning.
In the kitchen, I couldn’t comprehend the riot of color that assaulted my eyes. Red. White. Black. Everywhere. From the glossy cabinets to the appliances and the checkerboard floor tiles, it was unrelenting.
“I love it. I think I saw photos of this kitchen in a design magazine.” Lee opened the cabinets and retro-styled fridge, finding everything fully stocked with food and vintage dishware.
“It’s awful.”
“So awful it’s awesome. There’s even a tomato-red percolator. My mom had one of these, but hers was stainless steel. I’m making coffee.” Lee plugged in the small appliance and rummaged for coffee grounds.
“Alright, you’re the boss.” I’d stayed in army barracks, tents in the desert, and more shitty hotel rooms than I cared to remember over the years. This place might qualify as the weirdest, but it was clean and had all the modern conveniences. They were just dressed up to look like they were from the 1970s.
My cell phone chirped with a text message, and I pulled it out while Lee worked her magic with the percolator. I’d never used one in my life, so more power to her.
Quinn: Isn’t it rad?
Derek: You knew. Why didn’t you tell me?
Quinn: Haha! The previous tenant was an artist and designer. The apartment is famous; it’s been in a bunch of magazines. He’s doing a 1950s one next. Enjoy your stay!
“You were right. The guy that did this is some kind of artist.” I waved my hand at the wild old-school kitchen.
“It’s totally Miami kitsch, so over the top. I knew I’d seen photos of this place before. You don’t forget a kitchen like this.” The percolator hissed on the counter, and the smell of coffee filled the room. Lee stalked toward me, a seductive smile on her lips. “I wish I could think of a sexy joke from the Brady Bunch, but I’m not sure there is such a thing. Something about Marcia?”
“Ooh, my nose!” I said in my best whiny teenage girl voice while holding a hand to my face. It wasn’t sexy, but the football to the face episode was about the only thing I remembered from that show.
“That’ll have to do.” She chuckled and reached for the top button of my shirt.
I caught her wrist and stopped her. “It’s been a crazy week. We need to talk before anything else. Pour us some of the coffee.”
“Talk about what?” She was pouting.
“Everything we avoided talking about all summer.” Ignoring it wouldn’t make that shit better. It would eat away at anything good we built. I’d told her I loved her, but until I told her the truth about Ray, I couldn’t trust her reply. She didn’t have all the information.
“There was one thing. One. My involvement with the Delgatto family as a fence. You know all about it now and it’s over, thanks to you. What more could we talk about? It’s time to celebrate.” She started on my buttons again.
