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“I have dated different women,” he said. “But nothing serious. For years there has been a woman in the back of my mind that I hoped …” He broke off and looked away.
Livvy’s gut turned over. Was she the woman in the back of his mind?
“All clear, sir,” Val called from the front porch.
“Thank you, Val. Lieutenant Yost has sent the schedule and rotations to each of your phones?”
“Yes, sir. I’m on sleeping duty first.” Val grinned and disappeared back into the house as Frank walked up to them.
“All clear, sir. I’ve got the exterior rotation.”
“Thank you.” Jensen nodded, and the younger man strode off.
Jensen went to the back of the vehicle and retrieved her suitcase. He gestured toward the house, but he didn’t put his hand on the small of her back like when he’d escorted her out of her house. Dang. What had changed? Was he worried about being too intimate while they were at his home, or had something she or Val said made him want to keep his distance?
They walked across the asphalt driveway and up the wide porch steps. She admired the stonework and the massive timbers. “This is gorgeous.”
“Thank you. It’s my sanctuary.” He opened the tall, wooden front door, and she worried that she’d invaded his sanctuary. Not just her, but four officers would also reside in his formerly quiet home.
She’d had her own sanctuary, and Treven had destroyed it.
He held the door, and Livvy walked inside. She gaped at the massive open space. Two stories of windows covered the back of the house with a huge living room in front of her, a kitchen and dining area to the right, and a graceful staircase lining the wall to the left. A balcony lined the left side of the upper floor, with at least two doors leading to what were probably bedrooms.
Her eyes were drawn back to the living area. The overhead lights were on, illuminating the spacious room. Though most people would probably say the focus was the huge windows and she was certain an incredible view in the daylight, or the two-story rock fireplace, for her it was the mahogany baby grand piano.
“You have a Petrof Model V baby grand piano?” her voice squeaked. Petrof was a reasonably-priced piano but classic and beautiful. She’d played pianos that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars but she loved the rich yet bright tone of the Petrof. The fact that Jensen had a piano in his living room made her feel connected to him. She had no idea he was musical.
“Yes,” his voice was cautious and he studied the piano.
“It’s beautiful.” She walked over and ran her hand along the wood. “I thought I wouldn’t be able to play …” She broke off, her voice full of emotion. Music was such a part of her. She’d never imagined while hiding from Treven she’d have access to a piano like this.
Jensen turned to her and gently touched her arm. “I would love to hear you play. Please feel free to use it anytime.”
“Thank you.” She swallowed so she wouldn’t cry. She was tempted to sit down and play right now but she was exhausted and her hands would probably tremble from the fear of earlier tonight and her knuckles hurt from battling with her attackers.
She wanted to play for Jensen when the music would speak to his soul. “I had no idea you played.”
“Oh …” He pulled his hand back and folded his arms across his broad chest. “I don’t.”
“Why do you have a piano then? And not just any piano, a classic baby grand?” Most people who didn’t play and wanted a piano as a showpiece would choose one that could play itself.
He stared at her and she had the most insane sensation. Jensen cared deeply for her and somehow this piano factored into that. Her eyes widened and her stomach pitched happily at the thought. Could he possibly have bought this piano with her in mind?
His eyes shuttered and he said, “I bought it at a charity auction for the Hillcrest House. You know the home that shelters abused children?”
“Oh. That’s very generous of you.” It was. Of course he’d buy a ten thousand dollar piano to support such a cause. She’d gotten her hopes pretty high. It was silly to think he’d bought it for her. “It looks beautiful in here. Thank you for letting me play it.”
“I can’t wait.” His eyes got warm and her pulse skittered. He leaned closer. Livvy pulled the side of her bottom lip between her teeth, and his gaze became smoky and downright hot.
A door slammed downstairs and they both startled. Footsteps pounded up the stairs and Lieutenant Yost paused to look between them. “I left my keyboard and mouse in the car,” she muttered.
Jensen nodded, and she hurried out the front door.
The moment was lost.
“In the basement there are five bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a living area,” Jensen said, gesturing to the floor, all business, and not looking at her. “The main area is mostly open except the laundry room, bath, and my office.” He tilted his head to the left where she saw a door she assumed led to the laundry room and bath, and double doors that led into a dark room. Then he gestured to the stairs.
They fell into step, and he explained, “Upstairs is my master suite and another bedroom and bath over the garage, laundry room, and office. You’ll stay in the bedroom next to mine and my officers will all stay downstairs.”
