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“I did make a similar suggestion to them, and they’ve said they’ll consider it.”
Ms. Morgan led the way from the comfortable den with the widescreen television mounted on the wall, to the equally-sized office where he pictured Jax’s lovingly polished oak desk taking pride of place by the window, through the living room with the piano next to the fireplace, up the stairs via a short hallway to the second floor where the bedrooms were located.
“Except for the master bedroom suite in the attic—though the owners used it as a guest suite since they were no longer able to manage the additional stairs—all the sleeping quarters are on this floor.”
She led them into each bedroom and passed by the hall bathroom shared by two of them. There was a sitting room up here as well, with the steps leading up to the attic tucked into the corner.
“I’ll let you go up to the master suite on your own.” Ms. Morgan’s smile was rueful. “My knees can’t handle any more stairs for the time being. I’ll be in the kitchen when you come down.”
The roof had been lifted to make more headroom and the entire space was like a studio apartment, though there was no kitchen. Noah’s mind went to places he really ought to avoid if he didn’t want to appear downstairs with a boner. The alcove overlooking the back porch and the lake would hold a full sofa as well as a side table and small coffee table. There was a fireplace across from it, above which a widescreen television hung. French doors led out to a balcony with room for two armchairs and a table between. A small wood-burning stove sat in one corner.
“Wow! This is the life.” Noah didn’t try to hide his admiration forthe setup.
“Indeed it is, if you can afford it.”
Jax’s words sounded a note of caution, making Noah wonder if he was already thinking to refuse it. Despite his own misgivings earlier, he didn’t want his lover to give up the house. They could live here together and share the expenses…Whoa! Hold your horses there, Noah.He couldn’t afford his own eagerness for more to cloud his judgment when it came to Jax. Yes, he was ready to move on, but until Jax said the words to let him know where exactly they were headed, he’d be best served by reining in his wild imagination.
Sure, it’d be fabulous to live in this gorgeous old house with Jax, to be domestic and romantic together in the kitchen and on this seductive little balcony, but Jax had to share that dream before it could become a reality. And until he could figure out how to raise the subject, Noah wouldn’t go any further along that thought pathway.
Instead, he followed Jax back into the bedroom and imagined Jax’s bed taking pride of place in it. The California king-sized bed had been a dream to roll around in in the much smaller bedroom that it had occupied. In this lush space, it’d be perfect for lounging late in the morning and playing hardat night.
His cock stirred at the thought, and Noah tightened all his muscles for a moment before turning to look into the bathroom. He didn’t see anything though, because he had to close his eyes against the rush of lust that he had set off by thinking aboutJax’s bed.
“You okay?”
Jax’s voice shook him to the marrow of his bones, and he hoped his lover didn’t see the shudder that ran through him at the sound ofhis voice.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just taking it all in.”
“With your eyes closed?”
Noah looked up at Jax, who had walked back toward him, amusement and knowledge sparkling inhis eyes.
“I was just … imagining, is all. This is a really cool bathroom.” He glanced around briefly so he could answer any question that Jax might throw at him with some measure of credibility.
“Uh huh.” Jax was clearly unconvinced, but he didn’t pursue it. Instead, he turned away, heading back to the door and the little landing outside the master suite. “So what do you think?” he asked when Noah made it back onto the landingwith him.
“It’s a great house, Jax, but can you afford it? And why would you want such a huge house to live in all alone?”
Noah knew he wasn’t being subtle, but he wanted to know what Jax was thinking. Was he looking for a family home, because if so, this was perfect, even if it was also likely to be very pricey. But what if he just wanted a large bachelor pad? This was too much. He could find smaller luxurious spaces if he didn’t have forever plans with anyone in mind.
“Maybe I won’t be alone,” Jax murmured in response, then turned and walked down the stairs all the way to the first floor.
The realtor made any further conversation impossible, but Noah didn’t mind, since he was at a loss for how to continue it. He followed them down to the finished basement where the laundry room was and a lot of extra storage space. Back on the first floor, he listened half-heartedly as she answered the questions Jax asked, and they drifted away to talk price. Giving them full privacy, he walked out to the front porch and sat on the top step. The sun was at the back of the house and on the shaded front steps the air was comfortably warm.
Noah sat sideways with his back against the railing and closed his eyes. Birds chirped, a lone woodpecker was busy at its labor, and if he wasn’t mistaken, was that an owl? He looked up, trying to find where the huge bird might be, but could seenothing.
“I’ll see you at nine tomorrow morning, then.”
Jax’s voice broke into his drowsing, and Noah stood up hurriedly and went the rest of the way down to where their vehicles were parked. After a moment, Jax joined him.
“Ready for dinner?”
Noah nodded. “Sure. Where arewe going?”
“I saw a restaurant in a sweet little spot when I was driving up here earlier. It’s right by the river.”
“Leadon, Prof.”
