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Before I can open the door, he does, and I tip my head back to see his still smiling face.
“Please tell me that you haven’t been out here long,” I beg as embarrassment makes my cheeks feel hot.
“Babe.” He reaches out toward me, taking the things from my hands. “You’re cute when you’re nervous. I really thought for a minute that you might decide to take off.”
“I would have been back,” I mumble as I get out of my car, and he laughs.
“Come on.” He takes my hand. “I was just about to start the barbeque.”
I let him lead me toward the house, the size of the glass room seeming even larger up close. “Is this your house?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s beautiful, and this property is gorgeous.”
“I didn’t plan on buying anything, but this land came on the market, and I knew I had to have it. I should prepare you though, because the house isn’t much.” He opens the front door, and the moment we step inside, a black cat jumps down off a thin table and circles our feet while meowing.
“You have a cat? You never told me that you have a cat.”
“Soma’s not exactly mine. I’m fostering her.” He shrugs. “Her kittens are in the laundry room.”
“You have kittens?” I don’t even try to hide my excitement as I smile up at him.
His eyes drop to my mouth, and he smiles back. “They aren’t mine. At some point, they will be adopted, but yeah, there are kittens in the house.”
“Why are you adopting them out?” I ask as I squat down to pet Soma, who purrs as I run my hand over her silky fur.
“My cousin is a vet. Soma and her kittens were dropped off to her not long after the kittens were born. She tried to take them to her house, but her cat wasn’t having it, so she asked me to help her out until they’re old enough for her to find homes for them.”
“So you don’t plan on keeping her?” I ask, scratching Soma behind her ears.
“I didn’t.” He gets down next to me, and Soma loses interest in me and goes right to him, lifting her front to paws to his jean-clad thigh and beginning to purr loudly. “She’s grown on me, even if she has ripped the shit out of my furniture with her claws.”
Could this man be any more perfect?
“You should get her a scratching post; that might help.” I rub her head then turn to look at him, finding his face inches from mine. “I always wanted a cat, but my sister and mom are allergic. Then I got Mercury and Retro, and by the time I thought about it again, I was moving here,” I end on a whisper.
“Hmm.” His gaze drops to my mouth, and overwhelmed by my own emotions, I clear my throat.
“Umm… can I see the kittens?”
“With the way Soma is purring, I doubt she will mind. Let’s drop this stuff in the kitchen, and I’ll take you to the laundry room.” He holds out his hand to me and helps me stand.
We walk through the house, which is like he said—not much. The walls are bare, and as we pass by a living room, I see a few pieces of tattered furniture along with a too-big TV and nothing else. Then we get to the kitchen. It’s been updated recently, with new appliances, white cabinets, and a large island with cream-colored granite.
Past the kitchen, it opens up, and I’m stunned. The glass room that is so eye-catching from outside is just as gorgeous inside. Bright light and nothing but forest as far as I can see, with a comfortable-looking couch and a round table with chairs. If I lived here, I don’t think I would ever leave this room.
“This is beautiful.” I spin around to face Talon, realizing then I’ve wandered across the room, and now he’s leaning against the island in the kitchen, watching me.
“When I bought the house, the windows were boarded up and the kitchen had a family of raccoons living in it.”
“Really?” I smile.
“Really.” He walks toward me slowly, and my breath sticks in the back of my throat. “I thought about just letting it sit and building something closer to the lake in a couple years, but every time I came here, I would take down a board, and each time, more light came in.” He stops in front of me, and my stomach muscles flutter as his fingers wrap around my hip. “I already knew how perfect this house was, but the more I showed up, the more its beauty shined through.”
He dips his chin, and his lips touch mine ever so softly. The sigh that escapes is out of my control. It feels like I’ve been waiting my entire life for the moment he would kiss me. I sense him pull back, and my eyes flutter open, finding his eyes roaming over my features like he’s trying to memorize them before he lowers his head and kisses me again.
