Driving into the real estate office’s parking lot, I checked my light makeup in the rear-view mirror before pulling the key from the ignition. When the agent told me I was better off renting, I didn’t think he’d list my house as a rental. Truth be told, I hadn’t given him an answer, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when he called me this morning.
Apparently, it was Salmon Season and several people were interested in renting rooms.
The warm weather caressed my skin through my light tank top, and I hiked up my jeans before locking my car door. It was beautiful up here, so unlike the cities down in the Lower 48. Anchorage was considered major, but it still felt so rustic and wild with the mountains in the background. This time the three-hour drive didn’t seem that long, either.
And I can’t even think about what my mom and Ryan talked about. Rolling my eyes as I came up on the small, well-kept building, I shuffled my purse on my shoulder with a huff. He just likes giving me excuses to call him an idiot.
“Hello?” The place was pretty much deserted, and I was fairly convinced there were only three or four employees here including the owner. Still, I was confident the man in charge of all of this knew what he was doing since he’d also informed me he set strict limitations on renters for my house. It was nice to know he realized how much it meant to me, and that he wasn’t trying to move money.
The short, lanky man that owned the agency popped his head out of an ante-room, and I slapped a friendly smile on my face. All other thoughts, but what was about to happen, left my head, and my shoes were quiet on the beige carpet when he waved me over.
“Sylvia, it’s wonderful to see you again. You’re looking well. I hope Alaska is treating you alright.” He was so personable, and I felt my smile widen. I didn’t even remember his name, but that didn’t matter.
“I’m doing well, thank you. And Alaska is beautiful.” Ushering me into the room, he left the door open as I came face to face with seven people. They all obviously knew each other, lounging around in cheap office chairs and talking. Out of the seven, four were women, and they all noticed me before quieting the men.
“So, this is Sylvia Redding, the owner of the house. Why don’t you all introduce yourselves while I get the paperwork set up.” My eyes grazed each person, taking in their faces and committing them to memory. There was absolutely no way I would remember these people without messing up before they went back down south in August
One of the girls, with a short, dirty blonde bob and athletic physique, let out a giggle before her tinkling voice reached my ears.
“It’s okay. We’ll have, like, group leaders! I’ll be Girls’ group leader, and Jon, you can be Boys’. That way you only have to remember two of us, Sylvia.” She was bubbly and happy, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her solution before she clapped her hands together. “Oh! And I’m May, like the month.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Coming up beside me, the realtor scanned the room before plopping a sizable folder down on the table.
“Okay, these are your contracts. Each of you has to sign one, but I’m sorry, Sylvia, you have to sign seven. It basically outlines that any destroyed or defaced property must be paid for before the term is up. Sylvia has the right to bar you, as individuals, from the property if you threaten it or her. Rental payment is due in two weeks, four weeks, and two weeks, which will cover your two-month stay.” The realtor went on some more, but I wasn’t really paying attention. He’d gotten the important parts out first, and these people didn’t seem like the kind to make a mess. Before he even stopped talking May was thrusting her contract in my face, and her charm bracelet chimed like bells.
“Yes! This is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to get out into the wilderness and do all that fun stuff!”
It was only about ten minutes before I was ready to leave and all the paperwork was signed. Standing outside the small room, I shook the realtor’s hand with a smile. He was so good at his job, and I knew I’d gotten lucky.
“Thank you so much. I can only imagine how much effort you put in on my behalf.” Instantly he waved me off, shaking his head, but I could see his ears turning red. The sight only made my smile widen.
“It’s not a problem. You’d be surprised how many people regret selling things their passed family members have left them. I just tried to make sure that you wouldn’t regret letting other people enjoy the house too.”
Well, you definitely succeeded.
Strolling into the only bar in town, my eyes instantly spotted the mountain of muscle beyond the bar top. Ryan’s gaze followed me as I made my way to my usual seat, and I set my purse down to take a deep breath.
“They’re coming on Tuesday. I was wondering if I could stay with you?” Watching Ryan pull down a wine glass, my eyes narrowed at his silence even as my lips twitched into a smile. It wasn’t until he set the half full glass before me that he spoke up, leaning on his elbows to get close.
“Sure, but maybe we should take a day and clean down the rooms we’ve had sex in, which is most of them.” Heat slithered up into my cheeks, and I reached out to push Ryan’s shoulder. He didn’t even budge, and his chuckle wrapped around me as he grabbed my outstretched hand. “Relax, I’m just messing with you, Sylvia. No need to get violent. You might break your other hand on these rock-hard muscles.”
The jibe sent a jolt straight into my heart, and my gaze flew to his as surprise widened my pupils. Ryan’s boyish grin tilted my lips up, but after a moment I only shook my head.
Of all the things I’d ever thought to hear him say, bragging about his muscles definitely wasn’t on the list. It was such a childish thing to do, and a huff escaped my mouth before I gently pulled my hand from his.
“You know, I’m worried I’m going to have to be your babysitter. Maybe I shouldn’t live with you.” Picking up my wine glass, I arched an eyebrow over the rim as I took a sip. This man was the perfect package, scoffing with just the right amount of ‘oomph’ to make it count.
“Please. I’m not into that, Sylvia. And you are going to live with me. You can’t change your mind now.” There was a heat in Ryan’s eyes, and just in the snap of a finger or a blink of an eye, his childishness was gone. His fingers caressed my face, trailing gently down my cheek and jaw as my eyelids drifted shut. “I don’t like strangers living in your house, let alone with you there.”
“You said yourself I was going to have to rent, Ryan.” My reply was soft, having lost its edge as the fire fled to follow his hand.
“I know I did, but now I’m regretting it. Not that what I had to say at the time changed anything, anyway.” A deep sigh flowed from my lungs, and Ryan pulled his hand away as his grumble tickled my ears. I could only shake my head again, lifting my glass to my lips before cracking my eyes open.
He was right, of course; renting was something that had been decided without words the day I’d first set foot in the realtor’s office.
“It’ll be fine, Ryan. They seem like good, respectable people, and I could tell the guy did an excellent job picking them out. Staying with you is just because I’m more comfortable with you.” As soon as the words left my lips, I regretted them, and Ryan lifted his chin to scratch at his beard. His gaze was far away, a thoughtful look on his face, and I braced myself for whatever came next.
“You mean you like sleeping with me, and you just want easy access.” Blinking slowly, I could only stare for a second or two. My brows came together, and my mouth opened and closed a few times. In the forefront of my mind, right behind my eyes, I could see what I wanted to say.
It just didn’t come out right away.
“...You really are an idiot.” Grumbling into the rim of my glass, I took a large, hard gulp of wine. I’m going to need a lot more than one glass to deal with him.
***
END