Brody
“What do you think so far?” Dana asks as she walks toward the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows that line an entire wall. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?”
I glance around the condo she’s showing us. It has everything I’m looking for—tall ceilings, spacious rooms, and a professional-grade kitchen. Without any furniture to break up the emptiness, it looks like an ocean of polished hardwoods as far as the eye can see. I thread Natalie’s fingers through mine, and we gravitate to the windows overlooking Lake Michigan.
It’s one hell of a stunning view. Definitely something I could get used to.
Natalie’s breath catches as her eyes fasten onto the deep blue water.
Yesterday, when Dad and I were out looking at real estate, Dana had flirted shamelessly with me. There’d been several instances when her fingers had lingered a beat too long on my arm or she’d stood a bit too close, her breasts grazing my bicep. Toward the end of the afternoon, she’d proposed meeting up for drinks to discuss the places we’d toured. Sure, it might have started out innocently enough downstairs in the hotel bar, but I have no doubt she would have suggested moving the conversation to my suite.
Today, with Natalie by my side, she’s all business.
“And the amenities at the Remington are amazing,” Dana continues. “Two parking spaces in a heated garage, a concierge on duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, dry cleaning services, a car service, as well as housekeeping for a very reasonable fee.” Her eyes shift between Natalie and me, trying to gauge our interest. “This is one of the most luxurious and sought-after buildings in the city.”
“It’s beautiful,” Natalie murmurs, her gaze still trained on the whitecaps rolling inland.
When I say nothing, Dana clears her throat. “I’m going to head down to the lobby and speak with the manager about throwing in free housekeeping for a year. Why don’t you take a few minutes to look around, and I’ll meet you down there when you’re finished?”
I give her a polite smile. “Sounds good. Thanks, Dana.” I’m glad she’s giving us a little space to talk privately. I want Natalie’s opinion on this place.
Once Dana leaves and the quiet settles around us, I step behind Natalie, sliding my arms around her waist and drawing her against me so that there’s no space between us.
Never again, I tell myself.
Never again will I allow there to be space between us.
“What do you think?” I murmur in her ear. “Pretty amazing, huh?”
“I love it,” she says, turning her face so our eyes can lock. I thought she’d be more excited about helping me find a place, but she’s been subdued the entire afternoon. “But it doesn’t matter what I think. It only matters if you like it.” Even though she glances away, I glimpse the sadness clouding her eyes. “You’re the one who’ll be living here.”
I press her closer and whisper, “Well, I was kind of hoping we could live here together.”
Her eyes widen and fasten on mine. “What?” she croaks out, looking surprised.
Yesterday Natalie told me that she loved me.
I love her, too.
I might not have said the words when I first realized it, but the feelings have been there for a while, growing stronger each and every day. After what we’ve been through, I don’t plan on ever letting her go again. I may not know exactly how my future will unfold, but no matter what happens, I want Natalie by my side. That much I’m certain about.
When she says nothing in response and continues staring, my heart kicks painfully against my ribcage.
Fuck...Maybe I’ve blown my wad too soon. Maybe I should have played it cool and given us a little more time to be a couple before mentioning the plans that have been simmering in the back of my mind.
Nerves prickle along my skin as I give voice to my emotions. “Look, I know we haven’t been together long, and maybe I’m pushing a little too hard, but I want a future with you, Natalie. When I move here in the spring, I want you with me.”
“Are you sure?” She searches my eyes as if the answers she’s looking for will be written there.
I cup her cheek in the palm of my hand. “Baby, I couldn’t be more certain about anything. You’re it for me.”
She turns and twines her arms around my neck. Her breasts flatten against my chest. “I want that, too.”
I grin, feeling like the luckiest bastard in the world. “It’s always been you, Davies. Even when you were hating all over my ass, it was you.”
“I never hated you,” she mutters with a smile that trembles around the corners of her lips.
I cock an eyebrow at such a blatant lie. “Sure, you did, and we both know it.”
“Fine, so maybe I did.” The smile fades as she grows serious. “But that was before I got to know the man you truly are. The one I’ve fallen in love with. You’re so much more than I ever realized and now…now I can’t imagine a life without you in it.”
“You’ll never have to,” I promise solemnly. Because I can’t help myself, I angle my head and sweep my lips across hers. Right away, she opens as if greedy for what only I can give her.
Always…Always so greedy. And I fucking love it.
I pull away just enough to ask, “So…any interest in christening this place before we put in an offer?”
She bursts out laughing like I’m joking around. “Brody…”
“I’m completely serious, Davies.” Breaking apart, I drag her to the master bedroom, which, if I remember correctly, has a plush area rug we can take advantage of. “Let’s go make this place ours.”