Taking the keys from her, I watched as she ascended the stairs and turned down the hall in the direction I told her. My gaze lingered for a half a second longer and then I pressed the key in my hand to open her trunk. I went and retrieved the few suitcases she had in the trunk before sealing it shut. After dropping all but two of her bags at the entranceway, I carried a suitcase and the duffle bag up the stairs.
“I can help with that,” she started as I entered the room.
“I’ll handle it,” I insisted. “I’ll get the rest later. Let me give you the tour and tell you the codes so you can come and go as you please.”
“Yes, let’s do that,” she agreed, pushing out a heavy breath.
“This is the biggest guest room, and you have your bathroom,” I pointed out, moving to open the door to her bathroom in the guest room. “Anything in there is yours to use.” I walked out, and gestured for her to follow. “This floor has the master bedroom, another guest room, and a lounge area,” I pointed out as we passed them heading down the stairs. “You obviously know where the entrance is, but follow along back here and we come to the solarium.”
“I bet you love this room in the spring,” Kay admired, looking out at the tree that stood in the front yard, which could easily be seen from the solarium.
I nodded in agreement. “Farther down the hall, is the kitchen which extends into the dining area. There’s a smaller dining space on the opposite side of the fireplace.”
“I love that it’s separated,” she noted. Why her love of my place mattered to me I have no idea, but for some reason her approval sat well with me. Too well.
“I’m pleased with the way it came out.”
“You should be.”
I continued the tour, showing her the rest of the house’s main floor and the back patio which was accessible from the sliding glass doors of the kitchen. I gave her the access codes for the house’s alarm system, as well as the number for the private security company that patrolled the community. I ignored the voice in my head that asked why I was allowing someone who’d been out of my life for the past seven years such access to my home. I reasoned that I’d already had my security do a background check on her, getting all previous addresses, criminal history, and education records over the past seven years. She wasn’t a threat to me in any way. And she was right in one regard. Wehadbeen friends once upon a time.
I shut my overthinking off as we made our way to the garage area. “There are four garages to the house, only three of which are occupied, so you have space to park your car.”
“Still love driving yourself, huh?”
“You remembered,” I answered. I hated being driven by anyone else. I derived peace from being the one in control, behind the wheel.
“How could I forget? You never let Chelsea or I drive anywhere.”
“Cause you suck as a driver. Hope your skills have improved,” I retorted. And they had. Her driving record hadn’t indicated any car accidents over the past seven years, but I kept that information to myself.
“I’m a great driver.” She rolled her eyes and stepped past me as I flicked on the light in the garage.
I peered over at Kayla when I heard a low whistling sound.
“Lotus Evora four hundred. Is this a 2017?”
Making a disgusted sound with my mouth, I gave Kayla a sideways glance as I moved closer to my beauty. “She’s a 2019.”
“Of course. Because Mr. Joshua Townsend justhasto be a year ahead of the rest of us.”
The hairs on my arms stood on end when she broke off into a giggle. I felt a little lighter in that moment.
Once she sobered, she looked around, stating, “This must be your work car.” She was looking toward my dark grey series 3 BMW. “And the Lexus is for …” She broke off, looking back to me for an answer.
I glanced over at the cream luxury SUV. “For the family.”
Kayla frowned, giving me a perplexed look.
“The family’s growing, so I wanted something that could carry them when we have events.”
My chest tightened a little when Kayla’s face softened and those full lips stretched into a smile that I’d missed over the last seven years. I held back, refraining from moving closer to her to take her hand in mine, although my instincts dared me to. More often than not, I trusted my instincts, but this time I just knew they were guiding me down a dangerous path. One that could lead to more than just rekindling an old friendship. I didn’t need that shit in my life.
“Let me show you the rest of the house.” My voice sounded strained.
I shut the light out and left Kay to follow me as I moved back inside of the house. I showed her the rest of the bathrooms and lounge area on the first floor, as well as informing her of the code to get in and out of the house. There was no key; instead, my security system had the backing of the team that patrolled the neighborhood, which was also backed by Townsend’s privately hired security company.
“What? No basement?” Kayla folded her arms across her breasts. The button down blouse she wore separated just slightly, exposing more of her smooth skin. My mouth watered.
