Cameron’s grinned from ear to ear. “I should warn you that I’m very, very competitive.”
Jasmine stared out the windshield. “So am I and you’re about to meet your match.” Her gaze swung back to him. “You’re going down!”
He laughed loudly, the sound bouncing off the ceiling of the compact vehicle. The light changed and he shifted and took off again. Suddenly she appeared less lethargic and more animated. Cameron knew he had to be careful not to let Jasmine become overheated. It would take a while for her to become accustomed to the heat and humidity which could reach dangerous, life-threatening levels.
“We’re now in the CBD,” he said. Jasmine stared out the side window as Cameron drove slowly through streets in the neighborhood where he lived and worked. Some locals favored the Upper and Lower French Quarters, and others with Uptown and the Garden District, but for Cameron it was the Warehouse and Central Business District.
He drove down a street lined with Victorian warehouses built to store tons of raw cotton before the bales were loaded onto ships and transported to New England or European cotton mills. Sugar was another commodity that made those owning sugarcane plantations incredibly wealthy and afforded them a lifestyle that bordered on wretched excess.
He stopped in front of the building which would eventually become his home. “Don’t move.” Cameron got out and came around to assist Jasmine out of the car. “It doesn’t look like much from the outside but—”
“Don’t say anything, Cameron,” Jasmine said in a quiet voice, stopping his words. “Let’s go inside.”
* * *
Jasmine waited for Cameron to unlock the massive wrought-iron door leading to a narrow cobblestone walkway that opened out into an expansive courtyard. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until he unlocked another aged oaken door to an enormous street-level space with brick walls and stone floors. A trio of staircases led to the upper two stories.
She met Cameron’s eyes. “It’s perfect.”
His eyebrows lifted. “There’s nothing here. It was zoned for commercial use until a couple of years ago.”
Jasmine touched his forearm. “It’s perfect because it’s a blank canvas. Once you show me the architect’s rendering, I can pull up different decorating styles on my computer for you to approve.”
Cameron stared the brick floor. “You’re the professional, Jasmine. I’ll go along with whatever you recommend.”
“This is going to become your home for many years to come, which means the furnishings have to suit your taste and lifestyle. Do you ever entertain family members, friends, or clients?”
He gave her a prolonged stare. “Yes.”
“How often do you have people over?”
“It varies. Why?”
Jasmine walked over to a window facing the rear of the building. There was another open-air courtyard. “You can use the first floor for socializing.” She turned and walked back to him. “You told me you have a chef, which means he or she needs a chef’s kitchen to prepare dishes for your guests. And that means double sinks, ovens, dishwashers, and plenty of countertop space for prepping. I would suggest a number of seating groupings and at least one banquet table and a few others for more intimate dining. The same would go for bathrooms. You need a powder room for the ladies and a bathroom for the guys. I know I don’t have to tell you about including a home theater, a.k.a. man cave.”
Cameron laughed loudly. “Having a man cave is definitely a priority. What do you suggest for the second and third floors?”
“The second floor should be off-limits to everyone but you and whoever you choose to sleep over. Two thousand square feet is more than enough room for at least three to four bedrooms, each with an en suite bath. The third floor can be used as a sanctuary and home-office where you can go to relax or work undisturbed. I would create a Zen look with a bathroom resembling a personal spa.”
“What about the walls? Would you cover the bricks?”
“I wouldn’t because they’ll add character to your home. The damaged ones can be replaced before they are sandblasted. I try and caution my clients not to make too many changes to the original design of their homes. I had a client who’d purchased a loft and wanted to cover the brick in the living room with sheetrock. Once I brought up a floor plan on the computer and dropped in leather seating groups, and natural wood tables, and an entertainment unit he claimed he loved it. He invited me to one of his launch parties to celebrate the release of a novel, and he pulled me aside to thank me for talking him out of covering the bricks.”
Cameron crossed his arms over his chest. “Would you be opposed to meeting my architect?”
Jasmine’s eyes grew wider. “Why?”
“He sent me the plans and rendering and even though I promised to download them to you, I decided to wait until you saw the property. I still haven’t given Bram Reynard an approval of the plans.”
“You’re the client, Cameron, so you have the final say.” He smiled, drawing Jasmine’s gaze to the minute lines fanning out around his warm blue eyes. The gesture softened his features reminding her that he was an extremely attractive man. He hadn’t shaved and the stubble enhanced his masculinity. Even casually dressed in a pair tan slacks, short-sleeved white shirt open at the collar, and a pair of tan loafers, he was a head-turner.
“I’ll call Bram and ask when he has time to meet, but only after you let me know when you will be available.”
Jasmine felt a jolt of excitement when she thought about transforming the empty space into a showcase for Cameron to live, entertain, and relax. “I want to stay close to the house until Hannah returns, then after that I’m all yours until the wedding.”
“When are you leaving?”
“I don’t know. When I made my reservation I didn’t book a return flight.”
