While drivingalong the Pacific Coast Highway, I ease my foot onto the brake. Jobe sent through the address earlier this morning with a warning that homes like this are rarely listed on the market, and if I’m interested, I have to inspect it today.
I turn into a garage, the roller door open, and park beside Jobe’s fancy black Bentley. I turn as the garage door slowly lowers behind me, and the door to the inside opens. Jobe steps out wearing a navy suit and emerald tie.
I’m dressed in a sweatsuit as training is not over.
He holds the door open for me. “Ready to fall in love with this beauty?”
I chuckle. “My heart is owned by another.”
He frowns at me. “I can show you a different love.”
I follow him into the kitchen and stop. All white marble—the counters, the floors, the pillars. Beyond the dining area is a large living room where some of the sofas face theopen fire, and others face the ocean. Tall, floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to the ocean, bringing the outside in.
Jobe steps out onto the deck, and we both stare at the ocean. “What do you think?”
“How many bedrooms?”
“Six.”
“I’m sold, but let’s go upstairs and check it out.”
We wander through the bedrooms, the seven bathrooms, and another living room and study. There is a jacuzzi on the upper-level balcony.
“We missed the weights room and the cinema room on the lower level.”
“Lead the way.” As we descend the stairs, I stop thinking about everything I love about this home and hope it’s a place Charlotte will enjoy. “Do you think she’ll like it?”
He steps from the last stair and turns. “Charlotte has her own home. Twice the size of this one.”
“Right. But I hope for her to spend time here with me.” I point toward the beach. “Swim with me and spend hours on the deck.”
He looks down at the floor as though contemplating his next words. “Buy the house for you. One thing I know about my sister, she’ll love any house if you’re there with her.”
I smile at Jobe. “I’m going to marry her.”
He laughs and tilts his head back, looking at the ceiling before stepping closer. He pats my shoulder. “About fucking time. You two have wasted so many years apart through stubbornness and he-said-she-said bullshit. You could have married her instead of running. Like I told you in New York, all you needed was to give Byron time. Everyone fucking panicked, and no one wanted to step up and control the situation.” I go to speak, but he shakes his head. “I don’t care who is to blame. You’re making amends and fixing what you broke. That takes courage. But, my friend, you’re going toneed a whole lot more from here if you’re going to take on my sister. You’ve both changed. Can you handle the new version of Charlotte?”
I shake his hand. “Challenge accepted. But I promise you, nothing will tear us apart.”
31
CHARLOTTE
A few years ago,I never imagined Brandon staying over in my new home. I stroll out onto the balcony that overlooks the twinkling lights of LA. He comes and stands behind me, wrapping his arms around my middle.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
“Ha. You just want more pussy.”
“No. I want more ofyourpussy.”
Reaching for his hand, I drag him around and claim his sultry mouth, weaving my fingers into his hair and grinding my hips against him.
“Once I get you in the bedroom, we are not leaving.”
“I didn’t want dinner anyway.”
