That was promising. “How much longer do you want to stay?”
“No end date for me. It’s open. If I have to take that house for the month, I will while I find something else. I can get a hotel too, but hopping around isn’t something I always enjoy despite what you think.”
“I never thought you enjoyed that,” she said. “Don’t lump me in with other people.”
“Did I just hit a nerve?”
“I think you might have.”
She stood up to walk to her kitchen for a drink. Her throat was scratchy with the urge to lecture him.
“I’m glad that I can.”
“You are?”
“Yes. Because it proves without words that you are letting your guard down around me.”
“I wouldn’t lie about that. If you really want to stay here longer, have you reached out to Bond Realty? They normally have a line on houses that could be rented long term.”
“I haven’t. It was my next step but wanted to see your thoughts on it.”
“How come?”
“Because I’m doing it for you, Natalie. For us. If you tell me there is no us, then why waste my time?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Waste your time? I thought you had a lot of it.”
“And there is the nerve I wanted to tap with a hot poker.”
“You said that on purpose?” she asked, taking the top off her water and drinking it fast, cooling her heated throat.
“Yep. I wanted to know how much you wanted this. Do you know how many women in my life don’t care enough? It was a game to them. A win in the end.”
“Women like Brandi? That’s who you spent your time with?”
“No. Never. Don’t think that. Most times, I didn’t even tell them what I did or who I was, or my background. I told you that. But the longer we’d spend together they’d search. If you look deep enough you’ll find some things about my business. Not specifics but enough to give an idea.”
“I wouldn’t like that,” she said.
“And I don’t either.”
“This isn’t a game to me. If anything, I might have thought it was one to you considering what we did last weekend.”
“No game. And I’m sorry if it came off that way.” He stood to get close in her space. “I don’t want to fight, but I’m glad to know you can. That you’ll give me shit.”
“I will if I have to.”
“I want us to be open with the other. You gave me the answer I needed and I’ll make the call on Monday about a long-term rental.”
“I’m not making promises,” she said.
“I’m not asking for them. I’m looking for six months on the island. If it’s spent with you, I’ll be in heaven.”
“Heaven?” she asked. He was back to joking.
“That’s how I want it to feel,” he said. “How it’s felt so far.” His hand caressed the side of her face, tucking her hair behind her ears. “How about you?”
“I’ve never felt like heaven with anyone before.”
