“Because you’re always up to something.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she turns back to the building and sighs. “Why are we here, Tanner? I have a virtual session in thirty minutes that I can’t miss. I actually like this client.”
“You suck at surprises, you know that, right?” Stepping behind her, I engulf her in my arms to keep her warm and protected from the rising winter winds. I thought everything would be settled by Halloween but my Sweet Bee is difficult to please. In the last few months, we’ve visited a couple shy of fifteen houses. All of them had pools. None of them were to her liking. Both houses were sold off before November so we’ve been staying in the cabin. It’s not ideal but it works, as long as it’s temporary. Our shit, though, is in storage.
“What surprise?”
“Ta da!” I spread my arms wide like I’m presenting a new fashion line. “It took a lot of fucking effort to find Old Man Bryer’s youngest son but I finally did. He’s in Nebraska. Or Kansas. I always get them mixed up.” Seriously, those two states are about as interesting as my ball sack. “We signed yesterday…it’s all yours.”
“We?” She turns fully in my arms, fighting back a smile and trying to disguise it as a scowl. Pfft, amateur. “What did I say about forging my signature?”
“That we’d have a conversation about it.” I shrug and she knows where I’m going with this. “But we never did so…”
“You’re impossible, you know that, right?” She throws my earlier accusation back in my face.
“Yes, Sweet Bee.” With both of my gloved hands on her shoulders, I turn her to face the building again. “Now, say thank you and be grateful for your Christmas present.” A month early, but who’s counting? She swivels in my arms and squeezes my cheeks with her mitten-clad hands.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to seem ungrateful, it’s just that you’re so…” She stutters, searching for the right word to describe me.
It’s easy enough for me to find so I help her out.
“Amazing?”
“Not always—”
“I beg to differ, Sweet Bee. This morning, the orgasm I gave you looked pretty fucking amazing.” I interrupt but she doesn’t miss a beat.
“Sometimes you’re just…unpredictable.”
She’s not wrong so I hum my agreement and bring my forehead to hers. “I’ll take that as a compliment, and if ever I do get predictable, shoot me dead.” I grin and she scowls, but it holds no venom.
“Come on, let’s go see our new home.” My announcement dies on my tongue when Berkleigh resists.
“Wait! How are we supposed to get this garage up and running? Who’s going to fix the cars? Hell, who’s going to fix the building?”
Oh, ye of little faith.
“You’re looking at him. Come on!” I try to pull her again so she’ll follow me, but the stubborn won’t quit.
“All by yourself?”
“Of course not, silly.You’regoing to help.” This time when I pull, she doesn’t fight me and it feels like an Olympic win.
We walk for about three minutes before we reach the two-story wooden structure. Night comes early so the lights inside are already on and waiting for our arrival. I had the heat turned on as soon as we signed the papers. Again, we didn’t go through the regular process and officially, I didn’t buy anything. The money from the sales of both houses covered this one and the garage with enough left over to set up shop.
Loans aren’t a good idea when you work for a mercenary company that uses you as a sniper. Let’s just say it’s unconventional at best and banks aren’t fond of that word.
The sales and acquisitions are legit, they’re just not…conventional. And none of that even matters because I haven’t spent a fraction of what I’ve made these last two and half years and my investments are solid. Needless to say, we’re not strapped for cash.
Beside me, Berkleigh gasps and I can just feel it in my gut. This is the one. Thank fuck because I’ve got the keys in my pocket and returns aren’t easy or cheap.
“Ohmygod, Tanner!” I growl when she breaks free from my hold on her hand and starts running for the front door. “Can I go inside?”
“We can even fuck inside, if you want.” In fact, that would be great.
She doesn’t protest, which tells me she’s not opposed to the idea. Kudos to myself for making sure the house is nice and toasty.
“How many rooms?” She’s twirling in the entrance hall, head thrown back and arms out like she’s some kind of cartoon princess in a silly dress.
“Four rooms, four baths.” We’ll never use them all but we can break down a wall and make one gigantic office so even when we’re working, we’re breathing the same air.”
