“I also contributed to the mess,” I remind him. “Whoever is doing this is retaliating formyheist. Maybe I should have been more careful with whom I picked. I hope we can find out who this person is and take that kill order down.”
He kisses my temple before offering, “Do you want me to show you the rest of the house?”
“Yeah. Then you can make me one of your signature breakfasts, if there’s everything you need for it.”
“I had someone stock up the fridge and the two freezers in the garage, so we should be good.”
“Perfect. I’m starving.”
“I’d imagine. You’ve been out for eighteen hours straight.”
“Jesus. That was some pill you gave me.”
“It isn’t that potent. You were extremely tired, which makes sense.”
“I slept through you carrying me up here, didn’t I?”
“Like a log. But it was better that way. You were more comfortable. How’s your shoulder?”
“A little sore.”
“I’ll change your bandage and help you shower after breakfast.”
“Thank you, Nurse Cole—Wilson. Nurse Wilson.”
The house isn’t what I’d expect a lake house to be. It’s a masterpiece of modern architecture. Its materials, grandeur, and wide openings are opulent and sleek, built toward the lake, with large windows overlooking it. On this floor with us, there are two more bedrooms with separate bathrooms, some sort of leisure room with shelves full of board games, and a small office.
Then he leads me downstairs, assisting my descent. The heart of the house is sumptuous, with an impressive ceiling height, combining the two levels into one. A massive fireplace in the middle of it hangs from the ceiling, with a round couch surrounding it. There’s a dinner area, with a long table and ten chairs, and the kitchen is separated from the rest by a sleek wooden counter that serves as a bar or another eating spot. The kitchen itself is imposing, with stainless steel appliances, a huge island in the center, and warm terra cotta lacquered facades. Lex shows me the entire ground floor, where there’s a home office, a personal gym, a TV room, a utility one, and a spare bedroom with its own massive bathroom.
This place is much more to my taste than Lex’s apartment, which makes me wonder if he’d agree to some remodeling once we’re back home.
“You like it?” he wonders as we walk back to the kitchen.
“I love it. You were right. This will be perfect for my recovery—the fresh air, the view, the serenity of it… Can you help me up onto this counter?”
He complies without a word, easily lifting me so I can sit on the wooden surface to watch him prepare our breakfast. “Since we can’t order in like we do at home, does it mean you’ll cook all our meals?” I wonder.
Lex grimaces at the thought, and I reassure him with a gentle laugh. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll Gordon Ramsay you into becoming the best chef you can be.”
“I have no idea what that means.”
“Basically, I’ll shout, throw creative insults at you, and if you’re lucky, I’ll even call you an idiot sandwich.”
“That sounds oddly specific.”
“It’s a whole experience. But I promise I’ll be relatively indulgent.”
“How merciful of you.”
“I know. Alexandra the Magnanimous would be my queen name.”
He frowns at the mention, and I understand that my teasing has struck an unexpected chord. “Maybe those names weren’t such a good idea. I don’t like you being anything other than Andrea.”
“Yeah, it’s a bit weird. But also a little kinky, in a way.”
“How about we stick to our real names when it’s just the two of us?”
“Oh, baby, if you really think I won’t be screaming ‘Fuck me harder, Andrew’ when we start having sex again, you’re severely mistaken.”
