Despite being in California just a few days ago, it’s still a shock to my system when Dylan and I step outside to warm, sunny weather. Christmas decorations look out of place in all this sunshine.
We use a car service to get to Dylan’s house, and on the way there, I try not to overthink staying at his place. It’s ludicrous to stay in the home of a man I just met, but I’m enjoying being around him so much. It’s madness that a Whitman is bringing me peace, but there’s something aboutDylan that calms me. He’s playful, attentive, smart—I haven’t found anything about him that I don’t like, beyond who his family is. And that feels more like my dad’s battle, not mine.
It’s not nothing, though. It’s an issue, a huge one.
It’s not an exaggeration to say my dad would completely lose his shit over it.
He just can’t find out. That’s all there is to it.
And if there’s any weirdness staying at Dylan’s house at all, I’ll leave.
When the car pulls up to the houses lining the oceanfront, I get excited to see where Dylan lives. I might not work in the same capacity as most do at my dad’s real estate company, but that doesn’t negate my love for houses. One of my guilty pleasures is scanning the database for all the latest listings.
The houses are crowded on this strip, as most are in California, but when I walk through his gate, I’m blown away. Lush gardens encase a secluded courtyard. There’s a round hot tub built into the deck, and the latticed fencing is partially hidden with bamboo and plush bushes. An outdoor shower is closer to the beach gate. Once we step into the house, my eye is drawn to the ocean outside the glass walls. There’s no sign of the houses next door, inside or out. An open floor plan with exposed beam ceilings makes everything feel light and airy.
“This is stunning, Dylan. The house is beautiful, and the way you’ve decorated it—I’m blown away.”
“I had a lot of help from Goldie. She’s an interior designer and really good at narrowing down what a person loves. I told her I wanted big, chunky furniture with lots of different woods, and she helped me find these pieces.”
“That table.” I shake my head. “It’s perfect for this space.”
A long table made of distressed wood spans the entire wall, and his TV is framed above it.
“I told my brother Noah what I wanted there, and he built it for me.”
“Your family is so talented.”
“That’s just two of them. The other two are just as talented in different ways. Tully plays professional hockey…with the Minnesota Fierce.” He grins when my eyebrows lift.
“It didn’t hit me until now that you’re Tully Whitman’s brother.”
“You’re not crushing on my brother, are you?” He frowns but still manages to look playful.
My cheeks flush. “No, but…are all the brothers as hot as you and Tully?”
He lifts one eyebrow. “All I heard in that sentence was that you think I’m hot…”
“You’re okay.”
“No, you can’t take it back now. And the answer to your question is yes. We’ve all got it going on.”
He gives me a cocky smirk when I laugh.
“Camden is a world-renowned chef. And I’m just the hot, lowly owner of a surf shop.” He winks, and dammit, he is so hot, he takes my breath away. “Come on, I’ll show you the bedrooms. There are only two. It’s not a big house, so it’ll be a quick tour. I’m outside most of the time.”
He takes my suitcase and points out a beautiful room.
“You’re welcome to stay in whichever room you’d like, but it’d be more fun if you stay in here with me.” He pushes the door to his bedroom open, and it’s big and beautiful.
“So pretty.”
He looks shy for a second, as he stands there and watches me take it in.
“I’ll stay in here…with you,” I say.
He sets the suitcases down and walks over. His hands frame my face, and he kisses me, soft and sweet. It’s over before I know it, and he turns, returning to the suitcases, which he carries to the closet.
The ocean is right there. I’m so in awe of that view, I could stay right here staring at it for hours and be completely content.
