“And that’s all you can do.”
Treasure and I stayed out there a while longer, letting the sun do what it does best. The conversation passed from Kier, to Tara, to everything that had been heavy, and transitioned into lighter times. Later back inside, Treasure disappeared into her room to take a call, and I lingered in the kitchen for a second, rinsing out my glass before setting it in the sink. Leaning against the counter, I let the day soak in.
There was a simplicity to Malibu that made it easy to forget how unusual the situation actually was. I thought about the beach, the studio, and the way Kier looked at me as if he knew something I was still trying to figure out. For once, I didn’t attempt to overanalyze it. I just let it be what it was. WhenKier came home later, we ordered food and watched movies. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen half of my favorite flicks.
Malibu didn’t last too much longer after that. The three days Treasure stayed there came and went. We’d been back to the studio a few times, Kier had some things to wrap up on his end, and before I knew it, two weeks had quickly passed, and we were packing again. The flight to our next destination was quiet. It felt like Kier and I communicated with our eyes only, as if we held a quiet agreement.
He didn’t tell me where we were going, just said it would be a much-needed surprise. I sat by the window, watching the landscape change the closer we got. The ocean disappeared first, replaced by dry land that stretched out farther than I was used to. Everything looked wide, still, and almost untouched. Kier switched seats, sitting next to me. I dozed off after snuggling against him. By the time we woke up, we’d arrived.
ten
. . .
Vegas and Malibuhad been action filled considering the cars, cameras, and people watching. But this was seclusion, and the heat was something interesting. The drive into Scottsdale felt different before we even reached the house. The road stretched out with nothing but desert on both sides; the sky was wide and open. The sunset was settling, and a beautiful hue of blue started to drape over the sky. I let the window down just enough to allow the air in. It was warm, but dry and clean. It felt like a release.
Kier didn’t say much as we pulled up the winding drive, but he didn’t need to. The house came into view slowly, rising out of the landscape. This was a sight for sure. Clean lines, glass, and soft lighting tucked into the ground that traced the path up to the entrance. Cactus and desert plants surrounded it, reminding me exactly where we were. From the outside, it felt private but intentional. Kier couldn’t have stumbled upon something this beautiful by accident.
I stepped out before he came around to open my door, turning in a slow circle as I took it in. It was quiet enough that I could hear my own footsteps against the gravel, and my breath leaving my mouth.
“This is where you come to regroup?” I asked, glancing back at him.
“Yeah, when I don’t feel like being bothered with the world.”
That made perfect sense. Everything about this place screamed control and peace. Inside, the house felt just as calm. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened the space up to the desert, letting the last of the light pour in. The floors were smooth under my feet, cool against my skin, and the furniture was minimal but appeared comfortable.
I set my bag down near the island, taking in the kitchen, the open layout, and the way everything connected without feeling crowded. Kier walked past me, pushing our suitcases to a hallway. When he came back, he grabbed two glasses and poured us some water, setting one down in front of me.
“How you liking the desert?” He asked.
“This is different, Kier.”
“Yeah, that’s the point. I don’t like being around noise all of the time.”
I understood him completely, though his response was so simple. The energy here didn’t leave room for distractions. Instead, it made you more aware of everything, including your thoughts, your body, the person standing in front of you. Kier followed me as I walked toward the back of the house, drawn to the glass doors that opened out to the patio. The pool sat still under the fading light, and the water was a dark blue. Beyond it, nothing but desert, nothing but space and darkness.
Momentarily, I forgot about everything else. The uncertainty that had followed me since this rendezvous with Kier started, seemed to evaporate. I’d only been here for a moment, and I had already felt the physical shift in my body.
“This is dangerous,” I said quietly.
“How?”
I turned just enough to look at him. “I thought Malibu was something. But places like this make it easy to forget reality.”
“Or it gives you space to figure out what’s real.”
The horizon pulled my attention back while I sat with what he said instead of over-analyzing it. “Agreed.” I smiled back at him.
He pushed off the doorframe then said, “Relax, Si. We ain’t doing nothing tonight.”
“Works for me. I have a presentation I need to get started on.”
“What I just say? You’re relaxing, work can wait.”
For the first time since I’d met him, there was nothing pulling our attention away from one another. Kier was right, work could wait. Grabbing my bag, I headed to the bedroom he pointed out earlier. It mirrored the rest of the house; clean, open, and quiet. I unpacked slowly, feeling my nerves relax just as he insisted.
By the time I finished, the sky had gone completely dark. I stepped back out into the living area, drawn again to the openness of it. Kier was stretched out along the couch, one arm behind his head, the other resting against his chest. He looked over when I walked in, eyes taking their time roaming over me as if he were reacquainting himself.
“You settle in?” He asked.
