“It’s bright.”
“Yeah.” Sunlight streamed through the bare sliding glass doors and windows. He hadn’t bothered with shades or curtains.
“It’s clean. And there’s no clutter.”
“I like to keep things simple.”
She turned to him then, smoothing her hands up his chest. “I like it.”
“Do you?”
She nodded, gripping his shoulders.
He bent his head, taking her lips in a deep kiss. “Then you’ll really like the bedroom.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“It’s a summons.” He slipped an arm behind her knees and lifted her.
A laugh sailed from her lips, suddenly filling the sterile space with warmth. She could be anywhere, he thought, and the space around her would instantly be brighter.
“You promised to show me around,” she said, feigning protest.
He gave her his best wicked grin, wriggling his eyebrows. “I’ll show you whatever you want to see.”
She looped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his throat, then nuzzled his chin and ran her tongue along his jaw. His body instantly reacted. That was her favorite first move in foreplay since he had let her shave off his beard, and once again, he congratulated himself for that decision. Shaving daily was a pain, both timewise and comfort wise, but Jannie’s pleasure made it worth it.
Shouldering the door open and crossing the threshold with her in his arms triggered another high school fantasy. He used to picture himself carrying her just like this, to carefully place her on a bed and look down on her as she crooked her finger in acome-heregesture, her eyes seeing only him.
Placing her gently on the bed proved impossible. She didn’t let him go, and he ended up falling on top of her, her long legs trapping him.
Her mouth immediately went to his jaw. “What did you say you’ll show me?” Her hot tongue swirled around his pulse point.
He inhaled sharply. “Anything and everything you want.” He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of her beneath him, convinced that if the woman asked him to show her his heart, he’d unhesitatingly rip it out of his chest and offer it to her.
“Hmm.” She kissed his chin. “Show me your tie collection.”
Nick blinked. “My … tie collection?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you brag that you had a big one?”
“I do have a big one.” He smirked. “Huge.”
She smirked right back, looking him in the eye. “Well then, prove it, sir.”
He rolled off her, his hands going to his belt buckle, but she gripped his wrist.
Nick stared at her. “You really want to see thetiesright now?”
She nodded.
The woman was serious. With an inner sigh, he looked to the closet, then sat up, discreetly adjusting himself. “OK.”
With Jannie right on his heels, he took two long strides to reach the door and pulled it open, stepping aside to let her see his modest selection of clothes.
He studied her face as she scanned the jeans and T-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts, all sitting on two shelves. One navy suit, one gray, hung to the side along with a few dress shirts. He had taken all his uniforms to the house, so the space they usually occupied was empty. She seemed pleased, undoubtedly because everything was neatly folded and arranged by category.
“Where are the shoes?”
