Page 17 of Unraveled

“I’m sorry. This isn’t remotely sexy, but can I use your restroom? It was a very long drive in traffic.”

I threw my head back with laughter. “Of course. Come on. You’ve gotta go up one flight to the half bath. And try not to judge; the place is being renovated. I promise the top floor is better than the rest.”

I tried to view the place from her perspective, hoping she could see the potential, but considering the haste in which she bounded up the stairs, I doubted she saw anything. “Second door on the left.”

“Thank you.”

She came out a couple minutes later while I was pouring wine in the second-floor kitchen. Her face appeared much more relaxed. “Sorry about that. So, this is home, huh?” She glanced around the open space that consisted of a large living room with a fireplace and the not-quite-finished kitchen.

“It is. For now. This floor is half done. You could say I’m working my way down in my free time.”

“Must be hard to renovate houses all day, help friends with their projects, and then come home and still want to do more of it.”

I loved that she got it without me saying anything. “It is. But the plan is to flip the place come next summer. That means I need to make the time.”

She walked over to the large picture window. “Nice area. How far are you from the lake?”

“Couple blocks. I swear everyone in the neighborhood has a dog they take for walks around it.”

“No dog for you?”

“Wouldn’t be fair, considering the hours I spend working, but someday.”

She walked over to the kitchen island where I handed her a glass of red wine.

“Hope a Malbec is okay?” I queried.

“It’s perfect, actually,” she responded with a smile and took a sip.

I did the same, drinking in not only the robust wine, but also the vision of her dressed casually in jeans and a silk blouse. Her fashion sense appeared effortless and natural, as did the way she wore her black hair down on her shoulders.

“You’re beautiful.” I couldn’t help the words.

She grinned. “You’re sweet. And thank you. Are you planning to show me the upstairs?”

“If I do, you’re most likely not coming down until morning.”

She tipped back the remainder of her wine. “You’re really into this spending-the-night thing, aren’t you?”

Evidently, with her I was. I moved closer to her, caging her against the cabinets and wishing like hell I had the granite countertops installed so I could finish what we’d started earlier in her brother’s kitchen. I dipped my head to drop a kiss behind her ear, something that caused her to shiver. “There’s not enough time for me to spend exploring your beautiful body. Is your bag in the car?”

“Yes, but only because I came straight from visiting my family. I haven’t said I’m staying here.”

My teeth tugged gently on her earlobe. “You haven’t said you aren’t, either.”

“Don’t you have to go to work early in the morning?” Her voice was already breathy, her body arching into my touch as I cupped her breast.

“I do. But that’s not what I’m thinking about right now. Give me your car key, and I’ll bring your bag in while you head upstairs to the bedroom. We’ll discuss the logistics of you staying after.”

“After I’m naked in your bed and not wanting to get out? I see your game.”

Still, she handed over her key fob.

“No game. I’m very clear about my intention to have you in my bed until morning. I’ll be right back.”

Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I jogged downstairs and out to the driveway to retrieve her bag. Just knowing she was in my house, about to be in my bed, filled me with possessiveness. It was an emotion I had never experienced, let alone thought I’d welcome. Once I had her duffle bag in hand, I took the stairs two at a time and didn’t stop until I reached the third floor. What greeted me made my jaw drop and my footsteps halt.

Layla stood in the middle of my master bedroom suite in nothing but a black lace bra with a matching thong. She flashed me a sexy smile. “I like your bedroom. Especially the flooring.”