Page 27 of Spark of Attraction

“This is the highest spot on this side of the lake. Doesn’t that make us a target? What if it hits the turret?”

“That’s what the lightning rods are for, Ell. We’ll be fine,” he assured me. He led me to the newest addition to the room and pulled me down on his lap. We cuddled together, watching the rain lash the window panes, listening to the thunder rumbling as the storm raged outside.

“I know all the work you did to set this up, but maybe having my office up here isn’t a smart idea.” I hated how small my voice was.

He pressed his lips to my hair again. “Babe, when we were drawing up the plans you were all about how you wanted to sit up here and watch the storms come in.”

“I know, but…” How the hell was I going to broach that damned contract? Maybe I should put it through the shredder. Ooops, sorry, Sheila. I got mixed up.

“I put in state-of-the-art surge suppressors for the outlets in this room. It wouldn’t hurt to unplug your laptop during storms, but if it really concerns you, maybe you could turn this into a private refuge instead and we can set up an office for you in one of the other bedrooms.” He gestured toward the dozens of boxes of books waiting to be installed on the bookshelves we’d installed. “Turn it into a library or something.”

“But that would mean redoing the wiring in the bedroom, and you’ve already done so much work.” Plus, he had other clients—paying clients— who came first. I’d insisted I’d pay him for the work he’d done, but he’d refused to accept my offer, especially after we’d agreed he’d move in here with me once it was all done.

“I put surge suppressors on at least one outlet in each room, in case we ever have guests. I don’t want to end up facing a lawsuit if one of their devices gets fried.”

I hadn’t realized he’d done that. I reached up and kissed his cheek. “And you accuse me of overthinking.”

“Only the best for you.”

I twisted in place, hooking my arms around his shoulders and straddling his lap. That expression of heat and safety, of acceptance, hadn’t faded. If anything, it heated as I squirmed to get comfortable. “You’re always looking out for me, aren’t you?”

“That’s what you do for the people you love.” He slanted his lips over mine and murmured, “I love you.”

MALCOLM

I froze when Ellie’s eyes filled with tears. It’s not like it was the first time I’d told her I love her so what was going on with her today? First the worry about using this room as her office, and now her reaction to my statement of love?

I settled my hands on her hips and pulled her closer. “What’s going on?”

“I love you, too. You know that, right?”

“Of course.” She’d said it enough times to me too. In the shower this morning. Then again at breakfast. And more hurriedly before she dashed out the door to a meeting a half hour later. And the look in her eyes when she said it was like she knew I was worthy of her love. Something I’d never really felt with any of my previous girlfriends, not even Natalie. “So what’s wrong?”

“You know my meeting this morning?”

“The one with your financial advisor? Yeah.”

She blushed, as she had each time anyone mentioned her finances. It was like she was ashamed of having enough money to be independent. And then some. When Josh had told me she’d never have to work again if she didn’t want to, he hadn’t been kidding. He’d underestimated the seven figures she was now worth.

“What did Sheila say?” Shit. I stiffened. “Tell me she didn’t make some bad investment and lost all your money.”

She huffed a laugh. “No, nothing like that. After we finished going through her report, she asked me how the renovations were going. I mentioned how they were all finished and we’d finally moved back in, right?”

I nodded, not wanting to interrupt her.

Her lips pursed together until they were nearly white. “She suggested I ask you to sign a cohabitation agreement. One where you agree that you have no claim on Hauser House or any of my savings and I owe you nothing should we split up.”

I nodded. “Okay. That’s reasonable.”

I wasn’t surprised that the subject had come up, only that it had come from Sheila and not Josh or Ellie’s mother. Unless they’d had a private talk with Sheila and asked her to suggest it so Ell wouldn’t turn on them?

I cupped my fingers beneath Ell’s chin and lifted it until she met my gaze. God, I loved this woman. I loved how she cared about others, cared about me. About us. “I promise I have no plans on going after Hauser House or any of your inheritance, but Sheila is right. It’s safer for you to get that in writing. I’ve got no problems signing an agreement.”

She made a very un-Ell-like growl that, for some obscure reason, turned me on. Or maybe it was a hint of the perfume she’d dabbed on after our shower. Or maybe it was her shampoo. Any of her scents got me hard. “I told her you would say that. And frankly, I should be signing one for you to protect your company, but that’s not my point.”

“What is your point?” I asked, keeping my voice gentle and telling my dick to back off.

“You know I trust you, right? That I know you’re not with me because my bank account is bigger than yours? You know that I don’t need a damned cohabitation agreement?”

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