Page 85 of Tempt Me

“Think location,” she reminds me while Knutsen security drives us to the house. Fiddling with the curly blonde wig on her head, she mumbles, “Instead of a stacked Molly Ringwald, I look like Dolly Parton after a breast reduction surgery.”

“I think you look hot,” I reply, chuckling at how she covers her tits. “But I like your red hair best.”

“What a perfectly worded response,” Hunter teases as she leans over to nuzzle my shoulder.

As we approach the property, I spot the house’s spiral tower and pitched rooftops. The estate is surrounded by a high brick wall and thick evergreen trees, offering privacy and security. Through the front gates, we roll down a tree lined road to the circular driveway. The black siding and slate stone exterior make the place appear eerie and unwelcoming.

I’m immediately intimidated by the size and style. This is not a home for a simple man, let alone a biker.

I pray Hunter will exit the SUV, see the house up close, and decide to tear it down and start fresh.

“Don’t judge my house,” she says, unable to look away from the monstrosity. “It’s glorious.”

My heart breaks at the thought of living in this weird place, yet I don’t say a word. Hunter has always gravitated toward strange shit.

Sliding her hand into mine, Hunter guides me onto the wide wraparound porch. The front doors are black with decorative window inserts. Hunter runs her fingers along the glass, seeming charmed by the odd details.

The two-story foyer faces double staircases. Everything is dark, expensive, and off-putting. We explore room after room within the house. There’s a library, a sitting room, and an indoor atrium near the kitchen.

“This house is weird,” I finally blurt out. “It’s too big and creepy.”

“That’s why I like it,” Hunter says and turns to face me. “I’m not tearing it down and starting over. Not until we’ve tried living here.”

Feeling a little panicked about staying in this place, I become overly honest. “How will that work, though? We move in, don’t like it, and then move out?”

“No, dingus,” she says, laughing at my crankiness as she turns away from me and nearly dry-humps the massive kitchen island. “We live here one night a week. Soon, we’ll know what we like and what needs changing.”

“Will that one night be subtracted from time on the farm or from staying at your mom’s estate?”

Hunter levels her joyful gaze at me and cocks an eyebrow. “I’ll let you decide that.”

Narrowing my eyes, I know she’s testing me. “This house is weird.”

“I’m weird.”

“No, you’re cool.”

“This house is cool. It’s different and special. No one in all of Banta City has a house like this one.”

“Because it’s weird.”

Hunter laughs. “I know you’ll fall in love with this place. Let’s go see your garage and mantuary.”

I can’t picture sleeping in this giant horror movie house. How will a child grow up here? Our kids are destined to be weirdos.

The back patio has clearly been renovated and feels detached from the rest of the house. I glance to my right to see the indoor pool with a slick glass enclosure. That could be fun. I always wanted a pool when I was a kid. My parents even started the process before giving up after the hole had been dug. I ended up using the unfinished pool as my hangout spot.

The farm has an indoor pool. Elvis used to take us boys to do laps when we were especially rowdy. I’d be so calm after I swam for an hour. Now, my kids could have a pool of their own.

As Hunter and I leisurely walk across the backyard to the massive detached garage, I look over the unloved property. The former owners were so busy fixing what they didn’t like inside, they neglected the landscape. My temper rises when I consider the disrespect shown to this property.

That’s the moment when I’m hit by how I don’t hate the mansion as much as I think. I’ve already become protective of it.

I love how excited Hunter is here. The location is perfect. This estate will offer the privacy, security, and space to allow Hunter to hide out for a long while.

I walk inside the massive garage complete with a huge room perfect for a pool table, wet bar, and space for my friends.

Rather than hating the estate, I know I’m home.

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