Page 16 of Love Finds Home

But everything changes when I walk through the door. The space is perfect. An empty canvas, a huge rectangular room with a wall of windows letting in the natural light and no walls to break it up. There’s a small kitchen area in one corner with a bathroom and what looks like a door to the outside. In the other corner is a half wall with enough room for a bed behind it. The rest of the room is wide open. The only piece of furniture is an oversized couch sitting along the wall opposite the windows.

“Do you ever use this space?” I ask.

“I’ve crashed up here a few times. Barbie moved the couch in when she caught me sacked out on the floor.” He cuffs the back of his neck, the tips of his ears turning pink like he’s embarrassed. “Late night sessions, you know?”

“That I understand.” I offer him a small smile. “Will I have to go through the shop to get in and out? How does that all work?”

“No, you can lock that door and go out the one over here.” He points to the one in the kitchen. “Barbie and I both have a key to the door downstairs, but it’s only for emergencies.”

“Security system?”

“Of course. Bioscan entry from the outside. Again, mine and Barbie’s are scanned in and you will be too, but that’s it. I have an override key, but shit, I’m not even sure where it is right now.Haven’t ever needed it. There are also cameras on the building at all entrances and downstairs in the shop. One of those is facing the door leading up here.”

“Hmm.” I walk the perimeter of the room, looking out the window at the view of Main Street, and take a cursory glance at the bathroom. It’s old and outdated, but functional. Nothing a new showerhead wouldn’t improve greatly. The kitchen has a small fridge and a stove. A sink. No dishwasher, but I don’t plan on doing many dishes up here.

“The windows look like they need replacing, and we can figure out a time for that. There’re a couple of weak spots around the frame. Wouldn’t recommend pushing on the windows. They should hold, but not worth the risk. You can open them if you want, though.”

The space is big enough for my biggest canvas. There’s plenty of floor for my largest tarp. A few floor lamps for the overnight sessions and it would be perfect. There’s even a corner for a kiln if I decide I need one.

I’m lost in my own thoughts when I feel him behind me, his body heat hitting my back and making my heartbeat pick up.

“So is it good enough for you or do you need something more posh for your rich girl standards?” he asks.

I turn around so fast, he has to catch me in his arms again. His face has one of almost amusement on it, while I’m sure mine is tomato red with anger.

“I don’t know what crawled up your ass when it comes to me, but I’ve about had it with your bullshit. I don’t know what you think you know about me, but you don’t know fuck all.”

Crowding me, he lowers his head to make full eye contact with me. “I know I don’t want you here, but I’ll do it because your brother is like family. I don’t like your kind. I don’t need your money, and I don’t need your flighty personality changes.”

“My kind? What the fuck does that mean?” I demand.

“It means you drive me fucking nuts.”

“Seems like a personal problem to me, bud.”

We continue to stare at each other, my mouth going dry. I lick my lips, and it’s like a switch flips inside him. His eyes follow my tongue, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths.

“You want to kiss me, don’t you?” I whisper, my own voice hoarse.

“Fuck me, but I do.”

“Then do it,” I challenge.

And do it, he does.

His lips crash down on mine. A surprise attack. He holds nothing back, his tongue demanding entrance, his hands coming up to my face, moving me exactly where he wants me.

When my back collides against the wall, he breaks apart and takes deep, harsh breaths.

“This doesn’t mean anything,” he growls.

“Not a thing,” I agree.

“I’m serious. This means nothing.”

“So am I. Take your pants off.”

I’m undoing my jeans and sliding both those and my panties down my legs. When I look back at him, he’s staring at my legs, not moving.

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