Page 13 of Unwrapping Romance

My phone rang, and it was Claire again. I declined the call. I didn’t have time to deal with her. After my last meeting for the day, I stopped by Sierra’s desk before heading home. I needed to make sure I was there before she arrived.

“I’m heading home. I’ll see you there.”

“I looked up the distance between your dry cleaners and your house. It’s down the street. You can’t pick up your dry cleaning?” Her brow arched.

“That’s what I have an assistant for.” I winked and headed to the elevator.

When I arrived home, I noticed my cleaning lady, Cora, was still there.

“You’re home early, Mr. Atlas.”

“I have a guest coming over. As always, Cora, it smells good in here.” I smiled.

“I went to the grocery store and stocked your refrigerator.”

“Thank you.”

I went upstairs and changed out of my suit and into casual clothes. Walking down to the living area, I poured myself a bourbon.

“I’m heading home, Mr. Atlas. Have a good evening.”

“You too, Cora.” I tipped the glass to my lips.

A few moments later, the doorbell rang. Walking to the foyer, I opened it and smiled when I saw Sierra standing there, holding my dry cleaning over her shoulder.

“Come in.” I gestured.

“Here’s your dry cleaning.” She handed it to me.

“Make yourself comfortable while I take this upstairs.”

After taking my clothes to the bedroom, I went down to the living area, where I saw Sierra running her hand over my black baby grand piano.

“You play?”

“I do,” I said, walking over to the bar and grabbing the bourbon. “Drink? I have a nice bottle of wine I can open.”

“That’s okay. I’ll have what you’re having,” she said.

I poured a glass of bourbon and handed it to her.

“Thanks. This place is huge. How many square feet?” she asked.

“8,550. Would you like a tour?” The corners of my mouth curved upward.

“I’d love one.”

“Follow me.” I led her to the elevator. “We’ll start with the cellar level and then make our way up.”

She stopped and looked at me when the doors opened to the lower level.

“You have a freaking pool and jacuzzi in your house?”

“I do. It’s a 33-foot-lap pool with a six-foot-deep jacuzzi. Over here is the steam shower, and through this door is my private gym. There’s also a bedroom down here with a full bathroom.”

“Do you use the pool?” she asked.

“Almost every day. Let’s head back upstairs,” I said, pushing the button to the second floor. “This level has my office, a bathroom, and a theater room.”

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