Page 107 of Quiet Longing

“With that many people looking, it goes without saying that competition is stiff,” he replied and directed me down the street to where he’d parked his car.

We drove to the next viewing, which wasn’t too far away but was a similar situation to the first, with a long line waiting to get in. I wasn’t as enthused about that one, and neither was Rhys, mainly because the front door was flimsy and the security of the building in general left a lot to be desired. It was the kind of place a burglar only had to breathe on the locks to get inside.

Being in his line of work, Rhys seemed to notice those things a lot more than the average person. By the time we got to the third viewing, I couldn’t resist teasing him a little.

“Let me guess, the alarm system is from the Stone Age, and your ninety-five-year-old grandmother could kick in the locks,” I said with a small, lopsided grin when I saw him frowning at the barely functioning alarm pad.

“I won’t apologise for taking your security seriously,” he grumped, and my cheeks heated. Why did that statement get me strangely hot and bothered?

“It’s lunch time,” he said then. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Oh, yes! I’m starving. Can we get cheeseburgers? I’ve had a real craving for fast food lately. Not that I don’t appreciate Aunt Jo’s cooking, but it’s always either comfort food or super healthy.”

Rhys’ lips twitched. “I can probably make that happen.”

We hopped in the car and drove a short distance before Rhys parked on a residential street.

“This doesn’t look like a fast food establishment,” I commented, a little confused.

“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. I’ll have you know thatMaison de Rhysmakes a mean cheeseburger.”

My eyes widened. “This is your house?”

“Yep, come on in, and let’s get you fed.”

He came around to open my door for me, and I stepped out, taking it all in. Rhys lived in a yellow brick terraced house on a long street that ended in a cul-de-sac. I was more curious than I’d been in a long time to see inside.

“I didn’t realise cheeseburgers were a French cuisine,” I commented teasingly as he slotted his key in the door. Rhys cast me a playful grin.

“Of course, they are. You’ve just got to put a little Dijon mustard on them.”

“Ah, so that’s how it works,” I said, shaking my head as he led me in.

I stepped into the entryway, unsurprised to find the place spotlessly clean. I remembered Rhys being particularly neat and tidy when we’d worked together in the hotel kitchen as teenagers. His time in the army had probably made him even more adept at keeping his living space in order.

“Let me take your coat,” he offered, eyes soft as he waited for me to remove it. I did so carefully before handing it over, our fingers brushing a moment. As always, touching him brought forth a zing of awareness.

He really had no idea how much spending time with him meant to me. Rhys was patient and easy going, allowing me to initiate touch if I felt like it but not making a big deal if I did. He had the emotional intelligence to know how difficult it was to try to get back to a place of normality after living for so long in tension and fear. I was grateful he hadn’t tried to bring up our kiss in Aidan’s office, nor any of the stuff he’d discovered about my ex-husband. Rhys was very good at making everything feel easy and normal between us, and it was exactly what I needed.

I hadn’t seen a whole lot of Stephanie since our interaction earlier in the week. Rhys worried she might do something to make me feel uncomfortable at work, but it never happened. My hope was she’d realised her jealousy was needless and decided to take the high road.

Rhys and I were embarking on a new friendship, and it was one of the few things I’d truly appreciated in my fresh start. I was aware I was being naive to call it that, especially considering the kiss, but entertaining anything more than friendship would be foolish on both our parts. I valued his company too much to mess things up by diving into something neither one of us was ready for.

“My feet are killing me,” I said as I followed him into a cosily furnished living room and then into a very masculine kitchen. There was a lot of exposed brick and a butcher’s block worktop. “Do you mind if I take my shoes off?”

I’d been wearing brown leather shoes that were fine for sitting at a desk at work. They weren’t exactly suited to standing for long periods and traipsing around potential rental properties.

Rhys’ gaze travelled over me, lowering to my feet before rising back up, his jaw flickering for some reason before he replied, “Why don’t you go sit on the couch and rest while I cook?”

He ushered me back into the living room and motioned for me to slip off my shoes before indicating I take a spot on the pale grey sectional couch, accented by navy and forest green cushions and a stone grey wool throw. I sank into the plush piece of furniture before releasing a pleasured sigh, closing my eyes. I didn’t realise Rhys remained standing there until I reopened them and found him watching me while rubbing faintly at the scruff on his chin. I wondered what he was thinking.

“I really like your house. You did a great job with it, and the floors are gorgeous,” I said, indicating the shiny hardwood beneath his feet.

“Thanks.” His hand dropped from his chin. “I’m happy with it.” He glanced at his watch. “If we have time, I’ll show you around upstairs after we eat.”

I swallowed down the nervous lump in my throat at the prospect of seeing where Rhys slept. I could just imagine him, this large bear of a man, sprawled out naked on a giant king-sized bed. The image had me clenching my thighs, and I was glad Rhys had already turned and gone back into the kitchen. He was so good at reading me I feared he might’ve seen my thoughts somehow if he’d still been standing there, intently watching me.

I could hear him opening and closing cupboards in the next room while I checked my phone for any new messages or emails. There was only one from Nuala. She’d sent me a bunch of prospective locations for our loosely planned ladies’ summer vacation. I smiled as I scanned through the options then heard what sounded like a small dog barking in distress outside.

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