Page 44 of Pure Vengeance

“It’s so beautiful!” She clambered across the seat, nearly kneeing me in the crotch in her excitement. “My gosh, you live here, like, all the time? Can we walk on the beach?”

“Sure.”

It was a complete lie, of course. If she tried to walk on the beach, she’d have to take a swan dive off the cliff first. Even if she survived the fall, the sharks would get her before she could find a way out of the water.

By the time she figured it out, it would be much too late for her.

CHAPTER THREE

Natasha

Knowing I was making Lachlan uncomfortable, I tried to control the verbal diarrhea pouring out of my mouth.

His house was just so beautiful, I couldn’t help it. The recessed landscape lighting sent a golden glow over the Victorian mansion and seemed to touch on the gorgeous gingerbread architectural features. My father’s house was modern glass and steel, and arguably nice, but it lacked the warm charm of Lachlan’s.

It looked like a princess house, and the cool ocean breeze smelled fresh and clean with touches of the redwood forest surrounding the property.

As he helped me from the town car, I heard dogs barking close enough that I didn’t think they belonged to a neighbor—not that they could have, considering there wasn’t another house nearby.

“What kind of dogs do you have?” I asked, turning in the direction of the barking. “I’ve never had a pet before. Will I get to meet them tomorrow?”

“No pets?” He cupped my elbow and led me up the short flight of stairs to the charming wraparound porch complete with rocking chairs.

“No. My father—” I cut myself off before I went down that brutally dark path. “He didn’t like animals.”

“I keep Mastiffs, and yes. You’ll definitely get to visit the kennel tomorrow.”

He opened the stained-glass door, and I bit back a gasp. “Oh, wow.”

Soaring at least two stories, the front entryway was illuminated with a large crystal chandelier. My heels clicked on the marble floor as I turned in place to take everything in. A tiled fireplace was next to a low table bracketed by two leather club chairs, and there was an antique mahogany hall stand with a large, beveled mirror and several umbrellas in the side racks. A man’s raincoat hung from one of the hooks next to the mirror.

The sweeping twin staircases leading up to a landing with a carved railing stole my breath completely. It was like something out of a fairy tale with thickly carpeted treads and a wooden banister that begged for someone to slide down it.

“Wow?”

“Yeah. I mean, it’s really nice.” My face heated and I resisted the urge to curl in a ball and die of embarrassment. “No. It’s the most beautiful house I’ve ever seen, but I’m trying to act like a normal human and not go overboard even though I still can’t believe I’ll be living here.”

His laughter surprised me with its warmth. “And you’ve only seen the foyer.”

“I know.” I shrugged and looked up into his sparkling blue eyes, wondering if my hot cheeks would melt the theatrical paint off my face. “Sorry.”

“I’ll give you the grand tour tomorrow.” He took my hand and led me to the staircase. “You’ve had a busy day, and I’m sure you want to shower and rest.”

Gulp.

My core clenched as I ascended the stairs. I didn’t know if my physical reaction was from nerves or desire. Lachlan was so damned gorgeous. How was I supposed to know how to please him when I’d never even kissed someone?

Except that wasn’t quite true. Moisture pooled between my thighs as he escorted me to a double door at the end of the hall. That one kiss Lachlan had given me after our wedding…

I resisted the urge to fan myself as he opened the door. Lachlan’s suite was lavishly decorated, with a massive bed made of dark wood piled high with pillows and a burgundy coverlet. A leather couch faced a large television centered between two floor-to-ceiling windows, and there was a small Queen Anne table with two chairs in a corner near a wet bar.

“The bathroom is through that door, and there’s a robe for you.” he murmured. “Your suitcase has already been unpacked into your dressing room, and we’ll have more clothes delivered tomorrow.”

“I have a dressing room?” My heart rate quickened, and I wondered if I’d faint. “Really?”

“You’ll see everything tomorrow.” Lachlan encouraged me to walk into the most beautiful bathroom I’d ever seen. “Take some time for yourself and relax.”

“Sorry… I mean, yes, thank you.”

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