Page 75 of Scent of Home

As the driveway opens up, in the middle of this forest, hidden from the prying eyes of the world, is a house, no, a home that could have been plucked from my deepest fantasies.

It’s a split level home, with a huge towering fireplace that’s been painstakingly set with stones. The exterior has been rendered dark grey, but it’s the enormous windows that seem to bring the outside in. I undo my seatbelt and climb out of the car.

“Who does this belong to?” I ask softly while Karma races off, joyfully bouncing around the yard.

“This is mine. I was never going to use it,” Shane says with a hand on my lower back. “It was supposed to be a home for me one day, if I redeemed myself.”

He hands me the keys.

I hold them in my hand, squeezing hard, trying to will the pain to bite back the tears that are threatening. I want a home, more than that. I want this home. Shane just gave it to me. Just like that. A home he built with his own hands.

I slowly, stiffly walk towards the house and open the front door.

It smells like him. Pine and something deeper. As I edge inside, I take in the polished floorboards, the dark grey runner. The empty wall spaces where photos could go.

I walk past an incredible kitchen that calls Finn away. I note the office and discreetly pretend I don’t notice Shane opening a door that leads to a massive five-car garage. Bray hesitates with the most vulnerable expression and then disappears into the room.

I go to the windows and stare out. The forest is right there, but I’m here on this side. It can watch me, but it can’t touch me.

This place feels right. The anxiety is fading, and heartbreak is creeping in.

Shane approaches me. In the glass, I watch his reflection as he halts right behind me. He lifts a hand to my waist but stops before he touches me.

I am untouchable. Unloveable.

I am destruction and all the foul things.

I grip his hand and pull his arms around me.

“Hold me and don’t let me go, Shane.”

His arms enfold me, huge strength, walls of safety.

“Locke…”

Please, don’t ask me. Don’t make me tell you because I can’t go into a nest and have you look at me the way I know you will. So, don’t ask.

He hears my silent plea.

“This is yours, as long as you want it. For a day, a week, a month. Forever.”

I blink at his reflection. “You can’t give me a house.”

Nothing in all the millions of dollars I’ve made and all the gifts I’ve received has ever meant as much to me as this.

“I’m giving you a home,” Shane whispers against my neck. “A safe place.”

I tremble, and I know he feels it.

“This place is perfect. It feels like you. Big and safe and mysterious.”

Shane rubs his chin on my neck, his beard tickling the skin. I turn in his arms.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Erin standing there watching me. She’s got that shrewd and violent look in her eyes again.

I wonder how much she knows. How much she suspects. But that would be ridiculous.

No one knows, and when this heat is over, I’ll be forced to go back to the band.

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