Page 8 of Designs on You

He followed her into the living room where she stood by the sliding door. “You have a stunning backyard. It’s an entertainer’s paradise. Get rid of the slider and put in an accordion sliding door that will bring in so much more light.”

She walked him outside. “I’d change nothing out here. It’s glorious. But, if you want to truly entertain, maybe you’d want to add an outside kitchen. It keeps the heat out of the indoor kitchen during the hot summer months and makes it easier for entertaining purposes.”

She paused, waiting, he supposed, to see if he disagreed with anything she’d suggested so far.

He didn’t.

“Go on.”

“The laminate flooring has seen better days.” She gave himthe once-over before continuing. “I think wood floors, or even wood-look tiles would be perfect for this house. Though if you go with wood, I’d suggest tile in the kitchen and all the bathrooms.”

“Uh-huh.”

She made her way up the stairs, and he followed, trying not to focus his attention on the way her ass swayed as she walked. Hard when she was two steps above him and her sweet behind was directly in his line of sight.

She wandered into one of the guest bedrooms. “All your bedrooms are fine. I’d update the flooring and they need some paint. And light. God, this whole house needs some light, Eugene. It’s dark as a cave in here. I can suggest lighting that’ll improve every room if you tell me what your plans are for the rooms.”

They made their way into his favorite room. “Okay, this one. Huge. Obviously a bonus space. What are your plans for it, or do you have any?”

“Media room,” he said, coming fully into the room. “I’ll be working in here, so I’ll need it fully soundproofed. Dark. I’ll take care of ordering the appropriate sound system and digital needs along with furniture.”

She shrugged. “Fine.”

The last room was the primary bedroom. It was sizable, which was one of the things he liked most.

“King-size bed,” she said. “These three windows will provide a lot of natural light. Dresser, two nightstands, good lighting, maybe a reading chair or two.”

She turned to face him. “Thoughts?”

“I have lots of thoughts about my bedroom.”

She cleared her throat. “And what would those…thoughts be?”

Her cheeks popped two pink spots, her eyes turning to pools of emerald green. The intimacy of the room seemed to instantly surround him, engulfing Eugene in the kind of heat he only felt when he was naked and rolling around with a woman. Yet here he was, fully clothed and standing in an empty bedroom. Just Natalie and him.

He’d thrown out the teaser, hoping she’d toss back a sarcastic remark. That she’d responded with an unexpected heat nearly brought him to his knees.

“You know, I like all your ideas for the bedroom. Big bed. Chairs. Nightstands. Lights. It’s all good.”

She blew out a breath and took a step back. “Perfect. Now the bath.” She took several quick steps into the en suite, obviously not able to get away from him fast enough.

He smiled and followed her.

“Good-sized en suite,” she said. “Plenty of room for an oversize shower.” She finally turned to look at him. “I’d add a soaker tub. Vanity over here. Lots of bright and also ambient lighting. Some woman will appreciate it someday.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not looking forsomewoman.”

Again she opened her mouth to say something, then closed it and nodded. “Anyway, as far as design, I have some samples downstairs if you’d like to look through them.”

“Sure.”

Once they were on the main floor again, she opened the bagsshe’d brought in and laid samples on the kitchen counter. Some were loud and colorful, which made him want to gag. Others were simple and more to his liking. He wondered which ones she’d suggest.

When she stepped toward the set he liked best, he sighed in relief.

“Black and white for the kitchen with black on the bottom and white on the top,” she said. “A marbled white quartz for your counters. Black hardware. It’s sleek, modern, somewhat masculine without being overly so. We’ll add pendant lights above the island. I’m thinking something industrial.”

“Yeah, I like that.”

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