Page 28 of More Than A Boss

7

“Is this what you were referring to when you said, ‘bachelor pad’?” Allie asked incredulously. The wrought-iron security gate nestled between two stone pillars swung inward, allowing them to drive through. She thought it could be better described as a modern-day manor. She had thought the lake house was impressive, but it was nothing compared to this large, contemporary home.

As they approached the house, the cobblestone drive merged into a courtyard with a sculptural metal fountain in the center. The house sat on a wooded lot with mature trees surrounding it. The two-story home displayed multiple architectural details. The entire façade was one of straight lines—glass, metal, and stone. The front entrance was in the rectangular center structure, which was two stories high. The design of glass and stone allowed one to view the open staircase that led from the foyer to the upper level.

The four-car garage branched off to the right. As they pulled into the garage, looking around, Allie exclaimed, “Oh my God, if you looked in a dictionary under ‘man cave’ there would be a photo of your garage. This is the quintessential man cave!”

“Ya think?” Zane asked playfully.

In addition to his convertible Spider, he had a motorcycle, an ATV four-wheeler, two kayaks, a snowmobile, and two bicycles. They began to unload, Kit Kat still complaining in her crate. As the garage door closed, Zane entered the combination on the keypad to his back door and opened it. Next, he entered the code into his alarm system to disengage it.

Allie lugged the cat carrier in and said encouragingly, “Here we are Kat! We’re on a mini vacation. You will love it here.” Kit yowled her displeasure. Zane brought in the litter and box so they could set things up for Kit right away. The sooner they let her out of the crate, the better.

Stepping inside from the garage entry, Allie caught her breath. Setting the crate down, she looked up at the two-story open foyer and dazzling chandelier. Marble floors in the entryway segued with wood throughout the rest of the downstairs. Directly in front of her was a pewter metal staircase that had a landing halfway up, before sharply turning at a right angle to continue the rest of the way to the open loft area. Observed from the inside, she could see the glass front wall and the supporting wall to the left, which was stone all the way from the downstairs floor to the high ceilings in the upper level. To the right of the entryway doors was a lighted rectangular fountain with water cascading down from the stone wall into the well below. The floor plan was open, allowing her to peer into the living room.

A large modern sectional sofa in a neutral color with bright patterned pillows faced a television built into a granite wall. Bright patterned rugs over hardwood floors added splashes of flair. The open design made the foyer and living room one continuous space, with the living area flowing into the dining room into kitchen in a large L shape. A see-through, two-sided fireplace sat between the living and dining areas.

“This is spectacular, Zane!” she enthused. “I’ve never seen anything quite like this!

“I’m really glad you like it, Allie. That’s important to me. I actually helped design it,” he said modestly.

“Seriously?” she said, eyes widening. “You never cease to amaze me!”

“Let’s go ahead and put her litter box in the laundry room,” he said, turning right and heading toward the back of the house, flipping on lights as he went. Sliding open a gray barn door, he revealed the dream laundry room. It was equipped with loads of shelving and racks, iron and ironing board, baskets and bins, a sink, and a front-loading washer and dryer.

Placing the cat crate down, Allie poured litter into the box and then lifted the latch to let Kit Kat out to explore. Tentatively, she stepped out and immediately sniffed at the box. Zane got down on his haunches to offer reassurance. “Hey, Miss Kitty, let’s take a look around. What do you say?” Scratching her in her favorite spot behind the ears, curiosity got the better of her and she waltzed out the door to check out her surroundings.

Zane continued giving Allie a tour of the house, with Kat trailing along. Allie loved the flow of it all. The downstairs master bedroom with a fireplace and large en suite was highlighted by a four-person jacuzzi and walk-in shower made of marble tiles with an all-glass front. There was a long bench, which ran the length of the shower, and a shower head at each end. The his-and-hers sinks were made of marble, and the long white vanity beneath had loads of custom storage space. The walk-in closet was as big as a small bedroom. The décor of grays and cream, along with the artwork providing dramatic splashes of color, had a soothing effect.

The back wall of the bedroom featured four French doors leading out to the pool and patio area and hot tub. The inground pool and patio also boasted the requisite pool house and was beautifully landscaped. A cedar arbor full of the now-dormant twisted vines of wisteria covered a portion of the courtyard.

After finishing the downstairs inspection, Zane carried her suitcase up the staircase to the second level. The loft was presently being used as his office, study, and library, with one entire wall floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves. Through the doors of the front glass façade was a wrap-around balcony, which looked like the perfect place to sit and relax with a good book. Skylights in the ceiling provided a sense of being in a treehouse, which delighted Allie. She could totally visualize this as a writer’s paradise.

Allie leaned over the open railing, looking down into the foyer. “Unbelievable!”

There was an open doorway at the back of the room leading into the guest quarters. Zane led her there to drop off her bags. “Allie this is your room. I would love for you to join me in my bedroom, but I don’t want to make any assumptions and you still need a place to call your own. The upstairs will be your personal apartment. I will only enter if invited,” he said earnestly.

“Oh, Zane. It’s all so much right now. I feel like my life has been taken over by the winds of fate and I’ve completely lost my bearings.” It was all she could come up with.

Allie explored her new space and could not resist diving onto the inviting bed. She rolled onto her back and looked at her surroundings. Not in a million years could she have pictured herself in this lap of luxury. Too bad it was under these circumstances, she thought.

Her bedroom featured a gray stone fireplace with neutral walls. A balcony off the bedroom allowed a view of the pool below. The king-sized bed was topped with restful soft grays and darker gray pillows. The large bright floral oil paintings added drama to the cool tones. She, too, had an en suite with a smaller Jacuzzi and walk-in shower. It was luxurious by any standards, with all glass doors, granite from floor to ceiling, a bench, and an extra-large shower head. The sink was modern and sleek, with pewter fixtures and the wall behind it all mirrors. She would not be roughing it in the physical realm, she acknowledged.

Allie glanced at Zane and saw he was studying her intently. She patted the bed beside her, inviting him to join. He wasted no time in diving in beside her. Rolling onto his side, he propped his head on his hand, just looking at Allie with a warmth that comforted and aroused at the same time. She turned on her side to face him.

“Hi,” he said, reaching out to brush his thumb across her lips.

“Hi,” she returned, nipping his thumb gently with her teeth before drawing it into her mouth and sucking on it. His eyes darkened with desire as she continued teasing him with her tongue.

“Is there anything I can do to make things easier for you, Al?” he asked.

“Oh, Zane,” Allie sighed, “you are going above and beyond the call of duty!” Allie replied softly, after releasing his thumb.

“It doesn’t feel like enough. If it weren’t for this case, you would be living your normal life, with family, horses, cat…. I feel responsible for taking that from you,” he said solemnly.

“In no way, shape, or form do I blame you! You are no more responsible than my shoe!” she said adamantly. “Don’t you dare take this on. You are just as much a victim of this mess as I am, and I won’t hear it said any other way. You got that?” she said more emphatically.

“I love it when you’re mad. Your eyes get all sparkly and bright,” he teased.

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