Page 22 of Wrong Idea

We got up, and I walked her to the laundry building and waved goodbye before making my way to my office. I got to my desk and sat down in my chair and looked out the big floor-to-ceiling glass wall that overlooked the lake. It was the same view she had from her apartment, and I knew that no matter what happened, right or wrong, I would never be able to look at it without thinking about our time out there.

My eyes landed on the keys my assistant had left. I took one of the new ones and the original. I had to figure out a way to return it to her without her thinking it was taken. An idea formed, and everything inside of me flared to life.

Max was going to be working for at least another three hours. I could go over there and leave the old banged-up key right on top of her welcome mat. Almost like that was where it had perhaps fallen? And while I was there, I didn’t see what the harm of looking around her place might be, and if I placed a couple of cameras in her space, who would know?

With that settled, I hurried, taking my car straight into town.

five

carver

I openedthe door and for a moment hesitated at the doorway of her apartment. The moment I crossed that threshold, there was no going back. Who was I kidding? There was no going back the moment my eyes locked with hers in that spa room.

I glanced over my shoulder, scowling at how dark the apartment hall was. A muscle beneath my eye twitched as I came up with a couple of ideas of how to get them fixed. Shit, if it was up to me, I would have her move in with me immediately.

Where, dipshit? At the ski resort?How could I do that when she was clueless about who I was? Fuck, even if she did, I didn’t have a place in Moonlit Pines. She loved the small mountain town, and I genuinely couldn’t see her leaving. Or me, for that matter.

The fact had me stunned for a moment.

I wanted to stay in Moonlit Pines. I wanted to live there, not just fix up and add another property to the Storm portfolio. I had never wanted to stay anywhere before. Not when we were in Paris or Ibiza or any other corner of the world.

But then again, no other city had Max in it, either.

Just like that, I knew I had to add a meeting with a real estate agent the moment I walked back into my office. Harry wouldlook at me like I was crazy, while Grant would tell me straight out I had lost my mind.

We had homes all over the world, but somewhere I wanted to call home? Never. Not since we were kids. I added just one more thing to my to-do list.

But first came figuring out who owned her building and buying them out so I could fix it up correctly. Her safety was my responsibility now. I gently shut the door behind me and looked around.

She had invited me earlier, but this was different.

I wasn’t distracted by her pretty eyes and gorgeous smile. The kitchen table was a little cluttered with what looked like boxes and books wrapped up in bright-colored tissue paper. I neared and looked at a coloring book. I picked it up and smiled, wondering what the hell kind of side hustle my sweet princess had going on.

It piqued my curiosity.

The studio apartment was maybe six, seven hundred square feet max. Yet she had a home and space for everything. From her personal things to what I was concluding as the things for her business.Coloring books.I had so many questions, I couldn’t wait to ask her.

Turning my attention to the rest of the room, I noted how little furniture she had for herself. The small couch looked like it had seen better days, and I doubted her bed was bigger than full size. Not that I had minded when we were on it. It only meant we had to cuddle closer.

Everything inside of me wanted to fix any kind of problems she might have. Make her life easier. More comfortable. To take any and all worries from her. I had an overwhelming drive to get online and order new everything. Shit, I’d rather have her move out and in with me.

I could see it all clearly, picturing the rest of our days together in my head. From starting out, getting to know one another, to growing old, enjoying every moment in between. Celebrating holidays and birthdays. Cherishing the simple moments of life while we lived in a cabin on the far end of the lake. Something custom made and spacious. She would have more than enough space for her and her business. I could see myself following her around like a happy little puppy. Two, maybe three, stories high with a wraparound porch all around the house. Dancing on the balcony under the moonlight and rocking on chairs in the front so we could look out at the lake at the end of the day.

Maybe even a dock where we could keep a little boat. Maybe even two kids, little mini-me versions of us who would run up and down the dock, jumping and splashing into the water in the summertime.Shit.I rubbed the spot over my heart.Kids.Was I really thinking about that? Yeah, I not only wanted this, I needed it.

Maxine Munoz was mine.

I just needed some time before she figured out who I was. I needed her to get to know me as a man, asherman. She had already heard way too many stories about what I was like.

The big mean jerk of a boss.

The asshole Storm brother.

Not that they were wrong. Hell, I used to thrive on the fact that’s how people saw me. I loved how intimidating people thought I was. But when it came to Max, I didn’t want her to think of me like that.

I wanted her to get to know me.

See the man I could be for her and only her.

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