Page 50 of The Seascape Between Us

Daniel nodded and swallowed, his throat jumping.

“Now, let’s get out of here. I’m hungry, and we have a long drive ahead of us.”

The drive passed quicker than I’d expected—probably because I sped most of the way. I’d half-expected Daniel to argue. He was a rule-follower by nature, but he hadn’t said a word. He’d just grinned at me, his hair fluttering in the wind, fragrant with the warm, fresh scent of spring rushing in through the open windows.

We made good time and still had a half-hour before we had to be at the restaurant, so we stopped off at my place to drop off his things, and as I led him inside, nerves scurried beneath my skin like a swarm of insects.

I wasn’t sure why I was nervous exactly, except that I wanted Daniel to like my place. It wasn’t to try to impress him, really. I just wanted him to like it, and while I told myself it didn’t matter if he did or didn’t, that maybe we just had different tastes after all, it still did nothing to lessen the unease knotting my insides.

“It’s sort of a mess down here,” I said, pushing open the steel door and flicking on the lights. “I use the downstairs as my workspace and office.”

“It’s huge,” Daniel said, gaze sweeping past my desk and drafting table, both cluttered with projects in various stages of completion, to the basketball hoop and workout equipment at the far end. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the busy street, but the tint let us see out without passersby seeing inside.

“This is one of the first buildings I converted,” I explained. “I redesigned it from the ground up. I used to run my whole business down here and live upstairs. Eventually, we grew too big, and I had to find a proper office space, but I still like to work down here.”

Daniel shoved his hands into his jeans’ pockets and meandered closer to the drafting table and inspected the drawings scattered across the surface. “I’m always so amazed at what you can do.”

“Running the business takes up so much of my time, I don’t design as much as I used to. Still, if there’s a project that I’m especially inspired by, I’ll take it on.”

“What’s this?” Daniel asked.

“A warehouse I bought downtown. It used to be a glove manufacturing factory. I’m converting the second floor into apartments, but I want there to be community space on the first floor and,” I reached for a drawing I’d shoved aside and spread it out of over the other, “there’s an old shipping area, and I want to turn it into some kind of green space. Maybe a communitygarden. I’m not sure yet. Honestly, I’ve just started, and I haven’t given it the attention it deserves. I’ve been distracted.”

A faint frown clouded Daniel’s expression. “You must miss this place, being away from home so long.”

“Hm. Not as much as I thought,” I said, surprised to realize I genuinely meant it. Over the last few weeks, I’d barely thought about this place, except when my assistant swung by to pick up mail and ensure nothing catastrophic happened while I was away. On the days I had to come to Portland for work, I couldn’t wait to get back on the road and back to Daniel.

The more time I spent with Daniel, the more he felt like home.

Chapter Twenty-One

Daniel

Ifollowed Grey up some metal stairs, a duffel bag over one shoulder and the only suit I owned still wrapped in its dry-cleaning bag draped over the other. At the top, Grey pushed open the door to his living space and stepped back so I could go in first.

Like downstairs, it was huge and open. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the river, and wood plank floors and exposed brick walls with colorful art mounted on them turned the space into a mix of modern and rustic.

“This place,” I said, not even trying to hide my awe, “is gorgeous!” How could I not be impressed? Especially knowing he designed it himself. It was everything I had imagined for him, everything I had wanted for him.

I thought about his father interfering in our relationship all those years ago, and I understood why he did it. He didn’t want his son to throw his chance for all this away. Grey might've beenpissed, but I got it. I wouldn’t have wanted to stop him from achieving everything he could.

“You like it?” Grey asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

“How could I not? It’s veryyou.”

He frowned. “I’m not sure how I should take that.”

“You amaze me, Grey.” I leaned down and kissed him. He pulled me closer, deepening the kiss and infusing it with filthy promise.

“Shit.” Grey stepped back and rubbed his chin with the back of his hand. “We need to stop, or we won’t be going anywhere tonight.”

“Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world,” I said softly. “Staying here with you.”

Grey took another step back as if he didn’t trust himself to stand too close. “Nope. No way. I’m taking you out. We’re celebrating. We should get ready if we don’t want to miss the reservation.”

I changed into the suit I brought. I'd bought it for Ryan’s funeral, which felt a little morbid, but it was the only one I had. Besides, no one would have laughed harder than Ryan at the idea of me wearing my funeral suit on a date.

Only you, man. Only you.

---