Page 53 of Other Side Of Never
“What do you see, Bridget?”He murmured.
“Bed sheets billowing on the line,” I whispered.“A firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs.An outdoor pizza oven.”I gave myself a little shake.“Is the family living here wealthy?”
“You picture a family here?”
I turned in surprise.“Don’t you?This is a real home,” I asserted.
He dipped his chin in agreement.
“An outdoor pizza oven.”I glanced at him to assess his reaction.“Barbecues are nice, but an outdoor pizza oven?That would be unique.”
“I’m beginning to get the full picture.”He smiled and waved me forward.“Carry on.”
“This kitchen is huge.I see bench seating along those two walls with hidden storage underneath.One of those raw edge butcher block tables with three thick, sturdy chairs, two along the side, one on the end.”
Moving into the allotted dining room area, I pinched my chin.“I don’t think I’d put a dining room set here.”
“Of course not,” he teased.“The family who lives here is outside eating pizza.”
“Exactly!”I laughed.“This room would be a library.”I tilted my head to the side.“A narrow desk along that wall with a couple of chairs.Can we put a big window on that wall as well?”
He nodded, and his eyes narrowed as he took in my suggestions.
The fact he considered my suggestions warmed me to my toes.I smiled widely.“This is fun!I see why you do this!”
His eyes crinkled.“Want to be my partner?Help me make her beautiful?”
I snorted.“I wish I had that kind of talent.”
He jerked his chin toward the family room.“And here?”
“Ah, yes,” I mused, fully immersed in our game.“A huge reading chair in that corner.It’s pink and there’s a fluffy, cream blanket slung over the back.”
“Pink?”
I leveled him with my most serious gaze.“Pink.”
He chuckled.“Fair enough.”
“The front window is wider and overlooks a swing on the porch.Can this brick fireplace be saved?”
He dropped to his knees to peer up inside the fireplace as his jeans stretched taut across his thighs and cradled his butt.I tore my gaze away.
Keeping Kian at arm’s length was becoming more difficult by the day if not the hour.
Based on things he said, he was struggling as much as I was.I drew in a shaky breath.I had to keep my head on straight.
There was too much at stake.
For him more than me.
Dusting off his hands, he rolled to his feet.“I don’t see why not.Would you keep it as a wood-burning fireplace?”
“Maybe,” I murmured.“It depends if there are small children.New wood floors!”I burst.“Wide-plank, oak floors with plush rugs.”I sighed and stood looking out the front window.“It’s a beautiful house.Perfect for a family.”
Coming up behind me, Kian looped his arms around my waist and pulled me gently back to rest against his hard chest.“Will you tell me what upset you?”
My first impulse was to pull away, but he’d shared so much of himself with me.I opened my messages and handed him my phone.
