That guy? “Who are you talking about?”
“Phillip,” Nash ground out.
“No. He’s still in Colorado. I have a meeting with a realtor.”
That response melted some of the chill in his gaze. Nash replaced it with something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Where’s the house?” Nash asked.
“Right in town.”
He grimaced.
“What?” she asked.
“Mind if I tag along?”
She blinked up at him. “You want to come with us?”
He nodded.
“Um, I mean . . . I guess.”
* * *
An hour later, they were returning to the kitchen of the small house close to Main Street. Nash had been scowling the whole time and Eli walked around with a bored expression, opening doors and closets. A grumble came from Nash as he peered out the back door.
“I’ll give you a moment to look around for yourselves. I’ll be out front if you need me,” the realtor, Sandra, said before leaving the room.
Isabella glanced around the room. Sunshine-yellow cabinets gleamed in the LED lighting. Could she really see herself living here with Eli and a baby?
A sigh came from Nash as he leaned against the counter, his massive arms flexing, showing off his veiny forearms. Heat rushed through her, flushing her cheeks. Stupid pregnancy hormones gave her an overactive libido. She couldn’t help but be reminded of how those powerful limbs felt caging her in as he worshipped her body. How perfectly he’d fit inside her, stretching her and hitting all the right spots.
“You feeling okay?” Nash asked, pulling her from her salacious thoughts.
“Fine.” Her answer came out breathless as she jerked around to stare at the granite countertop.
“Your cheeks are flushed. Are you hot in here?” Nash pressed.
“No, I’m great. So, what do you think?” she asked brightly, still unable to look him in the eye.
“Honestly, you can do better.”
Her shoulders sunk in disappointment. “What’s wrong with it?” It was one of the nicest ones she’d looked at in her price range. And honestly, she just needed a place to put down some roots long-term. She didn’t want to wear out her welcome at Nova’s.
“There’s water damage on two of the ceilings. Could be mold or mean a roof replacement or issues with the plumbing. The basement walls have a few cracks. The backyard is too small, and there isn’t enough space to run around. It’s too close to the road too. Wouldn’t you prefer somewhere more rural, so Eli and the baby have space to explore and run ’round without worrying over cars?”
“I don’t like it,” Eli added.
Isabella ran a hand over her face, fighting tears of frustration. “Well, this is the tenth house I’ve looked at this month.”
Nash’s eyebrows rose. “It is?”
She nodded, crossing her arms in front of her. “A few sold before I could even make an offer. And none of the rest felt right. Honestly neither does this one, but I’m just so tired. We need our own space. I can’t live with Nova forever, as awesome of a roommate that she is. And I want to be settled before the baby comes.”
Isabella rubbed her tired eyes. What she wouldn’t do for a cup of coffee right now.
“So move in with me.”