Commitment Collection 2- Ignition; Turbo Charged; Pole Position, page 16
part #4 of Commitment Series
“Good, because you know that Daisy worries me.”
“Sure I do, but we were just chatting. But, now with some distance between the conversation, I’m not sure it’s such a bad idea.”
“Who will have the time to manage this project? I won’t with all the plans we have for the business, and you certainly don’t.”
“That’s where Daisy comes in, and Idris of course.” He leaves the name hanging.
Idris is Daisy’s boyfriend who is the honest one in that relationship. He is the saving grace to Daisy’s brushes with the law, switching her from ‘near misses’ into ‘straight as a die’ since they became an item. And Elliott knows that he’s going to be the deciding factor in whether I vote for his idea or not.
“Why do we constantly need to make more money Elliott? We have enough.”
“I can’t help myself, but also, running a performance racing team is not cheap. Sure, we have sponsors, but it would be nice not to be beholden to them.”
“The more collateral of our own we have to invest, the bigger our stake, you mean?”
“Exactly. And therefore the more autonomy we have.”
He has a point. The last thing I want to end up with is a boatload of people coming in and screwing up our dream. “Look, I’ll think about it. Get Daisy to check out the planning regs at least so we have some idea whether this whole thing is even possible.” I return to my packing. That woman just sets me on edge.
Elliott
Kyle has me out looking at a second batch of less expensive properties today. He’s knocked at least ten million off the price tags of what we’re viewing and on paper they look perfectly adequate. At least our conversation about investing in the business the other day made some impact. His spending has reduced to a more reasonable level. He’s even scrapped the plans for an underground swimming pool on his gym project for the business.
“It will be just as nice surface level,” he says.
I know. I breathe a sigh of relief and squeeze his arm as we set off on our second batch of viewings. Hopefully this lot will be more successful than the last.
But, it’s not. We’re lost. Again.
We drive around in circles, looking for a place to turn. The inside of the car is growing increasingly hot, and I’m sweating despite the windows being open and the air conditioning being turned up high.
“I need to call the agent and tell them we’ll be late,” Kyle says.
“Ask them for directions while you’re at it. I don’t know how a place can be so difficult to locate in the age of GPS. He’s probably given you incorrect details.”
Kyle nods, holds his hand out to shush my moaning, and pulls the phone from his ear to check some details. “Ah, I see. OK. Well, we’ll head there now.”
Having pulled over on the side of the road, I tap the steering wheel while awaiting further instructions.
“He gave us the wrong address.”
No shit, Sherlock. I smile.
“We need to be over the other side of town,” he continues.
“Oh, fuck. Let’s leave this one, Kyle. We’re going to be late all day now if we head all the way over there.”
He looks forlorn; those puppy dog eyes that he only pulls out of the bag for special occasions are in play. “It looks like such a nice place though. Imagine if we miss out on the perfect house.”
“Darn you and your irresistible looks!” I turn the pickup around and head off in the direction that we should be heading. “This had better be worth it.” I mutter to myself.
Half an hour later, we’re pulling up the long, tree-lined drive and parking outside the house. The style is designed to represent the older Georgian period of the estate in which it sits.
“We get a few barns, an equestrian facility, and some vacation homes with this place.”
“Vacation homes. I know I’m always on the lookout for a new business opportunity, but I don’t want to have people living in my driveway.” I examine the converted stone outbuildings to the right of the house.
“No, but it will be somewhere for our friends to stay when they come and visit from elsewhere, or our new friends when they get too drunk to get home in one piece after we have our game nights.”
“Fair point. Come on then. Let’s go and do this.”
My reservations are unfounded. This place has everything that we need and more. And. I get that feeling as soon as I enter the grand hallway. It wouldn’t matter to me what this house did or didn’t have. I’d make it work. That’s how much I love it.
“What do you think?” I hiss to Kyle as we take our second look around the place we may soon call home, this time alone.
“I love it.” We’re currently in the master suite. “We even have two en suite bathrooms like we do at home, although we will have to argue over who gets the bigger one.”
“And the game room is the right size.”
“There’s even the lake here, although it’s smaller than we have at home.”
“I think we should buy it. Let’s make an offer.”
We walk outside and back into the car feeling lighter. “I’ll speak to Clifford on Monday, and he can deal with the paperwork. It will be more official coming from him. The last thing I want for us now is to get bogged down in the house contracts. Do you agree?”
Kyle nods, “I don’t give a shit how we buy this, as long as we buy it.”
We cross off the rest of the places on today’s list. We’ve found our place.
Kyle
The house purchase is advancing nicely. We put in an offer and after some negotiations, we agree on a price so now it's just a case of waiting for the paperwork to be completed, and we'll move in. I’m so excited, and because we know that living in the RV isn’t going to be a massive long-term affair, we’re treating it like a huge adventure and loving every second, reliving the good old days when we first got together, and this was our hideout from a crazy world.
The gym is also progressing faster than we anticipated. Construction is surprisingly ahead of schedule, which allows Florian to begin interviewing for team members one month earlier than anyone anticipated. Everything is starting to take shape.
“I feel blessed,” I mumble to Elliott as I lie with my head on his chest while we watch Netflix after dinner one evening.
He kisses the top of my head. “That’s good to hear,” he murmurs. He half sits and speaks again, this time a little louder, “Is now the right time to ask a favor then?”
I sit upright. This will not be good. “What favor?”
“Can we meet with Daisy over the weekend? We can go out for drinks with her and Idris, but I’d like to catch up with her when you’re there too, about our old place. It’s a lot of investment sitting there doing nothing at the moment, and if we’re going to sell it rather than do the conversion, we should get the paperwork moving.”
I’d known this was coming, but I was pushing it to the back of my mind. If Elliott didn’t mention it, then it wasn’t happening. My illusions come crashing back down to reality.
“OK, as long as she doesn’t show up with a batch of contracts ready for us to sign. You know what Daisy’s like.”
“It doesn’t matter if she does. We will always have Clifford check anything over before we sign, so it’s no issue. Don’t worry so much.” He taps my leg, but he may well have tapped me on the top of my head for the condescending attitude that it transmits.
Outrage flashes, and I’m about to roar at him, when I see the look in his eyes. He’s been trying to bring this up for days and in the end had to jump right in and just spit it out. It’s all there, telling a story of a man who believes this is the right move to secure our future, while all the while knowing he will be berated for having our best interests at heart.
While his constant need to succeed and his continual fear of losing every penny he’s earned drives me batshit crazy, I still get it. And as I look into the concerned crystal blue of his eyes, he allows me to enter, then understand, his soul.
“Sure, let’s do it. What can we lose just by meeting with her? No one can deny that Daisy’s a savvy business woman, whatever side of the line she’s on.”
The strained line of his sculpted mouth curves at the edges and then those eyes light up as his entire face breaks into a huge grin. He closes the space between us and plants those now softened, sensual lips against mine. I inhale the smell of his morning shower that still lingers in the waves of his hair, and I thank goodness that this man found me and that he never accepts no for an answer.
Elliott
I’m excited to see Daisy. It’s been ages since we’ve met up properly. Sure, we’ve talked about her investing in Judd Racing, but most of that was conducted by lawyers. Since she hooked up with Idris a few years ago, her life has been crazy, trying to turn down a straighter path in life. Pulling out of the established arrangements was not a simple process. But, finally, I hope, she’s got life nailed, and she and Idris are making a fresh start.
She’s even given up the membership of her beloved private members’ club, so we’re able to take in some new places.
“I never quite got your attachment to that place,” I mutter, looking around the extravagant decor of the rooftop bar. The views look out over the London and in this moment, with the sun shining out from the azure sky, I can’t think of a place I’d rather be. London is like that. It’s crazy when you’re in the thick of it, but as soon as you’re removed and become no more involved than a mere observer, it transforms into relaxation capital.
“No, in hindsight, me neither, but I guess if I went to a psychologist they’d say it’s something about needing that feeling of belonging you get with close relationships.” She flaps her hand as though dismissing the comment, but I know her better than that. She’s thought about the loss of her parents and how she substituted her need to belong with whatever replacements she could find, even a bunch of strangers in a bar she paid to gain entry. “Anyway, let’s talk business, then we can get on to a proper catch up. So much has happened.”
And this is when Kyle surprises me, again. He speaks up. “Elliott was telling me that you two had a quick chat about you getting involved with a project to turn our old house into apartments.”
“We did indeed. What do you think? Are you interested?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m interested to hear more. How would it work?”
Daisy’s in her element, discussing the details of her vision. How we could make our grand main entrance into the communal one and then each side of our ancient stately home would host two apartments upstairs and two on the ground floor. “I’ve spoken with the council and there would be regulations about changing the outside construction of the building, but internally, as long as the plans are approved, we’d be free to do whatever we wanted, including separating the space into individual dwellings.”
She whips out her phone, really on a roll now, tapping the screen a few times. She shows Kyle some pictures. “The styling would be this kind of thing.” She runs her manicured nail over the image.
“Can I see?” I ask, leaning over my husband and tipping her phone towards me.
Kyle allows me to take it from him, and directs his attention back to Daisy, leaning forward, resting his chin in his hand. “So, you talked about other plans for the grounds. What did the council say about that?”
“Everything is up for discussion. You’re lucky. They’re a lenient crowd in that area, which makes a nice change. But,” she points her index finger, “I worked through some top level figures.” She grabs her oversized handbag, which she has planted on a spare chair between the silent Idris and Elliott, and rummages, producing a file. “Here. Like I say, these are very rough, but you can see, here.” She highlights around a circled figure with her finger. “Even without that additional development, you’d still come out with a healthy profit.”
“But, how does that compare to what we’d get if we sold it? It would be a faster turnaround, and we wouldn’t have all the hassle.”
“You say that, but would it be? Houses like this don’t sell particularly fast because people need to have the money to buy them with. I think that’s why the council is so happy to talk, because they actually have the sense to see that without this development going ahead, your beautiful old house would just be left vacant for squatters.”
I just sit back and watch, amazed at how Kyle has taken charge of the conversation and has actually thought about our first home as a business. This man has so many levels, and I’m just in awe of his abilities to adapt.
“That is a fair point. The place that we’ve just put our offer in on was on the market for two years,” he speaks slowly as he sits back in his chair.
Daisy’s body language mirrors his as they both stare at the circled figure on the table in front of us. Kyle rubs his jaw. “If we sell the apartments and then come back to develop the land later, will that be an issue?”
“No, because look here.” She flicks through more papers in her file and produces a plan of the grounds.
“Hey, where did you get that from?” I ask, laughing from both outrage and respect at her diligence.
“I have my sources. Don’t fret.” She shakes her head, a small smile curling the edges of her mouth. “Anyway, before we were rudely interrupted, Kyle, here is where we would build, around the other side of the lake. Of course, getting the utility pipes in would be a disturbance for the flats, but people are used to that. Pipes are being laid on every road in England on a daily basis. It will be an inconvenience, but only temporarily.”
“OK, I’ll take your word for that,” Kyle says mulling over what he’s hearing.
“Sure. It’s fine. So, this is the really exciting part. Here,” she points at the location we cleared with our practice for the logging competition. “We could have vacation homes, so people could come and fish in the lake, or it could be somewhere for you guys to visit, which would be perfectly feasible. You’d erect gates here, so they’d be hidden in the forest. That way you would never lose a place that holds so many happy memories.” She hushes her voice, leans forward and meets Kyle’s eyes with her own gaze. “I hope you don’t mind, but Elliott told me about the picnic you had with your dad here before he passed away.” There’s a question in her tone.
Oh Shit. She’s done it.
When he shoots a glance at me, his brilliant bronze eyes have filled up. His one hand reaches for his neck and his other for my hand, which rests on my knee. He squeezes. “That’s so thoughtful, and yes, it would be lovely if we are able to do that.”
There really isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this man. “Sounds like a plan, Daisy.” I fill the pause for him as I meet his pressure on my hand with my own.
The flush that rushed up his face calms as he takes a breath and pulls himself together. “It sounds like a plan, Daisy.” He smiles, the strong features of his jaw softened with emotion. “I think you’ve done a fantastic job, first off. We get to keep the part of the property that is important to us, while selling off the main section to free up some cash.”
“And don’t forget, you’ll still own the land, so you’ll have a small leasehold rent coming in every month from the owners of the apartments.”
“Champagne then?” Idris finally speaks, sensing the business part of our catch up is over and that it’s time to get some celebrating underway.
“Wonderful idea.” Daisy chimes as she shakes Kyle’s hand. “I’ll draw up the agreement and put some more structured figures behind the plan then. Nice working with you.”
I get the sense this project will become another one of Kyle’s babies.
Kyle
“Elliott, you need to sign these.” I’ve taken the necessary documents so that we can exchange contracts on our home into Elliott’s office. I poke my head around his door, waving the envelope at him.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He looks up from his computer.
I lean over him and drop a peck on his cheek. “I missed you this morning.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I just had a lot to do in here, and it’s easier when I’m the only one in. Fewer distractions.”
“Fewer than at home too.” I wink, telling him exactly what distraction I had in mind for him when I woke to an empty bed earlier.
“Now that sounds amazing.” Desire turns his mouth into a sensual smirk.
“Did you get done everything you needed to?” I run my tongue over my teeth, taking a step forward until my knee is knocking against his thigh. I don’t move.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Excellent. Just here.” I bend over him, inhaling the woody cologne. “Hey, that’s my aftershave you’re wearing.”
His grin is challenging. “I guess I wanted to be close to you when I left you sleeping so soundly in our warm bed.”
I adjust my eyebrows, ever so slightly. “And now, how do you feel about being close to me now?”
“Oh, make no mistake, I love having you nearby.”
“How about this close? Can you still work when I stand here like this?” I position myself between his legs so that the mound in my crotch is level with his face.
“It is quite difficult to reach the desk with you in the way like that.”
“I could find some alternative work for you?” I tilt my head watching every detail of his face react to my offer.
His eyes flare, his lips part just a fraction and the tip of his tongue pokes between them as he considers the delights in store if he just says yes.
“I could find my own alternative work.” His masculine voice is low, rasping his response as he runs his fingers down the curve of my butt, both hands finishing up between my thighs. My nerve endings fire beneath denim, bathing my body in an enticing heat, poising them for action.
His fingers manipulate my buckle with skilled dexterity, loosening its grip around my waist. My muscles tense as he unzips and exposes me, pushing my jeans and underwear down only far enough to grant him access.
“Sure I do, but we were just chatting. But, now with some distance between the conversation, I’m not sure it’s such a bad idea.”
“Who will have the time to manage this project? I won’t with all the plans we have for the business, and you certainly don’t.”
“That’s where Daisy comes in, and Idris of course.” He leaves the name hanging.
Idris is Daisy’s boyfriend who is the honest one in that relationship. He is the saving grace to Daisy’s brushes with the law, switching her from ‘near misses’ into ‘straight as a die’ since they became an item. And Elliott knows that he’s going to be the deciding factor in whether I vote for his idea or not.
“Why do we constantly need to make more money Elliott? We have enough.”
“I can’t help myself, but also, running a performance racing team is not cheap. Sure, we have sponsors, but it would be nice not to be beholden to them.”
“The more collateral of our own we have to invest, the bigger our stake, you mean?”
“Exactly. And therefore the more autonomy we have.”
He has a point. The last thing I want to end up with is a boatload of people coming in and screwing up our dream. “Look, I’ll think about it. Get Daisy to check out the planning regs at least so we have some idea whether this whole thing is even possible.” I return to my packing. That woman just sets me on edge.
Elliott
Kyle has me out looking at a second batch of less expensive properties today. He’s knocked at least ten million off the price tags of what we’re viewing and on paper they look perfectly adequate. At least our conversation about investing in the business the other day made some impact. His spending has reduced to a more reasonable level. He’s even scrapped the plans for an underground swimming pool on his gym project for the business.
“It will be just as nice surface level,” he says.
I know. I breathe a sigh of relief and squeeze his arm as we set off on our second batch of viewings. Hopefully this lot will be more successful than the last.
But, it’s not. We’re lost. Again.
We drive around in circles, looking for a place to turn. The inside of the car is growing increasingly hot, and I’m sweating despite the windows being open and the air conditioning being turned up high.
“I need to call the agent and tell them we’ll be late,” Kyle says.
“Ask them for directions while you’re at it. I don’t know how a place can be so difficult to locate in the age of GPS. He’s probably given you incorrect details.”
Kyle nods, holds his hand out to shush my moaning, and pulls the phone from his ear to check some details. “Ah, I see. OK. Well, we’ll head there now.”
Having pulled over on the side of the road, I tap the steering wheel while awaiting further instructions.
“He gave us the wrong address.”
No shit, Sherlock. I smile.
“We need to be over the other side of town,” he continues.
“Oh, fuck. Let’s leave this one, Kyle. We’re going to be late all day now if we head all the way over there.”
He looks forlorn; those puppy dog eyes that he only pulls out of the bag for special occasions are in play. “It looks like such a nice place though. Imagine if we miss out on the perfect house.”
“Darn you and your irresistible looks!” I turn the pickup around and head off in the direction that we should be heading. “This had better be worth it.” I mutter to myself.
Half an hour later, we’re pulling up the long, tree-lined drive and parking outside the house. The style is designed to represent the older Georgian period of the estate in which it sits.
“We get a few barns, an equestrian facility, and some vacation homes with this place.”
“Vacation homes. I know I’m always on the lookout for a new business opportunity, but I don’t want to have people living in my driveway.” I examine the converted stone outbuildings to the right of the house.
“No, but it will be somewhere for our friends to stay when they come and visit from elsewhere, or our new friends when they get too drunk to get home in one piece after we have our game nights.”
“Fair point. Come on then. Let’s go and do this.”
My reservations are unfounded. This place has everything that we need and more. And. I get that feeling as soon as I enter the grand hallway. It wouldn’t matter to me what this house did or didn’t have. I’d make it work. That’s how much I love it.
“What do you think?” I hiss to Kyle as we take our second look around the place we may soon call home, this time alone.
“I love it.” We’re currently in the master suite. “We even have two en suite bathrooms like we do at home, although we will have to argue over who gets the bigger one.”
“And the game room is the right size.”
“There’s even the lake here, although it’s smaller than we have at home.”
“I think we should buy it. Let’s make an offer.”
We walk outside and back into the car feeling lighter. “I’ll speak to Clifford on Monday, and he can deal with the paperwork. It will be more official coming from him. The last thing I want for us now is to get bogged down in the house contracts. Do you agree?”
Kyle nods, “I don’t give a shit how we buy this, as long as we buy it.”
We cross off the rest of the places on today’s list. We’ve found our place.
Kyle
The house purchase is advancing nicely. We put in an offer and after some negotiations, we agree on a price so now it's just a case of waiting for the paperwork to be completed, and we'll move in. I’m so excited, and because we know that living in the RV isn’t going to be a massive long-term affair, we’re treating it like a huge adventure and loving every second, reliving the good old days when we first got together, and this was our hideout from a crazy world.
The gym is also progressing faster than we anticipated. Construction is surprisingly ahead of schedule, which allows Florian to begin interviewing for team members one month earlier than anyone anticipated. Everything is starting to take shape.
“I feel blessed,” I mumble to Elliott as I lie with my head on his chest while we watch Netflix after dinner one evening.
He kisses the top of my head. “That’s good to hear,” he murmurs. He half sits and speaks again, this time a little louder, “Is now the right time to ask a favor then?”
I sit upright. This will not be good. “What favor?”
“Can we meet with Daisy over the weekend? We can go out for drinks with her and Idris, but I’d like to catch up with her when you’re there too, about our old place. It’s a lot of investment sitting there doing nothing at the moment, and if we’re going to sell it rather than do the conversion, we should get the paperwork moving.”
I’d known this was coming, but I was pushing it to the back of my mind. If Elliott didn’t mention it, then it wasn’t happening. My illusions come crashing back down to reality.
“OK, as long as she doesn’t show up with a batch of contracts ready for us to sign. You know what Daisy’s like.”
“It doesn’t matter if she does. We will always have Clifford check anything over before we sign, so it’s no issue. Don’t worry so much.” He taps my leg, but he may well have tapped me on the top of my head for the condescending attitude that it transmits.
Outrage flashes, and I’m about to roar at him, when I see the look in his eyes. He’s been trying to bring this up for days and in the end had to jump right in and just spit it out. It’s all there, telling a story of a man who believes this is the right move to secure our future, while all the while knowing he will be berated for having our best interests at heart.
While his constant need to succeed and his continual fear of losing every penny he’s earned drives me batshit crazy, I still get it. And as I look into the concerned crystal blue of his eyes, he allows me to enter, then understand, his soul.
“Sure, let’s do it. What can we lose just by meeting with her? No one can deny that Daisy’s a savvy business woman, whatever side of the line she’s on.”
The strained line of his sculpted mouth curves at the edges and then those eyes light up as his entire face breaks into a huge grin. He closes the space between us and plants those now softened, sensual lips against mine. I inhale the smell of his morning shower that still lingers in the waves of his hair, and I thank goodness that this man found me and that he never accepts no for an answer.
Elliott
I’m excited to see Daisy. It’s been ages since we’ve met up properly. Sure, we’ve talked about her investing in Judd Racing, but most of that was conducted by lawyers. Since she hooked up with Idris a few years ago, her life has been crazy, trying to turn down a straighter path in life. Pulling out of the established arrangements was not a simple process. But, finally, I hope, she’s got life nailed, and she and Idris are making a fresh start.
She’s even given up the membership of her beloved private members’ club, so we’re able to take in some new places.
“I never quite got your attachment to that place,” I mutter, looking around the extravagant decor of the rooftop bar. The views look out over the London and in this moment, with the sun shining out from the azure sky, I can’t think of a place I’d rather be. London is like that. It’s crazy when you’re in the thick of it, but as soon as you’re removed and become no more involved than a mere observer, it transforms into relaxation capital.
“No, in hindsight, me neither, but I guess if I went to a psychologist they’d say it’s something about needing that feeling of belonging you get with close relationships.” She flaps her hand as though dismissing the comment, but I know her better than that. She’s thought about the loss of her parents and how she substituted her need to belong with whatever replacements she could find, even a bunch of strangers in a bar she paid to gain entry. “Anyway, let’s talk business, then we can get on to a proper catch up. So much has happened.”
And this is when Kyle surprises me, again. He speaks up. “Elliott was telling me that you two had a quick chat about you getting involved with a project to turn our old house into apartments.”
“We did indeed. What do you think? Are you interested?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m interested to hear more. How would it work?”
Daisy’s in her element, discussing the details of her vision. How we could make our grand main entrance into the communal one and then each side of our ancient stately home would host two apartments upstairs and two on the ground floor. “I’ve spoken with the council and there would be regulations about changing the outside construction of the building, but internally, as long as the plans are approved, we’d be free to do whatever we wanted, including separating the space into individual dwellings.”
She whips out her phone, really on a roll now, tapping the screen a few times. She shows Kyle some pictures. “The styling would be this kind of thing.” She runs her manicured nail over the image.
“Can I see?” I ask, leaning over my husband and tipping her phone towards me.
Kyle allows me to take it from him, and directs his attention back to Daisy, leaning forward, resting his chin in his hand. “So, you talked about other plans for the grounds. What did the council say about that?”
“Everything is up for discussion. You’re lucky. They’re a lenient crowd in that area, which makes a nice change. But,” she points her index finger, “I worked through some top level figures.” She grabs her oversized handbag, which she has planted on a spare chair between the silent Idris and Elliott, and rummages, producing a file. “Here. Like I say, these are very rough, but you can see, here.” She highlights around a circled figure with her finger. “Even without that additional development, you’d still come out with a healthy profit.”
“But, how does that compare to what we’d get if we sold it? It would be a faster turnaround, and we wouldn’t have all the hassle.”
“You say that, but would it be? Houses like this don’t sell particularly fast because people need to have the money to buy them with. I think that’s why the council is so happy to talk, because they actually have the sense to see that without this development going ahead, your beautiful old house would just be left vacant for squatters.”
I just sit back and watch, amazed at how Kyle has taken charge of the conversation and has actually thought about our first home as a business. This man has so many levels, and I’m just in awe of his abilities to adapt.
“That is a fair point. The place that we’ve just put our offer in on was on the market for two years,” he speaks slowly as he sits back in his chair.
Daisy’s body language mirrors his as they both stare at the circled figure on the table in front of us. Kyle rubs his jaw. “If we sell the apartments and then come back to develop the land later, will that be an issue?”
“No, because look here.” She flicks through more papers in her file and produces a plan of the grounds.
“Hey, where did you get that from?” I ask, laughing from both outrage and respect at her diligence.
“I have my sources. Don’t fret.” She shakes her head, a small smile curling the edges of her mouth. “Anyway, before we were rudely interrupted, Kyle, here is where we would build, around the other side of the lake. Of course, getting the utility pipes in would be a disturbance for the flats, but people are used to that. Pipes are being laid on every road in England on a daily basis. It will be an inconvenience, but only temporarily.”
“OK, I’ll take your word for that,” Kyle says mulling over what he’s hearing.
“Sure. It’s fine. So, this is the really exciting part. Here,” she points at the location we cleared with our practice for the logging competition. “We could have vacation homes, so people could come and fish in the lake, or it could be somewhere for you guys to visit, which would be perfectly feasible. You’d erect gates here, so they’d be hidden in the forest. That way you would never lose a place that holds so many happy memories.” She hushes her voice, leans forward and meets Kyle’s eyes with her own gaze. “I hope you don’t mind, but Elliott told me about the picnic you had with your dad here before he passed away.” There’s a question in her tone.
Oh Shit. She’s done it.
When he shoots a glance at me, his brilliant bronze eyes have filled up. His one hand reaches for his neck and his other for my hand, which rests on my knee. He squeezes. “That’s so thoughtful, and yes, it would be lovely if we are able to do that.”
There really isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this man. “Sounds like a plan, Daisy.” I fill the pause for him as I meet his pressure on my hand with my own.
The flush that rushed up his face calms as he takes a breath and pulls himself together. “It sounds like a plan, Daisy.” He smiles, the strong features of his jaw softened with emotion. “I think you’ve done a fantastic job, first off. We get to keep the part of the property that is important to us, while selling off the main section to free up some cash.”
“And don’t forget, you’ll still own the land, so you’ll have a small leasehold rent coming in every month from the owners of the apartments.”
“Champagne then?” Idris finally speaks, sensing the business part of our catch up is over and that it’s time to get some celebrating underway.
“Wonderful idea.” Daisy chimes as she shakes Kyle’s hand. “I’ll draw up the agreement and put some more structured figures behind the plan then. Nice working with you.”
I get the sense this project will become another one of Kyle’s babies.
Kyle
“Elliott, you need to sign these.” I’ve taken the necessary documents so that we can exchange contracts on our home into Elliott’s office. I poke my head around his door, waving the envelope at him.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He looks up from his computer.
I lean over him and drop a peck on his cheek. “I missed you this morning.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I just had a lot to do in here, and it’s easier when I’m the only one in. Fewer distractions.”
“Fewer than at home too.” I wink, telling him exactly what distraction I had in mind for him when I woke to an empty bed earlier.
“Now that sounds amazing.” Desire turns his mouth into a sensual smirk.
“Did you get done everything you needed to?” I run my tongue over my teeth, taking a step forward until my knee is knocking against his thigh. I don’t move.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Excellent. Just here.” I bend over him, inhaling the woody cologne. “Hey, that’s my aftershave you’re wearing.”
His grin is challenging. “I guess I wanted to be close to you when I left you sleeping so soundly in our warm bed.”
I adjust my eyebrows, ever so slightly. “And now, how do you feel about being close to me now?”
“Oh, make no mistake, I love having you nearby.”
“How about this close? Can you still work when I stand here like this?” I position myself between his legs so that the mound in my crotch is level with his face.
“It is quite difficult to reach the desk with you in the way like that.”
“I could find some alternative work for you?” I tilt my head watching every detail of his face react to my offer.
His eyes flare, his lips part just a fraction and the tip of his tongue pokes between them as he considers the delights in store if he just says yes.
“I could find my own alternative work.” His masculine voice is low, rasping his response as he runs his fingers down the curve of my butt, both hands finishing up between my thighs. My nerve endings fire beneath denim, bathing my body in an enticing heat, poising them for action.
His fingers manipulate my buckle with skilled dexterity, loosening its grip around my waist. My muscles tense as he unzips and exposes me, pushing my jeans and underwear down only far enough to grant him access.
