“You get this dreamy look in your eyes when you come.” He smiled.
“And you sound like you’re being mauled by a tiger.”
“More like mauled by a pussy.”
We both laughed.
Then he turned serious. “Look, Britney’s in thick with my dad. While he’s alive, I can’t exactly get rid of her.”
I sat up. “Does that mean she’ll leave your side one day?”
“You bet. I only had her here because of my father. Now that I’ve paid off the investors, she’ll soon no longer be needed.” He combed back his hair. “That day can’t come quickly enough.”
He rose, headed to the bar in the corner, and opened the fridge. “Can I offer you juice or water?”
“Water, thanks. So will you continue developing condos?”
He unscrewed the top and passed me the bottle. “I’d like to go down the sustainable-housing path.”
“What about just playing music for a career?” I asked, thinking of all the girls that came with that chosen field.
“The past two nights have told me two things. I don’t want to gig for money, and I only want to play music I love.”
“But you’re good at rock. A natural,” I argued.
“Thanks. But it exhausted the crap out of me, and it’s not my scene.”
“The Red House is classier, I suppose,” I said. “The music’s more cerebral.”
He nodded slowly. “Mm. That’s why I like it. It challenges me. It has depth too. It’s not entirely here.” He tapped his head.
“No. But one can’t really dance to it.”
“I don’t know. I’ve been known to.” He chuckled. “After a few drinks and while I’m alone in my room.”
“I’d love to see you dance.”
“You already have. Remember, we danced together at the gala auction.”
“How can I forget?” I tilted my head.
“It’s been an interesting few months, hasn’t it?” He smiled faintly, then his mood dropped again. “I’d better visit my dad today. I’d invite you… “
“It’s fine, Lachlan. I don’t expect it.”
“I just don’t like the man. As much as I’ve tried.” He looked down at his hands glumly.
“Your mom’s nice.”
“She likes you. You’re also the first of my girlfriends she’s ever met.” He sat by my side on the bed, placed his arm around my waist, and drew me close. “Which means everything to me.”
His blue eyes darkened, not in that smoldering way but soulfully.
“You’ve gone all serious,” I said.
His gaze penetrated deeply to my core. “You’re mine. All mine.”
My mouth parted to speak, but I remained silent.