Romantic Acquisition Page 0,53
around. I’ll wait outside. No hurry,” he said and closed the door behind him.
“What do you think?” Carlo asked.
Kate looked around. “I’m guessing you’re thinking of buying this house?” she asked, looking around and loving the way the front entry way was lined with golden wood that warmed the area surrounded by a black, marble floor. There was no furniture, but Kate could picture a large round table in the center of the circular area with a vase overflowing with flowers. “It’s lovely,” she whispered, loving the way the house wrapped around her, feeling warm and cozy without being small.
“I thought you’d approve,” he said, watching the delight in her face. “Go ahead, check out the rest of the house.”
“This is so completely different from your current place. Why the change?”
“Because someone ridiculed my apartment so I actually looked at it. I realized it was a little stark.”
Kate laughed. “You mean you’d never really looked at your apartment?”
“Well, I’d lived there, but I never took the time to actually see the place.”
They were walking through the kitchen and Kate ran her hand along the black granite countertops. The cabinets were white and the walls were Kelly green, making the room feel happy and alive. The cooking area was perfectly set up with the refrigerator close enough to counters, sink and pantry. Whoever was cooking wouldn’t be running from one area to another. There was a double stove and a walk in pantry with shelves that rolled out so arms could easily reach the very last item.
“This is a cook’s dream kitchen,” she said, noting the windows that allowed sunshine to stream into the eating area. The kitchen was connected to a large family room with a gas fireplace. That room flowed directly out to the patio and a large pool area with trees draping over one side.
There was a large library, living room and dining room on the main floor with huge amounts of floor space. Upstairs, there were six bedrooms, all larger than her whole house. The master bedroom had it’s own private balcony, hot tub and dual showers. Kate loved everything about this house except the idea that Carlo would eventually share it with his future wife.
She wasn’t sure why he was getting a home with so many bedrooms, but she supposed that there weren’t many homes this large with only one or two bedrooms. And she’d already met some of his friends so there would be plenty of room for those friends to visit.
“It’s lovely,” she said, thinking that it looked like an old English manor home. “Are you going to buy it?” she asked as they walked down the brick sidewalk to Carlo’s car.
He looked back over to the house and nodded. “If you really like it, yes.”
Kate nodded. “I love it. You’ll be very happy.” She tried to keep the emotions from her eyes and her face, knowing how perceptive Carlo could be.
They drove back to her house in silence.
Once they were in her driveway, he shut off the engine and turned to face her. “I didn’t sleep well last night either,” he said, noting the small smudges under her eyes. “I’m coming in this time, Kate,” he said and challenged her to deny him. “Last night I thought you might need your space so I didn’t come back from New York until this morning. But I need you tonight.”
Kate looked at his handsome face in the dim light coming from her porch light. “Okay,” she said. She knew where he stood now. There was no more hope. But she could have him for as long as he wanted her, couldn’t she?
They got out of his car and went inside. They didn’t even turn on the lights. As soon as the door closed, Kate turned around and fell into his arms. He picked her up and carried her through the only available door which he correctly assumed was her bedroom. He laid her in the center and slowly took her clothes off. Once she was completely naked, he leaned over and took her mouth with his. “You’re mine, Kate. Don’t forget that,” he said.
Kate didn’t answer, but she pulled his sweater over his head, her hands touching his chest, roaming everywhere, needing to feel him, to remember him and experience the magic only his touch could give her.
They made love until after the dinner hour. By that time, neither one had the energy to get up and make anything. “Besides, you can’t go into the