drive to the gate. “I think you might be in luck. Pretty sure they probably have an inside bathroom, too.”
Xander chuckled as he keyed in the security code to the lockbox and grabbed the keys. Once we were inside, we headed up a stone pathway, which was surrounded by thick hedges and garden statues that seemed to be a part of the elaborate outdoor area. I could only imagine how the inside looked if the garden itself was so well kept.
“Bailey was right,” Xander said when the home finally came into view. “These grounds are stunning.”
“They sure are.” It was hard to actually believe we were only thirty minutes from the city. It was so quiet that the only sounds I could hear were the birds in the trees and water lapping against the shore somewhere off in the distance.
It was exactly the kind of place that called to me. I just wondered if it would be too isolated for someone as city slick as Xander was.
“Well, what do you think, anchorman? Want to take a look inside?”
Xander’s grin was answer enough. He made his way up to the front door and unlocked it. As we entered the two-story living room, the first thing I noticed was the expansive space. It was highlighted by all of the natural light through the wall-to-wall windows, which also showcased spectacular lake and garden views.
Everywhere you looked, there was something new to see, but when Xander stopped in front of the windows on the opposite side of the room, it wasn’t the view I found myself staring at but him.
“Oh, Sean, you need to come and look at this view.”
I slipped my hands into my pockets and crossed the room. Directly ahead was every kind of tree you could possibly imagine. Oak, ash, maple, all of them fully grown, all of them bordering our very own private oasis, should we choose it. But that wasn’t all—if you looked through the thick foliage, you could see the lake stretching out beyond that, as far as the eye could see.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Xander looked back at me, and as I stared into his handsome face, I forgot all about trees, lakes, and homes, and instead got caught up in his sparkling eyes.
“It is.”
“Let’s go and look at the rest of it.” Xander kissed me on the lips and then took hold of my hand, leading me through to the next room. “Okay, this is a dream kitchen. Look at the oven.”
I looked at the range and gas grill and grinned as he walked through all the white marble and stainless-steel appliances. As he traced his fingertips across the kitchen island and around to the other side, I leaned against the doorframe and watched him go.
He opened and shut cupboards, checked out the butler’s pantry, and when he came back out with an even bigger grin, I chuckled.
“So does it meet your approval?”
“Are you laughing at me?”
I clamped my lips together and shook my head. “Uh ah.”
“I don’t know, I feel like you’re laughing at me.”
I reached for his hand and drew him to me. “I’m enjoying you.”
“And what exactly does that mean?”
With his hands on my chest and mine around his waist, I brushed a kiss across his lips and grinned. “It means I’m enjoying your enjoyment as you look around. What’s so exciting about the pantry?”
Xander slid his hands up over my shoulders and looped his arms around my neck. “Other than the fact it’s a secret little room where we can hide and make out when we have guests?”
Oh, I liked that idea. But I had a feeling there was more to his excitement. Something a little more…uppity.
“That’s definitely a plus, but I think there’s something else that got you all worked up about that room. Something less sexy and more…domesticated that you don’t want to tell me about.”
I pulled away from Xander and headed to the pantry, and when I opened it up to see a full sink and fridge inside, I turned back to face him.
He shrugged. “What? Sometimes it’s nice to prepare a fancy appetizer for guests and surprise them.”
“I can honestly say that thought never occurred to me.” I walked back over, took his chin in hand, and kissed him hard. “And for that reason, I love you.”
Xander rolled his eyes. “That’s your way of asking how the hell are we together.”
I swiped my thumb across his lower lip. “No. That’s my way of saying I love you.”
Xander swayed into