When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,43
idea.” He needed to get this case over with and move on.
Olivia nudged him. “What the hell’s wrong with you?” she whispered.
His facial expression fell flat as he gulped before speaking. “Yeah, remarkable.”
Nick laughed. “We’ve gotten similar reactions before. Not always sure whether they’re good or bad. My mother thinks the portrait is vulgar. What can I get you two?”
“Tequila’s good,” Olivia said. “This place is great Nick. I’ll have to talk you into a tour.” She covertly popped her tongue out at Jackson.
He grinned and took a look around. “I’ll take a beer.” The expansive informal living room and bar was a mixture of traditional and contemporary. The room didn’t send the message of tremendous wealth. Instead, the home rendered more of a cozy family atmosphere.
“Import or domestic, Jackson?”
“Either.”
Nick handed him a Sam Adams, and Olivia her tequila. “Let me show you the house. If Kinsley were here, she’d start in the kitchen, her second favorite room. She’s a phenomenal cook, and we entertain a lot, so we decided to go gourmet.
The Tuscan colors gave the room a warm and cozy atmosphere, and the windows looking out onto the deck stretched around the entire back of the house. A few boats were on the docks. They must have a huge yard because the water appeared to be quite far away.
Nick escorted them from the kitchen and they toured around the main floor. Jackson took a second glance when Nick led them past the back stairway leading up to the bedrooms. A tour was just what he needed.
Nick then led them up the main staircase, walking backward and talking as he went. Still backward, he showed them a couple of guest rooms. They were nice, but nothing out of the ordinary. They moved on to Max’s room. It had storybook themes, white furniture, and as expected, was filled with stuffed animals, toys, and books.
Olivia tapped the little rocking horse. “Aw, sweet.”
Nick motioned them into the study. He laughed and braced his hands against the sides of the doorframe accentuating the importance of the room. “This is her study. She gives me a very small area over in the corner if I have to do something important. Otherwise, I’m not allowed in here. She likes to think of herself as a writer.” He laughed again.
Jackson eyed the room wondering what Kinsley had ever seen in a guy like Nick. Finally, they moved on to the master bedroom; it would give him more information than any other room. People kept their secrets in the bedroom. Nick opened the door and led them in. In front of them was a king-size brass canopy bed with gathered gauze draped perfectly in each corner. White shutters covered the bottom half of the large windows facing the water, and an assortment of pale blues and subdued browns gave the room a seaside feel.
Olivia called out from the bathroom, “Jackson, you’ve got to see this.”
Similar to the bedroom, the bath brought to mind an ocean retreat. A large Jacuzzi soaking tub sat in the middle of the room under a glass dome filtering in moonlight, and the glassed in shower beyond the tub could easily accommodate four. He scanned the room and nodded as he imagined Kinsley lying against his chest, nipple deep in hot soapy water and sipping wine beneath the moonlight. “Nice. Very nice.” A chuckle slipped out when the thought of what a girl he was being entered his head.
Olivia gave him a queer expression. “What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing. Let’s get out of here.” He pushed past her into the bedroom. He needed air.
The doorbell rang, and they headed downstairs. Nick took the steps fast and hollered as he hurried toward the back of the house. “C’mon in Mia. We’re in the family room.” He went to her, pulled her close, and kissed her cheek. “Olivia, Jackson, this is Mia.”
They exchanged pleasantries and made themselves comfortable.
“The usual, Mia?” Nick asked.
“Usual’s good.” She smiled at Jackson, taking no notice of Olivia.
“Xavier roped Nick into entertaining us,” Jackson said, flashing a striking smile in return.
“Not at all. Don’t listen to him, Mia. I’m enjoying myself.” Nick headed to the bar, prepared Mia’s martini, and put some ice in a bucket. He threw a couple of beers into the bucket, grabbed the bottles of Scotch and tequila, and returned, in effect bringing the bar to them. “Jackson, Olivia, ready for refills?”
They talked a few more minutes, welcoming Mia and becoming acquainted. Eventually, the conversations divided between