Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“You live in a mansion,” I blurt, glancing at his house quickly. “I know I should have guessed you would. I mean, unless you’re Warren Buffett; he still lives in the house he bought for like thirty-something thousand dollars a million years ago.” I frown. “Though I’m sure he also owns islands and properties all over the world too, so now I don’t know why I used him as an example.”
“This isn’t a mansion.”
“I’m pretty sure it is,” I disagree, glancing back at the house.
“It’s only seven thousand square feet.”
“My apartment is eight hundred, and if I measured, I bet it would actually be less than that.”
“Penny, get out of the car.” He sighs.
“I—”
“You’ll be fine.” He opens my door and hits the button for my window to roll it up before he reaches across me to unhook my seatbelt.
“Jace.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you get lost.” He pulls me out of my seat, then he cups my face in his hands once I’m standing in front of him. “I’ll get us some walkie-talkies if it will make you feel better.”
“Don’t be annoying.”
“I’m not the one acting irrationally.”
“I’m not acting irrationally,” I bite out as he maneuvers me out of the way so he can shut my door.
“You are, but it’s okay. We’ll go inside, and you’ll see it’s just a normal house.”
“Mansion.”
“Whatever,” he mutters, grabbing both our bags from his trunk, and I grab the trophy. “Come on.”
Reluctantly, I follow him to a set of double doors, and when they’re opened, all I can do is stare. I would have assumed the doors led into the house, but of course they don’t. Beyond them are a huge garden, a pool, and stone pavers that lead to a set of steps, and beyond all that are arches and pillars like something you’d see in Rome. There is even a lion's head made from some kind of stone spitting water into the pool, creating a tranquil sound.
“This is beautiful,” I tell his back as he walks past the pool toward the house. “I bet everyone loves coming over when you have a party.”
“I don’t have parties, and besides my family, no one has been here.” He opens the doors to the house, and once again, I’m stunned. Just steps away from the front door are glass windows that put his view of the Golden Gate Bridge from his office to shame. I walk to the window without thought and rest my hands on the glass, looking out over the bay and the beach below.
“You live here?” I whisper when he steps up behind me and wraps his arms around my middle.
“I do.”
“Do you ever go down to the beach?” I ask when I see a couple walking on the sand below.
“I don’t, but we can.” He kisses the side of my head. “Come on and I’ll show you around.”
“Okay.” I reluctantly pull my eyes off the view and take his hand.
The house is large and way bigger than one person needs, but each room is decorated so perfectly that I don’t feel like I’m in a show home. It’s warm and welcoming and nothing like I expected. Or maybe I should have, because Jace is nothing like I expected he would be.
“And this is the master.” He steps into the room before me, and I take in the stone floors, the fireplace, and the windows that look out over the bay. Besides the bed and two chairs, there isn’t any furniture, but there is a large walk-in closet, and in the bathroom, a soaking tub sits in front of glass windows, and a sauna big enough for two fills one side of the room.
“Are you still freaked out?” He turns to face me and starts walking me backward to the bed.
“No, and I wasn’t freaked out.”
“Cupcake, you were ready to drive away and leave me in the dust.” He smiles as I fall to my back on his soft mattress.
“Well, I’m here now.” I tangle my legs with his, and he smooths his fingers down the side of my face.
“You are, and now I have you all to myself.”
“You had me all to yourself this morning,” I remind him as his hand moves to slide up my outer thigh.
“Trust me, I didn’t forget about that.” He bends his head down to kiss me, and I lift up to meet him halfway. “What do you want to do today?” he asks, pulling back just enough to pose that question.
“Go down to the beach.”
“We can do that.” He kisses me again, and before long, we’re an entangled, sweaty mess with our hearts pounding and our heavy breathing filling his room.
And later that evening, after eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while sitting on the counter in his kitchen, he takes me down to the beach, where we walk hand in hand as the sun is setting. It’s magical and one of my favorite moments with him.