Page 59 of The Brigadier
He chuckled and yanked out a set of keys. “Notice the building on the right? The bottom is the garage as you can see. However, the top floor is a three-bedroom, fully equipped apartment where they stay. They have the best satellite and communications equipment available plus the finest entertainment center they’ve ever seen complete with four televisions, a stereo system, and an entire collection of old-fashioned DVDs plus every network and cable station they could want.”
“You’ve thought of everything.” I was impressed.
“Pops taught me that if you treat those who work for you well, it will come back tenfold. I also made certain their refrigerator and pantry are fully stocked with hopefully everything they need. But there is a motel, and a couple small grocery stores close by.”
“You have a housekeeper here too?”
As he climbed onto the porch, he glanced into the closest window before placing a key into an old-fashioned lock. Meaning, he wasn’t using an eye or hand scanner. I had to laugh at myself. Since when were those things a necessity?
“No, but I pay a woman extremely well to check on the place from time to time, spruce it up before I arrive and purchasenecessities. She’s been a godsend. Come on. This home is your home.”
The moment he opened the door, and I took a single step, seeing the sweeping views alone was enough to make me swoon. From what I could see of the home, including a room off to the side, the design was beachy meets classic. The aura was light and modern, the furniture appearing beautiful and likely expensive yet comfortable.
“Why don’t you head to the back and outside, and ensure he doesn’t tumble into the waves while I take these upstairs?”
I could feel the heat exuding from the man’s body as he studied me.
“Tumble into the waves? What do you think I am, a doctor?”
“No, but you do know first aid, right?”
“Stop worrying. I can handle this.” There was no clear shot to a back door, which allowed me to see a fleeting few seconds of other rooms directly in front, including a country meets beachy-style kitchen complete with whitewashed cabinets and a massive island with comfy-looking barstools. I even caught the fact there was a stone fireplace. In a kitchen.
The set of double French doors led to a massive deck that I would guess connected to the breezeway I’d seen from the front. I raced outside after finally figuring out the rather complicated lock, running to the railing and covering my eyes. I scanned the beach, quickly feeling a sense of relief when I noticed Damien racing and skipping down the long walkway, spinning in circles, happy as can be.
Even if in my mind he was way too close to the water.
Maybe there was a motherly bone or two in my body.
I took my time walking down the wooden structure, the early afternoon sun creating a perfect golden glow on the water. After ensuring he was still on the beach, I turned around and had another gawking moment. I hadn’t noticed the huge pool, hot tub or the massive outdoor patio that was connected to a screened-in porch.
In my mind it was official. This was by far the prettiest place on earth and so like my dream house.
Reality, girl. Reality.
The inner voice was going to get on my nerves.
As I walked down the stairs, I yanked off my tennis shoes, tossing them aside. While the sun was warm given the early October day, the sand itself was chilly on the toes but I loved it.
“Don’t get your tennis shoes wet,” I called out and he immediately giggled.
I could easily tell this was his happy place. Dear God, I prayed among all the beautiful things I knew I was in store for that Nikolay had books. I’d not given it a thought about trying to find one or two.
I was amazed that there was a huge patch of grassy land, although kept completely natural with shrubs, bushes, and a few little trees. While I’d consider the beach pristine, it was also untouched, as if just put here by Mother Nature yesterday.
The breeze felt good even though I was slightly chilled, the sight of the ocean so different that all I could do was to take a deep breath. For just a little while, it was okay allowing Damien to enjoy his surroundings entirely on his own.
Only a few seconds later, I felt a heated presence behind me. When something was placed across my shoulders, all I could do was smile.
“It’s much chillier here, believe it or not. Especially at night. When I’m here, I almost always have a fire going at night.” His deep voice would always push me into reverting to the fantasy, sensual images flashing into the forefront of my mind. While he didn’t wrap his arms around me, the closeness, just being here with him was still special.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“I won’t lie. Damien loves this place and it’s my favorite location I think in the world. And the family owns several tropical homes, a chalet in Switzerland.”
“Of course you do.”
His laugh was a bit more relaxed. “My father was determined to get into commercial development at one point in his life. Our mother insisted that he alter his plans. The compromise was the purchase of several homes. As an investment strategy of course.”