Page 98 of Fight
The first room has been stripped down, plastic sheeting covers the doorways, so I’m unable to see through, but these are the original floorboards, and they lead to the most elegant wooden staircase I’ve ever seen. “Like I said, the living room and parlor, and this whole area is still under construction.”
“Wow.”
He leads me through a large slice in the heavy-duty plastic. “This is the dining room that I never use unless Teddy, Logan, and the kids come over.”
The walls have been painted a dusty blue, and the white crown molding along the perimeter is carved with delicate details.
We continue to the kitchen, also finished. It has a modern twist to the original design with updated appliances and a kitchen island, and butcher block countertops throughout. “You have remarkable talent.”
“Thanks.” He takes the compliment easily. His skill and craftsmanship are evident by the work he’s done. He knows it looks good but downplays the pride. It leaves me smiling; he’s kind of adorable when he’s not being a cocky bastard.
“What?”
“Nothing. You’ve done a marvelous job. I’m thoroughly impressed by your handiwork.”
We make our way around the rest of the first floor, which includes the laundry room, den, and an unfinished “gathering room” with a stunning fireplace. He briefly tells me his plans for these rooms over the winter, and I hang on his every word. For now, those spaces are stuffed with furniture that’s been relocated due to construction in other areas of the house.
“The second floor was finally completed last year.” I follow him up the curved stairs, biting my lip in anticipation as my fingers trail smoothly along the rich wood banister. We reach the upstairs hallway. He points to an open doorway immediately to our left. “Guest bedroom without a bed.” Then the door across from it. “Bathroom.” I sneak a glance into the spacious open bedroom. It’s painted a soft green.
I follow him down the hall. “Guest bedroomwith a bed,” he says, pointing into another bedroom with a queen-size bed and a dresser. At the end of the hall are two doors. He opens the one to the left. The turret. I grin ear to ear and step through the doorway. I’ve always wanted to see inside one of these. The octagonal-shaped room is surrounded by tall windows, making the slight vault in the ceiling appear domed. A set of bunk beds stick out from one of the walls.
“My niece and nephew stay in this room. They like to pretend it’s a castle.”
Oh, my heart.The corners of my mouth turn downward, and my eyes grow big at the kindness of his soul. He chuckles at my pout. I’m completely charmed by him. This room is a piece of that soft side he hides, and it’s another facet of him to love.
“I can see why.”
“Come on, sap.” He takes my hand, leading me out of the turret and to the last room. “This one is mine.” Callahan stands back, gesturing for me to enter before him.
Crossing the threshold, I would know it’s Cal’s room without him saying anything. The smoky, cedar aroma is strongest here. Deep jade-colored walls foster a moody, intimate vibe. It’s a juxtaposition from the other bright and airy bedrooms. It’s by far the largest, with a king-size bed in the center. Between the scent, wood accents, and moose antler sheds, his bedroom reminds me of the thick Pacific Northwest rainforests. Cal belongs in nature; the outdoors are his home as much as this house is. He strides through one of the doorways and flicks on a light.
“The closet and bathroom are through here.”
I take another minute to appreciate the subtle masculine details and view the street in front of the house. The sidewalk, where I ran how many times? On one of the walls are a few pictures in various sizes, framed and matted. Photos from wildfires. “Did you take these?”
“Huh?” Callahan peeks his head back into the bedroom. “Oh. Yeah.”
“I like them.” I turn to see him shirtless. “What are you doing?”
“Waiting on you,” he says, disappearing again through the doorway.
I take the bait and walk through the closet and into the en-suite bathroom just as he turns on the water in the massive clawfoot tub.
My hand slaps over my mouth. “Is that original?”
He nods. “I can’t get rid of it.”
“God, no. It’s far too beautiful!”
“No, I mean Iphysicallycan’t get rid of it. It’s like four hundred pounds.”
I laugh, and he strips out of his boxers, pushing them down and stepping out. Damn, he’s fine. He climbs into the tub and braces his arms on the sides, lowering into it and reclining back. He lifts his chin toward me. “Take off your clothes, and get in here. Come on, it’ll feel good.”
While kissing Scottie in her apartment, my fingers threaded in her hair, and I felt some of the dirt she so desperately hoped to remove in the shower. I remembered her saying she had terrible water pressure at her apartment, so it makes for a great excuse to get her in the tub with me. Plus a few other bonuses: relieve sore muscles, see her naked, et cetera.
Watching her strip down to nothing heals the part of me that fractured earlier when I had to drive away from her. She came back to me, and my world is right again. Not sure what it is about this woman, but I have an overwhelming need to keep her close. After everything we’ve been through, seeing her in my space feels right. This is how it’s meant to be. And discovering she’s been dreaming aboutthis houseall this time? That can’t be a coincidence.
She takes my hand, stepping in front of me into the tub, giving me a great view of her ass. Submerging into the soothing water, she groans.