“Well, I know I said I wasn’t working until Monday. There is one thing I would like your opinion on. You’ve done business with a lot of companies. I thought maybe you would have some new insight.” I looked at him like he had bitten me.
“You want my opinion? Gentry Construction is one of the most successful companies in this city. I think you know what you are doing.”
“I learned in school that you should always get a fresh perspective. You are my new everything, and I would like your thoughts.” He opened the folder.
“I’m game.” I looked at what he pulled out of the folder.
“These are applications for the kiosks in the building we are working on now. The address is 123 Wilton. We are also building next door so they can work together. We could even make a breezeway between them.”
“Wow. Do you own the buildings? I’m impressed. I thought you just built them.”
“I prefer to buy the lot outright and do the full build, including filling the units. Sometimes I sell the buildings, sometimes I keep them. I have a company that oversees leases, rentals, etc.” He looked like it was no big deal.
“If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t be offended, but how much of this block do you own?”
He swallowed hard, seeming uncomfortable. “You don’t have to answer that. It was an inappropriate question. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Oh no, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just. Well, if you define a block from corner to corner. There are six buildings on each side of the street. I might own them all.”
“Might?”
“Okay, I own them all, but it sounds extravagant.” I thought he blushed.
“Wait. You own this building?”
“I do. It’s nice, don’t you think?” He grinned at me.
“Oh. I will not pay my COA fee and see how I get punished by the owner. Maybe he will visit me personally and tell me how I was a bad boy. I also need to get some new cabinets.” I bumped into his shoulder.
“I think I can arrange all of that.”
I settled in and put my arm on the back of the couch. Aaron snuggled against me while we watched TV. He put his hand palm up on my thigh, and we entwined our fingers. Sitting together like this reminded me of one of those romantic comedies, and I liked it very much.
We distracted each other, never getting back to the applications. I picked his phone up off the coffee table, and I noticed a slight grin when he looked at it.
“I saw that,” I said as I teased him.
“Did you? Guess it was something worth smiling about.” Up went the eyebrow. “Well, gorgeous, we should get dressed for our date.” The dragons had settled against us. He was petting Daisy. “Go find something to do, Daisy. Take Charlie with you.”
Daisy stood up and stretched her wings. She nudged Charlie with her nose. They rubbed their faces against each other, and both flew up to the perch installed by the bookshelf.
“How the hell did she understand what you said?” I looked at him, surprised.
“Dragons are brilliant. She has been with me for ten years now. She can pick out specific words and then perceive almost what I want. Charlie will get there. I am an incredible dragon mentor, and you have committed to keeping me around.”
He stood up, pulling me to my feet and grabbing my waist. He kissed me gently. “Do you mind if I shower before getting dressed?”
“We could shower together and save water.” He beamed at me.
“That would be amazing, but you know. Third date rule!” He got his clothes and sauntered to the bathroom, then closed the door behind him.
I hoped he found the gift I had left him. It felt good to have someone to care for.
Chapter twenty-two
Aaron
I closed the bathroom door behind me, leaving it unlocked in case he wanted to look again. I would give up this game if he climbed in the shower with me, but we were so close now. I turned on the shower, letting it get hot. I took my clothes off and did a happy little naked dance.
