“So did you?” I grinned at him.
“I think I have.” He kissed me again. I put my hand on his chest. I could feel his heart beating fast and hard. Before things got out of control, I figured we had better head to the house.
I picked up the travel box with the dragons sleeping in it. I held my hand out to River. “Let’s go home.”
“You know I like that you say that.” He smiled at me.
“Home? Any place you are is home to me.” I walked with him back out to the truck.
It was five miles from the winery to the house. There was nothing but grapevines between the winery and the two. Then, there were even more grapevines for miles all the way around.
“This is all yours?” He asked me while looking around.
“Yes.”
“Master of the simple responses. It’s weirdly sexy.”
“I am not a fan of being surrounded by people that aren’t in my tribe. It's peaceful out here.” I raised my eyebrow at him.
“That’s better. Other than the winery, which is also yours, where is the nearest neighbor?” He looked around for buildings.
We pulled up in front of the house. “If you use the house as the center point, there isn’t another building I don’t own for at least ten miles in every direction. Grapes fill up all that space. I have approximately 3200 acres.”
He let out a low whistle. “That’s a lot of borders from people. You can get naked and walk around outside, and nobody would know.”
“I’ve gone to the garden to get a carrot naked.”
“You know how filthy that sounds, right?” I grinned at him.
“Yes, I do. I carved out four acres here for the house and a garden. You are coming to my haven. I would like it to be our haven.” I got out of the truck and clipped a leash on each dragon. I tapped my chest. “Let’s go.” They both jumped up on my shoulder, leaving the travel box in the truck. We would use it when we go to the winery tomorrow for a tour and then on Sunday for family dinner. Putting my hand around River’s waist, we stood in front of the walkway.
“This is it. I can imagine us sitting there watching the sunset and drinking wine.” I pointed to the front porch, where the empty rocking chairs sat.
“I can see that. Do I get to see the inside? I like the outside.” I bumped his shoulder.
I walked to the front door, unlocked it, and turned off the alarm. Jose’s niece came and cleaned twice a week. I hadn’t spent much time here this week, but she made sure it was aired out and clean.
I stood back and gestured for him to go first. River made some sort of noise. It was like a gasp, giggle, and snort simultaneously. I looked over at him. “You okay over there?”
“This. This. Aaron. This.” I raised my eyebrow at him.
“Are you having a stroke?” He pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Look.” He showed me a picture of a living room that looked like mine. The image had a full leather sofa, a natural wood coffee table, and end tables. He wiggled his finger like he wanted me to swipe the picture. There were many pictures of rooms that looked like my home.
“What am I looking at here? How did you know how I decorated?”
“It isn’t how you decorate. It’s how I want to decorate. You’ve seen my bedroom, and it's not like the rest of my house.” He was almost bouncing. He waved at the phone and around my living room. “This is what I have always wanted.”
Igrabbed him around the waist and spun him around. “Welcome home then.” I kissed him hard on the mouth. I no longer worried if he liked it. Our styles were the same.
“There are three bedrooms, and I thought we could spend our weekends here and weekdays in the city?” Daisy started shuffling back and forth on my shoulder. “Okay, girl.” I took off her harness and then did the same for Charlie. “Go show him your stuff, Daisy.” She flew away, and Charlie followed.
“I love it here. Yes. I think weekends here would be perfect. I am happy to use my apartment as a workplace, but this feels so much more like a home.” I swore to myself. You must tell him how you feel even if it seems too soon. I looked up just in time to see Charlie and Daisy tumbling across the sofa. She was always so much more animated here. Daisy knew this house as her safe place. I knew she would start to feel like that at the apartment, but that would take time.
He looked around the living room and walked into the kitchen. There was a note tented on the table.
Aaron – I understand you have a boyfriend here this weekend. A BOYFRIEND!!! Everything you requested is here, plus I made you some casseroles. You boys will need food to recover, I am sure. Have lots and lots of fun. Put your sheets in the wash. I don't want to touch that stuff.
