His gaze became way more intense as he stared at her. “You can decorate the house any way you want.”
Her skin warmed as he opened a door to reveal a sitting room with a lovely view of the bay, but she stayed at his side. “That doesn’t quite answer my question.”
He closed the door and they continued to walk down the hall, past a marble statue that looked old. He paid no attention to his surroundings as he pointed, “There are a few works of art I moved upstairs that I bought at some auction for investment purposes. I’d like for them not to be ruined, but I’m not personally attached to anything.”
This time he opened a door and there was definitely a crisp, clean smell. She followed him down a step into the chilled room where goosebumps raised on her arm. “Where are we going?”
He flipped the light on and revealed at least a thousand bottles of wine, all on racks. “This is the wine room. Feel free to take anything you want.”
She’d never seen so much wine outside a liquor store. He could have been a bootlegger in the 1920s or more likely the benign billionaire of the era who threw lavish parties that people still talked about today. “It’s huge, and well cared for.” Not a hint of dust. “What’s the next room?”
He flipped off the lights and once they walked outside, the heat of the Miami day returned and melted her goosebumps instantly.
He opened the next door to reveal a very corporate-looking office with a mahogany desk and leather chairs that were similar to his office at work. “We can share this office while you’re here.”
The similarities to her job sent her mind racing, so she walked out before she felt guilty for not working today. “It’s big. Let’s keep going.”
Galen followed behind her and opened the next room. As he walked in and flipped the light, it was like in a movie where suddenly the room was illuminated from blackness to light from the crystal chandelier. “And this is the library.”
She crossed the threshold and her heart skipped a beat. Only in the movies had she seen anyone own a room like this. She went to one of the shelves and traced the books with a finger. “Why do you have all of these?”
He stayed at her side as she explored the room that even had labels on the books for filing like a library. “Is it unusual that I like to read?”
“Honestly, yes.” She pressed her lips together and put her head down before she offended him. Natalie pointed up at another loaded shelf. “You clearly spend your days working out or making real estate deals. There are thousands of books in here—when do you have time?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I like to exercise my mind as a means of relaxing.”
Insulting him was not her intent. “I’m surprised but happy.” She picked up a classic bound in red leather and hugged it to her chest. “I have always wanted to read the Count of Monte Cristo.”
“Take it.” He glanced at her chest. “It’s a good book.”
Awareness grew in her body. She slipped the book back on the shelf. “If I wasn’t here and this was a normal day, what would you do to fill the time?”
They walked further into the library and she realized they’d arrived at the business book section. Galen stopped and stepped in front of her, his brown eyes intense. “Normally, I’d visit one of my brothers on the block, but right now I’d like to slowly slip that dress off you, inch by inch, and take you.”
Her skin heated as he grazed his hands down her arms. During the day? Not in the bedroom? Okay, she could. She reached behind her and unzipped her dress. “On the couch or on the desk?”
He kissed her forehead and she could feel his heartbeat, which only set her own heart off in a wild tempo. She dropped her hand to his hip and traced his hard length with her fingertips. “Doesn’t matter.”
The green oriental carpet in this section had three walls of books around it, which made it semi-private. She slipped her shoulder down, baring her skin. “This carpet over here looks very soft. Silky, even.”
He kicked off his shoes and pulled her closer, kissing her hard. She felt a tremble of desire stir as she held onto him for support. “You’re beautiful, Natalie.”
Excitement bubbled within her. She’d never felt this desirable, ever, but Galen brought this out in her. She laughed throatily. “Glad you think so.”
Something dinged in the library—a sound similar to the doorbell from yesterday. As he released her lips from one kiss and before he could kiss her again, she pushed on his chest and asked, “Is someone here?”
“Ignore it.” He kissed her again.
Her mouth tingled from his kiss, and her entire body felt on fire. She pushed on his muscular body again, and he pulled back as she tugged her dress up. “What if it’s news?”
His body was hard though he paused. “But-”
She kissed him as she put the other side of her dress up. “After, Galen. We have all afternoon.”
He adjusted his shirt and pants, instantly looking put back together. “I left my phone in the living room, so we’ll have to check the old-fashioned way.”
She reached behind her dress, but she couldn’t catch the zipper. Her own heart was still racing, so she turned around. “It’s how I roll anyhow. Zip up my dress?”
