Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
With those loving words she’s off. I sigh. “And that is my mom.”
He turns me so I’m facing him. “That was a lot. Does she always talk to you like that? Who does she think you are? Also, you don’t have to tie me up to keep me, but we could discuss tying you up. I think you would look extremely hot tied to my bed.”
I go up on my toes and kiss him. I don’t think he’ll be around the next time my mom ambushes me, but I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life.
He picks me up and starts to carry me to the bedroom.
Work can wait.
Chapter Eighteen
“Hey, you want to go back to my place or are we going to yours?” Reid stands in the doorway to the primary bedroom in what I’ve started to call residence one. It’s the easternmost of the three brownstones.
We’ve spent the last month making huge changes to Banover Place. There are now three kitchens and three primary bedrooms and three great rooms. Each residence has four bedrooms, and the good news is none of them have bad wiring now.
I glance up from the crown molding I’ve been working on all afternoon. I want to make sure I don’t damage the original wood. “Oh, I think we should put Jer out of his misery and spend the night at your place. Your brother is needy. He fell asleep on the couch last night. I thought he was going out.”
Reid looks superhot in his perfectly tailored suit. It appears he’s spent some time in front of the camera. “He was supposed to meet this new guy Anika set him up with. He called it off at the last minute. I swear I’ve never seen him so hung up on a guy before. It’s not like Jer’s a player or anything, but he tends to take his shot and move on if it doesn’t work. He’s hung up on Patrick.”
“I don’t get it,” I admit. “Not the being hung up on Patrick bit. I don’t get why Pat won’t give him a shot. They’re adorable together. They get along great on set, and it’s not because Pat’s hiding something. He thinks Jeremiah is. It’s weird.”
Reid moves into the room and holds a hand out to help me up. “So my place it is then. Do you need to pick up fresh clothes or did you stash some last week? I found a pretty pair of undies sliding around with my boxers the other day.”
I am so crazy about this man. I tilt my head to look at him, giving him wide eyes. “Why, Mr. Dorsey, do you have some floozy you’re hanging around with?”
He grins and moves in closer. “Nope. Just one gorgeous contractor who is awfully good at stretching the truth about timelines.” He kisses my nose, a sweet gesture. “You do not need a full week on that second-floor bathroom in residence three.”
Okay, I probably don’t, but we all stretch timelines. It’s nearly inevitable that something will go wonky, and then we’re on time. If everything is smooth sailing, then we look like superheroes. “I stand by my timeline. Also, the soaker tub isn’t here yet, so I can’t even start. I think you should rethink the flooring in the primary.”
He looks down at the parquet floors. “I would think you would love these floors.”
I kind of thought that was why he was keeping them. “They aren’t original. These babies were put in no earlier than ten years ago, and they were done pretty cheaply. The original stops at the doorway. I pulled a little up and I see some evidence of water damage. I think the foundation fixed the problem as cheaply as they could. So you can happily put some plush carpet in.”
He sighs and stares down at me, his hand coming up to caress the line of my jaw. “Because I like something warm on my toes in the morning. But it’s not ours.”
I like the way he’s started to use the term ours. This project feels like ours. “I think we should design it like it is. I was told this unit is for the oldest daughter. She and her husband have an appreciation for the finer things. They’re both interested in architecture and history. They sound lovely. So let’s surprise them with a stunning-looking home that’s also functional and comforting. I like the carpet at your place.”
“Huh. I kind of thought you didn’t like my place.” His hands smooth over my hair.
“I guess I don’t feel like I belong there. It’s gorgeous. Don’t get me wrong. It’s stunning, but it doesn’t feel like a home. I’m always worried I’ll break something.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I maybe moved,” he offers.
Oh, I’m not sure I like the sound of that. “Depends on where you’re moving.”