Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
But I’ve moved on and a hookup with the Hell Kat is a terrible idea. Besides, she’s just as likely to cut off my balls as she is to stroke them. I need to leave the idea of Kat Blackburn far behind.
I do the next best thing and head back to the Mardraggon booth to finish my drink, knowing I’m going to order another.
CHAPTER 13
Kat
It’s not quite dusk as I pull up to Gabe’s sprawling new mansion, but every single interior light is turned on, as is the outdoor landscape lighting, making the house glow warmer than the sinking sun. The classic terra-cotta brick with stark white accents provide a sharp contrast to the early-evening hues of blue and pink. The front is framed by fluted columns rising from stone bases to support a gabled portico large enough to hold three cars side by side. I park on a herringbone pattern of brick paving as Sylvie leans forward in the passenger seat and practically shrieks. “Oh, wow… look at that house.”
Indeed.
I gave Gabe a lot of shit about buying something so grandiose, but one cannot deny its beauty. I can’t help but smile at Sylvie’s enthusiasm, as she’s been practically bouncing in the seat with excitement to see her uncle. The entire drive here, it’s been a running litany of chatter filling the car. If I had to name an emotion I’m feeling right now, regrettably, I’m looking forward to seeing Gabe and I have no clue why. I’m still angry that he kissed me three nights ago at the gala.
I have to remind myself that I am here to discuss business. There are only two things relevant to this visit—for Sylvie to see her uncle, who is so important to her, and for Gabe to go over an offer by an investor to fund the expansion. Other than that, there should be nothing even remotely interesting to me and if anything, I should hate being around him.
My Jeep is barely in park before Sylvie’s tossing the door open and scrambling out. “Come on, Aunt Kat.”
I grin as I follow, thoroughly warmed by the way she calls me aunt. I’ve only held this title a few months now, but it’s opened inside me a love I never knew I could have for a child. I’ve never thought I’d make a particularly good mother, but Sylvie makes me rethink that. Granted, I work with kids on a daily basis, but teaching them how to ride horses doesn’t necessarily translate into maternal instincts.
Sylvie, however, makes me think otherwise because she’s so damn easy to love.
The door swings open before we make it onto the portico and there stands Gabe dressed casually in a pair of cargo shorts and a navy T-shirt. I haven’t seen him dress like this since our college days and he sure as hell looks boyish enough right now with a whip of his blond hair hanging over his forehead. His molten expression is guarded as his eyes come to me first and then warm with welcome when they land on Sylvie. She throws herself into his arms and he hugs her tightly.
“Your house is amazing,” Sylvie gushes, having seen nothing but the exterior at this point.
Chuckling, Gabe puts his arm around her shoulders and guides her inside without casting a backward glance at me. I know I’m invited to follow along because technically, I’m still a chaperone. Ethan’s not prepared to let Sylvie have alone time with her uncle quite yet.
I enter behind them, closing the door. Gabe leads his niece through the foyer into the formal living area. “I’ll give you the grand tour.”
Sylvie’s head swivels as she looks around the opulent room. She moves to the grand piano that sits atop the circular dais and touches a few of the keys. “If you want to continue lessons,” Gabe says to his niece, “I’ll be glad to set them up.”
I’m stunned by this revelation. “You play piano?”
Sylvie nods with a toothy grin. “Started when I was four.”
How did we not know that?
As Sylvie walks around the living area, I take a moment to really soak in the décor. It’s sophisticated yet looks homey at the same time, and homey is the last word I’d use to describe Gabe. In fact, it’s completely impossible for me to envision Gabe in such an environment but what do I know. This is his home now. Maybe he’s changed.
Sylvie is as shocked as I am by how beautiful the house is. Such a stark contrast to the cold contemporary feel of Lionel and Rosemund’s house, and yet also completely different from the Blackburns’ historical home.
Gabe takes Sylvie through each room, culminating on the top floor where the bedrooms are located. I’m shocked when he takes us into the master bedroom as I didn’t think he would share that personal side of himself with me in tow.