Jared had punched a couple of buttons on the dashboard and music filtered through the speakers. Etta James, early Elvis Presley, and several blues musicians she couldn’t place enveloped them in a warm cocoon that soon had Annabelle fighting to keep her eyes open.
She must have lost the battle because when the car came to a halt, she woke with a start.
“Hey, Belle, what do you think?”
The intensity in Jared’s voice caught her attention right away. His eyes were narrowed as he stared out the driver’s-side window. She had to lean toward him to see what he was looking at. With him this close, she caught the clean, dark scent of him, which made her stomach clench.
She really had to get a grip.
Following Jared’s gaze, she found herself staring at a castle.
She blinked. No, that couldn’t be right. She shook her head, trying to make things come into focus, but that castle wouldn’t budge.
She looked around, trying to get her bearings. She wasn’t exactly sure where they were but she knew they couldn’t be too far from home.
“What is this place? How did you find it?” she asked.
“I have no idea. We’re about fifteen miles or so north of Adamstown. I just happened to see a ‘For Sale’ sign on the road and followed an unmarked lane up here. It doesn’t even show up on the GPS.”
Annabelle felt Jared’s excitement like a physical force. It infected her, made her heart beat a little faster. She swore she could actually see his brain working.
Jared slid out of the car and she did the same. He walked forward to lean on a short stone wall encircling what looked to be a garden laid out in front of the building.
The stone in the wall matched the stone of the building, which had all the characteristics of a castle. Twin towers jutted from either end and a multitude of windows and balconies dotted the façade. A huge arched wooden door beckoned.
It nestled into the forest like it had been there for centuries. All the building needed was a princess in the tower to look as if it had been transplanted from Germany or England. Though it was not as huge, it was still pretty impressive.
“I never knew this place existed. I’ve lived here for years and no one’s ever said anything about it.”
“Jesus, this is perfect.”
Striding to the garden gate, Jared flung it open and walked through like he already owned the place, his gaze taking everything in.
She approached cautiously, not wanting to get in his way. He looked intense. He wore that same expression when he made love to her.
Unreasonable jealousy curled through her. Which was just too ridiculous.
“Look at the lines,” he said, though she wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or himself. “Three floors and maybe ten or twelve rooms on the second and third floors if the number of windows is any indication. It’s gonna need a hell of a lot of work but still…I’m gonna take a walk around the back. I’ll be right back.”
He strode off around the side of the building and disappeared. Annabelle decided to get comfortable and found a marble bench in the overgrown garden. As she settled onto it, the cold seeped into her thighs and she welcomed the clarity it brought.
What would she do if he actually found a site for his spa retreat so close to her home? Would they continue their relationship? Meet every couple of weeks for sex? Would it be enough?
She’d known from the beginning that this relationship wasn’t going to last. But if Jared actually bought this place, she’d already committed to furnishing it. Could she continue their sexual relationship as long as they did business together? Without falling in love with him?
Did she want to continue the relationship?
It was a stupid question. Of course she did. Because no matter how many times she told herself she wasn’t looking for the man of her dreams, she had to admit Jared would fill the bill.
She was afraid and…Well, she should just leave it at that. She was afraid.
She’d spent so many years hiding her identity, terrified of igniting a media frenzy that would make her life a living hell again. Could she trust him with her secret? And what if they actually took their relationship further? Jared occasionally made the gossip rags. Would they dig into her background? Would some reporter get lucky and figure out who she was?
She didn’t think she’d be able to live through that scandal again.
Maybe you’re getting way ahead of yourself.
Yes, he’d asked her to the fundraiser but it wasn’t like he’d asked her to move in with him.
And then there was the question of his lifestyle…
Which, she had to admit, thrilled her. No question about it.
Shaking her head, she sighed. So many questions. Not enough answers.
Jared reappeared around the other side of the building then, heading toward her with a smile that could devastate the entire female population in a three-county area. When he reached her, he swept her into his arms and kissed her hard and fast, his taste fleeting but heady.
“I think you must be my good luck charm.” He smiled into her eyes, making her thighs clench. “This place is perfect.”
But she thought he was the perfect one, with his gorgeous smile and devastating personality.
Releasing her, he pulled his cell phone from the pocket of his jacket and dialed a number. “I’m betting the real estate agent will drop off the key. The place looks like it’s been on the market for a while. There’re a few structural problems but— Yes, hi. I’d like to speak to Danielle West, please.”
Thinking she’d give him some room, she started to move away, but he caught her and pulled her back against him. He kept one arm around her shoulders, and she allowed herself to rest her head on his chest, hearing his heart beat through his warm cotton sweater. She breathed deeply, letting his scent envelop her.
His voice rumbled in his chest as he charmed the person on the other end into dropping off the key. She enjoyed watching him in action. He knew exactly what he wanted and he got it.
“So what do you think?” he asked when he hung up. He stared down at her with an expectant expression, as if he really cared what she thought.
She forced a smile. “It’s gorgeous. How long will it take for the real estate agent to get here?”
Jared looked at his watch. “She said it’d take her a few minutes to finish what she was doing and then about twenty minutes to get out here. Are you cold? Do you want to sit in the car?”
She shook her head, not wanting to leave his side. “Why don’t you show me around?”
They walked the perimeter of the building hand-in-hand as he pointed out attributes and faults, picking up on things she never would have noticed. He talked about where more rooms could be added while maintaining the charm of the building.
He was pointing out loose roof slates to be replaced when the sound of a car driving up the lane caught their attention.
They hurried around to the front of the building and caught sight of a young woman arriving at the front door. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of Jared. No surprise there, Annabelle thought.
After introducing herself, the real estate agent handed over the keys and a thin folder.
“I spoke to our branch manager in Philadelphia who’s done some work for you,” she said. “She said it would be okay to leave the keys with you. I’m so sorry I can’t stay. I have another showing in just a few minutes, but I’ll be back in about an hour. We can talk then. A few of the rooms had been decorated for a recent designer showcase in a magazine but none of the furniture is included with the asking price. Of course, if you like it, I’m sure we could work something out. Anything else, just let me know what you need.”