Gilded Lily(15)
Adam had been so wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn’t even realized the car had pulled to a stop. He opened the door and stood in awe. He’d seen many pictures of the South’s grand houses and sweeping landscapes, but this was breathtaking.
He heard Lily’s voice from behind the raised trunk lid. “The stable house is in the back. This is the main house.”
Adam shut the door and rounded the car to retrieve the heavy luggage. Lily had managed to wrestle the bag out of the trunk and plop it onto the gravel drive. “You didn’t have to do that. You okay? I’ll take it from here.” Adam raised the handle on the side of the bag. “This place is beautiful.”
She slammed the trunk shut. “Thanks. I’m okay. This house has been in my family for generations.”
“I can see why Nick stayed here,” he said.
Lily led Adam through the ornate double doors into the front foyer. “It’s been kept in great shape and updated when necessary. My grandma had a groundskeeper who was meticulous about the areas around the house, but my grandma insisted he stay out of her garden. I have a couple of high school kids come out once a week and help me with the landscaping. Are you ready to go see the stable house?”
Adam tried to ease the tension in his grip as he lugged the rolling suitcase behind him. “Sure.”
He followed her through a spacious kitchen decorated in shades of yellow and white. They stepped through a set of French doors out onto a long covered porch. The back lawn stretched until it reached a row of trees at the edge of the grass. The sun lit the milky clouds, making the new summer sky appear bluer than back home. As blue as Lily’s eyes.
Lily flipped her sandals off, leaving them on the porch before she skipped down the white steps. “You don’t wear shoes?” Adam asked.
She laughed, and Adam couldn’t help but smile at the sound. “Not if I can help it.”
Adam followed as they walked to the cobblestone path that led between two of the large oak trees. He watched as her flowery dress swayed with her easy stride. The dress hung against her curves, giving the slightest hint of the dip in her waist. She looked back at him and smiled. Adam’s chest tightened at the sight of her lips barely parting. Goddamn! Nick, you were one lucky bastard.
“We’re almost there.” She pointed down the path. “There’s another way to find it from the other side of the grounds. Nicholas would park in the back and go the other way. He’d sneak up by the path to the main house sometimes. He didn’t think I knew he was there, but I did.”
Adam wondered what Nick had seen on one of his incognito missions. Adam felt his dick twitch with the thought. He cleared his throat, trying to distract his brain from the porno flick going on in his head.
“Is that it?” The stable house was a two-story structure that looked original to the property. Adam could see how the stone-and-wood facade appealed to the artist in his brother. Hell, even Adam could appreciate the photogenic aesthetic of the old structure.
“Yes, this is where Nicholas stayed. So, what do you think?” she asked as she slid the key into the lock. “This was one of the first projects I took on when I inherited the place. The architect was amazing. He was able to preserve the historical value of the building while adding the modern amenities.”
“It’s so peaceful out here.” Adam couldn’t contain his admiration. “This place is great.”
“Nicholas seemed to like it. See what I mean about getting settled in? It’s not New York City out here. No ambulances and police sirens. Do you think you can handle it for a couple of days?”
“After where I just came from, it’ll be nice to have some peace and quiet.” Adam clenched and released his aching hand. The motion seemed to ease the tension in the scarred skin. He followed Lily inside. “Those are Nick’s windows?” he asked and walked over to the large bank of clear glass on the west wall.
“Yes. He said he needed more light to paint, so he suggested the windows. I really like them.”
Adam inhaled. The scent of the paints and tinctures Nicholas had strewn all over the large open space almost made him cough. The familiar smells took him back to the days when Nick had moved into Adam’s studio apartment his first semester at NYU. Within a week there were easels set up in every corner and canvases stretched across every available surface.
“They’re stunning. You can see the trees and everything from here. Is that a pond over there?” Adam parked the suitcase against the well-worn leather sofa.
“Yes. Nicholas loved to go fishing. Well, I’ll leave you to…this. The kitchen is toward the back, and the bedroom is upstairs in the loft.” Lily handed him a tarnished brass key. “Let me know if you need anything.”