Summer's Indiscretion(Divine Creek Ranch 7)(54)

Two men. Two men waited on her and wanted to take care of her tonight. She didn’t know how long it would last, but one thing was certain—her heart was deeply entangled. She’d be a fool to think otherwise.

Ace opened the French doors, and she stepped out into the fading afternoon light. The deck was deep, allowing plenty of room for the large hot tub that sat outside the master bedroom with space to walk around it to the stairs. Ace walked with her to the railing and admired the view. The tops of the trees formed an undulating, variegated carpet down the hillside. She wondered what it would look like in the fall with the other varieties of trees that were mixed in with the oaks, going through their autumnal color change. Hills rolled through the wide-open vista, and Summer sighed with pleasure.

“Can I ask you a question, Ace?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t think I’m prying or unappreciative, but you’ve spent a lot of time away from your business lately. I just wondered at the enormity of this place and how expensive it must be to maintain. How can you afford to keep…” Her words dwindled away when he looked in her eyes.

“To keep taking care of you? The same way I would if you were mine in reality and not just in fantasy. We’ve worked really hard over the years, kitten. We cater to a wealthy clientele and we charge a premium price for our services. We’ve managed to invest our earnings successfully and both lead comfortable lives. This house is great and I loved working on it for the last couple of years, but the end result isn’t worth much if I knock around in it alone. I felt very proud, bringing you into my home a few minutes ago and seeing your reaction. I hope that you love it here as much as I love having you in it. This is your home now.”

“For now.” She couldn’t afford to go where he was leading right now. Reality needed to set in slowly. They needed time to get used to each other. She needed to ease into this so if it didn’t work out, it wouldn’t be so painful to leave. She steeled herself to ask the next question, hoping it didn’t come out wrong.

“Ace, since I can’t—do anything until this weekend, wouldn’t it be better if I slept in a guest bedroom? Don’t take that wrong. I love your bedroom, I think it’s beautiful, but until I’m better, maybe I should sleep in another room.”

Ace leaned his elbows on the railing and clasped his hands together, holding one of hers in between his, keeping her at his side. He stroked her palm with his thumb in a soothing gesture that made her draw nearer to him. So near she was enveloped in his manly fragrance and his body heat. God, she wanted him so badly. He turned his steadfast gaze on her.

“Scared?” He saw right through her.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to disappoint you or tempt you with what you can’t have.”

“Kitten, you tempt me right now. Being near you is a temptation. I’ve wanted you since I first laid eyes on you. Today is no different. If you’re uncomfortable and want a separate room until you feel more secure then I’ll move you to another room. But I don’t want you to leave out of some misguided notion that removing yourself to another room will mean you are tempting me less. At least if you sleep with us we can hold you and feel you snuggling up to us.”

Summer giggled, remembering that morning. She’d awakened to find that they’d both gravitated to her during the night. That was fine by her because she was cold natured when asleep and had enjoyed snuggling into their body heat with just a sheet for a covering. She’d latched on to both their arms in her sleep to keep warm.

“And, kitten, let’s just see how things go over the next few days before you decide when to move into the apartment above the shop,” he murmured, brushing his lips against her forehead before adding, “If ever.”

She smiled but felt a hint of trepidation, knowing that the excitement of moving in together would soon be overshadowed by the reality. It wouldn’t be romance and roses all the time. The daily grind would wreak its havoc, and then where would she be? Still jinxed. But hopefully not heartbroken and jinxed.

Lost in her own thoughts, she plastered a smile on her face when Ace gently tipped her chin up with two fingertips and gazed into her eyes. She knew he could read her as easily as a book.

“Give it time, little kitten, and you’ll see how it will be. Trust me?”

She didn’t look away from him as she nodded, determined to give it her best try. Kemp came out of the French doors and joined them at the railing. Her heart lurched when she felt him stand so near his body touched hers, and he pressed his lips against the top of her head.