Chapter 7
The kitchen took my breath away. It was bright and airy, with white farmhouse-style cabinets and matte black handles. Everything looked clean and organized.
“ Do you cook a lot in this beautiful kitchen?” I asked, sliding my fingertips across the cool countertop.
He laughed softly, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. “ Not at all.”
“ Then why have such a big kitchen if you don’t cook?” I teased, raising a brow.
He smirked. “ When I had the house built, I made sure the kitchen was big enough for my future wife. I wanted her to have space to cook comfortably. I even made sure there were enough bedrooms for a family.”
His words made my heart skip a beat. “ And what if your future wife doesn’t like to cook?” I asked, pretending to sound casual.
“ Then I’ll just hire a cook,” he said with a grin, pushing away from the counter and stepping closer. His eyes sparkled with mischief. “ Problem solved.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “ So, tell me, how many girls have you brought here to impress with this kitchen of yours?”
His grin faded slightly. “ Only one.”
I tilted my head, curious. “ And did she like it?”
“ I’m not sure,” he said, moving closer. “ I haven’t asked her yet.”
It took me a second to realize he was talking about me.
“ You mean you haven’t brought anyone else here?” I asked softly, my heart pounding.
He shook his head. “ No, I haven’t. Like I said, this place was built for me and my wife one day.”
He placed his hands gently on my waist, pulling me closer until I could feel his breath against my skin.
“ Then why bring me here, if this place is meant for your wife?” I whispered.
He leaned down, his lips near my ear. “ Oh, my sweet Allie,” he murmured, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “ If only you knew.”
His words lingered in the air, thick with meaning I didn’t yet understand. I wanted to ask what he meant, but before I could, he took my hand again and led me through the rest of the house.
The interior followed the same rustic industrial style — dark wood, matte black accents, and soft touches of brown leather furniture. A few cowhides were laid neatly across the floors, and the décor had just the right balance between masculine and warm.
There were four bedrooms in total, though three of them were completely empty. “ Why haven’t you furnished these?” I asked as we passed the last one.
He shrugged. “ Haven’t had the time, I guess.”
At the end of the hall, one final door remained closed. Jack gestured toward it. “ Go on,” he said with a smile.
I opened it slowly, and the sight took my breath away.
The bedroom was bathed in soft light. It didn’t look like the rest of the house — it was brighter, gentler, with beige cement walls instead of dark tones. A large queen-sized bed faced a wall of glass doors that opened to a patio overlooking the lake. It was stunning.
The furniture was light wood, the kind that glowed softly in the sunlight. A woven grass rug stretched from the glass doors to beneath the bed, and a delicate vase of eucalyptus leaves sat on the dresser beside a white-scented candle. The whole space smelled faintly of fresh air and something floral.
“ Are you sure you’ve never brought anyone else here before?” I asked, smiling playfully.
He chuckled. “ I’m sure.”
“ Then why do you have a dresser with a little mirror and a candle? It’s a bit girlish for a man, don’t you think?”
“ That’s new,” he admitted. “ My mother redecorated the bedroom after I told her I’d met someone special.”
My eyes widened. “ You told your parents about me? Before we even—”
“ Yes,” he said simply, his expression unreadable.
Something warm fluttered inside me. I turned back toward the bed and the view beyond. “ It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
He followed me into the adjoining bathroom, which was enormous. A large window stretched from the floor to the ceiling beside a stone bathtub overlooking the lake. It was breathtaking — peaceful, serene.
“ You can see the lake while you bathe,” I said softly, smiling.
He nodded. “ It’s my favourite part of the house.”
When I turned to face him, I caught him watching me closely, his gaze tracing every expression on my face as if memorizing me.
“ You have the most beautiful eyes,” I said without thinking. My cheeks burned instantly.
Jack smiled slowly. “ Don’t be shy, my sweet Allie. At least now I know you like something about me.”
Something? I liked everything about him.
Before I could answer, he stepped closer and lifted me easily into his arms. I gasped softly as my legs instinctively wrapped around his waist. He carried me to the vanity and set me down on the edge, his face buried against my chest as he took a deep breath.
“ Jack, are you okay?” I whispered, stroking his hair gently.
He exhaled heavily before pulling back, his eyes glistening with emotion. “ I’m fine. It’s just… I’ve waited for you for so long, and it still feels unreal that you’re here. I just want to take in every moment — your scent, your voice, everything.”
His words made my heart ache in the best way. I cupped his face in my hands, forcing him to meet my gaze.
“ Jack,” I said softly. “ I’m here. I’m real. I never knew what it felt like to love someone — not until I met you. The day I saw you by the lake, something inside me changed. I didn’t understand it at first, but when you kissed me earlier… I knew. I’m in love with you.”
His eyes widened slightly before a brilliant smile broke across his face.
“ Oh, my sweet Allie,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms. “ You don’t know how much I wanted to hear that.”
He kissed me again, this time with tenderness instead of hunger. His lips moved softly against mine, full of warmth and promise. When the kiss deepened, I felt myself melting into him, but he gently pulled away.
“ We should stop,” he murmured. “ Before things go too far.”
I nodded, touched by his restraint. He could have easily taken advantage of the moment — but he didn’t. And that only made me fall for him more.
