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“An unconventional start.”

“And for you luring me to your home.”

I grinned at her as I sat at the corner of the table. “I did well, didn’t I?”

“Yes, very smooth. Well done.”

I swallowed hard before taking another sip. She did the same.

“Grace,” I said, “I wasn’t joking about wanting you to be comfortable. You seemed on edge out there.”

She nodded, playing again with the pendant at her neck. I found the gesture extremely sexy, especially because it reached right into her cleavage. I had an insanely good view. I only saw the tops of her breasts, but it was more than enough.

“I know. I mostly went because Lais likes going out. But honestly, this is more my type of relaxing. Staying home with a drink, maybe a good movie or a book. I’m a very homeyperson. Although, I do get a bit of cabin fever in my apartment. Should’ve looked for something bigger.”

“Why didn’t you?”

She took another sip. “I just wanted to move out quickly. I took the third option that the realtor showed me. I loved the building and the location, but I’ll move into something bigger as soon as I can.”

She uncrossed her legs and then toed off her shoes. “This is much better!” She played with her bare feet on the raw wood floors, then started to shimmy in the seat.

“Want to move onto the couch? That’s even more comfortable.”

“Sure, why not? Let me just put my shoes away.”

“Forget them. They’re fine where they are.” I’d taken mine off at the entrance.

We descended a few steps from the dining table into the living room. I particularly liked the layering of the space. The sunken living room was what really attracted me to the house. It was just so different.

“You throw parties often?” she asked.

“Not at all.”

“Oh, I assumed... because of all this space.”

“I grew up in a huge house, but with so many other siblings, even that sometimes felt cramped. So, after college, I decided that I was going to buy the biggest house I could find on the market.”

Grace laughed. “Now, that’s a statement.”

“Kidding. I didn’t actually buy the biggest one. But obviously I have more space than I need. When I bought it, I figured maybe my family would drop by from time to time, but we mostly gather at the mansion. It’s most comfortable for our grandparents, and for our parents too.”

I sat next to her at an angle that allowed me to make eye contact and drink her in.

“What? Do I have something?” she asked, moving her lips. I realized I’d been staring at her mouth. She touched the corners with her fingers and then looked down at herself. “Did I spill bourbon on myself or something?”

“No, Grace. I just can’t stop looking at you because you’re fucking beautiful.”

She drew in a sharp breath, looking up. “Zachary, this entire week, I swear to God, I was looking forward to our texting more than anything else.”

I decided to lay out all my cards. “So was I.”

“It was like... I don’t know, stoking a fire inside me. I was smiling every time my phone buzzed, thinking maybe it was a message from you.”

Hell yes.I put my drink on the small wooden table in front of the couch and moved even closer to her, touching her jaw. “Grace, I know what we discussed at the ranch.”

“I’m not sure I handled that well,” she whispered. “I just didn’t know what else to say. I have no experience with...”

I frowned. “What?”