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“Okay.”

“See you soon.”

A thread of heat slipped down Carla’s body, and she glanced at Sasha, who lounged on the seat. Jacob’s phone calls with her had sometimes gone on for hours. It reminded Carla of those times when she was young and getting to know someone. They’d spend hours on the phone and sometimes go to sleep on one another.

When Jacob invited her over, the titillation she felt could not be described. Could these emotions be the real deal?

She inhaled a breath and put the address in her GPS.

Twenty minutes later, Carla was driving down a road where houses were acres apart before the she could see the next one. Forestry separated one mansion from the next, and when she pulled to a wrought iron gate, a gasp escaped her lips.

Her eyes shot up, and she rechecked the address on the GPS. “Could this be it?”

Her lids fluttered back to the home. It was a masterpiece and nothing like the castles she’d passed on the way.

The contemporary estate had a custom color blend of light blues and grays etched in sandstone veneer. Copper wall panels gave the manor a distinct style, and the floor-to-ceiling windows gave her a peek of his contemporary furnishings inside.

“Dayuuuum Jacob.” He was certainly living up to his renowned architect status. As she drove toward the circular driveway, a copper and stone water fountain guided her to the front door.

“This looks like something that would be on TV or inLuxemagazine,” she murmured.

Carla pressed the brake pedal, and the front door opened. In a thin T-shirt that hugged his muscular torso and a pair of gray sweatpants, Jacob strolled to her door, opening it before she put the vehicle in park.

“Oh!” She smiled, covered with the heat that rolled from him.

“I didn’t scare you, did I?”

She laughed. “No, I wasn’t expecting you to manifest so quickly.”

They eyed each other. “I was waiting for you. I would’ve been outside if the wind wasn’t having a tantrum this evening.”

She put the car in park. “Tell me about it,” then reached to grab a bag, and he took it off her hands. Sasha rose to her feet, tail wagging, as she barked.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Sasha.” Jacob reached over Carla, and Sasha jumped into his large palm, then scurried into his one-armed embrace and licked his face.

“I think she likes me.” His gaze moved from Sasha to Carla, whose eyes were wide and lips pursed.

“It appears that she does. You seem to have that effect on everyone.”

Jacob chuckled, and Sasha sniffed his throat, cuddling herself closer.

“Sasha, I should tell you up front that I don’t get down on the first date.”

Carla snorted in laughter, and Jacob smiled wide.

“Come here, you. I’ve got room for one more.”

Drawing Carla close, Jacob shut the door, and they shuffled inside to take cover from the frigid winds.

Waiting for them at the entrance, Jack barked, and Sasha barked back, the two of them having a conversation that Jacob and Carla weren’t privy to.

“Hi, Jack!” Carla reached down and rubbed his smooth white and tan coat, petting Jack as he sat back on his haunches, his tail spanking the floor.

Jacob’s grin spread. “I think he likes you too.”

Carla nodded. “Maybe it’s because I’m with you.”

“Or, maybe you’re just easy to adore.”