Page 39 of Dual Surrender

We stepped through the hole where the door would go once the walls were finished and I surveyed the space, wondering about finishings.

“I think it’s kind of cool.” I fixed my glasses and paced the small room from end to end. The plan was to build in bookshelves on the office side with one of them sliding out to allow access to the room. Initially, I’d assumed it was meant to be a closet, but once I got into the design and Ben got into the build, I realized it was more of a panic room kind of thing, which also made sense considering the renovation was the result of what seemed to be a nasty separation.

Who knew what her ex was capable of if she wanted an obscured hiding room?

Either that, or it was going to be a sex room, which would definitely have been more my speed. I chuckled to myself, blushing at the idea. Maybe when Ronan and I moved out of the condo, I could design us something like this. A secret and soundproofed space for us to play.

“Everything look good to you?” Ben asked, drawing me out of my completely inappropriate thoughts.

“Yep.” I gave him a nod. “Thanks for letting me swing by.”

He joined me on the walk back toward where I’d parked and, once we were out of the condo, I passed him back my hard hat. He made small talk with me in front of the car, straightening up as a bright red convertible pulled onto the lot.

My client, Carmen Savino-Sharp climbed out of the convertible, all legs and high heels and rich olive skin. She approached us with a red-lipped smile and calculating eyes.

“Gentlemen,” she greeted.

“Ms. Savino-Sharp.” I gave her a nod.

“Let’s dump Sharp now, shall we? He’s just dead weight these days.” She laughed quietly and glanced over her shoulder toward the condo.

“Ms. Savino,” I corrected. “I just swung by to check on the updates to the office. Ben clearly has everything under control.”

“Of course he does.”

“Unless you need me for anything, I was going to head into the office for the day.” I gestured toward my car.

“Nothing Ben can’t take care of for me,” Carmen assured me.

“Great.” I shook her hand and we said our goodbyes.

I climbed into the car, my phone ringing as soon as I settled in the seat. I turned in the car and waited for the Bluetooth to connect before answering Ronan’s call.

“I wish you would have slept more,” I told him in lieu of a hello.

“I can’t sleep when you’re gone.” I heard him yawn.

“You should learn.”

“Why? Do you plan on leaving me?” he asked.

“Never.” I backed out of the parking spot and turned onto the street.

“How did the job site look?”

“As it should. It made me think about things for us, though,” I said.

“You want to reno the condo?”

“Not the condo.” I picked up my travel mug from the console and took a drink. The coffee was lukewarm, but passable.

“Kevin, did you want to move?” he asked, the tone of his voice colored with amusement.

“It would be nice to have more space.”

“You like the light here.” The sheets rustled, and I knew Ronan was at least still in bed.

“I can design light anywhere,” I reminded him. “It’s basically what I do.”