She paused in front of the dirty windows. “Could these be removed?”
“Yeah. I was thinking of sliding glass doors to make the most of the view.”
She spoke eagerly. “Yes. A huge flagstone patio with a fire pit.”
“What vibe are you going with? Does Bentley want modern or traditional?”
She flashed me a grin. “He gets both. Traditional with all the modern requirements hidden. I want to add to the rustic feel. Reclaimed wood floors. A cool texture to the walls. Skylights to add more sun. A huge hearth over the fireplace.”
“I was thinking about adding logs to the outside.”
“Yes! A log cabin in the woods. It’s the right setting.”
“Tell me your plans.”
“We gut it. Blow out the front and make it the focal point.” She indicated the left side. “Can you expand that wall? Make a sunroom off the kitchen for a dining area?”
I knew it.
“I think so. We’ll need planning approval, but as long as we’re sympathetic to the land, we should get it.”
“We can upgrade everything and make it a retreat.”
“What about the bedrooms?”
“They’re a good size. Maybe we can add to the perimeter of the whole place?”
“It’s all on a slab, so it can be done. We can get Jordan to check the building codes. There’s enough space, so I think it can easily be accomplished. What about outside? You want to add to that?”
She tilted her head in thought. “A patio and fire pit, maybe a gazebo closer to the edge of the property?” She set down her sketchbook. “I want to go and see what kind of slope or edge there is to deal with.”
I stood, following her. Outside, the wind had picked up, and Liv eyed the sky with trepidation. “We need to hurry so we can get out of here.”
I walked beside her again, carefully finding my way toward the front of the property. Close to the edge, I stopped, peering over the steep embankment. “This will have to be addressed. Huge risk factor of falling,” I observed, kicking at what was left of a safety rail.
“What could we do?”
“Some rock work and a reinforced steel wall.”
“Would it detract from the view?”
“No, we’d incorporate it the right way. Make it aesthetically pleasing, but safe.” I indicated a flat spot behind us to the left. “You could do your gazebo there. Awesome view.”
She nodded, walking toward the spot. She turned in circles, looking around the property. “Not a place for kids.”
“Not long term. More an adult getaway sanctuary. A place to recharge. Although, you could add a small pool and a play area to the right, far away from this ledge. It would be a nice way to cool off for everyone in the summer and appeal to a family for short-term stays if Bent decides to use this place as a rental property.”
“And the driveway?”
I laughed. “If we’re going to do some redesigning of the cabin, we can redesign the driveway. Make it an easier journey up. It’ll be the most expensive part, by the time we have the plans completed, get permission, and remove some trees. We’ll have to plant more to replace them, but it can be done, I’m sure. I’ll get Jordan on it with an engineer.”
She sighed. “I love it.”
“What if we went up?” I asked. “Add a loft—a retreat for the adults. One large room with a private bath. The stairs could go up the back wall off the living area.”
“Oh,” she breathed. “That would be amazing. Huge windows so you wake up to the view every day.”
“We’ll have to check code and the structure, but I think from what I’ve seen, it could work.”
“I can imagine waking up here every day,” she said dreamily. “It would be spectacular.”
I resisted telling her waking up beside her would be fucking spectacular. Instead, I cleared my throat.
“I hope Bentley is prepared for the expense.”
She crossed her arms, her expression wistful. “I hope so too. He already had an offer to buy it as is, but he wanted to keep and develop it.” She eyed the cabin. “It’s hidden, but the potential is huge.”
I studied her. “I agree. So much potential. It would be a shame to let something so amazing slip through our fingers.”
I wasn’t only talking about the cabin. She met my gaze, her eyes widening as she took in my stare. She knew I was referring to more than the wooden structure behind us.
“A smart person once told me that with time and effort, what was broken can be mended,” I stated. “If a person is willing to put in the time, you can create something beautiful—and lasting.”
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. A large crack of thunder made us jump. The skies suddenly opened, and the rain beat down hard, soaking us in seconds. Another clap of thunder made me move fast. I lunged, scooping her up and running for the cabin. She clung to my biceps, not fighting me, a fact I was grateful for.
In the cabin, I set her on her feet, shutting the door behind me. Streams of water hit the floor, and I pushed the wet hair off my forehead.
“I think we’re stuck for a while.”
She sighed. “I think you’re right.”
“Stay here.” I hurried to the back of the cabin and rushed out to my truck, grabbing my workout bag. Once back inside, I dug around and handed Liv one of the towels I always carried with me. “At least this will help a little.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
I toweled off my hair as I peered out the window. The wind was picking up, the trees bending under the force. The rain was teeming, the holes in the roof now evident as the drips began hitting the floor. I pushed the lounger I had been sitting on earlier to a spot which was hole-free.
“At least we can sit,” I said, glancing up, not expecting the image that met my eyes.
Frozen, I stared across the dilapidated cabin. Liv had pulled off the oversized shirt she was wearing, leaving her in a tank top. It clung to her like a second skin, showing every curve she kept hidden. She was unconsciously sexy, her creamy shoulders glistening, and her nipples stiff and straining against the thin material covering them.
My cock hardened.
When she lifted her eyes to mine, our gazes locked. She tugged at the material uselessly, pulling at it with frantic fingers to loosen it from her wet, slick skin. It hid nothing from my view. Her expression was tormented. She twisted her hands repeatedly. I knew I should turn around. Say something.
But I only stared.
Her cheeks flushed, her breathing becoming deep and labored. She tugged at her braid, the wet strands heavy and streaming over her shoulder.
“You should loosen your hair, so it can dry,” I uttered, my voice hoarse.
She hesitated, and another word slipped from my mouth, the sound almost guttural.
“Please.”
Our eyes locked as she lifted her arms, her hands shaking. She plucked at the clip, the strands falling in a long mass of waves down her back. She shivered, her body shuddering in a lingering, slow roll.
From trepidation or desire, I didn’t know.
I couldn’t tear my gaze off her.
The thunder rolled, lightning crackling outside with an intensity I felt deep within my bones.
I wanted her with every fiber of my being. I wanted to calm her anxiety, stroke her desire, and claim her.