We haven’t even had sex yet, not to mention the fact that we certainly haven’t talked about anything long term.
I thought we’d take things slow. Because while it’s a fact that I want to be with Rafe for the rest of my life, I’m still healing from a lot of garbage.
“Annika?”
I glance up and realize that Flavia asked me a question. “I’m sorry, I was too busy having a party in my mouth with this salad.”
The other woman laughs and then nods. “It’s my favorite, as well. I was just wondering if you’ve thought about opening another medi-spa here in Seattle. I’d love to be your first patient.”
I grin at the thought. “Mrs. Martinelli, you’re lovely without my help.”
“Well, then, just think about what a knockout I’ll be with your help.”
We all laugh, and I feel much more comfortable as we settle in to enjoy each other’s company.
Chapter 10
~Rafe~
I could kill my mother.
I shift gears manually and merge onto the freeway while Annika sits quietly next to me.
“My mom means well.”
She turns her head towards me and offers me a smile in the darkness. “I adore your mom. She’s sweet and fun.”
“I wish she hadn’t gone on and on about me buying a new house.”
Annika shifts in her seat, facing me now. “I was going to ask about that. Do you want to move out of the condo? You hadn’t mentioned it before.”
I sigh deeply and rub my hand over my mouth as I keep my eyes on the freeway. It’s late into the evening, so traffic is light.
“I’d only started thinking about it,” I admit, not sure how much to say. I don’t want to scare her by talking about things that could happen in the long term. We aren’t there yet. This is still new for both of us.
But damn it, I’m a planner.
“You don’t like the condo?” she asks.
“I like it fine.” I glance her way and find her watching me carefully. “It’s convenient since it’s downtown and only about twenty minutes from the airstrip.”
“But?”
I shake my head with a chuckle. “I was just considering a house in a nice neighborhood. Maybe with a water view.”
“When did you start thinking about this?”
I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste coppery blood on my tongue.
“About a week ago.”
She’s quiet for a long moment and then clears her throat. “Are you considering a house because of me?”
“I don’t know.” I blow out a breath. “Maybe. Look, I know that the condo isn’t the best.”
I take my exit off the freeway.
“I like the condo.”
“It’s small. No yard. And most of the building is used for business, so that’s probably not something I’d like to have you living with for long.”
“Rafe, you don’t have to buy a whole house just because I’m staying with you for a little while.”
I park in my space and turn to her with a scowl. “What do you mean, for a little while?”
Her mouth bobs open and closed, and then she simply sighs and closes her eyes. “I’m saying the wrong things.”
“I think we’re both doing a good job of that.”
I jump out of the car, hurry to the passenger door, and open it for her, escorting her to the elevator. Once inside the condo, I toss my keys into the bowl by the door, and she kicks out of her shoes.
“Of course, you’re not buying a house just because of me,” she continues as we walk into the kitchen, and I reach for two glasses. One wine glass, and one whiskey glass.
I pour us each a drink and pass the wine to Annika.
“I mean, you have valid reasons for wanting a house without me.”
“A?”
“Yes?”
“Stop talking.” I clink my glass to hers, take a long sip of the whiskey, and then pull her in for a hug. “My mother spoke out of turn, that’s all. I just have thoughts running through my head. But before I do anything that would commit either of us to something for the long haul, I’ll have a conversation with you first. Okay?”
“Yeah. Okay. That sounds good.”
She smiles up at me, looking relieved. I’m still stuck on her for a little while comment, but I decide to let it be for tonight.
We’ve made no promises.
But if she thinks I’ll let her move away from me, she’s got another think coming. But it’s early days yet, and we’re finally in a place of getting to know each other again—and being together.
The rest will happen in due time. For now, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of her.
At her pace.
“Are you sleepy?” I ask when I hear her yawn.
“I think the past week is catching up to me,” she says and sips her wine as she follows me back to the bedroom. Of course, she’s exhausted. She packed up her house, her business, and left her life in Denver. We wandered all over the market today, and she had dinner with my parents.
I’m surprised that she’s still standing upright.
“I have an idea.” I kiss her forehead, run my hands down her arms, and then lead her into the bathroom. “I think you need a hot bath.”
“Oh, God, I’ve been dying to take a swim in that tub.” She does a little happy dance. “You run the water, and I’ll go get my things.”
I take my time setting the temperature of the water, sprinkle in a generous amount of Epsom salts that smell like lavender, and light a few candles that I bought a day or two before Annika came to Seattle.
When she returns, her eyes widen.
“I might fall asleep.”
“If you do, I’ll wake you up. No drowning in my tub.” I tip up her chin so I can kiss her softly. “Just yell if you need anything.”
“Thank you. This will be heaven.”
I close the door behind me so she has privacy and find my laptop. I sit in the chair by the window and open the computer. I should check my email and see if any clients need me this week.
But things are quiet on the work front. It seems everyone is happy where they are for now. And I won’t complain about that because it gives me more time with Annika.
I put the computer away and use the other bathroom to take a quick shower and change. When Annika’s been in the bath for more than thirty minutes, I knock on the door, just to make sure she didn’t make good on her word and fall asleep.
“You alive in there?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m just in bliss. But I’m a prune, so I’ll be out soon.”
“No hurry, honey. Just checking.”
I turn down the bed and slip between the sheets, feeling exhausted myself, just as Annika steps out of the bathroom, a whoosh of warm air trailing after her.
“That was the best thing I’ve done in a long time,” she announces as she tosses her dirty clothes into a hamper and then joins me in bed. “It might become a nightly ritual.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” I trail my fingertip down her nose and then lean in to kiss her gently. I’ve been taking it slow with her. There’s no need to hurry.