Connected (Connections, #1)(62)
With one hand still over my eyes, he guides me to where he wants me to stand. Then removing his hand, he says, “You’re cool to look now.”
Opening my eyes, I change my mind; I definitely need a house tour. I’m standing in what must be the most mod looking kitchen I have ever seen. There is a twelve light ultra modern fixture hanging from the ceiling that is at least eight feet long. I assume a table belongs underneath it. Stainless steel appliances grace the entire kitchen and there are thick glass shelves above the appliances where you would normally see cupboards. The floor is a mix of black and white paint swirled together, it is almost industrial looking, very chic. The counters are jet-black granite with white pearl splashed throughout. There is a high bar with curvy, black stools along it, and on the other side is the living room. It is unlike any kitchen I have ever seen.
“River, this is stunning,” I remark as I take it all in before moving toward the living room.
He follows and I can feel his eyes on me as I move. “Yeah, stunning.”
The living room is painted white and rich black walnut wood panels the wall in front of me. A large black and white picture of River and his band is on display. Underneath the picture is a long gray tufted sofa that is flanked with a few vintage guitars resting in their stands. To the left is a huge flat-screen TV that is sitting on a small stand. Surprisingly, no video gaming system is attached.
Strutting over to the couch, walking that walk I love so much, he sits down and pats the couch. “Xander outdid himself,” he says, patting the couch. “He picked this out for me and had it delivered.” He glances up at the picture and points to the TV and guitars. “He said these are house-warming presents.”
“That’s really nice of your brother,” I comment while walking over to get a closer look at the picture.
While stretching his arms out on the back of the couch, River says, “He can be, sometimes. You can be the judge when you meet him.”
“Well if he’s anything like you, I’m sure I’ll like him.” I almost said love but quickly caught myself. My emotions are running away from me; I have to rein them in.
“When was this taken?” I ask, still looking at the large photograph on the wall. “A while ago, maybe four years. It was our first official released band photo,” he says while laughing quietly. “It was a big deal for Xander. It was his first accomplished task as band manager.”
“Having your brother looking out for you must relieve a lot of stress. I don’t have any siblings, but always wanted a brother and a sister.”
“I love my brother and my sister, but they can both be a pain in the ass.”
“Well, since I am an only child, I would have loved to have had even one pain in the ass growing up with me,” I teasingly respond.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he says, trying to reach for me, but I am already walking over to the large glass doors that seem to go on for miles. Gushing when I reach them, I am in awe. The view is out of this world. In the distance I can see each letter of the Hollywood sign. It’s truly amazing. I wish I brought my camera up from the car because this is an incredible photo opportunity. Opening one of the doors, I step outside to an equally amazing outdoor living area that spans the entire length of the house. The upper deck has a wooden table with twelve chairs around it, along with a built-in barbeque grill. To the right and left are modern spiral staircases. Each circles down to the lower deck containing a large rectangular pool and hot tub. Several cloth-covered benches line the half-wall made of plexiglass.
I turn to River, who hasn’t said anything, and he’s watching me intently. “This is your view?” I sputter out. “You can see the Hollywood sign,” I whisper, spelling out the word instead of just saying Hollywood.
In the time we've spent together, River certainly hasn’t given me any indication that he’s as wealthy as his surroundings suggest. Sure, he stayed in a nice hotel and spent plenty of money over the weekend, but he’s just so laid back and down to earth.
After seeing this house, with this view, I start to wonder what I’ve gotten myself into with him.
Snapping me out of my reverie, he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. “Hey, you okay?
“Yeah, I just had no idea.”
“No idea of what?”
“That you’re one of the rich and famous.”
Chuckling, he says, “Hardly. Just in the right place at the right time.”
River presses his body into mine and adds, “And I had no idea either.”
“No idea of what?” I parrot back.
His body moves as he laughs, and I feel his hardness behind me. “That you’re one of the enamored that has to spell Hollywood instead of saying it.”
Pouting my lips, I turn around and give him a slight shove. “You’re an ass. I’m just surprised. It seems like something you would have mentioned. That’s all,” I say motioning to the sign, the view, and his house.
“You mean like, hey I just moved into a really sweet new place, and by the way, you can see the Hollywood sign from my backyard?” he mocks, turning me around and pulling me back in for a tight embrace.
“Well, when you put it that way, I guess not,” is all I can say because he’s leaning into my neck, caressing it with his tongue so hard I know I’m going to have a mark. My body shudders from his touch, from his warm breath, and I giggle. “What are you doing?”