Much Ado About You(70)

“I’d hate to think how you’d put it if I wasn’t here,” Caro grumbled, her cheeks flushing as she hopped off the stool. “Why don’t I make us some dinner while you look at those other listings for me?”

Thanking her, I pulled my stool closer to Roane so I could look at the apartments and rested my hand on his knee. I couldn’t seem to be near him without wanting to touch him. He turned to look at me, and when our eyes met, I could tell by his expression he understood. His hand covered mine, and we returned to looking at the apartments.

“I like this one,” I murmured ten minutes later.

All I’d seen so far just wasn’t good enough for Caro, and I realized how spoiled we were by the apartment above the bookstore. Not just by its size and views but by its open-plan living space.

Finally, however, we’d come across a house in Beadnell. Roane and I had taken Shadow to Beadnell Bay a few times. It was this long stretch of beautiful sand twenty minutes north of Alnster. A lot of surfers and kitesurfers hung out at the bay.

The house was set back from the beach surrounded by a small development of matching homes. This one sat at the western tip, so it had views of the sea. It had been designed so that the living spaces were transposed. The two bedrooms were on the first floor, along with the bathroom. Upstairs on the second floor was the open-plan kitchen and living space with its vaulted triangular roof. French doors made up the entirety of the sea-facing wall and led out onto a covered balcony so the owner could enjoy the views.

The place was furnished in a beachy look with a comfortable sofa and armchairs, a light oak six-seater dining table, and a modern white glossy kitchen.

“They’re holiday homes,” Roane said. “We do the maintenance on a few of these. It’s unusual to see one of them come up as a year-round rental.”

“The living space is beautiful, and that view . . .”

He squeezed my hand. “Aye, that’s true. But I’m not sure about the security. Caro’s bedroom would be right next to the only way in and out of the building.”

“Which is great in the awful event of a fire.”

“Not so great if someone breaks in.” He scowled at the laptop.

“Is he pooh-poohing the Beadnell property?” Caro asked from her place by the stove.

I shot her a commiserating look. “Yup.”

“Damn,” she muttered.

Seeing her crestfallen expression, I nudged Roane with my shoulder. “Surely we can make certain it’s safe for her.”

He exhaled slowly. “It’s not just safety. I don’t know what kind of heating system is in these homes. They’re rented out less frequently in the winter months, and part of that is not just down to demand. It’s about high running costs.”

I frowned at the screen. “It says they were built less than five years ago. Surely they’re built with better insulation than the building we’re in right now.”

“Maybe,” he murmured.

Realizing what the problem was, I cuddled into him. “She has to move out on her own at some point.”

Roane nodded slowly. “Aye, I know. Doesn’t mean I’m happy about her living alone.”

“I’ve lived alone for years. She’ll be fine.”

He heaved a sigh and looked over at Caro, who was pretending not to listen. “If you like the Beadnell house, you should make an appointment to view it. But I’d like to be there.”

“I’d like you to be there too.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Both of you.”

Warmed from her inclusion, I smiled. “I’d be happy to.”

As we sat down to eat at the dining table that night, Shadow lying beneath an open window, we dug in to the delicious satay sweet potato curry Caro had thrown together, and I felt a contentment I couldn’t remember ever feeling.

It scared the crap out of me.

Not because I was afraid of it.

But because it meant there was a very, very difficult decision looming ahead of me.



* * *



? ? ?

No one at The Anchor noticed that Roane and I walked in holding hands. Milly and Viola were run off their feet behind the bar, and the locals hadn’t spotted anything unusual as we stood with Shadow at our side. The tables by the fire in the dog-friendly area of the pub were occupied. Thankfully we waited only a few minutes before the two occupants of the smaller table departed. We grabbed it and borrowed an unused seat from another table for Caro.

It was cool. Roane and I were happy to be smooshed up together.

Still, for Caro’s sake, I tried not to be too touchy-feely with her cousin. No one enjoyed feeling like a third wheel. It was just after Roane bought us a first round of drinks that the bar started to quiet down a little. We grabbed the larger table when it emptied, and Viola was soon able to join us.

While she and Caro began chatting about the house Caro was interested in renting, Roane leaned in to whisper in my ear, “When can we leave?”

I shivered at the feel of his lips brushing my skin and turned to smile. “Why?”

Except I knew why as soon as I saw his expression.

This time I shivered with a deeper longing. “Oh.” My eyes rounded. “Again?”

His teeth flashed. “I’m sore from wanting you all the time, angel.”

I moved closer to him, my lips almost touching his as I murmured, “An angel you’ll corrupt by turning me into a sex addict.”