Love's Second Chance (Second Chances #1)(15)
“I thought secluding the museum was amazing, but this is absolutely wonderful.”
He took a sip of wine. “Thank you. I’m really glad you like it. Do you remember all the galleries we went to for Jenna’s openings?”
“Of course I remember.”
“Do you want to know one of the main reasons why I brought you here?” he asked. At my nod he continued, “I loved the way your face would shine when you looked at the paintings. So serene … like an angel. I wanted to see that look on your face again. I know you’ve been saddened with grief the past few months, and I can still see it in your eyes. I just want you to know that I’m here and I would do anything to make you happy.”
I believed him … I believed every word he spoke. I was sure he could figure out a million ways to make me happy. At that moment, I was thinking of a few that didn’t involve art. His lingering gaze made my body hot to the core, causing me to squirm in my chair. He stared at my lips when I took a sip of my wine, and he licked his own seductively before he took a bite of his food. I remembered that tongue very well, and how warm it felt when he used it to tease my … What the hell?! I was going to orgasm just thinking about his tongue on certain places of my body. Being sexually frustrated was dangerous, especially with Galen in the mix.
Putting my hands to my forehead, I hid my eyes, hoping he couldn’t see my blushing cheeks. “Oh my God,” I hissed softly.
“Are you okay over there?” Galen laughed. “Is there something you want to say?”
I shook my head and took a bite of my food. “No, just memories is all.”
“Ah, good ones I hope?” he added.
I shrugged, not giving him an exact answer. The meal was the best dinner I’d had in a long time. Being by myself, I didn’t treat myself to such luxuries. It seemed kind of pointless when all I’d be doing was eating alone. We finished our food slowly. When the dishes were cleared, I was assuming a dessert would follow, but it didn’t come. Galen stood and offered his hand instead.
“We have another destination for that, Korinne.” Furrowing my brow, I looked up at him, confused.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, reaching for his hand.
Pulling me in tight against his chest, he brushed his lips against my ear. “Dessert,” he whispered seductively. “Our dessert will be somewhere else, but just as delicious.”
Just the close contact made me flush with desire, and I couldn’t stop my lungs from desperately trying to take in air. My core tingled, and if I didn’t get a release soon I was going to burst. It had been way too long since I’d felt desire for another man. I was sure the idea of his dessert didn’t involve chocolate, but something of a more hard and sexual variety.
“Let’s go,” I said softly, biting my lip.
We made it to the car, and by the time we got there I felt flushed and euphoric with the thoughts of what was to come. Galen put the key in the ignition and we headed on our way. I was assuming our next destination would be his house. We passed by house after house, and I grew tense when I saw that we were heading toward the direction of the home I shared with Carson. Had he lived near me this whole time and I didn’t know? Thankfully, he turned us down another lake view neighborhood. After going through a maze of streets, I saw his house up ahead nestled on top of a hill. I knew it was his because of Big Blue sitting in the driveway.
“Wow!” I exclaimed. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you. I designed the whole layout and had it built,” he answered, sounding proud.
One of the doors to the five car garage opened and Galen drove his Ford Mustang inside and parked. My eyes grew wide when I saw all of the vehicles he had in his garage.
“Do you think you have enough cars?” I teased jokingly.
He furrowed his brows and looked at all the different cars. In a serious tone he said, “No, I think I could use one more.” He stood there for a few seconds while I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. Surely he wasn’t being serious about that, I thought. Laughing at my wide-eyed expression, he reached for my bag. “I was kidding. Come on, let me show you around.”
I was amazed at the variety of cars he had. He had a brand new Land Rover, a 1972 Chevrolet El Camino SS, a 1958 Chevrolet Corvette, and over in the corner I saw two motorcycles. Cringing at the sight of them, I silently prayed that he was careful when he rode. He opened the door, and once inside the house I was shocked at what I saw before me. Two sets of winding stairs led to the upper levels of the house while the lower level was open and full of life. What surprised me most was that it looked vaguely familiar. Why did I recognize this place?
“Does it look familiar?” Galen asked from behind me.
“Yes, but I can’t place it,” I said. Looking around the room, I took everything in; the patterns, the furniture, and the layout. It all looked like something that I would’ve designed.
Galen came up behind me and turned me around. For the first time he looked unsure, nervous even, as he stared into my eyes. “It’s because you designed it,” he revealed sheepishly.
Shaking my head, I stared at him bewildered and confused. “How? I don’t understand.”
He took a deep breath before explaining. “It was about a year ago. I knew you were married, and I didn’t want to come between you and your husband or cause problems, so I had someone hire you to decorate their house. The design was actually for me. I know it might seem kind of creepy that I did that, but I didn’t know what else to do. Someone’s home is a personal place and I didn’t want to put you in that situation.”