Page 61 of Wild Love

His brow furrowed. "You don't feel like you're going to outgrow that penthouse any time soon?"

"It suits my needs, and I can be close to my guests."

"Soon, you're going to have guests scattered across the property anyway. And you might want a family one day."

I had visions of kids with dirty blond hair learning to ski as soon as they could walk. I never thought about kids of my own, probably because I was the oldest of six siblings. But now that I'd met Scarlett, I saw it as a possibility. "You have a spot in mind?"

Mac grinned. "When I was casing the property for the cabins, I found this private area on top of the mountain. It would be perfect for your place. Far enough away from the resort to seem private, but you'd have your own slope to go down the mountain to the lodge."

"I think I'm going to need a road too."

Mac laughed. "It will have a road. I just thought you might like the idea of skiing from your house."

"I love it. Thanks for thinking of it." Mac was right to mention it because I wasn't getting any younger.

If Scarlett wanted something more permanent, I wanted to give it to her. I wanted to give her everything.

"I can draw up some plans for a house if you give me an idea of what you want."

I nodded. "Will do. But in the meantime, I need some hands for the sets."

Mac shook his head. "You got it bad."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "You keep saying that. But you owe me a favor."

"I never thought I'd see you call in favors to please the woman in your life."

Instead of being insulted by his words, I felt good. I would do anything for Scarlett. If I didn't think it would make her run, I'd tell her myself.

"What's going to happen when she finds out you're the owner of the theater?"

I shook my head. "She's not going to like it."

"Or she might love it," Mac said, boosting the hope in my chest. "You won't know until you talk to her. I'd suggest telling her yourself, because if someone else talks to her first?—"

"It won't go over well." She'll think I interfered in her life. That I pressured her like everyone else. I wanted her to stay, but I wouldn't clip her wings for my benefit. She should stay because it was her choice. But that seemed unlikely.

"I'm going to get back to work."

"Always nice doing business with you, Mac." I shook his hand.

Mac pulled me in for a hug. "I'm your friend first."

"I'll remember that."

"Natalie, Delaney, and my son, George are the best things that ever happened to me. We're building a future together, and nothing has ever felt so good."

It was hard to feel anything but good after the night I'd had. I hadn't planned on sleeping with Scarlett last night. I wanted to help her with the production.

So far, she'd let me in, but if she found out I bought the theater for her? She wouldn't be happy about it.

The other interested buyer was an out-of-towner wanting to open a restaurant. We had enough of those in town. Thankfully, I convinced the owners I'd preserve the theater. I couldn't let anyone tear down the old theater. Especially when it might just be the thing to keep Scarlett in town.

That night, I knocked on Scarlett's door. She opened it and tugged me inside, slamming the door shut behind me. "I thought you'd never get here."

She ran her fingers through my hair as she kissed me.

Who knew that sleeping together once would release this vixen. "You want me?"

---