Page 31 of Seduce

“I’ll give you the tour, then we can have our picnic.” He guided her into the house and down the short hallway. The hardwood gleamed under her feet. No wonder he’d wanted her to take her shoes off.

“Off to your left is technically the study, but I use it as a library.”

“Oh?” She looked in the door. The walls were lined with bookcases. In the middle of the room sat a leather chair with a small table next to it. Her tummy turned over in anticipation of being able to check out his library. “Very cozy.”

“I figured you’d appreciate that.” His eyes gleamed as he guided her into the open area of his home. “Guest bedrooms on the other side of the family room down that hall. Master bedroom over there.” He pointed to a door on the left. “Then we have the formal dining room off a little behind us, and this is the family room and kitchen.” He waved his hand to the left.

Tessa’s breath caught when she saw his kitchen. The gleaming stainless steel appliances, a six-burner gas stove. Light brown marble counter tops with a stone-looking backsplash. “Very nice kitchen.”

“I like to cook now and again.”

Tessa followed him deeper into the family room and stopped. The breakfast bar stone was like the outside of an old English cottage. She turned and saw the fireplace had the same type of look. “I love the granite.”

“I wanted that rustic look.” He flashed her a grin. “I bet you’re wondering how we’re going to do this picnic?”

“It did cross my mind.” His house was beautiful, and it fit Damon. Not too modern, but fit his style.

“Then let me show you.” He led her to the small nook area she hadn’t noticed before and opened the door to go outside into the backyard.

“Oh my.” Tessa stepped out onto the lanai. The sides fully enclosed in glass, with high wooden beams and roof. The room was warm. A table and chairs were pushed up against one side, and in the middle of the lanai, a blanket had been spread on top of a super thick area rug. “This is beautiful.”

She circled the lanai and looked out the glass. Off to one side was a barbecue inlaid with the same granite as inside the house, along with a fireplace. A large wicker table and chairs were covered with heavy plastic sheeting. Outside the center glass door were granite steps down to another patio and a covered pool. “You have a pool?”

“Yes.” He came up behind her. “It’s nice to have during the summer and great exercise.”

“Like you need exercise.”

He laughed. “Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll go get our picnic.”

“Can I help?”

Damon regarded her for a moment. “Let me take care of you today. Can you do that?”

Surprise hit Tessa’s blood stream at his words. “I think so.” It was an honest answer. He smiled and disappeared back into the house. Tessa stared out at the view. The rolling hills were soothing.

She turned when she heard the door open. Damon stepped out with a large basket and a couple bottles of water. Tessa started to help him, and he glared at her. Okay, the man was serious about taking care of her.

“Come sit down.” He set the basket and water on the blanket, holding his hand out to her.

Tessa put her hand in his, and he helped her to the ground before he knelt and unloaded the basket. Skewers of chicken and veggies, tiny sandwiches, a plate of bite-sized fruit, and another plate of cheese and crackers. Then plates and utensils.

“Dessert is in the fridge,” he said, setting the basket aside.

“This all looks delicious.”

“The sandwiches are ham and cheese or turkey and cheese.” He held up a plate. “What would you like?”

“How about a little bit of everything.”

“Sounds good.” Using tongs, he placed two sandwiches on her plate, along with two skewers of chicken, some fruit, and some cheese and crackers. He held the full plate out to her. Tessa took it and waited until he’d served himself before she picked up a sandwich.

The flavors flowed over her taste buds. Honey mustard along with mayo. She wiped her fingers on the napkin. “That is so good. What kind of cheese?”

“That one has mozzarella. There’s Swiss and cheddar on the others.”

“And the turkey?”

“Cheddar or American, smoked turkey with a mayo and a light cranberry spread.”

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