Page 20 of Ready to Snap
“Which floor?”
“What do you mean ‘which floor?’”
“I mean, which floor do you want to know about? The bottom floor is the wine cellar and storage. Below us is a media room, gym, and the library. Upstairs is my room and a guest bedroom. The top floor has three bedrooms. Oh, and I’ve got a rooftop terrace with a garden, jacuzzi, and my grill.”
“Will!” she shrieks.
“Yes, Elle?”
“Don’t you ‘yes, Elle’ me! You basically have a mansion inside an apartment building!” Her arm flys wide as she gestures to the window. “And that view…”
“It’s pretty great, right?” I offer my hand. “You said you like to read. Want to see the library?”
“At least I’ll get my workout in with the stairs,” she grumbles, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I can carry you. Or I have an elevator.”
“An elevator?”
“Yes, an elevator.”
Elle takes my hand and sighs, “This isn’t going to work.”
I only make it two steps before I’m rooted in place. “What do you mean?”
“You’re…you. And you live…here.”
“How do you think I feel? You’reyou.”
And if I play my cards right, maybe one day you’ll also live here.
I clear my throat, grateful I didn’t accidentally say that last bit out loud.Fuck, we’ve been on one fucking date and I’m ready to play house.“And in the wise words of Taylor Swift, ‘It’s gonna be forever, or gonna go down in flames.’ There’s only one way to find out which one it’s going to be, gorgeous.” I wink, and she barks out a laugh. “What? She’s the greatest poet of our generation.”
“I’ve known you for years, and not once would I have pegged you for a Swiftie.”
“Just goes to show why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” I tug on her hand and continue toward the elevator. “Next time I’ll carry you.”
I click the down button, and as the doors open, we step inside. I’m tempted to kiss her again, but keep my lips to myself—at least for now. It’s a little too easy having her here,and I don’t want her to think I’m only interested in stripping her naked and tasting every inch of her… even if that’sexactlywhat I want to do right now.
The elevator opens to a small hall with three doors. On the left is my gym, the middle is my in-home theater. I open the door on the right and gesture for her to enter the library first. I flick on the lights and Elle sucks in a breath. There’s a large hunter green couch at the back; I make my way to it and have a seat.
As Elle brushes her fingers along the spines of a few first editions I was gifted, she asks, “Which one is your favorite?”
“I don’t think I’ve read my favorite book yet. Every time I think I have, something even better comes along. But honestly, I don’t remember the last time I read a physical book. I mostly read on my ereader or audiobooks.”
“What are you reading right now?”
“You’ll laugh if I tell you.”
She twirls to face me, an amused grin teasing her lips. “Try me.”
“It’s Ronan’s fault.” I blow out a long breath. “It all started when he had me, Luc, and Russ read some personal growth books. Then Russ had us read a mystery, which was wicked awesome. It was Ronan’s turn this month to pick our next read, and he suggested a hockey book. I figured it was something to help Russ, but the link he sent had ‘pucking’ in the title. Turns out it was a romance,nota nonfiction.”
“Oh no… Was it one Nora recommended?”
“Yup,” I laugh.
“Let me guess—there are two or three love interests.”
