Page 54 of Jace 4Ever
“I got it for a steal and refurbished it when I got stuck out here one time for six months. I hated living in an apartment in the middle of the city, so I had to do something.”
A few minutes later, the limo rolled to a stop in front of a set of iron gates and mass of green foliage that was definitely native to Southern California. Nelson tapped in a code on his phone, and the gates rolled back to let the limo in. Mike pulled up to the stairs and shut the car off. Nelson opened the door and we both climbed out to meet Mike at the trunk.
“Do you need anything this evening? Cary said she had the house cleaned and stocked for you, so there’s food and water already in there waiting.”
“Then we’re good, Mike. Thanks. We’ll have to go down to talk to Cary tomorrow, so say, ten in the morning? With a more amenable ride?”
“You got it, sir. Have a good night, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
I grabbed my bag, and Nelson took his. We walked up the stairs, and I was completely in love with the little bungalow. It was painted white with green trim and looked like a craftsman style house, but not quite. It had a big bay window and a gorgeous door with windows at the top. The whole thing had a vaguely art deco feel to it. It was definitely a mash-up of a few different styles.
Nelson pulled out his keys and opened the door. The smell of flowers and lemon Pledge rushed to greet us, and Nelson walked in. The light was already on in the hallway and the house was…cozy. Comfortable.
“Let’s put our stuff in the bedroom and get a drink. The back deck has the most amazing view and is mostly why I bought this place.”
The bungalow lived up to its name—it only had six rooms: three bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. Nelson told me there was a den and home theater in the basement, but that was it. He didn’t want a large place to keep when he wasn’t here.
He opened the door to a bedroom and walked in. I stood in the doorway watching, and he turned to talk to me. Halting, he was surprised I wasn’t behind him.
“Come on, put your bag in the closet.”
“Here?” I glanced down the hall. “I thought—”
“You’re sleeping with me.” He chuckled. “Did you think I would put you in another room?”
“Well…”
His strides closed the distance between us. “You’re my boyfriend, Jace. I adore waking up next to you. So, please. Just sleep in the bed with me.”
Why had I thought he wouldn’t want that? I always slept in his bed back in New York, so it made sense. I nodded and he kissed me sweetly.
“In the closet with the bag,” he directed. I rolled my bag past and he swatted my ass. I couldn’t help but groan.
When I walked back out, he pointed to the door next to the closet. “Bathroom, if you want.”
I ducked in but made it only just a foot inside before I gasped. There was not only a massive soaking tub, but a shower to rival his at home. It had enough room for at least four people, if not more, and was outfitted with all the crazy showerheads he liked.
“If you hadn’t showered earlier, I’d suggest making use of it.” His voice was in my ear, and he nipped at my neck.
“Maybe in the morning?”
“I like the way you think.” He kissed my cheek sweetly. “Let’s go have a drink and relax.”
The view was way more than I expected. I could see the whole of Los Angeles to the left, and the expanse of the ocean twinkling ahead, then the famous Hollywood Hills to the right. There was a couch and two chairs with cushions surrounding a low table, and Nelson put the wine glasses down as I walked to the edge of the deck.
There was a pool below me with a low blue light glowing in it.
“Are you serious? There’s a pool, too?”
“Yeah, I had some really cool lighting installed. I do spend too much time here to not have something I love to live in.” He wrapped his arm around my waist. “I like to do laps in the morning. They’re more interesting than running on a treadmill.”
This place was beautiful. And the pool was just two swim lanes wide. “What can you do with the lights down there?”
His phone appeared in his hand and he opened an app. The light in the pool got bright, turned to a blue white. Then it started cycling through all the colors slowly, eventually stopping on the blue white again. Then, around the edge of the pool a warm white light appeared in a band circling the edge of the pool. It also melted through all the colors and ended back on a blue white to match the lights in the water. Then, the lights in the pool went off, leaving just the ambient glow of the surrounding lights.
My grin was wicked. “You know how you could get me in that shower?”
“How?” Nelson was eager.
