Page 44 of Paradise West
Charli turned and stared back up the staircase, arching up to the second floor that was literally inviting her to climb it. She wondered how much furniture had been left up there and what kind of condition it would be in. In this humidity and heat, anything left behind couldn’t be good.
Thinking it wouldn’t hurt to do some quick investigating, Charli moved to the staircase and ran her hand lightly over the thick, curved wood, marveling at how well it had held up over the years. After a good cleaning and polishing, the banister would gleam like it had for decades.
She had made it up only two steps before an arm like an iron band locked around her midsection. Charli yelped in surprise as she was yanked back into a hard body. Lips brushed her ear and a shiver ran up her spine.
“You don’t listen very well, do you?” Jack murmured softly, as he pulled her in even tighter to his torso. Her body lit right up like a roman candle as sensation shot through her, making her core clench and her nipples harden against her shirt.
Panting lightly, she shook her head. “I was only going upstairs to see how much furniture was left behind.”
“It’s not safe. I told you that,” he responded, his voice husky as his arm flexed around her stomach. His hand splayed out and Charli squirmed against him as his thumb brushed the sensitive underside of her breast. Heat bloomed through her core and between her legs, taking her breath away.
How could this man have such an explosive effect on her?
“Gus has to inspect it before anyone goes up there. Got it?” he added, his voice firm this time. His thumb brushed back and forth mercilessly, making her tremble in response as she leaned her head back on his shoulder.
“No unnecessary chances, okay?” he asserted as he gently nuzzled her neck.
“Uh huh,” she mumbled, nearly incoherent from desire. Her body was on fire with need and desire—and Jack was the only one who could extinguish her.
He kissed her earlobe lightly, making goosebumps pop up along her flesh. “Good,” he whispered.
The awkward clearing of a throat was deafening in the room and had the effect of fingernails on a chalkboard. Charli jerked away from Jack, who seemed reluctant but slowly released her.
“Uh...sorry to interrupt, Jack. I thought I heard my name.” Gus looked toward the ground, refusing to meet their eyes.
Heat moved down her body and Jack chuckled. “You didn’t interrupt anything, Gus. I was just saving Charli from herself.” He gestured toward the staircase. “You’ll need to examine this before anyone goes up to the next floor. Same will go for the other two staircases on the second and third floors, and the back stairs as well.”
Gus hummed and pursed his lips as he gazed thoughtfully at the structure. “Okay, let’s see what we’re dealing with here,” he muttered absently as he ran his hands along the banister. “It looks great, considering...” He pulled a level and a measuring tape from his work belt.
Annoyed at being diverted from her exploration and for being so turned on by Jack’s manhandling, Charli huffed a breath and turned toward the kitchen.
It had been her aunt’s favorite room, and she wondered how it had fared. To her relief, it looked to be in remarkably good condition. Gus had flagged two large sections of flooring along the outside wall, but otherwise most of the space seemed unscathed.
She ran her hand over the countertops through layers of dust and grime. They felt sound to her, but it was likely that they’d have to be replaced.
The large antique icebox was still there as well as the vintage stove. She smiled at the memory of Dottie stubbornly refusing to replace those appliances.
Charli stood in front of the oversized porcelain sink and stared out the window. Her aunt’s presence hung thick in the room, making her gut churn with loss and regret. She could only imagine how leaving this place had broken her aunt’s heart, and Charli hadn’t known anything about it—had been tooconsumed by her career to even notice what was happening to someone she loved.
“Charli!” came a shout from the main room, making her jump.
Charli sniffed back a tear and made her way through the rooms. “Yeah?” she asked Jack.
He pointed to the second floor where Gus inspected the hall banister for stability. “We can go up now. Are you ready?” His brow dropped when he met Charli’s gaze. He turned toward her and grabbed her elbows, pulling her toward him. “What’s wrong?”
Charli gave him a heartbreaking smile and shook her head, placing a hand on his chest. “Nothing’s wrong. Just a little sad at the thought of Aunt Dottie having to leave this place. She loved it so much, and to see it this way had to be heartbreaking.”
Jack grunted. “It was tough on her, but I made sure the new house was a good place for her.” He rubbed her back, mindlessly soothing her nerves with his touch. “Are you ready to explore some more?”
She bobbed her head and they slowly made their way up to the second floor and turned left toward the bedrooms. “If I remember correctly, most of the guests stayed on this floor,” she murmured absently.
Jack hummed. “Be careful where you step. The floor should be sound but watch for soft spots.” He nudged his chin toward Gus who was squatting downinspecting the next set of stairs. “I’ll let you know when we can continue up to the next floor.”
Charli muttered a response and carefully walked through each room. Her nose wrinkled at the stale smell and stifling heat. She made a mental note to open up the house as soon as possible. Finding nothing more than crumbling plaster and small bits of trash, she wandered back to see if Gus had approved the next flight of stairs.
The two men knelt at the base of the staircase, taking measurements.
“How does it look?” Charli asked in a near whisper.
