Page 106 of The Photograph

The next day, Joan, the owner of Events Production, enters the hallway with a man by her side and smiles brightly. “Gabe, always a pleasure. This is Kirk.” I shake hands with the elegantly dressed man who peruses the foyer.

I arrived an hour ago and walked through the house Aelin never got to show me. It’s perfect. It has an old world feel while being completely modern.

“Is Aelin with you?” Kirk asks.

“No, she should be here soon.”

On cue, a car engine roars, and I stalk to the doors as Aelin comes out of John’s truck.Fuckinglover boy’s back.

When the bastard gives her a couple of bags and kisses her mouth, I grit my teeth and descend the stairs. The fucker drives off.

“Is this Aelin?” Kirk whispers behind me. Joan must have nodded. “You were right. She’s an absolute doll.”

She is.

Joan chuckles. “Wait until she speaks… sexiest bedroom voice.”

That too.

Aelin greets me with a hesitant smile. “Gabe, hi.”

Pointing my chin at the small mountain she’s carrying. “Let me help with that.”

“Thank you. Can you take the tray of hot drinks?”

“You brought coffee?”

I can’t help but smile when her grin turns cute. “Yes, and pastries.”

Joan says, “Did I hear coffee?”

Aelin lifts her smile to Joan. “You did, and pastries, too. How are you, Joan?”

She hugs Joan, turns to the man standing next to the event planner and extends her hand. “You must be Kirk. Joan told me wonders about your work. Very pleased to meet you at last.”

When Kirk stares at her wordlessly, she clears her throat and lowers her arm.

“Kirk?” Joan prompts with a frown.

The man shakes his head and grins while he clasps her hand between his.

“My apologies, Aelin. Joan told me you were pretty, but she clearly undersold you.”

Aelin’s face flushes. “Oh, thank you. That’s very nice. Shall we start the tour?” She turns to me. “Is it okay with you?”

No, I want to be inside you and hear you…“Yeah.”

She’s not just pretty, she’s glowing.Is she sleeping with the carpenter?By the way her breathing changes and her pupils widen when I’m close, I know I affect her.

As we enter the spliced up living room, Kirk turns to me. “What about the main bedroom?”

Aelin frowns. “What about it?”

“Maybe we can use it as a boudoir. A relaxing interlude for guests. We did this for the premiere of the Charmaine manor a few months ago and it was very popular.”

Aelin steps before me and I inhale her hair, her skin.Fuck.

“There’s a lounge on the east side which would be perfect for a boudoir. Let me show you.”

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