Chapter 205 Chapter 205

Chapter 205 Chapter 205
The interior needed some work, but the original craftsmanship was evident in many places, from intricate woodwork to the ornate wrought iron detail.

Behind part of the building was a stone-enclosed courtyard.

“This is Lyla’s favorite feature. She’s suggesting trees, a fountain. Maybe something Zen-inspired. Awnings to filter the sun during the afternoons. And maybe a pergola or gazebo.”

Wynter nodded.

“I can see why she’s excited. This is also a great place for gatherings and showings.”

“Lyla said the same thing.”

“And it’s priced to sell?”

“About twenty to twenty-five dollars a square foot under market value.”

“Taking some of the renovation costs into consideration.”

Wynter grimaced in his direction.

“I’m sorry. Am I asking too many questions?”

“Not at all. That’s why I brought you along.”

“Do you have an estimated timeframe for renovations?” he asked Suzanne.

“It’s only a guess, as you know, because a contractor would know a lot more than I do.”

Lucas nodded.

“And building permits,” Suzanne added. “Start date.”

“Been through that before.”

“I’d say a year. Maybe eighteen months.”

Then she winced.

“Could run a little longer.”

Wynter had another question.

“Is your sister happy with this location?”

Suzanne answered for him.

“It’s about a block away from where she’d ideally like to be. But Strand is among the priciest real estate downtown.”

“And does that have the best artists’ vibe? Or is it too commercial?”

“She also considered that.”

They finished up in the main, large, open space.

“Can you send me the comps and your recommended offer?”

“You’ll have it this afternoon. Let me know as soon as possible. Otherwise Lyla will have to compete with others.”

“Maybe end up in a bidding war?” Wynter asked.

“Yes.”

They thanked Suzanne for her time, then headed outside.

“I’d suggest we start with that ice cream, but neither of us had lunch.”

“And we’re having dinner.”

“How about appetizers and cocktails at Pier 21?”

“I’m in.”

They headed toward the water. Since it was after spring break and before the summer school holidays, the streets weren’t packed, though plenty of people enjoyed drinks in front of the Strand’s historic shops.

Because it was a beautiful afternoon, before the upcoming oppressive heat, they opted for a table on the patio.

She asked for a rum punch, and he ordered almost all of the appetizers on the menu, along with a white wine.

A dolphin tour blasted its horn, then entered the harbor.

When their beverages arrived, they clinked the rims together, just as a barge slipped by.

“This was a wonderful idea.”

She took a sip of the killer drink, vowing not to have more than one. Unless she could take a nap on the beach.

“I’m not sure why I never think to come down here for a quick getaway. It’s such a short trip.”

“I wonder the same thing every visit. I understand why my sister settled here.”

After the server cleared the dishes and brought the check, they walked back to the Strand for an ice cream.

“Only place in the world you can still buy this brand.”

She’d heard of it, and with its high butterfat content, the double scoop of praline pecan was even more delicious than she imagined.

“This is the stuff of dreams. I’d drive down here just for this.”

“I tell Lyla I’m coming to see her, but really I come for the mint chocolate chip.”

She laughed.

By unspoken accord, they meandered all the way to one end and then back, window shopping.

They arrived back at the car and drove toward the seawall. Colorful umbrellas and chairs dotted the beach, becoming sparser as they traveled west, out of town.

“I haven’t been to this part of the island before.”

“Completely different. A charm of its own.”

The road widened, and massive, gorgeous homes on stilts lined the Gulf side.

“It’s a little wilder out here.”

“It is.”

Off to the right, he pointed out a bright pink bird.

“Roseate spoonbill.”

“How did you know that?”

“Lyla likes to come out here to cleanse her artistic palate. The first time I saw one, I thought it might be a flamingo. She laughed her ass off at my expense.”

A smile toyed with Wynter’s lips, but she wiped it away.

About five minutes later, he turned right, heading for the bay.

They opted to dine alfresco once more, each feasting on platters of Gulf shrimp.

“That’s it,” she pronounced. “I’ll never settle for anything else.”

“Sweet, isn’t it?”

He met her gaze.

“Succulent.”

He made the word something sensual.

After dinner, he topped off their wineglasses from the bottle they’d ordered, and they walked to the end of the extended pier to watch the sun sink into the bay.

She took out her cell phone and snapped dozens of photos as the colors deepened and intensified.

“Better than being in the office?”

Next to her, watching everything she did, he smiled.

“I’d like your version of work.”

When they started the drive east, the sky was inky and star studded. Instead of continuing onto the seawall, he turned south and parked on the sand.

“I promised you could do all the things, and that included walking on the beach.”

She wasn’t sure she’d ever enjoyed an afternoon more. Her high-maintenance client was remarkably hospitable when he was getting his own way.

After kicking off her shoes, she joined him at the water’s edge. Though it was still spring, the water was amazingly warm.

The night was perfect, balmy and moonlit. Gentle waves lapped against the shore.

Once they were out of sight of houses, he stopped.

“Consider this your fair warning. I’m going to kiss you.”

Her heart jumped into her throat. She shouldn’t let him.

He gently cupped her face in his massive palms. The silvery moon made his eyes even darker, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever again look up at the night sky without thinking of him.

Though he gave her plenty of opportunity to refuse his advance, she couldn’t deny him.

He slanted his mouth over hers. This kiss was different from the one they shared at the hotel, equally sexy, but he was a touch more demanding, as if he wanted much more than her surrender. He wanted her wholehearted response.

When she moaned, silently screaming, “Yes,” he pressed deeper into her mouth.

He tasted of the exquisite wine and promise, and his tongue mated with hers. Motions deliberate, he rested his hand on her buttock, holding her in place. Then he began to squeeze, increasing the pressure as he intensified his kiss.

Arousal flooded her. The more he asked for, the more she ached to give.

In that moment, a small lick of pain rocked through her from the bite of his fingers, and she groaned.

She was instantly and totally turned on and hungry for more.

By slow, gentle measures, he eased away, leaving her on a jagged, insistent cliff.

“I know what you want, Wynter.”

He stood close, his eyes intense, the force of his will engulfing her.

“Are you brave enough to ask for it?”