Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

SIMON

T he drive back to my place was short. I was looking forward to sharing this piece of myself with her. And I was very excited to be alone with her. It was weird not to spend time with her after the last week together. I missed waking up and seeing her face or getting a kiss goodnight. I turned off the main road and onto the private drive, through the dense forest that surrounded the property. The trees formed a natural barrier, cocooning the house in a peaceful silence that was a stark contrast to the noise and energy of the city.

When I saw the house, I knew it was perfect. I wished I had bought it earlier. It was nice having a hideaway. The gate gave me the privacy I craved, especially at a time like this. I parked my car and got out. Rylee climbed out of her car and slowly shook her head.

"Wow," she murmured, her voice filled with awe as she looked at the house. The exterior lights illuminated the custom build, highlighting the sleek, modern design and the expansive grounds. I felt a mix of pride and apprehension. The house was nice, but it was still a little empty. It was gorgeous but not homey and comfortable. But with Rylee beside me, it felt different—like it might finally become the home I had envisioned.

"This place is incredible," she said, her eyes wide as she looked around. "It's like something out of a magazine."

"Thanks," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Years ago, I imagined building a house just like this here in Dallas. I had big dreams but quickly scrapped them."

Rylee followed me into one of the sitting rooms, where I started mixing her a drink. She wandered around the room.

"What happened to those dreams?" she asked.

I sighed, handing her a Cosmopolitan. "Well, it's hard to be a host and share your home with others when everyone thinks you're a dirtbag. I decided to move to Houston full time. I needed space between me and my family. It wasn't like anyone was going to miss me or the parties I might have hosted. They were likely relieved I was gone. They could go about their lives without feeling guilty for not coming over or inviting me to their shindigs."

She frowned, clearly troubled by my words. I could see her trying to figure out what to say next. "Don't feel bad for me, Rylee. I made my own bed. I just have to figure out how to unmake it," I added quickly, trying to lighten the mood.

She gave a small laugh, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. "Simon, you're not a dirtbag. You're amazing."

"Let's not talk about that." I changed the subject quickly, not wanting to delve into my past on such a wonderful night. "Let me show you the rest of the house."

I led her through the rooms, showing her the kitchen with its sleek, stainless-steel appliances and marble countertops, the library that was nothing more than empty shelves and a couple of pieces of furniture, and then the living room with its massive flat screen TV hanging above an iconic fireplace. Rylee was speechless as we moved from room to room.

I led her downstairs and showed her the gym and game room. She laughed as she tested out the pinball machine and then held her breath as I opened the door to an indoor heated swimming pool. The water glistened under the recessed lights, sending shimmering reflections across the room. Rylee's eyes widened in awe.

"Wow, Simon," she breathed, stepping closer to the edge. "This is just… wow. This is where you live now?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "This house, despite its emptiness, feels more like home to me. I want to be closer to my mother and sister, and with my work, I could operate out of Dallas and travel to Houston when necessary. Now that I've talked with my sister?—"

"What?" she asked.

I realized I hadn't had the chance to tell her about my conversation with my sister. "Marsha and I talked. We worked through some of our baggage. I think things will be better. With the fence mended with Marsha, it'll make it easier to spend time with my mom."

Rylee listened intently, her eyes never leaving mine. "Good. I'm so happy for you. You deserve a family that loves you."

"Thanks. Let's take a walk," I suggested, eager to show her more of the property.

We stepped outside into the cool night air. "A second pool?" she asked.

"Yep." I grinned. "Cool or stormy days but you still want to swim, you can do it inside."

"This place is incredible."

"I thought so." I nodded as we walked along a pathway.

"It would be perfect for a family," Rylee remarked casually, her words catching me off guard. She glanced at me, her expression open and honest.

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. "Yeah, it would."

We shared a look, a moment of unspoken understanding passing between us. Then we looked away, continuing our walk around the pool.

"I've never actually been in the pool," I said, trying to steer the conversation to lighter territory. "I haven't had time."

Rylee stopped walking, her mouth falling open in disbelief. "That's a crime. Look at this pool! It's the stuff from magazine covers!"

I chuckled. "I never really thought about it like that."

Suddenly, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. Before I could react, she dropped into a squat, her center of gravity shifting. She tackled me at the waist, and we both went tumbling into the pool in a splash of water and laughter.

The water was cool and refreshing but thankfully not too cold. For a moment, I was submerged, the world above muffled by the water. When I resurfaced, Rylee's laughter rang out, the sound infectious and joyful.

"You little devil," I said, grinning as I grabbed her and pulled her close. Our kiss tasted like chlorine and Cosmopolitan, and it was perfect.

"I hope you didn't have your phone in your pocket," she teased.

"Damn," I muttered, patting my back pocket and finding it empty. I let out a sigh of relief, "Nope, it's on the table inside."

Rylee squealed with delight as she splashed water at me. Her cheeks flushed from the sudden rush of cool water against warm skin. It was playful and spontaneous, a rare moment of pure fun that seemed to somehow make my house feel more like a home.

Suddenly, she yelped as I pulled her under the water with me, wrapping my arms around her waist. The water muffled the sound of our laughter as we surfaced together. Her long hair was damp and sticking to her face now, but she looked even more beautiful. Our clothes were clinging to our bodies, making it difficult to move.

She swam to the side and hoisted herself out of the pool. "Where are you going?" I asked. "We're just getting started."

She flashed me a grin as she kicked off her shoes. "Do you typically swim fully clothed?"

"Nope."

I watched as she pulled off her tank top. "Then why start now?" she questioned, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. She stood there, perched at the edge of the pool with her wet clothes sticking to her skin. I couldn't help but laugh as I swam toward her, leaving a trail of ripples behind me.

I climbed out of the pool, my wet clothes dragging me down a bit. She peeled off her jeans, standing before me in just her bra and panties. I arched an eyebrow, waiting to see how far she was going to take this. And then to my surprise, she unhooked her bra and pulled it off. A moment later, she pushed down her thong. With one last, sexy grin, she dove into the pool.

The image of her naked body gliding through the water was going to haunt me for the rest of my days in the best way possible. She was stunning. So full of life. Gorgeous. She resurfaced, slicking her black hair away from her face. "Are you going to stand there all night or get your ass in here?"

I laughed and kicked off my Gucci shoes that were effectively ruined, but I didn't care. I stripped out of my pants and shirt and carefully removed my Rolex, putting it on the pile of clothes.

"Don't stop there," Rylee teased.

I turned to look at her and slowly pushed down my briefs. A moment later, stark naked under the moonlight, I jumped into the pool. The lukewarm water was a shock to my system, but it was exhilarating. I surfaced to see Rylee swimming toward me, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"Took you long enough," she said, her voice low. She swam closer until we were only a breath apart.

Looking into her eyes, I was reminded of just how lucky I was to have met her. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against me. I felt a rush of heat surge through me at her touch

We swam around for a bit, enjoying the weightlessness of the water and the freedom of the moment. The stars above us were bright and clear. It felt like we were in our own little world, free from the pressures and expectations of reality. Free of clothing and any restrictions. We were weightless.

"This place is amazing," she said again, her voice filled with genuine admiration as we bobbed up and down in the water. "But it feels a bit empty. You have a huge patio and there's no furniture. I didn't see much in the house either."

I nodded, understanding what she meant. "Yeah, it does. I bought this place with the idea that it would be filled with people, with life one day."

Rylee reached out, running her hand over my chest. "It doesn't have to stay that way, you know."

"You're right," I said softly. "It doesn't. I was thinking you could help me do some shopping. I've bought a few things, but I've been distracted and lack enthusiasm."

"You want me to help you decorate?" she asked.

"Yes. I want it to feel like a home. My house in Houston is cold. It's a bachelor pad. I am hoping to have company. I'd like people to feel comfortable here."

"Count me in," Rylee said. "I'm happy to spend your money. Where do you want to start?"

"Let's see," I began, giving a thoughtful pause. "Maybe the patio? I love the property and I like being outside. I could use some outdoor furniture, a dining table, a grill."

"And an outdoor fireplace," she added. "Those are beautiful and give an inviting atmosphere. Oh, and some string lights for when the sun sets."

I chuckled at her enthusiasm but agreed. "Sounds perfect."

We spent another thirty minutes in the pool, simply floating around, talking about my favorite colors and what she would do with one space or another. I could actually see her vision. It made me hopeful for the future. Hopefully, that future was with her.