Chapter 9

Norah

I'm biting down on my smile as Kyle—the listing agent now recovered from the flu—slides the final paperwork across the table to Austin.

This is happening. This is actually happening.

I'm selling a house. A huge house.

But more importantly, Austin is getting the house of his dreams. I'm so excited for him, I'm so excited for me, I'm so excited for everything.

He picked the first house we saw with the parrot and the grand double staircase. It's the right choice for him. It's perfect.

We went back to see it again and then I hired an inspector to check out the house and property. Everything turned out great.

"Whenever you're ready, Mr. Gambill," Kyle says with a firm voice and a professional nod.

Oh, I like the way he did that nod. I'm going to have to practice that at home.

Kyle is the top realtor in the state and I've been studying his every move. It's like being a wannabe actor and having the opportunity to watch Jack Nicholson perform. I'm taking in everything.

Austin takes the pen off the cap and smiles at me. I smile back, wondering how I could fall so fast and so hard for someone.

It's only been a week and we're spending every waking moment together. He's slept over at my place twice and I've slept at his apartment twice. Well, sleeping is a strong word. We haven't been doing too much of that.

He's traveling over the weekend for an away game in LA. I don't know how I'm going to go two days without his big muscular arms around me.

My heart is racing as I watch him sign the contracts. The realtor hands over the keys and just like that, Austin has his first house.

And I get my first sale.

The commission on this is going to be crazy.

"Congratulations, Mr. Gambill," Kyle says, standing up and shaking his hand. "I'm sure you'll enjoy the heck out of that house."

"I'm going to enjoy filling up all those bedrooms," Austin says with a grin.

"You'll just have to find a special woman to help you with that," Kyle says with an easy laugh.

Austin's sexy brown eyes flash to me and we share a secret smile.

I want to look professional in front of Kyle, who is now my working peer, so I put out my hand to Austin. "Congratulations on the house," I say all professional-like. "It's been a pleasure working with you."

He shakes my hand and smiles warmly at me. "The pleasure has been all mine, Miss Ellison. I couldn't have done it without you. I'll tell all my friends about your excellent service."

I hope he keeps it PG-13 when he tells them in the locker room.

"Thank you." I release his hand and turn to Kyle. "Mr. Watson, I'm sure we'll be working together again soon."

We shake and then gather our things. We're at his office, so Austin and I leave together.

"Miss Ellison," Kyle says as we're heading out. "Can I have a word in private?"

"Of course." I nod to Austin and he continues out into the parking lot. "How can I help you?"

I slip back into his office and he closes the door.

"How the heck did you bag Austin Gambill as a client?" he asks, looking at me in awe.

"It was part of my marketing plan. Top secret stuff."

He laughs as he sits on his desk. "It was very impressive. Have you been doing this for long? I haven't seen you around."

"I'm new on the scene," I tell him with firm eye contact. "But I'm coming in hot. You'll start seeing me around more and more. Bet on that."

He chuckles. "I like your attitude. You're feisty. And I like how you handled your client."

I swallow hard. If only he knew how I handled him…

"I can tell that he trusts you completely," he continues. "Do you think you can do that with other clients?"

Hmmm, I can't sleep with every client, but I'll figure it out.

"Yes," I say with a confident nod. "It's one of my strengths."

He looks at me for a long moment. I can tell the wheels in his brain are turning.

"How would you like to join my team?"

My eyes widen so hard they hurt. He laughs.

"Seriously?"

Kyle Watson's team is the dream team of San Antonio realtors. There's Carol Johnson, superstar of Pecan Valley; Jamal Sloan, king of Alamo Heights; Regina Stockton, Wizard of the Inner West Side; and I can go on. It's the who's who of San Antonio real estate. Seriously, their real estate signs are everywhere.

I'd learn so much. It would be like taking a masterclass just being around them.

"I'm willing to try it out if you are," he says with that same winning smile that's on his For Sale signs. "What do you say?"

I put out my hand, look him dead in the eyes, and nod. "You won't regret this."

We shake and he welcomes me to the team. I'm in a daze as he gives me some contracts and company papers to read over. We set an appointment for tomorrow so I can come in and make it official.

I'm shaking by the time I meet Austin in the parking lot.

"What is it?" he asks. He can already read me so well, I love it.

"I'm… joining his team," I say, shocked to hear those words coming out of my mouth.

I'm still stunned when I feel those big warm arms wrapping around me. Austin picks me up and spins me around, hollering in celebration.

I grab his beautiful face when he comes to a stop and I kiss him. We're behind the building, so no one is going to see.

"A new house," he says as he lovingly gazes at me. "A new career. We have to celebrate."

My body is coming alive as I think about what that celebration will entail.

"I'd love to bring you back to my place," he says with a groan. "But I have to go to my pre-game meeting and practice. It's mandatory."

"That's okay," I say as I kiss him again. "I have to go to the pub and give my two weeks' notice!"

I squeal, I'm so excited. A hot new guy, a huge commission check, and now a new job. I can't believe how my life has turned around in a week. It's wild.

"You're coming to the game tonight, right?" Austin asks as he puts me down.

I nod. "In the front row. I'll be cheering you on, Mr. Sexy Home Owner."

He's nervous for tonight. They're playing the Denver Landslides, which is one of the best teams in the league. He had his worst game the last time they played.

"You're going to do great," I say as I stand on my toes and kiss his chin. "And I'll be there cheering you on the whole time."

He swallows hard and forces out a smile. "I hope so."