According to Google Maps, we’re close to Kingi’s house, so I slow Dennis, then indicate to turn onto Kingi’s drive. It snakes behind some trees, then turns back on itself, and the house opens up before us.
Fuck me.
It’s enormous. As I park and get out, I can see it’s on the top of a slope. The back of the house, where we are, is on one level, and the front that overlooks the ocean is on two. The view is going to be magnificent.
I get Thea’s bag out of the back, only then realizing that I should have gone home first and collected some of my ownclothes. Oh well. It’s only for one night. Hopefully he’ll have a spare toothbrush I can borrow.
Thea gets out, and I lock the door and take her hand. Together we walk along the path that curves around the side and descends to what appears to be the front door.
“He’s like a king,” she says, wide-eyed, as we ring the doorbell.
“Don’t tell him that to his face,” I advise. “He won’t be able to get his head out of the door.”
She giggles, and then we hear footsteps, and the door opens.
My brain’s been busy with other things today, so I haven’t thought much about our kiss this morning. But as I see him standing there, dressed in a white tee and navy shorts, brown-skinned and dark-haired and gorgeous, I feel a wave of longing so fierce it takes my breath away.
“Hey,” I say, my voice a squeak.
He meets my eyes, then looks at Thea and smiles. “Hey, honey. It’s great to see you. Come in.”
To my surprise, she goes up to him and slides her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
“Aw…” He meets my eyes, his brows drawing together. There’s obviously something about him that makes her feel safe and comfortable. He puts his arms around her and hugs her back, then he holds an arm out to me. I join them in the hug, letting him engulf us both.
Chapter Nineteen
Kingi
I don’t know what’s happened with Mark, but it’s clear that both the girls are upset, and at the moment it’s probably not a good idea to talk about it.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” I say to Thea. “Come on.” Releasing them, I gesture with my head to the stairs that lead down toward the living room on the floor below, and Thea starts descending.
“This is a beautiful house,” Chessie says as we follow Thea down.
“I bought it a couple of years ago. I looked around hundreds of houses, and nothing felt quite right. Then I walked into this one and I knew immediately I wanted it.” The stairs curve to the right, entering the back of the living room, and when Chessie gasps I know she’s having the same reaction that I did when I first came here.
The whole front of the house is glass, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There’s a generous lawn circled by a small fence, and on the other side, steps cut into the hillside lead down to the beach.
The living room is large, bright, and full of sunshine today. The walls are painted a pale lemon yellow, the floorboards are kauri wood with lots of rugs, and the furniture is comfortable—a big soft sofa and chairs, and a wooden dining set at the other end, although I don’t use that much because I don’t entertain here. The kitchen is pine, big and practical, with a square pine table and chairs in the middle. I either eat there, or out on the deck.
By the window, in a crate, is a Parson Russell Terrier puppy, approximately five months old.
Thea squeals, runs over to the crate, and drops to her knees beside it. “Oh, he’s gorgeous!”
“Kingi!” Chessie goes over to and bends to look at the pup, who’s wiggling his tail frantically. “I didn’t know you were getting a dog.”
“He’s not mine. He’s Orson’s—my friend’s,” I explain to Thea, joining them at the crate. “I dogsit sometimes if he’s going away.” I smile. “I’m guessing you’re okay with dogs?”
“I love them,” she says with enthusiasm.
“His name’s Bearcub.” I wink at Chessie, undo the sliding catches holding the crate door closed, and the puppy pushes it open and dashes out. He jumps straight onto Thea’s lap, and she falls backward with him, laughing.
“Aw…” Chessie holds her hands out for the puppy to sniff, then strokes his soft ears as he goes back to play with Thea. The little girl retrieves a rope toy from the crate and starts playing tug with him.
“He’s just had his final vaccinations,” I advise Thea, “so he’s not supposed to go to public places for another couple of weeks, but you can take him out into the garden if you like.” I unlock the sliding doors and open them, and she and Bearcub go onto the deck, then negotiate the couple of steps onto the lawn. “Here,” I call, and toss her a ball, and soon she’s throwing it for Bearcub, who trots around looking up at her as if she’s a princess.
“Is Orson really away?” Chessie says as I lead her across to the kitchen.