Possession (Texas Titans #8) Page 11

  “We talked about the fact that I’m going through something right now,” Sophie said. “You know, trying to figure things out, maybe at a bit of a transitional phase in my life. She thought it would be good for me to have a place to get away from it all.”

  “Huh.” Dalton hesitated. “So, what do you think of the place? Are you going to make an offer?”

  She wasn’t an impetuous person, but she was seriously considering the possibility. “I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t suppose you’d feel like driving out here to have a look at it? I really could use a second opinion.”

  “Sure. Text me the address. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  ***

  Dalton was sure he had the wrong address when he drove into the long gravel drive. It didn’t look the kind of place Sophie would be drawn to, yet given some of the impulsive decisions she’d made lately, he didn’t know what to expect.

  After parking his Land Rover in the empty drive, he noticed Sophie’s silhouette through the window as soon as his boots hit the ground. She was standing in front of the bare window, her back turned. Obviously she was deep in thought if she hadn’t heard him drive up. Hopefully having second thoughts about buying this dilapidated shack, Dalton thought. Though the fact that she was willing to commit to a property near Arlington had to be a good sign, he hoped.

  Sophie finally turned when he reached the bottom step of the crumbling porch. She rushed outside to meet him, throwing the screen door open so fast he marvelled that it hadn’t fallen off of its rusty hinges.

  She laughed as he made his way up the stairs warily when the railing he’d attempted to grab wobbled precariously. “I did mention that it needed work, didn’t I?”

  “Come on, Soph. What this place needs is a bulldozer.” He could tell by her pout that she hadn’t invited him out here because she wanted an honest opinion about the property. She wanted someone to support her decision to buy the place. “Okay, I promise I’ll try to keep an open mind.”

  “That’s all I ask.” She reached for his hand as she led him inside. “Use your imagination,” she said, gesturing to the large bank of windows facing the lake. “This place could be amazing.”

  “If you say so.” Sophie was the designer with the overactive imagination. Maybe she saw something he was missing. “So tell me what you see.” Determined to be supportive, he humored her by leaning against a wall with peeling wallpaper and crossed his arms. “I’m all ears.”

  “Well, if I make an offer-”

  He couldn’t help but laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked, glaring at him.

  “You’re acting as though you haven’t made up your mind.”

  “I haven’t!”

  “I’ve known you a long time, girl. I’ve seen that look in your eyes before.”

  Looking amused, she asked, “What look is that?”

  “The one that tells the world to get the hell out of your way ‘cause you’ve decided how it’s gonna be.”

  “Shut up.” She shoved his shoulder as she walked past him. Moving to the centre of the room, she opened her arms. “Look at all this natural light and the high ceilings.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. “But what about that ugly brick fireplace?” He wrinkled his nose. “What do you plan to do with that?”

  “Probably paint it out. White,” she said, shaking her head emphatically. “I definitely want it to be light and bright in here. White slipcovered furniture that can easily be thrown in the washer after a day of play outside.”

  “A day of play?” he asked, his lips twitching. “What did you have in mind?”

  She blushed as she dipped her head. “I guess I was kind of thinking ahead, you know, to when it would be a family getaway.”

  Now she had his attention. “Go on.”

  “Well, my friend Shy was telling me about the lady who owns it. She said she lived and ran her business from Arlington but she and her family would come here during summer breaks and on weekends. Think about it. It would be perfect, only an hour from the city, yet far enough to enjoy the peace and quiet.”

  “It was a nice drive,” Dalton conceded. He hoped if she wanted his opinion on the place it was because she saw him in her future, but he didn’t have guts to ask about her intentions just yet.

  “I know, right?” Sophie’s face lit up. “When I made my way out here, I was so stressed and confused.” When he frowned, she explained. “I had a meeting with my staff this morning and I was more torn than ever about what to do. But I almost felt the tension melt away as soon as the water came into view.” She inhaled deeply. “I started to take in the little cottages with kids playing on private beaches, people cutting their lawns and tending their gardens and I felt a little envious.”

  “How so?”

  “It’s been a long time since I made time for some mundane task. Hell, I haven’t even taken much time to just wind down lately.”

  “I know.” There were times over the past months when he’d literally dragged her from her studio at ten o’clock at night, insisting she had to eat and sleep before he’d let her come back.

  “I never meant for it to be that way.” She shrugged before shoving her hands into the back pockets of her faded skinny jeans. “It just kind of happened.”

  “I know how that is. When you’re pursuing a dream, nothing else matters.”

  “You do know, don’t you?” She smiled as she took a step closer. “Maybe that’s why I like talking to you, ‘cause you get me.”

  Dalton wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, but he knew she had some decisions to make before he allowed himself to get carried away again. He loved making love to her, but not when it ended with tears and an apology, as it had last time.

  Pushing off the wall and walking around her, he said, “I’m starting to see it,” he said, referring to her vision for the small house. “Keep talking.”

  “Um…”

  He could tell she was disappointed that he hadn’t reached out to her, but this was the time for words, not action. “How many bedrooms and baths?”

  “Three bedrooms, two and a half baths, but they definitely need an overall.”

  Dalton chuckled. “That goes without saying, sweetheart. Still, seems like a good size.” For our family, he wanted to say, but bit his tongue.

  “I think so too.” She walked up beside him, watching some fisherman on a small boat reeling in their catch. “The pine floors could be refinished, I think.” She ran the toe of her Converse running shoe through the dust clouding the floor boards.

  “You’re probably right.” He chipped away at the peeling paint on the window sill. “These would have to go,” he said, referring to the old windows.

  “Yeah, but I’d like to retain as many of the original features as possible. There are a few beautiful stained glass windows. One in the kitchen, one in the hallway leading to the bedrooms and one in the dining area. I’ve always loved vintage stained glass.”

  Dalton smiled, itching to touch her, yet curling his hands into fists instead. “Yeah, we all know how obsessed you are with color.”

  “And these windows are fantastic,” she said, lighting up. “A combination of blue, green, and purple.” She grabbed his hand. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

  He tugged back when she tried to lead him on. “Soph, why did you ask me to come here? You didn’t need my input about this place. It’s pretty obvious you’ve already fallen in love.”

  She tilted her head, looking at him intently before she said, “You’re right, Dalton. I have fallen in love. That’s why I needed your opinion before I moved forward.”

  He knew they weren’t talking about the house anymore. She was referring to her feelings for him and hearing that acknowledgment again made him want to drop to his knees and thank God she’d finally come to her senses.

  But before he got ahead of himself, he drew a deep breath and said, “You know if this will make you happy, I’m all for it. That�
��s all I’ve ever wanted, for you to be happy. For you to let me be the man to make you happy.” He touched her face, smiling when she closed her eyes and turned into his touch as though she’d been craving it.

  “Until today I was afraid to let myself entertain other possibilities.”

  “Meaning…?”

  “I had a long talk with Shy and she helped me to realize it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I can make a living doing what I love, but I don’t have to sacrifice other areas of my life.”

  “Sounds like balance and compromise to me,” he said, settling his hands on her waist and pulling her closer. “I like the sound of that. Tell me more.”

  “I wish I could,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’m not sure what it looks like yet. I have to talk to Jeremy when I get back to L.A. and figure out where we go from here.”

  He couldn’t deny he was frustrated that it always came back to the man who would like nothing more than to take Sophie away from him.

  “One thing I know for sure,” she said, setting her hand against his racing her heart. “I do know things have to change. I’m not happy living in L.A. and I’m not content with my role in the company anymore. I’m a designer, first and foremost. And Arlington is my home. Those things I know for sure.”

  He smiled, feeling the relief wash through him. “Then you’re definitely moving back?”

  She laughed. “Would I be buying this place if I weren’t?”

  “I thought maybe you were going to sell the condo and this would be your spot when you were in town.”

  “No.” She touched his cheek, her eyes softening. “That’s not the way I see things at all.”

  His heart was beating wildly in his chest again, but for all the right reasons this time. He wasn’t scared anymore. He was excited, because he could finally see the promise of a future in her beautiful green eyes.

  ***

  Sophie felt like a giddy kid by the time she’d walked Dalton through the whole house, rattling off ideas about the improvements she intended to make. By the time they were back in the small foyer, she felt he was as convinced as she was. This was a place they belonged.

  She knew it was a big step, but after residing on the fence so long she felt it was time for her to let him know where she stood. “So what do you think?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I know it’s crazy, but should we do it?”

  “We?” he asked, grinning. “Are you offering me a partnership?”

  Standing on her toes, she kissed him. “In every sense of the word.”

  “I love the sound of that,” he whispered, threading his hands through his hair as he tipped her head back to take his kiss.

  “Then you really think it’s a good idea?”

  “Us?” He smiled. “Definitely.”

  She shoved him gently, trying to keep a straight face. “This place. Do you think I should make an offer?”

  “Only if you let me pay for half.” At her questioning look, he added, “Of the cottage and the renovation.”

  “Um…” She wanted Dalton to know she was committed to their future, but buying a property together was a big step. She wasn’t a pessimist, but she couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to the cottage she’d already fallen in love with if things didn’t work out between them.

  “I know what you’re thinking.” He reached for her hands, taking a step back. “This was your find and you don’t want to share.”

  “It’s not that.” Though it did sound better than the real reason. Maybe she should just go with it. “Exactly.”

  “You’re worried about having to sell it if we break up, aren’t you?” He surprised her by kissing her hands to let her know he wasn’t upset she’d been contemplating the worst possible outcome. “That’s understandable. You’re a pragmatic woman. It’s only natural you’d consider the possibility.”

  “I do think we’re great together,” she said, squeezing his hands. “And I could imagine us…” She didn’t want to get too far ahead of herself. “Having a future, but neither one of us knows where we could be a year from now. You could decide you don’t want to work for the family business after all and opt to take one of the pro coaching jobs you’ve been offered.”

  “I know one thing for sure. I want to be wherever you are, Soph.”

  Her heart swelled with happiness, but it was also laced with guilt. He was willing to put their relationship first, even though she hadn’t done the same.

  “Don’t.” He drew her to him, kissing her cheek before his lips drifted to her neck. “Don’t beat yourself up for leaving. It helped clarify things, for both of us. At least I know it did for me.”

  “Me too.”

  “Good.” He inhaled deeply, groaning slightly before dropping his head against her shoulder. “You don’t know how much I want you right now.”

  Sophie giggled. “Unfortunately I promised Shy we’d go back to their place for dinner. They can’t wait to meet you.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting them too,” Dalton said, raising his head with a smile. “If they’re important to you they’ll be important to me too.”

  “I love you so much.” Sophie released his hands before standing on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck. “Thank you for being so patient and not giving up on me when you probably should have.”

  “Giving up? That’s not me. You know that. Especially when it’s something as important as this.”

  “So, about the cottage…” She didn’t want to bring him down, but she was anxious to make an offer on the property and knew they had to act quickly. “What should we do?”

  “I’ll have my lawyer draft a contract that states if things don’t work out, though I know they will, you’ll have the option of buying my half of the cottage. Is that fair?”

  “Yes.” Her face broke into a wide grin before turning in his arms to face the living room. “I’m so excited about this, Dalton. I just know this place is going to be amazing when we’re finished with it.”

  “I’d do just about anything to make you light up like that,” he said, kissing her neck.

  “I need this,” she said, closing her arms around his. “I need something other than my work to focus on. I realize I’ve been single-minded for too long. That has to change.”

  “I agree. So what happens with Jeremy? You think he’ll be mad you want to dissolve the partnership?”

  “I’m not sure that’s what I’m going to do yet.” His arms tightened around her and she could tell he didn’t welcome the prospect of a future that involved Jeremy. “I had a talk with Shy and she reminded me that I have options I haven’t even considered yet.”

  “Such as?”

  She was apprehensive discussing it with Dalton before pitching the idea to Jeremy, but it wasn’t fair to keep him guessing. “I know you don’t like Jeremy-”

  “With good reason,” he interjected. “The guy wants you, Soph.”

  “Maybe,” she conceded. “But he’s never going to have me, so it’s a moot point.” Tilting her head back to kiss him, she said the words she knew would put his mind at ease. “I’m yours.”

  He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply before a smile touched his lips. “I’ve been waiting to hear you say that for so long.”

  “It’s true, you know. I’ve known it for a long time, but I guess I was just afraid to admit it because I thought it represented the end of my freedom.” She wasn’t proud of her stance, but she valued honesty and knew he did too. “And that’s not something I thought I wanted to part with until I got a taste of life without you.”

  His arms tightened around her before he said, “Okay, tell me how Jeremy figures into your plans.”

  “He’s a brilliant business man, babe. He built his brand from nothing and now he’s one of the most respected designers in the world.”

  “But I thought you didn’t agree with his vision for the company?”

  “I’ve had my reservations, but maybe I should let him do wh
at he does best and stick to what I do best.”

  “Designing?”

  “That is my passion,” she said, thinking how thrilling it would be to delve back into the creative process from the initial sketches to holding the hand-made prototype in her hands, after personally sourcing the fabrics and embellishments. “It’s what I love.” She gestured to their breath-taking waterfront view and said, “I could just imagine working here. Stepping outside to breathe the fresh air when I need a break or having a cup of tea with Shy when I need a little human contact.”

  “So Jeremy would manage the sales, marketing, and business part and you’d handle the design?”

  “Jeremy would put together a team to handle those things, in L.A., which he’s already started to do.”

  “But production would carry on at your studio here?”

  “That would be the plan.” Sophie felt a knot in her stomach when she considered the possibility the entire operation would have to move to L.A. if it grew at the rate Jeremy forecasted.

  “You don’t sound so sure.”

  “I feel like I might be standing in the way of Easton’s growth.” It was difficult to admit, but Sophie knew she had to be honest with herself. She stepped out of Dalton’s arms before circling the large living room. “Shy said something earlier and it kind of got me to thinking.”

  “Go on,” Dalton said, frowning.

  “She said this business was like my baby, which it is.”

  “And?”

  She could tell Dalton was guarded, ready to jump to her defense if he didn’t agree with Shy’s assessment. That’s one of the many things she loved about him. He was fiercely protective of the people he loved. “She suggested I may have to be willing to step out of the way to allow the business to grow.”