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DAVID
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THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL on my arm just sent shockwaves through my whole body. My dad always said he knew with one look that he was in love with my mother, but the first time they touched, it was like they were burned into each other's souls. And I think that’s what just happened to me.
That’s how it feels now with her hand on my arm as I guide her across the road toward my house. Like my soul just linked with hers, and I didn’t know I was walking around as only half of myself. But now I think I know what it feels like to be whole, and I don’t ever want to give it up.
“It actually needs some work,” I say, but my voice comes out much huskier than I planned. I don’t want to scare her away, but I want to talk to her. I want to know every little thing about her.
“What’s your name, beautiful?” I ask. She hasn’t taken her eyes off the house, but when I call her beautiful, a small smile graces her lips. Pride hits me that I was able to put that smile there.
“Ivy,” she says as she turns her stunning emerald green eyes on me.
“Ivy.” I test the name on my lips and instantly love it. “I’m David.”
We walk through the gate that’s next on my list of upgrades. I need to increase security because my singing career is climbing. My first single did better than anyone ever expected, so they are already rushing for me to put out the next. I push that thought from my head. I want Ivy to have all my attention.
“This old girl needs a name,” I say, talking about the house.
“You haven’t named her yet?” she asks, a little shocked.
“No, couldn’t think of anything I loved,” I say. Her eyebrows pinch, almost as if in confusion.
As we walk up to the door, I hold it open for her. She smiles up at me as she steps inside. Having her in my space affects me. It’s almost as though with her here, it’s now a home. I watch her take in the house in wonder.
“This will be the living area. It’s bare now because I haven’t been able to decide on a color scheme.” The room currently has white carpet and red velvet drapes that were here when I moved in. It’s definitely not to my taste, but I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had time to think about what I would like instead.
“To the left here will be the dining room. The kitchen is on the other side of the wall there,” I say as we head that way. I watch her eyes take it all in before I point at the stairs. “Up there are the bedrooms and where I’ve pretty much been living, and around here is the kitchen. This was the first room I had redone before I even moved in. I need my food.” I laugh.
She smiles and takes in the kitchen. The kitchen overlooks a room that I’m sure is supposed to be a family room at the back of the house. Though I’m not sure what I will be doing with it because it sits bare right now.
At this moment, I can see Ivy in the kitchen making dinner while I sit there with my guitar working on music or maybe entertaining in the family room. I can see morning coffees sitting at the counter. I can see it all so clear, and I can’t keep the grin off my face.
She walks around the kitchen, lightly trailing her fingers across the countertops like she is scared to touch them but just can’t stop herself. I am now jealous of my own kitchen countertops because I want to be the one she trails her fingers across. I wonder what it would be like to feel her fingers run down my skin that way.
I start to feel the stirring of arousal and have to take a deep breath. Getting hard within the first hour of meeting this girl would send her running.
“Here, why don’t you sit down and let me get you a glass of water.” After she sits at the counter, she watches me move around the kitchen. Her fingers brush mine as I hand her the glass. I watch her take a few sips of water, then I have an idea.
“Will you stay for lunch? I had lunch prepared. I was thinking we could eat outside, and I can show you the rest of the grounds?” I hope she’ll say yes. I just want a little more time with her, hoping she feels this connection.
She smiles up at me. “I’d love to. I’m so hungry it’s like I haven’t eaten in years.” She laughs quietly to herself, obviously laughing at her own joke.
After asking Ivy to wait, I head to find my housekeeper, who is also doubling as my cook right now. I ask her to make lunch for us to enjoy outside since the weather is so nice.
I rush back to Ivy, not wanting to waste a second of time with her. When I get back to her, she has finished the water and is standing at the window, looking out over the backyard.
This time, I take a chance and grasp her hand in mine. Unsure of how she will react, I look at her hand and intertwine my fingers with hers, taking in a shaky breath. I always thought my parents were crazy or just special. I never thought this kind of love, love at first sight, actually existed.
Until now. Until Ivy.
Once outside, we walk the small garden my mom put in before I lead her out to where I set up a small table and some chairs so I could enjoy dinner outside. I love coming out here at the end of the day to relax, but like the rest of the house, it needs work too. We head to the table, and I pull out a chair for her to take a seat.
After sitting down next to her, I start pulling items from the basket my housekeeper left on the table for us and serve her my favorite chicken salad sandwich and potato salad along with some sweet tea.
We share glances, and she grins, watching me set out the items for us. When everything is set, I pick up my sandwich, and say, “So tell me everything about you, Ivy, and don’t leave anything out.”
