Perfectly Honest Read Free Page B

her. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about that?” he asked with a smile.
    “No, that sounds perfect,” she quickly agreed.
    As they rounded the next bend in the drive, the view opened up to a clearing. Mikaela caught her breath at the beauty.
    She expected a little cottage in the backwoods of the lot, like a rugged man-cave.
    This was not that.
    This was a beautiful, stunning piece of art, made of glass and stone, which melded with the environment. She stared at the asymmetry of the roofline and the staggered design of the building as it curved around a majestic maple tree. The image of a sexy lady lying on her side and winking as she invited you in popped into Mikaela’s head. Even the tree’s canopy looked like an elegant fan keeping the mistress cool, as it swayed in the light breeze. She laughed at the fanciful thought.
    Mikaela looked over at Sam with delight. “This is amazing,” she said. “It’s so beautiful.”
    Sam looked over at the house, obviously pleased. “Thanks. My brother’s an architect and when I bought this property, he was excited about designing the house. He was like a kid in a candy store, testing all kinds of new things. It was fun to work with him.”
    “Well, the result is spectacular. It looks modern and rustic at the same time. Like it’s part of the environment.”
    Sam nodded. “That was the idea,” he said. “Come on. I’ll show you inside.”
    He parked the car and grabbed their bags from the back. He led her down the walkway, which curved around the maple tree, to the front door, a plain slab of rich chocolate brown wood. Sam flipped open a small compartment hidden in the frame and pressed his right index finger to the panel. The door slid open.
    “Here,” he said. “Give me your hand and I’ll code you in, so you can come and go.”
    He pressed a series of numbers and then, drawing her close to him, he took her hand gently in his and pressed her index finger to the scanner. Mikaela caught her breath at the brief, gentle contact. She was acutely aware of the firmness of his chest against her back and his warm, earthy smell.
    “There you go,” he said quietly. “Just press your finger to the scanner and the door will unlock or lock behind you if you’re leaving.”
    Mikaela cleared her throat as she stepped away from him. “Thanks. Good to know.”
    He picked up the bags again, and nodded for her to go inside.
    Mikaela slipped off her shoes in the foyer and walked to the left, into a sitting area. High ceilings soared above a sleek stone fireplace, filling one wall. Floor to ceiling windows across the back wall, interrupted by glass French doors, allowed a breathtaking view of a lake in the back.
    “Oh, you’re on the water here,” she said, smiling at Sam.
    “Yes, it’s not a very big lake, but enough for kayaking in the summer and skating in the winter.”
    “It’s really lovely, Sam.”
    “I’ll show you around.”
    They walked to the right, behind the foyer into the kitchen. It was white and gray, with an expanse of veined marble on the countertops and island. A gray and white marble backsplash in smaller tiles set off elegant gray cabinets. A circular white table sat in a little nook overlooking the lake.
    “It all looks brand new,” Mikaela exclaimed.
    Sam laughed. “Someone comes to help with the cleaning and upkeep through the week, when I can’t get here. And, lucky for me, she loves to cook. She keeps the fridge well stocked with homemade meals and fresh produce, mostly from her garden, I think. So,” he grinned, “the kitchen doesn’t get a lot of use. I like to think I’m saving her some work by not messing it up.”
    “That’s very considerate of you,” Mikaela said, with a grin.
    They continued through the kitchen into a larger, formal dining area. An entertainment room filled with a large-screen television, comfy recliners, and a large sofa branched off to the front of the house. Toward the back of the house, another room