Fatal Justice by Marie Force Read Free Book Online

led her into the kitchen. “What do you think?”
    “ Oh ,” she said, taking in the large, stylish kitchen where everything was brand new. “I knew they were renovating this place, but I never imagined this.” She ran a hand over the stone countertop. The cabinets were dark wood, the appliances sleek stainless steel. Above the bar that piggybacked the kitchen and living room, teardrop lights hung from the ceiling. “I love it.”
    “I hoped you would.”
    She stepped into the living room and gasped at the size of it. At the far end, a marble mantel framed a large fireplace. “What the heck?”
    “I take it you didn’t know he bought the place next door and knocked out the walls.”
    “I had no idea! This place is huge! What’re you going to do with all this space?”
    He shrugged. “Maybe raise a bunch of kids with you?”
    Her heart stopped at the mention of kids. He knew she couldn’t have them but had made it clear he didn’t care and that they’d adopt if and when the time came.
    “Sam? Are you all right?”
    “Sure,” she said, shaking it off. “Show me the rest.”
    Besides the kitchen and living room, the first floor of the double-sized townhouse boasted an enormous dining room as well as a full bathroom. The floors were a light wood and recently refinished. The second floor had four bedrooms and two more bathrooms.
    “I thought for now we could use that one for a guest room, that one for an office and maybe a gym in there,” he said of the extra bedrooms.
    “You’ve got it all figured out.”
    “When I first looked at it, I could see us here together. That’s why I bought it.”
    “It’s a really nice place,” she conceded. “I’ve certainly never lived anywhere nicer.”
    “Neither have I. Come check this out.” He led her to the master bedroom where a new king-size bed with an elaborate wrought iron head-and footboard was the only furniture in the room.
    Startled, Sam said, “You bought a bed already?”
    “Yep.” He sat on the bed and kicked off his shoes. “I wanted to stay here tonight.”
    “And they just let you truck a bed in here?”
    “They, um, they think it’s cool that they’re selling to a senator.”
    Seeing him flustered made Sam laugh. “Already taking full advantage, are you?”
    “I wouldn’t say that—exactly. Take a look at the closet. I figured you’d like that.”
    “Nice way to change the subject.” Sam stepped into the walk-in closet and took a good look at the decent-sized space, deciding that about half her clothes would fit in there.
    “Isn’t it great?” he asked with a smile.
    “Where would you keep your stuff?”
    His smile faded. “I figured we’d share it.”
    “Um, sure. Okay.”
    “You don’t have that many shoes.”
    “What I have at my dad’s is about one-tenth of the total. The rest are in storage.”
    His mouth dropped open in shock. “Are you serious? ”
    “I never joke about shoes.”
    Scratching at the stubble on his chin, he studied her. “Well, I guess we can put the gym on the third floor and build you a big old closet in one of the extra bedrooms.”
    She sat down next to him on the bed. “You’d do that for me?”
    “Sure, I would. Besides, it’s probably better if we don’t share a closet. You’re not quite as, um, neat as I am.”
    “Anal you mean.”
    “I prefer neat.”
    Laughing, she said, “I’m sure you do.” She kissed him and rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s a great place.”
    “I’m glad—and relieved—that you think so. As I was buying it without telling you, I told myself I was probably making a huge mistake.”
    “It wasn’t a mistake. A place like this wouldn’t have lasted long on the market.”
    “That’s what the Realtor said, too.” He rubbed her back and nuzzled her neck. “I want you here with me, Sam.” With his other hand, he produced a key.
    Touched, she took it from him and slid it into her back pocket. “I promise I’ll be here so much you’ll feel