Free Invitation to Love by Groovy Lee Page A

rooms back home were dungeons compared
to the ones they have now.
    Rachel
threw her arms around his waist. “Thank you. I love it.”
    “I’m
glad,” he cupped her face in his hands. “You girls look over your rooms while I
show your mother hers.”
    As
the girls playfully tested the firmness of Rachel’s bed, he put a hand to her
elbow and escorted her away. But, Taryn was more than content with staying and
inspecting her daughters’ rooms. That way, she wouldn’t have to face that
unavoidable trip down the end of the hallway where she knew that behind those
double-doors was the master bedroom. As they neared it, she began the mental
image of drawing a line right down the middle of what she suspects is a
king-sized bed—his bed. But, her steps were diverted to the right where he
opened a door, then stood back and waited for her to enter. Her mind exhaled
the biggest sigh of relief as she stepped into the cozy room of blond-oak
furniture, with its egg-shell walls and mint-green carpet.
    “It’s
lovely, Michael,” she went over and ran her hand along the thick, pale-green
comforter of Egyptian cotton lying neatly on her bed. She looked over and
noticed a couple of packing boxes marked ‘clothes’ by the floor-to-ceiling
window to the far side. “All of the rooms are. I can tell you went to a lot of
trouble.”
    “I
have to admit, the decorator I hired had to call in a lot of favors to get
finished in time.”
    “You
shouldn’t have done all of this for us.”
    He
straightened from the doorjamb and strolled over to her. “Actually, it was the
girls’ room I had redecorated. The only thing I did to this one was spruce it
up.”
    “I’m
curious. How did you know what their particular tastes are?”
    “When
we were in Florida, I learned from Rachel that she likes dainty, feminine
things; While Remi, on the other hand, is a big anime fan.”
    She
was moved that he put forth such effort just to make them feel at home. “I
can’t thank you enough.”
    “Well,
I don’t know what you prefer when it comes to decorating. That’s why I didn’t
bother with this room. I’m waiting for you to use your talents to decorate the master
bedroom, instead.” He reached out and took her hand in his, causing her entire
body to stiffen. He then leaned forward and touched his cheek to hers, whispering,
“I’m counting on the fact that you won’t be in here too long.”
    The
aroma of him had her eyes closing, but she quickly broke that spell by easing
back. “Michael, Remi and Rachel could come running in here at any moment.”
    She
heard a mild sigh as he released her and stepped back.
    “Momma,”
Remi ran in, followed by Rachel.
    Taryn’s
I-told-you-so glance went unnoticed by him.
    “Can
we change outta these clothes and go outside?”
    “Sure,
but stay away from the pool,” she tried to finish that sentence before they
completely disappeared.
    “Do
you want to eat out for dinner? Or would you rather I order in?” he asked.
    “Can
we order in? I’m too tired to go anywhere.”
    “Fine.”
    Even
though those last questions were asked with all the warmth of a glacier, an
indication he was a bit annoyed, she summoned up the courage to call out to him
before he left the room. “Do you have a regular house staff?”
    “Not,
really. I’m rarely home. A maid service comes in once a week. I usually eat out.
So, when I am home, I either eat what’s in the refrigerator, or bring it with
me. Since I’m a family man now, I’ll be spending more time here. If you want, I
can hire a staff.”
    “No,
there’s no need. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take care of the house myself
when the maid service isn’t here. I wouldn’t feel very comfortable with
strangers around.”
    “That’s
fine with me, Taryn, if you think this place isn’t too big for you to handle.
We’ll give it a trial run. Now, it you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change. I
want to show the girls around outside.”
    She
kept her eyes on