Secret Temptation [The Callens 3] (Siren Publishing M?nage Everlasting) by Melody Snow Monroe Page A

Captain?”
    He made her laugh. “Works for me. Grab anything you think I could use, from plates to glassware.”
    He cocked a brow. “How about if you handle the small stuff, and I’ll check out the furniture?”
    “You’re right. Did anyone tell you you’re smart?”
    “Nope.” He smiled and headed off to a different part of the store.
    As she looked over the silverware and stemware, she forgot to tell him her budget. It might be embarrassing to tell him they’d have to do her house on a teacher’s salary more or less. Her dad had given her a housewarming check, but most of it would go to buying a washer and dryer. Who knew moving would cost so much?
    After she’d picked out inexpensive but functional dishware, her allotted fifteen minutes was up. Now she needed to find Blake. After weaving her way through the aisles, she located him at the back of the store talking with a cute staffer. When he spotted her, he broke into a grin and waved her near.
    “What did you find?” He was standing in front of a cloth-covered taupe sofa that looked really comfortable.
    “This sofa and matching chairs are on sale.”
    She bent over and picked up the price tag. “These are really nice, but I think I want to look around.”
    His smile didn’t dim. Maybe he realized that her father wasn’t picking up the tab. “Sure.”
    Her bill was already quite high, and she’d barely bought anything. When they got to the car, she wanted to explain. “I think I need to look at a secondhand store. My budget isn’t high-end like Randy and yours.”
    “I get it. That’s not a problem. Any suggestions?”
    He’d only lived here a few weeks and wouldn’t know his way around. “There’s a really nice consignment shop a couple of blocks from here.”
    If she’d been him, she would have dropped her off at her apartment and headed home. “You know what we forgot to do? Eat lunch.”
    “You’re right, and I am starving.”
    She directed him to a small café that served sandwiches. She was impressed with how she could talk about any topic, and Blake seemed interested. He certainly knew his way around a ranch, but his extensive trips abroad gave him such a cosmopolitan air. After lunch, they hit three secondhand stores. While they didn’t always agree on what might look good together, she sometimes thought his suggestions were better than hers and sometimes they weren’t. By the time they got home, she was exhausted. Either the store had agreed to deliver the furniture, for a fee, or Blake said he could pick up a few of the pieces on Saturday using Randy’s truck. Blake said he didn’t mind picking up the smaller pieces, but the sofa and bed would have to be delivered because of their size.
    He helped carry her purchases. “How about some wine to celebrate?”
    “I’d like that. As it so happens, I have wineglasses. Help me find the dish soap. My mother packed a kitchen starter kit for me. I didn’t feel guilty taking anything because she has more kitchen equipment than Williams-Sonoma has pots.”
    While she pried open the box that was labeled kitchen , Blake opened the wine. Good thing he had the foresight to bring a corkscrew. She found the soap and dish towels and washed the glasses.
    “Here ya go.”
    He poured the wine and handed her a glass. She ambled into the living room and, with her back to the wall, slid to the carpet. “I can’t wait for the furniture to be delivered.”
    “I’m good with minimalism.”
    She laughed. “You mean empty.”
    “What’s in those boxes?” He nodded to the five that were stacked against the opposite wall.
    “That’s mostly clothes, books, and CDs. I’m not even sure why I brought them. I have a Kindle and an iPod now, so I don’t really need the physical items anymore, but I like to have them around.”
    “I totally get where you’re coming from. Books make a place cozier. It says that a person lives here.”
    He got it. “Yes.”
    They sat in silence and drank their