Ch. 33

After the shows, they returned to Florida. Randy dropped Katelyn off at her shop saying he had to run a few errands. Katelyn busied herself with getting orders ready and making sure all her orders from suppliers were back on track. She was in the middle of a fitting with a customer when her cell went off. She checked the call seeing it was the realtor helping her find a new place calling. She decided to let go to voicemail and continue the fitting. She had just finished up and was putting the gown away when she felt strong arms go around her waist.

"Did you miss me?" Randy whispered in her ear. Katelyn didn't say a word just turned in his arms kissing him deeply. "I'll take that as a yes," he smiled. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Nope, I'm pretty much done for the day. I was thinking about leaving and looking at some more places before it gets dark. I just have to check my messages," she said as he sat down pulling her onto his lap.

"Sounds like a good plan," Randy caressed her back as she hit her voicemail. She listened to a message from Chris checking up on her.

"Good afternoon Katelyn, its Mrs. Carruthers. I received the message from Randy about putting your search for a rental on hold. I was just calling to follow up to see if your needs have changed. Please give me a call back," Katelyn listened to the message replaying it again before giving Randy a confused look.

"What's wrong?" Randy asked.

"Why did you call my realtor putting my search on hold?"

"That woman is fast I just called her two hours ago thought I would have some time before she called you," Randy smirked.

"You better start explaining," she searched his eyes.

"Come on we need to take a ride," he carefully stood up keeping a hold on her.

"Not till you tell me what is going on," she gave him a defiant look.

"Do you really want to do this the hard embarrassing way for you?" Randy looked into her eyes seeing the fire brewing inside of her.

"Randy, just tell me why you called her and what is going on?"

"You must love the hard way," he swiftly picked her up putting her over his shoulder.

"Put me down now!" she protested as he carried her through the store making her employees stop working and stare.

"Everything is ok ladies your boss is leaving for the day. Please lock the place up," Randy smirked feeling Katelyn hit his back and squirm more. "Have a good night," he said carrying Katelyn out of the store to his car. He gently put her down not surprised when she stared daggers at him.

"You can't just pick up and take me wherever you want. I can only imagine what my staff must think right now," she said as her cheeks turned a rosy red.

"I can and I will do what I need to do when you decide to be stubborn. All you had to do was grab your stuff say good night to your staff and come with me instead you choose to be difficult," he smiled caressing her cheek. "You behave and I'll behave."

"I'm behaving all I did was ask a question," she softly said as he leaned down running his lips along hers.

"I'm sorry I'm taking you to look at a place to see if you like it. Don't be mad at me," he whispered kissing her softly till she gave in kissing him back. "Come on let's get out of here," he opened the car door for her giving her another kiss before she got in.

"Where are we going?" she asked as he got in starting up the car.

"My soon to be brother in law needs to rent his place out. Robert just moved in with my sister. It's bigger than what you were looking for but you should take a look at it. It's in a gated community in Bradenton on a golf course. It has 4 bedrooms with an enclosed heated pool and spa. It's very nice, safe, and secure community. I think you will like it," Randy said pulling out onto the road.

"You must have practiced that sales pitch a few times," she smirked. "I can understand some place secure after the fire and the situation with Wade. I wouldn't mind living in a community like that but don't you think a 4 bedroom home is overkill for one person?" Katelyn glanced over at Randy.

"There is no harm in looking," Randy took her hand squeezing it gently. "You could turn one of the bedrooms into a home office do more work from home."

"That isn't a bad idea. What about the other two empty bedrooms?" she asked seeing a smile cross his lips.

"Well I'm currently in between places. I could be your room mate till I decide where I want to move to," he said watching her eyes fill with more surprise. "Katy, don't say anything now. We will talk more after seeing the place," he winked at her before returning his attention to the road. Katelyn was relieved he didn't expect her to say anything because she didn't know what to say. She looked out the window trying to not think about what he said about being her roommate. Her stomach was nervously flip flopping as they drove through the community pulling into a driveway.

"Wow," Katelyn said as Randy helped her out of the car and she looked around at the stunning house surrounded by palm trees and a beautifully landscaped yard.

"Wait till you see the inside," Randy beamed taking the key out of his pocket. Katelyn held onto Randy's hand tightly as they entered the house. Randy started their tour of the house with the stunning tiled foyer leading to the main level with a dining room, living room, family room, and huge kitchen. "My brother in law spared no expense he went for every upgrade including the gourmet kitchen and walk in pantry. This is one of the best parts of the house," Randy grinned sliding open a door leading to a sun room with a heated pool.

"This is really nice like private paradise," Katelyn said looking around and liking everything she saw.

"Our own private escape," he said winking at her. "Come on I'll show you the upstairs with the bedrooms," Randy gently pulled her up the stairs feeling how overwhelmed she was. He took them through the other 3 bedrooms before showing her the master suite. Katelyn went into the bathroom smiling when she saw the huge walk in shower and cozy Jacuzzi tub.

"Thinking about how much fun we could have in that shower?" Randy whispered wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Maybe, but it doesn't matter this place is way too big. It would be crazy to rent it," she leaned back against him.

"I've been called crazy more than once," he smirked.

"Let's get out of here. I can look for more places tomorrow or next day. Thank you for showing me this but it's just way too much," she went to take a step and he stopped her turning her around to look into her eyes.

"Don't want me as a roommate? Or are you afraid to have me as one?" he asked.

"I'm afraid," she slowly answered.

"What are you afraid of?"

"We are still getting to know one another. We haven't even been together for long. What if I have quirks you can't stand living with? What if we break up?" she searched his eyes.

"I'm not worried about your quirks. I have plenty more than you. I should be the one worrying about you leaving me over quirks not you. Think about it Katy, most of my breaks I hope to spend with you. Your business is here makes sense you should stay in this area. I'm on the road a lot so if you get sick of me you can stay home. I won't complain because security will keep Wade and other trouble out," Randy paused for a moment caressing her cheek. "If we do work out this place would be a good place to settle down. Come on take the chance, be crazy with me let's live here together. It's only a year lease can always opt to not renew it."

"I can't believe this," she reached up feeling his forehead.

"What are you doing silly?" he laughed capturing her hand kissing it.

"I'm checking to see if you have a fever," she said making him laugh even more.

"Katy, I'm serious let's do this. I don't care what anybody thinks and what stupid crap they will say about we are rushing things. I only care about you. I love you. Will you live here with me?" he stared deep into her eyes.

"You love me?" she asked softly.

"I'm crazy in love with you," he happily smiled. "Have you fallen for me?"

"I've definitely fallen for you," she said as happy tears filled her eyes.

"Then I ask again will you live here with me?" he asked searching her eyes.

"Yes," she said not able to tell him no. Randy beamed with happiness picking her up kissing her deeply.

"I can't wait to make love to you in every room of this house. I have a confession to make," he gently put her down kissing her again.

"What?"

"I already told Robert we would take it. We can move in whenever we want," he said surprising her once again. She was about to say how he should have waited when he put his finger against her lips. "Please don't be mad, I got excited and hoped for the best normally I expect the worst. See you're a good influence on me. You really are taming my demons," he smiled making her heart skip happily. She felt so overwhelmed with her feelings for him and what he had done. She tightly held onto to him cherishing the moment knowing she would never forget it.