“All right. That’s a good start. What else?”
“Good food. A place where I can purchase a beachfront view. I love waking up to the sounds of the ocean.”
“Very nice. What else?”
“I want to be able to walk places. I don’t want to always have to use a car to get around.”
“So not America. Got it,” she said.
She and Ash shared a bit of a laugh, then she paused. She was getting too comfortable again. Kallie cleared her throat and shifted herself in her chair, then drew in a deep breath.
“Any other demands for where you want to settle down?” she asked.
“Not Australia. Too many poisonous things that could kill me. I don’t want to have to fight off spiders with a BB gun.”
“Trust me, I don’t blame you on that one. Just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.”
“I also want some decent shopping around me wherever I settle.”
“Huh. Interesting with the whole surfer thing you’re going for,” Kallie said.
“And a place to dock my yacht. It’s coming with me. I love sailing out into the ocean.”
“When there aren’t any storms to weather,” she said with a grin.
“Look who’s being unprofessional now?”
Kallie smiled and shook her head as she turned away from him. Fuck. He always brought this side of her out. This playful side she wanted to let loose whenever he was around. She closed her eyes and centered herself back into a professional mode, but she could already feel the mood of the room changing.
And she knew Ash’s tone wouldn’t be far behind.
“Okay. Now, a list of demands for the woman you want to settle down with,” Kallie said.
“Uh-huh,” Ash said. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Yep. It’s part of the process.”
“Okay then. First off, she needs to be intelligent. Sure of herself. Independent.”
“Her own money?” Kallie asked.
“Not necessarily. When it’s all said and done, I’d like to be able to take care of us both. I don’t want a woman who wants to use me for my money, but I also don’t want a woman that won’t take my money when it’s offered.”
“That’s a fine line to walk.”
“It is, but I know it’s out there. My ideal partner would have no issues taking care of herself if I weren’t in the picture, but she wouldn’t mind me stepping in to take things over so she could climb whatever mountain she wanted. If she wanted to, oh ... I don’t know, grow her own business perhaps.”
Kallie drew in a sharp breath before she let it out through her nose.
“And what if this woman wants to be with you, but she doesn’t want to give up her career?”
“Then I would foot whatever bill was necessary to transfer her business. That’s what I mean by ‘taking care of her.’ I’d take care of finding her a new place to set up shop and advertising to get her name out there. I’d even try to open her up to some contacts I have to get some testimonials rolling her way. Anything I could do to help. To take care of what she holds dear.”
Kallie felt her heart stop in her chest.
“As far as physical attributes go, I’ve found myself more inclined toward redheads. I’ve found their personalities to be as fiery as their hair, and I like that. It keeps me on my toes. And I love a curvy woman. Something to hang onto at night after I’m done exploring her body.”
Kallie nodded her head but couldn't find the words to respond.