I was up early the next day, enjoying the heavenly scents drifting up to my room from the diner below. I had an appointment first thing with Joanne who had been busy looking for places for me to put down PC roots. I stretched with the gracefulness of a cat as I slid out of bed and across the hallway to take a shower. Lovely Elizabeth was warming the hall with her presence and the steamy heat of the bathroom was just what the doctor ordered.
Joanne met me downstairs in the diner proper where we chatted over a light breakfast. I needed my usual two cups of java to get me going. Brain functioning, we took off in her Mercedes to view the properties she had lined up.
She saved the best for last and I made an immediate offer. It had been on the market for awhile, the former home of a notorious gangster. I swear there were bullet holes in the walls. It was rather dark but the history of the place gave it charm. I made a generous offer, knowing it would be accepted since the place had been on the market too long. Joanne left me to lock up and I explored the mobster's former penthouse apartment.
As I stood admiring the view off the balcony, I heard the door slam open. I turned and saw a dark, sinister looking yet handsome blond stud standing before me. "Hello! What have we here?" I asked.
"I'll ask the questions, lady," he barked, blue eyes flashing daggers of lightning at me. "Who are you and what are you doing in the penthouse?"
I smiled, liking his brisk no nonsense approach. "My name is Mia Thyme and I am about to purchase this place. Now, who are you?"
A shadow quickly passed over his face as he let his guard down. "Jason Morgan, I live across the hall. Sorry for the intrusion, I guess I am not used to strangers up here on the Penthouse floor."
My pink lips curled up, amused. "Ah, I see. So we will be neighbors! Good to know there is a strong, tough guy to protect me nearby."
What passed for a smile swept over his lips as he grunted, "In more ways than one, babe. Are you packing?"