YOURS // Les Twins {Sequel to MINE}

11 - Fault and Faith

It was unseasonably warm the following Monday...a beautiful day for their mission, although it was driving Larry batty.

"What?" Larry asked, noticing a smirk on Laurent's face as he easily maneuvered through traffic.

Larry loved to watch Laurent drive. He did it the same way he did everything, like a beautiful but deadly predator. And God forbid the man ever played a game of pool. Larry was always in a puddle, watching Laurent stalk around the table with equal measures of grace and power.

"Nothing," Laurent lied, his smirk deepening. "But you're supposed to be having fun."

Larry rolled his eyes with a huff.

They'd been looking at houses, and Larry was in so far over his head that he barely remembered what it felt like to breathe freely.

To Larry, Laurent's idea of a modest home came with an intimidating price tag. He'd tried not to focus on the numbers, but that was impossible with realtors constantly trying to impress them both.

There was no need. Larry was impressed. He was extremely impressed. That was the problem.

"You need to talk, baby," Laurent said more softly. "They need to know what you like and what you don't like. You know I don't care where we end up. I just care that you're comfortable."

Larry nodded, watching the landscape pass them by.

Just outside the city, not far from Santa Monica, they pulled into a lush gated community, and Larry perked up. As they wound slowly through the neighborhood, Larry noticed that the houses didn't seem to be on top of one another for once.

Slowing to a crawl, they turned, passing through a massive open gate nestled in a cul-de-sac. Larry sat forward as they followed the stone driveway a short distance, parking right in front of the house. It was a traditional warm stucco with slate roofing and lush greenery all around.

As they got out of the car, Larry noticed that the house hid its size well. While it was stunningly beautiful, it didn't seem overbearing as it melted into the landscape perfectly. Larry knew there were homes close by, but none of that was evident from where he stood.

Taking Laurent's hand, Larry moved on autopilot as the realtor opened the front door. He'd barely noticed her car parked off to the side, closer to where he assumed the garage entrances were located.

As they entered the spacious foyer, Larry's eyes took in everything...the beautiful marble and rich wood, the curved staircase leading to a rounded second-story gallery. It was an open floor plan that invited him in, and he itched to go investigate as the realtor rattled off details to Laurent about security and an extensive list of luxurious features.

Larry wanted to pinch himself because surely he was dreaming.

"Go ahead, baby," Laurent urged.

With a grin, Larry headed through a corridor to the right and found himself in a kitchen that made his jaw drop. With barely noticeable appliances, it had a spacious island and even a breakfast nook in the corner. As he ventured in further, he could see that the kitchen flowed into a little sitting area with a wet bar and then the bright family room all the way at the back of the house.

The realtor began to explain that there were three possible bedrooms on the first floor while two more were upstairs, along with the master suite which took up half the second floor. But Larry was drawn to the vast windows and double doors leading out onto the terrace.

The house was nestled in the hills in a way that made him feel like they were all alone, but there was plenty of room on the two-plus acre lot. He made his way through the outdoor dining area and marveled at the irregularly-shaped, black-bottom pool, adjoining hot tub, and double waterfall beyond. And to the left was a sprawling lawn that already held a playground structure and a little playhouse that matched the main house.