The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Violet

I don’t move. Not right away.

I stay exactly where he put me, sitting on his lap, his arm still wrapped around my waist like if he lets go for even

a second something might take me from him.

It doesn’t feel suffocating. It feels… steady. Grounding. Safe.

The tablet rests between us, angled so I can see everything clearly, his hand occasionally brushing mine as he scrolls through the homes he’s already picked out.

Picked out for me.

For us.

I didn’t expect that to hit the way it does.

I swallow softly and focu

on the screen.

The first house is massive.

Modern. Clean lines. Floor–to–ceiling windows that overlook acres of land that stretch out into nothing but trees and hills. It’s gated already, a long winding driveway leading up to the house like it’s trying to hide itself from the

world.

“Six bedrooms,” Rowan says quietly. “Four baths. Full perimeter fencing already in place. I’d reinforce it.”

I nod slowly.

It’s beautiful. It really is. But… I don’t say anything yet.

He scrolls.

The second house is different.

More rustic. Dark wood. Exposed beams. Still large, still private, tucked deep into what looks like a forested

property. There’s a wraparound porch, the kind that looks like it would creak under your feet in the best way.

1/5

2:03 pm Pppp.

Chapter 166

“Five bedrooms,” he says. “Three baths. Needs fencing. That’s easy.”

I tilt my head slightly. That one feels closer. Warmer. But still… Not quite.

Next.

The third house makes me pause a little longer.

It’s elegant. Classic. Almost estate–like. Long driveway, iron gates, already fenced, with manicured land that looks

too perfect to touch.

“Seven bedrooms,” Rowan says. “Five baths. Two living rooms.”

That catches my attention.

“Two?” I ask.

“Yes.”

I lean in slightly, studying the layout.

One formal. One more… relaxed. I like that. I really do.

“That’s nice,” I murmur.

“It is,” he agrees.

But even as I look at it longer… Something doesn’t click.

It’s beautiful. Perfect, even. But it doesn’t feel like mine.

He scrolls again.

#

The fourth house is tucked near water. Not quite a lake, not quite a river, but something in between. Large

windows again, but softer this time. More natural light. The land is already fenced, though not as heavily as the

others.

“Five bedrooms,” he says. “Three baths. I’d redo the entire security layout.”

I nod. It’s peaceful. Quiet. But still… Nothing.

The last one is… different.

2/5

2:03 pm P p p p

Chapter 166

Stone exterior. Slightly older. Renovated but not stripped of character. It sits back further from the road than the

others, like it’s intentionally trying to disappear.

“Six bedrooms,” Rowan says. “Four baths. Already gated. Needs upgrades.”

I study it longer than the others.

Really look at it. And for a second…. I want to feel something. But I don’t. Not enough. Not the way I think I’m

supposed to.

I lean back slightly, my shoulders relaxing just a little.

“They’re… amazing,” I say honestly.

Because they are. Every single one of them. Perfect in their own way. Secure. Beautiful. Exactly what he would

choose

His hand tightens slightly at

my waist.

aggressive. Just enough to get my attention.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

Of course he noticed. I glance up at him. His eyes are already on me. Watching. Reading.

I exhale softly. “They’re really nice,” I say. “Like… really, really nice.”

He doesn’t respond. Just waits.

So I continue. “But they don’t…” I hesitate, trying to find the words. “They don’t scream at me.”

His brows shift slightly. “Scream at you?”

I nod. “Yeah. Like… none of them feel like… home.”

There’s a pause.

I brace slightly, expecting pushback. Control. Adjustment. Something.

But instead… He nods. Just once. Like that makes sense to him. Like he already expected it.

“Alright,” he says simply.

I blink. “That’s it?” I ask.

3/5

2:03 pm P p pp.

Chapter 166

“That’s it.”

I study him for a second. Waiting.

He shifts the tablet slightly, then looks back at me. “Find something that does,” he says.

I freeze. “What?”

“Go through listings,” he continues. “Different sites. Different styles. I don’t care.”

My heart skips slightly.

“As long as it’s isolated,” he adds, “more than four bedrooms, at least three baths. Everything else is yours to

decide.”

I stare at him. “You’re serious.”

“Yes. And don’t worry about the price point. Money isn’t a concern.”

“And I just… send them

“Yes.”

Something in me lights up. Fast. Bright. Unexpected.

“Okay,” I say immediately, sliding off his lap before I can second guess it.

His hand lingers for half a second longer like he doesn’t want to let go.

I move quickly across the room, settling onto the couch that overlooks the city below, pulling the tablet with me

as I curl into the corner.

The view is insane. Lights stretching endlessly. Life moving.

And here I am…

Looking for a place to disappear from it all.

I open up the browser. Start with the basics. Zillow. Realtor. Then niche listings. Private estate sites. Luxury secluded properties.

I type quickly. Filters. Location radius expanded.

“Secluded.”

4/5

2:03 pm P p pp.

Chapter 166

“Acreage.”

“Private.”

“Gated.”

More than four bedrooms. Three baths minimum.

My fingers move faster the longer I scroll. Images blur together at first.

Modern glass homes. Cabins. Estates. Farmhouses.

But I slow down. Start looking differently. Not for perfect. Not for polished.

For something that feels like… Mine. Something that makes me stop. Something that makes me imagine waking

up there. Living there. Breathing there.

I don’t realize I’ve stopped breathing until my chest tightens.

rens…

The screen is still in my hands, but I’m not scrolling anymore.

I’m staring.

“Rowan…” I say softly.

He’s behind me before I even turn, like he felt the shift, like he knew the second something caught my attention.

His presence settles at my back, one hand resting lightly against the edge of the couch, the other bracing near my

shoulder as he leans in just enough to see the screen.

“What is it?” he asks.

I tilt the tablet slightly so he can see.

“This one…”

Comments

3