Page 48 of Hidden Heart

“Yes. You make me very happy.” She lowered her gaze. “Even when you punish me. Almost more so then, because it puts us back together again. And I think we need that now. To be put back together again.”

He let out a long breath. He’d come so close to losing her, it still frightened him when he thought of it. If he hadn’t been so pushy, hadn’t barged back into her life, she would have slipped away.

“You’re right. Sometimes we need to be put back together, and sometimes that means you take a punishment. But sometimes it means we need to reconnect in a way that works for us.” He lifted her chin again.

“Does that mean you aren’t going to spank me?” she asked with a mixture of hope and worry in her voice.

He shook his head. “Not at all. I’m going to take my belt to you until you’re begging me to stop. But it’s not a punishment.”

“It’s a reconnection?” she asked playfully.

“Absolutely.” He nodded.

How could he wake up every morning and not have this woman in his bed? He had asked her to move in with him, which she immediately shot down.

“I love you so much.” He caressed her cheek. A fresh blush took over her soft features.

“I love you too, Sir.”

He took the belt from her hands and helped her to her feet.

Royce wouldn’t goad her about moving in together—yet. He’d wait. Bigger chips. The wall wasn’t as large as it had been before, and he was tearing it down, brick by brick. Light shone through, and it was only a matter of time before he fully demolished it.

In the meantime, she belonged to him. Her heart wasn’t as guarded, he had made it through her wall. He would wait a lifetime for her because, during the waiting, he’d still have her. He’d have his Jessica and her hidden heart.

Epilogue

“I’m not saying you have to. I’m saying it’s a damn good opportunity and you should at least think about it.” Royce put the bottle of ketchup on the kitchen table. Jessica stood over the stove scrambling eggs.

“It is a good opportunity, but it’s also a big risk.” She turned off the burner and grabbed a plate from the counter.

“Of course it’s a risk.” He placed his hands on her hips, pressing a kiss to her head. He’d spent the night at her apartment, which meant he had to let her make breakfast.

“I still have at least a year of school to finish,” she said again. Every time he brought up the subject of the internship, she’d been offered at a small publishing firm, she became a damn parrot, repeating the same reasons over and over as to why, although a great opportunity, it was too much of a risk.

“I know.” He bit her earlobe, then moved away from her. “You’ve told me at least a dozen times.” He removed the plates of eggs from her hands and brought them to the table.

“So, stop bringing it up.” She moved to the coffee maker and poured him a cup. He drank it black, which was a complete sacrilege, but she didn’t argue.

“As soon as you give me a real reason why you can’t do it.” He took the steaming mug from her.

She heaved a sigh. “Royce, you’re pushing,” she said as she sank into the chair.

“I am,” he agreed, moving his chair closer to her. “When you were offered the internship, they knew you needed additional credits to get your degree. That’s why they offered the internship, not a position. Once you graduate, a job waits for you.”

Jessica picked up the bottle of ketchup and popped the top open. If he could drink his coffee black, she could smother her eggs with the deliciousness that was corn syrup and tomatoes.

“Jessica,” he warned. Avoiding conversations wasn’t allowed.

“What if I fail?” she asked quietly.

“Are you asking me or your eggs?” he asked with his hand on her hers.

She raised her gaze to meet his. “I could fail big time. Right now, I have a good job.”

“Right now, you have a good job working for a complete douchebag. But here’s the more important question…” He scooted closer, until his leg pressed against hers.

“What?” she prompted.

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