Page 53 of Loving You Always

“Dammit, don’t tell me that.” Walsh leaned one elbow on his knee and ran his fingers through the dark hair curling around his neck.

Kerris rolled out of bed, letting the ivory and black silk of her gown float down her legs. She had never worn anything like it. And the matching kimono? Kerris smiled and tied the sash at her waist. Draped in decadence. That’s how she felt. The real decadence? The hours they’d spent making that bed an altar where they worshipped each other’s bodies. The true luxury? A night in Walsh’s arms, falling asleep to reckless dreams and waking up safe in his love.

And now it was time for food.

She hadn’t seen a kitchen last night, but this place seemed to have everything else. She assumed there was a place to cook and food to eat. She stepped toward the door, only to have Walsh snag her wrist and pull her to stand in front of him.

“Yep, I hear you, Dad.” Walsh dropped kisses on her silk-covered stomach, caressing the curve of her butt. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kerris ran a hand over the unruly dark hair she had tugged last night as he pleased her unbearably. He looked up, his eyes soft, his grin a beautiful slash across the plane of his face. He patted her backside and turned her toward the door.

“Yeah, I’m still here,” he said into the phone.

Kerris opened the bedroom door for the first time since last night when Walsh had brought her to bed wrapped around him like a lusty, clingy vine. Up on deck, the sun shone so brightly she squinted and sheltered her eyes with her hand. She explored the houseboat for a few minutes before she found the kitchen. Sure enough, it was fully stocked with everything she needed for pancakes and eggs.

Kerris was preparing an omelet when Walsh walked in wearing only boxers. Her mouth watered but not for the food. He stepped behind her, pulling her into his chest. Kerris leaned back into him, simultaneously comforted and excited by the hard strength of him encompassing her.

“I have to go back to Saudi.”

Kerris turned the stove off and slumped her shoulders an inch.

“When do you leave?”

“In the morning.”

“Oh. I just thought we’d have more time.”

“I planned for us to have a week together.” Walsh pulled her hair into one fist and smoothed the length of it. “I didn’t count on a stubborn sheikh needing me to hold his hand until this deal is signed.”

Kerris loaded food onto their plates and moved away to set them on the table. She blinked back foolish tears. She was the one who had sent him away for a year. And here she stood, puddling on the floor because he was leaving.

“I understand.” She put forks down and poured orange juice, not looking at him in case he saw how disappointed she was.

“Baby, if I could get out of this I would.” Walsh sat down to eat. “Dad’s flying through to pick me up in the morning, and we’re flying straight there.”

Kerris was once again reminded how vastly different his life was from hers. She’d never even been out of the country, and Walsh hopped private jets like they were city buses. All her doubts that she could live in his world and share his life flooded her mind.

“Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.” Kerris looked up, fiddling with the charm at her neck. “Things are moving fast. A little space might be good.”

“Space?” Walsh wrapped an arm around her waist and slid her chair as close to his as possible. “We had a year of that. The last thing we need between us is space. Why don’t you come with me?”

“Oh, yeah. I can see the headline now. ‘Small-Town Girl Torn Between Two Lovers.’ The press would have a field day.”

“Baby, I’m not going to hide us.”

“Walsh, I’m not asking you to hide.” Kerris pulled back an inch to look at him. “I just want to be discreet.”

“Discretion is a habit for me, Kerris. I’ve been living with media attention for a long time.” He lifted her chin, his eyes resolved. “But I won’t pretend we’re not together, and anyone who sees us in the same room will know I’m completely whipped.”

“You’re not—”

“I am.” He left the words on her lips. “I so am.”

Kerris closed her eyes, unable to hold back from him when he was giving her so much.

“I don’t want you to go.” Kerris dropped her forehead to his chest before looking up. “I’m tired of missing you.”

“Come with me.” His earnest eyes trapped hers. “I want you with me.”

---