Page 461 of Savage Bosses

"Oh, so that’s why you ran. I understand now."

"I ran because you did it for me. And, I thought you hated me."

"Why didn't you just talk to me?"

"I would've if you would've been around. You were in Italy. And when I called, I got no answer. I thought... I thought you were distancing yourself from me."

"Fuck," Bryce growled. "Fuck!" He took a deep breath and then asked, "You didn't run because you thought I was a monster?"

Tati shook her head. "You could never be a monster to me, Bryceson Cattaneo."

His gaze jerked to hers. “But, I… did what I said I’d never do. And I’ve done it again. A lot of times.”

“I don’t care, Bryce. That may sound toxic as fuck. But I don’t care if it’s toxic, either. To me, you’re my hero. Not a monster.”

She saw tears fill his eyes just as they filled her own.

"I searched for you," he whispered.

"I left breadcrumbs for you. But I suspect your father got rid of them. I called him once to ask if he was doing that. He told me you'd moved on, and I should do so also."

"He's a fucking liar. I never moved on," Bryceson told her. "How could I, when I'd lost my heart?"

Tears spilled down her cheeks. Tati opened her mouth to say more, but a groan escaped instead as her robe grazed her nipples. Bryce reached for the belt of her robe and untied it. Tati grabbed his hand.

She frowned. “Why are you so hot?”

He chuckled, then grimaced, his nipples pebbling against the white button down he wore.

“You took the drug, too?” she gasped.

“Did you think I’d give it to you without taking it?”

“You’ve been enduring it this entire time?” she asked.

He nodded. “I wanted to bring you pain. But… I felt guilty for wanting that. So, I brought myself pain also,” he confessed.

Tati smiled. They were quite the pair. She bit her lower lip when another wave of need coursed through her. Bryce reached for her again.

"Wait," Tati said, her voice barely a whisper as she held onto Bryce's hand. "Don't you want to talk about Melinda telling me..."

He shook his head, cutting her off. "It can wait. We've got time. First..." he stared down at her, his dark eyes filled with a burning desire. "The drug won't wear off until I fuck you good."

Tati's chest tightened, her heart pounding in her ears. Even with the truth about Melinda hanging over them like a dark cloud, all she could focus on was the raw need coursing through her veins.

She couldn't deny that part of her craved his touch, his body pressed against hers – but it wasn't just the drug. It was him. It had always been him.

"Alright," she whispered, her voice shaky. "But no more games, Bryce. Just... us."

"Deal," he agreed, a predatory grin spreading across his face. With one swift motion, he climbed onto the bed and hovered above her, his strong arms supporting his weight. His gaze never left hers as if daring her to look away.

"Remember, Tati," his voice was low and seductive, sending shivers down her spine. "You asked for this."

"Damn right, I did," she shot back defiantly, her eyes locked on his. The heat between them was threatening to consume them both.

Bryce leaned down, claiming her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless. He moved with purpose, his hands roaming over her body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Tati arched into his touch, desperate for more, her nails digging into his shoulders.

"Tell me what you want," he growled into her ear, his warm breath raising goosebumps on her skin.

---