Page 59 of Bryce

“How about asmy fiancée?”

Her eyes popped wideopen as she stared at him.

“What did youthink this was?” He asked her gently. “I want a life withyou, darling. I want children - to live with you until we’reold and gray. I want years, to make up for the ones we lost, the onesI threw away when I left.”

He lifted her lefthand and smoothed out her ring finger. “I want to put a ring onit and have you take my name. I want the whole world to know that youbelong to me, and I belong to you.”

“Bryce…”

“Say yes.”

“Your parents.”

“I don’tcare what they say.”

“They’reyour parents and my mother…,” she choked on that. “She’sgoing to want you to do her favors, and I cannot bear that.”

“Then I put ina word for her. It’s nothing. I don’t mind.”

“I do. I won’thave her taking advantage…,” she broke off when helaughed.

“What?”

“That’syour default mode.”

“What is?”

“Protectingthose you love.”

“It’snot.”

He drew her to him.“I don’t mind. In fact, I love it. Makes me feel sospecial.”

“Bryce…”

“Shh.” Helaid a finger over her lips. “Don’t spoil this moment forus. I am not leaving, and I have every intention of marrying you,even if I have to drag you to the altar. In the meantime, I amsticking close.”

Tears blurred hervision. “I never expected to see you again.” She told himhuskily. “I told myself that I was over you, that it was a goodthing you left. But then I saw you again and it all came back.

Only, this is moreintense. I love you so much, that I cannot…” She liftedher face to his. “Make love to me, right now. Make me feel youon me, in me.”

His eyes darkened andhe felt the heat invading every area of his body. Taking her hand, hedrew her into the bedroom and closed the glass doors behind them.Leading her to the bed, he left her only to add some chips to theslowly simmering fire.

Coming back, he drewher up again to cup her face between his hands.

“This time Iwill take it slow, even if it kills me.” His voice was thickwith feelings. “I love you completely. You’re the best ofme and the whole of me.” He trailed a finger over her dampcheeks. “You make me want to be better. Nothing means as muchto me as this, as right now where we are.” His hands trembled.

“Bryce…”Turning her head, she kissed his palm and closed her eyes as she felthim against her. “Bryce.”

She arched her neck,and he bent to taste, to sip, to nuzzle, his lips cruising over thesmooth skin. He slipped the robe off, hands roaming the bare skin.

She had not botheredto put clothes on after her bath and when he tugged at the string ofthe robe, it came away like magic. The words were strangled insidehis throat as he stared at her. He meant it when he told her she wasthe most beautiful woman in the world. She was.

There was somethingabout her, a glow, a light inside her, that shone with a brilliancethat was blinding. How could he not love her? He thought achingly.How could he even think of leaving? If he did, he would be leavingthe most vital pieces of him with her. Survival would benon-existent. He could not go on without her.

“My love.”He cupped her breasts and watched as the flesh reacted instantly.

“Bryce.”

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