Page 20 of Bryce

“Good thing youdidn’t.” He wanted to touch her, to just reach out andcradle her head on his shoulder, like in the past. But this was now,and he had no right to want any of it. Surprised that he did.

“Yes!”She nodded and took a breath. “For several months, I thoughtshe was right and that I was going to have to tuck my tail between mylegs and hustle on back to New York. I had not entirely burned mybridges there, but I did not want to go back. I was miserable andfelt overwhelmed.

I wasn’t an innkeeper or a cook or a designer, or anything like that. But I wasdetermined not to fail and more driven to prove my mother wrong. So,I worked tirelessly and burned through my savings to get the rightlook, the right feel.”

“And you did.”His quiet voice had her turning to look at him.

Chapter 6

Standing at herwindow, she took in the colors lacing the sky. It was something shehad been doing for the past two years, and it never got stale. Shenever got tired of seeing the amazing streak of colors, from rose toorange and melting into gold as the sun ascended, bathing everythingin sight. But this morning, she was treated to something

Bryce. He had startedjogging along the beaten path and had chosen to do so in the earlyhours of the morning.

She started to turnaway when he stopped and stretched. Her breath caught and her fingerscurled into fists. He was wearing just a t-shirt – he was goingto catch a cold, she thought faintly. The shirt was white and moldedto his upper body like a second skin. Muscles rippled and strained ashe pulled his arms high above his head.

From where she wasstanding, she could see the wind tossed hair and the shape of hisface. And hell! The taut buttocks in the giving material of hisjogging pants.

Closing her eyes, shetook a deep breath and stepped away from the window. She had firmlytold him that it was friendship only and she meant it. She wouldcertainly be a fool to think that there could ever be more. Bitingher lip, she moved back and sat on the edge of the bed.

The memories wereforcing their way inside her brain. What it felt like to be touchedby him, the first time they made love. His kisses…

“Oh, hell no!”She muttered grimly and stood up. Marching towards the bathroom, shestripped and stepped into the shower install. He was a friend,nothing more.

*****

“Hey!”

“Hey!” Ittook a moment for her to steady herself when she saw him at thedining table. He had showered and was wearing a thin black sweaterand black denims. His hair was still damp from his shower and curlingmadly. “I took a book from the library. Hope you don’tmind.”

“Not at all.”The couple had not come down yet as the time was still shy of seven.

“Coffee?”

“You read mymind. I went for a run.”

She almost answeredthat she already knew that and kept her mouth shut just in time. “Ihope you were properly clad. I once had a guest who went out wearingshorts and a tank top and came down with pneumonia. His trip wentdownhill after that.”

“I admit that Iwas only wearing a t-shirt and no jacket, but the wind on my skinfelt exhilarating.” He laughed, blue eyes twinkling, whiteteeth flashing against sensuous lips and making her acutely aware ofhim.

“You need to becareful.” Her tone was brisk, causing him to give her a curiouslook. “The weather is unpredictable, and I am certain gettingsick is not on your agenda.”

“It’sdefinitely not.”

With a nod, she wenttowards the kitchen with him staring after her. A brooding expressionsettled on his face. He had gone for a run to clear his head. He didnot want only friendship and had come to that realization in theearly hours of the morning.

He had enjoyed theirconversations, which had brought back memories of happier times. Hewanted more, but he was going to have to bide his time. His thoughtswere interrupted when she came back with a pot of coffee and somedelicious looking biscuits.

“I have tostart breakfast. Jessica is going to be a little late. If you needanything, just shout.”

“I will.”

Picking up the pot,he poured coffee and took a sip. And brooded some more.

Inside her tidy andcozy kitchen, Zahra was doing her own brooding. He bothered her. Shewished she could stick to her own resolves of friendship. She wantedit to be so, but every pore, everything inside her was aware of him.The elusive and expensive cologne, she had a feeling it was hissignature scent.

He was plastered onbillboards every damn where. Lounging on silk sheets wearing onlyunderwear, or silk pajamas. Jeans and cotton shirt open to the waist,revealing tantalizing glimpses of tanned skin with the coverings ofdense dark hairs.

At the beach, with astunning blonde wrapped around his almost naked body. She had seen itall, including the movie where he had been naked, making passionatelove to a very famous actress. One who had been involved with him forclose to a year.

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