Page 50 of Bryce

“Then let’sfigure it out together,” he murmured, drawing her into hisembrace. “Step by step, day by day. Just don’t shut meout.”

“Just do me afavor.”

“Anything.”

She smiled at thepassion in the single word. “If you start feeling fenced in anddecide that you want to leave…”

“Zahra…”

“Please let mefinish.” Taking a deep breath, she plunged on. “I knowwhat I look like, and I certainly know what you look like. If youdecide this is too much for you and you want to leave, just pleasetell me before you leave.”

“Is that howlittle you think of me?” The anger surfaced even though hetried to tamp it down and he realized that he could not blame her.

He had left before,hadn’t he? Had left her without a single word. How can hecondemn her for being cautious? “I was a child – confusedand out of my depth. I am an adult, and now I know what I want.”His expression softened. “I know what I want and it’sright here.”

“You say thatnow…”

“Dammit Zahra.”His quiet tone belied the frustration on his handsome face.

“I am sorry.”She took in a deep breath. “Self-preservation.”

“And that’sall well and good. Look, I know it’s going to take some gettingused to. But I am here, and I am not going anywhere.”

“Okay.”Secretly she found herself wondering for how long but was not goingto spend the rest of the evening going back and forth.

“Okay.”Shaking off the doubts, she moved closer and wrapped her arms aroundhis neck. “I think we have done enough talking.”

His expressionlightened. “What do you have in mind?”

She whispered in hisear and had his blood boiling.

*****

He watched her sleep.With the rain slowing down to a patter against the windows, with thesliver of moon streaming through the drapes, he sat up with thepillows at his back and watched her sleep. She had made supper withhim helping with the shredding of lettuce for the garden salad.

She laughed freelynow, dimples glowing, eyes sparkling and he found himself fallingdeeper in love with her. He knew she had doubts. That being with himwas taking to take a huge amount of adjustment. But he was willing todo anything to reassure her that he was here to stay.

A frown touched hisbrow as he realized that his parents would never accept her. Theywere snobs. There are no two ways about it. But to hell with them. Ifthey cut him off then so be it.

Lifting a hand, hebrushed back the coil of hair from her cheek and let his touchlinger. Her complexion was so smooth, so flawless that he wanted tocontinue touching her.

For the first time inhis life, he felt settled and contented. She steadied him. His lifehad always been chaotic, and he had told her the truth when he saidhe was looking for more.

He had grown up inluxury, never lacking anything, except what matters most. The lovefrom the people who made him. And because of it, he had been afraidto open himself up. Until he met Zahra. A tender smile touched hislips. She had brought out so many emotions inside him.

Sliding down, heturned towards her, bringing her against him, smiling when shemurmured and buried her face against his chest.

“Bryce?”Her sleepy voice was sexy and did so many things to his alreadyfragile state.

“Hmm?”

“You’renot sleeping.”

“Hmm.” Hewas busy nuzzling her lob. “Neither are you. Did I wake you?”

“You did. Thatfeels so good.” She moved in, one arm going around his back.

“Want me tocontinue?”

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