Page 56 of Bryce

“I do.”Putting down her cup, she wound her hands around his neck and went onher toes to kiss him. “You’re wet.”

“Hmm.” Henuzzled her neck and inhaled her scent. “It’s whathappens when you are working.”

“You didn’thave to. I am amazed at how much you guys accomplished.” Shetilted her head to allow him to attack her throat and felt desirepouring through her like a flood.

“I wanted to,and it felt good that I could help.” He hesitated slightly ashe hovered at her lips. “I gave them some money.”Anticipating her response, he crushed his lips to hers and managed toswallow her protests. The kiss emptied her thoughts and had herclinging to him.

When he finallyreleased her lips, she could only lean on him weakly, her limbstrembling.

“We’regoing to talk about it.” She told him huskily. “As soonas I get my thoughts together.”

“Undoubtedly.”He kissed her again. “I am starving.”

“I brought somepastries. They’re in the kitchen.”

“I’ll godown with you. Any idea when the power will be back on?” Hewalked beside her, one arm wrapped around her waist as if it was themost natural thing in the world.

“A day or two.”She turned in his arms as soon as they reached the kitchen.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

Chapter 14

She had a man whoinsisted on taking care of her. She never had that before. She wasthirty-two years old and never lived with one. Never knew what it wasto give over control. And even so, it had to be wrestled away fromher. She told Jessica to take care of her own stuff, her home wasflooded, and she had her neighbor to think about.

Besides, she hadBryce. And she did. It was a wonder to her and despite the fact thathe was a celebrity and had been born wealthy, the man was useful.They cleaned, from top to bottom.

And afterwards, heinsisted on them taking a break. In between, they ate light. Shefixed a well loaded sandwich and made lemonade with sprigs of mintand lemon.

By the time the sunwas drifting over the horizon, they were finished, and he told her hewas cooking.

“What?”She stared at him blankly. The power was still not back, and theywere making do., Wood chips were hauled from the storeroom at theback and stacked against the fireplaces. The weather had turnednasty, with icy winds dancing over the skin and sending shivers alongits wake.

“I’mcooking.” He repeated and proceeded to haul out two thicksteaks from the freezer. “There’s a grill around back andlook, some vegetables we can throw on there too.”

“You can’t…,I will…”

“No.”Putting the chunks of meat on the counter, he took her shouldersbetween his hands and pointed her up the stairs. “I don’tneed your help. Go take a shower or a bath, a long, hot one…”

“There’sno power.”

“The generatoris up and running. We will have the meal on your balcony.”

She still stoodthere, staring at him.

“What?”

“Can you cook?”

He gave her a painedlook that had her rolling her eyes.

“It’s alogical question.”

“It’s aninsult. I lived on my own for years and did not want a maid. Irelished my own space. Go. I promise I am not going to end uppoisoning us.”

Still, she hesitated.“Do you know how to work the grill?”

---