Page 57 of Bryce

He shot her anotherlook this one tinged with impatience. “Go away, Zahra.”

“Okay fine.”She stood there inside the doorway and watched as he opened cupboardsto take out the seasonings.

“You’restill here.” He murmured without looking up.

She went away withoutanother word and figured she could whip something up if he ended upburning the steak to a crisp.

He was taking care ofher, and she should accept that he is. Should relish it as a matterof fact. Stepping into the bathroom, she selected body wash, a citrusscent and poured a generous amount into the warm water. The generatorwould not be able to offer much power, but it was better thannothing.

She had a man. Takingoff her clothes, she stopped and stared at herself in the mirror. Agorgeous man who was also a celebrity. Shaking her head, she backedaway and slipped into the water. She would not think about it. If shedid, she was going to come up with all sorts of reasons to end it.

This was here andnow. And she was going to enjoy every blessed and blissful minute ofit.

*****

He fired up the grilland grinned in delight as the flame glowed and hissed. He had foundthe things he needed to slap on the meat. It might not be as tasty ashers, but it would be tolerable.

The wind had pickedup and within minutes, the scent of meat charring settled on the air.He would add the vegetables in another minute or two. He had found abottle of wine that would go well with the red meat and wished hecould run into town to pick something up.

But no matter. Hewanted to take care of her. Wanted to slide into her life until sherealized that she needed him. Like he needed her. Brushing a hand atthe back of his neck, he stared off into the horizon, a frown marringhis brow. He felt comfortable here. He would make it his home.

He could make it oneof his homes. Perhaps he could ease her into the idea of adding somemore rooms. The place was big enough to accommodate the extras. Anoffice for him, a bigger suite. And when the children - he felt weakat the thought of her carrying his babies.

He knew she wasskeptical and still questioning his intentions. She had told him sheloved him, and they would go on from there. Everything else wouldfollow.

Switching his gazeback to the meat, he turned them over in the nick of time. He had hispride and his ego to protect and would not want to hear her sayanything about the food. He grinned in anticipation. They would havea quiet night. Dinner for two – making love by the fire andsnuggling. It was perfect.

*****

She pretended not tosee his brows arching. And had hidden her surprise very well.

He had turned out anexcellent meal. The steaks were done just right and the vegetablescrisp without being soggy or overdone. She had cleaned her plate andsupposed she owed him a compliment.

“It’sgood.”

His brows arched evenhigher. Settling back in the chaise, he stretched his legs out. Hehad taken a shower and was wearing loose-fitting lounge pants and ablack sweater. His hair was still curling from the shower.

“What?”

“I am sure youcan do much better than that.”

“Do you want atrophy?”

“That would benice, but I would settle for ‘well done, it’s the best Ihave ever tasted.” Something like that.”

“Your ego isastounding.” Hiding a smile behind the glass, she took a sip ofwine.

“My ego is justfine.” Blue eyes met hers. “I am going to need you to sayit.”

“It’s notthe best I ever had, but it was pretty good.”

He inclined his headgracefully. “And I surprised you. You were planning on a backupmeal, weren’t you?”

With his eyes onhers, she could not lie.

“So?”

He shook his head andpulled her against him. “Oh ye of little faith,” hemurmured against her ear.

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