Page 58 of Bryce

“I neverdreamed you knew how to cook.” She snuggled against him andthought that nothing could be more perfect than this. “Whatwith you being rich and all.” She looked up at him. “Youhave lived alone for a while. You don’t have a housekeeper?”

He kissed the tip ofher nose, wanting to feel the contact. “I travel a lot ofcourse and am never in one place for more than a couple of months.When I am anywhere, I eat out or order in. I usually have a servicewho comes in to take care of the place, but as for cooking, no. And Inever employ anyone full time. “

“How long haveyou ever stayed in one place?” She tried to make the questioncasual, but he caught on.

Tilting her chin up,he gazed at her. “Six months. In New York when I was filmingCrossover’.” He said quietly. “I know why you’reasking.”

She shrugged. “Justwondering.”

“If I am reallygoing to stick around.”

“We don’thave to talk about….”

“We do.”He kept his fingers on her chin. “You don’t believe me.”

“It’s notthat…”

“You think I amgoing to go poof. Like the first time.”

“Bryce…”

“And nothing Isay is making a difference.” Letting go of her, he lunged tohis feet, impatience and frustration in every step. Shoving his handsin his pockets, he strode over to stare out at the darkness shroudingthe trees.

The light from themoon shone through the trees and he could see patches of white cloudsdrifting over a velvety blue sky. He had never seen moon so big orsky so wide. Perhaps he had been too busy to notice it, or everythinglooked bigger in a small town.

She came up behindhim and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her face on hisback.

“Do you knowwhat I was thinking when I came up to take a shower?”

“That when youwere finished, I would be gone?” His tone was tinged withbitterness.

“That I neverhad this before. Never had someone taking over the reins, taking careof me. I told myself that I didn’t need it, that I wasperfectly capable of taking care of myself. But you took over,whether I wanted to let go or not and I …,” she heavedout a breath. “I loved it. And if you leave, I would bedestroyed.”

He turned to face herthen, eyes scanning her lovely face. The light from the moonshimmered over her features, giving her an ethereal look that tuggedat his heart.

“I am notleaving.” His hands gripped her shoulders. “Get that intothat thick head of yours. I am here and I am staying.”

Tears clogged hereyes and thickened her throat. “What do you see in me? Behonest. You’ve been with so many beautiful women and I am notone. I know what I look like Bryce. I am a plus sized black womanwith this…”

Lifting her hand, shetugged at a thick coil. “I am never going to change, and Idon’t want to. I also do not want to compete with your pastrelationships.”

“You’rein a class of your own.” He ran his hands up and down her armsslowly. “You’re the best person I know. I love everycurve, every part of you. I have been around the world and yes, Ihave been with lots of women.

But that just givesme the experience and knowledge to realize that what I want is righthere. With you. Baby, all I need is you. And if I have to spend therest of my life proving it, then I will.” One hand lifted tocup her face. “To me, you’re the most beautiful woman inthe world.”

“If you leaveme…”

“I won’t.”

“If you do, Iwill hunt you down and commit murder.” She drew in a raggedbreath.

“Fair enough.”

“I am going toneed time.”

“Sweetheart…”

She shook her head.“I need time to adjust, to get used to us - to what I am goingto have to face as your …” She bit her lip. “Yourgirlfriend?”

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