Page 43 of Secret Admirer
Online. True, shecoulddo that, but she hadn’t wanted to learn online, otherwise she'd have done that years ago. Instead, she'd chosen to apply for college late, thinking that if she heard the lecture live, she’d likely understand it better.
But if she stayed with Bart and he needed to go to China? There was a hum in her veins that hoped for travel. “Can I think about it?”
“Absolutely.” He kissed her again.
If only everything was solved with kisses. She licked her lips the moment he ended the kiss, as If to memorize the tangy sweet taste. She met his intense gaze. “Does it bother you when I say that I love you?”
His eyes were a blaze of heat, warming the brown to chocolate. He lowered her legs and said, “It’s not as painful now that I’ve heard it more than once.”
Her heart lifted in her chest. If he came to love her and respect her then she would have everything. She’d certainly reconsider online schooling in compromise to his lifestyle. She wrapped her hand around his shoulder. “So it’s okay?”
He shifted her body, so they were touching almost everywhere and intimately entwined. “I'm done with this conversation about feelings--I'm more interested in this.”
He lowered his head like he’d kiss her. Her body pulsated, wanting all of him. But she pulled back at the last second, denying her mouth the sweetest craving it knew. “One more question and I’ll be happy.”
“I was hoping this made you happy.”
Happiness wasn’t just a physical touch. He excelled there. She pressed her forehead to his and hoped he understood her. She wasn’t sure she’d make sense. “It does. But Bart?”
“Yes?”
Rebecca didn't want to scare him away but get him to love her back. There had to be a way, though her heart raced. “I’m not trying to pressure you. I just wanted to say that.”
Bart's hands pressed against her hips, sending a sweet pressure. She sighed but then he didn’t kiss her again. He ran his hands across her body, causing little trembles as he asked, “Did you know who I was when you chased after me?”
Good question. And she needed to tell the truth. She took a deep breath and met his gaze as she answered, “Kind of.”
“What does that mean?” He stopped touching her.
Rebecca's pulse spiked. He couldn’t leave her over this! She couldn’t ignore the truth, despite how her lips tingled for his kiss. “I knew your name. I didn’t know anything about what that meant or anything. I was Googling pictures of what a perfect guy would look like, and your image came up.”
His deep, loud laugh filled the hotel room. Her hair stood on end as she waited for him to calm down--she hadn't expected that response. He said, “So, you're saying that you picked me based on my looks?”
He was right--that didn’t sound so good. She nodded, aware of his hardness that brushed against her body and kept her laser-focused on his delectable form. “That sounds shallow. But when we talked, I knew you weren't just a fantasy.”
He captured her lips in a kiss. He was demanding and she accepted, everything. She loved him and this wasn’t a lie. Somehow, she’d show him and then the two of them could live, happily-ever-after, forever.
Chapter 14
Bart finished his shower and strode across the hotel suite without a towel to find his clothes in the closet.
Rebecca was dressed in jeans and a form-fitting red shirt, outside on the balcony with her cup of coffee from breakfast. Palm trees swayed peacefully in the distance. All was well with the world today. For right now, anyhow.
Her beauty went beyond skin deep.
No one would ever suspect she wasn’t born in his world as she sat and enjoyed the sun and her coffee on the balcony.
Her self-confidence was like a beacon on the dark sea, drawing him closer. She turned and smiled at him, clearly checking out his body. He took his time reaching into the closet to find his boxer briefs and tailored gray pants.
She laughed at his bit of a show and his body grew hard, again, even though they were far apart.
Tonight, he’d have her--this time in his new bed. Bart finished with his clothes and checked his light-green polo collar in the mirror. Ready.
He headed outside to the balcony and kissed Rebecca's forehead. “Are you ready to check out?”
"Yup." She put her empty mug on the table and stood. “Lead the way.”
They locked hands and strolled out of the hotel room. After checking out they'd go to his new home on Starr Island, where his family lived.
