Page 48 of Bryce

“Zahra.”He turned her to face him. “Please talk to me.”

Her head drifted backto stare at him, and she felt the familiar sexual pull. His hair wasdisheveled, and his eyes had a sleepy look to them that spoke ofleashed passion. He had made love to her, and she would never regretit. “Make love to me again.”

His eyes searched herface, and she knew he realized that something was bothering her.

Running his hands upand down her arms, he held her gaze, as if giving her a chance tocome clean.

“Please.”She whispered. “I want to feel you inside me again.”

Her words had thedesired result. With a nod, he took her hand and led her from thekitchen.

As they entered thebedroom, the soft glow of the bedside lamp created a warm, invitingatmosphere. Zahra felt a mix of anticipation and vulnerability,knowing that in his arms, she was safe and cherished. He pulled herclose, their bodies fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. Histouch was gentle yet firm, grounding her in the moment.

Afterwards, he justheld her close. The rain had not ceased entirely, but the fiercenesshad slowed down to a gentle lashing against the windows.

The fire inside thehearth had burned down to a simmering ember that shrouded the room.It was perfect. Being here like this with him was as close toperfection as anything she had ever felt. She had felt the urge toask things, to have him make promises, but had decided against it.

She could not denywhat she was feeling. That was certainly not who she was. And she hadto be true to herself. She knew that at the end of it, he was goingto leave. She belonged to this town and no matter the emotionschurning through her body, she was realistic.

They did not belongtogether. He was from a far different world. On top of that, shewould not fool herself that a gorgeous man like Bryce Whitlock couldever feel anything for her other than good old-fashioned lust.

The attraction wasfierce, and she relished it. But he would leave, and she was tryingto convince herself that when it comes time for him to leave, shewould be sophisticated about it.

“You’rethinking too loudly.” His deep voice resonating against hercheek gave her a start.

“That’snot a thing.”

“Isn’tit?” Shifting slightly, he tucked his fingers beneath her chinand brought her head up to meet his curious gaze. “Tell me.”

“Nothing. Justenjoying the moment. It’s raining and we are in bed. It feelssybaritic.”

His thick browslifted, and a smile tugged at his lips. “I had forgotten yourpenchant for unusual words.” Flicking a finger at the tip ofher nose, he continued to stare at her.

“What?”

“You’rebeautiful. I love seeing the afterglow of lovemaking on your face.Did you know that your eyes goes shades darker when you’re inthe mood?”

Her tapered browslifted at that. “For what?”

“You knowwhat.” He chuckled. “You have this sultry look on yourface like the cat who licked up the last of the cream.”

“Is that so?”She cast her eyes down to his very impressive chest and used a fingerto trail through the dense dark hairs.

“Zahra?”The speculation in his deep voice had her lifting her gaze up to his.“I need you to tell me what’s wrong.”

Taking a deep breath,she eased back a little and he allowed her. Tugging at the sheets,she covered herself and sat up against the pillows. “This isamazing. Being here with you is very nice and almost makes me thinkthat it’s normal.

That it’snormal for you to be here with you like this. That it is commonplacefor us to be together.” Turning her head, she stared out thewindow and saw that the rain had almost ceased.

The day would remaincloudy, but by tomorrow, things would be back to normal. She wasgoing to have to check for leakages and floodings and set aboutseeing to the repairs, if there were any. The inn would be closed fora few more days, but that was not going to affect her finances much.

His hand reached outto gently touch her arm, grounding her once more. "Zahra,"he began softly, "you don't have to pretend with me. Whatever itis that's weighing on your mind, we can face it together."

She turned back tohim, the vulnerability in her eyes now unmistakable. "Bryce,I... I just don't want to get too attached," she confessed. "Iknow you're going to leave, and I can't help but feel like I'msetting myself up for heartbreak."

His expressionsoftened, and he pulled her into a tender embrace. "Iunderstand," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "Butlet's not borrow trouble from tomorrow. Tonight, let's just be here,together, and cherish this moment."

“And forgeteverything else. Is that what you’re saying?”

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