Page 85 of Room for Improvement

As Bryce rose over her, tugging on the bodice of her sundress, her merriment softened. Vivian took in the warmth of his brown eyes, and she whispered, “No more missteps between us. Open communication and above all else, honesty.”

“Agreed. Now the first thing I want to be clear about is the need for this sexy little bra and pantie set to be off. And then for me to fuck you senseless.”

His fingers pulled on the front of her bra, freeing her breasts. Vivian didn’t have time to protest before her nipple was in Bryce’s mouth. She lay back and closed her eyes as he sucked hard. Her legs opened as his skilled fingers peeled back her underwear and went to work. “I knew you would be wet and ready for me,” he murmured.

“Always.”

CHAPTERFIFTY-SIX

The White Foam Breakers Resort

Two nights later

Vivian woke to the gentle caress of the sea breeze. And an empty bed. Her fingers searched the sheets, but Bryce was gone. A horrid memory of the last time she had woken alone in his bed sent a chill down her spine.

This is not the same. There are no more secrets or lies between us.

Climbing out of the tangled sheets, she slipped a light dressing gown on and headed for the open door of the villa. Tiki lights either side of the entrance revealed Bryce’s whereabouts. He was sitting outside on a wooden beach chair, clad in a hotel robe, his gaze was on the dark night ocean. From where she stood, Vivian could just make out the white caps of the waves as they reached the shore. “Bryce?”

He turned and smiled at her. She came to him, and he pulled her into his lap. “I thought you were asleep.”

She shook her head. “I was, but somewhere in my dreams I sensed you were gone. Why are you out here, alone? Is there something wrong?”

“No, in fact everything is perfect. For the first time ever, I feel that the pieces of my life are falling into place. You are a big part of that, Vivian.”

To hear him speak of her in that way had Vivian blinking back a tear. She hadn’t encountered many men like Bryce before, men who were comfortable in sharing their feelings. Of accepting and acknowledging their emotions. It was wonderful.

“Thank you.” She lay her head against his shoulder and gave a happy sigh. “The only thing missing from this perfect picture is a salted caramel mocha.”

The rumble of his chest as he laughed had her wishing she could frame this moment. The uncertain, regretful version of Bryce she had encountered on the beach in Texas had transformed into this confident, happy one. He found humor in her sugary cravings, something she couldn’t have imagined only a matter of days ago.

“It’s two in the morning, and I am sure all the little Starbuckers are tucked up fast asleep in their beds. And if they aren’t then they should be,” he replied.

Vivian let her fingers roam over the fine dark dusting of hair on Bryce’s chest. She had a thing for chest hair. “Have you ever tried a frappé?”

He shuddered. “No. I consider life too precious to waste on such things. Now an espresso, that’s something I could walk a mile for. In fact I have. There is a particular coffee shop in central Rome, hidden in a laneway out of sight of the tourists. I’ve been known to rise before the dawn just in order to be at their door when they open. I shall take you there one day.”

Bryce Royal was a man prepared to travel far and wide in search of the things he loved. He had clocked up a few air miles in finding her. And in the days since their mind-blowing reunion, the only time he had let her out of his sight was when she went to get a haircut at the resort spa. He’d even offered to come with her.

Here in his arms, Vivian felt comfortable to say the words. “I love you, Bryce. I want you to know that, and for you to never have any doubts.”

“I love you, too. I knew you were special that first night I saw you standing on the beach in California.”

* * *

If someone had told him a few months ago he was about to fall hard and fast for a woman he’d just met, Bryce would have given them a dismissive snort and denied it. Only fools and love struck teens behaved that way. He was thirty four years old and about to become CEO of a major corporation, his heart had never made life altering decisions for him.

And yet here he was, and he couldn’t fight what he felt for Vivian. It was too strong. The only thing he wanted to take on in battle was any lingering doubt about their future. To slay it once and for all and secure a life with her. Which was why he had come out here to sit in the dark and think. To plan.

“When you call your boss later this morning, I want you to offer your resignation.”

Vivian stirred in his lap. As she went to pull away, he placed his arm behind her back, and held it there.

“I know we’re planning on being together, Bryce, but asking me to give up my dream job is probably not something I can do, not right now.”

He had anticipated her answer. If he was being asked to walk away from his career, he would also refuse. Not unless he had a better offer.

To his way of thinking he had a brilliant offer.

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