Page 100 of Chasing the Sun

“Hey. Don’t worry. Molly adores you.”

“Yes, but that was when she knew I’d only be around for the summer. Maybe she won’t be so anxious to share you with me all the time.”

“I think you’ll be surprised, but we can ease her into it. You can keep sleeping upstairs for a few months until she gets used to the idea. What do you think?”

She looked into his eyes and saw they were brimming with love and hope. He really wanted this, wanted her, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make this happen. Right then, she could have kissed herself for taking the risk and telling him she loved him.

Twining her arms around his neck, she shifted to straddle him. “Do you really think this will work?”

“It will if we really want it to. Do you want it, Chloe?” He wriggled his hips beneath her, and she giggled.

“Yes. I really do.”

With that he tumbled her onto her back, marking the end of their conversation.

Chapter 32

Bryce hated goodbyes, but thankfully, this one was only temporary. After spending a blissful evening together, he and Chloe were parting ways for a little while. He wanted to talk to Molly alone, so he was going to pick her up from his parents’ house while Chloe went to visit Elle.

Now they were standing in the resort parking lot, saying goodbye. He’d never been a fan of public displays of affection until now. They were leaned up against the Mercedes, his arms wrapped around her, kissing goodbye like he was going off to war.

“Thanks again for my birthday present,” he said between kisses.

“It turned out to be a present for me too,” she replied with a sexy smile.

“I’m glad you thought of it. It was just what I needed.”

“What we needed,” she corrected.

“You’re right.” Then he glanced around to make sure nobody was within hearing distance and added, “I can’t wait to make love to you again.”

She cocked out a hip. “Dr. Bradshaw, you devil, you!”

He laughed and leaned in to nip her bottom lip. They’d been up half the night making up for lost time, and though he was tired this morning, he entertained the idea of pulling her into the back seat of his SUV for a quickie. She’d unlocked the door to his libido, and now his hormones were running rampant, but that wasn’t the only thing she’d unlocked. His heart was wide open too, and while that scared him a bit, it also made him feel alive and full of gratitude. If this beautiful, wonderful, determined woman hadn’t come into his life, he might have remained a bachelor forever.

Wait a minute. Who said anything about marriage?

“I should probably get going,” he said reluctantly.

“You’ve been saying that for the past fifteen minutes,” she teased.

He cupped her face, his thumbs caressing her cheeks. “That’s because I don’t want to leave you.”

“It’s only for a few hours!”

“I know, but you could change your mind about me by then.”

“Never.”

Her conviction astounded him. “I love you, Chloe.”

Her eyes were sparkling even though she had dark circles under them from their late night. “I love you too.”

Then he kissed her again—a long, lingering kiss that he never wanted to end.

An hour later, after being questioned mercilessly by his parents, he was back at home with Molly.

“Where’s Miss Chloe?” she asked as soon as they walked in the door.