Page 86 of Blame it on the Kiss
“I love you,” he repeated. “I know you’re scared, but you’re it for me. The love of my life.”
“What about Cooper?” she asked.
“Cooper is fine with it!” Her brother shouted from a few yards away. In fact, the entire town had come out from hiding, huge grins on their faces. Uncle Tuck, Sophie, Dylan, the Street Team, Tango…
Bryce took her hand and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “I’m asking for a chance. Stay with me and we’ll figure things out. No pressure.” One side of his sexy mouth lifted. “At least not yet.”
He wanted her and Lord knew she wanted him. “I do want to try. With you. Only you.” Her life was better with him in it. So much better.
“Yeah?”
She cupped his cheek with her free hand. “I love you, too.” She’d never said that to anyone before and feeling the euphoria inside her chest, she knew it was because she’d been waiting for him. “And was going to find you and tell you that this weekend.”
“Well?” Uncle Tuck shouted. “What’s the verdict?”
Bryce brought her closer and kissed her. Hard. Hoots and hollers rang out as his tongue pushed inside her mouth and he kissed her like they didn’t have an audience. She didn’t care. Too lost in the incredible sensation of having this man devour her and claim her as his.
“Thanks for coming to get me,” she said breathlessly when they needed to come up for air. “I was secretly hoping somehow, some way, you would beat me to it.”
“Always.” He touched his forehead to hers.
He lifted away and family and friends zeroed in on them with hugs and pats on the back and words of praise for Bryce. Shirley told him he was better than the heroes in her romance novels.
Honor grabbed his hand and pulled him around the corner for some privacy. “I forgot to say thank you for that incredible video. It was amazing.”
“You’re amazing.” He pushed her up against the side of the building and trapped her between his arms, his hands flat on the wall on either side of her head.
“I’ll probably make a few mistakes.” More like dozens, but he already knew that, right?
“Then I’ll be there to catch you. And you’ll be there to catch me.”
“I will. Promise.”
He lowered his head and kissed her neck, her collarbone. Her insides went all gooey. “Think anyone would notice if we got out of here?”
“Why Miss Mitchell, do you want me all to yourself?”
“Yes, I really do.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
Chapter Fifteen
Six weeks later…
Honor stood at her dresser mirror to put on the yellow diamond earrings Bryce had just given her. “They’re beautiful,” she said, eyeing their sparkle.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and put his chin on her shoulder. “Because of the person wearing them.” His hands slid down the sides of her legs and under her dress.
“Bryce,” she said in warning.
“Yes?”
“We need to get going. I can’t be late to my own opening.” She’d done it. Finished all the preparations for Driftwood and tonight she’d invited everyone to help celebrate. Pride had been building steam inside her all day and she owed so much of that to Bryce. He’d helped her believe she could do it.
He pushed her in the right direction when she needed it, supported and listened to all her ideas, no matter how out there, and encouraged her to be the best version of herself. Her. Self. Not anyone else.
Following through on the business she and Payton had dreamed about meant more than words could say. More confident than ever, more committed than ever, her fears had all but disappeared. Tonight was only the beginning. And she knew without a doubt, Payton would be there with her in spirit. She twirled the infinity bracelets on her wrist.
