Part 26 (1/2)

”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. s.h.i.+rley 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 Mitch.e.l.l, 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.

”I'm thinking under five minutes, beautiful.” He pressed his warm lips to her temple as his very skillful fingers marched up to her panties. Her skin sizzled. It took him all of three seconds to get her hot and bothered. If she were honest, she'd gotten turned on watching him dress. The way he b.u.t.toned a s.h.i.+rt? Zipped and b.u.t.toned his pants? It was like foreplay in reverse and she'd wanted to strip his clothes off him.

The tattoo over his heart didn't hurt either. Honor, it said.

”This is just mean.” The best kind of mean. Keep going.

Their eyes met in the mirror. He c.o.c.ked an eyebrow.

”You know I can't”-he grazed his thumb over her aroused center-”say no to you when you touch me like this.”

”Want me to stop?” He dropped a kiss right by her earlobe.

”Don't you dare.”

He smiled. ”I do believe there's one spot left to christen.” Really? She thought they'd christened the entire house since Coop moved out and Bryce moved in.

”Where's that?”

”Right here. Put your hands on the dresser, Ms. Mitch.e.l.l.” She did and he did the rest, sliding her panties down her legs, freeing himself from his dress pants, and lifting her dress to her waist. She heard the rustle of a condom and then he was at her opening. ”Look in the mirror,” he whispered.

His heated gaze met hers and with one smooth thrust he was inside her. Filling her. Loving her. He brushed her hair over one shoulder and rocked against her with a slow, steady pace. She gripped the edge of the dresser. They didn't once look away from each other. His hands roamed over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, her stomach, the curls between her legs.

All his devastating kisses, his supportive words, the way he loved her body and her thoughts...She wasn't the same person she'd been a few months ago. He'd confessed he wasn't either, told her she was the something else to make his life worthwhile.

”You feel so d.a.m.n good. But I promised to be quick,” he murmured.

”Mmmm,” was all she managed to get out. A whimper followed. With each stroke she grew more restless, her arousal more intense.

With his left hand he cupped her breast, rubbed his thumb over her nipple. With his right, he found the bundle of nerves just above where they were joined.

”I love you,” he said.

Her body on fire from those three little words and his touch, she hit the point of no return and moaned his name as she came. He pressed his hips more firmly against her and followed right behind.

A sigh escaped him as he kissed her cheek. She turned her head and kissed him more fully. With one last taste of his lips, she pulled away. ”Love you, too.”