Reaching for his hand, I wind my fingers with his, and hope that for the first time in my life, I will be enough for someone. Not my money or my status.
Me.
CHAPTER TEN
CAMILLE
I waketo the feeling of Bronco’s lips on my neck, his hands exploring my body. The heat of his chest presses against my back, and as I shift closer, I feel his hard length.
My pulse spikes as a shiver of awareness rolls through me.
“Morning, princess,” he murmurs against my skin.
I arch against him, lifting my hands behind me to run them through his hair. I love the feel of it. Of the slight scratch of his beard against my skin. “Good morning, handsome.”
I feel his smile. He kisses my jaw, turning me onto my back so he can cover me with his brawny frame.
Our eyes meet, and I’m lost in the tenderness I find there.
His smoky cognac eyes darken to whisky as he lowers his head to claim a kiss. It’s full of heat and promise. Need.
Whatever this is between us, he feels it too. A thought that gives me hope for whatever comes next.
He trails his lips down my neck, parting the edge of the flannel shirt as he works his way down my body.
Just as his mouth closes over my nipple, his phone rings.
Bronco growls, pressing his forehead against my chest. “It has to be Gray. His family has the worst timing.”
I bite my lip, a smile tugging the corners. “Go answer. I’ll be here.”
He smacks my ass as he crawls from the bed. “Better be.” Then he strides through the door, giving me a delightful view of his tight ass and powerful legs.
I didn’t think it possible, but he looks as good from the back as he does the front. I hum in contentment and snuggle back into the covers, soaking in the warmth and his spicy scent.
As I drift, I hear him talking to whoever is on the phone. He sounds frustrated.
Suddenly, the house goes silent, like it’s holding its breath for a heartbeat.
Then two.
When he speaks again, his tone is low and angry. “No, it’s too easy. I don’t like it...”
I hear him pacing. “Gray,” he says in warning. “You know me. If her safety is in jeopardy, I will do anything and everything to keep her safe. No rules. No limits. I do this my way. It’s the only way I can guarantee...” He trails off as I pick up a different thread in his tone. His voice is tight.
I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed, hurrying to button the flannel shirt.
“The last time almost broke me. Don’t ask me for what I can’t give...”
The dark pain in his voice tears at me. What happened that would make such a strong man sound so wrecked? I rush to the doorway. “Bronco?”
He turns, finding me, and sags back against the counter. “If it comes to that, I’ll have no regrets,” he says to Gray. Then he hangs up, tosses his phone on the counter, and stalks toward me.
Bronco pulls me into his arms, holding me close. He buries his head in my hair and takes an audible breath.
“What is it? My father?”
A shudder goes through him. After a long moment, he releases me and turns toward the coffee pot. His movements are almost robotic as he preps the machine. “Yesterday, your father demanded your immediate return. Gray pushed back. Your father... agreed. As if granting a few more days was no issue.”
