Page 91 of The Downside of Love
“Stryder, I’m not going to have you pay for things.”
“Why not?”
“Because . . . it’s weird?”
I pull away, a pinch in my brow. “Why is it weird?”
She looks away and shrugs. “I don’t know. Just seems weird to spend your money.”
I bring her eyes back to mine. “Are you my girlfriend?” She nods, adding in an impressive eye-roll. “Then that means I get to spoil you any way I want. If I want to spend my money on you, then I will. When are you going to let me take care of you? Truly take care of you?”
“You do take care of me.” Taking my hand, she leads me to the bed where she pushes me back onto the mattress and undoes her apron, letting it fall to the ground. Left in a pair of shorts and a tank top, she then crosses her arms in front of her and snags the hem of her shirt, pulling it up and over her head, revealing her bare breasts.
God, she’s so goddamned beautiful. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever tire of looking at her.
She climbs on top of my lap, settles her hands on my chest and slides them down to my shoulders, dragging her body with her. “You take care of me in other ways,” she whispers, pressing a kiss across my jaw.
I roll her to her back and pin her against the mattress. Growing serious, I say, “I want to take care of you more than in the bedroom.”
Realization passes across her features and her eyes soften. “Stryder.” Her fingers run over my cheek. “Do you realize how important you are to me?” Her breasts press against my chest as she leans in even closer. “You take care of me every day with your love, with the way you so easily pull me into your body, and the gentle words you speak to me. This isn’t just physical for me, Stryder. I need you, just like you need me. You’ve become my world.”
I stroke her hair behind her shoulder. “Then let me at least buy your dress for you for the ball?”
“Is it important to you?”
I nod. “Yes. You’ve given me so much, and I want to be able to give you some things as well.”
“What have I given you?”
I press my palm into her chest. “Your heart first of all. You’ve given me a loving home, a retreat I’ve never had before—”
“Besides Amy’s Donuts,” she teases, making me laugh.
“Besides Amy’s Donuts. You’ve given me hope that there is so much more beyond what I thought I could ever have.”
“What makes you think I don’t feel the same about you?”
Because I know I’m not good enough. For her.I constantly wonder what the hell Rory is doing with me. She gave up Colby because she hated knowing he would always leave her because of his job, but hewasthe better man. And my job means I might also have to relocate after three years if I continue in the Air Force.So, why would she settle for me?
I want to answer her, but really, what could I say? I don’t know how the fuck she could ever feel the same about me that I feel about her.
“I . . . I’m not—”
“I love you, Stryder. You. Just you. Never underestimate how happy I am with you. I would be honored to go to the ball with you . . . in a dress you bought me.”
“Yeah?” I smile wildly.
“Yeah.” Reaching down between us, she starts to undo my pants, her hands grazing my aching cock.
“What about the stew?” I ask on a strangled breath, her hand slipping inside my pants.
She grips me tightly. “It’s simmering.”Among other things now.
* * *
Ever since our first kiss—the moment Rory kissed me back—I knew I was the luckiest motherfucker to ever walk this planet. I knew she could have any man she wanted, but she chose to be with me. My luck definitely doesn’t go unnoticed, especially tonight.
Draped in a red floor-length, flowy gown is my drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, curled in pretty waves, and she has matching red lipstick on her lips, glossy and drawing my attention. I remember the first time I saw her wear red lipstick. I watched from a distance as she smiled at Colby, joked around with him, licked her lips. It was fucking torture, desperately wanting to have those lips on mine.
