Page 99 of Chasing the Sun
“No buts, Chloe. Let me do this for you and for us. Please.”
She swallowed hard, feeling herself caving in. “Fine. You can help, but I want to contribute my savings.”
“Fine.”
“And just to be clear, your contribution doesn’t make you my boss.”
“Heaven forbid,” he said with a grin.
“I mean it, Bryce.”
He placed a hand over his heart. “I promise we’ll be equal partners.”
She sighed, the reality of this decision suddenly hitting her full force. She was equal parts scared and elated at the thought of opening her own dance studio. Then she remembered the other roadblock.
“I’ll still need a place to live.”
“Hmm. Well, it just so happens I know of the perfect place.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, knowing where this was headed.
“It’s a nice place with plenty of rooms. Oh, and it has a lanai with a pool and hot tub.”
“Does it happen to back up to a golf course?” she asked, playing along for now.
“Why, yes. As a matter of fact, it does.”
“Bryce.”
“Come here.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because if I come over there, you’ll start kissing me, and pretty soon, I’ll forget my own name, and then I’ll say yes to whatever you ask.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. “Really? I have that much power of you?”
“Don’t get cocky!”
Before she saw it coming, he reached over and pulled her onto his lap, tightly tucking an arm around her to prevent her from squirming away. How they were expected to continue this discussion while she was sitting on his lap naked, she had no idea, but she was willing to try.
“If you really want to live apart from me, I’ll help you find a place.”
“You will?”
“If that’s what it takes for you to stay in Naples, then yes, but I don’t like it.”
She traced his luscious lips with her index finger. “It’s not just about us. What about Molly? How would she feel if I moved in with you?”
“I suspect she’ll be thrilled, but why don’t we ask her?”
“Really?” Her head was swimming with the possibilities.
He nodded. “I should probably have a talk with her anyway to tell her about us.”
“Oh, right.”
