Page 42 of Searching for Bristol
“What?” he asked.
“You didn’t even think about that, did you?”
“About what?”
“About simply lifting me to walk up the stairs.”
He looked a little sheepish. “Sorry. And no. I didn’t want you to hurt yourself. I’m not sure you’re up to stairs yet, so I just acted. Are you irritated?”
“No.” And she wasn’t. “Although I’m going to need to try stairs at some point.”
“I know. But that day isn’t today,” he told her as he gently put her back on her feet at the door.
“You might change your mind once you see how many stairs there are in my house,” she told him as she put the key in her lock.
“Not happening, Punky,” Rocky said sternly.
Bristol could only chuckle again. “All right, but if you get tired of lugging me around, just say the word. Welcome to my home,” she said as she pushed open the door.
Rocky helped her inside and shut the door behind him. He looked around the large open foyer and whistled low. “Wow, Punky. This is…it’s beautiful.”
“Wait until you see the view,” she told him, then pointed to the right. “That way.”
He walked her into her living room, and she heard him draw in a sharp breath. “Wow.”
“That’s what I thought the first time I saw it,” Bristol concurred. The houses on her side of the street backed up to a nature preserve. There were rolling hills, lots of trees, and a peacefulness that helped recharge her batteries when she got down or frustrated with a project she was working on. “It’s why I bought this house. The bonus is that no one will be able to build behind me because the land is protected.”
“It’s beautiful,” he told her. Then he looked down at her. “Again, I’m thinking there’s some things you left out about yourself.”
Bristol shrugged. “I told you that I did well for myself with my art. And that I could afford to get the satellite phones for your team.”
“You did, but this…damn. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t you living in a mansion. You must really be going stir-crazy in my little apartment.”
“I love this house…but itisjust a house,” she told him softly. “I knew it was too big, and I was right. I kind of rattle around in here all by myself. Your apartment is…” Her voice faded off as she racked her brain for an appropriate adjective.
“Tiny? Cramped? Rundown?” he threw out.
“Cozy. Comfortable. Safe,” she countered.
They looked at each other for a long moment before Rocky took a deep breath. But he didn’t pull away.
“Rocky?” she asked, not sure why she was whispering, except the moment seemed to call for it.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he said firmly. “If you don’t want me to, now’s your chance to tell me.”
Bristol held her breath. She wanted his lips on hers. Badly. Had since almost the first moment she’d seen him.
“Did you hear me?” he asked.
She wanted to laugh. How could shenothear him when they had an arm wrapped around each other and were standing hip to hip? “Yes,” she said, answering both his question and giving him permission at the same time.
He didn’t smile, but Bristol swore she saw relief flare in his eyes. Pulling her tighter against him, turning so her front was plastered to his, Rocky used his free hand to lift her chin.
“You are so pretty. And I’m not just talking physically, although you’re that too. You have a light shining in your eyes that draws everyone you come into contact with. And I’m no exception. Once we go here, Punky…there’s no going back,” he said.
Bristol appreciated that he was doing his best to make sure she really wanted his kiss, but she was getting impatient. She needed his lips on hers.Now.
She went up on her tiptoes and was annoyed that he was still too far away for her to reach. Without thinking, she reached up and grabbed a handful of his beard and tugged him down. The last thing she saw before her eyes closed was his amused grin.
