Page 86 of Searching for Bristol
“I want to,” he said fervently. “I’ve been dreading the day you’re back on your feet…and I know that makes me a dick. I didn’t lie, Bristol. I’ve loved having you here. And now that you’re sleeping in my bed every night, the idea of you moving out seems even more repugnant.”
“I feel the same,” she said softly.
“Damn…I hate that I have to go right now,” Rocky said.
Bristol could see the desire in his gaze. “The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back,” she said cheekily.
He grinned. “True.” Then he tilted her head up and lowered his own. He kissed her once more, a gentle, intimate meshing of lips, before he straightened. “Looking forward to hearing what the realtor says.”
“Me too.”
“Fuck. You make me happy,” Rocky said, his gaze roaming her face.
“Same,” Bristol told him.
Taking a deep breath, he dropped his hand. “Right. If I’m going to go, I need to go now. Have a good day.”
“I will. I’ll text you after I meet with the realtor and let you know what she says.”
“And if she sends you any interesting properties, email me the links…that is, if you want my opinion on them.”
“Of course I do!” Bristol exclaimed. “And I will.”
Rocky nodded and turned for the door. He smiled at her once more, then was gone. Bristol stood in the doorway and watched him walk down the corridor outside the complex, toward the stairs. He headed for his Tahoe and waved to her when he was behind the wheel, before he backed out of his parking space and headed for the exit.
Bristol closed the door and leaned against it once she’d locked it behind her. She smiled into space for a full minute before forcing herself to get on with her day.
* * *
As it turned out, Bristol didn’t return to Rocky’s apartment until early afternoon. She’d hit it off immediately with the realtor, who’d ended up taking her to see two properties that she thought might work, even though that hadn’t been in the plan for the morning.
Bristol wasn’t as sure about either of them, but her enthusiasm hadn’t dimmed. She had no doubt she’d find the perfect property and house.
She texted Rocky to see how his day was going.
Bristol: Hi! I’m back. Things with the realtor went great! We went and looked at two houses, but neither were exactly what I’m looking for. But I think she has a better idea now so I’m sure I’ll find something soon. How’re things there?
Rocky answered by sending her a picture of a huge hole in the ground filled with brown, muddy water. She had no idea what the problem was, but it was obvious he wasn’t exactly having an easy first day on the new job.
Bristol: Oh my. That doesn’t look good.
Rocky: It’s not. I might be a bit later than I thought getting back tonight.
Bristol: It’s okay. It’ll give me time to get your surprise finished.
Rocky: Surprise?
Bristol: A sweet one.
Rocky: You, naked on our bed, waiting for me when I get home?
Bristol: lol. No, but that can be arranged too.
Rocky: For the record, you don’t need to give me any surprises. I just need you.
Bristol closed her eyes for a moment, absorbing the way he always made her feel so good.
Bristol: Just for that, I might have to break out the new underwear I bought for a special occasion.
