about?” Travis wrapped his arms around Brynna’s waist, resting his fingers just under her breasts. As turned on as he was, now wasn’t the time for sex. It was for figuring out what was going on in that pretty head of hers.
Brynna blew out a breath as she laced her fingers with his. Travis wasn’t sure she knew she was holding on so tightly. The adrenaline was probably still coursing through her veins.
“Never mind. Just lost in my head.”
Travis rubbed his cheek against hers. “Talk to me, Princess. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Brynna bit her bottom lip. When he tugged on her hand, she rolled her head so she could meet his eyes. “I’ve spent my whole life trying to figure out who I am. To find something I’m good at. I thought transforming the manor into a hotel would give me a purpose, and it has. But when that’s done? Then what?”
“Then you find another project to work on. Like our house. I want you to help me design it. You’re better at envisioning interiors than I am. You have a fantastic sense of style. As much as you like clothes and shopping, I’m surprised you were never a fashion designer.”
Brynna blushed, and Travis chuckled. It wasn’t often she was the one embarrassed. “Don’t tell me. In all your amazing adventures over the years, you designed those funky dresses you’re so fond of.”
“Not exactly. But I did work for a famous designer in the early nineteen hundreds. I even modeled for her for a bit.”
“I love learning something new about you every day. You’ve had a life filled with travel and excitement. Learning. Doing. I hope we have a daughter so you can teach her how to live a life on her own terms. To experience everything life has to offer and never settle for something mundane. Damn, Bryn. I asked you to do interior design, but you’re too good for that.”
“What? No, I’m not. If anything, I’m not good enough. You’re the one with the college degree. I had tutors, but I never went to school.”
“Do you want to? Is there something you’d like to study?”
“Not really. See? I just feel so lost.”
“I do see. I see this amazing female who finds herself every time she tries something new. You are a badass in more ways than one. You set off to travel the world alone. That took courage. Whenever you find something you like, you learn how to do it. So what if you never settle on one thing? Why would you want to? Most people would give anything to be able to experience so many new things in their life. It’s what us mere humans call vacation. We work and work, saving a little money along the way so we can go do something for a week until we have to go back to our job and start the cycle all over again.”
“I’m such a selfish bitch,” Brynna whispered, tears wetting her blue eyes.
“Oh, Princess. You are the least selfish person I know. I wasn’t chastising the way you’ve lived. I was trying to get you to see that not having one purpose isn’t a bad thing.” Travis kissed her forehead, then hugged her close. “I don’t want you to be so hard on yourself. I love the carefree female you are. I’m glad you’ve been able to see the world and meet all these exciting people. I think more people should be like you. I think” — Travis leaned in and brushed his lips to hers — “you’re perfect.”
“Is that how you really see me?”
“It is. I’ve been in awe of you since the first day we met. You blew into my life and brought the sunshine with you.” Travis kissed her softly, hoping to tell her with his affection what he thought was too soon to admit. Brynna angled her body sideways and ran her fingers through his hair as they kissed lazily. Her hip was pressed against his dick, but he willed it to remain soft. There was much more to their relationship than sex, and part of it was talking and being there for the other. Brynna had brought Travis out of his depression, and he hoped he could be the lightness she needed when she felt down.
“You know what I think you should do?” he asked. Brynna shook her head. “I think you should write about all the things you’ve done over the years. Give our children a way to pass down