to the grocery and checked on things outside,” Royce said as he pulled out a chair for her to sit in. “A few of the surrounding houses are missing shingles, but you seem to have pulled through with very little damage. The crash we heard last night was your neighbor’s carport blowing down. It landed on the fence between your two houses. I’ll let Ryker know when I talk to him. I’m sure it can be easily repaired.”
“Thank you, kind Sir,” Becki said batting her eyelashes playfully at Royce.
“You are most welcome, my Lady,” Royce said with a low bow. Straightening, he grabbed the coffee pot asking, “Black or candied?”
“I like lots of cream, tons of sugar, and whipped cream-- of course,” Becki said innocently. As the words left her mouth, her face flamed with color. Royce--and whipped cream-- together? The possibilities were endless. “Um-, never mind,” Becki amended quickly, wishing she could press a recall button on her last comment. “I think I’m out,” she mumbled, suddenly interested in the pancakes on her plate.
Royce cleared his throat and called her out, “You are lucky I only have about ten minutes before I need to leave, or I would prove you a liar.”
Becki snatched her glass of orange juice and took a big gulp, while she tried to think of a way to change the subject.
Her plan was a dismal failure the moment Royce added, “I guarantee you would enjoy it.”
Becki choked as orange juice went down the wrong pipe!
“I’m sorry,” Royce quickly apologized as he handed her a glass of water.
If the sparkle in his eyes was any indication, he didn’t seem too sorry. Thankfully, her coughing jag didn’t last long. After she settled back down, they were able to finish breakfast without further incident.
“Sorry to leave you with the mess,” he apologized, taking a long swallow of orange juice. “Next time you cook and I’ll clean up.”
Next time? Becki felt butterflies in her stomach and decided against eating that third pancake she had been eyeing.
“Mmmm that was delicious,” Becki said as she gathered her dishes and moved to the sink. She was rinsing the sticky syrup from her plate when Royce reached around her to do the same. Becki’s hands began to shake as she felt his warm breath caress the nape of her neck.
“Becki,” he whispered, his lips moving against the soft-spot just below her ear. “I loved waking up with you in my arms. I know there is a lot you don’t understand. There are things I can’t tell you. But I’m asking you to trust me. I feel happier when I’m with you than I’ve ever felt in my life. I want to be the man who makes you happy; the man who walks with you on the beach under the stars.” Becki heard a smile in his voice as he added, “I want to be the one to make-out with you under the pier, and anything else you can think of. I want you to be with me…only me.”
Becki closed her eyes as she leaned her head back letting it rest on Royce’s shoulder. “I would like that,” she admitted. “I would like that a lot.”
“Good,” Royce said grazing her ear with his teeth.
Becki caught her breath. She was assaulted with sensation as he followed the line of her neck with his lips.
“Perfect timing,” he said sarcastically when his cell started buzzing. He released her to answer the call.
“I’ll call you back in a minute!”
Reaching around Becki, he turned off the water that was still running in the sink. “I have to go. Walk me to the door, and kiss me goodbye,” he bossed, linking his fingers with hers to pull her toward the front door.
“Thanks for staying with me. I would have been a little scared to be here all by myself last night,” Becki admitted as she opened the front door.
“I know,” Royce said with a smile.
Becki stuck her tongue out imitating a bratty child. “How does it feel to always be right, O-Wise-One?” she asked.
“Good!” he joked, pulling her in close for a quick kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
Becki couldn’t take her eyes off him as he sauntered down the steps and climbed into his red Corvette. That was one wicked-hot man in one wicked-hot car. She couldn’t wait to drive it! She also couldn’t wait for that walk on the beach he had promised!
Darn it! Why couldn’t Natie live closer? Becki felt like stomping her foot in frustration. She wanted