Searching for Bristol, page 13
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 it is just 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 she not hear 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.
The second his lips touched hers, Bristol was a goner.
She’d never kissed a man with a beard before, and the way it tickled her jaw and chin was almost as arousing as the feel of his hand moving around to her nape and his other arm tightening around her waist.
The next thing she knew, her feet were off the floor and he was lifting her, so she didn’t have to strain her neck to kiss him. She was held firmly against his body, and she could feel every inch. His hard chest, the way his arm flexed around her waist. His hard cock against her core. But it was his lips on hers that had her moaning deep in her throat.
The small sound seemed to inflame them both. This was no tentative first touch. Rocky kissed her with the confidence of a man who knew what he wanted, and had no problem whatsoever taking it.
His head tilted and his tongue plunged inside her mouth, and Bristol immediately twined her own with his. She shoved her hands into his hair, holding him to her as they kissed as if their lives depended on it. Butterflies swam in her belly, goose bumps broke out on her arms, and she writhed in his grasp, wanting to get closer.
Rocky held her tightly as he kissed her. He nipped her lip, and Bristol reciprocated. She thrust her tongue into his mouth, loving that he was letting her take control of the kiss. Then it was his turn to groan as she nibbled his lip again.
She had no idea how long they’d been kissing when he lifted his head and stared at her. Because he was holding her up, they were nearly eye-to-eye. When he licked his lips, Bristol couldn’t help but look down at them.
“Damn, woman,” he breathed.
She couldn’t help it. She giggled.
“That was…” He paused before continuing. “Will you go out with me?”
Bristol was confused. “What, like a date?”
“Yeah, a date.”
“Um, yes?”
“I know we’re doing things a little backward, you moving in with me and all before I even asked you out on a date, but I like you, Bristol. So much. I want to continue to get to know you.”
Things like this didn’t happen to her, and she prayed she didn’t somehow mess it up. “Same, Rocky.”
“So…you’ll be my girlfriend?”
She giggled again, but nodded. “Yes.”
“And we’re exclusive?”
“Rocky, it’s not as if I’ve had men pounding down my door, wanting to go out with me.”
“Then they’re idiots. And we are exclusive,” he said firmly.
He hadn’t put her down, and Bristol had to admit that she loved being held by him. He still had one of his large hands on the back of her neck while the other one was locked around her torso, keeping her secure against him.
“One thing, though,” he said seriously. “I clearly don’t make what you do. Is that going to be a problem?”
Bristol frowned. “If you think I’m the kind of woman who would care about something like that, maybe we should stop whatever’s happening between us right now,” she said, a little more harshly than she’d intended.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized immediately, going a long way toward helping Bristol calm down.
“Can we sit and talk about this?” she asked.
He didn’t answer verbally, just immediately stepped toward her ultra-comfy suede couch. It was big enough to fit at least six people. There were plenty of nights she’d fallen asleep on its squishy cushions. He sat, gently placing her sideways on his lap, one strong arm around her back and the other across her thighs.
It was a little distracting to be this close, but it was hardly unwelcome. Still… “Um, maybe I should sit next to you instead of on you for this conversation?” she suggested.
“Nope. I like you right here. You know how many times I’ve thought about holding you like this over the last two weeks?” he asked.
Bristol blinked in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes, really. Now, you were saying?”
“It’s not a long story,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve always loved art and being creative. I found my niche with stained-glass windows. One thing led to another, and my talent, along with a bit of luck, made me very popular in certain circles online. People who want the best, they know to come to me. I sell my stained glass for anywhere from five hundred dollars for a tiny four-by-six inch panel, to six figures and up for large windows for churches and other buildings.”
Rocky blinked in surprise. “Really?”
“Really,” she confirmed. “I’ve invested almost all of my earnings. If I’m being honest, I could retire today if I wanted and not have to work another day in my life. But I like what I do. Creating art fulfills a need in me. I make jewelry and sculptures when I want a break from the stained glass.” She shrugged. “I told you I was good at what I did,” she said a little quieter…and a little defensively.
To her amazement, Rocky laughed. “That you did, Punky.” Then he surprised her by picking up one of her hands and kissing each of her fingertips. “If I’d known, I would’ve taken a little more care with making sure your hands were all right.”
Bristol wanted to melt into a puddle at his feet. She didn’t go around telling people how successful she was. First, they tended to think she was bragging, which she wasn’t. She was matter of fact about her ability to create beautiful art. And second, when people found out she was rich, they treated her differently.
“Does this change things?”
Rocky twined his fingers with hers and rested them on her leg. “Does what change things?”
“The fact that I’ve got money.”
He stared at her for a long moment before saying, “Do you want it to?”
Bristol frowned. “No?” It came out more as a question than a statement, but she wasn’t sure what he was asking.
“Then, no, it doesn’t change anything. Bristol, I like you for who you are. Not because of how much money you have. I will admit that it intimidates me a little. I’m good with budgeting, kind of had to be being in the military, though I’m guessing my bank account looks pretty pathetic compared to yours. But I promise that as long as we’re together, I’ll treat you as if you’re the most important person in the world. And that’s the kind of thing money can’t buy.”
Bristol closed her eyes momentarily, almost overcome with emotion.
“Bristol?”
Her eyes opened. She wanted to straddle his waist and press herself against him, but she couldn’t quite manage that with her leg just yet. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be important to someone because of who I am, not because of a number in my investment account.”
“You’re important to me,” he said without hesitation, then leaned in.
This time their kiss was sweet. Not quite as passionate as before, but no less earth-shattering.
Bristol tucked her head under his chin as she lay against his chest and simply soaked in the moment. Rocky’s hand brushed against her hair, almost as if he was petting her. She wanted to purr, it felt so good.
After a while, he said a little self-deprecatingly, “I’m guessing your supplies aren’t going to be the few boxes I envisioned, are they?”
She smiled as she lifted her head. “My workshop is in the basement, and yeah, there’s no way I can do my bigger pieces in your apartment. But I don’t have any commissions on my plate at the moment, and I’m thinking I should probably stick to jewelry right now. It’s been a while since I’ve done any pendants and earrings, and my time in the woods inspired me to do some pieces with nature.”
“Right. So we’ll bring as much as will fit in my SUV, and if I need to make another trip, I will. We can see about finding you a bigger space to work in too.”
Bristol stared at him in silence.
“What?” he asked, picking up on her quizzical look.
“I just…you’re not what I expected, Rocky Watson.”
“It’s Cohen, actually.”
“What is?” Bristol asked confused.
“My name. Rocky’s a nickname. My given name is Cohen.”
She smiled and relaxed against him. “I like it.”
He shrugged. “I don’t. You have no idea how badly I got made fun of growing up. Cohen wasn’t exactly a ‘fit in with the crowd’ kind of name.”
“How’d you get the name Rocky?” she asked.
“I was in the eighth grade and had just watched the movie. I decided I wanted to be like him, a boxer. He was badass and didn’t take shit from anyone. I went to school and told everyone that was my name now, and I beat up anyone who dared call me Cohen for the next few months.” He shrugged. “Not very nice of me, I know…but it worked. Everyone started calling me Rocky and that was that.”
“My given name is Bristol,” she told him with a smile, being silly.
He returned it. “Right.”
She got serious. “A part of me wants to know what the catch is with you,” she told him honestly. “You’re gorgeous, you save lost hikers, you were a SEAL, you stayed with me at the hospital in Roanoke then let me bunk with you, without seeming to want anything in return. Now you didn’t even blink at learning that I’m rich, and you’re even talking about making another trip here for my crap and finding a place for me to make my stained glass. Oh, and you kiss better than anyone I’ve ever been with. I just…keep waiting for the other shoe to fall. You know, for you to tell me you’re married, or that you want me to be a sister wife, or that you’re a leader of some sadistic cult and you’re simply grooming me to be your latest sacrifice to the devil or something.”
Rocky didn’t even crack a smile. “I could say the same thing about you,” he countered. “You’re tough as nails, you’re talented, gorgeous, don’t need or want me for my money—which is a good thing, because I’m never going to be rich. You seem to love the small town I live in, you make friends wherever you go, and you eat my cooking without making even one face. I keep waiting to see what flaws you might have. Like you smack your lips when you eat—which you don’t—or you leave your hair all over the bathroom—which you also don’t—or that you’re really a sadist and you’re looking for a new masochist to beat on.”
Bristol laughed.
“I’m just a man,” Rocky told her. “I have my faults, but treating women like shit isn’t one of them. I can’t promise to never piss you off, and I’m sure you’ll irritate me at some point, but I’d like to think we can talk about what’s bothering us and work things out. It’s obvious you need your art, and I’d be stupid to not do everything in my power to keep you happy. Especially considering I’m hoping this works out long-term.
“I’m willing to compromise on a lot of things, but I would like to stay in Fallport. It’s not a deal breaker. I could move to Kingsport, since contractors can find work anywhere. But I love my job with Eagle Point Search and Rescue and it would suck to leave my friends. So going out of my way to try to make you comfortable and happy in Fallport is all a part of me hoping to convince you that one day, you might be able to make a life there with me.”
“Rocky,” she whispered, completely overwhelmed. He was just as blunt as she was. She’d never wonder where he stood on a topic. But no one had ever gone out of their way to see to her needs the way he was doing.
“No pressure,” he said, kissing her forehead. “Who knows what the future will hold. This intense connection might fizzle out…but I hope whatever happens, we can always be friends.”
Bristol nodded. She had no idea if that was possible—the fire between them burning out or them being just friends—but Rocky being so damn reasonable was a relief. And a turn-on. “I want to do something for you too,” she said. “I’m not comfortable being the one who receives everything and gives nothing.”
At that, Rocky burst out laughing. And while slightly irritated that he seemed to be laughing at her, she still couldn’t help but feel tingly at the sound.
“I’m not laughing at you,” he said, reading her mind. “But at the idea that you think you’re not giving me anything.”
“I’m not. You’ve done everything! Bought food, carried me around, arranged for people to come over and keep me company when you’re working. You fix my meals, wash my clothes, clean the apartment. I’m not doing anything but sitting around.”
“Wrong,” he said, all humor now gone from his tone. “You’ve given me more than I could ever explain. Before I met you, my life was boring, and so lonely. I’d work for way too long, come home, eat, sleep. That’s it. There was some unfortunate excitement recently with both Lilly and Elsie, but generally, when my apartment door closes behind me, my life is gray.
“Then you arrived…and suddenly there’s color in my life again. I’ve laughed more in the last couple weeks than I can remember laughing in the last year. I look forward to coming home at the end of the day, which was never the case. I used to work well into the evening simply because I didn’t want to come back to an empty apartment. I know my cooking isn’t exactly gourmet, but it’s been fun coming up with different meals for us. You’ve brought more life to my life than anyone has before…if that makes sense. So you can stop thinking you aren’t bringing anything to this relationship.”
His words made her feel good—and sad at the same time. She hated thinking about him living a gray life.
“Right, so, we’ve had a heavy morning. We had our first kiss—which knocked my socks off, by the way—we agreed we’re now exclusively dating, I found out my girlfriend is loaded, and we have a lot of packing to do. You ready to get to it so we can head back to Fallport before it gets too late? Or do you want to stay the night here? We can do that too. And since you have five bedrooms, I’m hoping I can bunk down in one of them. I know I said I’d find a hotel, but seeing this house? I’m not sure I’m comfortable leaving you alone here.”
Bristol rolled her eyes. “I lived alone before I met you.”
“I know. But now you have met me, and that’s not happening.”
Bristol frowned. “You don’t think I can take care of myself?”
“I know you can,” he retorted. “But all I can think of is how many windows and doors there are in this place. And how easy it would be for someone to get in and hurt you. At least in my apartment, there’s really only one way in and out…unless someone is Spider-Man and can climb the wall to the second floor. Even then, I’d hear them before they got through the window.”
