Royce(50)

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Royce wanted her. He wanted her in ways he didn’t understand yet, but was very happy to explore with her. But more than anything, he wanted to simply hold her. She was his world right now and he wanted her to realize that.

He knew that she’d felt his cock. He’d have to be a dead man not to want her. He wouldn’t hurt her, wouldn’t even touch her because he didn’t want to hurt her. He pulled her to his chest and held her to him.

“Royce, I can’t—”

“I know. I just want to hold you. I’m sorry if I make you feel uncomfortable like this, but Christ, woman, you’re beautiful and sexy to me.” She shook her head and he brought her mouth to his for a quick kiss. “I know sexy when I see it and you are so. Now, let’s get cleaned up so you can get back to bed. I can feel you getting a little shaky.”

The shower wasn’t what he’d hoped for when he’d thought of getting naked with her like this. He helped her wash her back and she returned the favor. By the time he got out, he was in pain, but he didn’t say anything. He wanted her to know that he wanted her in his life, not only his bed. He gave her one more of his shirts, put her into his bed, and she fell asleep within a few minutes. He kissed her on the forehead and after getting dressed himself, he left her to her quiet to call his mom.

“She’ll be fine, Royce. She just needs to rest and take it easy. It can’t be easy for her right now. Poor thing has lost so much.”

He felt tears gather in his eyes when he thought of the amount he’d taken from her all on his own. “She hasn’t said she loves me. I wonder…do you think she ever will?” He wished he knew, wished he knew that she could forgive him. “She cried again.”

He heard his mother laugh softly. “She will be doing that a lot for the next few weeks. The doctor said her body will have hormonal rushes because she’s pregnant. And honey, crying is the least of your problems. She’s going to be an emotional bouncing ball.”

“I want her to be mad at me again. Hell, I’d take her throwing something at me rather than tears. They hurt more than her punches do.” He smiled. If Kasey heard him say that, she’d probably make him regret it. “And she’s not eating much. She needs to stay healthy and she won’t be able to do that eating like a bird. I had Margo bake up some sweet stuff to tempt her.”

“You should call her uncle. I’m sure Jay knows something she really likes. Also Bobbie. Bobbie is sweet on Jay and I’m betting she knows more about that family than anyone.” He heard her say something then come back on the line. “Donald said to tempt her with a shopping spree. He said his wife will do most anything for that. And no, I did not ask him what she’d do. I believe that goes under the heading of too much information.”

Royce started to laugh. His mother was one of a kind. He did think about the shopping trip, though. She would need some clothes while she was recuperating. While he enjoyed her wearing his shirts, he wondered how practical that would be once she was up and about. He made a mental note to see about getting one of the local stores to gather some things up and bring them to her. He wondered how he’d figure out sizes when his mother spoke again.

“Now about her living there. You know I don’t really like it so you’ll either have to make more permanent arrangements with her or send her to her uncle’s. I’d actually prefer that you marry her. I like her a great deal and your brothers can’t say enough good things about her. But as before, I don’t think you should. You can’t possible think that—”

“If she’ll have me after this, I want to marry her. I’m in love with her.” She didn’t say anything for several seconds. “I am in love with her. I think I have been for some time. She certainly has no reason to love me, but I’m going to work on that.”

He realized then that he really did want her to love him. He’d been fighting with her and mostly himself for so long that he’d fallen in love with the most wonderful woman in the world. And he’d been a complete ass the entire time too.

“I should have shut up and listened to you all. But…Mom, you had it so great with Dad that I didn’t want to lose her, I think. I know what it did to you to have Dad die like he did and I didn’t…I’m an idiot.”

“Yes, you are. But you’ve finally come to your senses and have finally admitted that you’re going to love her no matter what. And, Royce, you should know that she loves you too. I think she has for some time.” He heard her clear her throat. “Do you have any idea how happy I am for you?”