Texas Rose
Page 25
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The warmth of his arms wrapped around her as she pressed her head under his chin, nuzzling softly against his shoulder while her fingers smoothed slowly over his chest. "Good morning," he whispered gravely as he pressed his lips to her forehead. Sybil opened her eyes quickly, every nerve in her body on end as she lifted her head from her dream and focused on Robert's face. Pulling her hand back quickly, she rolled and stood from bed silently whispering a thanks as her fingers brushed against the thin material of her nightgown. She'd been so caught up in her dream about Cole, she'd almost forgotten she'd helped Robert to bed last night after he'd drank way too much. Turning her eyes back to the fading smile, she lowered her head and tried to force a smile of her own. "Good Morning Robert," she whispered, watching his hand slowly reach out toward her. Letting him take her hand and pull her back into the bed, Sybil fought with the fogginess between her dream and the reality of waking up in Robert's arms. "Sybil," his deep hoarse voice turning her eyes toward him as she sat back down on the bed and leaned back into the cradle of his arm. Clearing his throat softly, Robert combed his fingers through her hair and turned on his side to face her. "Do you want to marry me," he asked flatly as she settled back into the bed and focused her gaze on his eyes. "Of course," she whispered. "Yes of course," she said a bit louder trying to convince not only herself but Robert as well. The corners of his lips trembled as a soft smile grew over the curves. "Sybil, Do you really want to marry me," he asked again, emphasizing the words as he ran his finger softly over her cheek. As she lowered her head, she prayed he couldn't see the tears she felt stinging her eyes. Scolding herself and fighting to find the right words was the push the tears needed, as they fell freely over her lashes Sybil sniffled. His arm tightened around her waist and his fingers wrapped into her hair pressing her face into his chest as he whispered softly against her ear trying to sooth the growing sadness of the sobs. She could feel the tightness of his chest as he held her close. He could feel the shutter of regret and worry in her sobs. Robert cleared his throat once more and wrapped both his arms around her, rocking her slowly as he started lowly. "I have loved you for as long as I can remember. Even with all the bad choices I made, I never stopped loving you. All I ever wanted was to see you happy. Sybil," he paused for a long moment as she lifted her tear soaked eyes and parted her lips as if in response. Pressing his lips to hers softly before she could speak, he continued, "Shh. Let me finish what I have to say. I can't marry you Sybil. I want to, believe me I do, but I can't. I can never make you as happy as Cole did." Her breath caught in her throat with a sob and choked her as her eyes widened with worry. "Robert, I-" she started as she watched his eyes lower to her mouth and confusion whirled in her mind over the flash of relief playing in the handsome features of his face. "Shh, don't worry about Rose," he spoke up as if he could see her thoughts in her eyes, "I will still fight him to the death or in court over her if that is what you want. I was wrong Sybil. I never should have told you the chances would be better if we were married. You are the greatest mother that little girl could ever have asked for, and I will proudly stand up in any court and tell them the same." He watched as her eyes darted back and forth between his. Of all the feelings he'd imaged last night coming from this moment, the overwhelming love for her wasn't one, but it was there just the same. He'd always loved her and probably always would, but the happiness in her eyes at that exact moment was something he knew he'd never be able to give her again in a lifetime of marriage.