When I Fall in Love
Page 17
“Tell me you really like butter-pecan ice cream.”
She rose on one elbow. “It’s my favorite thing in the world.”
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her up to kiss her lips. “You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
“I know,” she said and laid her head back on his chest. She marveled in the moment, not wanting to leave his side. His chest rose and fell as his breathing settled to a steady pace.
“So, now what do we do? I don’t want to let you go—you know that, don’t you,” he confessed.
“Sleep up here tonight,” she suggested.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Rollin sat up and pulled her with him until they were propped up against the headboard. “Are you going back to work on the conference with Nicole?”
“I was wondering if you cared or not.”
“Of course I care. I never wanted you to leave in the first place. I thought we had something too special to let go. I mean, I can’t do anything but accept it if you go, but—”
She pulled out of his arms and turned in the bed to face him. “Rollin, are you trying to ask me to stay?”
He took a deep breath and reached out to caress her face. “The one thing I want more than anything in this world is for you to stay here with me, but not just until your vacation’s over. I want more than that.”
He looked so vulnerable at the moment, as if he was pleading with her.
“I need your love, and I’ll love you like you’ve never been loved before. You already know I can provide a good home for you. And you did say you liked the B and B. Do you think you could live here in the B and B?”
Her heart overflowed with so much emotion, tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t stop them from overflowing. She sniffled and pulled herself together.
“Before I left Chicago, I already worked out a replacement for the conference.”
He blinked. “You did?”
“Yeah, you know why?”
He took a deep breath and shook his head.
“Because I don’t want to get back into that rat race. But more importantly, I met this great guy and fell head over heels in love with him. The only problem is I haven’t known him very long.”
“How is that a problem?”
“I don’t know if he wants the same things out of life that I do.”
“I want a family. I want a wife that loves me and has my back at all times. I want a woman that drives me crazy in bed. And someone I can grow old with. That’s what I want out of life. How about you?”
She traced her finger along his chest. “I want a man that will love me endlessly. A man that won’t cheat on me, or put me down, but lift me up. Somebody I can walk beside and not behind. And, last but not least, someone that makes me feel like the sexiest woman in the world when we make love.”
“Do I do that?” he asked.
She nodded. “You take me to a place I’ve never been before, and I want to stay there.”
“It sounds like we’re made for each other. If you think you can leave the Windy City behind and call Coleman House home, we can work on getting to know each other better.”
“I don’t just think I can. I know I can.” Tayler wanted to burst, she was filled with so much excitement.
He smiled so hard she leaned over and kissed his dimples. They held onto each other not wanting to let go—ever.
Chapter 22
The next morning, Rollin ran by Corra’s to get Tayler’s overnight bag. After a late breakfast, Rollin, Tayler and the kids hopped into Rollin’s truck and headed for the hospital. When they walked into Corra’s room, Rita, Wallace and Chris were there visiting.
The kids made a beeline for their mother, hugging and smothering her with kisses. Jamie wanted to see her cast.
Rollin pulled the only other empty chair in the room over for Tayler to sit down. Chris walked over to Rollin and shook hands.
“Can I write my name on your cast?” Jamie asked his mother.
“Sure, baby. Does somebody have a pen?”
Rita produced one.
“Did they behave last night?” Corra asked Rollin.
“Of course they did. You know they don’t ever give Uncle Rollin any trouble, do you?” he asked the kids.
Katie giggled and shook her head. Jamie was busy scribbling his name on his mother’s cast.
“Rollin, I missed you in church this morning,” Rita said.
He turned from Chris and nodded. “I know. After last night, I kind of overslept.” He glanced at Tayler.
“You need to make sure you don’t miss next Sunday, and bring Tayler.”
All eyes were on her. She smiled. “I’d love to go.”
“Will you be here next Sunday?” Corra asked.
Tayler smiled up at Rollin. “I sure will.”
“So, you’re not going back to help Nicole with that conference?” Corra asked.
“What conference?” Chris asked.
Corra shushed him and looked from Tayler to Rollin.
“No, we managed to work something out.”
“Why are y’all in that girl’s business this morning?” Wallace asked.
Rita turned and gave him a stern look. “Wallace, why don’t you go find me some coffee.”
He walked away from her and over to join the other men in the room. “You already had one cup too many this morning. I’m not going anywhere. I want to know if Rollin asked her to stay or not, too.”
All eyes turned to Tayler, except the kids’.
She smiled and cleared her throat.
“I’ll be going back to Chicago at the end of the month,” Tayler announced.
Corra looked up with a sad face then turned evil eyes at Rollin. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“So am I,” Rita added and joined Corra in glaring at Rollin.
“Oh, I’ll only be there long enough to settle some affairs and put my condo up for sale.”
“I knew it,” Wallace shouted and walked over to Rollin. “Boy, you’ve got a good head on your shoulder after all. I told you not to let this pretty little thing get away.”
The room suddenly filled with chatter as everyone wanted to know what Rollin had said to convince her to stay. Corra motioned for Tayler to come closer and give her a big hug. Which she did, and then Rita had to have one.
“So, what did he say to get you to give up life in the big city?” Corra asked.
“Corra, mind your business,” Rollin teased.
“This is my business. You’re my brother.”
Tayler walked over to Rollin and put her arm around his waist, and he held onto her.
“He promised me something I haven’t had in a long time. A family.”
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460395813
When I Fall in Love
Copyright © 2016 by Bridget Anderson
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