Bryce

My eyes fly open from a nightmare, and I look around the dark room. She’s not next to me. The thumping of my heart beats hard against my chest. Sweat soaks the pillow and bed sheets. I strip off the covers and reach for my phone. I need to talk to her.

“Hello,” she answers in a groggy voice. Fuck. “Bryce?”

“Hey, baby.” I clear my throat and shut my eyes. “I know it’s late.”

“A little.” She laughs, and it’s the best sound I’ve heard. “Are you okay?”

“I wish you’d move in with me. It’s hard sleeping without you next to me. I have more than enough room for you. Will you promise to think about it?”

There’s silence on her end. I give her some time to let it all sink in. I know I’m asking and pushing for more than I should, but the idea of not being with her every chance I get fucks with my head. She’s more than a woman I’m with.

She’s it.

The one.

“I promise I’ll weigh all the options. I need to talk to Kaylee. It might happen.” She pauses, and I sit up immediately. “Galen’s roommate bailed on him, and our lease literally ends in a few weeks. Neither of us wants to live here anymore since we work in Chicago.”

“Don’t fuck with me, baby.” I hope she can hear the smile in my voice. “I’ll pay for everything. Move in with me.”

“Okay.” Her answer’s immediate, and it’s all I need to know. “Can I go back to sleep? Tomorrow’s my first day off in weeks.”

“Of course, baby. I’ll have Peter pick you up tomorrow at twelve for lunch.”

“Okay. Good night, Bryce.”

“Good night.”

The idea she’ll be living with me fills me with a drive for her never to find out the truth. I need her by my side. Her face needs to be the last thing I see at night and the first thing I see every morning, if that’s possible.

Last night, she left and headed back to her apartment. I fucking hate that she lives in Oak Park. I was tempted to beg her to stay, but I knew she’d say no. It was her night with Kaylee, her best friend.

Tonight’s the first night in over two weeks my nightmare has invaded my thoughts. In those weeks I was free, Madison was with me. She’s my cure. The one who’ll make me feel safe wherever I go. The clock on my nightstand reads 5:47 a.m. It’s a fucking Sunday, and I’m up when I should try to sleep.

Knowing I won’t fall back sleep, I get out of bed. After my feet hit the floor, I take a quick shower, then figure I can do a little bit of work.

After putting on jeans and a shirt, I head downstairs to the kitchen to find my housekeeper, Kelly, pouring me a cup of coffee.

It’s nice to have her back after her month-long vacation she took with her husband to visit their grandchildren and go on a cruise. Having temps come into my house didn’t sit well with me.

“Good morning,” I mutter and take a drink, savoring the caffeine and hoping it’ll fuel me fast.

“Good morning, sir. Is there anything special you’d like for breakfast?”

“Just coffee.” I smile before picking up the mug and settling at the dining room table. There are a few emails I need to address. This morning’s going to be long. Fuck. I rub my temple with my fingers and shut my eyes.

“Okay, you look distraught. What’s going on?”

Kelly’s right. Something’s on my mind, and I can’t shake it off. This feeling’s eating me from the inside out. If Madison finds out the truth, she’ll leave me. I fucking know it. There won’t be anything I can say to have her forgive me. She’ll feel betrayed. I don’t know what I’ll do if she finds out.

I catch Kelly still looking at me. She’s my housekeeper and therapist. The woman’s wise and gives good advice.

After moving my business to Chicago, I placed a call to an agency for their best housekeeper. It was my luck Kelly was hired and more than qualified. She met my expectations and has been with me for nine years.

“It’s hard to explain, but if a secret comes out, I’ll lose her.”

“Oh, her. Peter told me about Madison and how she’s the beautiful young woman responsible for putting a smile on your face.” I nod. “How bad is the secret? Bryce Archibald Hunter, if you are cheating on her …”

“I’m not,” I say defensively. “This secret will make her feel betrayed. I can assure you everything being done is for her and to ensure her future.”

“I see.”

“And I may have done a few extra things on the side to ensure certain things go in my favor.”

“And the truth comes out. Bryce, you can’t manipulate every situation you’re in. Madison’s not a deal you have to secure.”

This is one of the things I love about Kelly. She doesn’t have a filter and tells me like it is. If she sees a woman leaving my bed and has an opinion, she lets me know, and I take it in stride. In this life, you don’t meet many people who are genuine and honest, but once you find those kinds of people, you hold on tight. Kelly puts up with all my shit. Sure, I pay her extremely well with an end-of-the-year bonus that makes her do a little dance, but it’s all to show my appreciation for dealing with my ornery ass.

I sigh and take a drink of my coffee. “After this is complete, there’s nothing else I’ll hide from her.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So what else is going on?”

“My usual nightmare is back.”

Kelly moves from the kitchen and brings over a bowl of berries. “The one …?”

“Yes.”

“You were doing so well.”

I take a sip of my coffee. “When she was here, there were no nightmares. She left last night to spend time with her roommate. I get it, and I’m glad she doesn’t feel the need to be with me all the time. Even though I feel it. I asked her to move in, and she will be in a few weeks.”

“Oh, yes! From what Peter’s told me, I know I’m going to like her. She sounds like a gem, sir. Make sure you don’t screw this up.”

I finish my coffee and berries before heading back into my office. I power on my computer and sign on my email to go through the countless ones I need to review. This new purchase will make me millions, so the deal needs to close soon. I make a note to touch base with Kendrix to see what the holdup is.

I’m absorbed in my work when I feel her. She’s here. Quickly, I stop what I’m doing and meet her by the door.

“You’re here.”

She kisses the tip of my nose, and I notice a bag outside the door. “I’m going to stay with you while the cleaning crew straightens up the apartment, and then you’re paying for us to move. That’s per Kaylee’s request.”

“Anything.” I take her hand and pull her out the door. “We’re going shopping.”

“Bryce.” She laughs and catches up to me. It’s time to shower her with everything she wants and all I want to give her.