“God, baby. God damn!” He pushed into me, releasing.
I soared with him into his climax, our bodies one with each quaking contraction. Together we flew.
When I finally came down, Bryce rolled off me, his pants still around his thighs. I snuggled into his shoulder.
“Wow,” I said.
“Double wow.” His upper arm covered his eyes. “I needed that.”
“I always need that,” I said, “but that doesn’t get you out of talking to me.”
“I told you everything.”
His eyes were covered, so I couldn’t look into them. If I could, would I see a lie there? I wasn’t sure. I did trust Bryce, but if he thought he was protecting me, he might not tell me everything.
“I’m going shooting tomorrow,” I said.
That got him. He sat up abruptly. “Say what?”
“I want to learn how to handle a gun. Ruby’s going to teach me.”
“Ruby’s a great shot, but if you want to learn, why didn’t you ask me?”
“I didn’t want you going all Alpha on me like my brothers would.”
“What makes you think I’m anything like your brothers?”
“Bryce. Come on. You’re blond and blue-eyed. There the differences end.”
“Honey, I want you safe. Knowing how to protect yourself is a good thing. I’m the best. I’ll teach you.”
“Ruby’s a trained police detective.”
“And a great shot, but she doesn’t love you like I do.”
I laughed. “Well, I hope not, since she’s married to my brother. Still, I’d like to go with her. I think I might respond better to a woman.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve been taught by men all my life. My father and my brothers taught me ranching. Most of my professors in college were men, for some reason. The guy I took my cooking classes from in the city was a man. I’d like to see how a woman teaches.”
That was such a crock. I didn’t for one minute think that all women or men were the same when it came to teaching. But I wanted to learn from Ruby. I wasn’t exactly sure why.
Then it hit me.
I didn’t want Bryce to see me shoot until I was good at it.
Stupid reason, but that was it. It was a matter of pride and vanity.
Bryce sighed. “Okay, if it means that much to you. But I’m coming along.”
“Don’t you have work?”
“Nice try. Tomorrow’s Saturday. Though I’ve been gone so much this week, I’m sure I could find something to do at the office.”
“Do that, then.”
“Why don’t you want me to be there? This is a proud moment for me. It would be for your brothers, as well.”