Chapter Twenty-One
If any other man had informed Teagan that she was going to do something, or go somewhere, without asking her, she’d have ripped right into him.
But this was Bryson. She knew his authoritarian dictate wasn’t his typical way of operating, that he wanted to keep her safe, which was incredibly sweet.
Besides, flying on a private jet to his home for who knew how many days or weeks of seclusion with him wasn’t exactly a hardship.
Especially since they’d worked through the tensions and self-recriminations of this past week.
She was looking forward to this time alone with him.
But as she watched him snoozing in the limo seat across from her on the last leg of the trip to his house, she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Between the toll that his injuries had taken on him and the effects of the pain pills and antibiotics, he’d slept most of the way here.
He needed the rest to get better. But she was so hungry for time with him, quality time.
She wanted that get to know you phase of the relationship that they’d skipped during their life and death struggles.
She was greedy to learn the little things.
Like his favorite color.
His favorite food.
Was he partial to country music as so many people around here were?
Would it shock him to know that she hated country music but loved classical?
Since he hadn’t mentioned his family before, and none of them had called or visited him in the hospital, was that because he didn’t have any family? Or was he just trying to keep them from worrying? Did his boss know that he wouldn’t have wanted them told about what had happened?
She couldn’t help feeling jealous if he had siblings.
She’d always wanted brothers and sisters.
Well, mostly sisters. Brothers could be so mean, at least from what her dad said about her uncles.
But growing up an only child, she’d always longed for more.
She wanted a house full of her own children one day.
Did he want children too? Would he love and cherish them and protect them from a world that could be hateful and mean when people didn’t fit into those neat little racial categories?
“Want to talk about it?”
She met his questioning gaze. “You’re awake.”
“I am.”
“How’s your pain level? Need some pills?”
“I need to know what’s bothering you.” He grimaced as he straightened in his seat, but shook his head when she reached for the bottle of pills in her purse.
“Don’t. A little twinge here and there is better than sleeping my life away.
Those things knock me out.” He glanced out the window.
“Almost home. But we still have time for you to tell me what has you frowning as if you want to kill someone. Hopefully it’s not me,” he teased.
When she didn’t answer, his smile faded. “Seriously. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Random thoughts. Silly things.”
“You can be outrageous and deliciously sassy. But you’re never silly. What are these random thoughts? If you have questions about the investigation—”
“What’s your favorite color?” she blurted out, even though it was the least important question rolling around in her mind right now.
“Ah. Now I understand the frown. You’re contemplating some of life’s most vexing problems.”
“How do you feel about interracial marriages, and children?”
His eyes widened. “Well, Okay. That was unexpected. The answer is gray, by the way.”
“Gray?”
“My favorite color.”
“Gray can’t be your favorite color. Gray isn’t a color. It’s a...shade.”
He shrugged, unconcerned with her assessment. “As to interracial marriages and children, I’m against children getting married regardless of their race.”
She stared at him deadpan. “When did you develop a sense of humor?”
“Apparently never. You’re not laughing.”
She looked out the window. “How much farther to your home?”
In answer, he tapped on the glass partition. It lowered and the driver met his gaze in the rearview mirror. “Yes, Mr. Anton?”
“Take the long way to my house.”
“But, sir. We’re already—”
“Up and down the mountain, then. We have a few things to settle before we arrive.”
“Of course sir. Just let me know when you’re ready to get there.”
The glass went back up, sealing them in privacy again. He moved from his seat to settle beside her, then took her right hand in his left. “I’m assuming this is a hypothetical question. Or is there something else you want to add, so that it’s more specific?”
Her face grew warm. “Forget I asked. It was a ridiculous question and completely inappropriate.”
“It’s a serious question, a deep question, and it deserves a serious, respectful and honest answer. As to being inappropriate, I can’t imagine how it could be, unless maybe it’s not hypothetical after all and you’re talking about you and me—and you’re worried about how I would take it?”
It didn’t seem possible for her face to get hotter, but it did. “Like I said, forget I asked. It was inappropriate, because it assumes all kinds of things, like that whatever this is between us could ever grow into something to where the answer to that question would matter.”
“You’re talking marriage, between you and me.”
She crossed her arms. “You don’t have to sound so stunned. It’s a logical progression in relationships. Not that I’m saying we’re in a relationship, exactly, or that it would become a logical step for us. I mean, if we ever even, you know, dated. Which we haven’t, really—”
He covered her mouth with his and gave her a slow, lazy and incredibly thorough kiss. When he pulled back, all she could do was sigh, and melt against the buttery leather seats.
“Wow,” she finally managed to say. “If I could bottle you up and sell you, I’d make a fortune.”
He laughed, then grew serious. “I’m not going to pretend that I can see into the future and tell where you and I might end up. We’ve had a rocky couple of weeks, and that’s the biggest understatement ever. But I can say with absolute certainty that we are definitely in a relationship.”
She swallowed, and managed a shaky smile. “Good to know.”
“As to your other questions, the first one is easy. In case you haven’t figured it out, I think you’re one of the smartest, funniest and hottest women I’ve ever met.”
She blinked up at him. “You think I’m hot?”
“Oh. Yeah. And that’s not in spite of your brown skin or any other feature that makes you different from me.
It’s because of those features, because of all the things that make you uniquely you.
You’re an amazing, sexy, wonderful woman, Teagan Ray.
Whoever you end up marrying, if you decide to marry, that man would be incredibly lucky and should feel honored that you chose him.
And if he doesn’t feel that way, then he doesn’t deserve you. ”
She settled against him, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder as he put his arm around her. “You’re an amazing man, Bryson Anton.”
“You’re not so bad yourself. And, Teagan?”
“Yes, Bryson?”
He kissed her neck just below her ear, making her shiver.
“I couldn’t begin to understand the ugliness the world may have shown you, the prejudice you’ve likely faced in your life, or the fears you live with every day about things I would never encounter, simply because we were born looking different from each other.
But I can tell you this. Hypothetically, if you and I, for example, were to marry and were fortunate enough to have children, I would do everything in my power to protect them in every way.
Above all, I would love them, and make sure they knew they were loved, always, unconditionally.
And that I’ve got their backs, no matter what.
” He kissed the top of her head. “Does that answer all your questions?”
She shook her head. “Not even close. I have dozens more.”
“Dozens?”
“Scores, actually.”
He laughed. “Then I guess we’ll be riding around this mountain for a good long time.” He settled back more comfortably, pulling her with him. “Go ahead. Ask your questions. But be prepared. I might have a few of my own.”