Dream Date With the Millionaire (14 page)

“Words are important, and I can say them as many times as you want.”

“Thanks, but saying the words doesn’t change things.” Dani wanted to ignore the truth, but couldn’t. “You like being in control, Bryce. You like protecting people. That’s who you are, and I’m afraid I’ll lose myself, the way my mother did with my father, if I’m with you.”

“I know being independent is important to you, but I love you. I have to be able to protect you. You’re strong enough, though, to stand up to me and let me know when you need help or when you don’t. And I’m smart enough to learn.” He raised her chin with his fingertip. “You’re not your mother. You’ve never been her.”

A million thoughts ran through Dani’s mind. But only one came to the forefront, as clear as the Golden Gate Bridge on a sunny day.

Bryce.

“You’re right. I’m not.” She stared up at him. “But I never wanted to be hurt again, the way my father hurt me. I figured if I didn’t rely on anyone, it couldn’t happen again.”

“I never wanted to hurt you, Dani.”

“I see that now.” Her cheeks warmed. “And I never meant to hurt you, either.”

“We’ve both been protecting ourselves.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry, Bryce. I’ve been using anything I could—your background and your money—the same way I used my baggy clothes, to keep you at a distance. Just like a heroine from a Jane Austen novel.”

“That’s okay.” He smiled. “So long as I don’t lose you to the Colonel.”

“Don’t worry about him.” Dani removed her gloves and placed her hand on Bryce’s chest. His heart beat beneath her palm. “You might be a Web tycoon, but you’re also a caring man who reaches out to others, whether it’s me, your family
or Blinddatebrides.com users looking for love. You’re definitely Colonel Brandon material.”

“Even without a uniform?”

Warmth flowed through her veins. She nodded. “You, Bryce Delaney, are my Colonel Brandon.”

Bryce’s smile widened. “From the moment you entered my life, I needed you. I’ll always be here for you. I love you, Dani Bennett.”

“Oh, Bryce.” Joy overflowed from her heart. “I love you, too.”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. A kiss of hope. A kiss of promise.

“You decide what you want to do yourself and what you don’t. I’ll support you either way.” He tightened his arms around her. “Together we can make our dreams come true.”

She gazed up at him. “That sounds wonderful, but it’s not as simple as that.”

“No?”

“For this to work and to last, we have to trust each other. Take care of me, but let me take care of you, too. I’ll tell you what I’m thinking and feeling and you have to do the same.”

“I’m not used to being taken care of, but I want this to work and to last. I’m willing to try,” he said.

“You said you’re smart enough to learn.”

“That I did,” Bryce admitted. “Have no worries, Miss Bennett, I am and I will.”

Tingles exploded inside of her. “So we’re back together, dating again.”

“I think we’ve skipped right on over to serious relationship.”

“Fine with me.”

“Me, too.” He brushed his lips across the top of her head. “Now we just have to figure out what comes next.”

“That’s easy,” she said without any hesitation. “We head back to San Francisco.”

“You’re sure about that?”

She nodded. “I finally know where home is.”

Bryce kissed her gently on the lips. A strange expression crossed his face. “This isn’t how I planned things, but hang on.”

Confused, Dani watched him run out of the stall and return with a large box that he placed on the ground. “What…?”

He dropped to his knee.

“You’ll ruin your pants,” she said.

“I can buy a new pair.”

He held on to her hand.

A mixture of anticipation and nerves made her hold her breath. She was too stunned to believe, too hopeful to doubt.

He stared up into her eyes as if she were the earth and heaven to him. “Being without you has only made it clearer that I want to be with you always. I don’t want you to ever question what I mean by us being in a relationship. Will you marry me, Dani Bennett?”

Her heart soared, but her brain dragged her back to the ground. Was marriage to Bryce what she wanted?

Her heart screamed the answer. It was time to move forward with this man who loved her, a man she loved back.

“Yes.” Dani laughed. “Of course I’ll marry you. I love you, Bryce.”

“I love you.”

He stood and sealed the proposal with a kiss.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I never felt like I belonged anywhere. But when I’m with you, I do.” Dani smiled up at him through tears of happiness. “I feel safe, secure and loved. Nothing else matters as long as we’re together.”

“I don’t have an engagement ring for you, but I do have these.” He removed the top from the box and pulled out a pair of new paddock boots. “I bought these for you after we went to look at the horse. I figured you could use an extra pair. One to wear when you’re hanging around the stable and another pair for when you ride.”

Dani touched the shiny leather. “These are more practical than any ring.”

“You’re still getting a ring. I want to put a big one on your finger. Not practical, but you deserve it. And I want the world to know that you’re with me.”

“Do you plan to carry me off like some caveman, too?” she teased.

He grunted. “If that’s what it takes.”

Things couldn’t get any better. Dani’s entire body seemed to be smiling.

“Can I put the boots on you?” he asked.

She stilled. “Just like Cinderella.”

“Well, if the shoe fits…” Bryce reached for her left foot. “But they aren’t exactly glass slippers.”

Dani’s heart sang. “They’re better.”

She leaned against a wall of the stable while he pulled off the old boots and put on the new ones. These were what she wanted, what she needed. Just like him. Bryce really did know her.

This was like a fairy tale come true, but with no fairy godmother required.

“How do they feel?” Bryce asked when he’d finished.

The love in his voice brought a sigh to her lips. She straightened, leaned back on her heels and wiggled her toes. “A perfect fit.”

“Perfect fit, huh?”

She nodded. “Just like us.”

“I could have told you that.”

“Your compatibility program did.”

He smiled. “I don’t need a computer algorithm to tell me what my heart’s known all along.”

Dani saw not only her dreams coming, but a lifetime of love in his eyes. “What’s that?”

“The two of us are perfect for each other.”

To: “Englishcrumpet” “Kangagirl”

From: “Sanfrandani”

Subject: Let’s schedule a chat!

I have so much to tell you, but the biggest news is…

I’m engaged! Can you believe it???

We considered eloping for about thirty seconds, but know a long engagement makes smarter sense. Plus then maybe you both can come!

Bryce said you two told him where to find me. Thank you so much! You are the best friends ever!!! xoxox

Love,

Dani

P.S. Bryce reactivated my Blinddatebrides.com account.

P.P.S. Do you think six bridesmaids would be too many?

My three sisters, Bryce’s and the two of you!!!