Sweet Surrender (Book 2)

She's Here

  "True, that he's no Prince Charming, but there's something in him that I simply didn't see." 

— Princess Belle, Beauty and the Beast (1991)

  

Tyler

I know Stacey is very tired as soon as we step inside the room. I tuck her in and lay down beside her until her breathing evens, telling me that she has fallen asleep. Poor Stacey. I know she,s not used to long travels. I have a house just a couple of minutes away from my office. I like this place, so much like Corona. Very quiet even if this is within the city. The moment I laid my eyes on this, I knew this has to be mine. Its quiet huge for a single occupant. Having Stacey around makes this house feels like home. Cause she's my home.

I start to unpack our bags. I didn't touch her things. I cleared a space on my closet for her. I know she would love a space in this closet so I give her that.

I felt her stir after I took a hot bath. I needed that to relax my muscles. The long flight wore me out. The commotion between Vanessa and Stacey earlier in the office tensed the hell out of me. Vanessa. When is she gonna learn to let go?

I know its partly my fault. I led her on for a few months a year ago. We started dating the moment I hired her. She's very intelligent and does good on her job, but she's not like my Stacey. Not the type of girl that I can fall in love with. We dated for some time, but I never brought her in this house. The moment she started to get serious with me, i dumped her. I told her we needed time apart. She never takes no for an answer. She keeps on guarding my ass like I belong to her. I keep telling her to stop acting like a girlfriend when she's not. I guess meeting Stacey earlier was an eye opener for her. But I still need to keep an eye on her.

This place is sacred. I never bring girls here. This is my safe place. Only for me. But I never had doubt to share this with the woman I love. This woman who's quietly sleeping in my bed right now. Stacey. My heart almost leaps out of my body the moment Stacey agreed to go to Singapore with me.

I know everything is gonna be new for her, but I'll stay with her. Guide her, protect her, until she's able to find her ground in this foreign place. I know culture shock freaks her out. Totally understandable. I've been there but I was able to go through it.

She stirs when I stroke her warm cheek with the back of my hand. I lay down beside her and pull her closer. I smile as she turns to face me, eyes still closed. I rest her head on my chest hugging her close until I feel her breath even out again. I find myself dozing off as well with her warm breath on my bare chest. I close my eyes, thanking God for giving Stacey back to me. I'm proud of myself for having the courage to win her back and bring her here with me. I never thought that 3-month stay in Corona would change me, would change my life forever.

My mind wakes to the smell of bacon. I blindly reach for Stacey beside me, but I find nothing. Just warm sheets. I open my eyes and scan the room. She must be in the kitchen. I walk out of the bedroom and open the kitchen door. There's my girl, wearing my shirt and boxer short facing the stove. Swaying her hips with the beat of the music from her phone. She might not be aware of the surround sound I have set up in the kitchen. She turns to face me when  I came toward her slowly and hug her from the back.

"Good morning." She whispers as she lifts her head to kiss me.

"Morning. This is the best morning that I have in this house." I say as I kiss her hair. She smells so good.

"Hungry?" She says as I let her go and move to the side to watch her flip the bacon.

"Very. We forgot about dinner last night. I was supposed to wake you up but I fell asleep too." 

"You were sound asleep when I left the room, so I decided to find my way here and I found some bacon in the fridge. You don't have much in there, I'll do the groceries later. You have to learn to eat real food with me." She chuckles as I hand her the plate for the bacon.

"I can do that. You're gonna make me fat, are you?" I laugh as I pour us coffee from the brewer. 

"Nope. I just want to take care of you." She smiles. I love her just-woke-up look. Her messy bun on top of her head, with strands of hair escaping that bun. Her cheeks with a little tint of pink, her full lips curving into a smile. 

"Thank you babe. But it's not all about me, I want to take care of you too, that's why I brought you here with me. Okay?" She nods as start with our simple breakfast. 

"So, what time to do you usually go to work?" She sets the plates on the kitchen sink and start to wash them.

"Around eight. You wanna go with me today? you can just stay in the office and you can bring your laptop with you if you want." I ask and she just smiles. 

"I dunno. The last I stayed there, I was literally dragged out of it. Not a good idea." She smirks. Remembering how Vanessa treated Stacey yesterday brings my blood to a boil. I need to talk to her about her attitude.

"I'm sorry babe. I'm gonna make sure that's not gonna happen again. Okay? I'll keep an eye on you." I feel guilty for what happened. 

"I was just kidding. Of course ill go with you. You don't have to guard me 24/7. I'm a grown-up. I know how to take care of myself. Maybe I can check our website and do some arrangements while I'm there. Those bitter women don't bother me at all babe. I know you're mine, and they cant do anything about it." She comes close and pull for a hug.

"Good. I don't want you to be affected by anything that they say. Okay?"

"I wont." She agrees but I hear hesitance in her voice. I know she's not used to being the center of attention, but I know she will definitely get over it once she will be used to attention she will get from my staff.