Free To Love A Cowboy: A Billionaire BWWM Western Romance by BWWM Club, Esther Banks Page B

and life."
    Their glasses clinked.
    "I like that one."
    They sipped their bubbly.
    "Do you think we have found that balance?" Bruce asked.
    Kate shrugged. "I'm not sure if we have the entire answer. I
think we are on the way though."
    Bruce kissed her lips. "Part of what drew me to you was your
ambition. I saw a lot of myself in you. I've always known what I
wanted out of life and I went for it. With no abandon. It's part of
what made me successful in the corporate world. But when my parents
got sick and I was not able to maintain a relationship of any kind, I
knew there had to be more to life than working hard. There needed to
be love."
    Kate liked the way he sounded, so romantic. "That sounds so
ideal. We all just fall in love and love will conquer all and make
things right."
    "My love, it should be that way. All of that ambition is
wonderful. But what truly matters is love."
    "I see what you are saying. And I agree, but I think there is so
much that goes into making you happy. We are made to live through our
talents."
    "I agree, my love. I do agree."
    Kate put down her glass and threw her arms around Bruce's shoulders.
She remembered her conversation with Fancy.
    "I do have to say thank you."
    "For what?"
    "For being here with me. I do realize it may have taken a lot
for you to be here with me while I was working. I thank you for
understanding me and my drive and what I want out of life. And I
thank you for loving me."
    A grin came across Bruce's face. "Wow."
    "What?" Kate teased.
    "I was not expecting that."
    "A thank you?"
    "No. Just. I did not think you recognized. Well."
    "Shut up and kiss me."
    "Yes, ma'am."
    Bruce's kiss did what it always did to Kate. She was dizzy with love
and affection.
    "You know just how to make me go crazy."
    "Woman, so do you. But I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."
    They regarded each other for a moment.
    "You do know that I'm not going anywhere right?" Bruce
asked.
    "I hope not."
    "I want more for us."
    Kate was not sure where the conversation was going, so she sat
quietly while Bruce spoke.
    "I want to know if you are totally committed to being together
as a couple."
    "I am."
    Bruce moved closer to her. "Up until now, we have been dating,
exclusive, but I want us to be fully committed to one another. I
think it's time we start looking at the next steps in our
relationship."
    Kate's heart was pounding. "Okay."
    "Okay?"
    "Yes, okay. I'm in."
    Bruce's face was stoic and she was not sure if he heard her so she
repeated it.
    "I'm in, Bruce."
    "I heard you." When he spoke, it was calm, almost a
whisper.
    "So now, I ask you again. Bruce Stanger. Are you happy?"
    "Kate Walker, being with you has made me one of the happiest men
in the world."

Chapter 7

    As soon as she stepped foot on L.A. ground, Kate was ready to get
back to her life. Being in France was almost magical and it seemed
like she was living in a fairy tale while she was there. Not only was
she able to do what she loved with her career, but she made endless
love to the man she was in love with.
    Having the opportunity to work with Fancy at the awards shows and
events put Kate's name in the forefront of being a new up and coming
stylist. Linda and Amelia had been fielding calls all day long about
booking Kate's services. Kate would now need to have an assistant to
help her out and her stylist business was growing so quickly. Grey's
Boutique had more business than she dreamed of. When Fancy spoke of
Kate's services while she was on the red carpet, it instantly turned
in to more followers on social media, more clients, and more business
in the boutique.
    People were not only browsing, they were coming to shop and booking
Kate's consulting services for special events. Kate had even been
booked for a few speaking engagements. Things were on a roll and she
did not want to lose momentum.
    Then there was her relationship with Bruce. That was also gaining
momentum. If you asked her early last year if she would be smitten by
a man who was