24
Tyler
Waking with Erin naked in his bed was the best Christmas present Tyler could ever receive. Having been so close to her during the night made him feel he was walking on moonbeams. There was no way he wanted to get up, let alone wake her, and he knew she would wake soon to start her shift at the Frozen Forest. Christmas Eve always brought in a last-minute crowd. He was definitely working in the gift shop all day. At least then he would be close to her again.
Erin stirred, flopping an arm to his shoulder. ‘Ty?’ she questioned.
He smiled, waiting for her eyes to flutter open. ‘I’m here.’
‘Is it time to get up already?’
He laughed at her groaning. ‘We’ve got ten minutes.’
Erin’s mouth curled. ‘Could we use those minutes to do what we were doing before we fell asleep?’
He didn’t need to be asked twice. Within moments, they were as close as they could be.
Erin peeped at him with one eye, then pressed her mouth onto his. ‘I have morning breath.’
‘Don’t care,’ he mumbled, deepening their kiss.
Erin’s hair was in his face as she leaned further over him. ‘This is so unfair,’ she said, giggling.
He cupped her face, trying to move their bodies, as she felt so good, and this time he wanted to finish what they started, but a twinge of pain put a stop to that.
‘Ooh, you okay, Ty?’
‘Yes and no.’
Erin chuckled. ‘This is going to have to wait.’
Tyler hugged her to him. ‘Okay, but let’s at least use our ten minutes wisely. I vote we stay like this.’
‘Connected for ten minutes.’
‘It’s not long enough. I want all day in here with you.’
Erin kissed his nose. ‘I can’t get into how much I want you right now.’
That was enough to make Tyler attempt movement again. It was all too much being so close with her but unable to take things further. She was right about one thing, it was possible he might just rip his side open if he kept going.
‘Okay, I give in,’ he said, mainly to himself, making her laugh.
‘Just think of what we have to look forward to soon.’ Erin lightly brushed her lips over his cheek. ‘Hot showers, naked blanket snuggles, each bedtime made up of connections.’
Tyler laughed, causing a ping to his side. ‘I think we should make naked word of the month?’
‘Word of the year.’
‘I like it.’
Erin gave him a peck on the lips. ‘I like you.’
Yeah? I think I love you .
He smiled, then deepened their kiss, embracing her with all his building emotions until his pain got the better of him. ‘Okay, I need some pain relief.’
Erin sat up and reached for the pills and bottle of water beside the bed.
Tyler took the meds. Then flopped back to the pillow. ‘We’ve got a few more minutes,’ he told her, adding a cheeky wink, so Erin made sure they were connected once more.
‘You know we’re just tormenting ourselves, right?’
‘Oh, I know.’ He tried to lean over her, but that wasn’t happening.
‘Just relax and accept that this is our thing for now.’
Tyler shifted her so she was straddling him. ‘We need more things.’
Erin’s brow lifted. ‘You want me to try?’
‘Perhaps slowly.’
She bit her bottom lip as she moved, and Tyler tried to stop visualising himself back in hospital explaining how his stitches came undone. Something was coming undone soon if Erin carried on, but it was hard to stop her when she felt so good.
‘I think that might be enough,’ she said softly, leaning down to kiss his jaw.
Tyler attempted to sit up. ‘Ow!’
Erin flew off him. ‘Are you okay?’ She flipped the quilt away, checking him over.
‘I’m fine. It’s okay. Just took my breath away.’
She stood at the side of the bed, grinning. ‘That would be me.’
‘No, that would be the pain.’
Erin frowned, so he pulled her back to bed.
‘But you do take my breath away as well,’ he added. ‘In a much nicer way.’
‘How many minutes have we got left?’
Without removing his gaze from hers, he replied, ‘One.’
Erin carefully straddled him again, and Tyler closed his eyes for the last few seconds of his precious minute. She groaned in delight, then yelped along with him when her knee caught his side.
‘Right, we’re done,’ he said, unable to take much more.
Erin slipped as she climbed off him, catching his nose with her cast. ‘Oh, are you all right?’
Tyler rubbed his nose as he struggled to sit. ‘Good thing I took those painkillers.’
Erin burst out laughing as she headed for the bathroom.
Tyler got out of bed and looked down at the dressing. ‘You, are officially my worst enemy,’ he whispered to it.
The bath water was running, and he knew Erin was going to have a washdown in the tub. He so wished he could join her, but knew it was best he stayed away from her naked body, as it was all too much.
Plodding into the bathroom, he pondered how best to wash without wetting his dressing.
‘I can wash you, Ty.’
Now that was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
‘Just let me finish here, then I’ll help you.’
Tyler went to the sink to brush his teeth whilst he waited for her hands to be all over him. Not the best plan under the circumstances, but he was taking it.
‘Are you going to rest today?’ she asked.
‘I plan to sit in the gift shop. It’s a comfy chair. Plus it’s warm in there.’
Erin smiled, wrapping herself in a white fluffy towel. ‘And I get to see you loads.’
He rinsed his mouth quickly so he could give her a peck on the lips as she approached. ‘That’s the plan.’
‘I like working here.’
Tyler wrapped his arms around her, still wishing he could do more.
‘Come on. Let’s get you sorted.’ Erin filled the sink whilst he grabbed a towel and flannel.
‘You can give me a bed bath anytime, just so you know.’
Erin dropped to her knees and kissed his thigh. ‘I plan to.’
He glanced down and waved her up. ‘I need you up here. I honestly can’t cope.’
Erin laughed as she started to wash his back, adding in kisses along the way.
‘This isn’t helping, Erin.’
‘Helps me.’
He laughed and turned, watching her slow and steady movements over his chest. ‘Life can be so unfair.’
Erin pulled his mouth over hers as her hand lowered to wash other parts of him.
Tyler groaned. ‘So unfair.’
‘Think about something else.’
‘Perhaps if you remove your hand, I might be able to.’
Erin carried on washing him. ‘What do you want for breakfast?’
Tyler quirked his brow. ‘Is that a trick question?’
‘Right, let’s get you dry and moisturised, then you can get dressed.’
‘Moisturised?’
She gestured at the pink tube on the side. ‘Well, it’s not mine.’
‘It does make your skin super smooth.’
Erin giggled. ‘I know. I’ve been using it.’
‘Well, we do like to share.’
‘Can’t wait to share some more things with you.’
Tyler pointed at the door. ‘Please leave the bathroom. You’re killing me.’
Erin laughed as she left. ‘I’ll fix us some brekkie.’
‘Can you get dressed first? There’s no way I’m going to be able to eat with you walking around in that towel.’
‘We could do naked breakfast,’ she called.
‘Do you want to see me back in hospital?’
Erin’s laughter filled the air, bringing so much happiness rushing through him, he felt a little lightheaded.
Is that her or the pain?
It was for the best if he got dressed and went about his day. At least he had the memory of her skin on his to warm him. That wasn’t about to go away anytime soon.
I think it might be time I had a talk with her about us. I don’t want her thinking I’m on the rebound. She’s so much more than that .
By the time he was dressed, Erin had scrambled eggs on toast ready for them.
‘Ooh, that smells good, thanks.’
She pulled out a chair for him at the kitchen table. ‘You sit there and I’ll fetch you a cuppa.’
‘You’re starting to sound like my mum.’
Erin stopped in her tracks. ‘I’ve never really had anyone to look after before.’ There was a hint of sadness in her tone, and that would never do.
‘We look after each other, you and me. Have you noticed?’
Her smile was back as she brought over her own cup of tea.
‘Erin, I want to talk to you about—’
A knock of the door interrupted him, and Erin jumped up.
‘How’s my little soldier?’ asked Fran, entering.
‘He had a good night’s sleep, has taken his medication, and has a cooked breakfast in front of him,’ replied Erin, practically singing her words.
Tyler smiled at his mum as she kissed his cheek. ‘I’m okay, Mother. We’re just going to eat this, then head over to the gift shop.’
‘You don’t have to, son. It’s Christmas Eve. You take things easy. Get ready for Santa.’
Tyler glanced at Erin and grinned. ‘I’ll put a mince pie out for him later.’
Fran winked. ‘Doesn’t hurt.’ She gestured at their breakfast. ‘Right, I’ll leave you to it. See you for lunch at mine.’ She turned to Erin. ‘We have a family dinner tonight for Christmas Eve. Bit of salmon, some salad, and chips. So we close early tonight, love.’
‘Okay,’ said Erin, and Tyler thought she looked unsure about something.
Is she wondering if she’s invited?
‘We’ll be there, Mum.’ He checked Erin’s expression. She seemed to perk up.
Fran left, and Erin sat and ate quietly.
‘I should have asked you first if you want to spend Christmas Eve at Mum’s.’
Erin looked up from her plate. ‘Oh no, it’s fine. I’m happy to come. It’s just, well, it’s a family thing, and—’
‘You are family.’
She seemed to be studying him, which made him feel uneasy. ‘What’s wrong?’
Erin shrugged. ‘Nothing. I’m just not used to being included.’
Hearing that was heartbreaking. ‘Erin, look at me.’ He waited for their eyes to meet. ‘All the time I have breath left in my body, you will always be included in my life.’
Her eyes came over glassy. ‘I don’t want your family to feel they have to include me because I’m staying with you.’
‘My family’s not like that. Everyone’s welcome at my mum’s. And if it makes you feel any better. Rhett’s friend Florence will be joining us. She lives at the B&B while she’s saving for her own place. Came here to start a new life and got involved with the stables. Now she’s part of the mix too. You’ve not met her yet because she has a job at the local newspaper so isn’t around as much as she used to be.’
‘So I won’t be the only outsider?’
‘Neither you or Florence are considered outsiders. You’re both family. Please don’t feel unwanted, Erin.’ Tyler tapped his chest. ‘I want you.’
Her smile was weak but at least it was there. ‘Thanks, Ty. That’s sweet. I’m okay. Like I said, it’s just new to me, all this family malarkey.’
‘Okay, but as long as you know there will always be a seat for you at our table.’
She gave a sharp nod. ‘Noted.’
Tyler went back to eating his breakfast, slightly worried about how Erin might be really feeling. How could he find ways to make her feel included? Perhaps she would see for herself at dinner when everyone would be around. He hadn’t met anyone who felt like an outsider at his mum’s house before.
I’ll sort it. By the end of the day, Erin will feel full-on Silver love. She has to .
Another idea sprung to mind. A Christmas present for Erin, and he was sure it would do the trick. At least then she would know she had a home with him if she wanted, and he so hoped she wanted.