4. Kara
CHAPTER 4
KARA
I insisted on driving my car to his place. But I didn't tell him it was so I could make a quick escape if needed. Ty followed behind me the whole way here. He says he isn't a gentleman, but the Ty I get to see always has been.
Pulling up to Ty's house, I grip the steering wheel tighter than necessary. My heart is a tangled mess of nerves and anticipation. This is supposed to be just another lesson, but after last night--after that almost-kiss--I know better. Something has shifted between us, and I don't know how to pretend otherwise.
The outside lights light up the yard of the cabin-style house. I've been here a hundred times, but tonight, it feels different. By the time I get out of the car, he's waiting for me at the door. His arms are crossed, and he’s leaning against the frame like he has all the time in the world.
"Bookworm," he greets, that lazy smirk in place. "Thought you were going to turn around and bail on me."
I force a laugh as I step out, trying to appear unaffected. "I wanted to finish the chapter of my audiobook."
While he knows I listen to audiobooks in the car all the time, it's not a far stretch. He looks at me almost like he knows I'm lying. His eyes flicker with something I can't name, but he steps aside, letting me in.
The air inside smells like cedar and something unmistakably him. There's a lived-in comfort to his space. He has a leather couch and shelves lined with tattoo designs and sketchbooks. There’s a single mug in the sink. It's so effortlessly Ty. Very comfortable. I shouldn't feel as at home as I do.
"Alright," he says, cracking his knuckles. "Lesson number two. Flirting."
Groaning, I toss my jacket over the back of a chair. "I'm terrible at flirting."
I always feel awkward as if I'm overdoing it. Kind of like I'm in some over-exaggerated romantic comedy movie where you feel utterly embarrassed for the girl on the screen.
Ty's lazy grin deepens as he leans against the counter, watching me. "Nah. You just don't realize when you're doing it."
I roll my eyes. "Fine, oh great tattooed flirt master. Teach me your ways."
He pushes off the counter, closing the space between us. "Okay," he murmurs, his voice lower now. "First rule of flirting--eye contact."
I meet his gaze, and it's like gravity shifts. My breath catches, and I'm hyper aware of how close he is, of the way his fingers twitch like he wants to reach for me.
He smirks as if he knows exactly what's happening to my pulse. "See? That right there."
I clear my throat, trying to break the tension. "What?"
"The way you're looking at me."
"I'm literally just standing here," I argue.
He chuckles. "Exactly."
Shaking my head, I exhale sharply. "This is ridiculous."
"You asked for lessons," he reminds me. His voice all smooth amusement. "Lesson two: Touch."
I barely have time to react before he reaches out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. It's nothing, just a simple touch, but it sets my skin on fire.
He lingers for a second, fingers grazing my cheek. His eyes drop to my lips, and suddenly, I can't breathe.
"See how easy that was?" he murmurs.
I swallow hard. "Yeah. Super easy."
"Now you try it," he says, pulling back a little and crossing his arms. I can feel the loss of him as if he moved across the room.
"You don't exactly have hair to tuck behind your ear," I say, trying to regain my ability to think.
"A simple touch of my arm or hand will do," he says.
Nodding, I take a step toward him. I look up and make eye contact, trying to make my eyes look inviting. It seems to work because he drops his arms and moves closer to me.
I reach out and lightly run my hand down his arm from the bottom of one of the tattoos to his elbow.
"How was that?" I ask, barely above a whisper.
His smirk is back. "You're blushing."
"Shut up."
He laughs, stepping back, giving me space to recover. "Alright. Next up, banter."
"Oh good," I say, crossing my arms. "Because nothing screams romance like verbal combat."
Ty grins. "Exactly. Good banter makes everything fun."
I arch a brow. "Like this?"
He tilts his head, assessing me. "Almost. Needs more teasing."
I inhale deeply, and then level him with a look. "Okay, how about this? How does it feel knowing you peaked in high school?"
His jaw drops. "I did not peak in high school."
I smiled. "You sure? I seem to recall a certain someone getting by on charm and bad-boy tattoos."
"Charm?" He steps closer again, that dangerous glint back in his eyes. "So, you did think I was charming."
I groan. "That's not what I meant."
"You totally had a crush on me."
"Please. If anything, you had a crush on me ." I mock.
Ty lets out a deep, amused hum. "Maybe I did."
The air thickens, and I don't know how we got here. This isn't just friendly teasing anymore. This is something else entirely, something that makes my skin tingle and my stomach flip.
I break the tension with a nervous laugh. "You're impossible."
He grins. "And you're getting better at this."
"Only because I'm comfortable with you," I say, looking down at my feet.
He reaches out and gently tilts my head so I’m looking at him.
“You will get comfortable with yourself and will be able to do this in no time.”
I shake my head, trying to regain some sense of normalcy. "Okay, what else?"
Ty watches me for a second before responding. "Confidence."
I blink. "What?"
"The way you carry yourself," he explains, eyes never leaving mine. "Confidence is attractive."
I scoff. "Right. Because I'm just overflowing with that."
He steps closer--again. "You don't see yourself the way I do."
My breath stalls. "Ty--"
"Lesson's over," he says abruptly, stepping back.
I'm shocked at the sudden change. Does he feel the energy in the air too? It’s not just me, right?
Then I remember Caitlin's text from earlier, the one that made me laugh until Ty walked in.
Caitlin: Tell him you think you're a bad kisser and see what he does.
I shouldn't. But maybe I want to know. I just know I'm not ready to be done with all this.
Wetting my lips, I watch him carefully. "I don't know, Ty... What if..." I trail off, losing the confidence to say it out loud.
"What if what, Bookworm?" He asks softly and there is a look in his eyes that gives me the courage to say the words.
"What if I'm a terrible kisser?"
His expression shifts, amusement darkening into something more intense. When his gaze drops to my mouth, my heart starts pounding.
"There's only one way to find out," he murmurs.
I can't think or breathe. The air between us crackles with anticipation. I don't even know who moves first, but suddenly, he's right there, so close our noses brush.
He hesitates for just a second like he's giving me time to back away but I'm not going to. Because even though I shouldn’t, I want this. Then his lips are on mine.
It's slow at first, almost hesitant, as if we're testing the waters. But the second I respond, Ty deepens it, one hand sliding to my waist, the other cupping my jaw like he's trying to memorize every inch of me.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him into me. That's when I feel how hard he is against my stomach. I gasp against his mouth, and he takes advantage, kissing me deeper, his grip tightening. Heat rushes through me, leaving me dizzy and breathless.
When we finally break apart, he rests his forehead against mine, breathing hard.
"Kara," he rasps.
My name on his lips sends a full-body shiver through me.
His thumb brushes over my lower lip, his voice rough. "You're not a bad kisser."
I laugh, breathless. "Good to know."
I want to kiss him again. I want to do more than kiss him.
Then reality crashes back. Not only is he my best friend, but he is doing this because I have a date with someone else.
I pull away, swallowing hard. "I... I should go."
Something flickers in his expression, but he nods. "Yeah."
I grab my jacket, hesitating at the door. "Thanks for the lesson."
Ty smirks, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Anytime."
When I step outside, the cold air bites my heated skin. My heart is still racing, my lips are still tingling.
And as I walk to my car, I realize something terrifying.
I don't want to go on my date tomorrow night.
I just want my best friend.
I'm ready for my date and look out the window to finally see his car pull up... ten minutes late.
I take a deep breath and step away from the window, waiting on him to come to the door. When he knocks, I paste on a fake smile and open the door. He's wearing what looks like clothes he wore to the office, khakis and a polo shirt. No flowers, either.
His eyes roam over me, and I'm glad I went for jeans and a sparkly blouse like Caitlin suggested.
"You look nice," David says before stepping to the side. "Shall we?"
Nice? I look nice. I force back a sigh, grabbing my jacket and putting it on as I walk to his car. He doesn't open the car door for me, but at least he left it running, so it's warm when I get inside.
The entire drive into Flathead, he talks about his work and his job as an analyst. It's all about him. His job. His projects. His goals. I nod, feigning interest, but my mind drifts to Ty. His teasing, his warmth, and especially, the way he made me feel seen.
We get to the Flathead Steakhouse, and the drive seems even longer than the one with Ty to Whitefish, which is twice as far.
Once at the restaurant, he doesn't open my car door, but he does hold the restaurant door open for me. But that’s about where his gentlemanly manners end. He doesn’t pull out my chair or even look up from the menu to find out what I'd like to drink. So I just order water. I get a feeling tonight is not the night to have any alcohol. The whole time he just keeps talking like I'm an audience instead of a date. Not a single question about me.
"Excuse me, I'm going to use the restroom," I say during one of his breaks.
"Hurry back. I have a riveting story about my latest business trip," he says.
Once in the bathroom, thoughts of my date with Ty fill my head. How much different it was, how comfortable I felt. Even if nothing happens with me and Ty, I know that David and I will not have a second date. He’s not for me.
But he drove us here. Do I really have to sit through a full date with this guy? Maybe this was something I should have covered with Ty. While I know I could call Ty and he'd be here in a heartbeat, no questions asked, I don't think I can face him right now. Not after that kiss.
So I shoot a message off to Caitlin.
Me: Bad date. Can you come get me? At the Flathead Steakhouse.
She replies almost immediately.
Caitlin: I'm on my way.
Okay, I just have to survive a little bit longer. Maybe I can convince him to order an appetizer while I wait. When I get back to the table and sit, I notice our menus are gone.
"The waitress came to get our order. I didn't want to hold her up, so I ordered you my favorite. The liver and onions," he says with a proud smile, launching into his promised but deadly boring story.
I try not to gag. I absolutely hate liver. There is no way I can eat it. At this point, I'm done. I'd rather go out in the cold to wait for Caitlin or hide in the bathroom.
"Hey,” I say, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Can we talk?"