5. Ty
CHAPTER 5
TY
I can't sit still. For the past hour, I've been pacing my damn living room, glancing at my phone every other second and checking her location on the app we share. I’m acting like an idiot.
Kara's on her date right now, and it's making me insane. I tell myself it's no big deal, just some guy, just some night, but I know better. That kiss? That kiss wasn't just a lesson. It wasn't a practice. It was everything. And now she's out with someone else.
Scrubbing my hand down my face, I groan. This isn't like me. I don't pine. I don't obsess. My entire life I've spent keeping things casual, never letting myself get too attached. But Kara? She's always been different. And now, I'm realizing she might be my everything.
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. I yank it open to find my buddy, Levi, standing there, holding up a six-pack.
"Figured you might need this," he says, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
Earlier today, he stopped by the tattoo shop and we had lunch together. I filled him in on everything with Kara because I realized I needed someone to talk to. Levi is my closest friend behind Kara.
I grunt, shutting the door behind him. "What makes you think that?"
Levi gives me a shit-eating grin, dropping onto my couch and kicking his boots up on my coffee table. "Because you've got that look, man. Like you'd rather punch something than sit here stewing."
I glance at him, knowing he's not wrong. Grabbing a beer, I pop the cap, and take a long pull before sinking into the chair across from him.
"Talk to me," Levi says. "What's going on?"
I exhale hard. "Kara's on a date tonight."
He nods because he already knows that. "And you hate it."
As he takes another sip of his beer, he watches me closely.
I set my beer on the coffee table because just that one swig makes my stomach roll. I think about his question.
"Yeah. I do," I say, clenching my jaw.
"Then go after her." He acts like it's the easiest thing in the world.
I snort. "Right. Just storm into the restaurant and demand she leave with me?"
Levi shrugs. "Why not?"
Shaking my head, I rub the back of my neck and contemplate rushing to her. "Because she wanted this. She asked me to help her get ready for this date. If I barge in there now, I look like a possessive asshole."
But the thought starts to take hold. Going and putting myself out there. I know she felt the same way I did about the kiss. I could see it. But she could also say no, and then it would kill our friendship, too.
Levi studies me for a long moment, then leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "Look, man. You can sit here and pretend you're fine with this, or you can be honest with yourself. But you don't want her dating some other guy. What you want is her to be with you. So, stop fighting it."
My chest tightens. "It's not that simple."
Levi gives me a smug smile. "It is. You're just making it complicated."
"If she says no? It's not just a no, it's putting our friendship on the line too," I say, running my hand through my hair.
"Your friendship will recover. It might take some time, but you two have been through so much. You just have to work at it and not ignore it," he says, smiling.
I let out a slow breath, staring down at my beer. He's right. I know he is. And if I don't do something about this now, I'm going to regret it, even more so if her date goes well.
Without another word, I grab my keys and head for the door.
"Atta boy," Levi calls after me, laughing as I leave.
"Close up when you leave and don't be here when I get back!" I call after him.
During the drive to the steakhouse, I work out what I'm going to say. I might only get one shot at this, and I don't want to fuck it up.
The restaurant is busier than I expected. I tell the hostess I'm meeting someone and walk back through the tables. Thankfully, she doesn't try to stop me.
I spot Kara almost immediately, sitting at a small table near the window. Her date is talking--rambling, actually--while she nods politely, her expression unreadable. She's not smiling. Not laughing. And I know her well enough to know she's not into this.
With my heart hammering, I step closer. Her date finally notices me approaching, his brows furrowing in confusion. Kara looks up, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Ty?" she says, her voice soft, but stunned.
I don't give her a chance to question me. Instead, I focus on her date, offering the guy a tight smile.
"Sorry, man," I say, "but I could tell from the door you are boring her to death."
His frown deepens. "Excuse me?"
Kara blinks at me, and then suddenly, unexpectedly, she laughs. A real, genuine, relieved laugh.
She relaxes and looks at her date. "I was just about to end it, anyway."
The guy stares at her, then at me, then back at her. "Wait, seriously?"
I feel a bit bad because he looks so confused, but I'm also stunned that Kara was going to end the date. That doesn't mean she is interested in me, but I have a much better shot now than I did on the way here.
Kara gives him an apologetic smile. "Yeah. You're nice, really. But this just... isn't what I want."
He exhales, shaking his head. "Well, damn. Okay. Good luck, I guess."
With that, I toss some cash on the table and then take Kara's hand and lead her out of the restaurant. She lets me guide her to my car, but stops me from opening the door for her.
She's still smiling. That same soft, secret smile that always makes my chest ache.
"You really were gonna end it?" I ask, needing to know.
She nods. "Yeah."
I let out a breath slowly, "Good."
She tilts her head, studying me. "What are you doing here, Ty?"
I swallow hard. "Kara, I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to be that guy..." I trail off, trying to find the words to make her understand.
"What guy?" she asks softly as she studies me.
Go big or go home, right?
"The guy who just sits back and watches you fall for someone else. I don't want to be that guy."
Her expression softens. "Ty..."
I step closer, my fingers twitching at my sides. "Tell me I'm not crazy. Tell me you feel it too."
She exhales shakily. "I do."
Relief floods through me. "Then let's stop pretending there isn't something more between us."
Without hesitating, she steps into me, closing the space between us, and I don't waste another second. I cup her face, tilting her chin up, and kiss her like I've been dying to since last night. Like she's the only thing in the world that matters because right now she is.
She melts against me, her hands gripping my shirt, pulling me closer. It's different from last night, no hesitation, no second-guessing. Just us, finally giving in.
When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers, breathing hard.
"What now?" she whispers.
I brush my thumb over her cheek, grinning smugly. "Now, I'm taking you home."
She grins. "Your home?"
"Yeah," I murmur, pressing another kiss to her lips.
She knows that it's a big deal. I may have slept around, but I had one rule I didn't break. No girls at my house. It's easier for me to get away if I'm the one leaving. It's much harder to kick someone out.
Kara has been to my place because she's my friend. Now she's more and I still want her in my space. I don't hesitate. Quickly, I open the car door and help her in.
Without bothering to wipe the smile off my face, I walk over to my side and get in. I notice she's on her phone and the smile is gone from her face.
"Everything okay?" I ask when I start the car.
"Yeah, I had to text Caitlin and let her know you showed up. I had slipped into the bathroom to ask her to come get me earlier," she says.
"Why didn't you call me?" I hope she knows she can always call me.
"It felt weird after that kiss," she says, blushing a beautiful shade of pink.
I reach for her hand and bring it up to my mouth, kissing it.
"You can always call me. Even if things are weird between us," I say.
She smiles big at me and that’s all I need.
Not much is said on the rest of the drive, but the second we step inside my house, the air shifts. Kara fidgets slightly, biting her lip.
"Hey," I say softly, tilting her chin up. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for."
Her cheeks flush. "It's not that... I just--I know you've been with a lot of women, and I haven't--"
I press a kiss on her forehead, letting my lips linger. "None of them were you, baby."
She blinks up at me, her eyes searching for mine. "What do you mean?"
Taking a deep breath, I frame her face with my hands. "I mean you're different, Kara. You've always been different. Those other girls... they didn't mean anything. But you? You mean everything."
Her breath catches, her hands coming up to rest on my chest. "Ty..."
I lean in, brushing my nose against her. "I'm all in, baby. I want this. I want you, more than I've ever wanted anything. And we can take this as slow as you need."
A slow smile spreads across her face, and her eyes are shining. "Well, in that case... I think you should kiss me again."
I grin, already leaning in. "Yes, ma'am."
Our lips meet in a slow, deep kiss that sends heat rushing through my veins.
The kiss quickly turns heated as I back Kara up against the wall. My hands slide down her sides to grip her hips, pulling her flush against me. She lets out a soft moan, her fingers twisting in my hair. I groan into her mouth as our tongues tangle and stroke.
Trailing my hand back up her side, I pull her arms up over the head and use one of my hands to pin her wrists there.
I pull back just enough to trail kisses down the side of her neck, savoring the taste of her skin. "Bedroom?" I murmur huskily against her throat, needing to know how far she wants to go.
She nods eagerly, her breathing ragged. "Please."
I scoop her up bridal style, making her giggle as I carry her down the hall. When we reach my room, I set her gently on the bed, hovering over her. Then I take a moment to look at her, and capture this moment. Her hair is fanned out on the pillow, her lips are swollen from my kisses, and her eyes are dark with desire. Perfect. Desirable. Mine .
She's the first woman to ever be in my bed, and I plan to make her the last woman to ever be here too.
Her breath catches. I guide her to the bed, tracing my inked fingers down her arms. "You trust me?"
She nods. "Yes."
"Then let me take care of you."
Her gaze flickers to my hands, watching them work as I slide her sweater off her shoulders. I love the look of my inked hand on her unblemished skin.
Taking my time undressing her, I kiss each new expanse of skin as it's revealed. Kara shivers beneath my touch, her hands fisting in the sheets. When she's bare before me, I stand back to admire the view.
"You're so beautiful," I murmur.
A pretty blush stains her cheeks. "Ty..."
Quickly, I shed my own clothes and join her on the bed. Then I kiss my way down her stomach.
My lips trail lower, her breathy sighs and soft moans spurring me on. I settle between her thighs, taking a moment to savor the sight of her, spread open and glistening.
"Please, Ty..." she whimpers, her hips arching off the bed.
I smirk against her skin. "Patience, baby."
Starting slowly, I give teasing licks and gentle kisses that have her squirming beneath me. Her fingers tangle in my hair as her moans grow louder. I slide one finger into her slick heat, then two, pumping in and out as my tongue finds the spot that drives her crazy.
Her back bows off the bed as she cries out my name. "Oh god, yes! Right there, Ty, please don't stop..."
I can feel her tightening around my fingers, her thighs trembling on either side of my head. I know she's close. Doubling my efforts, I stroke that sensitive bundle of nerves with the tip of my tongue as I curl my fingers inside her, seeking out that perfect spot.
"Ty, I'm going to... I'm so close..." she pants, her voice strained with need.
"That's it, baby," I murmur against her. "Let go for me."
I hum against her, and the vibrations send her over the edge. She comes apart with a loud cry, her body shaking as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over her. I work her through it, gentling my touches as she starts to come down.
Finally, she collapses back against the pillows, chest heaving. I press one last kiss to her sensitive flesh before crawling up her body, settling my hips between her thighs.
I kiss her jaw, neck, and mouth gently as she smiles at me and relaxes. Her hands reach up and trace the ink on my skin. It takes everything in me to stay still and let her memorize every design and every line.
Her feather-light touch sends shivers down my spine as she traces the intricate patterns across my skin. I've never let anyone take their time exploring my tattoos like this. It's always been rushed, frantic, a means to an end. But with Kara, I want to savor every second, revel in her gentle curiosity.
"They're beautiful," she whispers, her fingers trailing over the detailed sleeve on my left arm.
I capture her hand, bringing it to my lips to press a tender kiss on her palm. "You're beautiful," I growl, my voice rough with emotion.
Her eyes meet mine, soft and warm and full of emotions I'm almost afraid to name. She cups my face, drawing me down into a slow, deep kiss that leaves me aching for more.
Settling over her, I brace my weight on my forearms. Then I reach between us, gripping my hard length and positioning myself at her entrance. I pause, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze.
"You sure about this, baby?"
Kara nods, her eyes shining with trust and desire. "I'm sure. I want you, Ty. All of you."
I reach into the nightstand and grab a condom, quickly slipping it on before settling back between her thighs. Pushing forward slowly, inch by careful inch, I give her time to adjust. She's so tight, so perfect around me. When I'm fully seated inside her, I drop my forehead to hers.
"Fuck, Kara," I groan, my voice strained. "You feel incredible."
She wraps her legs around my waist, her heels digging into my lower back. "So do you. I've never felt so... full."
I capture her lips in a searing kiss as I start to move, setting a slow, deep rhythm.
Kara arches into me, meeting each thrust, our bodies moving in perfect sync. The only sounds are our ragged breaths and the gentle creaking of the bed frame. I've never experienced anything like this - so intense, so intimate. It's as if our very souls are intertwined.
Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I inhale her sweet scent as I drive into her again and again. Her nails rake down my back, urging me on. The coil tightens deep in my core, the pressure building to an almost unbearable level.
"Ty," Kara gasps, her walls fluttering around me. "I'm so close..."
Reaching between our joined bodies, I find that sensitive bundle of nerves. I stroke her in time with my thrusts, determined to bring her over the edge with me.
"Let go, baby. I've got you."
Kara's back arches off the bed as her climax crashes over her, my name a breathless chant on her lips. The sight of her coming undone, the feeling of her clenching rhythmically around me, is my undoing. With a guttural groan, I follow her over the edge, emptying myself deep inside her as waves of ecstasy pulse through me.
Collapsing onto the bed beside her, I gather her trembling form into my arms. I press tender kisses to her hair, her temple, relishing the feel of her soft skin against mine. We lie there, limbs entwined, heartbeats gradually slowing as we float down from the high.
Eventually, Kara tilts her head up to look at me, her eyes soft and sated. "That was..."
"Incredible," I finish for her, a slow grin spreading across my face.
I reluctantly get up and dispose of the condom before joining her back in bed and pulling her to me. Afterward, she rests against my chest, tracing lazy circles on my skin.
"You, okay?" I ask.
She smiles, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. "I'm perfect."
And as I hold her closer, I realize I've never been this happy in my entire life.