Chapter 25 Dani
DANI
“So, um…” I lick my lips, not sure how to start. My nerves are seizing up, turning into sharp spikes that are massacring my insides.
Letting out an edgy laugh, I scratch the back of my curls and stare down at his feet. They’re so big. Long and broad and… He’s got handsome toes.
Can toes be handsome?
These ones are.
They’re a beautiful shape and all the right lengths. My second toe is longer than my big toe, but not Tyrell’s. The height order is just so, giving his toes a perfect curve from his big to his pinkie and…
Why the fuck are you focusing on handsome toes right now? He’s waiting!
Clearing my throat, I snap my gaze back up to his and drink in his expression. He’s usually got this cool, quiet, calm about him, but when his lips curl into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, I realize he’s just as nervous as me.
And he’s still waiting for me to say something.
“I wasn’t happy with how we left things… and I guess I just wanted to make sure we’re okay.” The words tumble out of me in a jumble, and I’m not sure he even heard them.
He takes a beat to decipher my drivel and then nods, his smile turning sad as he slips his hand into the pocket of his sweats.
They’re hanging low on his hips, and I can picture the muscles underneath his T-shirt.
He had a six-pack in high school that the girls constantly drooled over. I bet it’s still there.
And it could be all yours if you just get over yourself!
Closing my eyes, I swallow, those spiky nerves digging into my stomach, my chest, my throat.
“Yeah. I mean, of course we’re okay.” His voice rumbles. “I’ll always be there for you.”
I open my eyes in time to see his stoic smile.
And my heart turns to liquid, melting into a puddle of soft affection as I take in that gentle gaze of his.
My rejection last night hurt him. It’s so freaking obvious, but he’s still got that stoic smile at the ready. He’s still willing to set aside all his feelings for me. To be there for me and what I need.
But what about what he needs?
What about what you both obviously want?
I can barely breathe as I climb the stairs, moving right past him so I can spin two steps above where he’s standing and be eye level with him.
Studying his face, my lips twitch into a smile as I reach for his hand and curl my fingers around it. His large fingers envelop mine, his long thumb brushing over my skin with a tenderness that makes my liquid heart pulse with a fresh beat. One I haven’t felt in years.
Sucking in a shaky breath, I softly whisper, “I’m scared.”
His gaze jumps to meet mine. His eyes are a rich, dark brown. So beautiful. All I can do is stare into them as his deep voice goes all soft and husky. “Me too. For probably all the same reasons you are.”
I nod, letting out a shaky laugh as tears burn the back of my throat.
Are we doing this?
Are we really stepping into this new territory together?
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” His tender expression can’t hide the edge of disappointment.
Oh, he wants me. He wants to be my man. And when he raises our joined hands to his lips and kisses my knuckle, I realize that I’d be a fool to keep denying myself.
Yes, Tyrell is the last guy I thought I’d catch feelings for, but the truth is… I have. I didn’t even realize until he pointed out how he felt about me. But it’s like a switch clicked in my brain, and suddenly it was so obvious.
And although this leap is terrifying, in this moment right here…
A smile curls my lips as I rest my forehead against his. He closes his eyes, his lips still pressed against my fingers.
The talons that have been clutching my stomach start to release, a warm buzz firing into the space.
It feels good, safe… exciting. A giddy sensation bubbles up my throat, and I press a kiss to his cheek.
His head pops up, his eyes snapping open, and he catches my smile just before I move my lips to his mouth.
Those luscious, warm lips of his are tentative at first, but it doesn’t take long for him to realize that I am invested in this kiss. His hands slip out of mine, resting on my waist before wrapping around my body.
I lean into him, deepening the kiss and smiling at the moan reverberating in his throat.
He grins too, our smiles pressed together before I sweep my tongue into his mouth and wrap my arms around his neck.
We’re glued together now, our bodies pressed tight, my insides electrifying as he glides that luscious tongue across mine and makes my eyes roll back with pleasure.
A pleasure I haven’t felt in a really, really long time.
I’m kissing Tyrell Jackson! This is so weird and good and—
Don’t think about it, just melt into this kiss, girl. Enjoy it!
And I am. I’m relishing every second of this. Every sensation. His hands are so big, splaying across my back, traveling up my spine to grip the back of my neck before traveling back down to my tailbone.
I cup the back of his head, letting out a soft moan of my own when he tips his head to change the angle and—
“If you are gonna have all the sex, can you not to do it on the staircase?” someone shouts from the living room.
I wrench my mouth off Tyrell’s, my eyes bulging with embarrassment. He dips his chin with a soft growl as a different voice calls out.
“It’s a house rule, you know? No sex in shared spaces.”
“I know the rules!” Tyrell bites back. “I’m the one who has to remind your horny asses constantly!”
I can’t help a giggle. Tyrell’s exasperated indignation is adorable.
“And I’m not dragging her up to my room for all the sex, okay? This is only our second kiss!”
Surprising disappointment mixed with a bucketload of swoon swirls through me. The idea of being dragged up to his room for all the sex has my body in a frenzy. I wasn’t expecting that, but my body obviously wants it. But my heart… oh my heart. “It’s only our second kiss.” How sweet is he?
“Oooo.” Two women pop into view, looking all excited. I recognize Nylah immediately, and the blonde one is familiar too. Blake? That’s her name.
“Are you guys together-together now?” she asks, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Uh…” Tyrell spins back to look at me, his querying frown enough to melt my heart all over again.
It’s a valid question. A slightly terrifying one, but…
I look into those brown eyes and start to nod.
I do want to try this thing with him. That’s why I’m here, right?
That’s why I’m kissing him.
That’s why…
Touching his face, my lips rise into a smile as I lean toward him again and answer their question with an open-mouth kiss that has me melting against him once more.
Tyrell Jackson.
I never would have thought this was an option.
But here I am.
And when his tongue slides against mine with so much hope, so much promise, I know I’ll regret it forever if I don’t dive into this thing.
I’m ready to move on.
I just didn’t realize I’d be doing it with Atlas’s best friend.