Tyler
“I don’t remember giving you permission to leave my bed,” I called across the suite as the keycard beeped at the door.
The door swung open and in she walked, my favourite little contradiction. Her hair was twisted into a chaotic, beautiful knot with a few rebellious strands falling loose against her neck, and she smelled of the sharp, clinical disinfectant of the physio suite.
“Yeah, well,” she said, that sly little smirk making itself at home on her lips. “Some of us have actual jobs to do, Reed. We can’t all just sit around looking pretty and hitting a few balls once in a while.”
God, she was dangerous when she was cute.
I crossed the room in three strides, catching her at the door and wrapping my arms around her waist before she could even drop her bag.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her cheek, then the sensitive curve of her neck where the pulse was already starting to quicken.
“You’re awfully mouthy for someone who got thoroughly ruined on a balcony last night. ”
She melted into me the way she always did.
“So… about that. Turns out we haven’t been exactly subtle about this whole thing.” She winced, the light in her eyes dimming just a fraction.
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone knows,” she said, scrunching her nose in that way that usually made me laugh, but her voice was tight. “Emma saw you practically drag me into your room yesterday.”
I went still, my hands tightening slightly on her waist. “You okay with that?” I asked, keeping my voice tentative, searching her eyes for any sign of regret.
“I mean… I have to be now, right?” She started fiddling with the hem of my shirt, a tiny, nervous tell she didn't even know she had. “I just… Tyler, I’ve worked so hard for this. I don’t want to be written off as some tour bimbo who only got the job because she spread her legs for the star player.”
The words sliced right through me.
“Orla,” I said softly, brushing my knuckles along her cheek. “Nobody in their right mind is going to think that. You prove yourself every day. You’re the best out here, everyone who’s anyone knows that.”
Her eyes softened, the tension in her shoulders unwinding by a couple of notches.
“But,” I added, tilting my head, “you know what this means now, right? Since the secret is out?”
“What?”
“I finally get to take you on a real date.”
“A real date?” she echoed, her lips twitching as she tried to suppress a grin.
“Yeah. I mean, I’ve always wanted to—God knows I asked you enough times. Then you decided to jump my bones in DC, so my plans got a little… derailed”
“Hey!” she laughed, swatting my chest.
“Not complaining by the way,” I said, grinning. “But I want to do this right. It’s not just about sex, O. Not for me. Never was”
She stilled, eyes searching mine.
“I want to show you how good I can be,” I said quietly, my voice dropping an octave. “Maybe even prove I already am.”
Her hand found my chest, right over my heart. “You don’t have to prove anything. I already see it.”
That undid me.
“Maybe,” I murmured, kissing her temple. “But you deserve the proof anyway.” I drew back just enough to meet her eyes. “I’ve got media at two. Be ready by six. Wear something sexy. I’m taking you out.”
She bit her lip, trying not to smile. “Deal.”
And just like that, my whole face lit up. Orla Sheehan had finally agreed to go on a date with me.
She had no idea what she was in for. Tonight, she was getting the full Tyler Reed boyfriend experience. I wasn’t sure what exactly that meant, but I knew I wanted to give it to her.