21. Josie
TWENTY-ONE
JOSIE
I’m not ready to tell Tyson he was right yet, but he was definitely right.
After last night, I’ve never felt so inspired to write.
Tyson may not have kissed me—despite how badly I wanted him to—but it didn’t matter.
Kiss or no kiss, the connection I feel with him is more intense than I’ve ever felt before.
I used it to my advantage. When I reread my manuscript, I could see the flaws in the connection and actually see ways to fix it.
And it’s all because of the man standing in front of me.
Tyson gives me a lopsided smirk as he straightens his spine. I have to tilt my head to meet his blue gaze, and suddenly, I can’t help it…I’m picturing his mouth against mine.
If I stood on my tiptoes…would I be able to kiss him? Or would he have to bend down first?
My eyes drift to his mouth before I can stop them.
I picture it for a second—my hands gripping the collar of his shirt, tugging him down until the space between us disappears.
I picture what it’d feel like to have his lips brush against mine.
Just once.
My breath catches at the thought.
“Josie?”
I blink, jumping slightly when I realize the kiss was all in my head and I’ve been staring at Tyson’s mouth for God knows how long.
“Hmm?” I squeak. I run a hand through the strands of my hair as I shake my head.
I was absolutely just busted, but I don’t care as much as I should.
Or at least, I’m not embarrassed. The only reason I’m even thinking about him kissing me is because he couldn’t stop staring at my mouth a few minutes ago when I was getting him to try my coffee.
I’m still worked up from last night. The anticipation of when he’ll finally give in and kiss me is clearly doing things to my head.
“I asked if you were okay with going to the club for breakfast or if you’d rather go back to my place and I can prepare us something there.”
I think about his question for a moment.
I didn’t know what he had planned for today—or if he was still even showing up for breakfast at all—but I still got ready, just in case.
I didn’t miss how I felt the need to put some extra effort into my appearance today.
I told myself it was because I didn’t know if we were going out in public or not, but I know the truth.
It’s because I wanted to put extra effort into seeing him, no matter what the plan was.
“I haven’t tried Pembroke’s breakfast yet. Let’s do that.”
Tyson smiles, as if he hoped that’s what my answer would be. “Perfect. Do you need time to get ready, or are you good to go?”
I glance down at my sundress. There’s a strict dress code for Pembroke members, and while I don’t think I’ll be the most dressed-up member there, this should still meet the criteria. The only thing I need to do is grab a pair of my ballet flats instead of the flip-flops I was planning on wearing.
“I’m pretty much ready,” I tell him, trying to remember where I put my purse. It’s been a few days since I even left the house, so I’m trying to think of the last place I had it. “Just give me a few to get my shoes and purse, and we can go.”
I know it’s my cue to back away from him in search of my belongings, but I can’t move. I like how close we are. My entire body feels like it’s on fire just when he’s near me, and I want to bask in having his full attention for a few more moments.
Tyson stares down at me, an unreadable look on his face. He’s such a contradiction. Sometimes I feel like I know everything he’s thinking just by looking at his face; other times, it’s hard to have any idea what’s on his mind. Right now, it’s the latter.
The corners of his mouth turn up ever so slightly, but I don’t know if it’s enough to be considered a smirk. He watches me closely, and I can’t help but think about how much I love it when his focus is on me.
With a deep breath, I take a step back and begin my search for my purse.
The moment I step out of the kitchen, I miss being in his presence.
I already want to get back to him so I can be engulfed in the masculine smell that’s always surrounding him.
The scent is so Tyson. When I’m not around him, I find myself craving to be engulfed by the familiar smell.
I search by the front door but don’t see it there. As I walk to my room, I look down at the ground, expecting to see Mouse following me.
I roll my eyes when I realize he isn’t there. Of course he isn’t. Tyson is his favorite person. I don’t know what I was thinking that he’d follow me when Tyson’s here.
I open my bedroom door and spot my purse sitting on the antique dresser.
I remember picking out that piece with my grandmother when I was in middle school.
One summer, when we were visiting, she let me completely redo my room here in the Hamptons however I wanted.
I was so excited to help and always loved how the room turned out when we’d come to visit.
As I got older, I don’t know how I forgot all about this place, but I’m happy Pop reminded me.
There’s something about being back here that’s lighting a spark in me.
A lot of it is Tyson, but there’s something about this place too.
I woke up this morning feeling recharged and excited to finally get this book done.
When I first came here, I was overwhelmed by the thought of finishing a book in six weeks.
Now, I think I can do it. It’ll still be close, but there’s a fire inside me that wasn’t there before.
I walk into my closet and grab my flats before sliding them onto my feet. Next, I grab my purse from the dresser and take in my appearance through the mirror one final time before heading out of the room.
I’m sliding my phone into my purse when I make it back to the kitchen, stopping in my tracks as Tyson comes into view.
He’s sitting on the ground, his long legs out in front of him. Mouse scampers around in the space between them, chasing the straw wrapper that Tyson has in his hand.
Tyson laughs as Mouse somersaults over his leg in an attempt to catch the wrapper.
My hand finds my chest, and I can’t help but smile. I don’t know why, but there’s something about the sight of Tyson sitting on the ground just to play with my cat that makes my heart squeeze in my chest.
“Ready,” I whisper, my focus still on the scene in front of me.
Tyson’s in the middle of laughing at Mouse when his eyes meet mine. His smile grows, and he doesn’t bother to hide it when he pulls his gaze from mine and lets it run over my body instead.
He watches me intently as he drops the wrapper for Mouse to finally have and stands to his full height. His gaze traces over me once again, and I don’t miss how he focuses on my thighs for a little longer than necessary before finding my eyes again.
“I should’ve said this earlier, but I was too preoccupied with finding out what coffee you like. You look beautiful today.”
I cast my gaze downward as warmth spreads throughout my cheeks. “Thank you,” I murmur, not bothering to hide my growing smile.
Tyson closes the distance between us, the scent of his cologne wafting around me once again. He hooks his finger underneath my chin and tilts my head up, not allowing me to hide the pink tinge to my cheeks.
Small crinkles form next to his eyes as he gives me a grin. “There’s that blush I love so much. I was wondering when I’d first get to see it this morning.”
His words only make my cheeks feel hotter, undoubtedly bringing more obvious color to them. He moves his hand from my jaw to my cheek, brushing his knuckle over the crimson-stained skin. “Let’s get to the club so I can feed you,” he mutters, his voice deep and gravelly.
His hand drops, and I miss his touch instantly. Luckily, I don’t have to wait long to feel it again. He places it softly just above the small of my back as he guides me to the front door.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach in anticipation of what’s to come as we leave my house and head to the dark SUV parked in his driveway.