25. Josie
TWENTY-FIVE
JOSIE
The sun is warm against my skin as I stare at Tyson from across the table. Our server took the rest of the food we didn’t eat a few minutes ago, and we’ve just been continuing our conversation while we wait for the check.
“I might need a nap after all of that food,” I mutter, leaning back in my chair. I don’t even know if I can pick a favorite from the dishes we ordered. Everything was incredible, and now I understand why some members eat here at least once a day, if not multiple times.
Tyson smirks at me, his gaze moving to our server for just a moment while he takes the check. “Shouldn’t you go back home and write?”
I sigh because I should. And I want to. I might finally be finding my footing with the manuscript, and I’m excited to continue to work my way through it this morning. “Just days ago, you were telling me to work less and enjoy myself, and now you’re encouraging me to work?”
He nods as a deep chuckle leaves his throat. “Yes. I know I’m being a bit of a hypocrite, but I know how much it means to you to finish the book on time, so I felt compelled to mention it.”
I lean forward and place my chin in my hand as I stare at him.
We haven’t known each other for long, but I’m enjoying getting to know him more.
He’s incredibly interesting, and the more I learn about him, the more I want to continue to know.
I’m thankful Pop sent me to the Hamptons to write my book, but I’m also thankful because I met Tyson.
Things are so new with him, and I have no idea what will happen, but it’s refreshing to actually be interested in someone and for that to be reciprocated.
“You’re right. I am going to go home and work. But I appreciate you breaking me out for breakfast this morning.”
His lips twitch. “I’m glad you got away. Hopefully, now you can get back home feeling refreshed and inspired.”
“I will be,” I respond as I attempt to hide my smile behind my hand. Warmth spreads throughout my body at the tone of his voice, paired with his words. We both know my inspiration is coming from him. He’s making me feel things I didn’t expect to, making me all the more inspired to write my book.
He finishes signing the check before cocking his head to his left. “Want to take the long way back to my car to enjoy the fresh air for just a little bit longer before you go back to writing?”
“I’d love that.”
He doesn’t need any more direction. He backs his chair away from the table and quickly rises to his feet. Before I can stand up on my own, he’s offering his hand, and I take it without question.
He helps me to my feet, his hold on my hand tight as he begins to lead me through the tables on the patio.
I can feel people’s stares on us as we walk by, but I’m able to ignore them for the most part. Whatever their opinions are, it doesn’t matter to me. I might be wrong in assuming they even care about us at all.
Tyson’s grip on my hand is strong as we leave the patio and begin down a small stone path that’s on the edge of the course.
Pembroke buzzes with life around us. Golfers are lining up their shots on the fairway as golf carts hum by on the cart path close to us.
In the distance, you can see Pembroke’s private beach.
The white sand meets the turquoise water, and despite it being early in the season, there’s a fair number of people scattered along the beach.
I can’t help but smile at the sight of the Pembroke-green pinstripe umbrellas that dot the shoreline, making the beach look straight out of a movie.
I let my gaze wander, moving from the beach and instead focusing on Tyson. I find him already glancing over at me, his posture relaxed and a whisper of a smile on his lips.
“This place isn’t so bad, is it?” he murmurs, his gaze still focused on me as he leads the way.
“I’m beginning to see the appeal,” I answer, absentmindedly squeezing his hand.
We go from walking along the open path in plain view of anyone around us to walking along the more private path that’s right next to Pembroke’s main building.
On one side of us is the classic white brick of the club, and on the other are perfectly trimmed bushes that are taller than me.
Tyson comes to an abrupt stop, the sudden change of pace shocking me. A small yelp leaves me as I look back at him, wondering why we’re stopping in the first place.
Our gazes clash as I find him already staring at me.
“Everything okay?” I ask, my voice cautious. There’s something about the look in his eyes that I can’t quite put a finger on.
“Not really,” he answers, his voice tight.
My stomach twists as his gaze drifts slowly over my body before lifting back to my face. “What’s wrong?” I ask, suddenly very aware of the change in his demeanor.
His thumb brushes along the inside of my wrist, sending a shiver up my arm. He keeps staring at me with an intensity that makes my toes curl.
“Can I kiss you?” he blurts, his words coming out deep but controlled.
My heart stutters at his question. I’ve been dying for him to kiss me since he teased me about it last night. “Right now?” I ask, glancing around us.
Technically, we’re pretty hidden. There isn’t anyone else currently on the path, and because of the club on one side and the tall hedges on the other, it makes our location feel secluded, even if the club is particularly busy.
He nods. “What’s wrong is that I thought I could wait,” he says, his voice even lower now, “but I can’t.” His eyes drop briefly to my mouth before lifting again. “I really want to kiss you, Josie.”
My smile spreads instantly. I’d been half-convinced he was going to kiss me last night, and when he didn’t, I spent half the evening imagining what it would feel like.
Now the way he’s looking at me tells me it’s finally going to happen.
“Kiss me, Ty.”
For a second, neither one of us moves.
Then his grip on my hand tightens, and he pulls me toward him, my body colliding against his.
Before I can fully catch my balance, his hands slide up to my face, warm and firm as he cups my cheeks.
And then, his mouth is on mine.
The kiss steals the air right out of my lungs.
I thought he might start slow after all the waiting.
He doesn’t.
His lips part against mine immediately, his tongue brushing the seam of my lips in a silent demand. I open my mouth for him without hesitation.
His tongue caresses mine at the same moment my fingers grip the fabric of his shirt. I crane my neck and pull his body closer, trying to deepen the kiss as much as possible. I let out a moan when he briefly takes my bottom lip between his teeth and pulls at it.
Barely a moment later, Tyson rips his face from mine, his blue eyes boring into me as his chest heaves.
I’m about to ask him why he stopped when he moves his hands from my face and takes me by surprise by sliding them down my back.
And then he slides them lower, leaning down.
He keeps going until both hands rest at the back of my thighs. He hooks them behind my thighs and lifts.
I let out a surprised laugh, my legs twisting around his torso instinctively. I smile, our faces now closer together. “Hi,” I murmur breathlessly.
His response is another kiss.
Tyson’s mouth crashes against mine once again, this time even hungrier than before. I’m so swept up in feeling his mouth against mine that I don’t even realize he’s moved until he gently pushes me against the warm brick of the country club.
My thighs tighten around his waist as he easily holds me with one arm while his other hand cradles the back of my head again. He keeps me pinned there just enough to steady me.
But the way I lean forward, chasing his mouth, makes it clear that I’m not trying to get away. I want this as desperately and hungrily as he does.
The brick scrapes against my shoulders as I rock my hips against him, needing more.
His hands find my hips, his grip tightening, pulling me closer until there’s barely any space left between us. A low sound rumbles in his chest, somewhere between a growl and a groan.
A sound has never been so attractive.
It sends heat throughout my entire body.
I don’t think a kiss has ever made me feel like this. My entire body feels lit from the inside, every nerve alive because of the possessive way he kisses me. Every press of his lips, every brush of his skin, burns like a brand.
My fingers slide into the hair at the back of his neck, gripping as I pull him to me even more.
His mouth claims mine again, deeper this time, and my breath catches as his fingertips dig into my skin.
I feel him everywhere. The heat of him, the pressure of his body against mine. It makes me want even more. His tongue against mine, his body pressed against me, still doesn’t feel like enough.
The kiss deepens as we both rock into each other.
Neither of us seems willing to pull away. We’re completely lost in each other, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Ty,” I manage to get out in between kisses. I gasp for air as his gaze meets mine.
“Fuck,” he rasps, his voice rougher than I’ve ever heard it.
“I love it when you call me that.” His eyes flick down to my lips again, his gaze hungrily lingering there like he’s already imagining our next kiss.
We only stopped kissing a moment ago, and he’s looking at my lips like the distance between us is already unbearable.
A slow smile pulls at my mouth as warmth spreads throughout my body.
He likes hearing the nickname, and I love saying it. It feels good to taste his nickname on my tongue.
The only thing that feels better is his mouth on mine.
I curl my fingers around the back of his neck, my nails grazing his skin as I yank him closer to me. The movement draws a low sound from deep in his throat before our mouths crash together once again.
I never knew a kiss could make me feel so much all at once.
Wetness pools between my thighs at the possessive way his tongue darts into my mouth.
He claims me with a simple kiss. Or maybe it isn’t just the kiss.
Maybe it’s the way his fingertips dip underneath the hem of my lace panties, just enough to tease me.
Or maybe it’s the way his other hand has moved back to tangle in my hair, keeping my head at an angle that ensures I’m right where he wants me.
I never want the kiss to end. I never want his mouth to leave mine. I want to stay pressed up against this brick with our tongues and bodies pressed against each other forever.
I’m lost in the tangle of our tongues and the rhythm of my hips moving against him. The rest of the world fades away as Tyson completely consumes me with his kiss.
Until the sound of a throat clearing, followed by a laugh, quickly pulls me out of the moment.