Chapter 9 #3
“I was medically retired after that,” Tyler continues. “So I moved back to New York. I was with Kaia at the time—engaged, but not married yet. I was so depressed about it. My whole life had been the Army. And just like that, it was gone.”
I thread my fingers between his, holding his hand tight.
“I told Kaia to leave me,” he says. “I didn’t want her saddled with a cripple. That’s what I told her.” A sad smile curves his lips. “Shit, she was mad. But she refused. She said she loved me, not my leg. And she told me over and over until I believed it.”
“She sounds like an amazing person.”
Tyler nods. “She was. So we got married. Moved to Saranac Lake so we could be close to her parents. I started picking up contract work—white hat hacking, programming—and things were good. Until…”
I don’t say anything. He has to tell me on his own.
“My leg had been bothering me,” he says. “I wasn’t used to the prosthetic yet. So Kaia went out to the store instead of me. On the way home, she hit a patch of ice.”
Hot tears trickle down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”
“She died two days later. And after that… Shit. I was devastated. And I felt so fucking guilty. It should have been me on that road. Not her.” Exhaling shakily, Tyler continues, “To make a long story short, I lost my shit after she died. Moved across the country and turned into a hermit. I wouldn’t talk to anyone.
And there were a few months, early on, when I thought—” He stops.
I know what he was about to say because I considered it myself.
“I didn’t,” Tyler finishes. “Obviously. Never even tried. But I thought about it.”
“So did I,” I admit. “But I knew how upset Vince would be. So I didn’t.”
Tyler looks at me, really looks at me. He winces when he notices the dampness on my face. “Mel.” He brushes away my tears. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I shouldn’t have—”
“You should have.” Listening to Tyler open up to me gives me the courage to do the same. “I care about you. As more than a friend. I wasn’t expecting it either. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted it. But… I do. And that means I want to hear everything. Not just the good things, but the bad, too.”
Tyler regards me for a long moment, emotion working in his gaze. Then he picks me up and settles me on his lap, turning so I’m facing him. “I’m sorry I made you cry.” Feather-light, he brushes his lips across my cheeks. “I never want to make you cry.”
“It’s okay.” Feeling braver than I have in a very long time, I rest my hand on his cheek. “I’m just glad you told me.”
“Mel.” Tyler cups my head, tunneling his fingers through my hair. “Do you know how special you are?”
“I’m not,” I automatically reply.
“Yes.” He lowers his head until our lips are a breath apart. “You are.”
As I look into his eyes, my heart gives a hard tug.
This is right, it seems to say. Before, it wasn’t the right time. But maybe now it is.
“Are you sure?” Tyler murmurs. “It’s okay if you’re not ready.”
But I am sure. So I lean in and kiss him.
And it’s everything.
Sparks.
Fire.
A delicious warmth building like a rising sun and spreading through my body.
Tyler’s arms come around me as he kisses me more deeply. He hugs me to him, surrounding me with his strength. But he’s gentle, too, taking care not to hurt me even as our desire builds.
His tongue strokes my lips, teasing them open and dipping inside.
One hand comes to my cheek, the other to the small of my back. I can feel him growing hard against me, his thickening erection nudging between my thighs.
My core squeezes. Aches. It’s desperate for things I never thought I’d want again.
As we keep kissing, we grow bolder, exploring each other. Our hands wander. I touch Tyler’s stomach, feeling the hard lines and planes of the muscles there. His hand comes to my breast, just for a moment, plumping it. His thumb brushes over my sensitized nipple.
I moan softly into his mouth, and he makes a low sound of satisfaction deep in his throat. He surges against me, and my legs fall open slightly, instinctively wanting him inside me. When his hand moves to my other breast, I arch into it, moaning again.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but it’s long enough to get lightheaded from lack of air. When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard. Tyler’s cheeks are a ruddy pink, and his eyes are nearly black with desire.
We just sit there, looking at each other as we gather ourselves. Then Tyler gives this sweet smile that makes my heart melt. “Was that okay, Mel? I didn’t rush you, did I?”
“No, you didn’t,” I reply. “If I didn’t want to keep kissing you, I wouldn’t have.”
“I just want to make sure.” He strokes my cheek. “It’s been a long time. And I don’t want to screw things up with you.”
“You didn’t,” I tell him. “Not at all.”
“Good.” Tyler’s smile turns into a wolfish one. “So, how would you feel if I kissed you again?”
There’s no hesitation. “I’d be happy about it.”
He cups my cheek as he holds my gaze. Amusement glints in his eyes. “Then I guess I’d better kiss you, shouldn’t I?”
I smile back at him, feeling lighter than I have in years. “I guess you should.”