Page 30 of Long Story Short

For a few moments, he says nothing. He just stares at me with a slight tilt to his lips as he thinks about my question for a moment. His eyes rake over my face as he gathers his thoughts, and I can’t help but wonder what’s going through his head. Is he taking so long to answer because he’s thinking through his response carefully? Or is it that he hasn’t even asked the question of himself?

His shoulders slacken a little as he continues to stare at me for a little while longer. Eventually, his lips part as his gaze moves to my mouth for one moment before looking back at me. “Because I want to,” he answers simply, as if that’s all that needs to be said.

I frown because his answer only makes me more confused. “Because you want to?” I repeat.

He nods. “Yes, because I want to.”

“Why do you want to?”

His fingertips trace over his lips as he thinks about my question for a moment. It doesn’t take him long before he opens his mouth to answer. “I don’t want to scare you off, but my only answer to that is because I’m interested in you, Josie. I want to know you, and if we’re being honest, no one’s quite captured my attention the way you have.”

My mouth snaps shut as his words register. I don’t know what answer I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t that one.

Tyson smirks as I continue to stare at him. For the moment, I’m unable to come up with any response.

“Are you done asking questions, then?” he asks, a teasing tone to his voice.

“For now,” I whisper, my mind still reeling. The bluntness with which he admitted his desire to get to know me is extremely attractive. I want to get to know him too; it’s just incredibly bad timing, considering I’m supposed to be locked away working for the next month.

“Then it’s settled. I’m going to be making you food. That way, you actually have sustenance when you’re working all day.”

I can’t help but laugh at how stubborn he is. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone use the word sustenance in casual conversation.”

He shrugs, my teasing not affecting him in the slightest. “Well, now you have. And maybe words will come easier when you’ve had a nutritious meal instead of a snack.”

“Or maybe my spark won’t come back and I won’t be able to write a book, whether I’ve had sustenance or not.”

Tyson gives me a wild smile. “I guess we’re going to find out.” He leans back in his chair, his gaze still pinned on me. “So tell me what the problem is. Why do you think you’re struggling with this book?”

“I already told you…I lost my spark, and I suck at writing.”

He scoffs as he runs a hand through the top of his hair. His fingers have now made the gelled-back strands look messy. I love the sight of it. He’s too attractive for his own good. “You haven’t lost your spark. Maybe you just need to talk through the problem with someone else.”

I lift an eyebrow as I attempt to get comfortable in my seat. “And you’re going to be that person?”

“I’m going to be whatever you need.”

I close my eyes as I let out a loud groan. “Stop saying things like that.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Things that are perfect. Things that make me want to spend more time with you when I most absolutely should be focusing on writing instead.”

I pop an eye open after he doesn’t respond for a few moments. I find him staring at me with what might be the biggest smile I’ve ever seen from him.

God, the sight makes my entire body feel tight. His wide, confident grin, mixed with the way he looks in a suit, will be a mental picture I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget.

“So you do want to spend more time with me?” he prods, not bothering to hide the excitement in his tone.

“Yes. I wouldn’t have invited you inside tonight or said yes to dinner with you if I didn’t want to spend time with you. It’s just a bad time for me to be doing anything but working.”

Tyson shakes his head. He taps his knuckles against the counter as he thinks for a moment. “And I thought I was a workaholic,” he quips.

I playfully knock my knee against his. “I’m not a workaholic. I just happen to be on a tight deadline.”

He smirks as he lifts his chin. “Right. Whatever you say, Josie.”

“I’m not. I just have to push through the next month and finish this book, and then I’ll return to doing fun things and not working all the time.”