Page 90 of Tiger Lilies and Tight Ends

I laugh at his admission.

“Tyler.” I look up at him.

“Yeah?”

“I love you, too.” And not being able to hold back any longer, I lift on my toes and kiss him.

Would some make him work harder to make this up to me? Maybe. But what would be the point in that? I forgive him, I love him, and I have no interest in rehashing, hurting his feelings or, better yet, mine. Sometimes people say things they don’t mean. Usually there’s a cause for this. I know his, and we will talk it out. I’m not letting him off the hook that easy, but I’m also not going to punish him. I know him, and despite his fears, we’ll work through them together.

“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life,” he says against my lips.

“Really?”

“You know you’re stuck with me now, right?” he teases.

“Deal,” I tell him, my heart so full of happiness.

He pulls back a little. “In fact, I think we should shake on it.”

Between us, he lifts his hand with only his pinky finger open for me, and I fall all over again.

Chapter 40

Tyler

Never in the history of the universe has someone been more proud of the person they love than I am. Lily killed it today.

But I knew she would.

While I wasn’t planning on staying the whole day, she asked me to, so I did. I sat in the back of the room while she dazzled everyone there with her quick wit and overall sunny personality. The readers loved her. They laughed, they cheered, they asked questions, they stood in line to meet her, and not once did someone ask for my autograph. It was all about hers.

And she glowed.

Morgan told me in passing that she was ready for today, but having me here changed her entire demeanor. That the level of happiness and lightness radiating off her was completely different from how she’s been all week. It pains me to think that I caused her stress this week, but it can’t be undone, and at this point, all I can do is be better.

And by being better, I’m going to beg her to come home with me and stay forever. I’m going to have flowers delivered every week, regardless of the sneezing. I’m going to send Morgan pictures just like she asked for of Lily in the house and on the boat, and I’m going to talk to a contractor about adding on to that room across the hall from the guest bedroom to make it bigger and an office that’s all hers. I don’t just want the house to be mine. I want there to be no question that it’s ours.

No rules. No separation. All ours. Together.

By the time she finally wrapped up the day and said goodbye to Julia, it was easy to see that both of them were exhausted. I offered to take them to dinner, but they declined. Instead, we headed back to the apartment rental to pack up Lily’s things and move her to my hotel. While the apartment is cute and quaint, it’s still New York City and the size of a shoebox. We need our own space, and everyone agreed.

“I still can’t believe you’re here,” she says as the suite door behind me closes, and I walk to place her suitcase on the luggage rack in my room.

“Considering how I’ve been staring at you all day, I’d think you’d be used to me by now.” I chuckle and then reach for her wrist to pull her into me. She comes willingly, and I lift her arm to guide her and drape her arms over my shoulders. “All day I behaved, but now, I need to kiss you.”

Closing the distance, I press my lips against hers, and she instantly opens for me, while I pull her against my body to get her as close as possible. Her tongue wraps around mine, her hands find their way into my hair, and she feels, smells, and tastes so good my heart aches with relief.

Keeping my mouth connected to hers, I pull her jacket off and gently drape it over the back of the desk chair. The silky fabric of her shirt has my hands sliding all over her, and I realize one of my hands spans most of the width of her back. She’s small, but not too small. She’s just perfect for me, and then I slide my hands down to her ass.

Squeezing both cheeks, I rub her against my instant arousal, and a groan escapes from the back of my throat. This girl turns me on like no other has before. And it’s not just her body. It’s her mind, her selfless heart, and the way she makes me feel when she looks at me. While I’m still licking my wounds over being an asshole to her, I know that she’s the only person in the world who was meant for me, and I will make it up to her for as long as I can. She deserves all the best things, and I plan on giving them to her.

Slipping her hands under my jacket, she does the same by pulling it off my arms and placing it over hers. She then wraps her arms around me, breaks the kiss, and hugs me. We both sigh at the same time. All the turmoil, all the senseless drama I created, having her in my arms and me in hers, soothes a place deep in me and brings with it peace.

“You’re always so warm,” she says, snuggling in closer.

I drop my head to her shoulder and breathe in the smell of her. “And you’re always so beautiful,” I mumble against her skin.

Her shoulders relax at my words, and I can’t help but think how damaging and healing words can be. I’m hoping that today I’ve made some big strides in healing what I broke.