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“I’ll go for a swim with you.”
Taking a bath in his tub was something she looked forward to. She only had a shower at her place, and it was barely big enough for her to shave her legs in. Soaking in such a large tub with him was something fantasies were made of.
“The house you grew up in, was it big?”
“Massive.”
“I grew up in a two-story row home. Our neighbors were in and out all the time, always asking my grandparents questions. They constantly needed to borrow sugar or an egg.” Ever since moving to the city, she missed the old block. Most of the residents were older, but she always felt like they watched out for her.
“Neighborhoods always intrigued me,” he said. “We grew up in a suburb in Connecticut. My mother still lives there. It’s in a gated community. Not many houses on our street. I didn’t move to the city until after college. I lived upstairs with Spencer, but when this place became available I took it.”
“Do you like living alone?”
“I’m not really alone. Spencer and Coda are always popping in. I eat with them a few nights a week, especially when we need to meet a deadline.” He ran his thumb along Sammy’s hip bone, swirling over it as he spoke. “What about you? Do you like living alone?”
“Not really.” She missed her grandparents, but knew they were better off in Florida. “I didn’t have much of a choice.”
“What happened?”
“A few years ago, my grandfather had to have surgery on his back and he was never the same physically. The winters were getting too hard for him here. My grandfather’s sister relocated to Florida about ten years ago and she loves it. They didn’t want to leave me, but I told them I’d be fine. They waited until my sophomore year to go. My grandmother wanted to make sure I was settled.”
“Do you see them often?”
“Not as often as I’d like.” She longed to see them, but with school and work she couldn’t hop on a plane. It wasn’t like any of them had extra funds floating around either.
“Why not?”
“Florida isn’t around the corner.” She shrugged. “They come home in December, and they’ll be here for my graduation next May.”
“That’s in a year.”
“I’ll try to get to them around Thanksgiving, but we’ll see how my school schedule is.” Airfare was expensive. Her grandparents helped when they could, but she often split the fare with them. “I talk to them on the phone a few times a week. I know they’re happy.”
“You have a beautiful soul.” He moved his hand along her stomach. “When I was your age, I don’t think I could have been so rounded and together. I wasn’t.” He laughed. “I got into trouble on a regular basis.”
“We come from different places. My grandparents sacrificed so much to raise me. They didn’t have much. They were dealing with a daughter who couldn’t fight her addiction and they did the best they could for me. I’m an old soul. I liked hanging out with my grandparents and their friends.”
“It must have been difficult for you when they left. I can tell by the way you talk about them that you’re close.”
“I was settled in school, so it only made sense for them to go to Florida. I really miss them.”
“You have me now.” He moved his hand up and caressed her neck before guiding her head back so he could look into her eyes. “You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
“I never knew how alone I was until I met you.” She trailed her lips along his jaw. “How much I needed you.”
“I feel the same way.” As he kissed her, he snaked his hand down her stomach and between her legs. “Almost like I don’t deserve you.”
“Don’t say that, Tyler.” She turned in his arms to straddle him. “It’s the other way around.” How could she explain to him everything he meant to her? “I never expected you. I wasn’t looking for you, but you happened. I get so overwhelmed and I worry that I can’t be everything you need.”
“Hey.” He took her face between his hands like he always did. His touch sent calming vibes through her, making her feel warm and cared for. “How did this conversation turn so serious?”
“Last night and this morning were amazing. I didn’t know people could have these intense feelings.” The words coming out of her mouth made her sound silly. In her head, she knew what she wanted to say, but she wasn’t doing a very good job of expressing herself.
“I don’t know about other people, but I know what you mean. I never expected you either. That’s a good thing. We’re on the same page.” He guided her to his lips, almost touching, but not quite. “Nothing I ever experienced before last night seemed real to me. Sex, relationships, women, you name it, everything was a game. My money and status provided me with whatever I needed. It wasn’t until last night that I realized none of it was what Iwanted.” He kissed her slow, taking his time exploring her lips. “Until now. You’re everything I could ever want.”
Her breathing increased when he tangled his fingers in her hair and rolled her over so that he was on top. “I don’t want you to over think whatever this is. I want you to go with it. Put any doubts out of your head. Forget about what you think I deserve. What you think you can’t be.”
She nodded, knowing now there was no turning back. For the first time in her life, she had found a place. Her place. It was in the arms of the most caring man she’d ever met.
