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“I love you!” I call out before he’s out of sight.
“Love you too, Gem. See you soon.” He smiles, a genuine one this time, and it warms my whole body.
Tyler and I walk out to my car, hand in hand, and I can’t stop the giddiness in my voice. “You guys really hit it off.”
“Noah’s easy to get along with. Now, we just have a little more in common than before.” He grins, then opens my door.
“It means a lot to me. He’s gonna need someone besides family on his side when he comes home.”
Tyler brings his fingers to my cheek, then tucks loose strands of my hair behind my ear. I stare at his lips, hoping he’ll finally kiss me.
“I’ll be happy to help or do whatever I can for him.”
Tyler’s rough exterior is crumbling to his feet as he shows me his softer, sweeter side that I never forgot. He was a hardass around other people and kept to himself a lot, never revealing more than he needed, but I always saw the real Tyler. After spending that time in the military, he had a sexy broodiness to him, but this loyally fierce side of Tyler is the best I’ve ever seen.
And I’m falling for him all over again, except harder and stronger this time.
As promised, Tyler drives us home. He lets me pick the music even though I offered him the choice. Time flies as we talk and hold hands. Before I know it, he’s pulling into Everleigh’s driveway.
We both step out of the car, but Tyler’s quick and is in front of me before I can go to the driver’s side. He cages me in, and I meet his gaze.
I wait, hoping he’ll make the first move,begginghim with my eyes to lean in, but he doesn’t. Tyler’s letting me set the pace because I’m the one with everything to lose if we don’t work out.
But I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I want him. No, Ineedhim.
Without giving it another thought, I wrap my fingers around the back of his neck and pull his face to mine, allowing our lips to crash together. Tyler slides his hands down my body and grips my hips, grinding himself against me. My back presses against the car as our tongues battle in a heated kiss. When I moan against his mouth, he tilts my head up and slides in deeper.
Arching my back, I feel his hardness against my stomach, causing an ache between my legs. I thread my fingers through his hair and grip him tighter, not wanting this to end.
By the time we come up for air, I’m flushed, and my whole body tingles.
Tyler smiles. “Wow. What was that for?”
Blushing, I bite my lip. “To say thank you for coming with me today. It really meant a lot.” I pause before adding, “And also for cooking me dinner last night.”
“I’ll cook for you anytime. And thank you for asking me to come. I didn’t realize how much I needed to do it until I got there. Though I felt anxious at first, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.”
“I think you helped Noah more than you realize. He’ll have more hope now than what I could’ve given him. You have firsthand experience, and I can tell he trusts you.”
“I’m happy to tag along anytime you want,” he reassures me. Tyler looks down and notices his bulge that’s impossible to miss. He lowers his arm and crosses his hands over it. “I better get inside before I embarrass myself out here.”
Arching a brow, I smile. “Alright. See you tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll text you later, okay? I’m gonna work off some…” He clears his throat. “Frustrations.” Then he lowers his eyes, and I hold back my laughter.
He walks me to the other side of the car, opens my door, then gives me a sweet kiss before I get in and buckle. As I back out, Tyler waves. My heart pounds hard as I drive home, and I can’t wipe the stupid grin off my face.
I’ve been dying for his kiss since the last time our lips touched, and I already want to drive back to his place and do it again.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
TYLER
If I could bottleup my time with Gemma this week and relive those moments a million times over, I would. As crazy as it sounds, it feels like the last twelve years apart never happened, and we picked up right where we left off. Talking to her is as easy as it was when I wrote her letters and we spilled all our secrets. She’s the last person I think of before bed and the first when I wake up.
I want to give Gemma my heart and let her keep it forever. Hell, she’s had it for over a decade.
Ever since she kissed me on Sunday, we’ve been inseparable. Seeing her at work is equal parts amazing and torturous because all I want to do is pull her into my arms and never let go. Though it’s mid-week, we’re meeting up tonight after my training session. The plan is wine, pizza, andOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. I chuckle to myself, knowing she’ll groan the whole time, or we’ll be too busy exploring each other’s mouths to pay attention to the screen. I’m hoping for the latter.
