AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s the place to corner him. And since he’s always there on Thursday, it’s probably where I’ll be heading after this meeting with Tyler, to talk to him about this mess with Hollywood and his contract.
Setting aside that dreaded meeting, Tyler drinks a cinnamon mocha latte, just like me, which our café creates rather masterfully. Deliciously, too. We both have it recreated at Cupcakes and Books.
I kind of like the idea of this being his drink. It makes him a bit more human. And he is human, no matter how hard he tries to hide it. He’s never watched a chick flick? I find that hard to believe. He just feels like he can’t risk being human, as if being human is weak, but judging from how his father treated him, Iknow where that comes from. Jack Hawk taught his son to show no weakness.
And Tyler mastered the skill.
With two minutes to spare until my meeting with Tyler, I’ve unloaded my purse and briefcase in my office and make my way to the café. The cups are waiting on the counter, and I’m about ten seconds from securing them when I hear. “Bella.”
At the sound of Josh’s voice, my energy spikes, and I whirl around only to find him red-eyed and exhausted. He’s been drinking. He must read my assumption on my face, because he says, “I haven’t been drinking. Well, not this morning.”
“How did you get back here?”
“The receptionist was trying to find you for me and sent me here to wait. I just came to apologize. I’m going into rehab, and yes, I know in showbiz rehab is everyone’s way of sidestepping trouble, but that’s not what is happening here. I just—” he scrubs his jaw. “I was an asshole, and my mother wouldn’t be proud of me. I should have asked you to coffee because Idolike you, Bella. I handled it all like shit.” He throws his hand up to his sides. “I shouldn’t have said that. I better leave.” He turns to walk away.
He’s nothing like the arrogant ass from last night this morning, and I can’t say if that’s an act or fear or real remorse. Nevertheless, I want to be a part of his solution, not his problem. That’s who I am. That’s why I like my job. I do well, but I do well because my clients do well.
I call after him. “I forgive you.”
He turns and looks at me. “Yeah?”
“Yes. Be well, Josh. And when you are, we can make lots of magic together.Work magic.”
It’s then, that I realize Tyler has entered the café and he’s watching us, and I hate the way my pulse races and not with the idea of a potential confrontation but with his presence, withmemories of his hands and mouth on my body. But truly I should be thinking about poor Josh, because Tyler is in his path to the door. I’d warn him but it’s too late. Josh turns and takes several steps toward Tyler before he halts abruptly. I fret within myself, trying to decide if I should intervene, but Tyler talked with Malcolm last night about Josh. As long as Josh remains apologetic, he doesn’t need me. If he doesn’t remain apologetic, there is no saving him anyway.
Tyler closes the space between himself and the other man. Seconds tick into a minute at most, and then Josh is walking to the door. I have just a moment to drink Tyler in—tall, dark, and good-looking—so damn perfect in a fitted, pinstriped blue suit. He is all man, no question on that point, arrogance dripping from him. I melted for him, and how could I not?
There is not a single woman, and some married too, who wouldn’t die to have that man between their legs.
I have a flashback to a morning at my father’s place. I’d answered the door, and a pretty brunette had lost her shit and actually hit me. She’d been one of his many women. She’d hated me, the other woman. Of course, I wasn’t the other woman at all, but my father had chuckled once he knew I was safe and well, and said, “I don’t even know her name.”
Suddenly I feel dirty.
Tyler’s gaze locks with mine, his awareness of my inspection evident in his stare, heat in the depth of his gaze…too much heat. Anyone watching has to notice. I whirl around, grab the coffees, and by the time I’m facing forward, he’s towering over me again. “You’re late,” he says.
“Yes, but—”
“Yes,” he insists, in typical, intolerant Tyler mode.
It’s this attitude that pushes people away and I’m fine with being back in that little box again.
“Yes,” I concur, “I am late, but I also got you coffee.” I offer him one of the two cups.
He reaches for it, our hands brushing in the process, and I feel that touch in that spot between my legs where he’s licked me. It’s insane and unnerving. I don’t like it. I’m that girl, that nameless girl, and it still feels just as dirty as before this touch.
Tyler’s eyes narrow on me, his mouth curving in this ridiculously satisfied way, as if he knows I reacted to his touch. For a moment, I think he thinks I’m ready to lift my leg again, until he adds, “Just couldn’t stomach me without caffeine now, could you?”
“That’s actually the exact thought I had this morning,” I confess, relieved that he’s read me accurately.
His lips curve as if I’ve amused him but he’s already past the moment.
He glances at his watch, a ridiculously expensive Breitling, with a black band, rose gold, and a touch of green on the otherwise black face. I know the watch because my father has a thing for watches and owns several Breitlings. I also know Jack Hawk wore a Rolex. I wonder if that is why Tyler does not. “I have to go. We’ll talk when I get back.” And he literally turns around and walks toward the door. This is not what I need from Tyler right now. In fact, all I’ve gotten from Tyler is a fight and an orgasm. That’s not enough. I rush after him.
Chapter Nineteen
Tyler
I’ve just stepped onto the elevator when Bella appears in the entryway using her slight frame to block the door’s progress as it attempts to shut, the pale blue dress she’s wearing hugging her curves.
