Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
“So you played into that.”
I nod slowly, the shame seeping through my bones. “I’ve been playing a role since I was a kid.” I throw a cautious glance at the building behind me before facing him again. “As their only child, the expectations of me have been high since the day I was born, so speaking what’s on my mind is not the norm, nor is it encouraged.”
“That must be hard, but at least now I know you like your mouth full.”
Oh, my freaking God. Are we talking about the thing I think we’re talking about? Heat spreads deep into my core, and I cover my face with my hands. “I am so sorry. That was not me. That was someone else. It’s so inappropriate. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
Tyler’s voice drops an octave. “Not yet, but you will.” He massages the back of his neck. “Go on, Maura. I’ll leave once you get inside the doors. What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?”
“I don’t need to go to work. After today, I just want to rot in bed.”
“Sounds fun. Can I join?” He grins as he says it, eyes twinkling with mischief. He makes it sound like a joke, but the feathering in his jaw tells me otherwise.
Tyler is gauging my reaction.
The air is pregnant with tension and unspoken questions. This is all unfamiliar territory to me. Dropping hints and basically throwing myself at another man? I’ve never done it before, but I can’t shrug off this attraction to him either. What he just said is also confirmation that I’m not imagining things. He is just as drawn to me.
At least, I hope so.
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether you’re a good teacher.”
He tilts his head to the side, a crease forming between his brows. “I don’t get it.”
“Teach me how to ride your bike. Maybe then, you can rot in bed … with me.”
Tyler’s eyes flare for a moment before they darken, and his lips curl into a devilish grin. He steps forward until only a few inches separate us.
Is he about to kiss me? And am I about to let him?
My heart slams against my chest, and I clench my fists on my sides, holding my breath and trying my damnedest not to whimper. His nearness, the sexual tension rolling off him, the undeniable magnetic draw between us.
“Your number.”
At first, I don’t know what he’s talking about. All I know is my mind’s about to explode with every minute he hasn’t closed the gap between us. Then, it hits me.
He’s not doing anything except asking for my number.
The disappointment must be evident on my face because he chuckles and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, making goosebumps pepper my skin.
“Don’t worry, little fairy. Your wish is my command. Just not tonight.”
Embarrassment and disappointment don’t mix well together, and I now have an unhealthy amount of both. Without a word, I yank his phone, type my number furiously, and hand it back to him.
Unable to think of anything to save face, I spin on my heel and power walk to the doors.
“Goodnight, Maura. See you tomorrow.”
My rioting emotions make me feel like an absolute mess, and I don’t trust myself not to say something scandalous again.
My steps feel wobbly, like I’m not sure how solid the ground I’m walking on is. The night began weirdly enough, but now this.
Once I step inside the massive glass doors, the concierge greets me, and I mumble a response. My head feels like it’s full of cotton, and there’s a sense of unreality settling over me.
Wet heat blooms between my thighs when I recall the dark promise in his voice.
Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
4
TYLER
Iam not a good liar.
When Erika asked why I was taking a day off for the first time since opening the studio eight years ago, I couldn’t not tell her that the reason was the girl she met last night. Erika didn’t say anything. She didn’t tease me or drop sarcastic comments like she usually did.
She did worse.
Erika smiled softly at me and said, “About damn time.”
I don’t even know what the hell that means. All I know is I have never looked forward to mornings like this.
I didn’t get much sleep last night. I tossed and turned and thought about why I didn’t find it unpleasant when Maura touched me—from the handshake to the accidental touches to the way she wrapped her arms around me.
It felt good, and touching never felt good to me. Touching reminded me not only of my father’s beatings but of all the times I was bullied in school and came home bloody and bruised. Back then, I was the smallest boy in class and an easy target at that. I did have a growth spurt in high school and learned how to fight, but those early years stayed with me.