Falling for Tyson

by Erica Breyer

  “That woman is revolting,” muttered Emily. Andy and Tyson had just returned from another swim after a few of the guys had finished an impromptu game of beach volleyball. Everyone had worked up a sweat – including Cassie, who’d kept her eyes glued to Tyson’s lean form. If he hadn’t opted to rinse off in the water, she’d have volunteered to lick it off him.

  “Woman?” she said vaguely as Tyson got back to the circle, reached for a towel, and rubbed it down his face and chest. ‘Oooooh...’

  “You know who I mean,” Emily said. “Foul Farrah.”

  “Filthy Farrah!” Roxy chipped in.

  “Farrah the Ho!” said Alessia, who always took things to extremes.

  “You guys are mean!” said Cassie, leaning back as Tyson dropped onto the towel between her feet and sat between her knees. There was an easy intimacy to the move that made her feel warm inside.

  “Your friend’s probably right, Cass,” Tyson joined in. “Girl had a bit of ‘street’ in her eye. I’ve seen it before.” Cassie stifled a gasp. Poor Colin. Haha. “But hey,” Tyson continued, “as long as they’re happy, right? There’s a place under the sun for everyone.”

  Speaking of the sun… She reached for the sunscreen to lather it over his shoulders and back while he stroked his thumbs casually over the insteps of her feet. ‘Oh, gulp! Yet another new erogenous zone located! She squeezed out more sunscreen and kept applying the stuff. ‘Yip, look at me. Getting my hands all over this body…for as long as I like!’ She carried on rubbing. The man would be safe in the sun for decades.

  “Planning on using all of that, Cass?” asked Roxy, winking at Cassie. ‘Maybe,’ she thought. ‘What of it? I can do what I want!’ She grudgingly passed the bottle to her friend but kept rubbing her thumbs over his shoulders. His insanely broad shoulders. There was more ink swimming down his back towards his ribcage and around it. Those muscles she’d ogled earlier. Lats? Were they called Lats? Her fingertip traced the ink, and Roxy shot a glance over.

  “What’s that on your back, Ty?” she asked, leaning over to get a better look.

  “Stingray,” he said. He seemed distracted. Cassie kept tracing. His thumbs pressed deeper into her instep. ‘Oh, Bazinga!’ Did that apply here? Whatever…he could keep doing that…right there.

  “Nice work,” Roxy said. “What’s it mean?”

  “It means I like the sea,” he laughed. Cassie liked the sea too…especially when it was on his body. “That’s a good piece you got there too.” Roxy had ivy winding from her ribs to her hipbone. She turned to give him a better look, but with so little artifice, it never occurred to Cassie to be bothered. Unlike the display of flesh they’d been exposed to by Farrah earlier. “I’m thinking of getting more work done soon,” Tyson was saying. “Maybe something with stars.” Stars…like Cassiopeia? She didn’t say it.

  “I know someone else with tattoos,” Alessia joined in. “Farrah the Ho had one on her butt. I think it said ‘Buy one, get one free’.” Emily giggled. Alessia was refusing to drop the subject.

  “Go on, ‘Less, be nice. The woman has a fabulous body,” Cassie tried to defend her. Why was she trying to defend her?

  “Hardly!” Alessia replied. “She’s just plain nasty…and I don’t know why we had to see so much of it. That bikini was barely there.”

  “I guess,” Cassie agreed. “I’d never be able to wear anything like that. I’d have all my battle scars on display.”

  “I love your battle scars,” Tyson said, wrapping an arm around her calf and pulling her closer to him. “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have them.”

  Roxy widened her eyes at Cassie. Her friends had been with her through the whole ordeal with the surgeries, but the fact that Tyson knew about it implied a level of intimacy she’d been denying. The sun was beginning to sink, and as it did, the group was shrinking as couples began to head home. Tyson stood and brushed sand from his skin. ‘Come back here!’ Cassie wanted to wail. His expression echoed hers.

  “I gotta shoot,” he said reluctantly. “Training session tonight. I’m running a workshop for some of the guys.”

  “Awww, are you leaving?” Andy’s voice broke in. He and Nat were making their way up the beach. They’d headed down to swim, and the gang had turned away from the sight of them frolicking in the waves, not wanting to know what was going on under the water.

  Tyson shrugged and pulled a face. “Duty calls,” he said, aiming a regretful glance at Cassie. He’d arrived on his bike, and the beast was propped in the sun at the top of the rise, all chrome and black, and orange flames.

  “You gonna join us again next week?” Andy was asking. Cassie tried not to pout as Tyson pulled on a pair of sweats and reached for his shirt. It should be a punishable offense to cover up that body.

  “I’ll have to see,” Tyson answered. “Got a fight Saturday night, so maybe I’ll be in the ER.”

  Andy barked out a laugh. “I doubt that. You’re gonna kick butt!” Of course, he would. The man was a legend. “Can we come watch?”

  “For sure,” Tyson agreed, looking over at her. “Cassie too?” he asked. She swallowed hard, then nodded. Be cool. She’d never seen him fight in person. Just at training… And on the countless video clips she’d unearthed after hours of scouring the internet. She’d watched them in bed. And had dreams. Those kinds of dreams.

  “That would be nice,” she said. Be cool, dammit.

  “Great,” he smiled, dimples popping. How could he be so masculine and still have dimples? “I’ll get extra tickets sorted.” He dropped to his knees beside her, raised her chin with his knuckle, and brushed his lips over hers. Just like that…as if he did it every day.

  ‘Melting, I’m melting!’ She wanted more. But he was back on his feet and turning to grab his helmet and trainers.

  “I gotta bail…gonna be late! See ya,” he said, casually waving a hand over his shoulder as he jogged up the sandy bank. Dammit, still running.

  The others were calling a babble of farewells.

  ‘Don’t go…’

  “I’m off to the fights…to watch my buddy! Tyson ‘The Killer’ Killoran!” Andy was singing. Nat nudged him and laughed.

  “Holy mother, have mercy!” Roxy was saying. “That man is pure poetry. Did you cook him up in a lab, Cass?”

  “When I grow up, I want a boyfriend just like that…does he have a brother? Heck, I’d settle for a sister,” said Alessia.

  “Don’t be daft; he’s just my coach!” Cassie was still clinging firmly to the story.

  “Girlfriend, that man is SO much more than your coach!” Alessia disagreed.

  “I’m with Less on this, Cass,” Nat said. She was sitting between Andy’s knees and adjusting her bikini bra. Why did it need adjusting? Bad girl. Nat carried on, “He’s so into you.”

  “Nonsense,” said Cassie. “It’s not like that. It’s just…” What was it?

  “It’s just perfect, darling,” said Nat. “Absolutely perfect. You’ve finally found someone good enough for you.”

  Chapter 13

  Cassie felt as giddy as a schoolgirl all day on Monday. She’d dozed off the night before re-reading the message thread with Tyson after he’d finished his training demo. She ran through the messages again now.

  ‘Wish I’d stayed…’ he’d started simply.

  ‘Wish you’d stayed too…’

  ‘Keep thinking of you, golden on the sand…sun on your skin…silky, salty skin…I’d lick the salt off if I’d stayed…’

  “Oh, my…” Cassie murmured, brushing a cool palm over her flaming cheek. ‘Where did he find the words to make her burn so hotly?’

  “Everything okay, Cassie?” a voice broke in. Cassie quickly put her phone face-down on the desk and glanced up at Jenny Davidson. Jen was a Key Accounts Manager at the firm, and the two often worked together on campaigns.

  “All good, Jen,” she replied. “Just remembered something…I ahh…meant to do…” Yeah, like wake up from that wet dream…

 
Jenny nodded, taking her word for it. She dropped a folder on Cassie’s desk. “Thought you might want to see the numbers on the new ad campaign you pitched to Jerry,” she said. Cassie nodded. Numbers. Good…that would keep her head in the game.

  “Thanks,” she murmured, flipping open the top page and glancing down the rows of figures. By the end of the day she’d managed to get herself back on track, but the thought of heading over to the club made her heart thump.

  Tyson was in the doorway in running shorts waiting for her when she got out of the dressing rooms, and she skipped to catch up with him. A run in the park would mean more of the dreaded ‘Interval Training’, but she didn’t care. He reached for her hand before they got to the bottom of the stairs and threaded his fingers through hers.

  She looked up at him, and he smiled. “I thought we could take a walk to the park,” he said. “Good with you?”

  She nodded. “Just fine…coz you know how much I hate you when you make me run!”

  He clutched his free hand to his chest and pulled a face. “Oh babe, you’re breaking my heart!”

  “I’d never do that,” she murmured, and he was silent for a moment. He’d led her to a spot where a wooden bench was set at the foot of an ancient tree. The park was bustling with late afternoon joggers, dog-walkers, and quieter folks who were tossing bread to the ducks. But the spot was private enough for no one to take notice when he turned and pulled her towards his chest.

  “Wouldn’t you?” he breathed against her lips, just before his own met them. Her answer was lost in his kiss. Cassie felt her breath leave her in a soft sigh. When he lifted his head, she twined her arm around his neck and pulled his face back down. An urgency was building within her, and she knew this wasn’t the time or the place, but to hell with it. She’d been waiting a lifetime to fall into him again. He chuckled when she finally let him free.

  “I hadn’t expected this to turn into a cardio session,” he said, a little breathless too; his arms linked around her waist. “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Don’t mind a cardio session?” she asked. Her heart was thumping, so they were halfway there.

  “No…don’t mind if we don’t train,” he said, tilting his head.

  “Tyson,” she started…remembering what Nat had said and steeling herself to continue, “do you think I come here to train?” She held her breath, waiting for him to respond.

  “Well…I was kinda hoping…” He’d stopped.

  “Hoping?” she pressed. Cassie’s eyes were on his lips as he spoke. She wanted to kiss him again. He had a tiny scar that marred the full curve of his bottom lip. It was barely noticeable unless you were up close. Cassie had plans to get closer.

  “Hoping…that you were here for me,” he murmured. Cassie stifled a tiny laugh. Was he for real?

  “You hadn’t figured that out already?” she asked archly, her eyes were still on his lips as he spoke. Watching them move was almost as good as kissing them. Almost.

  “I haven’t figured out anything about you, Cassie,” he answered. He dropped his forehead to rest against hers. Their noses were brushing, and she could feel his breath. “You’re an enigma.”

  Cassie blinked and met his eyes now. ‘An enigma?’ This beautiful, beautiful man was trying to figure her out? As if it wasn’t obvious she’d be all over him in a hot second if he gave the slightest encouragement!

  Encouragement…

  If she was honest with herself, that’s all he’d been doing since they met. Coaxing her carefully closer. Definitely encouraging her…but letting her set the pace. What was holding her back?

  “What are you thinking?” his voice intruded into her thoughts.

  She smiled. “I’m just thinking…that I…kinda like you…”

  “You kinda like me?” he laughed, but there was relief in it too. “I kinda like you too.” He pulled her closer and brushed his lips against hers again.

  Yeah…kissing them was so much better than just staring. She sighed. A sharp yap snapped her attention, and they broke the kiss, glancing down to where an orange poodle had bounded up past them and was sniffing around the tree they were standing beneath.

  “Kingsley! Kingsley, come here!” A silver-haired woman was trying to get the wayward dog’s attention. She smiled over at them. “Sorry about my naughty boy.” The dog had bounced up against Tyson’s legs, pawing for attention. “Kingsley, leave that man alone!”

  Tyson grinned at her. “No problem, ma’am. He’s a good-looking dog.” Kingsley finally returned to his mistress, and she clipped a leash onto his collar before straightening.

  “Probably why he was drawn to you,” she said lightly. “You make a beautiful couple.” She winked and headed back down the path. Cassie’s cheeks were flaming, though she couldn’t work out if it was over the woman’s words or at the thought of being caught necking in the park like a teenager. The mood had lightened, but the intimacy hadn’t lessened.

  “We do, don’t we…?” Tyson smiled as he untangled himself from her arms, then took her hand and tugged her back to sit on the small bench with him. “Make a beautiful couple,” he carried on. They were seated at an angle, facing each other, knees brushing. He leaned forward and ran a fingertip along her jawline. “Because you’re beautiful,” he said softly, green eyes moving over her face.

  Cassie swallowed. She was at a loss for words. She hadn’t prepared herself for a conversation like this – there was no point of reference. Training had been easy – she’d felt the moments of flirtation, but they’d been eased by the distraction of physical activity. Their dates – and she was confident she could call them dates – had also been easy to understand. Meals together, conversations getting to know each other, hanging out with friends. Those all made sense. But now…now they were sitting alone, under a tree, and he was waiting for something from her. What? A sign, maybe? He said she was an enigma. Could he possibly be as uncertain of her as she was of him? Why? The man could have anyone he wanted.

  “I wanted to speak to you about something,” he said abruptly, halting her rambling thoughts. He’d taken her hand and was tracing soft circles over her palm. She nodded, a little glad for the change of direction. Although a small part of her remembered a similar opening line, voiced over a crème brûlée, where she’d been unceremoniously dumped. “Max and I have been working on something together, and I thought you might be able to help out.”

  Now she was thoroughly confused, but his face was alight, and he was speaking with enthusiasm.

  “It’s a campaign we’ve launched to help kids…folks…anyone, really…focusing on healthy living, anti-bullying…inner beauty. We have sponsors on board and a great marketing team. But I know that’s something you’re good at, and I wondered if you’d give your input.”

  “Oh-kayyyy…” Cassie replied, frowning.

  “I guess, in my industry, I’ve just seen so much focus on the wrong sort of things, you know? This flawed image of the perfect body and how people get so hooked on it they forget to look beyond the surface…”

  “Sure,” she said, nodding slowly, still frowning. Where was this going?

  “We just want to build something that encourages people to focus on health and not looks. To put more value on what’s inside. To discourage people from victimizing those who don’t fit the mold.”

  “Sounds really…noble,” Cassie answered. Her mind had scrolled back to the first moment they’d met. How the girls at the gym had taunted her, and he’d stepped in.

  “Obviously, we’d work with your firm and would draw up a campaign contract, but I want you to work on it with us because you were kinda my inspiration…” His voice had grown hesitant.

  She’d inspired him to start a campaign to support people who weren’t perfect?

  She was fighting down a ‘What the hell?’ moment, but he’d leaned forward and brushed those damn lips against hers again, and her head was spinning.

  “Will you think about it?” he said against her lips. She couldn’
t think about anything; her brain was mush.

  “Yeah,” she breathed, switching off her racing thoughts to melt against him for a while. Her heart was being pulled in too many directions to think rationally.

  When they got back to the gym, Maxwell was standing at the top of the stairs with his hands on his hips like an angry parent.

  “You’re late,” he snapped at Tyson, who didn’t bother to look sheepish. He still had Cassie’s hand in his. Max glanced at her and winked.

  “Yeah, yeah, sorry, Max,” Tyson replied. Remorseless.

  “Go get warmed up, and then get your ass on the mat. We got work to do,” he grumbled. The man was a hard taskmaster. Tyson brushed a quick kiss over Cassie’s cheek then headed in.