“Christ, a neophyte,” he grumbled.
We moved to the far bay where a vehicle sat under a white cover.
“I already know it’s important and expensive,” I said, trying to regain some dignity.
Tye started lifting the cover. “I won her in a card game.”
I watched as a dark blue, four-door sedan appeared. It was a convertible. As I moved closer to examine the beauty, I looped my hands behind my back. I didn’t want to smudge the finish. “Oh my God, it has those doors.” I was so excited. I looked at Tye. “Like the car in Entourage right?”
“A little knowledge is good, I guess.” He moved beside me. “They’re called suicide doors.”
“Will you open one? They’re so cool.” I was excited, practically jumping up and down.
“You can do it.” He was smiling and shaking his head at me.
I must have been amusing him. I opened the back door and shrieked. “I love this!” I opened and closed it several more times.
He put his hand in the middle of my back. “Go on, climb in and see how big the backseat is.”
I wanted to say something like, Why don’t you join me so we can test it out?, but that was dangerous ground. I scooted in and scooted some more. “This is amazing. You could take everybody on a road trip.”
“I don’t drive her very much. I guess I should.” He was looking at the car from hood to tail.
I slid out and closed the door carefully. “She’s gorgeous, Tye. I think I’d get dressed up and sip champagne in that back seat.”
“You’re so silly.” He laughed at me.
Not that I minded.
Chapter Twenty-One
Billie
We rode for hours, and I loved it. If my arms loosened too much, Tye would wrap them more tightly around his waist. I grew used to the intimacy of holding him with my front plastered against his back.
We stopped after a couple of hours at a gas station.
“We’re about twenty minutes outside of Nashville,” he said, stowing his helmet then unstrapping and removing mine. “It’s kind of a tourist trap, but we can walk around, grab some lunch.”
“That sounds good.” I felt content, and that was so rare that I didn’t want the day to end.
After some window shopping and lunch, we got back on the bike and rode again. The leaves were changing, and it was a gorgeous day. Tye chose a route that took us on winding roads through wooded areas. I had no idea where we were, but I wasn’t worried. We seemed to be going deeper and deeper into the hills. Houses were farther from the road with only breaks in the foliage to indicate driveways.
Tye pulled off the road onto a gravel shoulder. He signaled that I should dismount, and then he did too.
I took off my helmet and shook my hair. “It’s so beautiful out here.”
“Like it, huh?” He took off his helmet and pulled the band out of his hair.
“I’m having so much fun. Thank you.” I meant it. “I don’t want to go back.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That so?”
I shrugged, feeling a little silly about my enthusiasm. “I don’t want the fun to end.”
He smiled and gave me a teasing look. “Love it when you make things easy for me.”
I was confused, but I just nodded. I was a little caught up in the Tye mystique. I mean, he’d given me all of this.
We got back on the bike, entered a long driveway, and stopped before a long metal gate. Tye cut off the engine, motioned for me to climb off, lowered the bike stand and dismounted, then walked to the gate. He pulled a key from his pocket and opened it. Then he returned to the bike and walked it through.
I followed without saying a word as I watched him close the gate and lock it.
“Gonna spend the night here,” he said, his gaze holding mine. “That okay, Billie?”
What could I say? “Is there some kind of building back there? Or were you thinking tent?” I wasn’t a roughing it in the wilds kind of girl.
He threw his head back and laughed. “There’s a place back there, sweetheart.”
I looked down the drive, but couldn’t see anything because the drive went over a hill. “Whose?” Not that I didn’t trust Tye, but I was used to being cautious and for some reason the answer mattered.
“Mine.”
“Well, sure.” His first place was amazing. I couldn’t wait to see what Tye doing country would look like.
He leaned back in the recliner. “Tell the truth. You thought I was talking about a shack with a leaky roof or a tiny camper, didn’t you?”
“Well, you are an outdoorsy kind of man. I was a little worried, because I don’t do tents.” I was nestled in the corner of an amazingly comfortable sofa with a mug of hot chocolate in my hand and a bowl of popcorn to the right of me.
“You’d do a tent with me,” he stated confidently.
“That would be a big fat negatory.” I blew on the liquid in my mug, ignoring the flutter in my belly. “I’m not very athletic or a hunter-gatherer. I’m the type to sit and enjoy my surroundings—from the luxury of my balcony or front porch.”
“We’ll see.”
I reminded myself not to read anything into that. Tye wasn’t into relationships; this was a friendship. He’d be on the first hot girl who crossed his path and offered him a free ride. Wrinkling my nose, I decided the subject needed to change. “I told Layla I’d babysit soon, so that she and Forde could go out. To pay her back for today.”
“You’re good with kids, so that should work out.” He took a handful of popcorn from his bowl and stuffed it in his mouth.
I lifted an eyebrow. “I figure since you spent the day with me, and not moving furniture, that you’ll be right next to me with Lucy.”
“Sure, no problem.”
Surprised, I hid a smile. So tough on the outside, but on the inside, he had a huge heart. “So you have five vehicles, and now I’ve got to ask, how many houses?”
“Why, you don’t want another surprise?” The sides of his mouth tipped up.
“I do like your surprises,” I admitted.
“Since you’re being honest, I will be, too. Just two.” He took a drink from his beer bottle.
“How often do you stay here?” I wondered, because it didn’t seem that lived in.
“I bought it a couple of months ago.”
“So the fancy kitchen and roomful of clothes is still to come,” I teased.
“This is supposed to be my hideaway.”
“It’s perfect for that.” I looked around again. The fireplace took up the majority of one wall.
“Tony and Zoe have a place about thirty minutes from here, and Forde and Lay own land twenty minutes east.”
“So, you’re close, but not too close, to your family.”
“I bought it for my Dad, but he made it clear he didn’t want me giving him a place.” He ran his hand over his face. “He has no problem staying in a house that I paid for, but I can’t give him one.”
“Compared to my mother, your dad is a dream.” I leaned forward. “He likes being around you all. Now that Lucy’s here, I don’t think he’s going to move too far away.”
“He’s not too bad to have around.” Tye’s mouth twitched into a slow grin.
I returned his smile, and then yawned.
“Ah, time for bed.”
I stretched my legs out on the sofa. “Just so you know. I’m going to sleep out here.”
“No, you’re not.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Just go with it. No discussion.” He stood and gathered our drinks and the bowls of popcorn.
I folded the throw and draped it over the back of the sofa. I was unsure about what was going on.
The floor plan was an open concept. The kitchen and living room were separated by a huge table. I watched him rinse the dishes.
When he was done, he returned. “You can use the bathroom first.” He then moved to the front door and checked the lock.
“Sooo, what’s the plan...exactly
?” I realized I had my arms wrapped around my torso, hugging my ribs. I dropped them immediately, because I didn’t want to seem defensive around him. “I mean, about the sleeping arrangements.” God, could I sound any more uptight?
One side of his mouth quirked upward. “Scared of me, little girl?”
I tried not to grimace. “No, of course not.” I straightened, trying to appear taller than my sock-footed five and a half feet.
He moved closer.
A wolf stalking his prey came to mind, and realized I really needed to lay off the hot paranormal romances. Still, as he drew closer, I felt my body come alive. My blood was pumping, and my nipples hardened.
He stopped on the opposite side of the sofa. I swear he knew the affect he had on my body. His eyes went a darker blue. I tried not to fidget or cover my breasts.
“Here’s the deal. We both need a good night’s sleep. The other morning, you were dead to the world on my chest.”
“Was not,” I blurted, feeling like I just gave away how off kilter he made me.
“Think of this as an experiment, B.” He did that stupid eyebrow raise that I hated, because I couldn’t match its arch.
“No funny stuff,” I muttered.
“I’ll be a perfect gentleman.” And then he smirked.
I held my head high as I stomped off to his bedroom. I don’t know if I was pissed off because he’d agreed so easily to my demand, or that I wanted him to touch me, to do more.
I didn’t slam the bathroom door, but there was a definite thud as I closed it. “Jesus girl, get ahold of yourself,” I told my reflection. I took care of business and realized that I didn’t have a toothbrush or anything to wash my face. I was considering my options when there was a knock on the door. I jumped.
“There should be an extra toothbrush in one of the drawers, and look around. I think I have a couple different soaps.” The door did nothing to mask the authority in his voice.
“Hmm, lots of guests?” I mumbled.
I found a new toothbrush and a mild cleanser in the linen closet. After I was clean, I opened the door and almost connected with Tye’s naked chest. “Hey,” I put up my hands to soften our collision. His skin was warm under my palms. I tilted up my head to see his face.
His gaze was startling in its intensity. “You’re the first person I’ve brought here.”
Damn, I needed to keep my thoughts inside my head. “Oh,” I mumbled.
“Just thought you’d like to know.” He smoothly stepped around me and closed the bathroom door behind him.
My heart beat so fast, I felt like I’d just run a sprint. Before I said anything else embarrassing, I moved to the corner where I’d left Tye’s hoodie and thermal shirt earlier. I stripped out of my thermal then hurriedly stuffed my arms into his. I figured that since it almost touched my knees, it would keep me covered. Then I shimmied out of my jeans. As I folded my shirt and hoodie, I realized I was still wearing my bra.
My hands fumbled as I tried to pull my arms out of the overly long sleeves, then I did the Flashdance move and unhooked my bra under his shirt. I heard the bathroom door open as I pulled it free from my breasts.
“Damn, my timing sucks.” Tye’s smile was teasing. He paraded into the room in navy-knit boxer briefs.
I tried to look in the other direction, but I failed. He was so fucking beautiful. His body was long and lean but finely muscled. His ink seemed to move with his body. The tribal tattoos covered his chest and wrapped around his ribs to his back. They were a mix of strong geometric lines, but somehow when he moved, they seemed to soften and swirl around the lines of his body. I was mesmerized and stared openly. I tore my gaze away and it redirected on the bed. “Uhm, which side?” My voice cracked. Could I sound any more uptight and virginal?
“I’ll take the side by the lamp.” He moved to the nightstand and dropped his phone.
“I should get mine.” I’d forgotten to check my phone this evening.
“No need.” He pulled back the covers. “I turned it off to save the battery.”
I moved to my designated side of the bed and helped push back the comforter and sheet. “I should probably check it.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about him handling my phone. Was it intrusive or just a friend taking care of another?
“Billie, just get in the fuckin’ bed,” he growled.
I did as I was told. I sat on the edge and then pivoted my legs onto the bed. I smoothed the thermal down over my thighs then pulled up the covers. I realized too late they were to my chin, and I must look ridiculous. I had no clue what I was doing. I pushed them quickly back.
I gave him a sideways glance to find him smiling at my antics. Why was I acting so stupid? We were two adults, friends. We could share a bed, and it could mean nothing sexual would happen. Sure, Tye had the body of a god, and he certainly filled out his underwear in the best way. I made a growly sound, and then realized that if I could hear it so could he. I draped my arm over my eyes so I didn’t have to see the expression on his face. I needed to stop thinking immediately.
I felt him climb in beside me and heard him turn off the lamp. He shifted on the mattress. “Are you going to freak out if I touch you?”
I tried to infuse my voice with nonchalance. “No, of course not.” It came out a little breathless. This was a terrible idea. My toes curled at his suggestion.
He rolled onto his side and draped his arm over my stomach.
It felt heavy. I tried to control my breathing. I wanted to roll onto my side and nestle against his strong body. No—bad idea. If my mouth was anywhere near his chest, I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t trace his ink with my tongue. It didn’t matter that the room was pitch black. The design on his skin was etched into my brain.
“Roll over on your side,” His voice had that growly sound that made me want to do whatever he said.
Stop thinking, I ordered my brain. I did as he said, with my back to his front. He pulled me closer. I could feel his body’s heat through my shirt, and I tried not to notice. “Better?”
“Go to sleep, Billie,” he said softly.
I was quiet for a few minutes. I could feel the tension leaving my body. I felt warm and protected. It had been a very long time since I’d felt safe while falling asleep. When I whispered, my voice was rough with emotion, “Thanks for today, all of this. It was really special.” It was the best day that I’d experienced since…
“For me too, sweetheart.”
I liked that he called me sweetheart.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Billie
The sun pouring in woke me, and I was alone in his bed. I knew that Tye had stayed beside me all night, because every time I woke up, he had his arm wrapped around my middle and his cock pressed against my ass. It had taken every ounce of self-control I had not to push back against him. The weird thing was that as soon as I noted his position, I would immediately fall back asleep. When I slept alone, once I woke up, I was up. And to sleep when an aroused man lay beside me...?
I heard noises that sounded like Tye was in the kitchen. I pulled on my jeans and padded into the room as he hit the start button on the coffee maker. “I can’t believe you let me sleep this late.” I stared at my host accusingly. I held my position, and it dawned on me that I really should have put on my bra. I could feel my breasts push against the shirt. I tried to readjust the fabric in a way that didn’t call attention to my self-consciousness.
“You’re only twenty minutes behind me.” He handed me a mug of coffee then flashed a cocky smile. “I think the experiment was a success.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, turning my gaze to my mug. Suddenly, I felt shy.
“I didn’t find any breakfast food. We’ll have to stop to eat on our way back.”
He continued as if it was no big deal that we’d shared the same bed the previous night. “I need my phone. They probably think I’m a terrible person for saying nothing while I left them to do all of the work.” I held out my hand to show him I wasn’t kidding. I wante
d my phone. My feelings of guilt made my tone shittier than I intended.
“First of all,” he said, sounding a little exasperated, “I checked in with Layla and Zoe off and on all day. Everything went smoothly, and they enjoyed doing it for you. I think they’re both happy they could help out. Sometimes with friends like these, the best thing you can do is stand back and allow them to help.” He continued to stare at me with anger flashing in his eyes.
I should have known that he’d check in. I was mad at myself for being unsettled because I woke up alone. I shouldn’t have those feelings. I turned on my heel and said over my shoulder, “I’m going to finish getting dressed.” Then I high-tailed it to the bedroom.
I felt tears sting my eyes as I locked myself in the bathroom and sat down on the closed toilet lid. Everybody was being so nice to me. Tye had spent the day with me after I’d woken him up in the middle of night with an attack. He’d invited me into his secret hideaway, and even more, he’d found a way to help me sleep through an entire night. I sniffed loudly then tore off some toilet paper and blew my nose.
Everything—my emotions, his kindness—were all so overwhelming. On the bike yesterday, I’d had time to process everything that had happened. The reporter shit sucked, but I figured if I asked for the men’s help, we would come up with a plan. Telling everyone about what had happened in Tampa had been so hard. I hadn’t talked about it at length for two years except with my doctors. During the ride to his house in the woods, it had occurred to me that what I’d done, escaping that lunatic, had been pretty badass. I’d never looked at it that way before. I’d held it together and gotten away. Now, while I didn’t feel like I was invincible, I also didn’t feel like a victim anymore.
I stood and ran the hot water in the sink. I needed to get ready, and then to apologize for my outburst.
I was dressed in the same clothes as yesterday, except I turned Tye’s thermal inside out as if somehow that made it fresh. I located my shoes in the living room, but what I didn’t see was Tye. I slowly opened the front door to find him sitting on the porch, drinking his coffee.
He looked relaxed and younger than he usually did. In his suit, he commanded attention, but seeing his long legs stretched out with his heels resting on the porch railing and his hair long and loose, I thought this is where he really belonged.
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