He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. He slung the door shut, surprised to find his sister standing where the door had been.
“Jesus, Madison. Sneak up on a guy why don’t you?” He glared down at her as he swallowed his heart back into place.
Younger than him and a good foot or more shorter, Maddie had a way of moving silently through a room. Like she had an internal stealth mode that was always on. Creepy as shit, if you asked him.
“Sorry. I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
She walked around to sit at the table. Tyler took the hint and joined her.
“I’ve been offered a summer internship.”
Madison had just finished her junior year at Boston University. “Really? Maddie, that’s fantastic.” He reached for her hand, but stopped when he noticed her miserable expression. “Or is it?”
She circled a scar on the surface of the table. “No, it is.”
Tyler kept his mouth shut. He knew she’d fill him in when she was good and ready. Where he tended to speak first, think later, Madison rarely said anything she didn’t mean. He was used to waiting for her to collect her thoughts.
She stopped fidgeting. “The internship is with a museum in New York City. It’s a great opportunity, Tyler. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but it could lead to a permanent job when I finish school next year. I even considered taking a few summer classes. Commuting from Boston to the city would suck up any free time I had though, so I’m not sure that’s the greatest idea.”
“Gabriella is from Boston.” He hadn’t meant for the random thought to slip out. He’d forgotten the connection until now.
Maddie’s spine straightened. “Is that how she knows Devon?”
He hadn’t mentioned to Gabriella that Devon played hockey for the Boston Sabers. “No. She lives here now, anyway. Devon and I met her just a few nights ago. We’ve hung out a little.” He wasn’t about to go into more detail with his sister. “She’s actually a massage therapist. She’s working with Matt to help me with my shoulder.”
“Oh. Well, that’s good then.”
Tyler chuckled. “I think so. Now, you wanna tell me what’s got your panties in a bunch about the internship? Sounds like a no-brainer to me.”
“Dad said I had to get a job this summer.”
“It’s not an unreasonable request. I’d say the internship qualifies.”
“Dad doesn’t agree. He thinks sitting in the dark recesses of a museum, cataloguing artifacts for no money is a waste of time. Just because he lives and breathes investment banking doesn’t make it the only viable occupation. Anyway, he said I was on my own. Said he’s paying for college so I can learn the skills to earn money in a profession, not give my knowledge away for free. Mom suggested I talk to you.”
Tyler played it cool when inside his guts churned in sudden, fiery anger. He had no right. “If you think I have any pull with Dad, let me remind you … I don’t.”
“I don’t want you to talk to him. It wouldn’t help anyway. You know how he is when his mind is set.”
Didn’t mean the conversation wouldn’t happen. Tyler was finished allowing their father to hold Maddie’s tuition over her head. “Then what do you need from me?”
“Could I stay at your place?”
“That’s it?” As usual, Tyler went with the first thing that popped into his head. “I don’t see why not. I’ll be in Arkansas for a while yet. I’ve got a few things to do that’ll bring me home off and on, but for the most part the place could be yours for the next month or so. After that, you’ll have to put up with me.” In the meantime, he’d have Devon or Garrett check in on her to make sure she stayed safe. “As long as you don’t throw any crazy parties, and stay out of my bedroom, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Do you have any money?” His refrigerator was empty, and the cupboards probably were too. He hadn’t been home for a few weeks. The sweet older lady from down the hall checked on his place and brought in the mail when he was away.
Maddie’s eyes shone with tears. “Some. Enough for a plane ticket to get me there.”
Tyler cursed under his breath. If she started crying, he was done for. He’d managed not to fight with Dad tonight, but tears pretty much guaranteed that would change.
“When do you start at the museum?”
“I haven’t accepted the position yet. I wasn’t sure I could make it work.”
“Call and tell them you’ll take it.” He’d be damned if she would miss out on an opportunity to do something she loved. He would transfer enough money into her bank account to get her through the summer.
“I’ll get a part-time job once I get there, I promise.”
“Just call them.”
“Okay, I will. Thank you.”
He did reach for her hand this time. He gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Would you be upset if we didn’t stay for dinner?” The game was over, and he’d had enough for one night. His temper frayed by the minute.
“No. It’s okay. I guess I’ve got some phone calls to make anyway.”
“Good.”
They stood and shared a hug.
“Don’t worry about anything, okay?” he told her. “Whatever you need, I’ll take care of it.”
Tyler left his sister to make her calls.
He found Gabriella where he’d left her, only now Devon had joined her little group. He couldn’t help but smile at the animated way she talked with her hands. The woman had passion in her—no doubt. He’d gotten a little taste of it earlier. He wanted more.
Gabriella caught him staring and waved him over.
“Where’d you run off to?” she asked as he positioned himself next to her, nudging Matt aside.
“Kitchen. You ready to get out of here?” The talk with Maddie ramped his temper. He didn’t want to be anywhere near his father when it boiled over.
“Why don’t you all come to my house?” Matt said. “I’ve got beer. There’s another game coming on.”
Devon clapped his hands together. “I’m in. I’ve got to help Maddie with something first, though.”
Confused, Tyler asked, “With what?”
“Who the hell knows with that girl? Probably wants me to move something heavy.” Devon flexed his muscles, making Gabriella laugh.
“Better you than me. Before I forget,” Tyler lowered his voice so his dad wouldn’t overhear. “Mad’s gonna stay at my place this summer. I’d appreciate it if you’d check in on her occasionally. Just until I’m back in town.”
“Yeah, sure.” Devon shrugged as though it was no big deal, and Tyler knew it wasn’t. Devon treated Maddie as though she were his kid sister, too. “Just give me the particulars.”
“Yep. But later, okay? I’m beat. I’m gonna take Gabriella home.”
Without thinking, his hand landed on the small of her back. She didn’t protest—not as he made their hasty goodbyes, and not when he practically shoved her out the front door.
He didn’t let her go until they reached the car, where he could finally breathe again.
10
Gabriella drove. Tyler was far from drunk, unfortunately, but arguing wasn’t on the list of things he wanted to do with her. So, when she extended her hand with a smile that said she wouldn’t take no for an answer, he’d passed over the keys.
She’d been humming quietly for miles. A gentle, swaying melody he didn’t recognize. The persistent beeping of her phone added a weird beat to the rhythm. The damn thing annoyed the hell out of him—chirping from her bag at regular intervals. Although if she reached for her purse, Tyler just would’ve stopped her. He might like to drive fast, but he drew the line at using the phone while behind the wheel.
Gabriella must’ve sensed his mood. Unlike most of the women he knew, she didn’t try to fill the silence with inane chatter or bombard him with questions about why he was so quiet.
She just drove and hummed.
Christ. It was bad enough he’d put her in
the awkward position of witnessing his family dysfunction, but now his attitude was for shit.
He shouldn’t have taken her with him tonight. He should’ve known his old man would show his ass. The guy couldn’t resist prancing Tyler around like a show pony, all the while doling out backhanded compliments as though he’d been preparing for this day for months.
Nothing Tyler had ever done was good enough. No matter how hard he worked, how much money he made, or how successful his career, he always came up short in the eyes of his father. As a kid, Tyler thought it was just his dad’s way of pushing him to be better. Now, Tyler knew it was just his dad’s way, period. Charlie Brady celebrated his son’s victories as though he were solely responsible, and didn’t hesitate to point out when Tyler fell short.
Maybe in some twisted way Tyler should be grateful. His dad was the reason he pushed so hard. He’d accepted that truth years ago. The anger, the fire in his gut, fueled his determination.
Pushing him was one thing. Messing with Madison was another. Tyler wouldn’t have it. Madison was smart. She worked her ass off in school—way harder than he ever did. She deserved the chance to explore her options.
Gabriella turned into the driveway, pulling Tyler from his thoughts.
She left the car running while she pulled out her phone. “I hope you don’t mind if I check this real quick. That beeping was driving me crazy.” She glanced at it and frowned.
“Everything okay?”
She stared at the phone. Looked at him. Stared at the phone again. “Yeah. Sorry. Just let me…” Her fingers flew over the screen.
He wanted to ask who she was texting with such a frenzy. Wanted a name to go along with the irritation he felt at whoever had upset her. An address would help too. He couldn’t do anything about his own shit tonight, but he could damn well help her with hers.
He snorted to himself and looked out the window, giving her privacy to finish texting. He was acting like a crazy person. He didn’t know her, or her problems, and here he was thinking about jumping in with both feet … to what? Save her? For all he knew, the text was nothing. She’d said as much.
She cut the engine. “Do you want to come in?”
He shouldn’t. And wasn’t that just his theme for the day. He should hit the gym. Bust his ass on the treadmill for an hour or two. But goddamn he wanted what she offered—needed it—a chance to get out of his head for a while.
“Yeah.” He got out of the car. He strolled with her to the front door, where Gabriella let them in and flipped on the lights.
“Do you want something to drink?” She dropped her purse by the door and kicked off her sandals.
“No.”
He followed her into the living room, watching as she closed the blinds covering the front window.
“Your team played a good game tonight,” she said. “I know you’re chomping at the bit to get back out there, but you’ve gotta be happy about the win.”
He was. He was, damn it. He snagged her wrist as she moved to turn on a lamp. “Look, Gabriella. Don’t take this the wrong way, but can we not talk right now?”
Rehashing how well the team was doing without him wasn’t going to do good things to his already crappy mood.
Her soft, understanding smile hit him square in the chest. Without a word she nodded, laced their fingers, and led him to the bedroom.
She flipped on the lights, then immediately dimmed them until the room was basked in a warm glow. Her private space was a soothing mixture of colors—pale green, blue, and beige. The light, floral scent in the air reminded him of the private beach house he rented from time to time in Hawaii. So did the enormous bed.
There was no TV, and a couple of books sat on the table next to the bed. It was a room designed for rest and relaxation. Rest wasn’t in his plan, but he’d take a little relaxation as the end result.
“Gabriella...” He sought the words to explain how fucked up things were, how tired he was, and came up empty.
“It’s okay, Tyler.” She pulled off her shirt and let it fall to the floor. “You’re having a tough time right now.” Her voice was soft, seductive. “It’s okay if you want to lose yourself in me for a little while. I want to help you. Let me help you.”
Oh, hell no.
Tyler wasn’t comfortable with how well she read him, but he’d deal with that later. Sure, he wanted to forget. Forget his fucking injury. His contract. His dad. He did want to lose himself in the pleasure of Gabriella’s body, but he damn well didn’t want to do it alone. He wanted her right there with him. Wanted to hear his name on her lips as he made her come over and over.
He went to her then. He shoved his fingers into her hair and tugged until she stared up at him, eyes wide and eager.
“We have an agreement.”
“We do?”
“Damn right, we do. You’re off the clock. Outside of your office, we aren’t massage therapist and baseball player. We’re just you and me. Tyler and Gabriella. Two people enjoying each other’s company. Two people sharing pleasure.”
“I’m not good at ‘off the clock.’”
Tyler reached around and unhooked her bra. Her skin was smooth, soft against his fingers as he slid the straps from her shoulders. The cups fell away to reveal the peaked tips of her breasts. He decided then and there he was definitely a breast man when it came to Gabriella. Breast, ass, leg man … and everything in between. Holy shit, she was gorgeous.
“Then we’d better make sure you get lots of practice.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist, ignoring the stiffness that had settled in his shoulder. Nothing was going to stop him from sampling every bit of pleasure Gabriella offered. His mouth watered for a taste of her. His balls were painfully tight, and his cock felt strangled behind the fly of his shorts.
“You’re beautiful, Gabriella.” And she smelled good. Her nipples were tight and dark and … fuck. He nuzzled her neck just to breathe her in.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” Gabriella tugged at his shirt. “Your turn, Tyler. Please.”
At this point, he wouldn’t deny her anything. He stripped his shirt and tossed it aside. Her hands were on him before he finished the job.
“Tell me what you want,” he demanded.
“I want to touch you.”
She was gonna kill him. “You are touching me.”
Gone was the confident touch of a therapist. Her tentative fingers explored his chest, his stomach, his back as though she were experiencing him for the first time.
“I’m not sure what to do.” She laughed softly. “Or where to start.”
“I’ve got a few ideas.”
“Yeah?” Her finger circled his nipple and flicked the raised edge before she pressed it between her thumb and forefinger.
Desire flowed from her touch straight to his crotch. A low growl rumbled in his throat. Unwilling to wait any longer, he tightened his arm and lifted her feet from the carpet.
“Be careful! You’ll hurt yourself.”
He walked backward until his legs hit the bed. He sat, tugging her to stand between his knees.
“Off the clock. Don’t make me say it again.” To emphasize the point, he sucked her nipple into his mouth, nipping the taut bud hard enough to pull a gasp from her throat.
“Or what?” Her fingers tightened around his scalp, trying to hold him in place.
Not a chance. He had his own exploring to do.
“Oh, Gabriella.” He kissed down the center of her body, stopping to swirl his tongue around her belly button. “The endless possibilities for ‘or what’ now have me wondering where to start.”
* * *
The possibilities for ‘or what’…
The dark promise in his words turned over in her head.
Her ex had been a straight-up, missionary kind of guy. Gabriella had been with Roger for so long, she’d forgotten any other type of intimacy existed. After the text she’d gotten from him tonight, Gabriella wouldn’t mind forgetting Roger, too.
Having Tyler Brady in her bed was a good way to start.
Tyler cupped her ass, forcing her attention back to him, the only man who mattered right now. He squeezed gently before moving lower.
Oh, God. His fingers brushed the back of her knee. She gripped his shoulders to stay upright.
His shoulder.
She loosened her hold over the small, puckered scars left behind from his surgery. It was months ago, but he still wasn’t completely healed. Try as she might, she couldn’t shut off the part of her brain that wanted to help him.
Tyler sighed. “You aren’t going to hurt me, Gabriella.” Hot fingertips trailed up the inside of her leg. “I want to feel your hands on me. I want your nails on my back. I want your mouth … everywhere. I’m not broken. Don’t treat me as if I am.”
Gabriella ran her hands over his short hair. She was such a fool. Tyler had enough to worry about. He didn’t need her to coddle him. Not here. Not like this. He needed her to trust in him as a man.
She could do that.
Gabriella laced her fingers around his neck and straddled his lap. She molded their bodies together, rocking hard against the erection straining his shorts.
“You are definitely not broken,” she whispered against his lips.
Tyler’s response was immediate. Fierce. He sealed his mouth to hers, groaning when she opened and swirled her tongue with his. His hands were everywhere. Caressing, teasing, waking nerve endings she never knew existed.
He broke from her mouth to kiss and nip his way down her throat.
“Lean back,” he murmured.
Gabriella held on to his biceps and did as he instructed. His fingers plucked at the button of her shorts, releasing it, then the zipper.
Her breasts rose and fell with each sharp breath. It had been so long since she’d been touched. Her skin flushed under his hungry gaze. She was wet, and her clit pulsed in time with her rapidly increasing heartbeat. She wanted to savor each touch, each sensation, but all she could think was more.
Southern Heat (Game On Book 2) Page 9