Acting Happy (Texas Desires #2)

by Rylie Roberts

  “You aren’t ready to hear the answer to that, but I know if you’d stop guarding your heart so closely, you’ll understand where I’m coming from. We’re too in sync. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.” Her eyes closed, but she didn’t move away.

  “I haven’t either. I think it’s what scares me the most. When you leave, I’m all alone again,” she whispered with hurt in her voice.

  “Then come with me. Nothing’s keeping you here,” he said, moving his head so she could better see the sincerity in his eyes.

  “The courts are keeping me here. I’m not allowed to leave the area. They said they’ll make random stops to check on me.” The deep sadness in those blue orbs had him lifting her chin until she looked him in the eyes.

  “Kenzie, you did nothing wrong. Braden’s the best of the best, and if Reed can’t get you out of this… Well, I can’t imagine that’s even possible. If they can’t handle this, I’ve got a plan B we’ll start next.”

  “You give me hope, Ty. That scares me, too.”

  “I get that, so let’s stop talking about it until we hear from Braden again.” On a need to find a happier place for Kenzie, Ty rose and looked around the kitchen for anything to help change the subject. “Are you hungry?”

  “Not at all. I’m tired, though. All this on the morning after you got me drunk…” she said, her face tilting up to him, a tentative smile hitting her full lips for the first time in hours. “I should probably go to bed.”

  “You got yourself drunk,” Ty said, rolling his eyes, tapping a finger lightly on her nose. “Wait, this morning it was the swine flu…”

  “I do have the swine flu. You should be ashamed for putting me through all this with such a debilitating disease,” she scolded sweetly. She was cute and funny, but did look exhausted.

  “Stay here and rest,” Ty suggested, and of course she was going to start to argue, but he placed two fingers on her lips, stopping her words. “Seriously, I’d rather you be with me. And if Bray needs information, it’s easier for you to be here to answer his questions.”

  He didn’t wait for a response. He pulled her up off the chair, linking their hands together. It amazed him how such a simple act as holding her hand centered him. His grip tightened while walking her toward the bedroom, not giving her a chance to reject his offer. Within a couple of minutes, he had her reasonably undressed and in his bed.

  “Thank you for taking this all so well,” she said, looking up at him. He ran an index finger down the side of her jaw, caressing the soft skin until he reached her lips. The amount of emotional overload since he walked inside this house was settling on him, too.

  “Sleep, Kenzie.” Ty began kicking off his shoes and pulled his T-shirt over his head. He reached for the blanket, crawling in beside her for no other reason than he didn’t want to leave her. Already fast asleep, Kenzie slept like a rock.

  ~~~

  Ty walked down the hall to his bedroom like he’d done at least twenty times throughout the evening to check on Kenzie. Each time, he went as far as the door, listening to her deep even breaths. She’d been asleep for the last six hours with no sign of waking anytime soon.

  The phone in his back pocket vibrated the moment he pushed open the door to get a visual. Since she’d confessed that horrible story of her life, Ty had gotten all caveman and that only got worse with each minute that ticked by. Instead of looking in on her, he quickly dug his phone out of his back pocket and moved stealthily back down the hall toward the kitchen. He accepted the call with a swipe of the finger to get the damn thing to stop making noise, but didn’t speak until he made it to the back porch.

  “Hey,” Ty finally said, shutting the door behind him.

  “What took so long?” Braden asked.

  “She’s sleeping. I didn’t wanna wake her. What did you find out?” he asked, stepping to the edge of the deck, close to the ledge.

  “I needed time to check out her story.”

  “I trust her, Bray,” Ty said defensively. He’d never asked the guy to investigate anything. Why had he wasted that time?

  “You should. Listen, Prescott’s fully involved. He’s making some phone calls now. He’s got several connections in this case. I see the easiest way to end this would be with the prosecution. Reed seems to think it’s not a problem. I’ll give him some time. Her public defender’s a douche. I can take over the case, no problem, but Reed’s working on getting it dismissed, so it might not be necessary.”

  The tension that had coiled in his gut since this afternoon began to ease. “Thank you.”

  “He also wanted me to tell you that he told you so,” Bray tossed out.

  “I’ve always hated when he’s right. I’ll have to hear about this one until he dies,” Ty said, shoving a hand inside his front jean pocket. The wind had picked up, coming in from the North, adding a bite to the already brisk temperatures.

  “Yep. Pretty much. Okay, I’m out. You took my whole evening. Overtime’s gonna be double,” Bray teased.

  “Make it triple time. You deserve it. And a tip. What’s twenty-five percent of zero?” Ty shot back, grinning now. His buddies always made life a little better. “Hell, I’m feeling generous. Make it a fifty percent tip.”

  “Hey, listen, on to more important things. Don’t let her forget to ship those chairs. I’m missing Christmas with the parents this year. They don’t know that yet, and they’re all jazzed about Lara’s pregnancy. I need to represent. It’s the last chance I got at beating Prescott.”

  “Where’re you going?” Ty asked, knowing that whole family dynamic better than anyone. They all competed against each other at helping to make Linda’s life better without actually driving home to spend time with her.

  “Sri Lanka. Berlin models. They’re half-brothers. How could I miss that?” he asked as if there were no other option.

  “Oh, that’s real holiday-oriented,” Ty said, staring out into the night.

  “Depends on your perspective, man.”

  “She’s got the chairs boxed up. We did that the other day. Shipping’s scheduled. Call me when you know something. I gotta go.” Ty disconnected that call and checked the time. Who knew how Kenzie would feel about this, but it was already past nine, and he knew her parents expected her home tonight. He pulled up his contacts, found her mom and dad’s home phone number, and pushed send. Her mom answered on the first ring.

  “Mrs. Stanton, it’s Ty.”

  “Yes, son, I’m glad you called, we were just talking about when you two might be back,” she said.

  “We’ve been home for a while, but Kenzie’s sleeping. She seems to need the rest,” he said tentatively, unsure how much too actually say.

  “She does. She hasn’t slept well since she’s been back. I’m guessing she must have finally told you. She’s been worrying herself sick about that.”

  “Yes, ma’am. She did tell me this afternoon,” he said quietly.

  “And it didn’t run you off?” she asked directly. That made him smile. Her questions reminded him of Linda Bryant—no beating around the bush, just straightforward and direct.

  “No, ma’am, the opposite actually,” he said truthfully. Everything inside him wanted to take care of that woman sleeping just a few feet away.

  “I didn’t think it would. Tell her to stay as long as she likes. We’re fine here.”

  “I will. Thank you,” he replied.

  “Thank you for calling.” Mrs. Stanton hung up before he had to chance to say goodbye. Ty lowered the phone and stared out at the dark night. The same things he loved about this place were still there. The quiet solitude. The majestic view. But now it seemed lonely without Kenzie there to enjoy it with him.

  How had all this happened so quickly? He’d spent his entire adult life alone. He and Kenzie shared that journey. She was as lonely as he, and now he seemed to crave their interactions. Who would have ever thought this vacation would turn out like this?

  Not wanting to waste another minute, he went inside,
set the alarm to the house, and turned off the lights before heading back to the bedroom. Quietly he undressed, the whole time staring at Kenzie who stayed sound asleep in his bed. She didn’t wake when he scooted in next to her or when he moved her in order to better hold her in his arms. Once he got comfortable, he lay there thinking of her, just content to breathe her in. He couldn’t help what happened in her past, but he could easily change her life from this point forward. Give her the world she always wanted. He fell asleep making those plans.

  Chapter 24

  Kenzie woke to a dark room. She must have slept like a rock. Her muscles were stiff, and she lifted her arms and stretched out her legs, trying to get comfortable. Amend that. She stretched as far as Ty would allow. Apparently he liked her right there against him, and she woke this morning spread out across his chest. His arms were like a vise when she moved. Interestingly, she was as naked as he and distinctly remembered going to bed with her T-shirt and panties on. A small smile pulled at the corners of her lips. He was a sly one.

  Lifting her head, she saw the clock on the nightstand. It was close to five in the morning, meaning she’d slept more than a dozen hours. Man, telling Ty her secret had been a truly traumatic experience that’d zapped every bit of her energy and strength. Turns out, she hadn’t needed to worry after all. Not once had she ever considered he might take it as well as he had. He’d been angry at Jason and protective of her, even reaching out to his friends to help her situation. Who knew if they could. She’d never get her hopes up, but he managed to do something no one else could—he’d affirmed her self-worth. Something she was sorely lacking.

  Minutes passed with her just listening to the sound of his heart beat. There was no denying it. Her heart had fully connected to this man. Whatever happened between them from this point forward wouldn’t change that fact, and she knew without question, she’d never loved Jason like this. She’d been dazed by his good looks and a sucker for his sad life story, but she’d never been consumed by him like she was with Ty.

  Lifting her head, she watched Ty sleep. How would he feel if he knew? She could never tell him. No, matter what he said, she didn’t fit inside his world. She didn’t allow the sadness of that thought to take root. She might not be able to ever tell him how she felt, but she could show him. She lightly grazed her palm down his chest until she found the hard length that kept brushing against her thigh.

  She curled her fingers around the shaft, and as his sleepy eyes opened, his face turned so he could hold her gaze as she lifted and moved, sliding her body down his chest, nestling between his parted thighs. She moved her hand tenderly up and down his cock and kept her eyes locked on his as she positioned her head to swallow him whole.

  By no means was she an expert at giving a blow job, but she hoped she could pull off enough to build a solid arousal. She took him in as far as she could go, before sliding to the tip, using her tongue to lick at the small slit. Based on the primal grunt he gave, she’d done something right, so she lowered her mouth, sucking him back in again. This time his hands tangled in her hair, holding her head as she rose then swallowed him whole again.

  “Fuck, Kenzie.” Her eyes lifted to see his head angled, those amber eyes blazing into hers. His fingers skimmed her face until they came to the back of her jaw, right below her ear. “Loosen right here. You can take me deeper. Try…”

  She did and luckily her gag reflex remained dormant. Ty hissed as his hips pitched forward, ramming his cock down her throat. Her eyes watered as her lungs seized from the unexpected denial of air. His hand on her head shoved her farther down as she took almost all of him.

  Just as suddenly as the move happened, he pulled her off his dick. With one hand on her arm, the other on her thigh, he lifted her, settling her right on top of his rigid cock. He rolled his hips, driving into her as his hands went to her hips, pushing her down on top of him. She took all of him, calling out his name, reaching for anything to hang on to as the orgasm racked her body.

  ~~~

  She was magnificent. That tight, sweet body taking all of him, those delicious mounds bouncing and teasing his senses, her nipples poking straight out at him… Ty had to focus on not coming right then and there. Instead, he watched her as the orgasm took her over, turning her face into an erotic show of beauty. He wanted that exact display every single day for the rest of his life. Funny how the thought turned him on, made his dick harder if that were even possible.

  Ty slowed his roll and rose, reaching for her. She eagerly grasped on to him, lowering her head to his shoulder. She was panting as she wrapped both her arms underneath his and hung on to his chest as she gathered herself back together. Ty lifted his arms, draped them around her, and ran his palms down her hair.

  “You’re unbelievable,” he whispered. Her chest heaved. He could feel her heart pounding, and denying his dick buried so deep in her wet heat was becoming too much.

  “That was supposed to be about you,” she said into his shoulder. He couldn’t help the arch of his hips. Her words were too sweet, her breath caressed his skin too sensually, and those nipples that he loved stroked across his chest as she squirmed against him.

  “It’s incredible,” Ty managed and lowered a hand between her spread thighs to gently circle her soaked clit. Her face came into view, and their gazes connected and held for one maybe two seconds. They shared something in that stare. No matter what she said, how scared she might be, Kenzie gave herself to him. Ty threaded his fingers in her hair, holding her head in place as he curled his hips, sensually moving inside her as he gently applied pressure to her core.

  Her lips parted; a small rush of breath escaped. Kenzie leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on his lips. She lingered there. Ty kept it light as Kenzie began to move to the motion he created. Her body swayed, and her lips touched his again. It was almost too much.

  Ty tugged her hair, pulling at the base of her neck, angling her head back to get a better look straight into her eyes. Her body swayed, keeping time with his as several long seconds passed.

  “You need to know I love you.” He said the earth-shattering words that he’d never uttered to another woman while managing to keep his body moving in a seductive roll. “It’s real for me, Kenzie. I don’t wanna be without you. I need this. I need you.”

  She held his gaze, a sigh escaped her lips, and he waited a heartbeat, wanting her to respond.

  “Say something, angel,” he tried again.

  She opened her mouth, only to close it again. Something hesitant crossed her face, and he instinctively knew she wasn’t ready to say those words back. It didn’t mean she didn’t feel the same way. She just couldn’t say it. Ty stared at her for a second more before sweeping an arm around her body, placing her on her back. She never broke the hold she had around his neck, and he dug his knees into the mattress, her legs wrapped around him. Ty pistoned his hips, building speed as he crushed his mouth to hers. He wrapped her tighter in his arms as he slammed into her.

  “I do love you. I’ll wait,” he managed to whisper on a haggard breath against her ear. Kenzie tensed in his arms, and she came almost instantly. He was only a moment behind.

  Chapter 25

  Rested and relaxed, Kenzie sat astride Ty’s lap, wearing his T-shirt, her arm hooked around his neck. He loved when she did that move, sitting chest to chest with him, wanting to keep him as close as he wanted her to be. They ate from the same plate of food, sharing an omelet she’d made and some slices of fresh fruit he fed to her. In the course of cooking this meal, she’d added cheese to the eggs just for him while he fried some bacon without even a hint of a critical eye from her.

  Everything between them changed. The restraints Kenzie always used had disappeared. Since they’d woken, she hadn’t let him get too far away, and anytime he was within reach, she touched him in some sort of casual gesture. Kenzie laughed, made silly jokes, and gave small kisses all without being prodded which seemed to elevate all this sentiment to the next level.

  He was
so truly in love with this woman.

  “You’re being sweet,” he said, angling his head to the side to get a better look at her face.

  “I’m content. It’s been a long time,” she said in a moment of unabashed honesty.

  Kenzie turned to face him as she lifted a spoon, giving him the bite of melon she’d just scooped up.

  “I like hearing that,” he said after swallowing. He reached for her glass of water, taking a drink before he finished his thought. “I called your parents last night. Told them you were sleeping.”

  “Oh my God. That never occurred to me. They’d worry. Thank you.”

  “Your mom told you to stay as long as you want. I want you to stay the day,” he said, putting a bite of bacon in his mouth.

  “I don’t want to wear out my welcome,” she said, reaching over to scoop up another bite of the egg mixture.

  “Not possible, I promise.” He loved watching her. After a second of just staring, he reached up to brush the hair off her shoulders. “I love your hair. Have I told you that?”

  “I’ve been thinking about cutting it. It seems to get in the way around here,” she said, reaching for her coffee mug.

  “Keep it long for me. I really like it,” he said, running a palm over her thigh.

  “Your chest hair’s coming back. Does that mean you wax it?”

  “Yeah, about every three weeks now for the show.” As good as the meal was, he seemed to have no real appetite. Every focus he had centered on this woman in his arms. Quietly with his gaze locked on her profile, he broached the subject neither had spoken of since his confession. “I meant what I said while we were making love this morning.”

  ~~~