All Tyed Up

by Julia Harlow

  That was all it took to unleash his powerful desire for her. He pulled her against his hard body so tightly she could barely breathe. His mouth covered hers in a deep kiss, gentle at times as he ran his tongue along her bottom lip, but with an urgency at other times, moaning and laving her mouth with his tongue. He tasted like Chardonnay, and she could have gone on kissing him forever with the ocean and setting sun the only witnesses to their unrelenting passion.

  Apparently, Ty had other plans. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her effortlessly the considerable distance from the expansive terrace to the back entrance as if she weighed no more than a feather pillow. She clasped her arms around his neck and nestled into his chest, inhaling his clean Ty scent.

  Once inside, he carefully set her down. He hadn’t turned on any lights, and she leaned her body against his in the relative darkness, the outdoor coach lights providing the only illumination.

  “I’ve had teams of workman here practically around the clock, including weekends. But quality work takes time. I told them the priorities were the master suite and the kitchen. The kitchen isn’t quite finished, but I still want you to see it. Are you ready?”

  Isabel didn’t hesitate to answer, “Of course, Ty. I can’t wait.” With that, he flipped on a panel of light switches, and the space was instantly illuminated in warm light. As her eyes adjusted, she took in pickled English chestnut cabinets, a cut flagstone floor, a center island minus its countertop, beamed ceilings in the same wood as the cabinets, and an amazing French Blue La Cornue stove.

  An impressive rough-cut limestone fireplace surround and hearth had a space in front, obviously designed for a table and chairs. Even though final details needed to be completed, Isabel had no trouble imagining exactly the kind of kitchen she’d always dreamed of having one day. It had a definite Country French flair, her favorite design style.

  The astonishing part was that this kitchen wasn’t enormous, unlike those in so many mega-mansions currently in vogue for billionaires like Ty. No, it was the perfect scale for a family who lived here and ate breakfast and dinner around the kitchen table every morning and evening: comfortable and eminently livable. She was entranced.

  “What color will the walls be when they’re painted?” She asked as she gazed around, drinking in every detail.

  “A pale mustard—the Grey Poupon variety. The interior designer has the paint sample. But the ideas are mine from magazine pictures, catalogues, and Internet searches. I knew what I wanted for the whole house, but he translated my ideas into, well, this, for example.” He swept his arm out, encompassing the kitchen.

  “You mean you’re not using Victoria as your interior designer?”

  “Oh, Victoria’s been involved from the beginning. You might say I have her on retainer. But with her caring for Jamie and Richard’s future still up in the air, I didn’t want to saddle her with a large project. But don’t worry; her input will be visible everywhere.” He draped his arm around Isabel’s shoulders.

  “I’d love to take you on the grand tour, but I need to show you something in the master bedroom first.” His provocative expression left no doubt as to his meaning, and Isabel felt a tingling of anticipation spread throughout her whole body.

  He led her down a hallway toward the front of the house, the scents of newly installed hardwood floors and fresh paint mingling in the air around them. They passed door openings covered with plastic sheeting as their feet crackled on paper protecting the refinished hardwood floors from workmen’s boots. They stopped for a moment at the bottom of an amazing gently curving marble staircase while Ty pointed out the living room, dining room, den, library, and powder room, all of them behind plastic covering.

  He clasped her hand all the way up the stairs, down a wide hall, and into a darkened room. Once again he asked, “Ready?”

  Isabel squeezed his hand and answered on a long exhale of breath, “Yes.”

  He hit the switch, bathing the room in a soft glow from silk-shaded carved alabaster urn lamps. The room was nothing like what Isabel thought it would be. Completely different from the masculine décor of The Admiralty, there was something almost feminine about this room. One wall held a fireplace in the center, while another had French doors, which led to a balcony. Even though it was dark now, she knew by daybreak that balcony would offer staggering views of the ocean.

  But it wasn’t either of these two elements that made the room seem feminine. It was the pale green floral design of the Country French fabrics that adorned the bed, upholstered chairs, love seat, and window treatments, providing an inviting softness in the room.

  The bed was large, but Isabel didn’t think it was king-size. A carved walnut headboard, high enough to almost reach the ceiling, was gracefully swagged with tiebacks on each side of the headboard.

  Isabel felt Ty’s eyes on her the entire time she studied the elements of the room while he stood in the doorway, his shoulder leaning against the frame, his long legs crossed at the ankles.

  “Well, do you like it?” It sounded as though his words were forced out over rough sandpaper.

  Meeting his gaze, Isabel noted an uncertainty bordering on anxiety in his expression that tore at her heart, and in an instant, she wrapped her arms around him. “Of course I like it, Ty. More than that—I love it! It’s one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever seen.” She felt his body relax in her arms, and he bent down to kiss the tip of her nose.

  “It’s just that I expected your master bedroom to be, well, more masculine. Like your rooms at The Admiralty.”

  He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “The green reminds me of the color of your eyes. The soft fabrics remind me of your silky skin. The plush pillows and cushions remind me of your voluptuous body.

  “I wanted a room you would feel comfortable in. That we both would be comfortable in.” His voice had that sandpapery roughness again, and she held him tighter, trying to understand this change in him.

  Whatever this change was, somehow it was just out of her grasp. She wanted to comfort him, so she repeated, “The room is exquisite. I absolutely love everything about it.”

  Bending his head to kiss her, he pulled her against his body. She felt his arousal pressing into her belly. After nibbling on her full bottom lip, he leaned back slightly and stared into her eyes with an intensity she didn’t quite understand. She watched his throat work as he swallowed.

  “May I undress you?”

  Meeting his dark gaze, she nodded, her heart pounding against her ribcage in anticipation.

  “Turn around.”

  She slowly turned and shivered as she felt him sliding down the zipper of her dress. After his fingers slid the dress off her shoulders, he bent his head to kiss her neck. The warm contact of his mouth on her bare skin caused her skin to pebble. Her dress slithered to the floor; now all she wore was a pale raspberry lace bra and matching high-cut undies.

  Ty’s hands roamed over her shoulders, down to her waist, and over her hips. His breath came in gusts against the curve of her neck. He unclasped her bra with a quick flick of his fingers, and it slipped to the floor to join her dress. His hands cupped her breasts from behind. She leaned her head back against his chest, relishing the hot sensation of his touch.

  He slowly turned her around. Reaching his fingers in the lace of her panties, he slid them down. Isabel rested her hand on his shoulder to balance herself as she stepped out of them. Now she stood totally naked in front of him. It took every ounce of strength she could muster to fight the urge to cover herself. She raised her eyes up to meet his and saw not only liquid desire there but also reverence in the blue depths.

  He cleared his throat. “It’s hard for me to form a coherent thought with you standing before me like this, but I have to tell you, you are the most exquisite woman I have ever set eyes on. I will never, ever, get enough of looking at you. Don’t even think about covering yourself up in front of me. Ever. Hold your chin up and throw your shoulders back. Be proud of your spectacular bo
dy, and get ready for me to kiss every inch of it.” With that he bent his head and kissed her with a gentleness that belied his desire.

  Ty’s words kindled the tiny embers of self-confidence he’d lit inside her, and Isabel wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders before murmuring, “You have too many clothes on.”

  “Then why don’t you take them off?”

  It seemed to take forever for her shaky fingers to undo his shirt buttons and slide his shirt off his shoulders. It fell to the floor with a soft swooshing sound. She couldn’t whip his T-shirt over his head fast enough. Her fingers explored all the defined muscles in his shoulders and chest, but she got distracted by the bulging blue veins in his biceps and had to trace them with her tongue.

  “You’re killing me here, Isabel. And my pants are still on.”

  “Oh, sorry. But you’re pretty dazzling yourself, Ty.” She grinned up at him, breathing in his intoxicating scent. “I want to lick every inch of you too.”

  “Pants. Off. Now.”

  She took her time trailing her fingers down his chest to his happy trail as his breathing picked up. When she dipped her fingers inside the waistband of his slacks, he groaned. She flicked open the button and drew down his zipper, and he almost convulsed.

  “I want to see you naked too, Ty.” She pushed down his trousers and boxer briefs at the same time. He kicked them aside and stood stark naked before her, a veritable god: all broad shoulders; trim waist; almost concave abdomen; muscular legs; and thick, long shaft standing proudly at attention.

  Isabel sighed her utter appreciation. “Let’s just look at each other without touching. At least for a moment.”

  He reached for her, tugging her against his hard, hot body. “Not going to happen.” In a graceful motion, he lifted her and carried her to the bed. He reached down with one hand and pulled back the sea-green floral comforter before gently setting her on soft ivory sheets.

  Isabel stretched her arms over her head and writhed her body in a heady state of arousal. Ty’s moan reached her ears at the same moment his body covered hers. The weight of his hard body felt heavenly. Her hands roamed the muscles in his back while his teeth pulled on her lower lip, and one of his thumbs played with a nipple until it peaked. Now it was her turn to moan.

  ~~~

  Sometime during the night Isabel squinted awake to find Ty propped up on one elbow, leaning over her. His voice sounded strained with emotion when he spoke. “I just wanted to look at you for a moment, Isabel. Go back to sleep, sweet thing.” With everything that had happened that day, she had no trouble falling back into a deep sleep.

  When Isabel awoke the next morning, she was alone in bed. She smiled as she noticed the note on the pillow next to her:

  Gone for cappuccinos and croissants. Back soon. xx

  She stretched her naked body over the luxurious, smooth sheets and breathed in Ty’s sexy scent. Only the lure of the ocean was impetus enough to drag her out of his bed. After a quick shower, she located her overnight bag and dressed in a short tangerine skirt and sleeveless white linen blouse. Barefoot, she opened the French doors to step out into paradise.

  And what a paradise it was! The sun shone brightly down on the Monterey Bay National Marine Mammal Sanctuary amid the calming forces of the Pacific. Leaning against the balcony railing, she shielded her eyes with one hand so she could peer out into the distance.

  Just then she spotted a whale breaching. More than anything she wanted to take a picture, but her cell phone was in her bag inside, and she couldn’t leave this glorious sight even for a second. Holding onto the railing, she bounced up and down on her toes in excitement.

  That was how Ty found her. He snuck up behind her and grabbed her around the waist, but she’d heard him open the doors, so she wasn’t alarmed. She whirled around in his arms, pointing out to sea, “Look, Ty, a whale! It’s a whale!”

  “So it is. A big one too!” They both stood watching, arms around each other’s waists, until a few minutes later when the whale disappeared under water.

  “Just think, sweet thing. You could start every day like this. Do you think Pilot would like it here?”

  “You can’t be serious. He would love it here.” She gazed at him, wondering what all this was about while he busied himself setting out cappuccinos and a bag of croissants on the round stone table on the balcony of the master suite.

  “I thought it would be fun to eat breakfast up here.” He handed her a cappuccino and pulled out a green-and-white striped cushioned chair for her before sitting down himself. He was completely irresistible. Dressed in tight jeans and a white polo, he had sexy stubble along his defined jaw from where he’d obviously skipped shaving, and his dark blond hair was slightly mussed from the ocean breeze this glorious Sunday morning.

  She took a sip of the delicious, frothy drink and closed her eyes. “Oh, this is so good.” Ty was watching her again. She noticed he seemed fidgety, moving the bag with the croissants from one spot on the table to another.

  “Anything wrong?”

  He stopped moving the bag around and instead fiddled with the lid of his cappuccino. Finally, he stared directly into her eyes. “Last night . . . I mean . . . I wanted you to be the first woman I made love to here, Isabel. The only woman.” He paused, apparently struggling with some emotion she couldn’t quite understand. He finally continued, “And the last woman I ever make love to.”

  Isabel’s fingers began pleating the fabric of her skirt. “What are you saying, Ty?”

  “Put me out of my misery, my sweet love, and marry me.”

  Chapter 20

  All the blood drained from her face as Isabel’s hand flew to her mouth. When she could finally speak, she sputtered, “I, I don’t know what to say, Ty.”

  He shook his head. “Not exactly the response I was hoping for to a marriage proposal.”

  “It’s just such a surprise.”

  “Not to me. I’ve fallen in love with you, Isabel. I realize we haven’t known each other for very long, and I can’t even pinpoint the exact moment I became aware of it. You’re the woman I’ve dreamed of but despaired of ever finding. Yet here you are—so perfect, so lovely, and my true soul mate. Tell me you haven’t had an inkling about this.”

  At that most inopportune moment, Madison Taylor’s words came back to haunt her: “You must realize how ridiculous the idea of the two of you together is. Everyone is shaking their heads over it.” Isabel rubbed her toes on the flagstone balcony, what little confidence she had wicked away by the memory of Madison’s biting words. Just look at him, she told herself.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when Ty leaned across the table and clasped her hand. “Do you love me, Isabel?”

  She couldn’t lie to him. “Yes. More than anything in this world.” Her voice was barely loud enough to be heard over the lapping waves.

  He closed his eyes for a moment then squeezed her hand and grinned, perfect white teeth gleaming. “Then that’s it! That’s all that matters. We’ll set a date, whenever you want, wherever you want, sweet thing.”

  “Wait, Ty. Give me a little time to think this through.”

  “What’s there to think about? We love each other. Isn’t that enough?” The softness in his voice had disappeared replaced by a gruffness she didn’t like. Not one bit. He shook his head as if clearing away his unpleasant thoughts. “I’m sorry, Isabel. Come over here for a minute.” He patted his knee.

  She took her time getting up and ambling over to him. His hand cupped her bottom and edged her over onto his lap. “Look. If you need some time to get used to the idea, I understand. It’s enough for me right now just knowing that you love me.” He placed a soft kiss on her temple.

  “I know I have my faults, Isabel. I’m possessive and have a temper when I’m pushed too far. I focus far too much on business and can be arrogant and demanding. But I’m working on these shortcomings, and I’ve actually made some headway just since we’ve met. I want to be a better man for you, my sweet Isabel. Jus
t for you.” He held her face between his palms and kissed her softly on the lips.

  By the time they flew back to San Francisco in the helicopter, she’d begun to warm to the idea of marrying Ty. Reaching over, she took his hand in hers, bringing it to her lips and kissing his fingers the way he often did to her. His answering smile caused her toes to curl.

  He’d asked her to stay with him at The Admiralty, but she’d declined, saying she needed a little time alone. But as he drove her back to the loft, her heart already anticipated the profound ache that would engulf her when she wasn’t with him.

  ~~~

  A yapping Queenie and Pilot’s stolid demeanor greeted her when she opened the door to the loft. She knelt down to pet Queenie with one hand and pull Pilot to her side with the other. Ellen swept in from her studio, paintbrush in hand, a smudge of gold paint on her cheek. The tension around Ellen’s eyes alerted Isabel that something had upset her.

  “So, how was your weekend?” Ellen asked with an edge to her voice.

  “Ty took me to the house he’s renovating at Pebble Beach. It’s on the Pacific Ocean and so stunning; I’m still in awe.”

  “Really! I’d like to see that. Isn’t there a marine mammal sanctuary near there?”

  “There is. And I saw a whale breaching this morning!” Before she could continue, Ellen set her paintbrush down on a magazine and handed Isabel a white envelope with her name on it.

  “This came for you this morning. It must’ve been pushed under the door sometime before I got up because it wasn’t there last night when I locked up.”

  Isabel glanced down at the envelope. Her name was scrawled across it in black block letters. She set it aside to finish telling Ellen about her weekend. “We flew in a helicopter to Pebble Beach so we’d have more time there than if we drove. The house isn’t finished, but what is completed is unbelievably beautiful.” She paused, wondering if she should tell Ellen about Ty’s marriage proposal or if, because of its shimmering newness, it was just too precious, too private. She decided it was.