After arranging the pillows behind her head, Drew gave Tyler a long, thorough kiss that primed them both for what was to come.
“Comfortable?”
“Mmm.”
“How are your wrists? Are the scarves too tight?”
“All’s good.”
Standing back, he surveyed his handy work.
Tyler was laid out on a background of cream-colored sheets like a pagan feast. Crimson-tipped toes curled into the material, her arched feet transitioning into a pair of long, shapely mouthwateringly bare legs. He knew the skin was smooth, soft. He could spend hours on them alone.
That tiny scrap of silk he’d earlier found to be hiding under her bulky robe cupped the area just above her thighs.
“I’m in charge.”
“Yes,” she agreed. Then couldn’t resist adding, “For tonight. Next time, we switch places.”
Drew let that remark slide. Next time, depending on the mood, who knew? He was focused on now.
“Spread your legs. Just a little. That’s right.”
Silk moved, outlining, adorning to perfection. Drew joined her on the bed, his hands on each ankle. He caressed the skin then lifted one foot to nibble lightly. His teeth grazed her instep, biting hard enough to elicit a moan of pleasure, not pain.
“You like that?”
“Oh, yes.”
Smiling, Drew bit again, just a little harder followed by a soothing kiss. His mouth continued up, stopping to worship her calf, that little spot behind her knee he knew was particularly sensitive. The inside of her thigh. He couldn’t get enough of her. He knew he never would.
Tyler ran her tongue over her suddenly dry lips. She leaned her head back, eyes closed, savoring every second of Drew’s slow, erotic journey. Her hands gripped the scarves, tugging. It was liberating, having him in complete control. A novelty. Nothing she would want every day. Tonight? It was exactly what she needed.
“So pretty.”
Tyler slowly opened her eyes. Drew lifted the material from between her legs. He lounged like a pampered Sheik, everything before him his for the taking. Holding her breath, she waited as he hovered, his mouth mere inches from taking his first taste. His gaze met hers. Watch, he silently told her. See how much I love doing this to you. Feel.
At the first swipe of his tongue, the air rushed from Tyler’s lungs.
“Mmm,” Drew murmured against the sensitive skin, the vibration sending shots of pleasure through her body.
“Drew.”
He tasted again.
“The best dessert ever.”
Tyler was in a zone of pure bliss. Every sense was focused on Drew and his magical mouth. He took her up, up, up. Had her straining to tip over the edge, only to scale back, leave hanging.
“I need…”
“I know, honey. I’m driving. Relax, enjoy the ride.”
Tyler’s arms flexed, her legs tensed. She shifted until her foot ran along Drew’s back. She couldn’t use her hands to touch him so she used what she could to encourage, urge on.
Drew was happy to tease the pleasure from Tyler a little at a time. Her taste was intoxicating. Hearing her sighs, her moans, gave him satisfaction as he had never known. This was for her. The better he could make it, the happier he would be.
“I can tell you’re close.” Drew ran a finger across her opening. “Do you want me to end this,” his finger entered, “or should we continue to play?”
“Play.” She said the word in a breathy burst. It was too good. She wanted more.
Smiling, Drew proceeded to reward her for giving him the right answer.
A second then third finger joined the first. His mouth worshiped her, kissing, tasting, leaving her writhing. She begged for release while hoping it would never end.
When his other hand moved above his mouth, finding the source of the pleasure, applying just the right amount of pressure, it was too much. Tyler’s body tensed. Wave after wave engulfed her. At first a massive burst, her skin suffused with heat. Drew held her, encouraging her to hold the feelings, gently petting her as she coasted down from an exhilarating flight. She was left limp, her smile happy, relaxed.
Drew released her from the scarves, checking for any abrasions. Seeing none, he lightly rubbed the skin, kissing the inside of each wrist.
He settled next to her, taking her in his arms. He liked the way Tyler automatically burrowed closer. Lying in each other’s arms was becoming natural, for both of them.
“You still have your clothes on.”
It was a sleepy observation, one that had him smiling.
“I didn’t have time to take them off.” He smoothed back the hair from her face. Such a dear, beautiful face. “I was wonderfully distracted.”
“Mmm.” Definitely a sound of agreement. “Your turn.”
Drew didn’t answer. Tyler was so close to falling asleep, he didn’t want to do anything to interrupt the journey. Waiting until her breathing was steady, he slipped from the bed. He arranged the blanket over her, kissing her forehead, before taking his phone and quietly moving across the room.
Drew disengaged the alarm then went outside into the cold November night. Hitting speed dial, he waited.
“I expected to hear from you sooner.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Me too,” Jack countered.
“What did you find?” Drew braced himself. Knowing what was coming didn’t stop the dread from settling in.
“You nailed it. It only took me a couple of hours. A dodge and a weave then boom. It was a crappy job, Drew. I’d say you were meant to find out — fast.”
“Yeah.” Drew no longer felt any dread. He was weary of the game. He should have ended it long ago.
“What are you going to do?”
“Tonight? I’m going back to my warm, sleeping woman.”
“That sounds like a winner,” Jack said. He paused. “Tomorrow? Cause if you need help hiding the body, I’m with you. Hell, I’ll call Alex. He’s ex-Army. I’m sure he has all kinds of nifty tricks up his sleeve.”
“Thanks. I know you guys have my back.” Drew took a deep breath. “No. This is going to be a bloodless coup.”
“Long time coming.”
“Inevitable.”
Neither man spoke. It wasn’t an awkward silence. Just two friends lost in their similar thoughts.
“Have you filled Alex in?” Drew asked after a while.
“He was here earlier when you called. Rose and Dani were halfway out the door before we could convince them to wait until morning.”
“I appreciate it, Jack. I know Tyler would have welcomed their company but…”
“You needed to be alone with her. I get it. How is she?”
“Better. This news. I don’t know what her reaction will be.”
“Pissed,” Jack said. “Rose says Tyler has a backbone of steel. I haven’t seen anything to make me dispute that.”
Pissed, Drew thought a few minutes later as he ended the call. That sounded right. It was certainly better than sad and trembling. It killed him to see his strong, brave Tyler that way. She bounced back. She always did. Drew gave a tired sigh. It was time to make sure she stopped having to.
Drew turned to go back inside then stopped, glancing at his watch. Not too late, he decided. Calling up his contacts, he hit the second on his list. The one right below Jack.
“Alex. I hope I didn’t get you up. I need a favor.”
TYLER SIPPED HER morning coffee. It tasted better than usual. No mystery as to why. It always tasted better when somebody else made it. Drew had a cup waiting before she popped her eyes open. Even the smell was enough to start her motor. A couple of drinks got her running on all cylinders.
“I could get used to having coffee in bed.”
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“Okay, I’ll bring you coffee in bed every morning.”
Tyler’s motor might be running at full speed, but her brain was still in second gear. What was D
rew saying?
“Drew…”
“We’ll talk about it later.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to jump in the shower. Oh, if you notice my car is gone, don’t worry. Alex picked it up last night.”
Tyler watched him go. She could care less about the well-being of one of his babies. Tucked safely away for the night in its climate-controlled garage. Or hanging in her driveway. So what?
It was the thing before. Had he asked her to move in with him? They couldn’t live here. Soon it would no longer be hers. Tyler shook off the thought. Whatever happened with the studio, she wasn’t letting go of Drew. As he said, they would talk later.
She pulled on a pair of jeans, thick socks and a baggy yellow sweater. After a long, warm fall, it finally felt like November. The place was surprisingly warm for so early. Again thanks to Drew. Tyler always forgot to turn on the heat. By the time she thought of it, most of the day had passed. Unless it was below freezing outside, there were days she didn’t bother at all.
Taking her cup, she padded to the kitchen. Giving herself a refill, she stood with her back against the counter, looking around.
She would miss this place. Funny how easily she’d become resigned to the idea that she was going to lose it. She was sad — she wasn’t devastated. There were other places, better places. This was her first. That made it special.
The doorbell brought her out of her musings. Setting her cup aside, Tyler went to see who it was. Looking through the peephole, her eyes widened. Standing back, she took a deep breath. She must have been mistaken. It couldn’t be. Cautiously, as though it might bite her, Tyler looked again.
Well, damn. What a way to ruin a perfectly good morning.
Tyler pulled back her shoulders then took a deep breath. Her wish for a mirror had nothing to do with her wardrobe, her hair, or the lack of makeup on her face. She wished there was time to check her expression. She wanted calm, composed. Hiding the sneer would be difficult. Tyler thought for a moment then shrugged. That might not be such a bad thing after all.
Deciding she was as ready as she was going to get, she opened the door.
“Regina Harper. As I live and breathe.”
Tyler barely contained her groan. Where the hell had that come from?
“Miss Jones.”
In terms of proximity, this was the closest she’d gotten to Drew’s mother. It felt… strange. Uncomfortable. Something she hoped never to repeat.
“Are you going to ask me in?”
Of course, Tyler remembered. Vampires needed to be invited before they could enter someone’s home.
Tyler felt her lips twitch, something the eagle eye of the other woman didn’t miss. Regina’s lips tightened. Humor, in any form, was not appreciated. When aimed at her, it was verboten. Heil, Regina.
“Come in.”
Tyler stepped back to let Regina Harper enter. A whiff of French perfume filled the air causing Tyler’s nose to twitch. Ugh. Expensive didn’t mean good.
Regina walked around, examining — careful not to touch. Tyler shouldn’t have worried about her sneer. Queen Reggie had hers beat by a mile.
Take her coat. Tyler heard her mother’s voice as clear as a bell. Ask her to sit. Offer her a cup of coffee. She wondered if etiquette applied when your enemy came to call.
“Nice coat.”
Recognizing sarcasm when she heard it, Regina’s eyebrows lifted — sort of. Botox, or whatever toxins the woman had injected into her face prevented much range of movement.
“Chinchilla.”
No kidding, Tyler thought. I was going to guess Dalmatian.
“I can do the stare down as long as you, Regina. Cut to the chase. Why are you here?” And how can I get you to leave as quickly as possible?
“You’re exactly what I expected,” Regina purred. And sneered. An interesting combination.
“Is this where I ask what you mean?” Tyler shook her head in amazement. “I don’t play that game, Reggie.”
Regina stiffened further. How she didn’t break into tiny pieces, Tyler didn’t know.
“This is no game, Miss Jones,” Regina assured her. “But, if it were, you have lost.” She almost smiled. “At last.”
“Fine,” Tyler sighed. “I give. How have I lost? I’m back in Harper Falls. I’m breathing.” I have Drew.
Tyler refrained from adding the last part. Yes, he was the source of the contention between them. Yet only one of them loved him. She refused to discuss Drew with a woman who looked on him as a possession she would never have, instead of the son she didn’t deserve.
“I have a business proposition for you, Miss Jones.”
Business? Tyler frowned. Then the light bulb went on. Well, shit. How stupid could she be? Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner?
“You’re RRAH Limited.”
“Yes.” This time Regina did smile. It was full of self-satisfaction. “Would you like to know what the initials stand for?”
Tyler didn’t answer — she was still reeling.
“Regina, Russell, Andrew, Harper.”
“Together for the first time.”
“You think you’re very clever, don’t you?” Regina hissed. “Perhaps that sharp mind is what attracted Andrew.”
“No doubt. That and my big breasts.” Tyler watched the other woman’s eyes move to her chest. “Yes. That, in case you missed it, was also sarcasm.”
“Enough! I will pay you twice what this hovel is worth if you leave town. Find some place new. You can start over — debt-free.”
“I’m already debt-free. You saw to that.” Tyler turned her back on Regina so they both had the same view of the studio. “As soon as you take possession, I owe nothing. Clean slate.”
“Don’t be a fool. I’m offering you more money than you’ve ever seen. Considering your… profession, it’s more money than you will ever see at one time.”
“I wonder.” Tyler paused. She knew she shouldn’t do this. She could hold her tongue. Throw Regina out. Leave it alone. Common sense said it was what she should do. Ah, what the hell. This was probably the only chance she would ever get.
“Do you think it was your money that my father wanted? Or was it you?”
For a second, Tyler thought Regina was going to faint. She turned white as a sheet; she swayed.
Before Tyler could decide whether to try to catch the woman, Regina pulled herself together. Her eyes narrowed; her gaze laser-sharp.
“You have a lot of nerve, young woman.”
“Not nearly as much as you, Regina.”
Tyler turned towards the bathroom door. Drew. How could she forget he was here?
Drew circled around Regina. If this was about picking sides, without words he firmly established where he stood. Right beside Tyler.
Fresh from the shower, his dark hair still damp. In jeans, a t-shirt, his feet bare. Drew looked cool, calm, controlled. Only his eyes gave away the storm of emotions he felt. Without thinking, Tyler reached for his hand; her only thought was to comfort. Drew laced his fingers with hers, squeezing gently, letting her know it was all right. That he was all right.
Ten years. In all honesty, when he left Harper Falls, he never thought to see Regina again. Even after he returned, he avoided any situation that would bring them together. If another ten years passed before it happened again, he would be just fine with that.
“Andrew. I didn’t know you were here.”
“That’s obvious. I’m sure you wanted to catch Tyler alone to share your generous offer. Sorry to crash the party.”
“I won’t apologize for trying one more time to save you from polluting the Harper bloodline.”
“That ship sailed when you gave birth to me.”
Regina gasped. It seemed Drew knew her weakness. Tyler was surprised to find out she had one.
“I can trace my family back to Plymouth Rock.”
“Give the blue-blood crap a rest, Regina. No matter how long your family’s lineage, the fact remains they needed mon
ey. I don’t know if you convinced my father that you loved him. Maybe he was dazzled by your beauty. I’ll admit you were a looker.”
“You’ve said quite enough, Andrew. You have a legacy to maintain. Tyler Jones is not the woman to help you do that. You’ve played at your little company, had your bout of rebellion. You have a duty to your name and this town. Now it’s time to step up.”
“You don’t get it,” Drew said in amazement. He turned to Tyler. “She’s delusional. You heard her. Playing at my little company?”
Tyler could feel the anger vibrating through him. She would have tried to put an end to it if she didn’t think he needed to get it out. He’d held it in his entire life. He needed to get this off his chest. All of it.
“I’m here, Drew. It’s okay.”
“You!” Regina pointed a finger at Tyler. “Before he became involved with you, he was headed down the proper path. He was a Harper, through and through. You ruined him.”
“Wow.” Tyler looked at Drew. “What do you say about that?”
Drew lifted her hand, kissing the back.
“Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Tyler smiled. “I wish I could take all the credit. Regina here did most of the work. She pushed you out of town long before you fell under my evil influence.”
Drew smiled back, his eyes warm, loving. The storm was clearing.
“Stop this, Regina. The Harper name will be fine. You will continue to reign over the town. Nothing has to change. All I ask is that you leave Tyler alone. This is her home. Let her continue to make her regular payments. Drop the foreclosure.”
“No.”
“Regina—”
“I will burn this place to the ground before I let her stay here. Nothing you can say or do, Andrew, will make me change my mind.” Regina lifted her chin. There was no heat in her words — no passion. Just cool determination.
“I don’t believe you will throw me out of Harper House. If you do? Fine.” She looked at Tyler. “We will both be without our homes.”
Without another word, Regina Harper turned, calmly walking out, her steps even and unrushed.
The door was barely shut when Drew took Tyler into his arms. He buried his face in her hair, swaying.
“I’m sorry, Ty.”
If You Only Knew (Harper Falls #3) Page 25