by Brooke Page
“No. That asshole can’t threaten us into doing what he wants,” Tyler said, his voice raising.
“Tyler, he just proved he has no boundaries,” RJ said slowly, irritation becoming clear in his voice. “It will only get worse.”
“Grandpa would be furious if he heard you say that. He wouldn’t put up with this asshole’s demands,” Tyler said icily. “Can’t we get the police involved? Squash his entire scheme? Police were crawling all over the place tonight. How could he get away with this?”
Who were they talking about?
“We can’t involve the police,” RJ said stiffly.
“This is ridiculous. How deep are you already in with him? How could you just throw away everything Grandpa ever stood for?” Tyler yelled.
I heard RJ sigh heavily over the speaker phone. “Tyler, it’s not like that. Just let me deal with this.”
He sounded so defeated and so unlike RJ. It was unsettling to know that whoever they were dealing with had RJ stumped, and I didn’t like that I was being targeted. But what if they started to target Tyler? Emotions of losing him spread through my body, and the need to have his strong embrace grew heavy.
“Tyler?” I said with a shaky voice behind the half-closed door.
I waited a minute and then slightly opened the door to find him standing next to the speaker phone in gym shorts and a t-shirt.
“I have to go RJ. Tell Mom I will visit tomorrow. We can finish this discussion later,” Tyler said, changing his tone, no longer as frustrated as before. He didn’t want me to know what was happening, and part of me wished I were more in the dark.
“Why are you awake, baby?” he asked with concern.
I slowly walked over to him, wrapping my arms around him.
“I just missed you,” I said quietly, nuzzling my head into his chest. I was trying not to shake, but I was scared of what was happening.
“You’re trembling. Are you cold?” he asked, rubbing his hands along my back.
I shook my head no, burrowing as deep into him as I could. “Everything is finally sinking in from what happened tonight,” I said, my voice cracking.
Tyler held me tighter, resting his chin on my head. “I know. It was scary.” He leaned back and took my face in his hands, looking at me with all seriousness. “Don’t worry about it anymore. You are safe. It was probably just some stupid prank. I won’t let anything ever happen to you.” He wrapped his arms around me again then nuzzled my neck with his fresh scruff trying to lighten the mood.
I let out a small giggle then sighed feeling relieved we weren’t going to discuss anything further. I was okay with him hiding his conversation with RJ from me… for now. Now I wanted to stay safe in his arms and not think about anything involving Tyler’s or my family getting hurt.
Chapter 30
Six weeks went by, and our lives fell into a normal and happy routine. Tyler still traveled, but was home at least four nights of the week. I was okay with that considering how busy I was with my own work. We would take turns at each other’s condo’s, and our relationship was developing into the best reality I could ever imagine.
Jamie was still in Miami, but I saw her a few times when she would come back with Nathan and do business in Grand Rapids. She loved Miami and proved to be a valuable asset to the expansion plans of Conklin’s movement there.
Tyler and I hadn’t spoken much of the tear gas event at the Valentine’s Day fundraiser. Even when it was time for us to use the Michael Buble’ tickets, we avoided talking about how they were purchased. Nothing strange had happened since then, and I was beginning to think maybe it was just a freak thing. But the conversation I overheard with Tyler and RJ proved otherwise, and it was constantly looming over me that the Conklins had some potentially dangerous business.
Margo had even backed off. As far as I knew, her father was still taking treatment in the hospital, and I was happy she was finally leaving us alone.
On a shockingly sadder note, Tyler hadn’t mentioned anything about getting married since that evening either. Our relationship was solid and our connection was deep, but I thought we would talk more about becoming official. I guess I could be the one to bring it up, but I felt he was the one who needed to do that. I wanted him to be just as ready as I was.
Tonight was my birthday, and we were going to do something special, but he wouldn’t share details. I told him since it was my birthday, I should know what we were going to be doing! But Tyler insisted he put together our evening, so I went with it.
“Are you finally going to fill me in on where we are going for my birthday?” I asked with my biggest pleading eyes. He was loading the back of the Maserati with a suitcase then came over to me to open my car door.
“No, it’s a surprise,” he teased, urging me to slide into the sleek car.
It was warming up and the sun was shining. It had to have been in the low 60s, and for Michigan that was like heaven after a cold winter. April was starting off pleasant.
Tyler put on his sunglasses and put the Maserati into drive, zooming to I96. He had changed from his work clothes into his sexy diesel jeans and a half zip-long sleeve navy polo, making his eyes appear more blue. I joined in on his casualness, dressing in jeans and a button down flannel shirt.
Tyler was very quiet, chewing on his thumb with one hand and gripping the steering wheel with the other. His knuckles were damn near white.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He glanced over at me, his thumb in his mouth.
“Mmhmm,” he mumbled. He was bouncing his leg.
“Are you sure,” I said slowly, a smile creeping on my face.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you have been chewing on your thumb and bouncing your leg the last 20 minutes.”
Tyler put his hand down on his now stilled leg. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice becoming a bit high pitched.
I raised a brow then continued to look out the window.
We pulled off the highway near Grand Haven. Tyler had taken me out by the water on Lake Michigan. My face sprung to life as we drove through the little town by the water.
“Are we going to the beach?” I asked with excitement. I hadn’t felt the sand in my toes since Miami, and even though it wasn’t as warm as South Beach, Lake Michigan sand felt just as good on the soles of my feet.
“Sort of,” he said softly. We drove through the small town and into a wooded area. The road zigzagged for a few minutes then we pulled into, from what I could tell, a driveway.
“I want to show you a spec house we have been working on,” Tyler said with a wry smile.
He was nervous again. Why was he nervous about showing me a spec house? He knew how much I loved seeing the finished product of a blueprint.
The long driveway finally ended as the trees started to clear. We met a large ranch house that overlooked the water. The outside of the house wasn’t finished and only had two large pillars at the front entrance. I quickly wondered what might be on the outside. Brick? Stucco? Stone? I got excited thinking about it!
“This looks great, Ty. Are we building a sub around here based on this house?” I asked, unbuckling my seat belt to get out of the car.
Tyler followed suit, meeting me as I walked around the car to check out the property. He reached for my hand and led the way to the front door. He pulled out a key from his pocket and turned the knob.
The flooring was still plywood, but drywall was hung and the house was close to being finished. The entryway led to a big family room with a 20 foot ceiling, the back wall windows looking out over the water. I walked through the room and noticed a circular shaped add on to the room that also had windows from top to bottom. A fireplace was off to the side. The brick chimney thinly ran all the way to the top of the slanted ceiling. The room would display something beautifully over the water.
Like a Christmas tree.
I smiled as I stood in the middle of the room add on, happy to see something I had always envisioned
. Tyler stood back in the living room watching me intently. I gave him a big smile then proceeded to the left where there was a vast kitchen. A wall with a big hole helped to separate the rooms, but at the same time, they felt united. I wondered why there was a hole? A fish tank would fit perfectly! In the kitchen, there was a huge island with empty spots for appliances. The counters still had yet to be placed, and the cupboards were drawn in. A breakfast room was off the back and led to a large porch that took up the entire back of the house.
I proceeded down the hall into the bedrooms. There were three total on this side, and I assumed the master was on the opposite side of the house. One of the rooms had a Jack-and-Jill bathroom connecting them. I examined the room further, noticing a nook hidden in each. I sucked in a quick breath as I went into the last room on this side of the house. There was a big bay window and another nook.
A reading nook.
These were kids' rooms. This was my house. Tyler had built me my house. The special spot for the Christmas tree, the hole where a fish tank could be placed, the reading nooks and bay window… all of it was from my dream floor plan. I turned to see him nervously studying me from the entryway.
“Come see the rest of the house,” he whispered, holding his hand out for me to take.
Our feet creaked against the plywood flooring and echoed throughout the unfinished home. My heart swelled the more we explored. His attentiveness to my plans was heartwarming. I felt if I were to speak my voice would crack, and I would start shedding happy tears.
We passed by a formal dining room and an office then finally made it to the master bedroom. It was a circular shape, windows from floor to ceiling. I remembered seeing something similar on Tyler’s dream blueprints. There was a hole in the ceiling off to the side, to what I guessed would be for a spiral staircase leading upstairs. Looking from the outside of the home, it was only built for one room, and I would have guessed it to be an office, Tyler’s office.
My heart was pounding faster the more I put the pieces together.
He tugged on my hand before I could walk over and look out the windows and led me into a duel walk-in closet then into the master bathroom. A large walk-in shower filled the corner, then spots for double sinks. Walking further into the bathroom, I realized it wrapped around the master bedroom. Facing the water was circular shaped with more windows from floor to ceiling where a large bathtub was located in the center of the windows. It was stunning and beautiful and had so much potential.
Tyler tugged on my hand again and led me to the window, and to my surprise, he opened a glass door. I hadn’t realized there was a door to the porch that wrapped around to the main room and breakfast room.
He held the door open for me to walk through, and as I did my jaw dropped. The railings around the porch were intricate pieces of wood with designs and were taller on the outsides then dipped down in a semi-circle with each pillar that connected the designs. The bottom layer of the railings was beautifully crafted tan bricks. White lights helped the pillars and railings find their shape. Single roses were placed throughout the space, each with little ribbons attached to them. Tall vases with candles were strategically placed amongst the flowers on the various benches and end tables. In the center of the porch was a fireplace made from the same beautiful bricks that were the first layer of the railings. A very large lounger lying flat and low to the ground was next to the fire pit. It was draped with white sheets and rose petals were framing the shape of the lounger, some on the edges while others dangled to the floor. The sounds of the waves hitting the beach in the background with the glow of the slowly fading sunset created the perfect setting.
I turned to Tyler with awe in my eyes.
“Ty, this is… this is beautiful. All of it… the house… the roses…,” I said in a low whisper, trying to contain my heart from beating out of my chest.
Tyler swallowed hard as he looked into my eyes, then took both of my wrists and led me to sit on the lounger in front of the fire. He knelt down in front of me as I sat, settling his hands on my thighs.
“Did you build this for me?” I asked so quietly I could barely hear my own voice.
Tyler slowly nodded once. “I built it for us,” he answered just as softly.
I held his face in my hands, so unbelievably happy for his gift.
He took a deep breath then grabbed my wrists, entwining our fingers together and placing them in my lap.
“Becs, you mean so much to me. You are the most compassionate and caring person I have ever met. Your ability to forgive and trust speaks volumes, and I am so amazed by your love for me. You’ve shown yourself to me in every way, and I love that I can do the same to you, that I can trust you with all of my insecurities and weaknesses as you have trusted me with yours.” He took one of my hands in both of his, moving it so the back of my hand was touching his cheek. He tilted his head to kiss it for a long second, closing his eyes. He took another deep breath, squeezing my hand.
When he opened his eyes again, they were raw with compassion. I nearly fell into his arms.
“I started building this house for us and I want you to help me finish it. I want us to live here together, to grow together. I want to make mistakes together and learn from them.”
He took another deep breath, moving his hand to his back pocket and pulling out a red velvet bag with a shaky hand.
My breath hitched in my throat as I watched his trembling hands try to loosen the string on the bag. He looked back up at me, his eyes so soft and vulnerable.
“Becca…” He swallowed hard again and blinked for the longest second of my life then opened his mouth and his eyes at the same time. “I love you more than I have ever loved anything or anyone else in this entire world. Will you marry me?”
With a trembling lip I nodded my head yes, unable to speak because my heart was swelling out of my throat, wanting to wrap around my Ty.
His shoulders relaxed as he took my quivering hand and slid the ring on my finger, kissing the beautiful single princess cut diamond on a platinum silver band once it was in its place.
“I love you too Tyler. Yes, I will marry you,” I said, my voice cracking. I held his face in my hands as he leaned in to kiss me passionately.
Chapter 31
Tyler
I stroked the most delicate skin I had ever felt with my fingers as I lay on my side, staring at the woman I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
The fire was creating a soft glow on her tanned skin, her long eyelashes resting on her cheeks. A content and satisfied smile was on her face as she rested her head on her hands. Her dark brown hair had faded some from the Miami sun, and her natural hair color was starting to show through. It was pushed to the side and tucked behind her ear. I loved watching my Becca sleep after we made love.
What a sap I’ve turned into. Never did I think I would be content to actually spend time on a woman, cherish her body the way I cherished Becca’s. I had grown up an asshole with an icy heart, and my Becs swooped in and slowly melted it to the core, letting it beat strong and only for her.
Sure Margo was in the back of my mind, but once Becca and I connected, I knew I would never touch her ever again. My hands belonged on only one woman, and I planned on touching her greedily for as long as we both shall live. Maybe I could incorporate that into our vows.
I smirked at the thought. Vows… I really am a sap for thinking about vows.
By some miracle, my fucked-up family didn’t scare Becca away. RJ was a piece of work, and I wanted to rip his head off so badly every time I caught him glancing at Becca’s beautiful body. He would get that smutty look in his eyes, and I immediately wanted to deck the bastard. But for some reason, he backed off recently. My mother even called me before the Valentine’s Day fundraiser completely baffled because RJ had been coming home to her more often, and he rarely did that. He even wanted to spend time with her.
I honestly couldn’t give two shits what went on between my parents. While I was growing up they de
spised each other, and I never looked up to them for anything. I only looked up to my grandparents.
I wish they could have met Becs. They would have loved her.
I stroked Becca’s back again then kissed her forehead. I had to get up and use the restroom. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I pulled up the sheet, dropping some of the rose pedals in the process of covering her. The fire was warm, but the temperature was dropping. We were lucky enough to have the semi-nice weather for the evening, but as the sun went down, so would the temperature.
I grumbled when I went into the master bedroom. They hadn’t put in the toilet yet, fucking Mitch. Bastard never did anything right. I had to hound him every damn day to get this house done in the short amount of time. Breaking ground in the winter was a real bitch, but I wanted our house ready as soon as possible.
I knew I wanted Becca to be my wife after Christmas when she bravely showed herself to me. I had fallen in love with her mind and personality first. I always thought she was beautiful, but really getting to look at her, I knew I had to have her body as well. She had to be mine, forever and legally.
I finally found a working toilet in the bathroom off of the kitchen. Thankful they had turned the water on, I washed my hands. The water was freezing cold, and I couldn’t wait to get back by the fire and to my nice, warm Becs. Maybe she would be ready for round two. I never thought I’d be able to rally like I could with Becca. God she turned me on. I swiftly walked through the cooling house, glad I slipped on my boxer briefs. The last thing I needed to worry about was shrinkage, and the cold of the water on my hands wasn’t helping. I walked into the cutout where the Christmas tree would be placed to the curved glass door. I stopped in my tracks as I noticed something out of the corner of my eye when I looked at the fireplace.
I hadn’t seen the fireplace until tonight. Mitch was working on it this week, and those bricks looked awfully familiar. I slowly walked over, attempting to examine the bricks in the dim light from the candles outside. I was happy I put them in tall vases so the breeze from the water wouldn’t blow the flames out. Frustrated I couldn’t see, I ran outside to grab my phone, a small smile on my lips noticing that Becca hadn’t moved.