by Haley Travis
I set the laptop back to the desktop background of a sunset, then took a photo of my left hand giving a thumbs up in front of the computer. I sent it to Tana, who responded immediately.
Tana: Paperwork done? Good for you! Now that we’re going to be selling glasses as well as doing eye exams, I have to test absolutely all of the merchandise. For quality control.
She sent a photo of herself wearing bizarrely trendy asymmetrical glasses with thick plastic frames.
Me: Those are gorgeous.
Me: Wait, no. The glasses are hideous. You are gorgeous.
Me: I can’t wait to see you in a couple of days, sweetheart.
Tana: Me too.
Me: I’m about to do something terribly shocking. Don’t freak out.
Me: My very first emoji.
Me: <3
Tana sent a ten-second video clip of herself fanning her face as she looked absolutely shocked, which dissolved into a grinning giggle, blowing me a kiss.
Good grief, I was already so in love with this girl it was like a deep, warm pressure inside me at all times. It was weird. And it felt amazing.
CHAPTER EIGHT
* Tana *
Tuesday was a regular day at work, except I felt like I had a little secret every time I checked my phone. I didn’t want to become one of those girls who was attached to it at all times, so I forced myself to only check every hour, or when there were no clients in sight for a moment.
Maria, our eyeglasses specialist who was going to help patients choose frames and fit their new glasses when they arrived, was the one who shot the video yesterday of my fingers typing. She didn’t actually start work for a few weeks because we were still getting things sorted out, but she dropped in often to pitch in.
When I told her that I was trying to cheer someone up who was having a rough day, she had instantly laughed, flashing me a wink.
I’d never been in a relationship before. It was amusing to see how much it seemed to entertain those around me. Megan sent me a text every day now to ask how it was going.
Now that Maria knew why I was taking funny photos wearing strange glasses, she stopped trying to show me the nicest ones that came in, and instead showed me the goofiest.
I assumed that Tyler must be having a busy morning since he didn’t send me a text until noon. When it arrived, it was a photo of wood screws lined up in a meandering trail like ants toward a hammer, laid out on a hardwood floor.
I felt my face stretch into a giant grin. Tyler was actually making art for me. He had artistic friends, but he had never once mentioned anything creative of his own. The thought of him taking the time to make an arrangement just to make me laugh filled my heart with another wave of intense emotion.
“Good news, I assume?”
My gaze snapped up to see my boss, Dr. Tony Brannigan chuckling at me. Flipping the phone over and putting it away guiltily, I knew he didn’t really mind.
Tony smiled warmly, always an expert at putting people at ease. No wonder so many of our clients were elderly people. He made all the time in the world for them, listening as much to their stories about their grandchildren as he did to their vision problems.
That was one of the reasons he was expanding his practice so that he could sell glasses directly. When a few of our patients had complained about the prices these days, he found out that two of the local so-called ‘eyewear specialists’ also specialized in charging exorbitant prices to the elderly.
Tony was having none of that, so now we were going to offer eyewear at extremely reasonable prices, and he hired Maria to make sure they were happy with their selections.
If I were to picture my ideal father, it would have been him. Even though he was probably in his late fifties, his boyish grin and enthusiasm to see every single person who walked in the door, made him an incredible boss.
Ignoring his question, I changed the subject immediately.
“Mrs. Humphrey’s daughter called, and they’re coming in about ten minutes late. So you can either skimp on your lunch break, or I could ask the next appointment to delay a bit.”
He waved his hand at me as if I were crazy. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll shorten my lunch. A sandwich and a walk around the block isn’t that exciting.”
He looked around the reception area to see everything spotless, as usual. I’d been given free rein to decorate and arrange things however I saw fit. Keeping things looking fresh from month to month was a delightful little project.
“Thanks for keeping it tidy out here, even with all of the new boxes and setup,” he smiled.
“No problem. Once I mention what we’re up to, people don’t mind the chaos at all. Most of them are pretty excited to get new glasses.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Tana, are you talking up the sales area before we even announce it?”
“Of course,” I said, tossing my hair while sticking my nose in the air. “As the head information consultant at this practice, it is my duty to keep everyone well informed.”
He laughed, giving me a wave as he went back to the examination rooms.
When I was first hired, we had joked that the position would be a lot more than the usual receptionist. I scheduled, shifted, and confirmed appointments, while managing everyone’s schedules. I kept everyone in the loop, from the patients, to the cleaning staff, to his wife. Our titles for my job had included everything from ‘Official know-it-all’ to ‘Princess of knowing all things.”’
Sneaking another look at my phone, there was another photo from Tyler. This one featured shredded cheese laid out on a sandwich wrapper, arranged in a heart.
Tyler: Too cheesy?
Me: Never.
The rest of the day passed quickly, and I went home to make dinner. I found that everything I thought about now had Tyler attached to it.
I wondered what I would make him when he came to dinner someday. If my old couch would creak when a man that big sat on it.
If he’d want to stay over.
That thought filled me with an indescribable heat. It was clear that we truly wanted each other. There was no question that I was ready, now that I knew in my heart that he was going to be the one. It was just a matter of when.
After cleaning the kitchen, I heard my phone beep. Checking my texts, sure enough, there was a note from my brand new probably-boyfriend.
Tyler: I’m in your neighborhood. Can I come over?
Me: Sure.
Tyler: Cool – I’ll be there in five.
The next four and a half minutes were a whirlwind of tearing around trying to find something cute but casual to wear, brushing my hair, throwing on a bit more eyeliner, and making sure that the apartment was tidy.
When I buzzed him up, I noticed that my fingers were shaking slightly.
The second I opened the door to see his unbelievable smile, I knew in my heart that he was absolutely the one. I also knew that if he wanted to, tonight was the night.
I didn’t care about waiting for six weeks, or ten dates, or whatever systems other women used. I’ve always believed that people should do what’s right for themselves, and I wanted Tyler to do absolutely anything and everything he wanted with me.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, instantly taking hold of me, rocking me in his arms. He kissed me lightly, then locked the door, kicked off his shoes, and led me straight to the couch as he looked around.
“It’s so funny,” he said almost sheepishly, “I didn’t even know your last name. I had to look it up on the apartment directory in the lobby.”
“It’s a super common name,” I shrugged, trying to think of a way to change the subject immediately. “How was your day?”
“Not bad, but not as good as it could’ve been.”
“Why?”
“You weren’t there,” he grinned, pulling me so that I was sitting across his legs, curled into his shoulder.
He kissed me softly, his lips barely brushing mine as his hand slid up the back of my shirt to caress my skin.
“I’m sorry I can only stay for twenty minutes. I have to take the company van across town. But I needed to see you. I’ve been thinking about touching you all day, sweetheart,” he said softly, kissing down the side of my neck.
“I’ve been thinking about you all day too,” I said, trying not to blush.
It turned out that the couch did creak a little with both of our weights on it.
“You know, you were very cute in those crazy blue glasses,” he murmured, kissing along the edge of my chin.
“Do you like them?” I asked, winding my arms around his shoulders and stroking the back of his neck.
It was as if my hands knew exactly what to do, reaching into the back of his t-shirt to caress as much of his shoulders as I could. I turned and caught his ear between my teeth, loving the feeling of him shuddering against me. How could my touch thrill him so intensely?
The feeling of his slightly rough hands untucking my t-shirt and skimming across my stomach made me want to suggest we go to the bedroom immediately. Yet somehow I knew we didn’t have nearly enough time for what I really wanted.
“Only twenty minutes?” I asked, placing my palms on either side of his face as I brought his lips to mine.
He nodded against me. “I shouldn’t have bothered you, but I couldn’t wait to see you again.”
“Did you really miss me?” I whispered, scarcely able to believe it.
Tyler pulled away, looking at me carefully for a moment. “Tana, you have no idea. I think I’m already addicted to you, sweetheart.”
His lips curled into a gloriously adorable smirk. “If it came down to you or coffee, I’m pretty sure that you’d win.” He stared into space, tilting his head back and forth, pondering. “Yeah, pretty sure.”
Then he kissed me, hard. His lips angled against mine as he pulled us together almost roughly. Our bodies shifted and he moved me so that I was straddling him.
Instantly feeling how hard, how big he was made sparks fly up and down my spine, but then his tongue slipped into my mouth, and I’d never felt anything so perfect in my life.
Tyler tasted me as if he were starving for every inch of me. Our breathing became ragged, but we couldn’t stop, hands clutching at each other desperately.
His fingers found my nipple, pinching gently as I squirmed against his erection, his other hand grabbing my ass hard.
A low grunt came from deep in his throat as he muttered, “You delicious little tease.”
I heard myself moan as he caressed every inch of my skin, my hips now tilting as I spread my legs, pressing my panties directly on the enormous bulge at the front of his jeans.
“Tana,” he murmured into my mouth, “You have no idea how much I need you.”
It suddenly occurred to me that he might actually, genuinely, need me.
He had mentioned not dating anyone for a long time. The other night we had slept in the same bed and he had made me feel amazing, but I had been too nervous to touch him back.
I realized that it was sort of my turn. Well, not that anyone was keeping score, exactly, but since he was working so hard this week, relieving his stress would be the least I could do.
“Tyler,” I murmured as both of his hands grabbed my ass now, rocking against me as if he couldn’t help himself, “Can I try something?”
“You can do absolutely anything you want, sweetheart,” he said with a saucy smirk.
Climbing off his lap, he stuck out his bottom lip in a dramatic pout. But then when I pushed the coffee table out of the way and knelt between his knees, he instantly realized what I was about to do.
“Tana, I appreciate it, but you don’t have to–”
“May I try?” I asked, fumbling with his zipper.
“If you really want to, sure,” he grinned, shifting as he opened his pants and pulled down his shorts.
Reaching out, I remembered that confidence was sexy. This was not the time to be timid.
Gripping his stiff shaft with both hands, I leaned in closer, stroking gently along the skin. It was weirdly fascinating how sensitive it seemed, almost twitching in my hands.
Working my fingers along the entire surface, I looked up at Tyler as I opened my mouth, tentatively wrapping my lips around the thick, round head.
I’d always wondered whether trying to give a blow job would make me feel dirty. From the way his eyes were absolutely on fire as he gently stroked my hair, I was proud of myself.
Licking and sucking carefully, I felt the shudder that ran through him. I did that. I made this strong, amazing man feel good. It was incredible to me.
The expression in his eyes was unreadable as the lids closed slightly. Pulling more of his flesh into my mouth, I moved my lips and hands along the surface, touching every part I could.
Tyler grew silent. Still. His breath becoming labored was the only sound in the room.
My tongue fluttered around the head, a slightly salty drop of liquid surprising me. It was so sexy arousing him this intensely.
His hips began to shift, angling his length deeper into my mouth. Breathing carefully through my nose, I took as much as I could while finding a steady rhythm that was clearly what he needed. My palms tightened as I felt him begin to twitch and throb.
Tyler’s breath hitched as he started to tense up. “Tana,” he choked, “Gorgeous...”
Increasing my speed, I sucked harder as he jerked in my mouth, his hand clutching my hair as he groaned. Thick liquid filled my mouth, and I swallowed hard, while staring up into his eyes. He seemed surprised, somehow.
I released him, sitting back on my heels and looking up into those deep blue eyes that were now glazed. Dreamy.
He pulled me by the shoulders so that I was straddling him again. Bringing his forehead to mine, he took a breath before muttering, “Sweetheart, that was incredible.”
I couldn’t help giggling. “That was okay for a first try?”
Tyler’s lips met mine in a slow, sultry kiss. Then he chuckled. “Well, we might have to practice more. A lot, actually. Several times a day.”
It was oddly comfortable laughing with him. But then I glanced at the clock. “You have to go. It’s been twenty-one minutes.”
“I can’t just leave after that,” he said, frowning as he looked at the time.
“I’ve already made you late. Get going, it’s okay,” I said with a grin.
Then he shook his head. “I’m so sorry, I really do have to run. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure.”
We stood up, and I walked him to the door. Feeling his arms around me, his hands on my back, made me feel whole. It was strange how I’d never been so comfortable with a person before, ever.
“That was a helluva surprise,” Tyler murmured in my ear. “I was just coming over to make out with you.”
“Women are supposed to keep men guessing, right? Keep you on your toes?”
“I don’t know about that,” Tyler whispered in my ear. “Sweetheart, I really hate to take off right now.”
I laughed. “It’s fine. One for the road, so to speak.”
“Damn, you are so amazing,” he grinned, kissing me hard and deep. “I’ll call you soon. Sweet dreams.”
As he took off into the night, I couldn’t stop smiling. He really wanted me, and the feeling was beyond mutual. I couldn’t wait for our next date.
CHAPTER NINE
* Tyler *
Life was always chaotic, but the highs and lows were extra pointy this week. After Tana’s incredible surprise last night, I felt like I was floating on a cloud as I finished switching the trucks and organizing tools.
Then as soon as I got started this morning, things were back to the grind, and then some.
Our work had been going smoothly, but now this damn Wright Construction nonsense was throwing everything into chaos, and my uncle did not function well when he was stressed about people.
He could handle any carpentry mistake, fix any problem, and managed to hit every single deadline. No question. But
when he had to reprimand staff, or deal with a competitor, he became flighty and over-emotional.
Luckily, he had me to smooth things over.
As soon as I was done with the morning work, I went into the office and checked through the pitches we were submitting this week.
Even though it sounded like Wright Construction was trying to underbid and undermine our ability to get new business, they didn’t have the reputation that we did. With one of the three clients they were messing with, we already had a rapport, so they would most likely stick with us.