I worry my lower lip, trying to remember who I had on the books for today.

  “Why don’t you shower,” Tyler releases my hand and stands. “I’ll make some toast; you can get something in your stomach then the two of us can decide how to spend the rest of the day.”

  I try not to show how excited I feel at the mention of us spending the day together. It seems with his schedule and mine, plus sisters in the mix, it’s been difficult to get any time together.

  I offer a nod and watch as he exits my room.

  Had someone told me two months ago I’d be in this very scenario I would have thought they were crazy. But here I am, and though I try to hold back the hopeful feeling that this is something big, they keep rushing at me like a tidal wave.

  Tyler isn’t the kind of guy that makes a woman breakfast and hovers over her when she isn’t feeling well, yet here he is doing just that.

  After I shower and feel more human, I slip on a pair of shorts and a tank top, and make my way to the kitchen. I find Tyler standing at the kitchen island, drinking bottled water. He pauses and I notice his gaze drop as he scans over me. Almost immediately chills break out all over my skin and I shift nervously on my feet.

  “Hungry?” I can hear the huskiness in his voice as he watches me.

  “A little,” I walk closer and round the end of the counter, turning my body away from his I grab the plate and slide it closer.

  I smile to myself when I hear him groan ever so slightly when I lean over. Knowing my shorts are hiking up and that my ass is most definitely on display.

  I may have worn this pair on purpose, knowing they cover very little.

  I take a bite and peek back at him, only his eyes are focused down and I smile around the toast, before shifting back.

  “Are you feeling better?” His voice is low and raspy.

  “Mmhmm,” I continued to chew and take a small drink of the juice he set out for me too.

  Silence sets in and I can practically feel the heat he’s releasing. I feel the tip of his finger trace over my back at the very spot my tank top has ridden up.

  “Headache gone?”

  “Yep,” I close my eyes, fighting the urge to turn and face him.

  “No longer feel like you’re minutes from death?”

  “I feel good,” I assure him, and I swear I hear him say, yes you do.

  When his palm grips my hip, and he steps in behind me I feel him hard against my hip.

  Lowering the half-eaten piece of toast to the plate, I slowly stand, and he moves in, pressing his entire front to my back. Tyler’s palm glides over my hip, and around onto my stomach, one finger dipping beneath the waistband of my shorts.

  “You can tell me to stop,” He whispers near my ear, kissing along the side of my neck.

  “I don’t want you to stop,” in fact I want him to grab hold and take charge. I want him to take me back to my room and devour me. And I never want him to stop.

  Gripping my hips, he turns my body to face his and cups the side of my face. When his lips press to mine I can’t help but comb my fingers through his hair and hold him to me. A kiss that is meant to be slow quickly changes and he hastily presses me back to the counter, one hand still on my face the other slipping beneath the hem of my shirt. Purposely forgetting my bra after my shower, Ty’s thumb makes contact with my nipple, and he moans.

  “This isn’t what I came over for,” he confesses, moving in for another kiss. “I came here to take care of you.”

  “You are taking care of me,” I tell him and feel him smile against my lips.

  Leaning back, I grip my shirt and lift it up and over head, tossing it to the floor. Lust fills his eyes, and he dips his chin, dragging the tip of his tongue over my nipple. I arch my back pushing my chest forward and he takes the invite, wrapping his lips around one pink bud while cupping my other breast. Sucking and biting, I feel myself growing wet as he teases me.

  He’s skilled there’s no doubt, and I push back the ugly voices in my head screaming it’s because he’s had enough practice.

  I move quickly to remove his shirt and am half tempted to drop to the floor so he can take me right here, when he grabs my waist and lifts me. My legs circling his waist, my hands holding his shoulders.

  Tyler begins to move down the hallway leading to my bedroom, with me in his arms. Reaching my bed he lowers us, his body covering mine as he continues to kiss me.

  Every part of my body feels tingly and needy.

  I arch my hips upward, grinding against him and he matches my movement with his own. The friction it creates only makes me crave him more, as if that is possible.

  When he stands and starts to remove his jeans, and boxers I watch in awe. I remember this view, but in the light of day, completely sober it's so much better. He’s incredibly fit and strong.

  His erection bobs and I press my legs tightly together in anticipation. Leaning over my body, he is careful to hook the edges of my shorts and slowly drags them down and over my legs. I allow my legs to part, giving him the view that I know will push him over the edge.

  But when he drops to his knees, and grabs my hips, pulling me to the edge of the bed, I know I am the one that is about to see stars.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY

  Tyler

  From the first swipe of my tongue Amara’s entire body trembles. She is addictive, I can’t seem to get enough. She’s perfect in every way possible, even with all her crazy.

  Pushing my hips forward once again, her body arches off the bed and I know she is close. She’s gripping me so tight, her legs wrapped around my waist urging me on and I can barely hold it together.

  She feels so good.

  “Yes,” encouragement falls from her lips as she lifts her hips to meet my thrusts. She is so fucking beautiful. “Keep going,” as if I am about to stop. No fucking way!

  Rotating my hips her mouth falls open and a pleasurable moan escapes her lips. Knowing that I am hitting the very spot she needs me too, I keep that position and watch as she begins to fall apart.

  Growing tighter around me, her fingernails dig into my shoulders, her breaths quickening.

  “That’s it,” I whisper, fighting against my own release. “Let go, baby. Come for me!” Damn she is incredible. She ignites, her body shivering, her pussy gripping me, I bite my lip and reach my peek right alongside her.

  The two of us falling apart in sequence, as we continue to ride out the pleasure.

  I don’t know what it is about being inside Amara, but I’ve never felt anything better. Maybe it's the connection we have outside of sex, but there is something here that I feel so deep I can’t explain. Almost as if she has a hold on something within that lingers long after our physical connection is severed.

  I remain where I am, my body pressing to hers, not wanting it all to end quite yet. I can feel her taking in each slow breath, her chest rubbing with my own, her nipples still hard from the contact.

  Her legs unhook from my back as they slowly fall apart, and I nuzzle in closer.

  “Wow, Tyler Collins, are you seriously cuddling with me?” The amusement in Amara’s voice makes me smile against her neck, where I’ve settled.

  “Nah,” I turn my cheek settling in deeper, “I’m just too tired to move.” Pressing a kiss to the side of her neck I swear I hear her sigh and my pulse quickens.

  This is real, and yes it fucking scares me.

  I pull into the first available parking space, and kick down my stand, pulling off my helmet. Flipping my key, and swinging my leg off my bike I walk into the restaurant carrying my helmet under my arm.

  I’m late.

  I know everyone else has been here for at least thirty minutes, but I got stuck helping my dad putting a carburetor back into his current project. That’s what I get for stopping by when I already have plans. I can’t tell him no, never have been able to. It's because of them I didn’t grow up in the system or worse alongside a mother that never truly wanted me.

  I owe them everything.

  Entering the restaurant, I pause at the hostess counter, looking around for whoever it is that should be there.

  My phone vibrates in my back pocket, I reach for it, and slide my finger across the screen.

  “Tyler Collins,” glancing up, I'm met with a familiar face, but I can’t put my finger on it. “Wow, thanks, you don’t remember me do you?”

  I stare at the blonde who is wearing a shirt with the restaurant's logo on it. “Maybe.”

  “Liar,” she laughs. “You know I had a lump on my head for about a week, after that night. Not to mention a seatbelt burn along my arm, I’m not quite sure how I got that considering I’d removed mine to climb across the cab of your truck.”

  Then it hits me. “Brandy,” I say, feeling my stomach twist.

  She laughs, “Way to wound a girl,” offering me a wink as she steps up to the hostess station and looks down at the books. “Do you have a reservation?”

  “Meeting a group under West,” I glance behind me and scan over the area, hoping that no one observed my awkward entrance. Happy when I find that I am alone.

  “Yeah, here it is,” Brandy grabs a menu and taps it on the edge of the stand. “If you’ll follow me I can take you to them.”

  I want to tell her no I’ll find my way, but she is already walking away before I can stop her. I shouldn’t be this nervous but the idea of Amara being in the same room as one of my wild night hookups makes my stomach twist.

  As we enter a banquet room and Brandy turns the corner I see everyone come into view. The first person I look for is Amara who is sitting between Lorelei and Charlie. She looks up and I see the corner of her mouth tip up in a smile.

  Then I feel a soft hand on my forearm, and I look down to find Brandy still at my side. “If you ever want to hit repeat, call me,” she holds out the menu and a card with a number scribbled on the back. “Maybe this time I can leave a lasting impression that will make you remember what my name is.” She winks, and spins around walking away.

  I quickly look back at Amara and she is looking down at the table, twisting her napkin in her hands. Long gone is the smile she had seconds ago. Then I see Liam who is across from her, and his scowl says it all.

  Way to go, asshole!

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-ONE

  Amara

  I knew I couldn’t do it, so I’m not even sure why I allowed myself to believe I could. Claire once told me that my heart was attached to my vagina and no matter how hard I tried, I could never be that girl that didn’t get emotionally involved.

  I hate that she’s right.

  I hate that I am sitting here in the middle of a restaurant with all my closest friends, and I suddenly feel like I’ve been tackled and thrown around.

  I look up when someone talks to me and force a smile, I laugh when the situation calls for it, but truthfully I’d rather be anywhere but here.

  I’d rather be hidden away in the comfort of my apartment ignoring the pull I feel toward the man that I know is watching me and waiting for me to assure him that I’m good. I am, I know I have to be, because I’m sure the hostess isn’t the only person I will run into that has slept with Ty.

  Just yesterday I had Erica Hayes in my chair for a cut and color and she talked about a certain firefighter who should remain nameless that she’d love more than anything to go another round with.

  My heart is in my throat. It has been since the blonde woman placed her hand on Ty’s arm, and offered round two.

  The hardest part was not reacting.

  But honestly what right do I have to even be upset and the last thing he needs is me and my insecurities.

  Digging deep I know what I need to do, and I do it. I lift my head, square my shoulders and push through dinner. Even though the food tastes like cardboard I chew enthusiastically. The wine is bitter, and I ask for a second glass. When the dessert cart comes, Lorelei and I split a cheesecake though we both agree we shouldn't. We enjoy every last bite.

  When dinner is done and everyone is gathering their things to leave, Ty makes his way around the table.

  Reaching me, he places his hand on the small of my back, leans in to offer me a kiss on my cheek and pauses near my ear. “Hang back so we can talk.”

  “I rode with Liam,” I don’t look at him, staring forward to remain discreet.

  “I’ll give you a ride home.” I glance down seeing his helmet tucked beneath his arm and then back up at him. “It didn’t mean anything.” He finally says and I flinch unexpectedly.

  “And that is the saddest part about the entire thing.” I guess I’m built differently because to me sex means something. Then I find myself wondering if I mean anything or am I just an easy fix, so he doesn't have to go looking, I’m just there.

  “Mar don’t do this,” he squeezes my hip and I try to step around him. “Hey.”

  He stares at me, and I know that if we remain like this everyone will figure it all out. “Not here,” I finally say.

  “Then where,” I don’t answer him, feeling emotional and needing to get this over with.

  I can tell he doesn’t like that he can’t touch me or say whatever it is that’s on his mind. “Can we stop pretending yet?”

  “We aren’t pretending.”

  “Fine,” Tyler gives me a stern look, “Can we stop hiding?”

  I know what he is asking me and I’m not sure that right now is the best time for everyone to find out we’ve been, hell I don’t know what we’ve been.

  “Alright,” he steps back, giving me some room and I feel relieved. “I’ll give you time to get home, time for Liam to leave and then I’ll be at your doorstep.”

  “What if I wasn’t planning to go straight home?”

  “You were, so that’s not gonna work. I’ll see you soon.” He moves away and continues around the table saying bye to everyone and I grab my purse from the back of the chair, waiting for Liam.

  When I see him and Audrey off to the side talking I walk out of the room and lean against the wall, close my eyes and take in a deep breath.

  “Are you having second thoughts about declining my offer for a ride?” I feel like I don’t know which way to go with this man. I want him to be the one, but I know already that Tyler isn’t built like that. I want him to be someone I can count on and though so far he hasn’t given me a reason to believe I can't. I'm just waiting for that to change. “ I know what you’re thinking.”

  “You telepathic now and none of us knew?” I finally push off the wall and stand, still holding the strap of my purse because I need something to do with my hands.

  “No, but I’ve got you figured out Mar, and you can deny it all you want. Right now though you are already convincing yourself that you and that hostess are in the same category.” I hold his stare refusing to give him any indication that he may be right. “You think what happened between her and I over a year ago is the same thing happening between us, but you couldn’t be more wrong.”

  “Another warm body,” I shrug, and his eyes darken.

  “That’s bullshit and you know it.”

  “Why is this,” I wave my finger between us, “any different than you and all the others you’ve been with?”

  “Because dammit, you are Amara.”

  I laugh, “What in the hell does that even mean?”

  “Fuck, I don’t even know that yet, but what I do know is that when I’m with you I’m not trying to figure out how to get away. When I know I’m about to see you I actually get so excited that I feel like a fucking kid. It’s not just about the sex, it's about you giving me a sense of belonging. It’s so many things, that I can’t even list them all and I’m still discovering new shit. What I do know without a single doubt in my mind is that you are nothing like any other woman in my past. I feel like when you look at me you can see something nobody else has bothered to see.”

  “I don’t know if I can do this.” I confess, my chest aching.

  “You can,” he tells me, reaching out to take my hand and offering it a soft squeeze. “You just have to give it a chance. You have to give me a chance.”

  I take in a shuddering breath and then let it out slowly.

  “Baby,” I look up at him and that softness he has in his eyes when he looks at me can’t be missed. “Please let me take you home.”

  I pause, looking back over his shoulder to find Liam watching us, but still talking to Audrey. “He knows doesn’t he?” Tyler doesn’t even have to look to know who it is I’m talking about, he only nods.

  “I’ll wait for you outside,” I step back, letting go of his hand. “Will you tell him?”

  “Yeah,” pushing his hands into his pockets he rocks back on his feet. “Don’t go outside, not by yourself.”

  It's my turn to nod, before I turn and walk toward the front door. Only I don’t go all the way out front because I’m not sure I can stomach seeing her again, not right now. I shouldn’t want to claw out the eyes of a complete stranger, but I do.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-TWO

  Tyler

  I curl in closer to Amara, her back pressed in tightly to my chest as we both lay on our sides. My body follows the contour of hers, leaving little space between us. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a mess of tangles, as she snores lightly.

  Last night after she finally climbed up on my bike, she rode the entire way back to her place holding onto me like her life depended on it.

  I loved the way it felt to have her on my bike. I took the scenic route home, enjoying the way her arms wrapped around me, and her hands fisted the shirt at my waist.

  She remained somewhat quiet when we reached her place, even when we were inside she busied herself, I think so that she could avoid me as much as possible.

  That was until I cornered her in the bathroom and forced her to talk to me.

  Seeing tears in her eyes triggered an emotional response from me I never expected. It was almost like I’d been kicked in the nuts and punched in the throat at the same time.