Page 174 of Severed Heart

Surrounding him again, I strangle the base of his dick, and he instantly starts pumping more aggressively. After a few thrusts, I pop him out with my next order, sensing he’s close.

“Come in my mouth,” I tell him, taking in as much as I can as I claw his stomach and swallow him down. He thrusts a few times and stills my head until he’s spent himself. His groan as he releases only fueling the rekindled fire between my legs. I’m nowhere near satiated with giving so little to him, even as he sinks into the bed as he comes down. Even so, I feel the familiar fatigue settling into me and hate it.

“Merde,”shit, I whimper, as light sweat covers my skin. “We’ve waited so long, for so little,” I utter as he drags me to straddle him, his chuckle ironic.

“We have time. To be honest, I’m surprised you’re up for it this early on.”

“Oh, I’m up for it,” I mutter dryly. “And do you know why, my soldier? Because my memory, my mind—as much of a traitor as it is—has been kind enough to remind me every single damned day justhow wellyou know how to usethis cock.” I grip him again, and he jerks due to the sensitivity, but I keep my grip firm to fight dirty. “Because youweren’tjust a kissingtrampandfucked all the girls.”

A tense silence follows as I release him and sigh.

“I’m sorry I ever put that in your head,” he whispers through the quiet room. “As much as I like to point the finger, I’ve said some shitty things to you in anger. I’m no saint, General, and I know that.” He tenderly strokes my back with his fingers while pulling me closer. “I’ll do my best to erase the words that hurt you.”

“Non,” I lift to speak what words I have for him, “what’s done is done, and there is nothing you will ever say or do that could ever turn me away from you. You have given me the ability to trust again, Tyler, and this trust isyours.” He stares up at me, emotion swirling in his eyes. “I know you are worried, but I am not. I want to be in the same bedroom. I want to share this life with you. Will you maybe consider it?”

“I think we have a miscommunication issue,” he says.

“No, we don’t. We have lingering hurts between us. Ihurtyou and wronged you, and you can’t trust my words yet. It’smy turnto prove love isn’t a liar, and I want so much to make you happy.”

“Then there’s no miscommunication,” he says, pulling me back to his chest, to where I fit so naturally, my head beneath his chin.

“Tyler,” I whisper, “you truly have still wanted me thiswholetime? Even when you came to my door that day?”

“Since the first time I truly saw you, God, yes. Any way I can get you, always, Delphine. Always.” He wraps both his arms around me firmly. Our mouths find each other again and again for long minutes until finally, we’re facing each other an inch away on our own pillows. Hands clasped, legs tangled, we gaze upon one another, a new kind of beginning in each other’s reflection. One that started long ago and that time revealed was the best thing to ever happen to me—a bond which I speak aloud.

“Re-bonjour mon meilleur ami.”Hello again, my best friend.

Chapter Forty-Six

DELPHINE

EYES CLOSED BUTsensing his absence, I blindly palm Tyler’s side of the bed and instantly feel the residual moisture where he lay next to me hours before. Of the handfuls of nights we’ve shared a bed, there have been a few where I’ve awoken soaked byhissweat-saturated body.

Sensing his distress, I quickly pull on my robe and slippers.

Knowing he’s not in the house, it’s confirmed a minute later when I look toward the front door to see it open, the screen door unlocked and slightly ajar behind it. Stalking through it in search of him, I’m thankful my path is lit by the moon, which blazes three-quarters full, as I begin my search through endless rows of apple trees. Rapidly coloring leaves flutter on all sides of me, a few breaking loose and flying past me on my path as I inhale the crisp air. After several minutes of a fruitless search, it’s my worry for him that carries me through the threatening fatigue.

I’m only able to release a long, relieved breath when I finally spot him. That relief is short-lived at the sight of him standing utterly still between a line of trees, his posture rigid, hands clenched at his sides.

“Go back inside, Delphine,” he clips when I’m ten feet away, his tone lacking life while at the same time intentionally casual andlifelike. So much so, if I didn’t know the animation that typically resides inside it, I would never know the difference. Very aware of the distortion of the man standing feet away from me but not of what haunts him, I can visibly see the sheen of sweat still covering his naked upper half despite the cold. Though the air around him is alarming and ominous, his beauty is astonishing by comparison. It’s my heart that refuses to take heed to his warning, but the second I lift my foot to inch forward, he speaks again. “Don’t,Delphine.” This order comes just as clipped and void of animation. “Go back to bed. I’ll be back in a little while.”

Refusing to move but heeding his words, I idle for long minutes as he stands so still—so utterly and terrifyingly still—my heart breaks at the sight of it.

“Tyler,” I finally say, “turn to me.”

“Damn it, Delphine, go back to the house!” he snaps, this voice very much belonging to the man I know. He’s coming into himself because I’m refusing his order, but I can’t allow whatever he’s reliving to harm him any longer tonight.

“Please, Soldier. Please turn to me,” I urge. It takes another minute until his shoulders relax a fraction, and he rolls his neck slightly. It’s then I see his upper body visibly expanding and collapsing as he takes precisely measured breaths. A frigid breeze kicks up when he finally turns, and the sight of solid metal eyes greets me. The sight is jarring, but one I’ve seen before—the first time I found him in the living room. The second sighting was the night he stormed into my house, furious at the thought I had been with another man before he breathed through it and blinked his metal gaze away. “Where are you, Soldier?”

“Standing ten feet in front of you,” he retorts sarcastically. “Couldn’t you do what I asked?”

“Non, not if it pains you this much.” I finally take a step forward. “Are you afraid you’ll hurt me in your state?”

“No,” he bites in offense, “and it’s questions like the one you just asked me that have me wanting you to keep your fucking distance.” Exhaling, he closes his eyes once more and runs a hand through his soaked hair, his irritation with me evident. “I’m completely aware ofeverythinginany fucking stateI’m in, Delphine.”

“Then you are ashamed?” I prod.

“Partly, but mostly, right now, it should be apparent I’m annoyed,” he bites out. “I asked you to leave me be. Couldn’t you do thatone thingfor me?”