Page 158 of The Maxwell Brothers

The call disconnected, and I took off my noise-canceling headphones. For a few seconds, I felt that maybe my ears weren't working properly because it was so quiet. I couldn't hear any voices or noises at all, but then I realized it was already past six o'clock. Everyone was at the restaurant—everyone except Tyler, who was waiting for me.

I jumped from my chair, suddenly feeling butterflies in my belly. I pressed a palm against that spot. Smiling to myself, I put on a super thick sweater and jeans. I was about to take my trusted Ugg boots from my luggage when I heard a knock at my door. "Come in."

I sucked in a breath when Tyler stepped inside. He was wearing a Henley shirt that covered far too much but somehow still looked incredibly sexy, probably because it was so tight that it showed off every muscle.Yum.There should be a rule: only tight shirts on Tyler.

The air instantly changed in the room.

"I just finished a few minutes ago and was changing."

"I thought so when I didn't hear your voice anymore. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes. Yeah, we can go."

He looked at me intently. "We don't have to."

"You want to skip dinner with the group?" I didn’t know what to make of that. What would everyone think?

"Fuck yes." He stepped closer, looking me in the eyes. "I just want to spend this evening with you."

"Wow. Way to be straightforward."

"I told you I would be."

"I wasn't sure you were serious." The thought of an evening with Tyler was ohhh so tempting…

"Oh, I'm always serious when it comes to going after what I want."

I felt his gaze like a physical caress. And when he touched my face with the back of his fingers, I knew I was a goner. The intensity in his eyes and the barely restrained passion in his touch were almost too much.

I blew out a breath, then took a step back. I planted my foot the wrong way, losing my balance and almost fell on my ass.

"Wow. That was close," I whispered as I righted myself in his arms.

"It was, but you're okay. Does your ankle hurt?"

“No, I’m okay.” Clearing my throat, I took a step back. “Tyler, we said no sexy time, remember? Or, well, I said it. You agreed.”

“You make me lose my mind.” Swallowing hard, he pointed to the door. “After you.”

Was it my imagination, or were the muscles of his arms extra bulgy? Or maybe I was more sensitive to his insane sex appeal? Whatever the reason, I couldn’t stop the huge smile from forming on my face.

Mr. Perceptive didn’t miss it. "What's with that look?" he asked.

"I was just admiring you. Can't I do that?"

The corners of his lips twitched. "Let's go before I change my mind."

"Oh, and you assume I'd change mine too?"

“Yes.”

I laughed, shaking my head as we left my room, taking out my phone to look at the map.

It was cold outside, and I hugged my jacket tight around me as we walked through the twisty streets. I pulled my beanie down to cover as much of my ears as possible and crossed my arms over my chest to keep myself a bit warmer.

Tyler put an arm around me. "You're cold?" he asked.

"This is better. Now I'm extra warm from your body heat." It was the beginning of November and the chill was settling in.