Page 59 of The Thief

“You don’t need to hold back,” I replied, and instantly, he crashed his mouth to mine, taking what he wanted. What we both wanted.

He started out brutal and forceful, holding my head as he kissed me with commanding lips. Lips that I’d spent a long time dreaming about, wondering how they’d feel, what they’d taste like, and they didn’t disappoint. One kiss, and he’d put meunder a spell.

His tongue brushed against mine and he groaned into my mouth as he deepened the kiss. But then, the urgency we’d both felt at the beginning fell away, replaced by a tenderness as our tongues stroked and teased, our lips twisting and sliding against each other. I lifted my arms, my hands sliding around his neck as he moved his hands to my hips, then lower, to grab my ass. I couldn’t get close enough to him, I wanted more. So much more. I rocked my hips against him as he squeezed my ass and he groaned again, pulling me closer.

In the darkness of my little hallway, we held each other as we got lost in a heaven of our own making. The power it held over us made me want to melt into him, become a part of him. I wanted him to invade every inch of me. He was a motherfucking conqueror, and I was ready to submit, in every way possible. I never wanted this moment to end.

On a sigh, he pulled his lips away, and slowly, I opened my eyes to find him staring down at me with what looked like wonder.

“I’ve waited a long time for you,” he said. “But you were worth the wait.”

In my own breathless gasp, I replied, “How do you do that?” And he frowned slightly. “How do you always know how to say the right thing?”

“I don’t,” he replied. Then, after a moment, he added, “But when I’m with you, the words, the feelings, they’re just there.”

My heart skipped a beat. My already needy body yearned for him after saying that. But then he brushed his thumb over my bottom lip and told me, “Saturday. Ask your mum to have Ava for the night, and on Saturday, I’m taking you out. Noarguments.”

At any other time, I would have argued, but I just nodded, still caught under his spell, and said, “Okay.”

He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, then said, “I need to go, before I change my mind and never leave again.” Then, stepping back, he gave me a stern look and reminded me to, “Lock the door. Set the code on the alarm. And have a good sleep, Mamma. I’ll be over in the morning.”

He opened the door and threw me a killer smile from over his shoulder as he walked out. Then he headed down the path into the darkness.

“Good night, Tyler,” I called out into the night, part of me hoping he’d change his mind and turn back around.

“Sweet dreams, beautiful,” he called back.

And then, he got into his car.

I closed the front door, leaning against it as I smiled, and then I laughed to myself.

Fuck, that had been the hottest thing to happen to me in years.

But Saturday?

I knew that was going to be even hotter.

I just prayed Ava would be okay and settle with her grandma. But then, Tyler was right. I needed to get our life back on track, and giving Ava her confidence back was top of that list. She’d be fine with my mum. She’d love it. I had to stop overthinking, sort out some counselling for her, and help her to move on. We’d been through something, but eventually, we would come out the other end thriving. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I also knew with Tyler in our corner, we were going to be all right.

Chapter Twenty-Two

TYLER

Igot into my car feeling like I was on top of the fucking world, and all I’d done was kiss Jess like I’d wanted to for days now. Maybe longer, if I was honest with my teenage self. But when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I pulled it out, my mood changed pretty damn quickly.

There were multiple missed calls and a message from Adam.

Adam

We need you. Warehouse.

I had a feeling something might go down tonight. I should’ve listened to my instincts. I started typing my response, instantly switching to soldier mode.

Me

I’m on my way.