Page 41

Chapter 40

Tyler

N ever in the history of the universe has someone been more proud of the person they love than I am. Lily killed it today.

But I knew she would.

While I wasn’t planning on staying the whole day, she asked me to, so I did. I sat in the back of the room while she dazzled everyone there with her quick wit and overall sunny personality. The readers loved her. They laughed, they cheered, they asked questions, they stood in line to meet her, and not once did someone ask for my autograph. It was all about hers.

And she glowed.

Morgan told me in passing that she was ready for today, but having me here changed her entire demeanor. That the level of happiness and lightness radiating off her was completely different from how she’s been all week. It pains me to think that I caused her stress this week, but it can’t be undone, and at this point, all I can do is be better.

And by being better, I’m going to beg her to come home with me and stay forever. I’m going to have flowers delivered every week, regardless of the sneezing. I’m going to send Morgan pictures just like she asked for of Lily in the house and on the boat, and I’m going to talk to a contractor about adding on to that room across the hall from the guest bedroom to make it bigger and an office that’s all hers. I don’t just want the house to be mine. I want there to be no question that it’s ours.

No rules. No separation. All ours. Together.

By the time she finally wrapped up the day and said goodbye to Julia, it was easy to see that both of them were exhausted. I offered to take them to dinner, but they declined. Instead, we headed back to the apartment rental to pack up Lily’s things and move her to my hotel. While the apartment is cute and quaint, it’s still New York City and the size of a shoebox. We need our own space, and everyone agreed.

“I still can’t believe you’re here,” she says as the suite door behind me closes, and I walk to place her suitcase on the luggage rack in my room.

“Considering how I’ve been staring at you all day, I’d think you’d be used to me by now.” I chuckle and then reach for her wrist to pull her into me. She comes willingly, and I lift her arm to guide her and drape her arms over my shoulders. “All day I behaved, but now, I need to kiss you.”

Closing the distance, I press my lips against hers, and she instantly opens for me, while I pull her against my body to get her as close as possible. Her tongue wraps around mine, her hands find their way into my hair, and she feels, smells, and tastes so good my heart aches with relief.

Keeping my mouth connected to hers, I pull her jacket off and gently drape it over the back of the desk chair. The silky fabric of her shirt has my hands sliding all over her, and I realize one of my hands spans most of the width of her back. She’s small, but not too small. She’s just perfect for me, and then I slide my hands down to her ass.

Squeezing both cheeks, I rub her against my instant arousal, and a groan escapes from the back of my throat. This girl turns me on like no other has before. And it’s not just her body. It’s her mind, her selfless heart, and the way she makes me feel when she looks at me. While I’m still licking my wounds over being an asshole to her, I know that she’s the only person in the world who was meant for me, and I will make it up to her for as long as I can. She deserves all the best things, and I plan on giving them to her.

Slipping her hands under my jacket, she does the same by pulling it off my arms and placing it over hers. She then wraps her arms around me, breaks the kiss, and hugs me. We both sigh at the same time. All the turmoil, all the senseless drama I created, having her in my arms and me in hers, soothes a place deep in me and brings with it peace.

“You’re always so warm,” she says, snuggling in closer.

I drop my head to her shoulder and breathe in the smell of her. “And you’re always so beautiful,” I mumble against her skin.

Her shoulders relax at my words, and I can’t help but think how damaging and healing words can be. I’m hoping that today I’ve made some big strides in healing what I broke.

“What’s that?” she asks, and I glance up to find her staring at the dinner I had delivered to our room.

“You might not be hungry, but I’m starving. I went ahead and ordered for us.”

“But that’s a pizza box with a bottle of champagne.”

“Sounds perfect right now, don’t you think?”

Her stomach answers for us as it growls loudly, and I laugh.

“Come on, sweetheart, you had a long day. Let’s get you fed and then in bed.” I step back, hating that I have to release her, but I’m ready to get the rest of our clothes off.

Piece by piece, we strip down to our underwear. Hers are matching black, and it takes everything in me not to skip the meal and strip her bare.

“Was today everything you hoped it would be?” I ask her, scooting back against the headboard with the box in my lap. She matches me, placing us thigh to thigh.

“It was,” she says, taking a sip of her drink. I had to have champagne. After all, we are celebrating. “I’m not naive enough to think it will be a smooth transition. People will most likely have something to say at some point, I guess that’s inevitable. But you know what?” she asks, while lowering her glass and looking at me fondly with those big gorgeous eyes that I love. “It doesn’t matter. I know who I am, my friends and family know, and at the end of the day, I just want to write stories. If people read them, that’s amazing, and if they don’t, well, they’re just missing out.”

“Amen to that.” I reach over and tap my glass against hers, and we both drink.

“Were you bored today?” she asks, picking up a slice and shoving a third of it into her mouth.

“Not at all. How could I be? I loved watching you do your thing.” I also take a bite of the pizza and moan at the taste. It’s so good.

“I’m glad. I was worried.”

“Are you kidding? Watching you is like watching my favorite movie over and over. I could never be bored. If anything, I feel honored that I got to be there today.”

She nods her head as she thinks about what I’ve said and finishes off her slice and then she shifts a little so she’s facing me more.

“What does your coach say about you being here?”

“He understands, and as long as I’m in Detroit tomorrow morning, he doesn’t have a problem. The season is long, and life happens. They’re gracious in that they realize sometimes we need a work-life balance.”

She picks up her drink and takes another sip. Her arm pushes on her boob and it pillows over the top of her bra. Not being able to help myself, I trace the line of skin that bumps up next to the fabric. I hear her inhale, and it sends the blood moving through my body. In return, she runs her fingertips from my shoulder down over my bicep to the crease in my elbow. Not needing any more encouragement, I set the box on the nightstand, then pull her to straddle me.

The room is quiet as we take our time tracing each other, feeling the way each body is shaped differently. My fingers draw lines over her ribs, under her boobs, around her nipples, and then path upward over her chest to her neck. Her fingers trace the muscles in my shoulders, arms, abs, and then finish by running down the strip of hair that leads from my belly button to the waist of my underwear.

“Come to Detroit with me tomorrow?” I whisper, reaching behind her to undo her bra clasp.

“Really?” she asks, surprised.

“Yeah, it’ll be a long day, as we’re flying home after the game, but I’d love for you to be there.” I slowly pull it off her arms, then drop it to the floor.

“I’ll need to book a flight,” she says, arching her back and sliding her center over me as I palm her breasts.

“I have the chartered plane in the morning, so just hop on that with me. I’ll get you a hotel room to rest in until the game. I talked to Camille, and she said you could ride home with them on her grandfather’s plane.” I lean forward, tuck a piece of hair behind her ear where she tilts her head into the touch, and then I run my tongue over her nipple and suck it between my lips.

“Okay. I’ll go,” she whispers at the same time as I dip my hand into the back of her underwear, urging her to rock against me. She feels so damn good I have to breathe through my nose to maintain control of myself.

“I’m glad. I just don’t want to be apart from you yet,” I tell her, feeling vulnerable at the admission. But I know my thoughts and feelings are safe with her, and as we move into this next phase, she’ll be gentle with me.

“Well, Mr. Quinn, it’s your lucky day because I feel the same,” she says, rising to her knees to pull off her underwear and kick them to the floor.

Using that moment, I also pull down my boxer briefs to free myself. Lily smiles at me conspiratorially before she bends over and licks me base to tip. A burst of ecstasy races throughout my body, and I groan, my hands finding her hair. When she takes me in her mouth, her wet heat envelops me, and it’s almost too much. I can’t do it, not after this past week, and I gently lift her to bring her back to my lap.

“Another time, I will gladly fuck your mouth, but right now, I just need you. All of you.”

I line us up, and slowly she sinks down bringing us eye to eye.

“I have never loved anything or anyone the way I love you. Nor will I ever,” I tell her, running my thumb down the column of her neck and admiring the freckles that dot her skin. I need her to know that she is it for me.

“That’s good because it’s always been you for me. You’re the only one,” she says, contracting her inner muscles to squeeze me and allowing her gaze to roam over my face. She palms my cheek and gently brushes her fingers over the five o'clock shadow. It gives me chills, and my forehead falls to hers.

Needing her mouth on mine, I tangle my hands in her hair and bring her to me. She lazily moves her hips, rocking back and forth, as I damn near swallow her whole. I want to consume this girl, brand her, and make it known to everyone that she is mine.

“I love you,” she says, as she takes my lip between hers and bites down.

“I love you, too,” I tell her, as I flip us over and put her on her back. Pushing all the way in, I hold still as I stare down at her, and she stares back at me. “You and me?” I ask, already knowing the answer, but I just need to hear it one more time.

“Always,” she answers, with nothing but unadulterated devotion in her eyes.