“I gotta go,” I told Brenda. I hung up the phone and stood. Before I was even completely upright, Tyler was reaching for me, outstretching his long arms, wrapping them around my waist. The feeling of coming home again, that I’d become used to in such a short amount of time, appeared as I melted into his body. I reached up on my tiptoes to meet Tyler’s approaching lips.
“How was practice?”
He shrugged. “Practice was practice.”
I frowned. “You know what I mean.” I tugged a little at either sides of his collar. “You and Riggs …”
“He’s still breathing.” His lips formed a frown as if he’d hated to say that statement out loud.
“Despite your annoyance with his breathing, that’s actually a good thing.”
His forehead wrinkled. “How so?”
I wanted to giggle at the absurdity of his questioning but, in all seriousness, he seemed to be serious about ending Riggs’ life. “Because it means my husband isn’t sitting in a jail cell for murder.”
His lips turned upward. “Say it again.”
I gave him a perplexed look. “What? I’m happy you’re not sitting in a jail cell?”
He shook his head. “No, the part about me being your husband.”
Grinning, I wrapped my hands around his triceps, pulling his body closer to me. “I’m gladmy husbandisn’t in a six by eight foot cell instead of here with m—” The last syllable was cut off when his lips captured mine. I’d been expecting the kiss ever since that smile that showed his one dimple made its appearance. I was learning that particular smile was just for me.
“You ready?” he questioned, pulling back and placing his forehead against mine.
I bit my lower lip.
He tipped my chin. “What’s that about?”
“I’m nervous.”
“Destiny Townsend? Nervous?”
A chill ran through my body at hearing my married name. He’d made it a point to say it whenever he got a chance.
“McDonald-Townsend,” I reminded him. I insisted on hyphenating my last name.
Tyler frowned. “We’ll see about that.”
I sighed.
“Anyway, let’s go. We don’t want to keep your mother waiting.”
I nodded, still feeling nervous. Tonight was the first night that my mother and Tyler were going to meet. Oh, and that we were going to reveal that we were married. Talk about laying it on.
“Mothers love me,” Tyler reassured me as we made our way to the building’s elevator. “I mean, what’s not to love? I’m charming, wealthy, great-looking, nice ass to boot …” He pivoted, turning his ass toward me so I could see.
I tossed my head back, laughing.
“And I’m funny as hell.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Butterflies in my stomach began flapping their wings in agreement with my cocky husband.
“Whatever,” I stated, rolling my eyes and stepping off the elevator, not willing to agree. Lord knew he already had an ego the size of the building we were exiting. No need to inflate it even more.
He opened the electric blue door of his Cayenne for me to get in. Moments later, he was climbing into the driver’s seat and we were on our way. Pushing out a breath, I hoped for the best.
****
