“I would’ve eaten it sooner, but I’ve been a bit distracted.” He pulled out his honey cruller and bit into it. “Mmm,” he groaned. Emma held both of their cups and walked next to him toward the front doors.
“Goodnight, Nora,” Tyler said between bites.
Nora grinned at the two of them. “Don’t stay out too late. You’ve got semis this weekend, and I want that cup to stay right where it is.”
Tyler saluted her, and they walked out into the swirling snow. Emma shifted his cup into her other hand and pulled her hood over her head. Tyler popped the last of his donut into his mouth and they lowered their heads against the wind.
“My truck’s over there,” he called out, then felt like an idiot. There were only four vehicles in the parking lot, and his was more than obvious.
Emma nodded, then nudged his arm. He stopped, and she handed him his Fog and took the paper sack. His heart sank. She was going to tell him goodnight, and then he’d have to do something drastic. He couldn’t watch her get in her car and walk away right now.
She folded over the edge of the bag, then reached into her pocket. Tyler laughed when he saw what was in her hand. Had he seriously forgotten that on the boards? Again, he’d been a little distracted.
Emma held it out, then, seeing that his hands were full, reached down and slipped it into his pocket. His skin burned where her fingers brushed. She wet her lips and looked up with snowflakes on her lashes. “My place?”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Tyler followedEmma’s car through Calgary, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. The slick roads forced them to drive slowly, and it felt like a personal affront.My place?Her words and the coy smile on her face played through his mind, making it impossible to sit comfortably in his seat.He should probably turn the heat warmers off.
"Come on, come on," he muttered under his breath as yet another red light forced them to stop. His leg jittered impatiently, toes tapping against the car floor as if that could force the light to change.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of traffic-induced torture, Tyler pulled up to the curb outside Emma's apartment building. The engine rumbled beneath him as he put the truck in park and watched her car continue on, turning into the parking garage.He should meet her inside the lobby, right?
Tyler reached into his centre console and pulled out his floss, toothbrush, and a sleeve of condoms. He didn’t want to be presumptive, but . . . he was sure as hell going to be presumptive. Everything in his life up to this point had taught him to be prepared, at least he could be grateful for that.Would Emma find it unattractive?Knowing that he was always ready for a sleepover?
He sighed and reached for the door handle, then paused and narrowed his eyes. Condensation had built up on the glass on the drive over, and he spotted a tiny heart streaked amidst the haze.
Emma had done that. The night he’d driven here after the bar when she’d told him the console between them was necessary. He laughed out loud, remembering her nearly scaling the door to stay as far from him as possible.
And here this was. Sitting there all this time, just waiting to reveal itself.
His hands shook as he stepped out of the truck and made his way into the apartment lobby. Inside the airlock, he stomped off his shoes and drew a deep breath to steady himself as he waited, trying not to look like a creep with his toothbrush sticking out of his jeans pocket.
Each second stretched like an elastic band until, finally, time snapped back into focus as Emma walked through the door from the parking garage. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright. Tyler had to remind himself to breathe.
"Hey." Emma dropped her eyes and fiddled with the strap of her purse before hitting the elevator call button. Three times. Tyler smirked.
They stood there next to each other, the air so thick it felt like he was breathing in maple syrup. The elevator doors slid open with a soft whoosh, and Tyler followed Emma into the metal box. She hit the button for her floor, and as soon as the doors slid closed, Tyler moved.
His body trembled as he pushed her up against the wall and kissed her, so pumped full of adrenaline he could barely stand straight.
The elevator dinged, and Emma looked up. “Second floor. Someone else—”
The doors opened, and Tyler called out, “Wait for the next one!” to the group of girls gaping at them from the hall. He hit the button to close the doors, then scooped his hands under Emma’s butt and thighs to lift her up to his level. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he dropped his head back as her hair fell against his cheeks.
He could live here. Right where they were standing. With her weight on his hips, her chest lifting and falling against his, her tongue on his lips.
When the doors opened again, Tyler didn’t let go. He carried her giggling out of the elevator, barely able to see where he was going. Though he’d only been to her door once, he didn’t need directions. He’d thought about retracing his steps enough times to have the route memorized.
Tyler reluctantly dropped Emma to the ground when they reached her door. She fumbled with her keys, her lips flushed and swollen. Her hands shook, but she finally got the key in the lock. She pushed the door open, and as soon as they stepped inside, he pinned her against the door, pushing it closed.
Emma laughed. "Tyler, I really have to pee.”
“Great. I’ll come with you.”
She slapped his chest, then dropped her gaze and smirked as he stepped back. “Is that a toothbrush in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”
Tyler rubbed his neck. “I always brush my teeth after practice, but you were cracking the whip at the arena, and I didn’t have time.”
