“Mik…”
“Ty, I moved here to give my daughter a home, not just for her, but for me too. I don’t know what forces brought us to the same place. Bastian would probably have some theory about destiny or fate.” I chuckle. “But we’re here. Let’s talk it out so we can put the past behind us.”
He looks down. I put my hand on his chin and raise it so I can see his eyes.
“We can’t put behind a past that will always chase us,” he says. “I used to think that I was safe. I could move on. But then…” He shakes his head.
I want to tell him to stop talking in riddles, but I’m tired of words, tired of feeling like I’ve somehow lost control of my life and don’t even know why.
“I’m going to kiss you now, Tyler.”
“You’ve always done what you want.”
“Damn right.” I put my hand behind his neck and cover his lips with mine. We’re almost the same height, but in our embrace, he ends up leaning back onto the desk. I take advantage of the height difference to deepen the kiss.
Tyler moans as his hands go beneath my coat to reach for my sweater. His tongue, warm and wet, teases my lips before seeking entrance. My dick hardens. The traitor doesn’t care that we have unresolved business with Tyler. It just wants Tyler. Period.
Fuck, he gives as much as he takes, showing me he’s no longer the young man whose sexual experience could be drilled down to one partner: me.
I don’t know how many men he’s been with, and God knows I stopped counting the men and women who’ve graced my bed in the past, but under the expert kissing, the pushing and pulling of someone confident with their own skill, I can still taste the old Ty.
“Christ,” he says, half panting when we break apart.
“Yeah…”
“Why is it you end up with your tongue at the back of my throat every time we meet?”
I run my hand through his short beard. “You’ve aged well. This silver fox thing you’ve got going on suits you.”
He snorts. “You look exactly the same.”
“Just a few more wrinkles and white hairs, thanks to being the parent of a teenager.”
“Yeah, about that. I had no idea,” he says.
“Why would you? The world doesn’t know. She’s one of my best-kept secrets.”
A noise in the hall has us breaking apart. I walk to Ty’s office door and look into the hallway. Kay’s coat is on the floor. It must have fallen from the hook. I put it back up and return to the office.
Ty is behind the desk, his expression surly and determined.
“We can’t see each other again, Mik.”
“Not even as friends?”
“No.”
I nod even though every fiber of my being wants to argue and ask him why. Something tells me that whatever it is, he’s not ready to tell me.
“Kay is a great kid, and she’s been a saving grace. I’d love to have her work here with me, at least while the school wants the kids to be involved with the community.”
I nod again.
“But it doesn’t go further.”
Another nod.
I turn to head back out.
