I stare into those pale blue eyes that are suddenly a lot darker, with the pupils covering most of the irises. Both of his hands are on my hips now, and he’s watching them as they glide up the sides of my waist, his thumbs slipping over my breasts, until his palms cover my chest above my raging heart, up to my neck, and finally to my jaw, which he cradles, staring at my lips.
I’m going out of my mind, crawling out of my skin. If he doesn’t kiss me soon, I don’t know how much longer I can keep from grabbing him.
Tyler leans down and his lips touch mine, so sweet, so tender, my entire body shakes. This kiss is different from the one in the copy room, which was hot and desperate, like water filling the cracks of a desert floor. This kiss is poignant, with so much longing behind each gentle brush.
I wrap my arm around his neck and pull him close, because I got the message. He wants this, and so do I.
Tyler braces a hand on the back of the couch and covers me with his body. My leg slips to the floor and his hips seat between my thighs. I can feel him hard and big against a very tender place that happens to be pulsing at the moment, but he doesn’t move or grind. He runs his fingers through my hair, thumbs rubbing my temples. “Mira…” He lets out a sigh, as if no more words need saying.
I feel cherished, and it’s nearly killing me. I want him so much, and I’m terrified of him at the same time. But I won’t allow fears I’ve harbored to control this moment.
I won’t hide how I feel this time.
His mouth seeks mine, but his lips are soft, his tongue twining and teasing. I run my hands down his sides to his thighs, where I grip him with the passion that’s been burning for so long.
Tyler groans in my mouth and slides his hand down my chest, over my breast, where he pauses to cup and run his thumb over my nipple. I wiggle, because it’s impossible to stay still when he does that. His hand moves down my waist to the hem of my top, and he pulls it up and over my head without hesitation.
That was my sleep cami, and I’m not wearing a bra.
It’s been a long time since I’ve done this, and I’m nervous. If I’m half naked, he needs to be too. “Take off your shirt,” I say.
Tyler braces his leg on the floor and reaches between his shoulder blades to pull his shirt over his head, immediately returning his mouth to mine. Only now we’re chest to chest, and I don’t think there’s anything in the world that feels better than Tyler’s warm skin against mine.
His fingers run over my shoulder, down my arm, to my hand, where he squeezes, warming that place in my heart I’ve protected. I kiss the slight indentation on his chin, the scruff that prickles my lips at the top of his throat, back to his mouth that’s soft and demanding. He kisses me like he’s worshipping my lips, the emotion pouring off him so intense, I nearly break away to catch my breath.
I don’t. I kiss him back with everything I’ve ever felt for him.
Tyler’s chest rises on a deep inhalation and he pulls away, shifting his weight, which makes us both wobble on the couch. His gaze is heated as he stares at me for long seconds, his eyes dark and intense—and if I’m reading it right—concerned. After a moment, he breaks eye contact to look around. “Where do you want to do this?”
This is really happening. He doesn’t ask if I’m sure, just to name the place. And oh, God, why is that so hot?
Then I remember Tyler hooking up with the last woman on this couch, which I attempt to flush from my mind, but now that it’s there…“Not here.”
“Your room.”
“No. Yours.” I want all of Tyler, his body, his heart…his bed. I don’t care that he’s in the loft. Better because it’s his space. All him.
He stands quickly and pulls me up. My chest is completely bare, and even though Tyler has seen it before, instinct has me covering myself.
He doesn’t say anything. He watches me slip off my socks and walk barefoot to the ladder. He quickly does the same with his shoes and socks, and follows me.
I feel him behind me as I climb, the heat of his body so close, his hand on the small of my bare back, protectively holding me in place. I scale the rest of the way and crawl across his bed, which takes up most of the loft floor.
Tyler slides to my side and tucks me up against him. His mouth is immediately on my lips, his hands tugging down my sleep shorts. I have one instant of hesitation. A spark of worry that this is all we’ll ever be to each other, the same concern I mentioned to Nessa earlier.
“Wait.” I push his chest with my hand, and he pulls back.
Tyler and I have only ever been lovers, never more. I want more. I stare at his handsome face, taking in the lines of his cheekbones, the strong chin, the beautiful eyes that are all emotion.
He kisses my cheek tenderly, studying my gaze. “Okay?”
His expression is so gentle, and if I’m reading it right, loving. He’s asking if I’m all right.
Nessa’s advice was to seize the moment. I haven’t been living, I’ve been surviving. This, right now, is living.
I wrap my arm around his back, press my lips to his, and pull him close.
Tyler’s hands return to my shorts, and he slips them off my body, the article disappearing off the side of the bed. The only barriers between us are my lacy boy shorts and his jeans.
