“I’m thinking about Tyler and his picture. Caleb hugged and thanked me. Lizzy and Michael told me again how grateful they felt. It got me thinking how I miss certain things,” she confessed.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked as they entered the living room. “It’s a bit chilly in here. Do you want me to start a fire?”
“A fire sounds lovely. I love the fall when all the trees change colors. When I served, I counted the days until I returned to see it and never got the chance.”
“I’m sorry, Scarlett. It must be challenging to miss out on such sights,” he said apologetically. “What does it have to do with Tyler?”
“He called me a superhero. I have saved lives on the other side of the world, yet rescuing him feels like my most significant feat,” she murmured.
“Maybe because you did it for Debbie. You didn’t want her to return to the burning building,” Ty suggested.
Scarlett slightly nodded. She felt her eyes grow watery and her chest felt heavy. The grief of all she lost seemed to creep up on her. For the first time in months, she cried for herself.
Ty pulled her into his lap, his hand rubbed her back while she lay her head on his shoulder. Heaving sobs wracked her body, and she seemed unable to stop. Ice whined at her feet.
As the pain lessened, she hiccupped. Ty passed her a tissue from the table beside the sofa.
“I bet you didn’t sign up to have a weeping woman on your hands today,” she quipped, feeling embarrassed by her sudden outburst.
“You have every reason to cry. I can’t imagine how frightened you must’ve felt getting attacked and unable to see,” he soothed. “I understand Rocker and Sledge got you out. They still seem very protective of you from Sledge’s reaction when I picked you up.”
Scarlett snorted. ‘They love giving me a hard time. Before the accident, I devoured books. One of the men didn’t like a woman having his six. He made fun of my romance books. I enjoyed reading thrillers, dark romance, mafia novels, and mysteries. Yet, this dude started calling my books smut.” She shrugged. “It didn’t bother me, but some of the other guys didn’t like his attitude. When they returned from their mission, one of them asked to borrow one. I asked my bunkmate to bring them out while I worked. When I walked out, I found a group of men reading my romances. I went to the mess tent to see a few more people with my books. Anyway, it drove my tormentor away. With permission, I set up a small library of sorts and switched out the books every week. Occasionally, I found a new one on my bed. No one everadmitted to buying it, but I suspect they enjoyed it as much as I did.”
“Have you read since your return?” he asked, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.
“No,” she admitted. “I loved the feel of a book in my hand, the smell of paper, and the anticipation of a new story to get lost in after seeing the atrocities of war. Rayne suggested I listen to audiobooks. I’m scared to try because it won’t soothe my soul like the real thing. I don’t know if I can bear it,” she whispered.
“Have you talked to Claire or Dr. Hill about this?” he asked.
“Yeah. Claire says I have my entire life to live. They can show me how to fold my money and give me tools to succeed, but in the end, it’s my responsibility to discover what makes me truly happy. Otherwise, I’ll remain in the dark forever.”
“I refuse to believe you want to live in the dark corners of your mind. You must crave the adventure, the mystery, and the romance,” Ty said, determined. “We experienced the worst of human behavior when we watched grown adults dress a small child with a bomb and lead him into an innocent crowd. Men raped school girls and forced people to join them by threatening their families. Young boys were scooped off the streets. They didn’t have a choice, but you do, Scarlett. You can stay in the dark and miss out, or you can work around it and search for a new way to enjoy your life. One thing is for certain,” he said softly. “You’re very much alive.”
Scarlett’s heart raced as he leaned in, kissing her.
“You can’t see me,” he said, placing her hand on his chest. “But you can feel me. Do you understand the difference?”
His heartbeat thumped under her fingers. Ty’s chest moved, and her hands brushed against his chest hair. It felt soft and coarse. Her thumb brushed over hisnipple, causing him to suck in a breath, and his lap hardened against her thigh.
Scarlett felt his face and smiled when she got to his nose. Leaning in, she kissed the tip and continued with her exploration. “Does it bother you? Me, touching you like this,” she asked tentatively.
“I love the feel of your hands on me. Since you can’t see my expression, I imagine you can feel the effect your touch has on me. Use it to your advantage, Scarlett,” he encouraged.
“Do you mind if we continue this in my bedroom? I don’t want Sledge to return home to find me…exploring you.” She grinned.
Ty moved her to the side, stood, and scooped Scarlett into his arms. “Where’s your room?”
“For once, I’m giving you directions,” she replied cheekily. “Down the hall and to the left. Ice will follow us and lie in his bed. Then you can close the door,” she instructed.
Ty carried her to the bed. He let her body slide against his as he set her on the comforter. Waiting for Ice to make his way to the bed, he went back to secure the room and clicked the lock in place.
He went to the bed and cupped her face. “I don’t do one-night stands. You’ve captivated me since we met. Since you can’t see me, it’s only fair I express how I feel about you. I enjoy spending time together, and we can do whatever you choose. There’s no pressure here. It’s only us, Scarlett.”
Ty captured her mouth with his. Unlike before, his tongue demanded entrance and sought hers eagerly. Scarlett moaned, rising to her knees and unbuttoning his shirt. She slid it from his arms, roaming the tight muscles of his stomach, and made her way upward.
“I want to see you,” she whispered. “What color is your hair?”
“I have dirty blond hair, dark green eyes, and a shortbeard,” he described, placing kisses along her jawline. With a chuckle, he claimed, “I’m the most handsome man you’ve ever met.”
